Chapter 18 - Brushy Creek State Recreation Area - Iowa State Parks

Chapter 18

 - Brushy Creek State Recreation Area - Iowa State Parks

We decided in a rush of a judgement to move away from Kansas state parks to the great state of Iowa.

"Why???"

Why not I say!!! Where else you want to go? Cleveland?

"Maybe!!"

Maybe next time, but for now, we're in the land of Brushy Creek State Recreation Area!!!

INFORMATION STOLEN FROM: https://www.iowadnr.gov/Places-to-Go/State-Parks/Iowa-State-Parks/ParkDetails/ParkID/610108

Brushy Creek State Recreation Area 2802 Brushy Creek Road Lehigh, IA 50557 ph. 515-543-8298 fax: 515-843-8395 Brushy_Creek@dnr.iowa.gov

Above leads to a site with great information about the area along with information about trail closures, facilities and closures of such(winter time closures include the rest rooms and such! Big surprise!!!)

So go check them out for more information that will be vital in your travels into the area (Iowa actually has a lot of state parks that we will explore in due time!!!)

INFORMATION STOLEN FROM: https://iowastateparks.reserveamerica.com/camping/brushy-creek-state-recreation-area/r/campgroundDetails.do?contractCode=IA&parkId=610108

Brushy Creek is one of Iowa's premier outdoor recreation destinations. At 6,500 acres, it has the largest tracts of public recreation land with a mosaic of native prairie, grassland, timber, riparian and lake habitats. The 690-acre lake is the deepest artificial permanent pool lake in Iowa and has an extensive network of trails. Join our interpreter in the summer for nature-related programs and hikes. Each spring, the park hosts a geo-caching event and fishing derby for kids. Program event details are posted at the campground kiosks.

Recreation: 

Lake ActivitiesFishing is a popular activity at Brushy Creek. The lake has 21 miles of shoreline with four boat ramps and eight fishing jetties. A universally accessible fishing pier is located on the west side of the lake. Anglers can try their luck fishing for bluegill, crappie, largemouth bass, channel catfish, walleye or muskellunge. The creek and the Des Moines River have always provided not only scenic beauty, but also a challenge to the angler with smallmouth bass and panfish as favorite catches. Brushy Creek is a "no-wake" lake. There is no restriction on motor size. A large sandy beach is located on the west side of the lake. Swimming is allowed at the designated beach area only. 

TrailsWith approximately 35 miles of multi-use trails, there are trail activities for everyone including horseback riding, hiking, snowmobiling, cross country skiing, and mountain biking. There is a 12 mile gravel trail around Brushy Creek Lake that is open in all weather conditions. A map of these multi-use trails is on display at the information kiosk located in all campground kiosks, the south day-use area, and at the park office. 

HuntingHunting is one of the most popular activities at Brushy Creek. Every year, hunters pursue a variety of game species ranging from pheasants, quail, rabbits and squirrels to white-tailed deer and wild turkeys. A number of designated parking areas are located throughout Brushy Creek to provide convenient access for the hunter.

Facilities:

Picnicking/SheltersBrushy Creek is a great place for picnics and large gatherings. Picnic areas are located throughout the park and offer tables and fire grills. There are three open shelters and four beach cabanas that can be reserved online.

Equestrian CampingEquestrian users can enjoy one of the most modern camp facilities in the Midwest. The north equestrian campground has a modern shower and restroom, electric and non-electric sites, horse wash area, shade is available at some campsites, a substantial hitch rail at every site (users are required to tie animals to rails) and a 100 ft by 200 ft arena. Water hydrants with potable water are available, as are picnic tables, grills, and a playground.
The south equestrian campground has a modern shower and restroom, electric and non-electric sites along with some full hookup sites (water and sewer), a playground, horse wash area, ample shade, and a hitch rail at every site. 

Non-Equestrian CampingThe non-equestrian campground has electric, non-electric, and full hookup sites (water and sewer).  

Day Use AreasThere are two large day-use areas, one located adjacent to the north equestrian campground and one just west of the south equestrian campground. Day users, including equestrians, are encouraged to use these areas at no charge for the day. Facilities include year round pit latrines.  

Shooting RangeTwo gun ranges are located at Brushy Creek State Recreation Area. The target range (paper targets only) is south of the park office on Brushy Creek Road approximately 1/4 mile north of County Rd D46. The clay target range is located off of Taylor Ave. just south of Hwy 20 and west of County Road P73. 

And a video for good luck!!!

Till next time, see you on the road!!!!

A TRAVELER'S GUIDE TO ROUTES, HIGHWAYS AND WHATEVER ELSE FLOATS THE BOAT: Chapter six THE VILLISCA AX MURDER HOUSE

- A TRAVELER'S GUIDE TO LIFE AND EVERYTHING -

A TRAVELER'S GUIDE TO ROUTES, HIGHWAYS AND WHATEVER ELSE FLOATS THE BOAT

- CHAPTER SIX-

(official website found here!! Click if you dare!)

THE VILLISCA AX MURDER HOUSE

So it is 12:30 in the morning, August 31st, 2018, and I've done published five chapters of THE GUIDE (the only guide you'll ever need!!! BUHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!) and I have decided to write another entry.

The first entry; CHAPTER ONE : IOWA, has hit the feed as a published feed so, I decided to hit the Google and discover some more one on one tourist attractions that seem like they'd be cool places to visit while visiting the great state of Iowa.

The Villisca Ax Murder House jumped out at me from a list on a site.

I was trying to find some abandoned bridges or highways, a blog to go along with my still, at this time, unpublished blog on Route 66 and there it was.

