For a fun and informative Halloween activity, be sure to take in the Wicked Plants at Lauritzen Gardens from now until November 12. It’s super creative, fascinating, educational, spooky, and beautiful all at once! I DARE YOU to visit!!!

I spent the Fourth of July this year in the Okoboji area in Iowa, as I sometimes do. This year, due to flooding in Northwest Iowa (heartbreaking), I had to take a different route than normal to get there. On the way home I was looking for fun stops on Google Maps and I spotted Lost Island Lake Nature Center a ways south of Spencer, Iowa. So I paid it a visit on the Sunday afternoon after the 4th.

I have to admit I was not prepared for the unbelievable beauty of the Exquisite Creatures exhibit. It was one of the best and most unique exhibits I have ever seen. The artist and naturalist, Christopher Marley, takes animals, fish, insects, and other creatures that have recently died and preserves them. While that itself is not so unusual, what he does with them is. He creates some of the most unique, gorgeous, and fascinating artwork I have ever encountered. REALLY.

I have always enjoyed a good story. When I travel, I like to listen to podcasts and audiobooks. They seem to help driving long distances fly by. I have several travel podcasts I enjoy, but I found a new (to me) podcast this week that may top them all.