Ring in the New Year with a hike in an Iowa State Park

Photo courtesy of Iowa Department of Natural Resources.

America’s State Parks First Day Hikes offer individuals and families an opportunity to begin the New Year connecting with the outdoors by taking a healthy hike on January 1, 2012, at a state park.

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources has events planned at Walnut Woods, near Des Moines, Dolliver in Webster County and Mines of Spain near Dubuque. Participants should dress for the weather and may want to bring binoculars, a camera and a water bottle. Contact the park for more details.

Hikers can expect to be surrounded by the quiet beauty of nature in winter, with views and vistas unimpeded by foliage. Watch for bald eagles overhead, and keep an eye out for deer sightings, wild turkey, squirrels and numerous songbirds.

Walnut Woods will host a two- to three-mile hike, with shorter options available. Hikers will travel through popular birding areas in the Raccoon River valley. Participants should meet at the lodge at 9 a.m. Dogs are welcome, but must be kept on a leash. Snowshoers or skiers are welcome, if the conditions allow. Hot chocolate will be provided following the hike.

Dolliver will host a half-mile hike beginning at 1 p.m. Scenic views of the Des Moines River and its sandstone bluffs can be expected. Participants should meet at the south lodge.

The hike at the Mines of Spain begins at 1 p.m. from the E. B. Lyons Interpretive Center. Participants should plan to arrive one-half hour early to register and may have the chance to see Iowa’s largest woodpecker―the pileated―standing almost 12 inches tall. Cocoa, coffee and refreshments will be available for all participants. The centers exhibits and displays will be open for viewing.

Kevin Szcodronski, Iowa Depatment of Natural Resources State Parks Bureau

Free admission to Fairy Tale Christmas

The Herbert Hoover Presidential Museum is offering free admission to the Christmas exhibit, A Fairy Tale Christmas, beginning Monday, December 26, thru Monday, January 2, 2011. (The Museum is closed on January 1.) Twenty trees have been decorated to represent different fairy tales.

Photo courtesy of Herbert Hoover
Presidential Museum

Come see the enchanted castle and experience the magical power of dragons and unicorns. Learn the real tale of how the Grand Canyon was made. Discover why you can hear a duck quacking in the belly of a wolf and how Pecos Bill lassoed a tornado. All your favorite fairy tales are awaiting your arrival and are eager to reconnect with you. You'll even be able to sit down with a story or read to your children in the fairy tale reading area.



Photo courtesy of Herbert Hoover Presidential Museum



Some of the trees featured this year will include: The Gingerbread Boy, The Little Mermaid, Goldilocks and the Three Bears, The Nutcracker, Pinocchio and The Jungle Book. Each tree is decorated with ornaments that reflect the characters and events of the fairy tale.

 The Hoover Museum is located just off I-80 at Exit 254 in West Branch, museum hours are from 9-5 daily, closed Christmas and New Year’s Day. For more information call 319.643.5301 or visit the website at http://www.hoover.archives.gov/.

Janlyn Slach, Herbert Hoover Presidential Museum

Take the "Bah, humbug" out of holiday shopping

Back when I was just dating my now husband, I learned during our first December together just how much he hates to shop. He began his Christmas shopping on December 23, became frustrated after less than an hour, and landed himself at the nearest watering hole for beer and nachos.

I took over the shopping reigns that year and have been blissfully shopping alone ever since. But now we have young kids who want to go with me. Where can we go, so I can shop and they can be entertained? Coral Ridge Mall.



Photo courtesy of Iowa Children's Museum

 Located in Coralville, nestled right next to Iowa City, Coral Ridge Mall has it all and then some under one roof. I can shop at their 120 stores (yes, Target is one of them) and my husband can take our children to the Iowa Children’s Museum. There my family can have fun creating works of art, making a "pizza," planting a garden, or flying an airplane while I power shop.

Photo courtesy of Coral Ridge Mall

We can meet for lunch in the large food court and I can take the kids on the old fashioned carousel. The mall also has an NHL-regulation-sized ice arena. And, if they still need something to do, they have a 10-screen movie theater. When we are all done, we can relax at one of the many restaurants before heading home, or maybe stay the night in one of the many area hotels.

With the right location, the holidays can be merry and bright. Happy shopping!

What's your favorite holiday shopping tip?

Colleen Murphy, Iowa Tourism Office

Holiday Model Trains at the Union Pacific Railroad Museum

The annual holiday model train display at the Union Pacific Railroad Museum was unveiled last Saturday. This year’s display features an “O” gauge layout by the Nebraska-Iowa Railroaders Omaha Modular Trains group.

The trains will be available for viewing December 20-23, and December 27-31, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. On December 31, the museum will also be open from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., which will be the last chance to see the model trains.

The Union Pacific Railroad Museum, at 200 Pearl St. in Council Bluffs, Iowa, is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday. Admission is free. The museum is closed Sunday and Monday. For more information visit http://www.uprrmuseum.org/ or call 712.329.8307.

Abby Cape, Union Pacific Railroad Museum