First, a quick apology for the radio silence on the blog this past week. Life swept in with a joyful whirlwind of family, festivities, and a five-year-old’s boundless energy. My daughter and son-in-law were off pedaling across Iowa in the legendary RAGBRAI, and while they tackled the miles, my wife and I took on a different kind of endurance challenge: entertaining our nearly five-year-old grandson for five straight days.

🚲 What Is RAGBRAI?

RAGBRAI stands for the Register’s Annual Great Bicycle Ride Across Iowa, and it’s not just a ride—it’s a cultural phenomenon. Now in its 52nd year, RAGBRAI is the longest, largest, and oldest recreational bicycle touring event in the world. This year’s edition made history by briefly crossing into Minnesota for the first time ever.

Highlights from RAGBRAI 2025 included:

• A scenic 15-mile detour into southern Minnesota’s lake country, with a festive stop at Brown Park between Pearl and Loon Lakes
• A mix of rural charm and big-city stops, culminating in Cedar Falls, the largest city on this year’s route
• Tire-dip traditions, dance parties, and community celebrations that make the ride feel like a moving festival

While they were off conquering hills and headwinds, we were crafting our own adventure closer to home.

🎪 Our Tent-Pole Strategy for Grandparenting

To keep our grandson engaged and excited, we built each day around a “tent-pole” event—something big and memorable to anchor the day. Here’s how our week unfolded:

• Madison County Fair: From goat shows to carnival rides, the fair was a sensory feast. We watched livestock competitions, sampled fair food, and even caught a strong man extravaganza. The livestock barns were a hit, especially the chance to pet animals and meet young exhibitors. The drive through the covered bridges (it’s that Madison county) on our way home made the trip picturesque.
• Prairie Meadows Live Racing: Horses thundered down the track while we cheered from the stands. The spectacle of live racing—combined with the thrill of picking “our horse” (and 2 orders of Dipping Dots) —made for an unforgettable late afternoon. The downpour on the way home? Not so much.
• Pella’s “Wild” Story Adventure: We dove into a local storytelling experience that blended imagination with nature. Think scavenger hunts, interactive tales, and a touch of Dutch charm. It was a perfect mix of whimsy and wonder. A quick trip to Jaarsma’s Bakery was the perfect sweet end to our day!
• Splash Pads & Backyard Fun: Some days were simpler but no less joyful. We hit local splash pads to beat the heat, swam in our backyard, and played endless rounds of “pretend” with garden hoses, pool noodles, and a lot of giggles.

Each day brought its own rhythm, but the real magic was in the moments between—bedtime stories, backyard discoveries, and the kind of laughter that only a five-year-old can spark.