SO MAJESTIC.

Over the past couple of years that I've lived in Iowa (it's almost been two years already?!), I've been slowly putting together what I call my "Iowa Bucket List." Every time I hear about a good restaurant or a cool place to visit or a fun activity, I make a mental note of it and promise myself that, at some point, I'll make it happen. This weekend, I was able to cross something off that list. One of my best friends was in town, so we went on a little bit of a hiking adventure at the Maquoketa Caves.

All I have to say is HOLY SMOKES. I can't even believe this place is in Iowa. As soon as we walked down those steps to the first cave, we were crazy impressed. I've never seen caves before, so it was pretty stinkin' cool. I do have a few regrets, though. First of all, I wish I owned hiking boots. My Nikes just weren't cutting it, especially because the ground was pretty wet from the rain the night before. Secondly, I will never again go on a Saturday afternoon, because there were just too many people to enjoy the caves our first time through. Luckily, we stayed long enough to go back through a second time and they had cleared out at that point, but when we first arrived, going through was like waiting in line for a roller coaster. I think I'd like to go back in the fall on like, a Tuesday afternoon or something. Much more peaceful. Other than that, though, I logged a WHOLE lot of stairs on my Fitbit, and the weather was absolutely perfect, so it was a great way to spend a free Saturday. If you've never been, I'd say it's definitely worth the hour and 15 minute drive. Plus, we stopped at The General Store on the way back and I got to eat Mac & Jack Bites, so that's always a bonus.

I took about a million pictures, but here are a few of my favorites:

 

 

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