Hail..Hail...Hail...and not the gangs all here!

     Bev has been under the weather, sore throat, head cold, stuffed up and all that.  She planned on working a bit this morning then maybe an afternoon trip to Grand Marais, but it's now 2:20 pm and she's still at he computer and I'm going nuts and the damp weather is driving her nuts I guess.
     We just weathered a storm the likes of which we have never encountered in the motor home before, rain, hail, wind and lots of it.  The hail was the size of quarters (a sample pictured below) and sounded like the end was coming the way it hit on this rigs roof, and it now looks as if we're on our own little Island..........yes surrounded by large puddles.

      The newly repair awning arm/spring did just fine, the prayers were answered, so now I've closed it up and will roll it back out tomorrow to dry off a bit.                                                                                                 It's suppose to dry out by tomorrow and we have another round of golf planned with friends Alan and Kathy from Orangewood........(I just typed Orangeweed.....hahaha our friends from there will understand why the hahaah!) so at least that's what we're hoping for.  We may have to add another day onto our Superior stop to make up for basically missing this entire days planned activities.

     It's now day 4 without a TV and only one local channel in the bedroom, believe it or not we're surviving just fine.  I only know whats happening in the world from FB and we know that could be a two sided coin for sure.  I did manage with Matt's help to get into a place called Couchtuner our of the EU and was able to watch a couple of episodes of Mad Men which we've been waiting for Netflix to air and still haven't.........pretty good site, they have it all.  Lisa and Jack gave me a few DVD's for Fathers Day as part of my gift, classics which I've seen way way to many times but still love watching, those will come in handy now too.

     Well I think I hear movement in the back bedroom, maybe we'll get something done together today after all................or maybe I'll venture out on my own!

Superior, Wisconsin (day 2)

     We arrived in Superior, Wisconsin on Friday late afternoon set up and prayed the weather would be good from here on out.  Called our friends Alan and Kathy and made plans to have some breakfast in the morning and golf afterwards on Saturday the 27th.  We played Black Bear golf club in Minong, WI  just outside of Superior,a very nice lush and friendly course.  I was feeling pretty good about my game since my drives have really been straight for the past couple of rounds, something like 15 fairways hit.  A couple of horrendous chips and like 3 or 4 three putt greens and still shot an 88, very pleased with that.  Now you pros out there must also need to know that beings we're all old or getting old and being seniors we now get to play from the senior tees.........the course was a mere 5100 yards but still I'm very happy with the score.  Bev hit a wall about the 13th hole, headache and sinus probably from the lack of dry air we're encountering, both of us have been pretty stuffed up since entering the Midwest.  Bev started off great, hitting the ball a lot farther and up in the air quite a few times (that's important for her as you might imagine for distance) her game is really improving, just needs more time on the course.  By the way, 1 birdie, 6 pars, 6 bogeys and 5 dreaded double bogeys....great round for me.
     No need for the air conditioners today, it's right now at 10:45 only 66 degrees and pleasant.  A chance of rain today and tomorrow but then it looks to be sunny and in the 70's.  Normally we'd be out running around, checking out the cities and things to do, but Bev isn't feeling well as I said so she's trying to get rid of this headache so we can go over to Alan and Kathy's about 3 pm for cards and dinner.
     It's really quiet, especially in the motor home..........we're in a forest of different kinds of tall pine trees here at Northland camping and RV park and that means no satellite coverage which in turn means no or very limited TV coverage.  We get no satellite and only two local channels here, ABC and MeTv (all old series TV shows)...........so it's been Gilligan or Saved by the Bell and Hogans Hero's and/or local news and weather.  I'm kind of glad in a lot of way, I'm sure the "Sunday Shows" would have put me in a terrible frame of mine at this time.  No national news right now might be the best thing for me, the shit over the past couple of days has for sure put our country deeply at odds with one another...............whoops!  Sorry this blog is for our 2015 journey around this great nation of ours, no politics allowed in this blog until the journey ends, enough was posted on FB as you might agree. 
     Well Bev is still resting, I'm heading to the store to pick up a few things and some medications for the little women, it's so far been very relaxing here and should remain that way for the next few days. Our plans are to be here for at least 5 days and then onward towards Devils Lake North Dakota!  No rain yet, crossing our fingers.


