Minnesota Nice -- A Home Town Visit

   The locals will tell you that the Twin Cities have only two seasons -- winter and road construction.  We prefer construction, especially when we are traveling by motor home.  And, as much as big city traffic can present challenges, I feel comfortable knowing that George, having lived and worked here most of his adult life, can quickly regain his bearings when an unexpected detour or GPS throws us off course.

Downtown Minneapolis during the Aquatennial Celebration

   The drive up from Sioux Falls through Mancato to Prior Lake was uneventful.  It's incredible how much greener green seems after spending a lot of time in the desert.  I had the brilliant idea to turn the sound up on our rear back-up camera so George could actually hear the engine noise about which I had been complaining, and that helped to confirm it was not some figment of my imagination.

Dakotah Meadows RV Park

   We have stayed at several RV parks/campgrounds during our regular visits with family here, but have settled into a routine of staying at our preferred campground, the Dakotah Meadows RV Park south of the cities at the Mystic Lake Casino, although it is a distance to most of our planned activities.   For starters, we are on the southern edge of town, and since we are usually traveling north to get here, we avoid most of the big city traffic.  This park is open all year, although they shut the water off in late October (you have to fill from a central site), that's pretty amazing considering the severity of the winters.  The sites are ample and concrete and it is generally quiet unless there's a concert or large event on the weekend, when it can get a little noisy.

All American Car Show at Mystic Lake Casino

   This past weekend I heard Oldies from the 50's and 60's blaring across the loud speakers and walked up to the casino to find a "Made in America" Car Show in progress.  I went back for George, as I knew he would enjoy it, and returned just in time for the highlight -- the Flying Elvi dropping in from an airplane to entertain the crowd.  The cars were also phenomenal!

The Flying Elvi have left the aircraft!

   We have eaten at two of several  restaurants and found the food and the buffet excellent.  The compound has greatly expanded since we began coming here, having added a golf course, fitness center, and ice arena, among other things.  We make reservations well in advance and still rarely get the preferred sites we so enjoyed in the past.  The casino offers free shuttle service and bus services, upon which I ventured out to the Mall of America to pick up a gift.  We are not gamblers, so don't ask us about the slots, et cetera.  I thought I might enjoy a session of BINGO at the casino, but after picking up an informational sheet, the only words I understood were "postage stamp" and "four corners".  The older I get, the more complicated these things seem to get!  Hey, at least I've tried my hand at Facebook and Tweets. 

The buffet at Mystic Lake Casino

   We feel so VERY blessed!  Three of George's four kids live here, and one of my two -- my daughter recently moved to Boulder, Colorado, but she happened to be here taking care of some business for a few days.  George's two sisters and their families live here, and his brother and his wife also happened to be here for a visit.  Then there are George's four awesome grandkids who call the Twin Cities home.  Our Minnesota family does NOT disappoint!  And since we cannot point out a potential "black sheep" of the family, one tends to wonder if one needs look only to one's self.

Mall of America

   The annual Aquatennial -- a celebration of the City of Minneapolis, coincided with a family get-together downtown with George's kids.  The evening was perfect, with food, great poolside conversation next to a fire, and followed by a spectacular view of the fireworks finale.


   In the midst of a flurry of important family events -- a business move, a high school graduation, a baseball tournament, a theatrical milestone, we drove our ailing coach all the way across town to Cummins NPower in White Bear Lake.  They confirmed what we were told in Sioux Falls, that we had a leaking gasket on the exhaust manifold.  The facility had nice accommodations, complete with 50 amp electric, a covered picnic table with a propane grill and some shaded benches.  We drove up and stayed on Monday evening for our Tuesday morning appointment.  Repairs took most of the day and we returned to our campground without the engine whistle.

Coach Care parking at Cummins NPower in White Bear Lake, MN

 
   We are finding lots of time to catch up on personal business as we don't feel the need to sightsee, since we both lived here for some time.  Although, it seems as often happens when busy working and raising a family, one fails to see the tourist attractions closest to home.

Fireworks following the Aquatennial celebration downtown, Minneapolis

 
   Minnesota stirs up lots of memories -- some of which are quite dear to us and others we would prefer to forget.  I know for me it represents the first enormous leap of faith I made in leaving my home and family of 50 years.  The mosquitoes are numerous and impressively large and the summer days are long.  The winters are brutal, but even they fail to spoil the spirits of the real Minnesotans.  I still refuse to ride onto the ice-covered lakes in cars.  And when George informed me that there was actually a "polka channel" on local television, I was in absolute disbelief, but only until I met his good friends who happened to be the star dancers of the show.

