Pleasant Creek State Recreation Arera-Palo, IA: Linn County

You see that? That’s sunlight…..And it’s sticking around longer and longer. Which means our collective derrieres are getting out to our state parks and exploring Iowa’s great outdoors. We go exploring!

It’s a good day to get muddy and get art supplies. Yes, you heard me. You can go out and buy some materials or see what mother Iowa can provide. Luckily for us, Pleasant Creek State Rec Area had the best deal in town!

Discovery by land and lake!

The water is getting warmer and Team Goodvin is getting more adventurous.

When Leah and Gigi have mosaics to make, they don’t settle for just any rock, pebble, or group of bundled sticks. I know this because the rocks, pebbles, and sticks from the driveway that I showed them wasn’t met with much enthusiasm. Are we travelers or I we travelers!

We don’t leave until there is sand caked in every fingernail. Mission accomplished!

The haul from the banks at Pleasant Creek State Recreation Area

We explored the beaches and wadded in the shallow waters. The campsites, trails, and playgrounds had plenty of activity on this spring weekend at Pleasant Creek. Good ol’ fashioned Iowa sun soaking was at play all over the park.

A view from the swing overlooking Palo’s proud recreational retreat.

The slides are just fine and ready for a long summer at Pleasant Creek.

The hundreds of shells that we collected will be turned into homemade earrings, art projects, and all around collectibles. What are the little things you’ll travel for? Antiques..the best burger ever..a new brewery? We’ll find any reason to explore Iowa and Pleasant Creek’s banks and campsites are just another reason to see more of this state.

Be sure to read about our other adventures at Iowa State Parks like Lake Macbride, Wildcat Den, Lake Darling, and Maquoketa Caves.

Thanks for reading! -Team Goodvin