Two Rivers NE State Park

We left Pipestone, MN this morning under cloudy skies headed south on US 75 passing by large flat fields of corn and soybeans along with neat well groomed farmsteads. Progressing on south into Iowa the lands became more rolling and most farmsteads had either small feedlots or hog confinement buildings. The sun came out and we enjoyed clear blue skies. Crossing the Missouri River at Sioux City we continued south on US 77through the rolling farm lands, small towns and ,Winnebago Indian reservation of eastern NE. Just north of Fremont, NE we turned SE on US 275 and then west a couple of miles on SR92 to the Two Rivers State Park were we are parked for the next 6 or 7 days while we visit relatives in the Omaha area.

Pipestone National Monument

This morning we left Ashby, MN under bright blue skies. Driving south on SR 10 we passed by mostly wooded hills. Soon after intersecting with US 59 at Barret the terrain became flat with fields of ripe soybeans, corn and an occasional field of sugar beets. We saw one field of beets being dug, it looked like a muddy mess.At Appleton we went west on SR7 to US75 where we turned south, The terrain became more rolling with grazing lands and smaller fields and more trees. We stopped at Pipestone RV Park as we were about 1/2 way to Omaha. We went to Pipestone National Monument this afternoon.
This where the Indians of all tribes quarry the pipestone for their pipes. Indian lore has it that a long time ago it rained for many days continuously and drowned all the Indians except a young squaw that climbed to the top of a high hill. When she got up there it quit raining and a bird appeared out of the sky it opened it's wings and a man came out, together they started the Indian race again. Legend says that the pipestone was a result of all the blood from the dead Indians gathering in the low places when the water went away caused the rock to turn red. Pipestone national monument is a sacred place where Indians from any tribe could come and quarry the pipestone in peace with each other. To this day the Indians are the only ones that are allowed to quarry here. There is a waiting list of Indians wanting to quarry. Once they get a quarry permit they have to work it once a year and then they can renew the lease annually. The quarrying is all done by hand with hammers and wedges.To get to the pipestone ledge that is 12 to 20 inches thick they have to remove the topsoil and then about 10 fee of hard Quartzite rock. Because it is all done by hand it may take a few years before they reach it,

Ruby's City Cafe

Today we went into Ashby (population 570) around 12:30. We saw a cafe on main street and decided to have lunch. There were only a couple of cars in front so were a little sceptical. We entered into a cafe right out of yesteryear. A long narrow room with the old counter, old cash register, pie & pastry display cases along one wall and the old high backed wood booths on the opposite wall. It even had the old pale green 3 or 4 cup malt maker to make malts with. We sat down when the waitress came to serve us she said today's specials are meatloaf or roast beef and if that doesn't interest you I will bring you a menu. I decided to order the meatloaf and Nancy ordered the roast beef. When we went to what looked like an ordinary small town cafe salad bar what a surprise we got. There was the bowl of lettuce and usual salad salad dressings along with 9 other bowls of various home made salads and a bowl of watermelon & cantaloupe squares. I believe it was the best salad bar I have been at in many years. She brought the desert and set it down before the meal was ready it was a banana walnut cake with a chocolate cream swirled on it and a dark chocolate syrup swirled across that. It was a very pretty desert but my least favorite part of the meal because of the walnuts. She then brought out this plate with a huge serving of meat loaf, 1/2 roasting ear and mashed potatoes. Nancy makes the best meat loaf of anyone I know but this was even better than hers. She had two large thick slices of roast beef that you could cut with your fork that just melted in your mouth along with the potatoes and corn. Each meal was only $8 and change. This just goes to show what you can find in a small town. After that we drove south on SR78 and then west to the town of Elbow Lake through the rolling hills with small lakes, corn & soybean field and tree covered coulees. From there we went north on US 59 to Fergus Falls passing through flatter terrain covered with large fields of corn and soy beans and a occasional sugar beet field. Then east on SR 210 back into the rolling hills lakes and smaller farms to the town of Battle Lake. Then back south through mostly wooded hills and many lakes to Ashby and on south to the RV park on SR78.

