Author: marklongmainstream (Page 87 of 174)

Honey Creek Resort Beach

Honey Creek Resort/Facebook

Honey Creek Beach is located on beautiful Lake Rathburn, and is a perfect place for your next family vacation. There are water activities galore, including kayaking, SUP, and even fishing and pontoon boats are available. Guests can also enjoy biking and beach vollyball. In the event of rain you can take your party inside to the Honeycreek waterpark. All of this and your only a short walk away from restaurants, and bars. The resort is located at 12633 Resort Drive Moravia, Iowa. For more information, click here.

City Beach 

Clear Lake, Iowa/Facebook

Located on Clear Lake, south of the central business district, this .83-acre park provides a beach area for sunning, swimming, and water sports.  City Beach gives you the opportunity for a quick dip and to enjoy the lake environment.  Restrooms and outdoor shower available.  Convenient and free parking. For more information, click here.

Pikes Point

Pikes Point State Park is located southwest of Spirit Lake, Iowa. It is a small park on a point of land that projects into West Okoboji Lake. The beach is situated on West Lake Okoboji, is home to one of the most popular swim beaches in the area. Pikes Point is a nice setting for a family picnic, with several picnic tables and beautiful lake views. There is also a popular swim platform in the swimming area, providing a perfect place to sunbathe. The park is located at 21301 155th St, Spirit Lake Iowa. For more information, click here.

West Lake Beach

West Lake Park is located just outside the Quad Cities, near Davenport. The park has four lakes that are perfect for fishing and swimming. There are picnic facilities, disc golf, paddle-boat rentals, a playground, and two campgrounds. The beach is a great place to relax and enjoy a summer day. For more information, click here.

Big Creek Lake Beach

The beach at Big Creek Lake is over 1,300 feet long and has a playground, volleyball courts, picnic tables and wide open spaces. There are sailboats, and kayaks available to rent, as well as bikes and hydra bikes. The area is also a popular place for fishing, hiking and disc golf. The park is located at 8794 NW 125th AVE Polk City Iowa. For more information, click here.

Perch & Nest

Our family’s farmhouse on wheels is probably the most popular and sought after Perch & Nest tiny home to date. Designed and built in 2017 to house our family of four while mimicking the vintage feel of our 125-year-old homestead, this home quickly gained national attention as the featured tiny at the NC Tiny House festival, earning a dedicated episode of HGTV’s House Hunters, and continuous features in various online and print publications. If you are wanting to try tiny, see our design and construction in person, or just spend a night in the city of arts and innovation, this may be the overnight rental for you!

Facts & Features:

• 36′ long, 8.5′ wide, 13.5′ tall
• 2 lofts + 1 twin nook
• Retractable Screen Porch & Panoramic Door/Wall
• 100% Recycled Composite Decking
• 100% Recycled Denim Insulation
• P&N Signature Wall Material
• Zero VOC Flooring & Paint
• Built In Appliances
• P&N Signature Soaking Tub/Shower
• Handcrafted “Radiator Cover” Storage

For more information, click here.

The legendary Iowa Hawkeyes Wrestling Team are one of the most storied programs in college sports history. So it wasn’t easy at all to create this top 10 list. This is just for fun so don’t take it too seriously. Let me know how you would rank Iowa’s top 10 guys in the comments.

10 Royce Alger

Royce was a 3x Iowa state champion in high school as well as a 3x all-american in college. Alger won NCAA titles his junior and senior year at 158lbs, going undefeated in his final 78 matches. After graduating Alger became a 3x U.S. Open Champion and a two-time Pan American Gold Medalist. As well as a 2x World Cup Gold Medalist, and a 1990 World Silver Medalist. It’s noteworthy to mention that Royce was also a 2x UFC veteran.

9 Lou Banach

Lou Banach won NCAA championships in 1981 and 1983. His overall collegiate record was 92-14-3. In 1984, Lou won a gold medal in Freestyle Wrestling in the 220-pound-weight class at the 1984 Summer Olympic Games in Los Angeles. He and his brother Ed became the first American twin wrestlers to win gold in the same Olympics.

8 Randy Lewis

Randy was a 3x South Dakota state champion in high school, and he also won the Junior World Freestyle Championship, before joining the Hawkeyes. At Iowa he was a 4x all american. Lewis reached the NCAA finals 3x and would of likely been a 3x NCAA champion, had it not been for a freak injury. As it was he finished his career a 2x NCAA champion. After college, he went on to represent the United States at the 1984 Olympics. Where he won the Gold Medal. His college record stands at 127-11 with 64 pins. He was also a 2x Pan American games gold medalist.

7 Terry Brands

Terry was a 3x all-american and 2x NCAA champion, winning titles in 1990 and 1992 at 126lbs.  He had a career record of 137-7 with the Hawkeyes. After graduating he was a two-time world freestyle champion at 58 kg, winning titles in 1993 and 1995. Terry also competed in the 2000 Olympics and won a bronze medal.