June 10th, 1912 - Villisca Iowa - a house owned by J.B. and Sarah Moore sits quietly, but not too quietly, as on this evening, 8 people will be murdered - two adults and six children.

Six family members of the Moore family and two house guests were murdered; severe head wounds from an ax was the cause of death for all eight.

The murders are still unsolved.

(click on image for bigger version at Wikipedia. Click here for a ton more details on this murder)

As with any thing as violent, there is now the stories of bumps in the night, doors opening on their own and other ghostly activities as reported by visitors to the house.

If you are brave enough, you too can visit this home and maybe you will get to experience a visit by the spirits in an attempt to solve this horrendous case.

Address for this location: It can be found at 508 E 2nd St, Villisca, IA 50864 and tours can be done; check their website for details.

- MORE LINKS -

HISTORY OF THE VILLISCA AXE MURDER

AS STOLEN FROM THE OFFICIAL WEBSITE = Go check them out for the whole story along with more facts then you can shake a stick at!!

June 10, 1912 Villisca, Iowa


On a quiet residential street in this small town sits an old white frame house. On a dark evening, the absence of lights and sounds are the first indication to visitors that this house is different from the other homes that surround it.

Upon closer inspection, you'll notice it's doors and windows are tightly closed and covered. An outhouse in the backyard suggests that this house does not occupy a place in the 21st century but somehow belongs in another era or another story.

A weather-beaten sign hanging from the decrepit front porch warns rather than welcomes.

It is the "Murder House"


The walls still protect the identity of the murderer or murderers who bludgeoned to death the entire family of Josiah Moore and two overnight guests on June 10,1912. Almost 97 years later, her secret continues to draw many visitors to her door.

To some, it seems to be speaking.

13 of Iowa's Most Haunted 

12 more stories of Iowa's most haunted. GO READ!!!!!

An interesting YouTube video about the murders

Villisca, Iowa - the town!

A TRAVELER'S GUIDE TO STATES YOU WOULDN'T THINK OF VACATIONING TO!! Chapter one - IOWA

 -THE TRAVELER'S GUIDE TO LIFE AND EVERYTHING -

A TRAVELER'S GUIDE TO STATES YOU WOULDN'T THINK OF VACATIONING TO!!

-Chapter one - 

IOWA

Motto - Our liberties we prize and our rights we will maintain

So earlier I was traveling the net, checking out free offers (free shampoo!!! And a free t-shirt!!) when an offer popped up, a free t-shirt and sunglasses, from the great state of Iowa's tourism board.

I've never thought of Iowa as a "Tourist destination", it probably ranks up there with such states as Kansas or North Dakota when I think of places I want to check out before I die (the old bucket list) but it being a dull Thursday night, I decided to open up Blogger and start a whole new blog, this one, and start with the state that hit my feed first;

MIGHTY IOWA!!

First some basics, Iowa is a state.

And it is known for corn; lots and lots of corn!!!

(There it is!!! Thanks Wikipedia!!!! Source for your viewing pleasure: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iowa )

Okay, there's more details than that but it's a start somewhere, right?

I know these blogs get hits from lots outside of the world; and someday I'll meander outside of the 50 states and move into the world, but for now, WELCOME TO IOWA!!!

According to Wikipedia ( https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iowa )

Iowa (/ˈaɪəwə/ ( listen))^[6][7][8] is a U.S. state in the Midwestern United States, bordered by the Mississippi River to the east and the Missouri and Big Sioux rivers to the west. It is bordered by six states; Wisconsin to the northeast, Illinois to the east, Missouri to the south, Nebraska to the west, South Dakota to the northwest, and Minnesota to the north.

In colonial times, Iowa was a part of French Louisiana and Spanish Louisiana; its state flag is patterned after the flag of France. After the Louisiana Purchase, people laid the foundation for an agriculture-based economy in the heart of the Corn Belt.^[9]

In the latter half of the 20th century, Iowa's agricultural economy made the transition to a diversified economy of advanced manufacturing, processing, financial services, information technology, biotechnology, and green energy production.^[10][11] Iowa is the 26th most extensive in land area and the 30th most populous of the 50 U.S states. Its capital and largest city by population is Des Moines. Iowa has been listed as one of the safest states in which to live.^[12] Its nickname is the Hawkeye State.

I never really thought much about Iowa let alone travel there to see the sites, to scare the citizens into fleeing away from me, or chase me out of the state with burning torches and sharp pitch forks but when it popped up in my searches for free stuff, I hit the Travel Iowa site, checking out the scene!

Actually, there seemingly is a lot to see and do including but not limited to -

FIELD OF DREAMS MOVIE SITE - Dyersville - If you build it, they will come or something. Play ball!!!!

BRIDGES OF MADISON COUNTY -  Winterset - yes, those bridges made famous by the book and movie. Come, relive those scenes with the one you love.  Or your spouse.

Go check out the Iowa Travel Guide over at Google!

There's even a MAP!!! ------>Click here for that!

From Adventureland Park to Effigy Mounds National Monument, it's all here in Iowa.

Don't believe me; SILLY YOU!!

 COME TO IOWA - WE WON'T EAT YOU, WE PROMISE!!!

SOME SITES FOR YOU TO TRAVEL AROUND AND CHECK OUT IOWA EVEN MORE - 

- Travel Iowa -  #ThisIsIowa!!!!!

- Map of Things to Do in Iowa - Thank you Google!!!! 

-Field of Dreams Movie Set - If you build it, they will come!!! GO!!

-The Bridges of Madison County - Come see em!!!