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2025 Upper Midwest
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  • The Wandering Walkers

2025 Upper Midwest

Summer of 2025 will be spent exploring the areas of the Upper Mid-West... Read more
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  • The Wandering Walkers2025 Upper MidwestTraveler

    One Gulp In & He Was Sold

    June 21, 2025 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 91 °F

    And as if we hadn’t had enough heat… we strolled on down to the Omaha Farmer’s Market (because why not sweat some more?).

    That’s where we found a Strawberry Açaí Refresher—and was it refreshing. Don practically gulped down the first one, so yep… we turned right around and got another. No regrets. Hydration with flair.

    While wandering the market, we also ducked into one of the historic buildings nearby to check out some shops—and ended up discovering a cool little indoor alleyway lined with more local boutiques and even a restaurant. Totally unexpected and totally worth the detour (bonus: it had shade and A/C… we’re not made of stone).

    Tucked into a dimly lit room off the alley were three heads mounted on columns with water flowing from their mouths. Some kind of art? I suppose. A little eerie, a little intriguing… definitely unexpected.

    On the way back to the Jeep, we spotted some stone arches linking The Old Market and Central Park Mall—definitely a photo-worthy moment: architecture with some history.    Read more

  • The Wandering Walkers2025 Upper MidwestTraveler
    Bat-eared Fox - Southern and Southeastern AfricaKlipspringer - Eastern and Southern AfricaMongooseCape Teal - Sub-Saharan AfricaPuff Alder - Central and Southern AfricaCape CobraZebra Spitting Cobra - Southern AfricaPythonPerentie - Hatched 2/5/2025Kimberley Rock MonitorPerentie (male; missing left rear foot... removed due to cancer) - Central to West Central AustraliaKookaburra - Eastern and southwestern AustraliaCollared PeccaryBurrowing OwlDove

    Snakes, Sweat & Survival Tactics

    June 21, 2025 in the United States ⋅ 🌬 93 °F

    As the temps crept toward 100°, we made a bold (some might say desperate) decision: the zoo! Rumor had it parts of it were indoors—and thankfully, that rumor was true.

    First stop: the Desert Dome and Mahoney Kingdoms of the Night.

    Now, let’s be real… the moment we walked through the doors, we were hit with a bold welcome bouquet of “eau de animal pee!” 🤢 Luckily, the smell vanished as quickly as it arrived—and hey, it was cool inside, and that’s what really mattered. The animals were interesting (most from other continents), though a few looked just as over the heat as we were. We locked eyes with a mongoose who clearly needed a cold drink and a break from the spotlight.

    Then came the snake exhibits. And seriously—how many kinds of snakes exist?! Beth got so twitchy thinking about what might slither by our RV someday, she basically started a full photo catalog. Every. Single. Snake. Ugh… most of these snakes are from another continent !🤷‍♂️    Read more

  • The Wandering Walkers2025 Upper MidwestTraveler
    Cantil Viper - Mexico and Central America
    Santa Catalina Island RattlesnakeSpringhaas - Southern AfricaAardvarkAmerican BullfrogBeaver

    Into the Kingdom of the Night

    June 21, 2025 in the United States ⋅ 🌬 95 °F

    Downstairs we went into the Mahoney Kingdoms of the Night—a few more snake exhibits (because apparently we hadn’t met all the world’s serpents yet), and then came the eerie part: a dark, winding boardwalk over water. Spooky vibes. What would we see next? Glowing eyes? A lurking gator? Hopefully not whatever made that splash… (Don, did you throw something in the water!?! 🤣😂🤣)Read more

  • The Wandering Walkers2025 Upper MidwestTraveler
    Baby Gibbon
    Just missed this little guy showing off ... swinging and kicking off the glass!Southern White-cheeked GibbonHow's this pose?Maybe this is my better side!Abyssinian ground hornbill😳Peek-a-boo ... I see you!What is this?Tasty1

    Swinging, Striking Poses & Surprise Peek

    June 21, 2025 in the United States ⋅ 🌬 97 °F

    Next stop: Orangutan Forest and Hubbard Gorilla Valley!

    The baby gibbon was a total show-off, soaking up the attention—kicking off the glass, swinging back and forth like he was auditioning for the jungle gymnastics team. We missed the video by seconds, of course, but managed to catch him swinging up to the tree like a pro.

    The white-cheeked gibbon? Definitely more of a poser. He’d glance over his shoulder, then roll dramatically like, “Oh, were you trying to take my picture?” Then he’d do it again—clearly working his angles.

    And then there was the Abyssinian ground hornbill… bless it. Not exactly zoo royalty in the looks department—but hey, personality goes a long way.