6 Jim Zalesky

Jim was a four-time All-American at Iowa from 1981 to 1984. He won the NCAA individual title in the 158 pound division in 1982, 1983, and 1984. He went undefeated his last two years, ending his college career with an 89 match winning streak. At the 1984 NCAA Championships he was named Most Outstanding Wrestler. Amateur Wrestling News named him “Wrestler of the Decade” for the 1980s. This occurred as part of a streak during which the University of Iowa wrestling team won seven consecutive national titles.

5 Joe Williams

Joe was a 4x IHSA  state champion at Mt. Carmel High School. At Iowa he was a 4x all-american, and 3x NCAA champion. He finished his college career with a 129-9 record. Joe’s senior year he was a perfect 34-0, and was named the Most Outstanding Wrestler at the NCAA tournament. Between 1999 and 2007, Joe won 7 U.S. National Titles, as well as a bronze medal at the 2005 World Championships.

4 Barry Davis

Barry grew up in nearby Cedar Rapids and was a 3x state champion with a 102-6 career record in high school. His winning ways continued into college, as he became a 4x all-american, and 3x NCAA champion under legendary coach Dan Gable. In 4 years he compiled an incredible record of 162-9! His 162 wins is a school record that may never be broken. After college Barry competed internationally, and in 1984 he won an Olympic Silver Medal in Los Angeles.

3 Lincoln McIlravy

Lincoln arrived in Iowa in the fall of 1992, already a 5x South Dakota state champion. It didn’t take long for him to prove himself on the college mats. Lincoln won his first NCAA title later that season as a true freshman. He followed that up again as a sophomore, before falling in the national finals his junior year to Steve Marinetti. Lincoln returned his senior year, defeating NCAA Champion Chris Bono in the finals to win his 3rd NCAA title. He ended his college career a 4x all-american with a record of 96-3. On the international stage Lincoln competed in two world championships as well as the 2000 Sydney Olympics, were he won a Bronze medal.

2 Ed Banach

When Ed showed up in the Iowa wrestling room, he and his brother Lou were often criticized for how hard they wrestled during practice. However, when that hard word turned into success on the mat most of the criticism stopped. By the time he had graduated Ed was a 4x all-american and a 3x NCAA champion. His career record of 141-9, sent him to the NCAA finals 4x. If that wasn’t enough, Ed also holds the school record of 73 pins in his college career. After graduation, Ed represented the United States in the 1984 Olympics in Los Angeles. He and his brother Lou became the first American twin wrestlers to win gold in the same Olympics.

1 Tom Brands

Tom was as intense of a competitor, as anyone who had ever put on an Iowa singlet. Brands finished his college career with a 158-7 record, and was a 4x all-american!  Capping his career by winning 3 straight NCAA titles, and earning an outstanding wrestler award at the 1992 NCAA tournament. Upon graduation Tom continued to excel on the mat winning gold at the 93 World Championships, the 94, and 95, World Cup, he followed that up with a Gold medal at the 96 Olympic Games in Atlanta.

Honorable Mention: Mark Ironside 2x NCAA Champion, T.J. WIlliams highest winning percentage in school history, Spencer Lee 3x NCAA Champion. Joe Scarpello first 4x all-american at Iowa Chris Campbell 2x NCAA Champion. Brent Metcalf Hodge Winner, Duane Goldman, 4x NCAA finalist.

Compare this team with Oklahoma State and Penn State‘s top ten.

Smokey Hollow Campground

“It’s all about the stuff!” is the moto of Smokey Hollow Campground in Lodi, Wisconsin and we can tell you Smokey Hollow does not disappoint! This family centered campground is all about having fun things for families to do together throughout every day. There are inflatables, giant sized shopping carts to ride in, firetruck water fights, dance parties, sundae bars and the list just goes on and on and on. This is a very popular private campground in Wisconsin that many families go to year after year.   Lodi, Wisconsin where Smokey Hollow is located has a Susie the Duck Day in August, a family festival with a lot of fun but most importantly rubber duck races!! The campground is located at W9935 McGowan Rd, Lodi, WI. For more information, click here.

The Hayward KOA

The Hayward KOA campground is located on 28 acres in the beautiful Wisconsin Northwoods. The campground has won the Kampgrounds of America, president’s award for the last 6 years! They have 157 RV sites, and 31 cabins as well as tent and teepee sites. There is also a 80,000 gallon pool, a 300 foot water slide, miniature golf, a mining sluice, and wagon rides, just to name a few of there many attractions.  If you’re looking for outstanding camping in the Wisconsin northwoods,  you’ve found it at the Hayward KOA! The campground is located at 11544 US Hwy 63, Hayward, WI. For more information, click here.

The Yogi Bear Jellystone Campground in Wisconsin Dells

The Yogi Bear Jellystone Campground in Wisconsin Dells will absolutely blow you away. Far more than a ordinary campground, there’s so much to do right there on site that you might find yourselves not even wanting to leave the grounds. It’s such a great place that it was voted campground of the year in Wisconsin in 2018.  They have tent and RV camping, along with log cabins and yurts available for rent.  The campground also has an on-site waterpark, and 18 hole miniature golf course.  If that wasn’t enough,the staff puts on themed parties every weekend. The campground is located at S1915 Ishnala Rd, Baraboo, WI. For more information, click here.

