Le Mars, Iowa has become a fun holiday destination! (See my previous post). The Brown family provides fantastic entertainment and the town has many older and beautiful homes. Many town organizations come together and provide holiday activities and events.

I just came home tonight from the most FUN weekend with childhood friends in Le Mars, Iowa! It was awesome!

Zoolightful is fabulous and, if you possibly can, go!!! The decorations are fabulous, the atmosphere magical, and there are lots of opportunities to get family photos.

I recently started taking classes at the Hot Shops in Omaha, Nebraska, and I have absolutely adored it! The Hot Shops is an artistic haven just north of downtown Omaha in and up and coming refurbished warehouse district

I have so many fond memories of loading up the family in the car when my kids were young and heading out to spot Christmas lights.

Last Wednesday evening my family and I attended one of the Bright Nights events at Lauritzen Gardens. If you love any of the things on this list - lights, poinsettias, flowers, good food, outdoor games, plants, or the holidays this event is for you!

Today I am thankful for my family, friends, and my readers!

One of the best things about travel is taking advantage of local special events. I got to go on a lovely holiday tour of homes recently in the Iowa Great Lakes area. The homes were all decked out for Thanksgiving and Christmas with many beautiful decorations.

A friend and I took advantage of the gorgeous weather on Monday and did some exploring at the re-imagined Gene Leahy Mall in Downtown Omaha. I have to say I was completely blown away by the park. It is AMAZING!

As you may have guessed, I am very fond of the Arts in general. It wasn’t always this way. I did not enjoy art in school because I didn’t think it was fair that it was graded.

Some people think the Okoboji (Iowa) area is only a place to go in the Summer. I love to go there year-round! Today was no exception.

This is rather an unusual topic for a travel blog, but it is Sunday and I do love glass churches, so here we are. I love buildings of all faiths created with prayer and worship in mind - historical ones, creative modern ones, and especially those designed to take advantage of a beautiful outdoor setting.

Ready for some indoor fun (and learning)? Then I’d encourage you to explore the new Kiewit Luminarium Museum on the Omaha riverfront!

I took the opportunity to breeze on over to Sunken Gardens in Lincoln, Nebraska this afternoon. I had never been there in the Fall. It certainly did NOT disappoint.

As you may have noticed, autumn is my favorite season, particularly when it sticks around long enough to really enjoy it!

Because mid-October is prime leafing time in Iowa, I have explored three Iowa parks this past week.. And the leafing did NOT disappoint. While I have been to all three parks before, it is always fun to see the seasons change in all three of these parks.

I was amazed to discover all the fun things to do at Platte River State Park near Louisville, Nebraska.

Calling all outdoor lovers, bird watchers, fishing enthusiasts, leaf peepers and anyone with kids or grandkids or is a kid at heart!

There are few days each year I enjoy more than a day with my family at Vala’s Pumpkin Patch and Apple Orchard.

I just attended a few hours of the Japanese Festival at Lauritzen Gardens this afternoon and loved it! You can see it tomorrow (Sunday, October 8)!