    The gorillas were a blast! One big guy was posted up in a corner with his back to us, clearly over the whole “being observed” thing. Then—without warning—he whipped around and peeked out the window at us like “Boo!” It was hilarious… and a little personal.    Read more

  • The Wandering Walkers2025 Upper MidwestTraveler

    Lions, Zebras & Giraffes … Oh my!🫣

    June 21, 2025 in the United States ⋅ 🌬 97 °F

    The lions were doing what any of us would do in 100° heat—lounging in the shade on a rock, avoiding movement at all costs. But once the sun crept in, they relocated to the grass for some lower ground shade. One even came over, grabbed a drink, and gave us a solid pose like, “You’re welcome.”

    The zebras? Honestly… a little underwhelming. Maybe they’re still recovering from all the attention their cousin got galloping around Tennessee. Fame changes people. Or in this case—stripes.

    Next up: giraffe time! We watched a woman feed leaves to one of the giraffes—definitely a crowd favorite, and the giraffe was loving the attention.

    Most of the others were lined up by the gate, clearly ready to go inside and call it a day. But one guy was off by himself, licking—and possibly trying to eat—a fence post. Not being fed, not interacting with anyone… just really into that post. We’re not sure if he was hungry, bored, or in love, but he was committed.

    Inside, there was one little giraffe who hadn’t joined the group yet. He was hanging back—maybe not quite ready to be out there on full display. (What’s the word for that? The giraffe spotlight shuffle?) Either way, he was adorable, curious, and clearly doing things on his own terms.    Read more

  • The Wandering Walkers2025 Upper MidwestTraveler
    Flamboyant Flower BeetleGiant Leaf InsectMadagascar Hissing CockroachBlue Death-Feigning Beetle

    Beauty & the Beetles 🦋🪲

    June 21, 2025 in the United States ⋅ 🌩️ 99 °F

    Next up: the Grewcock Butterfly & Insect Pavilion!

    Butterflies are one of Beth’s favorites, so of course we had to stop in. The enclosure was small—nothing like the one we visited in Canada last year—but still lovely. Colorful wings, gentle flutters… total zen.

    Outside the butterfly area, though? A whole different vibe. Cockroaches, beetles, and all their crunchy little friends. Let’s just say some insects are prettier than others. 😬    Read more

  • The Wandering Walkers2025 Upper MidwestTraveler
    Upside-down jellyfish

    Underwater Wonders & Wiggly Friends 🦈🐢🪼

    June 21, 2025 in the United States ⋅ 🌩️ 99 °F

    Lastly, the Scott Aquarium!

    There was so much to see—fish, sharks, turtles, stingrays, and more. The penguins stole the show, though—adorable little goofballs waddling around and swimming like pros. One even played with Beth, following her finger through the glass, popping up and diving down over and over like a tiny torpedo with personality.

    And the jellyfish… absolutely mesmerizing. They float like living lava lamps—graceful, glowing, and weirdly calming. But let’s be clear: beautiful or not, we do not want to meet one in the wild. Hard pass.

    When we left the zoo, the temp had hit 99°—so we were extra grateful that so much of our day was spent inside, surrounded by cool tanks, playful penguins, and merciful air conditioning. A win for wildlife and survival!    Read more

  • The Wandering Walkers2025 Upper MidwestTraveler
    1

    Trail Tales: Iowa to Nebraska

    June 22, 2025 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 88 °F

    Biking the Bob: From Iowa to Nebraska and Back Again

    Today’s high is a “cool” 95 degrees, so we took advantage of the slightly less-scorching temps and set out for a ride along the Council Bluffs River. First stop: the river parking lot near Harrah’s. Or at least, that was the plan… until we discovered it was closed for construction—along with the nearby trail to the riverfront.

    But Don doesn’t give up that easily. He rerouted us north of I-29 to Tom Hanafan River’s Edge Park, just across the river from Nebraska. Success!

    From there, we rode our bikes across the Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge (yes, that famous “bobbed” bridge) into Nebraska. We explored more of the Lewis & Clark Landing, spotted some sand volleyball courts, and saw new pickleball courts under construction. We also made a stop at the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail Headquarters to collect a national park stamp—a must for us!

    Before heading back, we visited Heartland of America Park, where Beth got to swing and be a kid again for a few joyful moments. Then it was back over the Bob to Iowa, where it looks like their side of the riverfront is getting some upgrades of its own.

    Total ride: 6.5 miles. Not a bad start for a hot day!    Read more

  • The Wandering Walkers2025 Upper MidwestTraveler
    1MargaritavilleOld Goat Lookout Point

    Into the Heat: The Wabash Ride

    June 22, 2025 in the United States ⋅ 🌬 90 °F

    Cooking on the Wabash Trail

    Next up on our biking adventure: the Wabash Trace Nature Trail! But first—priorities—lunch at PepperJax Grill to fuel up. Gotta carb-load before pretending we’re outdoor athletes in a convection oven.