Wisconsin Riverside Resort

Just a few miles north of Governor Dodge State Park is a private campground we love Wisconsin Riverside Resort. This is a perfect RV park campground with a variety of RV amenities such as full hookups at camping sites, an onsite restaurant and camp shop. Dining on the patio is an extra special event that we don’t often get while camping. Riverside Resort offers many river activities including camping on a sand bar! Now, that is a unique experience! This camping trip took us to the Wisconsin River for fishing, kayaking and tubing down the Wisconsin River. This private campground is located only a half hour away from Governor Dodge State Park, so you can spend a day there hiking, and swimming too! The campground is located at S13220 Shifflet Rd, Spring Green, WI. For more information, click here.

Holiday Shores Campground and Resort 

If I had to pick one private Wisconsin campground that is our favorite, it would be Holiday Shores Resort in Wisconsin Dells. We spent two weeks at Holiday Shores which is right on the Wisconsin River and offers a beautiful sandy beach with a specified swimming area and inflatables, a heated pool, fully stocked camp store and food counter, kids club, and an endless list of activities. For the nature lover, it offers a front seat to the upper dells via the Wisconsin River, with watercraft rental (jet skis, ski boats, pontoon boats for tubing and skiing, paddle boards, paddle boats), boat slip rental and even personalized jet ski tours of the upper dells. For a secret hiking trail, go to site one right by the river, and you will find the trail head. This is actually on DNR land, and the hike is beautiful! If you have family members that just don’t like to camp that is ok, there are many camper, cabin and motel rentals available. Summer time is always a great time to camp but don’t forget fall in Wisconsin is beautiful. In Wisconsin Dells they celebrate fall with Wo-Zha-Wa (Fun Times in Ho-Chunk language) Festival, usually in mid-September to celebrate the end of the summer. The campground is located at 3901 River Rd, Wisconsin Dells, WI. For more information, click here.

Robber’s Cave State Park

In the scenic, hilly woodlands of the Sans Bois Mountains of southeast Oklahoma, Robbers Cave State Park is a favorite of rappellers, equestrians, hikers and outdoor lovers. This park is named for the famous outlaw cave hidden in the formation of 300 to 1,500-ft sandstone hills and cliffs. The park and adjoining wildlife management area offer acres of discovery and enjoyment including seasonal trout fishing and hunting, miles of hiking and equestrian trails, rugged cliffs for climbing and stunning fall foliage viewing. For more information, click here.

Natural Falls State Park

Located near the Oklahoma/Arkansas border in the scenic Ozark Highlands region of northeast Oklahoma, Natural Falls State Park features a stunning 77-foot waterfall cascading through rock formations and creating a hidden, serene atmosphere at the bottom of a narrow V-shaped valley. A railed observation platform allows hikers to overlook the falls and another observation deck with seating is located at the foot of the falls offering two vantage points to enjoy one of the most scenic wonders in the state. The beautiful scenery looks familiar to many visitors because scenes from the 1974 movie, “Where the Red Fern Grows” were filmed in the park. For more information, click here.

Alabaster Caverns State Park

Enter one of the largest natural gypsum caves in the world at Alabaster Caverns State Park. This rare cave is open to the public, and the only gypsum show cave in the United States. Daily guided tours of Alabaster Cavern leave promptly on the hour from 9am-4pm. For safety reasons, a maximum of 40 visitors are allowed on each tour. A fee is charged for the tour. The cavern tour includes guided interpretation on a well-lit path.  For more information, click here.

Gloss Mountain State Park

Photo by: Donald Devine

An hour west of Enid in the rural town of Fairview rests a true Oklahoma treasure: Gloss Mountain State Park. The Gloss Mountains, sometimes called the Glass Mountains, have a high Selenite content that mimics a shiny glass exterior. Though there are no lodging or campsites located in Gloss Mountains State Park, guests can enjoy the Cathedral Mountain hike from sunrise to sunset. The spectacular scenery makes this a truly unique Oklahoma state park. For more information, click here.

Beavers Bend State Park

Melissa Stubblefield Hyde

Beavers Bend State Park is located in the mountainous region of southeast Oklahoma along the shores of Broken Bow Lake and the Mountain Fork River. Guests traveling down the winding roads through the forests of pine and hardwood trees will find adventure, beautiful scenery and plenty of activities inside this state park. The scenic beauty of Beavers Bend State Park makes it one of Oklahoma’s most popular areas. Towering timbers, crystal clear waters and rugged terrain make this state park an outdoor lover’s paradise. Visitors to Beavers Bend State Park will enjoy hiking, biking, boating, fishing, water skiing, nature center activities, river float trips, canoeing, horseback riding and much more. Trout streams are stocked year-round and the park features two catch-and-release trophy areas.  For more information, click here.