About campgrounds

 

...awoke last night to the sound of thunder, how far off i sat and wondered. starting humming a song from 1962...working on those night moves...

 Thank you Bob Seegar for those words to open this session. Aptly describes the beginning of the early morning start to the day. After yesterday, todays goal was to go nowhere. Mission accomplished!

 We have visited a few campgrounds. I utilize a website, campgroundreviews.com, to find possible campsites. First figure out intended direction, then proposed mileage that leads us to a given town. Then research if any suitable campgrounds in the area. If not, adjust the parameters.

 When I say a few campgrounds perhaps I understate a bit. Below is screenshot of our profile on campgrounds website.

 While I do not claim to be an expert or authority, I do believe I can speak with some conviction about our personal observations. Those red dots represent city, county, state, COE, national and private campgrounds. They are all the same in a sense and all very different at the same time. From manner of check in to local customs one encounters. From strict enforcement of rules to wondering who the hell is in charge. Our current location, a state facility has no real check in. The office is very remote from the actual camping area. Hmmm? Any self respecting camper would drive slow in the camping area keeping kids at play in mind. Not so much here.

 Camping should cost X amount. Period. Not X for campsite plus X for parking pass. Minor gripe but a growing reality. A nice, pretty park here but not without some strangeness.

 Sunday brings a concrete parking lot next to a casino. Vastly different, yet still called a campgound.

"...gather ye rosebuds while ye may..."

The Day from hell

 

 At Winterset the camp host knocked on the door Wednesday night. He advised us severe weather was to our north and let us know of the two safe buildings. Rain started about 3am but it was light. We were awake early so left by 8:30am during a lull in the rain. What followed was a terrible day driving in the rain. We took some state roads to avoid downtown Kansas City which was tough in good weather. Did we make the correct decision, we will never know. It rained then it poured, then it rained harder. A long miserable day to be on the road. Total trip was 367 miles but took us nearly 8 hours.

 We arrived at our campsite safely and began setting up. All was going great till Mary told me a slide would not go out. Oh bloody hell. Not a rare occurrence, but a first for us in 6 years of rv travel. Mark will be saying I told you so because he dislikes slide outs on rvs. We can function fine as it is but I will try and solve problem tomorrow. Too damn tired tonight. Will rest here for three days before heading to Thackerville OK for a night.

stop and smell the roses my friends...

Back from the wild

  Sunday, July 11th found us leaving Bemidji and and heading into the wilds of Minnesota. There we camped for three days. No phone, no internet. Probably could have received tv but never really tried. It was in the woods we met up with some old friends and their camping friends. They soon became our friends as well. Enjoyed our short stay but it all too soon was time to head down the road.

 Wednesday July 14th was our scheduled departure day and facing a long day we got an early start. It helped that the sun is up by 4:30am or so at these latitudes. The days travel went well but we did have 50-60 miles or so of light rain.

 We arrived back in Winterset Iowa to the same campground we had left on July 1st. Luckily we got here in time for Mary to get to fabric store to purchase more fabric. She had intended to get it on way up but forgot. I had remembered and sent her to store while I set up camper. Being tired after a 399 mile day we treated ourselves to pizza. Very tasty. Tomorrow another long day to El Dorado Kansas. There we will stay for 3 nights.

carpe diem

 

Bemidji

   My bad , forgot to add some details to yesterdays post

Travel map can be found H E R E

Webcam for headwaters can be found H E R E

More information on Rabideau CCC camp found H E R E

carpe diem

Bemidji and Mississippi headwaters

 

 Thursday July 8 we drove about 240 miles from Lake Elmo to near Bemidji Minnesota. A mostly uneventful drive. Initial planning had us coming to the area because of Mississippi head waters. We discovered a real treat for us just north of Bemidji. Anyone that has read this blog should know we always pay homage and respect to the boys of the CCC's. We have enjoyed the fruits of their labor for many, many years. In fact, Mary's father served in the CCC'S and we visited in Phoenix the park he worked on. But on this occasion we got to visit the most complete camp still in existence. A honor and a privilege for us.

 

A National treasure indeed.

 Of course no visit to the area would be complete without a visit to Paul Bunyan and his blue ox Babe.

 Bemidji is a nice little town in the north woods of Minnesota. The winters here are cold and the nights long. Makes perfect sense they would have one of these and perfect sense Mary would find it.

 Over lunch I sought solace and comfort like I did back in Hamilton.

 From downtown we headed out to Itasca state park. It is from this lake the great Mississippi river begins. I walked across the river but Mary's ongoing foot problems prevented her from doing so. Not to be deterred she balanced on a log over the river.

 Sadly we have achieved apogee on this short trip. Starting Sunday the 11th we begin drifting south. Along the way we will be in areas without cell service. Then we face some long driving days. I tell you all of that to let you know to not expect updates till probably the 15th or 16th. If all goes as planned we will be back in El Dorado Kansas state park for three nights. Plans call for not returning home till first week in August so more adventures coming, but most of them from Texas.

"...gather ye rosebuds while ye may..."

Surprises, good and bad.

 

 In planning this trip I faced multiple challenges. I had fixed dates and place to meet friends and July 4th holiday. Original planning had us traveling up thru North Dakota. When those plans fell thru I was scrambling trying to fill in extended time in a area that matched other parameters. Stumbled across Lake Elmo and glad we did. We normally try and get full hook ups including sewer for extended stays. Lake Elmo does not have sewer so we knew some adjustments were needed. As it turns out they have great showers here which we utilized easing pressure on grey tank. We also found a first rate washeteria nearby to keep caught up on laundry.

 One of the big surprises to us, not being familiar with the area, was the shopping. Everything you could need or want is less than 5 miles away. Major shopping inside the marked area as shown in this aerial photo. The campground very quiet and peaceful yet close to everything

Pleasant surprises all.

 Sunday meant the 4th of July celebration. Forecast called for rain on Tuesday so a trip to Redwing was called for on Monday. Took a beautiful drive down Wisconsin 35, the great River Road. Really enjoyed this drive and the heights of the bluffs overlooking the river were surprising. Another pleasant surprise.

 That got us to our destination of Redwing for another surprise. Nearly every store in town was closed for the holiday. Oops, who was in charge of planning this trip to Redwing! Not to worry we walked around a bit, in 95 degree temps and enjoyed ourselves.

 Years ago Mary bought some seasoning up here that we can not get at home. She bought it at a small kitchen type store. Having trouble locating any i reached out to the company for insight. They told us of a chain where we could find some. In the midst of all that circled shopping area! Alas the store had only one bottle of my target seasoning which I bought. Still in search of more. Any extra Wyzata Bay spuds seasoning in your possession please send to me COD.

 Thursday is moving day for us. Next stop near the headwaters of the great Mississippi river. There you will get to see us WALK across the river, no, not via a bridge!

carpe diem

 

Minnesota

 

 July 1st found us leaving Winterset and driving to Lake Elmo Minnesota. This is a very nice county run park I stumbled across. More information can be found HE R E  

 After resting and exploring the park we explored parts of Minneapolis on Saturday. One stop was a sculpture garden.

 From the garden we visited the Mall of America. What a large, crazy place. All in all it was a fun day.

carpe diem