Grownup Getaways · Museums and History · North Dakota

Bismarck Like A Boss

Bismarck-Mandan, ND: Burleigh & Morton Counties (Our 3rd/4th ND Counties) Our gallivant to North Dakota ran parallel to the Lewis and Clark Trail for much of our trip. Stops in towns such as Council Bluffs, Sioux City, Elk Point, Crofton, Vermillion, Yankton, and then North Dakota’s State Capitol of Bismarck and its neighbor Mandan. The… Continue reading Bismarck Like A Boss

Family Adventures · South Central Iowa

The Christmas Return to Ottumwa-Part 2 of 2

Ottumwa, IA: Wapello County The yuletide season was just getting warmed up on our visit, and we had a lot of memorable moments ahead including another round of tasty meals. Breakfast on the ground floor of Hotel Ottumwa was up to bat!   2nd Street Cafe has the all the butter, syrup, pancakes, sausage, and cinnamon… Continue reading The Christmas Return to Ottumwa-Part 2 of 2

Family Adventures · Museums and History · Northeast Iowa · Outdoors All Year · The Mud Belt-Traveling the Mississippi

“Their Spirits Will Watch Over You While You Are Here…”

Effigy Mounds National Monument-Harpers Ferry, IA: Allamakee County (Our 48th County) On a mission to a festival in nearby Garnavillo, IA, we found ourselves visiting one of Iowa’s most sacred areas. We had plans throughout Clayton County, but there is always time to stop and explore one of our nation’s national monuments. Near the small town… Continue reading “Their Spirits Will Watch Over You While You Are Here…”

Family Adventures · Iowa Icons · Museums and History · Roadside Iowa · South Central Iowa

Roadside Iowa: Why We Give Our Children Cigars

Agency, IA: Wapello County “Let’s take the long way back!” One of the most common phrases you’ll hear in the Team Goodvin road trip-mobile. Without these voluntary detours, we wouldn’t have the inventory of blog posts we have now. Our recent trip to Ottumwa was winding down and we needed to treat our history buff personalities. Luckily… Continue reading Roadside Iowa: Why We Give Our Children Cigars

Family Adventures · Iowa Icons · Museums and History · Roadside Iowa · Southeast Iowa · The Mud Belt-Traveling the Mississippi

All Roads Led to Keokuk-A Trip to One of Iowa’s Most Historic and Important Towns

Keokuk, IA and Donnellson, IA: Lee County (Our 10th County!) When professional baseball was getting warmed up, in the late 1800’s, they had teams in places like Chicago, St. Louis, Cleveland, Boston……and Keokuk. When the country was thrown into a brutal civil war, there needed to be strategic staging and training points for Union and Confederate soldiers awaiting… Continue reading All Roads Led to Keokuk-A Trip to One of Iowa’s Most Historic and Important Towns