Cruising on the River

The kids received a free cruise on the Celebration Belle from the Moline Public Library (from their summer reading program).  Due to the extreme heat over the summer (and our busy schedule), we kept putting the cruise off.  We looked at the calendar and realized we only had one day that would work since the sight-seeing cruise is done for the season at the end of September.  Matt was already scheduled to be out of town and Katie was going with a friend to Starved Rock.  We discussed not going on the cruise, but decided to go ahead, even without Matt & Katie.  I asked my parents if they wanted to go with us and they brought my niece, Kayla.  We ended up with a beautiful day - lower 60s and a bit breezy - but we bundled up and enjoyed the cruise!

Will & Becki's Dad - ready for the cruise!

Saying hello to the Captain! 

The shadow of the boat - flags & smokestack.

Watching the paddlewheel

Alex, Kayla & Maddie

Becki with her mom

Under the I-74 Bridges

Ready to head home

That's Our Maddie!

I was on the floor helping Maddie with her skirt this morning. Will walked past her and she farted (a small one). Will turned and said, "Maddie! What do you say?". Maddie pleaded innocence until Will informed her that she farted. At that point she farted (a loud one), smiled and said..."nope, that's a Maddie fart!".

Every man's dream right there...

Quad Cities Air Show and Ringling Barnum & Bailey Circus

The Quad City Area hosts an air show every year.  As far back as I can remember, it has been held in June.  This year, it was held over Labor Day weekend.

We have always enjoyed listening for the roar of the Blue Angels or the Thunderbirds...this year would be the Thunderbirds.  They generally fly into town a few days early to practice before the air show.  We took the kids out to the airport to see if the planes had landed and we were given a surprise!  While we only saw one plane, we were given official QC Airshow Programs from a spokesperson who saw the kids looking at the plane through the fence.

I took the kids down to the airport after school for the next two days and we got to see them flying overhead and landing for the day.  After one of those practice runs, we got to meet Major Caroline Jensen and Captain Blaine Jones as they came up to the fence to talk with the 10 - 12 people watching.  Major Jensen asked Alex if she would like a flag that she had in the plane with her.  Alex was so excited!!

This year, we were blessed with a huge gift - chalet passes to the air show!!  Not only did that include the ticket to the air show, but also food, drink and free parking.  We had front row seats to see the action.  Also, the chalets are fenced in and have their own port-a-potties...so we didn't have to go far for anything!

Ready for the show to begin!

The weather was perfect!  A bit on the cool side (Matt brought a jacket with him for the temps and for possible rain) and very overcast.  At some point in the afternoon the sun came out and it was pretty intense!  Luckily it still wasn't sweltering heat like we've been known to have...

We really enjoyed the Red Bull Flying Team. Our chalet was right next to the Red Bull chalet...which was the last chalet in a long line of chalets!!  We were as far right from center show as we could go!  When the Red Bull jumpers came down, they all landed within 2 chalets of us!  It was so exciting to watch them!  They set up camp at the Red Bull chalet so we were able to meet them and get their autographed pictures - as well as a personal pic with them.

It got a bit sunny!  We are looking for the jumpers...

And there they are - free of the clouds!

 

An amazing acrobatic pilot, Kirby Chambliss - he does things with an airplane that you will never see anywhere else!!

Kirby flying his Red Bull plane

Waiting for the Thunderbirds!

 

 The kids saying goodbye to the Thunderbirds on their last pass. 

The only problem with these tickets is that they were for the Sunday show which goes from 12 - 4.  I had already purchased tickets for the Circus which started at 5!  The circus also has a pre-show that starts at 4.  We already figured we would miss that part.  The air show ended at 3:45.  We received a cart ride to the entrance and quickly found our vehicle...only to sit in traffic for 30 minutes.  When I say "sit in traffic"...I mean our car didn't move an INCH!  We were starting to get a bit stressed.  Finally, traffic started moving and we were able to get out of the area quickly and made it to the circus only a few minutes late!

Some of our favorite moments from the circus...

Great River Road - North

Another Hart family tradition is to head north when the weather gets cooler to see the beautiful leaves changing colors for the fall!  We are blessed with a scenic drive on both sides of the Mississippi River called The Great River Road.  Due to our drought this year, we are assuming that the trees won't change colors as much as we're used to.  It doesn't help that most of our weekends are filled from now until late October...So, we decided to hit the road a bit earlier than normal.  We were blessed with a beautiful, blue sky, sunny, cooler temps type of day!  WONDERFUL!!

Matt & I looked at the map Saturday night and decided that we could head up to Pike's Peak (McGregor, IA).  Pike's Peak is the highest point in Iowa - overlooking the Mississippi on top of a huge bluff.  Matt & I had visited there years ago - before kids.  It was definitely time to head back!

We drove up to Dubuque, IA and crossed over into Wisconsin.  Our first stop was in Potosi, WI for a potty break.  While in the gas station, Matt found a brochure for this little park, "Potosi Point".  During a non-drought year, this finger of land extends .6 miles out into the Mississippi!  It was sad to see the water level so low.

Our next stop for the trip was in Cassville.  We were so excited to have the kids experience a ferry ride!  This would take us from Cassville, WI to south of Guttenburg, IA.  If you look in the picture, you can see the ferry on the far left of the river. 

While waiting for the ferry, Will heard a train and ran over to see the train coming right towards him.  His face showed pure joy!  The conductor was close enough to wave and blow the whistle for Will.

We are on the ferry!  The only ones to cross over on this particular ride!  The kids LOVED it!  I think we found another tradition...

One of my all time favorite spots in all of Iowa - the Guttenberg overlook!  We didn't buy any honey this visit!

We drove through Guttenberg and crossed the river into Prairie Du Chien, WI.  We were in search for lunch.  While it is silly, Matt & I ate at our first Culver's in Prairie Du Chien over 11 years ago.  This was when Culver's were exclusive to WI.  So, we revisited our first Culver's and shared that story with the kids!  They didn't understand how Culver's didn't exist in all the other towns we visit!

Saw these neat fish right off the Marquette/Prairie Du Chien bridge.  We passed it and both realized that we needed to turn around and get a picture of that!!

After lunch, we headed back into Iowa to visit Effigy Mounds State Monument.  We didn't have time to hike - we were on the search for a quick letterbox.  Matt looked for the box while I took the kids into the museum/gift shop. 

The kids behind a display of fossils

We look forward to heading back to this park to hike some day!  We loaded back up again and took off for Pike's Peak State Park.  Matt told the kids to keep an eye open for a pink elephant - they found it!!

We also found some really neat "cave" rock formations along the road!

Checking out the view at Pike's Peak State Park

We hiked a beautiful trail that included waterfalls and beautiful vistas!  We were in search of a very old letterbox...but alas, 3+ miles later...no luck. 

We were thrilled to see a dozen plus hummingbirds feeding when we arrived at the park!  After our hike, we put the long lens on the camera and snapped some shots of the amazing birds!

Heading home we made one last stop just north of Guttenberg at a scenic overlook.  The river is behind us - but check out the beautiful bluff behind the kids! 

While the day had its moments, it was a WONDERFUL day.  I think it's safe to say we all look forward to the next one!  After our trip to Cincinnati this summer, I didn't think I would ever say that!