During the break we had dinner with President and Sister Irion.
They are delightful people. So fun to sit and visit with them.
Sadly the Shaw's leave in a few weeks. We have grown to love them so much. They are great people.
We know we say that a lot about the people we have served with. But it is true.
Our lives will never be the same for having met and served with the people here in Nauvoo.
After we dropped off Jeff & Lyndsie at the airport,
we drove through the Amana Colonies on our way to Pella, Iowa.
We went to Pella last spring to see the tulips.
But with time off, the Jaarsma Bakery and In't Veld's Meat Market,
we had to go back!
It was a beautiful day and a beautiful drive.
We were greeted in Pella by a beautiful sunset over Lake Red Rock.
It is on the Des Moines River and it is an absolutely beautiful area.
The next day we drove around the lake.
The weather was perfect. So sunny and bright.
Lovely views everywhere you look.
We got photo bombed by a butterfly!
We stopped at Cordova Park. They have this cool observation tower. It started as a water tower, but when it was no longer needed for water, they turned it into an observation platform. It is 106 feet tall and provides a great view of the lake. The sign says it is the tallest and longest continuous fiberglass stairway in the world.
It is nice and safe up there and the views are fantastic.
we drove through the Amana Colonies on our way to Pella, Iowa.
We went to Pella last spring to see the tulips.
But with time off, the Jaarsma Bakery and In't Veld's Meat Market,
we had to go back!
It was a beautiful day and a beautiful drive.
The weather was perfect. So sunny and bright.
We got photo bombed by a butterfly!
We stopped at Cordova Park. They have this cool observation tower. It started as a water tower, but when it was no longer needed for water, they turned it into an observation platform. It is 106 feet tall and provides a great view of the lake. The sign says it is the tallest and longest continuous fiberglass stairway in the world.
It is nice and safe up there and the views are fantastic. 
Sister Thompson stayed on the ground. No stairs for her. ;)
There are these great cabins right on the lake.
Had we known about them sooner we would have stayed here.
You could see the Cordova Park Tower from further on down the lake.
No one was around, we had the lake to ourselves...so selfies had to do.
When we got back to the hotel, there was another gorgeous sunset.
We had the best meal we have had since we left home at Kaldera Restaurant.
Luckily, no selfie, our waitress JoAnn took our picture.
She was a really sweet lady.
Our hotel was on a beautiful golf course, Bos Landen.
While on a walk in the morning Elder Thompson saw several really large buck deer.
Well, the break was fun and relaxing.
But there are new missionaries arriving so we are headed home to welcome them to Nauvoo.