Confetti following the performance of the Flying Elvi

   Well, you betcha we have a few more important events and people to see the next couple of weeks before hitting the road to our next destination.  Uff da!

Black Hills -- Rapid City, South Dakota

   George and I are always happy to get on the road, especially having been in Gillette for well over a month.  We headed out July 7th eastward on I-90 and crossed into South Dakota with great excitement, looking forward to a visit at a private membership resort, Hart Ranch, with friends we had not seen in several years -- Mal and Marsha Knopf. 


   Hart Ranch was absolutely delightful -- a well planned park with lots of amenities.  The Knopfs had trained us back in 2008 when we began marketing and promoting as an advance team for the Carson & Barnes Circus. It was such fun to catch up with them, and we took off to explore some of the tourist attractions on our own.  


   Mount Rushmore had changed greatly since I had seen it last -- I think I was probably only in my teens.  Neither of us had been to the Crazy Horse Monument and Museum, so we drove out for a brief visit there before we ran out of time and returned to continue our visit with Marsha and Mal.  Marsha is an excellent artist, by the way.



   We enjoyed prime rib dinner at the on-site restaurant at Hart Ranch, and just missed Sharon and Don Del Rosario, who are also members there.  The rain seemed to follow us and we enjoyed a glimpse of a beautiful rainbow.  


   We left earlier than planned on Monday morning hoping to get a fix on an engine noise we had been hearing on the Mandalay.  The guys at Eddie's Truck diagnosed the problem but needed more time than we could give them to order parts for a leaky gasket on the exhaust manifold.  They assured us we could drive it safely to the Twin Cities where we needed to be for an important family event.

      After getting a late start from Eddie's we stopped at a rest area for the night in Chamberlain, South Dakota, where we had an view overlooking the Missouri River far below us.  The next night we spent in Sioux Falls at the Flying J so George could take care of some business with our insurance agent and mail forwarder.

Escapees' Boot Camp and Escapade 2013

   We had only a few days following the FMCA Rally to regroup before the beginning of Escapees' Boot Camp, a three day intensive training program designed to help folks get the most out of their RV experience, on June 27th.   I was busy coordinating private lessons between students and George and Sharon Del Rosario before and after the program and on into the Escapade, a rally of members, which immediately followed at the Cam-Plex in Gillette, Wyoming.

   The "newbies" enrolled in the program always refresh our enthusiasm for the lifestyle.  Mark Nemeth, the Boot Camp Director, has done a great job of putting together this outstanding program.  The Boot Campers always enjoy it when we have the space necessary to do a driving demonstration with me at the wheel of our rig.  

   It was difficult to say good-bye to long time instructor Neil LeKander, author of "The RVers Ultimate Survival Guide" and his wife, Pat.  The staff presented Neil and Pat with a certificate of completion and lots of Escapee hugs.

   Escapade followed and we were blessed to have the 1978 co-founder of the club, Kay Peterson, address the crowd.  Kay was most entertaining, and Escapade Directors, Bob and Molly Pinner, did an outstanding job with the program.

   There were lots of vendors and a little something for everyone.  Ham-O-Rama showcased Escapee talent, and the dogs put on a show.  Lots of great door prizes were presented to lucky ticket-holders, and lots of money was raised for the CARE -- Continuing Assistance for Retired Escapees -- facility in Livingston.

   George was initiated into membership in the Elks Club.  He found a new toy he could not resist.  I almost forgot to get a shot of the Super Moon, and fireworks on July 4th were enhanced by lots of lightening in yet another thunderstorm.  We enjoyed lots of time with new and old friends, and will look forward to the next Boot Camp in Livingston, Texas in November.

88th Family Reunion and Motorhome Showcase

The parking crew!

   June 19-22 we attended the Family Motor Coach Association (FMCA) Rally at the Cam-Plex in Gillette Wyoming.  There were a LOT of rigs there -- it seems like someone told me around 2300!  Once we got parked, we were reunited with many RVing friends and the fun and festivities got into full swing.  

