"Happy"?

After spending several hours "touring" in Mitchell ... we departed for Chamberlain SD to camp that night. The appeal to that night's campground was the "full hook-ups, bath house and full laundry facilities" listing. Happy Campers Campground had recently added fifteen new full hook-up pads ... which was our choice that night. New area was pretty much out in the open, no new plantings, etc., but having the luxury of full hook-ups offset the surroundings. It had become very windy and had begun to look stormy ... but we stayed toasty warm in our "humble" abode.

The next morning Larry whipped up a "breakfast skillet" (minus the skillet) for each of us using the rest of our eggs, potatoes, sausage ... yummy ...

The "Corn Palace"

 

When Larry retired "the last time" he received a gift of a book - America's Roadside Attractions. It's become as important as the atlas when packing up a vehicle for a road trip. As we progressed through this trip we referred to it for important stuff we needed to see along the way. We discovered the Corn Palace in Mitchell SD! So ... into Mitchell we went ... lucky us they had designated parking for RV's and campers!

My first and only previous visit was with my mother when the girls were very young, I don't think Melissa had even started school yet! (that's a "couple" of years ago!)

I don't believe that on my previous visit that we went into gym area or if there was even a gym. But this was way cool ... gym with a stage! Good use of space ...

 

I loved the corn murals on the walls. I think that this area was just a big open area when I last visited?

There was a looping video being shown in concourse/gift shop/food court area that explained how corn was planted, selected and adhered to wall. Most interesting...don't think it will be anything I will try anytime soon. As we left building heading back to vehicle we noticed bins outside where sorting and cutting (with a table saw) was happening. They are always replacing corn that refuses to stay adhered to the building. Talk about job security!



Onward ...

We camped two nights at Derge Park. Rain was in the forecast for the following day. We prepared, we put everything away, anticipating a wet departure the next morning. In hindsight we should have also hooked up to pickup! Wisconsin forecasters were correct ... it began raining around midnight. Not a downpour but a steady patter on the roof ... nice sleeping weather! We awoke to a misty overcast morning - weather report was that it would be an off and on occurrence rest of day. We had a leisurely breakfast, cleaned up and prepared for our departure.

Our plan for the day was to head out, going northeast and heading into Minnesota on I-90. For a Sunday morning traffic was very heavy and it continued to rain most of the morning. As we passed the Wisconsin Dells exits I remembered attending the "Tommy Bartlett Show" as a child. The area now is a lot like Branson ... very commercial and catering to tourists. The sisters and I did the "drive-thru" tourist-y thing in 2008 -- before a storm drained the lake that Bartlett preformed on. I guess every region has their "to go" place.

Our stop for the night was Albert Lea, MN, Myre-Big Island State Park campground. It as a beautiful park and very well maintained.

 Lake Albert Lea - saw flock of pelicans

Tree Canopy

Infamous Cicada

Our Campsite (site next to us was vacating)

 

After setting up camp the campground host stopped by to welcome us and to offer us firewood. Seems as though all parks are asking that firewood not be brought in because of bug infestation. An interesting gentleman ... obviously retired and very chatty! We learned that the this portion of the lake was only about four feet deep, no boating, but had very good fishing!

 

This was a very good park to stay at. Very peaceful and "facilities" were small, but clean.

 

 



 

Beaver Dam Lake

No, this isn't the Hoover Dam ...

it's the Beaver Dam dam!

Fish amongst the rocks at the flood gate ...

 (dark shadows ... ripples in water made by fish)

View from the dam looking toward the "swimming beach"

(in center along shoreline)

Schultz Cheese Haus - Beaver Dam WI

There's sausage and then there's Wisconsin sausage. Being the "dairy state" where else would you purchase cheese, but in Wisconsin! The best place ever to find either of them is at Schultz's Cheese Haus on Hwy. 151 southwest of Beaver Dam. We never ever go to Wisconsin and not make a stop there! This trip we bought a garlic beef sausage and three different types of cheeses - Ghost Habanero, mild cheddar and an apple flavored cheese - AND a bottle of wine (a sweet grape flavor). A box of crackers and our evening meal was in hand!

Welcome Home BJ II ~~

Now...to just get it loaded up!!!

Old vs. New

This week we bid adieu to "BJ's Hideaway" ... a bitter sweet moment ... Reality check: pulling a 26 foot, 7500 lb. "Wildwood" camper was to hard on our Ford-F150 (which rated at 7000 lb towing capacity).

Meet BJ II a 21 foot, 6000 lb. "Fun Finder" ... already I like the name ... Fun vs. Wild! We will pick her up next Thursday afternoon ... and will probably take her out that week-end for a "trial-run" ... and get all of this "stuff" out of our common areas!!!

Camping...we're gona go camping!!!

Sometimes you don't need words ... pictures are enough.

A job well done...

The paint has "cured". I've decided to keep it simple...no more embellishment needed. I like it!

Spare Tire Cover

After much hesitation I decided to "paint" on our camper spare tire cover. Sister suggested making template on contact paper and using a can of spray paint. Larry thought tracing onto cover then painting in could do it. Of course I looked for the easy way out...spray paint it was!

Design decided...

Template ready...

Paint applied...

Paint curing...

I think it still needs a little more embellishment --- all that boring white...

The true test will come when cover is back on camper and we have our first "rain". Paint was for outdoor plastic furniture...only time will tell?

Fort Kearny SRA

We took our first road trip with the camper this past week-end. Previously we had been camping at area lakes to get the feel as well as getting it stocked properly. This was our first trip outside of our 25 mile comfort zone. The month of July Beth had been staying with the Carpenter's caring for Noah while mom and dad worked. It was now time for her to return to Ogallala. We met up with the VanLaningham's at Fort Kearny for a camping week-end. The ride was uneventful arriving at campsite around 3.

Set up went without a hitch.

Had time to chill out,

have Fairbury hotdogs for dinner,

and await arrival of Michelle, Curt, Jake and dogs from Ogallala later that evening.

Fort Kearny SRA does offer alot of activities - Curt did some fishing early Saturday morning (fish didn't cooperate), kids and Curt did a little swimming Saturday mid-day, and there were several play areas scattered around the grounds for kids to burn off excess energy. The temps over the week-end were very high, alot of humidity and no breeze...so staying comfortable inside was preferred.

Van clan even had time to go into Kearney to do some last minute school shopping...much to Trixie and Champ's dismay...they miss their people...

Late Saturday evening there was a bonfire with s'mores...to dark for photos...but alot of conversation and laughter.

It was a great week-end...and yes a camper advertised as sleeping eight did accommodate seven humans and two full grown chocolate labs...comfortably??? not so much!!! but fun just the same!!!