Winding Pathways

Weeds. They were our 2026 garden nemesis. Summer was spent yanking crabgrass, dayflower, sedges, and ragweed out of the mulch so vegetables could thrive. We could hate weeds if it wasn’t for the miracles they perform. Weeds are truly miraculous!

Read more about how weeds heal Cedar Lake in Cedar Rapids on our Substack Blog.
https://windingpathways.substack.com/p/miraculous-weeds-heal-cedar-lake

We rarely personify animals and generally don’t think of them having human personality traits. But they do! Watching the interaction of these two hens is fascinating. Our Rhode Island Red hen has taught us lessons. Read about it in our blog on Substack.

https://windingpathways.substack.com/p/learning-from-rhode-island-red

Empress Boat dinner music cruise in Iowa Falls.

We recently saw a group of monarchs on their way south. We've never seen so many in the same place at the same time. Have you witnessed a monarch migratrion? Read our latest blog post on Substack and let us know!

🦋 LINK TO BLOG:
https://windingpathways.substack.com/p/monarch-migration

A recent blog post: The Wisdom of the Spider Plant.
When we meet new people and form connections opportunities blossom.

Read it on our Substack at the link below.

https://windingpathways.substack.com/p/the-wisdom-of-the-spider-plant

Golden Roost farm to table nailed it with a delicious meal and welcoming weary travelers 7 minutes before closing. Mt. Horeb, WI.

Sunrise over Lake Muskegon, at The Pidge Inn. Quiet. Stars fading. Ducks quacking. Bird cast shows heavy migration over much of US as migratory birds head south for warmer climates with autumn approaching. Soon the Lake Express will take us across as we journey back to Iowa. Good trip. Engaging people. Beautiful sights.

Muskegon, MI. What welcome! Enthusiasm, laughs, great history of what is now and what was. Irish Fest kicking off, submarine museum, museum of business and industry, pre-history, Buddy Keaton and ‘Boogy Woogy Bugler Boy’ inspiration for the Andrews Sisters song. Architecture. Look at the Pidge Inn! Almost an Airbnb but with a friendly on site staff and the owners who shared the background of the are and how the Inn came to be. Good help from their son who creatively brainstormed and the kick that the name could be used with the website. (Not already taken by another.)
Tonight a shoreline cruise, the Irish Fest, then wrapping up for the Express cruise home.