After spending years as a flyer with a private team, my younger sister Ashley started cheerleading for Iowa State University.

We went camping somewhere other than the Saylorville area this time.  Island Park in Adel Iowa was a great alternative and just as close to Des Moines.  Not to mention it’s right beside Adel, providing easy access to necessities.

Bonnie and Josh’s combined children show their superhero strength.

Richard got the rest of us in trouble with our significant others.

In case anyone wonders, my camera takes some good pictures.  Luckily there’s no human intervention needed, it does it’s job then lets me know when it’s done.  Now if I can only teach it to cook for me.  But then again, my pans cook some really tasty food anyway.

We met this assumably remotely rural lad while he walked through our camp to get to the Raccoon river.  He stood at our camp for a little while, telling us stories about his pa, ma, and other family members.  After we couldn’t stand to hear any more we had to tell him to “run along now.”  Nice kid, if not tear jerkingly boring.  They must not have any neighbors or schools in his area.  The kid sure can hold a fishing pole for a 8-hour shift, let me tell ya.

Island Park Adel, Electric Sites

The gals played the game telephone with the kids.  Amusing.

I arrived at the National Balloon Classic in Indianola, IA (30 mins from downtown Des Moines) just in time to see the balloons heating up in preparation to fly.

More hot air balloons than you can shake a stick at, literally.  Over 80 balloon pilots participated in this years event.

They have to try to catch a flag on this pole.  Balloon pilots can only steer by adjusting altitude to catch different directional air streams.  Even then it’s usually not possible to move more than a couple directions.  Learn more.

I was shocked by the massive number of people that drove to Indianola on a Wednesday night to see the balloon classics.  Although I can’t blame them, it’s something you have to see in person.

Night Glow, or “Nite Glow Extravaganza” according to National Balloon Classic lingo.  All participating pilots attempt to simultaneously release gas into their balloons, making them glow in the twilight.

Tree birdhouse hot air balloon

Towards the end of the Night Glow (Nite Glow Extravaganza) the staff opens the gates, allowing spectators to visit with the balloon pilots and get a much closer look at these huge contraptions.

These water misters were a necessity as it was blistering hot this weekend.

This tiger reminded me of our cats Conquistador and Shnookums who are probably in the same pose back at home.

The lion kept licking his chops.  Either we looked appetizing or he was expecting a meal soon.  You could almost see the saliva flicking off his tongue.

Not a shabby place to call home.

Everyone was amazed by a loose squirrel that was running around.  A couple people tried catching it as it sped by.  Probably not a brilliant plan, nope.

Here’s the photo opp we’ve been waiting for.

Who’s in the cage, us or them?

This guy kept licking the lady’s finger.

The girls patiently wait as daddy takes pictures.

This one didn’t like something about me.  He ran full speed across the yard and pounded with all his weight into the window I was at.  He became a blur due to my quick hip-shot reaction and his speed.  Check his eyes as he starred right into mine.

Hey, you got poo on your butt.  Uhhh, nevermind, just kidding.

Spectacular views

Finally we made it to Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo.  Omaha is a great place for a very short vacation on a whim.  No complex itineraries or transportation woes here.  If you’re very quick you can see a majority of the zoo in a whole day, opening to close.  You’ll likely want to spend another half or whole day exploring the historic Old Market area.

The animals run for cover and hide when we come around.

Strange birds

The desert decoration went well with the temperature this weekend.? It was about as hot as it was steamy.

The underwater tunnel was really neat, unfortunately everyone else seconds that.