Palisades State Park

We went camping this week at Palisades State Park with my family.  Mom and Dad got a new little used camper this summer and were itching to try it out.  Kris and Marie met us there with their pop-up and the rest of us stayed in a camping cabin (which worked out great since it had AC and it's been a bit warm lately).

Palisades is filled with Sioux Quartzite which appear as pink rocky outcroppings along the river that cuts through the park.  There are trails throughout the small state park that let you get closer looks at the the rocks and walk along Split Rock Creek.

Above is a view of the bridge (built in 1908) that we later drove over.  If you click on the picture to make it larger--you'll notice some teenagers who were illegally cliff diving.

Palisades is a great little State Park, and I'd certainly go camping there again....just hopefully when it's a bit cooler so we can really enjoy the hiking.

More photos from Palisades State Park are posted here.

Happy 4th of July!

I hope everyone had a great 4th of July and are continuing your celebration into the weekend!  Rob and I went to the Urbandale Fireworks display last night.  I took a few photos to remember the occasion. :)

We drove down to the park around 8:30 (for fireworks starting at 10pm).  I wouldn't leave any later than that either--the parking lot was nearly full--and when it fills up, they close the main road.  We enjoyed watching all the kids run around with sparklers and the view is the best in the city.  The fireworks go off right over your head and fill the whole sky.  If you park on the east side of the parking lot, your car gets covered in cardboard chunks from the falling debris.