Caves to Courage in the Mid West

We spent the morning exploring and hiking from one cave to another at the Maquoketa Caves in Maquoketa State Park, Iowa.

The majority of the caves were created by underground water flow dissolving the lime-rich dolomite. This process leads to the formation of rounded or oval-shaped passages with smooth surfaces.

We aimed to strike a balance between giving our legs a good stretch and ensuring David didn't overexert himself. Despite the heat and humidity today, a slow and steady pace, plenty of water, and a few strategically placed cold cloths made the hike enjoyable.

As we drove a few hundred miles west through Iowa, we cooled off, surrounded by endless cornfields. Then we saw a sign for "the Freedom Rock" And of course we had to go and see it. 😁 And we are glad we did.

Another place of contemplation, where we considered all those we owe for our freedom.

The Freedom Rock (Menlo, IA established in 1999) is a massive boulder, weighing over 60 tons, situated in rural Iowa. It is repainted annually with a new Thank You message to honor our nation's Veterans for their service. The artist, Ray "Bubba" Sorensen II, drew inspiration from the film Saving Private Ryan and aimed to give Veterans a distinctive tribute on Memorial Day. There is now a Freedom Rock in each of Iowa's 99 counties, with the 100th located in Altoona, IA.