Last week we got our lazy butts in gear and headed down to Ledges State Park... or what's left of it. The Canyon Road was closed due to flood damage, so we parked at the top of a ridge and made the 1.5 mile hike down into the "belly" of the park.

What I saw just stunned me. Complete and utter devastation of one of Iowa's best state parks. There were a few people walking around, but only those who were up to the hike down into the park... since the road is closed. It was sooo quiet, usually it's jam packed with lots of people, families, dogs.

There used to be a paved road here - now it's all washed away, no sign that there was ever a road.


This was the point where we stopped - the road was completely gone, and quicksand-type mud everywhere. I shudder to think what the rest of the park looks like (this is about 15% of the way into the park).... probably just ruined.


So we backtracked a bit, and found a nice creekbed for the dogs to play in. Shallow, with clear water and sand, no steenky flood mud. Please note: Normally, I'd NEVER have the dogs offleash in a state park. When the Canyon Road opens to the public again, the dogs will be on leashes... but until then, we'll enjoy some rare freedom in the park!

Ilsa exploring. She's wearing a cooling vest to keep her from overheating... it was a very hot day.


Ilsa splooshing around...


More splooshing...


Zoomies in the sand...


Horrible photo, but the expression on Ilsa's face is hilarious!


Ilsa rounds a bend in the creek...


About this time, I decided that Ronin could be loose too - he didn't seem to show any signs of wanting to go AWOL. Tucked his lead into his pack and let him run freeeee!!!


Ilsa instigates a game of Chase Me!


But he ignores her... he wants to sploosh!


Dumb guy was sooo proud of himself... he never gets to carry the gear...


"I iz paramedic, I iz here to help!"


"Mommmm.... Ilsa won't leave me alone...."


"Ooh, fishie!"


Ronin faaaaar away... with perfect recall too!


Recall...


"I'm hot... oo water! I'll plop down right here!"


"Wut? Wut you mean I shouldn't get the pack all wet and steenky? Oh... Isorry..."


Time to go home...


THE END!