    With temps rising and the wind whipping, it honestly felt like someone cranked the air fryer to “high” and tossed us in.

    The Wabash is a classic rails-to-trails conversion, stretching 63 miles from Council Bluffs to Blanchard. It’s mostly crushed limestone, with generous tree cover, benches, and shady rest stops—aka the only things standing between us and becoming trail jerky.

    The first “official” stop: Margaritaville (5.6 miles in). Sadly, no blender or frozen drinks, so we pushed on. We took a quick breather at Goat’s Ridge—which, despite its promising name, had zero goats. Well… unless you count the old goat named Don. 🐐🤣😂🤣

    More to come as we keep riding (and roasting)!    Read more

  • The Wandering Walkers2025 Upper MidwestTraveler

    Trail Towns & Taco Legends

    June 22, 2025 in the United States ⋅ 🌬 91 °F

    After leaving Goat’s Ridge, we kept pedaling until we rolled into the tiny town of Mineola—and when we say tiny, we mean tiny. We passed a one-room post office, a miniature hotel, and a building labeled “hoosegow” (we’re still not entirely sure what that is, but we assume someone was once locked up there for crimes against hydration).

    Speaking of hydration, we were in serious need of water. Thankfully, we found Toby Jack’s, where we refueled with cold drinks and soaked up some glorious A/C. Small-town hospitality + climate control = trail magic.

    On the way back, we had to stop at the famous giant chair rest stop for a photo op—because who can resist a big wooden chair in the middle of nowhere?

    The wind wasn’t as fierce in the trees, but in a few open stretches Mother Nature gave us one last reminder that we were still biking in a convection oven.

    Total ride: 20 miles.

    Only after we finished did we realize we had unknowingly completed the legendary Thursday Night Taco Ride—a weekly event along the Wabash Trace so beloved, it’s been named one of Bicycling Magazine’s Top 10 Weekly Rides in the World. Tacos or not, we’ll take that win.    Read more

  • The Wandering Walkers2025 Upper MidwestTraveler

    Rolling Strong, One Last Lake Loop

    June 22, 2025 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 95 °F

    One last ride for the day… rolled straight out of our campsite like the rock stars we clearly are (autographs later, please).

    Glenn Cunningham Lake delivered a beautiful 6.5-mile cruise—paved paths, shady trees, a charming little bridge, and even a dash of local history to keep things classy. Wildlife must’ve RSVP’d “nope” thanks to the 93° heat and gusty winds (Mother Nature, calm down).

    Total mileage for the day: ~34 miles
    Beth’s legs: slightly dramatic, possibly negotiating
    Don’s legs: award-winning and irritatingly unfazed

    Whew… what a day! Time for showers all around—even the RV got a bath and is back to looking like a sparkling campsite goddess. Isn’t she a beaut?    Read more

  • The Wandering Walkers2025 Upper MidwestTraveler

    Roadside Wonder

    June 23, 2025 in the United States ⋅ 🌩️ 88 °F

    Roadside America… oh yeah, we forgot about this gem (thanks for the referral, Roger)!

    Beth tried to catch the legendary Smiley Face Tower from the Roadside America app… but her attention was elsewhere when it was time to “say cheese!”

    So instead, here’s Don—laser-focused on the road—and the tower? Just a blur of happiness flying by. 🚗😄

    (Sharing the app info too so you know we almost nailed it.)    Read more

  • The Wandering Walkers2025 Upper MidwestTraveler
    Our first site
    Where we landedDinner time ... mouth full

    Shady Upgrade Acquired!

    June 23, 2025 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 90 °F

    We made it! Prairie Flower Recreation Area—power only (no water or sewer). This is 'roughing it', Walker-Style. AKA - glamping.

    We got all set up and headed out for a bike ride to stretch our legs and check out the area. And then—hold up—what’s this? An open site with trees and shade?! No time to think… we moved faster than a squirrel on espresso.

    Back we went to break everything down, pack it up, and snag the upgrade before anyone else spotted our shady jackpot.

    Now re-settled (for real this time) and officially declaring it dinner time!    Read more

  • The Wandering Walkers2025 Upper MidwestTraveler
    1

    Catch-Up Day… With a Crash!

    June 24, 2025 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 77 °F

    The rain rolled in overnight and lingered through much of the day, so we took it as a sign to slow down and catch up—on rest, on little adventures, and apparently… on gravity.

    Today’s Highlights:

    🚗 Scenic Drive: A leisurely loop around Saylorville Lake, Polk City, and Des Moines. Windows down, tunes up, and just enough sightseeing to stir our curiosity.

    🍽️ Dinner at Arcadia: Don went for the Chimichurri Tacos (10/10 flavor, zero regrets). Beth had the Seared Salmon (also a solid choice—despite its lack of chimichurri).

