Tour the best of rural Central Iowa with us for a special Mother's day weekend! Lori Foresman -Kirpes, a naturalist with Polk County Conservation, will be our step-on guide for the day. Lori and host, Lynnette, will make it a very memorable day and a great spring trip. We'll begin at Jester Park, a 1,834 acre playground for Iowans since 1958. It borders the Des Moines river and Saylorville Lake in a quiet country setting just a half-hour drive from downtown Des Moines. At the park, we'll stop at the newly opened elk and bison exhibit. The observation deck will provide a chance for lots of photo opportunities. Abundant bison and elk herds were roaming Iowa more than 200 years ago. While in the park, we'll see the award winning natural playscape. The playscape is a safe place where children can rediscover natural play and let their imaginations guide them. A shoreline drive on the lake, where sightings of pelicans can be seen will end the park visit. Then we'll stroll the grounds of a most beautifully ornate Hindu temple in the Madrid area. Due to services that day, an inside tour is not available but outside pictures are allowed. See www.iowatemple.org A hearty, delicious lunch will be served at Corn Crib Catering in Madrid, we will dine in what used to be an actual corn crib. After lunch, stroll the grounds of this working farm or relax on the porch. A guided tour of Picket Fence Creamery, an 80 acre family run dairy farm, will include homemade ice cream. The Burkhart family milk 80 Jersey cows and pasteurize and bottle the milk onsite. The store at the creamery carries a large variety of food products from 90 other Iowa family businesses. Danish bakery from Pella and the famous letter cookies, jams, salsas, chicken, buffalo, lamb, elk certified organic foods and so much more to shop! Prairieland Herbs, a daughter and mother business where herbs, perennials and flowers are grown for products that are healthy for the mind, body and soul are sold all over the world. Shop for soaps, lotions, balms, even a just for pets line of items. A final stop at the Woodward Trailhead/Restored Train Depot to see photos of the High Trestle Bridge (longest and highest multi-use trail in the U.S.) will end our adventure to central Iowa. The Corn Crib Catering lunch is included in the trip cost (A $15.00 value that includes tax and tip) Please bring $10 to cover the creamery tour/ ice cream and the step-on-guide fee. Depart at 7am and return about 8:30pm. Tour host is Lynnette Staroska. Moderate walking.