 
   

Wisconsin...Minnesota...Wisconsin...........

     It seems from Dubuque, Iowa heading north on US61 you can go in and out of Wisconsin and Minnesota and back and forth all the way up the river.........the great river that is.  I was a bit hesitant to take 61 rather than heading right to I-35, but we've been pleasantly pleased traveling on US61.  The scenery has been so green and lush with trees and foliage and crops and actually more hills and bends than I would have imagined.  I would take it again on our future trips heading north from Iowa.
     We spent last night in Winona, MN. and looked up some friends from our home at the Friendly Village of Orangewood in Phoenix.  We had dinner with Alan and Linda Carlson who live in the Winona area, Minnesota City to be more precise.  It was nice to see them and the area of the country they call home in the summer months.  After a nice dinner and some more getting to know each other we spent the night and then headed north later the next morning.  Wow we made it a mere 75 miles, we got as far as Treasure Island Casino just outside of Red Wing, Minnesota.  What an awesome casino, one of the largest Indian casino's we've ever encountered, and very nice and plush.  Yes, that's the luxury of traveling the way we do, one day 200 miles, the next day 300 and then maybe only 75 miles, whatever we feel at the time.  If it looks interesting, fun, or a nice golf course you may find us stopping for the night............loving life on the road!
     Superior/Duluth tomorrow and a visit to some more good friends from Orangewood, ready or not Alan and Kathy Nelson here we come!        

West Lake park, Davenport, Iowa

     We love parking our motor home at West Lake in Davenport, the majority of sites are well suited for larger motor homes.  We've been coming here for at least 8 years now to begin our journeys and enjoy the many large trees, camp sites, wild life, and so many Cardinals adding brilliant red color to those green trees.  If there is a negative to this wonderful place it's the fact that it's not traveler friendly..........let me explain.
     When we're traveling we stop somewhere each night and sometimes stay more that one night depending on the place and what we find to see or visit.  Golf courses attract us a lot, historic places, also lakes and streams, if you know what I mean!  Even a Walmart will do if we're running late or find no place suitable to stop.  All travelers whether on a 2 week vacation or a 3-4 month trek like we do each summer do this, we're all looking for a place to stop for the night or longer.  At West Lake park RV spaces are always at a premium, they do not take reservations and all spaces are first come first serve.  If you are wanting to stay at West Lake, you need to get there on a Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday to find a spot to park your rig.  Traveling across country and decide to stay or visit family or friends in the Quad Cities you pretty much have to plan your arrival on one of these days if you want to camp at West Lake.  A good guess would be that 95% of the campers at West Lake no matter if it's a motor home, trailer, tent or whatever are from somewhere within a 25 mile radius!  The locals dominate these sites in all the sections of West Lake, and they show up starting on Wednesday and park there rigs and go home until Friday night!  Yes, the cost is very low compared to most RV parks no matter where you stay, so they put out the $20 just to have that space come Friday night.
     Now don't get me wrong, I'm sure the parks would not get the excellent care they get and be in the great shape their kept if not for the locals supporting these parks..........hell if they weren't there you might only fill 10-20% of the sites on a daily basis for quite a while until RV'ers learned that the place had spots available on a regular basis.  We've come to learn that if we want to stay at West lake we must arrive on Monday-Wednesday or we go somewhere else until the next Monday.  That is what I mean by traveler friendly, there are only 3 out of 7 days a week you are most likely to get a site here.  I would guess even if they did take reservations locals would make those calls whenever they had to in order to get those sites............hell then the park would lose funds because the locals wouldn't have to pay for those 2-3 nights they don't stay in those empty rigs!
     My suggestion is this, the new Rhythm City Casino which will be located off of I-80 would be wise to have an RV park for all the retired travelers that love to stop at all casino's they encounter along their journeys.  You all can put this in the suggestion box if you'd like.  One way or another we'll be making the stop in the Quads as long as we have family and friends living in the area to visit each year.  




    

Monday 6/22/15

     Well the motor home is quiet now, Lisa and Jack joined Matt and the girls on a flight back to Phoenix and the end of their vacations.  We will miss them and then again we will enjoy being alone for the rest of our travels this year.  It's always bitter sweet when they leave, we get along but then again at times we don't.  I for one need to remember our vacation last 3 months or so and they are trying to squeeze as much a they can in a couple of 2 or 3 weeks.  Let me apologize right now to Lisa and Jack for being a grump now and again........we also appreciate the help you give us.

