This past week we had the opportunity to meet up with some sweet friends who just happened to be in Dubuque, Iowa, which is only two hours away.
We had been looking forward to this for quite some time!
We met at the National Mississippi River Museum and Aquarium to start our day there.
It was a very neat place!
Right as we walked in we were met by this beautiful (live!) duck and some turtles!
The first area was all about erosion.
There was SO much neat information to read about in every area, but also several hands on areas for the kids to enjoy.
The fish areas were amazing!
These fish were HUGE.
The second floor of the first building was not finished yet, so we headed outside to walk to the boat that was out on the dock.
It was such a beautiful day!
But very chilly on the water and on that boat – so we did not stay there very long!
We walked along the river to the second building, which turned out to be even better!
We saw this octopus which was really neat!
The lighting in that area was blue!
There was a play area with water on the second floor.
We stayed in the water play area for quite some time.
Pretty soon all of the school groups cleared out, so we headed back downstairs to pet the sting rays.
This by far was our favorite thing!
It was lunch time, so we looked up a park and headed up the road to eat a picnic lunch.
It was the PERFECT weather for a picnic!
We sat in a park outside the courthouse right in the downtown square.
It was beautiful there!
While we were visiting after lunch, I got a parking ticket!
Thankfully we saw the officer giving it to me and ran to speak to him and put more money in the meter!
It turns out it was just a warning anyway.
Country folks we are!
We thought this park had swings, but it did not.
We looked up a different park and headed there to play for the afternoon.
It happened to be on the side of the river and so, so beautiful!
Here’s me and my crew!
And my girlfriend and I!
The kids ran and played and played and played!
See that little speck in the sky on the left of this photo?
It was the perfect end to a perfect day as we watched that bald eagle swoop down and grab a fish out of the river!
The kids had a blast, us two Moms enjoyed being together very much, the weather was perfect, and the Lord protected us with travel mercies both there and back.
What a GREAT day.
Memories in the making for sure!!
Thanks for inviting us, sweet friends!
Can’t wait to see your WHOLE crew in September!!!