    🚴 Bike Ride on the Neal Smith Trail: About 8.5 miles of exploration straight from our campsite. All was going well until… Beth crashed.

    Let’s set the scene:
    Beth almost skipped her helmet. Don said, “No, you better wear it.”
    Good call. She didn’t hit her head (whew!), but she did earn a souvenir scrape on her leg.

    How it went down (literally):
    Beth gamely followed Don off-road—through grass, over average-sized rocks, down a slight slope, and onto the sandy beach.
    The way down? Fine. The way up? Not so much.
    With Don hollering, “Pedal faster! Pedal faster!” she gave it her all… until her tire met the largest of the medium-sized rocks, stopped cold, and toppled over like a tired flamingo…in slow motion.
    No major injuries—just bruised pride and a good story.

    🔥 Evening Fire: We thought the rain might chase us off… but it was just a dramatic drizzle. So we fired up the not-so-rustic campfire (thank you, propane!) and held our ground like the seasoned glampers we are.

    ⸻

    Funny Note:
    Don didn’t actually think Beth would follow him off-road… and Beth thought, “Pfft, that looks easy enough.”
    Turns out Don is always pushing her limits—Beth’s just the one who ends up scraping hers. 😄
    She’s fine, slightly bruised, and currently accepting chocolate, ice packs, and new route suggestions!    Read more

  • The Wandering Walkers2025 Upper MidwestTraveler
    11A lost sole!

    Neal Smith Trail – Day Two Adventure

    June 25, 2025 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 82 °F

    Just wrapped up a 24-mile bike ride 🚴‍♀️ 🚴‍♀️ on the Neal Smith Trail—this time heading in the opposite direction from yesterday. Good news: no biking casualties to report today… unless you count Beth getting her bike pedal stuck on a bench 😂 (don’t ask …Don is still shaking his head).

    We made a pit stop at a butterfly garden 🦋—beautiful spot, but the butterflies must’ve been on vacation. Don spotted one (he’s still talking about it like it was a rare bird sighting 🧐). Meanwhile, as Beth was heading back to her bike, she found a lost sole 👟. (Andrea and Cody… wish we still had that site up and running! 😂🤣😂)

    We’re just amazed by this whole recreation area 🏕️—it’s campground after campground, all nicely maintained with tons to do. There are paved trails for biking 🚴, spots to swim 🏊‍♀️ and fish 🎣, and even mountain biking trails 🚵‍♂️… though after last night’s downpour 🌧️, they were more like a mud run. One poor guy came out of a trail looking like a swamp creature—flat tire, mud-caked bike, the works 😬.

    The paved trails are rolling, mostly shady 🌳, and perfect for riding. Wildlife sightings included a turkey 🦃, deer 🦌, squirrel 🐿️, bunny 🐇, and a hawk 🦅 (Don swears it had a mouse—or maybe a small burrito—in its talons). 🤪    Read more

  • The Wandering Walkers2025 Upper MidwestTraveler
    1

    Making Pour Choices Together

    June 25, 2025 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 88 °F

    Dinner at Pour Choices… clever name, but turned out it was a good choice! Don takes the win with his side choice; fantastic onion rings! Beth a close second with… cottage cheese. And now who made the poor choice? 🤔🍽️

    Now we’re off to ride a portion of the High Trestle Trail. The skies are looking a little ominous… here’s hoping our next pour doesn’t come from the sky! 🙃🍷☁️🚫💦    Read more

  • The Wandering Walkers2025 Upper MidwestTraveler
    Woodward Trailhead

    High Trestle Magic – A Top Iowa Moment

    June 25, 2025 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 81 °F

    Tonight’s ride: High Trestle Trail at sunset!

    We set out from Woodward on a smooth, tree-lined path—quiet, green, and peaceful. Then suddenly, the forest opened up and… wow. That bridge view over the Des Moines River and prairie? Absolutely worth it.

    While waiting for the lights to come on, we rode to the Madrid trailhead—where Don decided to test his skills by standing up and tilting his bike sideways while pedaling. The video didn’t do it justice, but trust me… the man has moves.

    Once the lights flipped on, the bridge felt almost magical. Bugs? Not so magical. And the ride back was a little eerie—no one else out there except us, a bunch of bunnies, and some suspicious wet footprints crossing the trail. Naturally, Don went to investigate… convinced we might’ve just missed a Bigfoot. Or a very lost Yeti. 🤣😂🤣

    Fun fact: The High Trestle Trail runs 25 miles through five towns and four counties. The bridge itself is a half-mile long and 13 stories high—one of the largest trail bridges in the world!

    We logged 8 miles round-trip from Woodward to Madrid. Worth every pedal. 🥰    Read more

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