Ashby, MN

Fri. morning after early morning rain we left Aberdeen heading east on US12 traveling by fields of corn & soybeans ripening in the flat fertile fields. Nearing I-29 the terrain became more rolling with grazing lands and fields. Turning north on I-29 we quickly came back into the flat farm land. We also began driving in light rain. At Whapeton, ND we turned east on state rd 210 going past the large farms in the Red River valley growing sugar beets, corn & soybeans. Leaving the valley entering into Minn. the terrain became rolling with trees in the valleys and many small lakes. Corn & soybeans were growing in the rolling fields. At I-94 we turned SE and stopped at the Prairie Cove RV Park at the Ashby, MINN exit. The rain had continued so we had to set up in the rain. We called our friends Rich & Irene at Evansville and made arrangements to see them. Later in the afternoon after the rain had stopped we drove to their house located on a lake NE of Evansville. Soon after they arrived Jim & Judy & Lee Ann arrived. These are all friends from Buttonwood Bay. After visiting for awhile we all went out for supper. Later in the evening we drove back to the camp ground in hard rain. Sat. morning we awoke to bright sunny skies with a gorgeous view out our front window of a corn field in the foreground and a lake about 1/3 mile down the hill. Sat we explored the country side, visited with Rich & Irene, went out to eat again & played dominoes.

Wylie Park Camp ground

Little Miss Muffit.









Cinderella


Today we went to the Dakota Prairie Museum in down town Aberdeen. There we saw exhibits about the Pheasant Canteen. The purpose of it was to supply food and encouragement to the 500 or s0 servicemen & women that passed through Aberdeen daily on 4-6 trains during WW2. We also saw exhibits of Native American bead & quill work, old toys, old telephones, and one very interesting exhibit about the history & demise of old towns in Brown county. On the way back to the motor home we stopped at Storybook Land and Land of OZ here at Wylie Park. Story Book Land has large exhibits depicting nursery rhymes and childrens stories. Oz Land is about the Wizard of OZ. We really enjoyed this even if it is geared toward children.

A rare picture with both Nancy & I in it.


Jack & the Beanstalk.

Aberdeen, SD

This morning we left Hazen Bay with no plans to return next year as camp hosts. Hazen Bay has become one our most favorite places in the US. We really enjoyed being camp hosts and the friendships we have made with so many people are something that we will cherish for ever. The beauty of the sun setting over Lake Sakakawea symbolizes the feelings and memories that we have of this period in our lives.
As we traveled east across Garrison Dam we saw many boats salmon fishing along the face of the dam. As we traveled south on US 85 we were struck by how green the country side still is. The grass is normally dry and brown by early August. Upon entering South Dakota we noticed that the corn fields and pastures were dry and brown obviously they haven't been blessed with the rains that we had in central and northern ND. Turning east on US 12 we soon left the grazing lands and entered into farming country with many large grain facilities. We are staying at Wylie Park campground here at Aberdeen. Wylie Park is a large city park that has a small zoo, bumper boats, go carts and a storybook land.

Our final weekend at Hazen Bay

Our Last weekend at Hazen Bay has been an exciting,emotional one full of surprises, farewells and a few tears. Fri was a nice warm calm day that kept Nancy very busy with checkins. From 4-8 PM there was a flieshkekla fund raiser to raise funds for playground and other improvements here at Hazen Bay. It was a huge success as they cooked 900 fleishkekla's.
about 7 o;clock Al Mautz the park board president came and got Nancy & I and took us out on the deck where everyone was. He presented us with a very nice combination clock & thermometer from the park board and Hazen Bay campers and thanked us for our five summers here at Hazen Bay. We were really surprised as we had no idea that they would do anything like that for us. Sat. evening Larry & Cindy Moos & Jeff & Dorene Leingang had us come to their campers for turkey, BBQ chicken, sweet corn and cucumber salad. Later Sat evening we were at the Schmidt and Kayler campers for cotton candy. Sun. we were envited to Don & Sandy Retteraths camper for Sunday brunch of Potato sausage, blueberry buckwheat pancakes and orange juice. Sun. eve we made the rounds trying to see everyone we could as rain was forecast for today. This morning it was raining and has continued to rain all day. We had a lot of people stop to tell us goodby as they left. The Kayler boys wanted their picture with Nancy & I. The two oldest ones where about the age of the that the two youngest are now when we came here 5 years ago. The Schmidt girls wanted their picture with Nancy so they could hang it on their bulletin board. We received a lot of cards with very special messages. It is a nice feeling to know that people have really appreciated us and that we have become like part of the family to many of them.
The two pictures show the growth of Hazen Bay Campground in the five years that we have been here and the difference in the level of the lake by the contrast of the bay from being dry to being full. The pictures were taken from approximately the same location on July 4th 2006 and 2010.
The other picture is of Nancy & I with the Kaylor boys.