     It's been a jam packed 5 days since my last blog update, with Father's day thrown in and trying to get Matt and the girls to see as many family members as possible in 2 1/2 days........I think we all did a pretty good job of that.  With a lot of thanks going to my sister Nancy and our niece and nephew John and Kathryn(Kathy) for showing the hospitality of their homes for an evening of dinner and a great Father's day BBQ, good job you guys!  Thanks again, and thanks again to my kids and grand kids for the great gifts, much appreciated and I love you guys.

     Would it be a extended trip without some repairs even one ever so minor, yes there seems to be one each trip.  The 18' awning on the side of the motor home had been retracting slowly for the past year or so and finally during one of the thunder storms we've had to endure the spring inside broke and we had to roll it up in the pouring down rain by hand (thanks for your help Lisa).  Of the two RV stores/repair locations here in Davenport both tell us it's going to be 2 to 3 weeks to get it in for repairs, unacceptable to say the least!  With the help of one of them I've found an individual who does mobile repairs and told me today he's ordering the new spring and should have it tomorrow.  Hopefully he gets it and can install it and we can be on the road as scheduled by Wednesday the 24th.

     I'm looking at big storms from just north of us here all the way into Minnesota and Wisconsin which is our next direction to head.  Sure home all this nasty weather lets up so we can have smooth sailing from here on out.  We're having dinner tonight with brother Russ and his wife, gotta see Mom one more time before we hit the road and to give Nancy (sister) and Phil some imported Gouda cheese from the Netherlands.................we received a wheel of it from Matt's mother-in-law which he brought back from the Dominican Republic from her via the island of Curacao via the Netherlands, thanks Dalila (Da lee la).  We love this cheese!





    

Matt and Dayani bring the sunshine!

     I'm going to get the car washed inside and out this morning, yes the forecast is calling for sunshine for at least the next three days as it stands now!  Matt and Dayani and Dalila arrived last night after a day from hell in airports.  Delays, missed connections, having to rent a car and drive in order not to lose a day of their short stay in Iowa, all that made for a long day.  Silver lining in all this, I believe they brought the sunshine with them from the Dominican Republic to the Quad Cities!  Whatever it takes it's a very welcomed sight for sure.

     If Matt and his family catch up on some sleep and get up early enough the kids are making yet another trek to the "Field of Dreams" but it will be a first for Dayani.  Bev and I are going to skip it this year, 3 times is enough for us, besides the sun will be shining and the car needs a good cleaning!  We have a family dinner at my sister's place tonight at 5:00 pm, a chance for Matt and the family to see Grandma and some cousins and Aunt Nancy and Uncle Phil.  I can't believe it will be Happy Joe's Taco pizza..........what's the fascination anyway, isn't pizza Italian?

     The rain and wind over the past week has caused some minor damage to our awning, I'm hoping I can get it in to Thompson's RV up the road on Monday or Tuesday to have it checked out.

     Well I guess our friends in Phoenix would welcome the cool rainy days we've been experiencing, record heat for the next week or so for this time of year is what I'm hearing.  110's to the 115's for a while is the reason we leave for the summers now, I miss waking up to the sun each day, but not the triple digits for weeks on end..................but it is a "dry heat" remember and it is a bit more bearable.  Stay thirsty my friends back home, as I know you will!

Sun shine and visiting an old friend.

     What a beautiful day Tuesday was, the temps in the low 80's, low humidity and a slight breeze made for a great day.  I wish, hope, and pray for a similar day on Friday when we go golfing but I'm afraid that won't be happening but I will be saying my prayers.  I've been up since about 3:45 am, hard time sleeping with some back pain, seems to hurt when I'm laying down but once I get up and moving no pain or discomfort.  So from about 4 a.m.until now (the writing of this blog at 6:15 am) I've been sitting in the chair in the bedroom just listening to the rain go on and off about 5 times in that period of time.  A hard rain then a drizzle then a hard rain etc. etc. etc., probably another inch or so to add to the 6 inches they say we've received already since arriving in the Quad Cities!  My Arizona friends, yes we've endured the rain of an entire year in Phoenix in a matter of a couple of weeks...........freaky and not very pleasant.  One thing we know for sure, this motor home does not leak, it's had plenty of chances and it is staying dry as a bone, that's a good thing!

