Stories from local residents inspired to spend time outside – walking or biking on local trails, discovering the community’s secret places – taking nature’s beauty all in stride.
Adventuring near the QC: 3 great parks, nature hikes
We hit the trail and head to three spots just north of the Quad Cities with outdoor blogger Wade Ellett where we can take in some outstanding scenery and enjoy out-of-the-way parks filled with beautiful nature trails.
Taking an early fall tour of Mississippi Palisades State Park
LMQC’s outdoor bloggers, Teri Stickler and Kaia, share pictures and impressions from their early fall trip to Mississippi Palisades Park in Savanna, IL and Iowa’s “island town”, Sabula.
Take a day trip to Dubuque!
Wade Ellett reports on a few wild, beautiful and remote alternatives to mannerly Quad-City area city and county parks!
Exploring Sunset Park
Let’s Move QC’s outdoor blogger, Teri Stickler and her fellow explorer, Kaia, spend a day exploring the sights and the shoreline at Rock Island’s Sunset Park and Marina.
Where to Get Away from it All (For an Hour)
Got an hour? Stretch your legs and breathe some fresh air at one of these nearby parks!
Off your beaten path: 3 nearby QC parks
Bettendorf, Davenport and Rock Island all have great hidden parks, just waiting to be discovered. Wade Ellett previews them here, for your next nearby outdoor adventure!
A walk across the water
Join LMQC Outdoor bloggers Teri and Kaia as they take a tour of the new I-74 bridge – by way of its amazing, 14-foot wide pedestrian walkway – which spans the Mississippi River in the Quad Cities.
Spring arrives at Black Hawk State Historic Site in Rock Island
Take a walk on the wild side of Blackhawk Park with LMQC Outdoor Blogger, Teri Stickler and her four-legged companion, Kaia. Teri and Kaia check out the woodland wildflowers along the trails of one of the Quad Cities’ oldest parks.
Hiking and history await in Dubuque’s Mines of Spain
LMQC’s outdoor bloggers, Teri Stickler and Kaia, explore the history, trails, and natural beauty of The Mines of Spain park in Dubuque, Iowa.
Outdoor fun all year ’round at Loud Thunder
LMQC’s outdoor bloggers, Teri Stickler and Kaia, marvel at how much there is to do at the Loud Thunder Forest Preserve near Andalusia, IL.
Taking in summer’s beauty is a fun day trip in the QCA
Outdoor blogger, Teri Stickler and her 4-legged companion, Kaia, hike to the Devil’s Punch Bowl in Wildcat Den State Park. Both recommend this lovely state park in any season.
A historic hike through the Quad Cities
Let’s Move QC’s intrepid Outdoor Bloggers, Kaia and her human, Teri Stickler, headed to the west end of Davenport to check out the trails and spring flowers in Sunderbruch Park. With its more than 130 acres of parkland, Sunderbruch Park is a gem in the Iowa Quad Cities.
Taking in summer’s beauty is a fun day trip in the QCA
Outdoor blogger, Teri Stickler and her 4-legged companion, Kaia, hike to the Devil’s Punch Bowl in Wildcat Den State Park. Both recommend this lovely state park in any season.
Exploring forest and prairie at Illiniwek
Outdoor blogger, Teri Stickler and her 4-legged companion, Kaia, explore forest, prairie and the Mississippi River as they venture through Illiniwek Forest Preserve, located north of Hampton, IL.
Trails galore at Sunderbruch Park
Let’s Move QC’s intrepid Outdoor Bloggers, Kaia and her human, Teri Stickler, headed to the west end of Davenport to check out the trails and spring flowers in Sunderbruch Park. With its more than 130 acres of parkland, Sunderbruch Park is a gem in the Iowa Quad Cities.
Eagle Point Park isn’t just for eagles … but doggos too!
LMQC’s outdoor bloggers, Teri Stickler and Kaia, head north to Clinton to explore Eagle Point Park and explore the history, natural beauty and – of all things – a dog park!
Planning your next “micro-adventure”? Make it Albany Mounds!
Always looking for a new adventure, QC Outdoors blogger Wade Ellett shares a review of his most recent experience a the Albany Indian Mounds State Historic Site along the Great River Trail.
Going back to this school means going back in time
LMQC’s outdoor bloggers, Teri Stickler and Kaia, head back to school – the renovated, one-room school known as Forest Grove School Number 5, which was built in 1873 and can be found in rural Bettendorf.
Head west, young man (and women and boys and girls)
Outdoor blogger, Teri Stickler and her 4-legged companion, Kaia, check out the natural habitat and restored wetlands at West Lake Park, located just west of Davenport. It’s just one of several summertime adventures for the intrepid duo.
Neighborhood fireworks are tough on furry friends
For LMQC Outdoor blog-dog, Kaia, the 4th of July is full of bright lights, fun in the park, and – unfortunately – loud noises when the fireworks go off. Here are some things to keep in mind to make such a noisy holiday a little less stressful for the four-legged members of your family.
Squirrel 1 – Dog 0
Early summer is usually a time for frolicking in the woods – at least that’s what QC Outdoors blogger Teri Stickler thought until her hiking buddy Kaia, suffered a “football injury” while chasing a squirrel.
Wildcat Den State Park “a gem at our doorstep”
Open all year, Wildcat Den (located between the Quad Cities and Muscatine) is a perfect destination for both two-legged and four-legged friends who need a whiff of nature in early springtime.