RVers abuzz at the Wyoming Center

   We were able to break bread (actually half price appetizers and draft beer) at Old Chicago with Dennis and Carol Hill, former owners of the school.  They are always full of ideas and feedback which we find most helpful.  

Here comes the rain again!

   Finally, we had the pleasure of meeting Lee and Janet Lukehart, of SavvyData.  Lee has been a real godsend when it comes to getting the school's database converted and running like a charm.  It was fun to share their excitement over their new full-timing freedom and their very first rally.  Now WHY didn't I get pictures of these fine folks?

George spoke to over 250 people

   We can never thank instructor Sharon Del Rosario and her husband Don enough for all the effort and personal sacrifices they make for the school.  We especially enjoyed their company over dinner at Humphrey's, and Sharon worked in quite a few private lessons despite her already busy volunteer schedule.  

Vallerie Lee -- now exactly what she planned

Thor Diesel Club, of which we are members, moved our get-together into the nearby stables to get out of the pouring rain.  Never let it be said that we let a little rain dampen our spirits!  And rain and storm it did!  A sudden hail-storm damaged quite a number of rigs, and many that were parked in lower areas became stuck in the mud.  

Thor Diesel Club members

   George stepped out of our coach into ice water about four to six inches deep, but we were determined to meet for dinner with friends and former student, Pam McArthur and husband, Jim.   Perkins actually let us in the door pretty much dripping wet.

   Seminars were well attended, and I actually got to attend my friend, Gail Alexander, of RV Space Savers' presentation.  Gail and husband, Mike, are super nice folks and have developed a line of awesome products, which is where I blew my household budget for the next few months.

Friends Jim and Pam McArthur

   The days were busy, but I still found time to tour the new motor coaches and dream a bit.  It was a great rally, and we look forward to many more FMCA rallies in the future.

Beautiful sunsets in Gillette, WY

 

 

Devil's Tower National Monument, Wyoming

View from below the Devil's Tower

   My parents had a book which was something of an abbreviated encyclopedia when I was a child at home.  One of my favorite pages displayed a photo of the Devil's Tower, about which I was fascinated for whatever reason.  Later, the popular tourist attraction was featured in the movie "Close Encounters of the Third Kind," starring Richard Dreyfuss.

View of the valley from the trail above

  

   Since we were only 60 miles away in Gillette waiting for the start of the first of two RV rallies, we drove out to stay a few days in the Belle Fourche National Park Campground to explore the area, and where I would have my first personal "encounter" with the country's first National Monument.  The Devil's Tower, I learned is the core of a volcano which became exposed from millions of years of erosion caused by weather and the Belle Fourche River.

View from my desk window

   Our GPS took us out Wyoming Highway 51, through the really small town of Rozet, with a population of 25, past trainloads of coal, energy plants, and antelope.  We passed through Moorcroft and onto Wyoming Highway 24.  The scenery did not disappoint, and thanks to the senior discount, for $6 per night we enjoyed a level pull through site with a view of the tower just beyond my computer monitor.  Campers, be warned that there are strictly enforced generator hours, so run them whenever permitted.

Our campsite, complete with picnic table and grill -- what a view!

   There were many hiking trails to explore, including a mile and a quarter paved trail around the base of the monument and out towards the amphitheater past Prairie Dog Town.  The Visitor's Center, where we heard many languages spoken, contained lots of informative displays and some interactive exhibits for the kids.  Although I wasn't inspired to climb the tower, we enjoyed watching the climbers make their way up the 867 foot rock. On a day trip into nearby Hulett we enjoyed delightful lunch at The Ponderosa Steakhouse.

Black-Tailed Prairie Dogs at play were fairly vocal with the tourists

Ponderosa Cafe in Hulett, WY

Climber is to the right towards the bottom of the column just above the center of the tree

Bull Snake spoiled my resting space

    Many fascinating Native American legends surround the tower's existence, and it is considered sacred ground, with prayer rags tied on trees alongside the walking path.  I only thought I was going to take a rest when I unknowingly sat down near what I'm told was a Bull Snake!  We stayed four nights (the 13th through the 16th of June) and the weather was perfect, and despite feeling that we were under siege by Box Elder bugs, which made their way into our space, and the removal of numerous ticks from the dogs, we met some great folks and thoroughly enjoyed the area.  

Dream catcher and prayer rags placed by Native Americans along the trails