Branson, MO

This morning we awoke to 50 degree temp. Surprisingly even at that temp. there were small hummingbirds at the feeders. Gail says he thinks the one that are still there are this years hatch as the larger ones have left. They know that some hatch during the summer but have never been able to find a nest. After breakfast of bacon, eggs and rolls we visited a while and then were on the road again about 10;30. It was back north through Pleasant Hill and then west on US 54 crossing back over the Mississippi River at Louisiana, MO. After passing through Bowling Green the terrain became flat passing by fields of corn & soybeans. As we continues SW crossing I-70 the terrain became very rolling and covered with trees. After passing by the Lake of the Ozarks we turned south on MO 5 to I-44. Journeying on SW on I-44 for 40 miles before turning south on US 65 traveling up and down the long rocky hills to Branson where we are staying at Americas Best Campground. Friends Paul & Mary from Kentucky will meet us here tomorrow. We will spend the rest of the week here enjoying the shows and sights of the area.

Nebo, IL

Yesterday at about 8:30 we left the Amana Colonies headed east on I-80 as we had a 10AM appointment at Moscow IA to get the leveling jacks worked on. We arrived about 9:30 and got right in and were back on the road headed south on US 61 for Branson, MO in about an hour. I looked at the GPS scheduled route and saw that we would be within 50 miles of our Illinois relatives I told Nancy we can't not stop and she agreed. At Fort Madison we crossed the Miss. River on a narrow toll bridge and then drove IL 96 with the Miss. river on our left and the bluffs on our right. The bluffs had many houses that overlooked the river it was a very beautiful drive. Continuing on south we moved away from the river passing field after field of ripe soybeans and corn. Mid afternoon we arrived at Pittsfield, IL were we stopped to visit my Aunt Inez in the rest home. She is the only living sibling of my dads. For a lady going on 102 she is amazingly agile and sharp. After about an hour visit we headed west on US54 and then south on IL96 for an over night stop at cousin Gail & Chis Ball's. Most of the Humming birds that were here in the spring have gone but there are still a few around. They told us that hey had used 260 lbs of sugar this summer mixing the water for the feeders. About 1/2 of the corn is picked in this area and an occasional soybean field has been harvested.

Amana, Iowa

.Unlike the cool rainy day of yesterday this has been a sunny clear day with temps in the 60's. This afternoon we went to a few shops in Amana and the Amana Heritage museum where we learned more about the Amana Colonies. In 1855 they came to Iowa and purchased 3300 acres for $1.50 per acre and began moving from the Buffalo, New York area. The communal style of living lasted until 1932 when they voted to discontinue the communal style and began living as individual families. During those years they established 7 colonies in the valley here. You were supplied with living quarters, meals and a credit to buy all of the things necessary .
In return you gave then an honest days work. In 1932 when they changed many of the people had a hard time adjusting to cooking their own meals etc.
At 3 this afternoon we met a couple from Cedar Rapids that we had met at the rally last week. They have manufacturing plant where they make stainless steel conveyors that are used in ethanol plants etc. They have a very impressive plant. We saw a lathe that is 45ft. long and one 32 ft. long. They live at the villages in Ocala during the winter so we will see them this winter.

Amana Colonies

This has been a rainy day with light rain with occasional heavier showers. We went to the cooper shop and communal kitchen museum in Middle Amana, the woolen mill, furniture & clock shop, meat shop & smoke house and other shops in Amana.

Barn in East Amana









Communal Kitchen








The residents were allowed 15 minutes to eat their meal. They were not allowed to talk or laugh during meals.

Amana, Iowa

This morning under blue skies and chilly temperature we enjoyed omelets in a bag and said our goodbyes to all of our new friends in the Newmar Kountry Kruiser Klub of NE. It was then back down US 275 to Fremont where we turned east on US 30 crossing the Missouri River at Blair. At Missouri Valley, Iowa we turned south on I-29 a few miles before heading east on I-680 and then on east on I-80 through Des Moines passing some fields where the corn had been picked. About 100 miles east of Des Moines we turned north on RT 151 about 10 miles to the Amana Colonies campground. After setting up we went to farmers market at Homestead and then had supper family style at Ronneburg restaurant in Amana. As usual we ate to much.

Pender, NE

Mon. morning after spending the previous 5 days visiting relatives in the Omaha area we departed Two Rivers State Park Campground and proceeded northwest on US 275 to West Point, NE. We then turned north on Rt 9 to the Blue Ox Campground at Pender, NE. We met 14 other Newmar coaches for the NE state Rally of the Newmar Kountry Klub. Wed. morning we went to the veterans memorial that the Pender VFW has built there. They have raised over $200,000 and a built a very impressive memorial to veterans of all the past wars. At noon we had a walking taco luncheon. Then in the afternoon Blue OX put on a seminar about the products that they manufacture for the RV industry. This morning we had a tour of the Blue OX manufacturing plant fallowed by lunch in downtown Pender. This afternoon we drove south to West Point where we had a tour of the new community center there. Some of the leaders in the community raised over $6 million dollars and they have built a very impressive community center for a town of 3500 people. After that we toured the Harry Knobe feedlot and learned a lot about the cattle feeding industry and the marketing of beef. We then had our evening meal at the Hide Away supper club in West Point. It rained most of the day today so it has been very wet. After breakfast of omelets in a bag tomorrow morning we will again be on the road and will have gained a whole new set of RVing friends.

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.