     Yesterday was a very hard day for me, we visited a good friend, the widow of one of my best friends.  My buddy and my pallie Dave died last January very suddenly, we spent time with Dave and Marilyn each year on our trips to Iowa, a day at their home, a night out dinning and a trip to the casino and many times more time spent with them than family.  You might ask how could one be a best friend and you only see them once a year for a few days/nights, well we we worked together for 12 years before we moved to Arizona and from that time on we communicated a lot.  In the beginning it was e-mail and phone calls and as technology advances so did our communicating, face time, texting, phone calls and still e-mails a lot since we were both old school in a lot of ways.  Yes even with 1600 miles between us Dave, I (and occasionally Mr. K) had our shares of heart to hearts in between our annual visits....not to mention some rendezvous in like Las Vegas, Puerto Vallarta, Mexico and a few visits to Phoenix.  We spent a few hours with Marilyn, had a nice lunch, talked about Dave, caught up on things and just plain had a wonderful visit, it was as hard as I had imagined.........I really miss Dave and our talks.

     Well tonight I pick up Matt and the D's from the airport here in the Quad Cities, they'll be trying to cram a week of visiting and sight seeing into a few days.....no it's not three more in the motor home this year, they have a nice hotel room waiting there arrival.  We can't wait to see them.

     Well it's now just after 7:00 a.m. and the rest are still sleeping...........don't look like we'll have that bright sun shiny day we had yesterday, right now it's another morning of gloomy skies and humidity and not a good start to another day here in Iowa.  Don't be giving me that "is this heaven" "no it's Iowa" stuff, the sun shines in heaven!

Monday...Monday....

     What a wonderful weekend of family time, two reunions, some surprises of folks attending and some disappointments of folks not attending, but all in all it was great visiting with so many family member's.  It was sure great that Jim and Joyce attended, it had been oh so long since I've seen those cousins.  I'm guessing, but I believe it was probably at Dad's funeral over 20 years ago since I've seen them.  Walt had moved back to Davenport and it was good to see him and Linda, also Darilyn made the trip from Tennessee again this year and so many others it was just a great time!  I estimate by looking back at pictures that we had over 50 at the Anderson reunion, and even though the group at Bev's Ackelson reunion was small it was still a good time seeing those that attended.  With the change of venue next year again I think the Ackelson reunion will get a shot in the arm and be on it's way back from years gone by!  It's an event, it's a happening make it a weekend of camping folks, camp fires, smores, family and more!

     We were blessed that the rain stayed away at least for the reunions and the time we spent with each other, but same old shit this morning.............woke up to more rain!  How much rain does one area need?  I know the farmers need the rain but holy cow enough is enough!  The car needs washed so back inside and out but it rains everyday at some point in the a.m. or the p.m.  To all my Arizona friends and family...........don't take our beautiful sunshine for granted!  To wake up each morning to sunshine is so refreshing and makes for a great beginning to each day, I miss it at time like this.  It's a little after 9 am and I've been up since about 6:30 am and in that time it's rained, let up, rained a little harder, let up, rained much harder and then spit a bit and now it's raining like hell once more!  OK enough of the weather report we all know it comes each year so work around it I guess.

     Making a tee time this morning for golf next Friday, Matt and his family will be in town for a few days and we'll be squeezing in a round of golf with Russ and Scott...........next year we'll squeeze one in with Bob and Steve, wouldn't that be nice!  Dinner plans for this evening with Brother Russ and a little casino action (hope we win this time) and then tomorrow a visit to my best friends wife Marilyn, this will be hard since Dave passed away but we so much want to visit with her.

     OK lets get another day going despite the weather, let's make it a good one............................... 

