Small Town Iowa Life: A Peaceful Walk Along Cascade’s River

It's easy for life to get away from us all. The hustle and bustle of each day adds new stresses and challenges to overcome. I recently took on more responsibility for my career in radio, and let's just say, there is plenty to do. Having the opportunity to not only spend some time away from screens with my wife and kids, but actually talk with them, is a huge stress relief... usually.

Anyway, I love our nightly walks through our small Iowa town of Cascade. My wife and I usually try to walk each night for around 2 miles, if we're not hiking somewhere. It keeps me in "operating state" physically and gives me the biggest benefit of chatting with my wife.

Even better, the views and smells around Cacade have only been enhanced over the recent years. I'm usually left drooling by the smoky aroma surrounding Moski's BBQ, and there are always people hanging around the main street area.

This time, we detoured a bit to enjoy the river walk. The sights are always enjoyable, including a certain blue heron that seems to return year after year to his favorite fishing spot by the cascades under the main street bridge.

All manner of animals can be spotted along the river walk: geese, eagles, hawks, herons, deer, you name it, they all make their appearances right on the outskirts of town and along the river walk. For families with kids, the walk can even provide a story time of sorts.

For me, it's not so much about the walk; rather, it's the time spent with the company I keep that matters most to me. I will say our small river town truly has some beautiful scenes to capture and enjoy. Maybe a nice, peaceful walk along Cascade's Maquoketa River section is exactly what you need after a long day at work. I know, for me, it usually is.

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