Stories from local residents inspired to spend time outside – walking or biking on local trails, discovering the community’s secret places – taking nature’s beauty all in stride.
Adventuring near the QC: 3 great parks, nature hikes
We hit the trail and head to three spots just north of the Quad Cities with outdoor blogger Wade Ellett where we can take in some outstanding scenery and enjoy out-of-the-way parks filled with beautiful nature trails.
Hiking and history await in Dubuque’s Mines of Spain
LMQC’s outdoor bloggers, Teri Stickler and Kaia, explore the history, trails, and natural beauty of The Mines of Spain park in Dubuque, Iowa.
Eagle Point Park isn’t just for eagles … but doggos too!
LMQC’s outdoor bloggers, Teri Stickler and Kaia, head north to Clinton to explore Eagle Point Park and explore the history, natural beauty and – of all things – a dog park!
Taking an early fall tour of Mississippi Palisades State Park
LMQC’s outdoor bloggers, Teri Stickler and Kaia, share pictures and impressions from their early fall trip to Mississippi Palisades Park in Savanna, IL and Iowa’s “island town”, Sabula.
Outdoor fun all year ’round at Loud Thunder
LMQC’s outdoor bloggers, Teri Stickler and Kaia, marvel at how much there is to do at the Loud Thunder Forest Preserve near Andalusia, IL.
Planning your next “micro-adventure”? Make it Albany Mounds!
Always looking for a new adventure, QC Outdoors blogger Wade Ellett shares a review of his most recent experience a the Albany Indian Mounds State Historic Site along the Great River Trail.
Take a day trip to Dubuque!
Wade Ellett reports on a few wild, beautiful and remote alternatives to mannerly Quad-City area city and county parks!
Taking in summer’s beauty is a fun day trip in the QCA
Outdoor blogger, Teri Stickler and her 4-legged companion, Kaia, hike to the Devil’s Punch Bowl in Wildcat Den State Park. Both recommend this lovely state park in any season.
Going back to this school means going back in time
LMQC’s outdoor bloggers, Teri Stickler and Kaia, head back to school – the renovated, one-room school known as Forest Grove School Number 5, which was built in 1873 and can be found in rural Bettendorf.
Exploring Sunset Park
Let’s Move QC’s outdoor blogger, Teri Stickler and her fellow explorer, Kaia, spend a day exploring the sights and the shoreline at Rock Island’s Sunset Park and Marina.
A historic hike through the Quad Cities
Let’s Move QC’s intrepid Outdoor Bloggers, Kaia and her human, Teri Stickler, headed to the west end of Davenport to check out the trails and spring flowers in Sunderbruch Park. With its more than 130 acres of parkland, Sunderbruch Park is a gem in the Iowa Quad Cities.
Head west, young man (and women and boys and girls)
Outdoor blogger, Teri Stickler and her 4-legged companion, Kaia, check out the natural habitat and restored wetlands at West Lake Park, located just west of Davenport. It’s just one of several summertime adventures for the intrepid duo.
Where to Get Away from it All (For an Hour)
Got an hour? Stretch your legs and breathe some fresh air at one of these nearby parks!
Taking in summer’s beauty is a fun day trip in the QCA
Outdoor blogger, Teri Stickler and her 4-legged companion, Kaia, hike to the Devil’s Punch Bowl in Wildcat Den State Park. Both recommend this lovely state park in any season.
Neighborhood fireworks are tough on furry friends
For LMQC Outdoor blog-dog, Kaia, the 4th of July is full of bright lights, fun in the park, and – unfortunately – loud noises when the fireworks go off. Here are some things to keep in mind to make such a noisy holiday a little less stressful for the four-legged members of your family.
Off your beaten path: 3 nearby QC parks
Bettendorf, Davenport and Rock Island all have great hidden parks, just waiting to be discovered. Wade Ellett previews them here, for your next nearby outdoor adventure!
Exploring forest and prairie at Illiniwek
Outdoor blogger, Teri Stickler and her 4-legged companion, Kaia, explore forest, prairie and the Mississippi River as they venture through Illiniwek Forest Preserve, located north of Hampton, IL.
Squirrel 1 – Dog 0
Early summer is usually a time for frolicking in the woods – at least that’s what QC Outdoors blogger Teri Stickler thought until her hiking buddy Kaia, suffered a “football injury” while chasing a squirrel.
A walk across the water
Join LMQC Outdoor bloggers Teri and Kaia as they take a tour of the new I-74 bridge – by way of its amazing, 14-foot wide pedestrian walkway – which spans the Mississippi River in the Quad Cities.
Trails galore at Sunderbruch Park
Let’s Move QC’s intrepid Outdoor Bloggers, Kaia and her human, Teri Stickler, headed to the west end of Davenport to check out the trails and spring flowers in Sunderbruch Park. With its more than 130 acres of parkland, Sunderbruch Park is a gem in the Iowa Quad Cities.
Wildcat Den State Park “a gem at our doorstep”
Open all year, Wildcat Den (located between the Quad Cities and Muscatine) is a perfect destination for both two-legged and four-legged friends who need a whiff of nature in early springtime.
Spring arrives at Black Hawk State Historic Site in Rock Island
Take a walk on the wild side of Blackhawk Park with LMQC Outdoor Blogger, Teri Stickler and her four-legged companion, Kaia. Teri and Kaia check out the woodland wildflowers along the trails of one of the Quad Cities’ oldest parks.