National Parks Week 2015

This year, National Parks Week runs from April 18 - 26.  I'd never even heard of National Parks Week until about a week ago, but once I did, I had to celebrate. 

The closest National Monument to me is Effigy Mounds, about 2 hours away.

I recruited my former "partner in wandering" (and ex-boyfriend), and we started with lunch at The Riverview Cafe in Guttenberg, Iowa.

how the Riverview gets its name

we were "on vacation"

Pikes Peak State Park is on the way to Effigy Mounds and has gorgeous views.  It rained pretty much every time we stepped outside the car.  It was miserable, but didn't stop us.

didn't stop this guy either

From the NPS website...  "The Late Woodland Period (1400-750 B.P.) along the Upper Mississippi River and extending east to Lake Michigan is associated with the culture known today as the Effigy Moundbuilders. The construction of effigy mounds was a regional cultural phenomenon. Mounds of earth in the shapes of birds, bear, deer, bison, lynx, turtle, panther or water spirit are the most common images. The Effigy Moundbuilders also built linear or long rectangular mounds that were used for ceremonial purposes that remain a mystery. Some archeologists believe they were built to mark celestial events or seasonal observances. Others speculate they were constructed as territorial markers or as boundaries between groups."

Whatever they are, they are fascinating!

Wet, cold and tired, we ended the day at the awesome Fort Mulligan's Grillpub in Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin. 

P.S. No, we are not back together (yet?).