     

Same place different year same start

     By that I mean same miserable weather to start our Iowa stay, and hoping it changes for the better soon.  Some might say...."did you bring this weather with you?"  From Arizona....right!  We get maybe 7 inches a year if we're lucky, I think we had that since we entered Iowa.  It will change and we usually get a few very nice days for golf and that I'm counting on.  Looking forward to a round at Fyre Lake again this year with Russ and hopefully Scott and Matt this year.  Fyre Lake golf club at www.fyrelakegolf.com golfer check this one out!
     Family reunion weekend is upon us, one of the reasons we make this trek each year, a great way to visit with a lot of family all in two days.  The Anderson reunion is Saturday and is becoming larger each year it seems, and Bev's Ackelson reunion will be Sunday, that one might be due for a change in venue to increase participation in future years.
     Answer me this..............when or at what point in trips back to your home town (that has now been since 1984 that we moved to Arizona) do you stop driving by your old houses!  I really don't need to see the "old house" anymore!  The family on our very first ride outside the park where we're camped said before we had gone 10 minutes "we got to drive by the old house"................What?  Why?  This is something I can do without from now on.
     I hope it stops raining soon, has been drizzling since I got up this morning and it's now noon, have some errands to run and a trip to the market for reunion potluck items!  The car need a good washing inside and out but we need a few sunny days to make that happen..................

Iowa Cubs game on Monday

     Monday was a re-coop day in a way, at least for Bev and I.  Lisa and Jack made their second day at Adventureland with cousin Kamden, Bev caught up on some work and I was just plain lazy!  Monday night it was a visit to Principle Park and the Iowa Cubs baseball game with rival the Memphis Cardinals.  Good game, Cubs and a no-hitter though five and ended up with a 2 - 1 3 hitter in a pitchers duel.  Nice ballpark, but was surprised when I order a beer for myself and a Mike's hard Lemonade for Bev the the cans came in 24 oz size!  Been a while since we've been to a game....probably all parks are like that.  Good family fun at the old ballpark just can't be beat.
     Today is laundry day, can't believe the cloths etc. we've went through in just over a week, Lisa will be helping with that today while I entertain Jack.  Tonight it will be kind of a farewell dinner of sorts at Mark and Susan's, we pull out of Des Moines for Davenport Wednesday morning so we'll all get together for pizza or something bad tonight to say our good-byes.  We'll see Mark and Susan next weekend in Buffalo, Iowa for Bev's family reunion, but the kids and their families from Des Moines don't sound like they'll be attending......too bad, family is important but sometimes travel isn't that easy even if's it's only across the state.  Maybe it's time for the venue to change like it used to in years gone by, might get more participation.
     I must say after the first couple of days in Iowa the weather has changed to the better, it was great yesterday and last night and looks to continue at least through today and tomorrow......but looks like a bit more rain ahead when we hit Davenport.
     The kids had a long day yesterday with the second straight day at Adventureland and then a ball game and not getting to bed before midnight...........not sure if it will be easy to get them up for laundry day.
     We hit the road as I mentioned tomorrow in the morning, hoping to arrive at West Lake park and campground in plenty of time to get a spot before all the locals come out and grab them for the weekend.  Now that I mention that I think it's bullshit that locals bring out the campers on Wednesdays and Thursdays, park them and go back home until Friday night tying up all the spots for travelers like ourselves.  Think of your local economy folks!  I know...sour grapes!

Farmers Market, storms and golf.......

     Saturday was a trip downtown Des Moines to the Farmers Market.  Bev and I in all our travels have visited many farmers markets from Pennsylvania to the coast of California, but to date not one compares to this one in Des Moines.  You name it and you'll probably find it, and produce and baked goods from big farms to small gardens to fares from the Amish folks.  We enjoy our trip down town on Saturday morning as just a part of the trip to Des Moines, Iowa.
     I don't know how much rain we got last night, but an educated guess would be 2 - 3 inches and some of the loudest thunder you'd ever want to hear.  Within the camp grounds here we are surrounded by many mini lakes right now, but thank the Lord the sun is shinning on what should turn out to be a nice day for golf.  Yes, going to hit the links with Steve, Bob and Bob's uncle for a round at the Legacy course here........I'm ready for an improved round from the other day with Steve.
     It's been a lot of family time with our family here in the Des Moines area, Lisa went our with the girls last night, Jack went with Bob and Jill's kids for Masons birthday to jump and whatever joint called sky something and they had a great time, Thanks Uncle Bob for doing that.  Bev and I spent the evening with Mark and Susan over a nice dinner and being entertained by Georgia while she lasted.........what a happy little girl and not much fussing!
     After golf today for us guys and Adventureland for the girls and nieces and nephews, and a day of relaxing for Beverly (I think she might try her luck across the road at the casino) we'll all meet for a family dinner at Mark and Susan's (Bev's brother and sister-in-law).  We'll all be doing a bit of puddle-jumping today no matter where we go, my God did it come down last night!  Sun shine predicted for the rest of the week I think!

