{One of those places where you can take all the time you need to grow bright & strong.}

Last weekend we took a spontaneous-ish day trip to Decorah, IA. My alma mater, Luther College is located there, amongst the hills, bluffs, waterfalls, bike shops, ice cream, and wild life. I hadn't been back to visit since I graduated. It was so fun to see my kids + husband enjoy so many of the places I love + hold dear. :] We all decided that one day wasn't enough time and look forward to visiting for more of a weekend trip in the future.

Trip highlights were definitely:

Rural Route Popcorn (on the way there)
Mabes Pizza (still my favorite pizza in the entire planet)
Biking from Whippy Dip Ice Cream to Luther College Campus and through the Campground and back (with our two - two wheelers this was a breeze!)
Watching the baby deer eat graze right outside Main - the kids could just about touch him! (We didn't let them.)
Visiting the Story People Art Gallery (where the magic happens!)
Dunning Spring Park- (What is cooler than a waterfall/natural water? Literally, it was ICE cold, and so refreshing.)

Even more sentimental than visiting all of these cherished places - was seeing my dear friend/photographer and her family who recently opened a studio on Water Street (its STUNNING). Also loved catching up with one of my favorite professors + his family for coffee and stories while we were in town. We missed seeing a couple of friends while we were there & are determined to make it back MUCH sooner than before. (Any Luther friends + families want to meet up there for some more reminiscing?! Let's plan it!) xo

Claire

CEO_9294fb CEO_9008 CEO_9049 copy CEO_9104 1luther CEO_9184 CEO_9194 CEO_9207 CEO_9229_1 CEO_9288 CEO_9327 CEO_9341 CEO_9370 CEO_9405 IMG_4208 IMG_4209 IMG_4887