TGIF.....6/5/15

     First active day of the trip so far yesterday, I was beat last night!  Woke early as usual (Lisa and Bev can attest to that) caught up on a few minor chores around the coach, fixed a chair, did some cleaning etc. and got a call from nephew Steve about some golf.......but of course I can play a bit.
     Bev had her usual annual few hours of alone time with her brother Mark and then there was the planning for the evening at the Jasper Wine event which is a Thursday night summer thing at this local winery.  Last nights entertainment was a "pick'n and Grin'n" sort of night with the banjo, steel and bass fiddle shit kickin music!  Beer, wine, sangria, and food with family picnic style made for a good evening, by the way it was me and Bev's third year in a row to participate at the Jasper Thirsty Thursday night party.
     It was work day for those of us not on vacation or retired so Steve and I schedule 9 holes at Copper Creek golf club near the park here.  Nice course, as you might imagine lush green grass from the Iowa rain and great greens to putt on.  After knocking a bit of the rust off from my 3 week or so layoff I hit a few good ones but also that damn head picked itself up to or three too many times!  After a few beers on the course, a draft after the round and three or four at Jasper, this lad was ready for the sack when we got back to the coach.  Planning another round of golf on Sunday morning with Steve and Bob............anyone want to fly in and join us?
     Some errands today and the East village later I guess and do some research on the Belmont for tomorrow, spitting a ticket with Steve throwing out the favorite!  Need to check my power ball tickets now, looks like someone won!

Adventureland, Altoona, Iowa( 6/3/15)

     If you'll notice the post heading says Adventureland, Altoona, Iowa..........yep give Altoona it's due, not DesMoines but Altoona!  Oh well like any other city, the suburbs and the cities all run together anymore.
     Well we arrived a day early and lucky for us Adentureland could accommodate us in the site we had booked for a week, we love this park and a fair price at $35/night full-hookups.  In some respects in seems we haven't left from last year, the skies are all cloudy and we must have had 2 or 3 inches of rain last night!  Since entering Colorado we haven't seen much of the sun, and forcast say it will be hit or miss for the rest of the week..............I want to golf.  Like a lot of folks, I'm not a great golfer but there's not a better place to spend 4-5 hours on a nice day, a beautiful golf course.
     I think the guy's name is "Marty" and why I can't remember that is beyond me (maybe getting old has something to do with it) he's has a barber shop in Des Moines.  Bob Carico turned me on to him a few years back and I've been stopping in every year since, a big and I mean big Iowa Hawkeye fan!  He even knows a bit about Arizona so we find plenty to talk about.  Jack needs a haircut bad and I will get a trim for kicks, we'll take care of this while the girls and getting their usual "mani-peddi" at their favorite spot in Pleasant Hill area.
     Well it's midweek and all our family in the area have jobs to attend to, so as long as the rain lets up we'll just get some of that kind of stuff taken care of............retirement comes with certain downs, but way..way more ups!  Next,breakfast (late) and a walk.

North Platte, Neb.

Better day today, 509 miles and back on track.......even after stopping at Santa's North Pole workshop and fantasy land at Pikes Peak, Co. for a couple of hours.  What an animal.....right?  Rolled into North Platte at about 7:15pm after losing our second hour due to the time changes, Wal-mart tonight and an early start in the morning.

Getting out of Colorado was a joy, what a mess that state is.  The roads are a bumpy jokes and holy shit  I'm trying to get down off the Colorado HIGH!  Toke'n numbers here...toke'n numbers there and the fools are all on the roads it seems.  Didn't want to transport so had to give it up once more like back in the early 70's........the state smells like Jeff Spicoli's Chevy Van, (come on folks, Fast Times at Ridgemont high).

By the way, Wal-Mart allows RV's and big rigs to overnight park......why you say, seems everyone that parks shops a bit too.  Example, Bev and Lisa just got back from picking up a few items to the tune of a combined $170 so the parking isn't free!