Mystic Lake

We have spent the last three days in the Prior Lake area visiting family.  On Thursday it was actually warmer here than in Florida.   We stayed at the Mystic Lake campgrounds which is a small part of the casino's complex.   This is one of the nicest campgrounds we have stayed at, we don't have to go far for anything and family is close.

We were able to spend time with Gary's mom and dad, Betty and Jerry.   Then we had a beautiful evening on Prior Lake with Mark and Cindy.  The weather was perfect for a boat ride and we enjoyed supper at Charlie's on the Lake.

Thursday Bruce and Julie along with Betty and Jerry came over to the casino for lunch at the Minehaha Grill.  We were able to walk over from our trailer.  After lunch, the gang had to stop over to see our little home away from home.  

Finally, Ted and Kali came over for a Weinie roast and birthday celebration.  It was pretty hot by the time they came over so the fire wasn't very welcome but I was able to throw on a can of beans and burn a few dogs before Ted opened his presents.  It's hard to believe our little buddy is 33 already.

But it's time to move on for our next chapter.   

Floating Out

On Sunday morning we moved over to Sawmill Campground for lots of reasons but mainly we were sick of bug bites, no wifi or TV, stinky bathrooms, and nothing to do.   Sawmill is north of Mankato and since it was Sunday we didn't have any problems finding a spot.   And it's very fortunate we moved.  Since it rained so much Saturday and Sunday nites, the Peaceful Valley area was completely flooded.

One of the main reasons to come to Minnesota was to visit family and friends.  I have two very special siblings in this area so we picked them up Sunday morning and headed to a church festival in New Ulm.  They served great BBQ, Schells beer which is made in New Ulm,  a curiosity shop filled with all kinds of junk nobody wants, and Bingo.  Noreen even won a dollar after spending about $5.00 playing.   I thought I had one too but it wasn't a good Bingo.  Apparently these people check the numbers.  Kinda embarrassing 😳

And since we were driving by a Menards Gary had to think of some reason to stop.   I haven't seen him that happy since Hooters had a special on chicken wings!

I was so happy to spend some time with Noreen and STEVE.  It always goes so fast.  But there's always another church festival.  Just gotta practice my Bingo.

To Move or Not to Move...

Time to update our big adventure, we have not had internet for a few days so it's been a real struggle to work on my blog.   So now that we are settled with some service, here's what we've been up to.

On Thursday after a long day of driving thru the Ozarks, we arrived at the Harry Truman State Park about 4 pm.  Of course it was raining as we set up camp but once it stopped we gathered wood and had a blazing campfire.  Going thru the Ozarks takes time but it was worth it especially when we drove by Tightwad Bank.   Seriously.  Some would say I need an account there.

Friday we broke camp and headed for Iowa.  Our plans changed several times on our way to Iowa, should we get on a freeway, take back roads, how far should we go.  Our debate was settled when I started calling for campsites.  Apparently there was a lot of rain in the past week causing lots of campgrounds to close and so that crowded all the remaining open ones.   And we were tired so we pulled into the Boone County Fairgrounds. We  found out that fairgrounds have sites for the carney rats during fair time.  When there is no fair for the remaining 362 days of the year, sites are open to travelers.   It was pretty empty but luckily about 8 pm one other huge motor home with 20 people set up camp right next to us. When I got up to pee in the middle of the nite outside, there were fireflies everywhere.   For once I was happy I had to get up in the middle of the nite.

Saturday morning we headed for southern Minnesota, our destination for the weekend. Again, we ran into a huge problem finding a campsite near Mankato.   We finally found one spot at Peaceful Valley, about 15 miles from Mankato.Due to all the rain, the ground was spongy, the bugs were everywhere and the dirty laundry in our trailer made it impossible to sit inside.   So we headed for the nearest laundromat about 2 miles away.   I was warned by the campground owner not to go to this particular laundromat but I thought how bad can it be.   Well let  me tell you.  The place had no sign which should have been my first clue.  Once we found it, almost all the washers had stagnant water sitting in them, I had to step over puddles to check the machines, the change maker was falling off the wall, and there was forgotten laundry everywhere.   Wtf?    We loaded up our three pillowcases full of dirty laundry and headed for the next town.

Got nice clean clothes again , more groceries and fell into bed about 7:30.  So we are back in our home state watching the rain, smelling clean clothes and dreaming of carney rats.   Life is good.😎

Love Me Memphis

We got to our destination the afternoon of June 19.  We had hoped to stay in Memphis but the state park was in a pretty dicey area so we headed to North Memphis, Arkansas which is right across the Mississippi River.   We stayed right on the river without a tree within 1/2 mile.  Not our fave place but it would do in a pinch.   If there was any chance I may need the  toilet I had to start out about ten minutes beforehand.  This took a lot of planning.

Wednesday morning we headed to the Graceland RV park which is right next door to Graceland, a first for both of us.   We spent the afternoon touring the grounds.   It was very well organized and is amazing how many businesses are supported by Elvis.  While I loved seeing it all it made me pretty sad.   So much talent gone and with all the history, pictures and videos it's hard to believe Elvis wasn't  around a corner.   But maybe he was.

Someone told us about Marlowes BBQ which was nearby and provided a free ride from the campground.  No brainer there.  We shared a slab of the best ribs we've ever had.  Thank you Memphis!

Nashville or Not?

When we got to Nashville on Sunday we found our camp grounds near a major road and thought the noise and closeness of the campers would suck.  But we have been so happy here cause we're in Nashville.  Our camp ground has music at night so we grabbed our lawn chairs and beers and listened to a talented Tim Atwood perform with his son.  Except for his corny jokes, he was awesome.

Monday was our day to enjoy real Nashville.  We tired out the girls so we could leave them for the afternoon and while they spent the afternoon resting in our AC camper, we shuttled out to downtown.

I had been here once before and knew it would be fun but it was even better than I remembered.  Gary was a rookie so I took him by the hand and dragged him from bar to bar but after the first musical show, he was hooked.  I think Nashville scares non-country fans but it's music for everyone and it doesn't take long to become a fan.  These people know how to party and it's a Monday afternoon!

We spent most of the time on Broadway and every place had such good bands. We thought one was good and then the next place would be even better!    We hit Nudie's Honky Tonk,  Mellow Mushroom, The Legends, Tootie's Orchid, Coyote Ugly, and The Stage.

We got back early evening and I think I brought back a new Nashville fan.  So if you haven't been here yet, put it on your bucket list.  Even if it's a Monday, I know you will find a 🎉  Party.

Time to go. Again.

We have done a lot of planning, bought the travel trailer, a new Gary-mobile, I retired so we could be gone longer without the worry of rushing back, got Mojo and Dede prepared, and decided to take off for our new adventure. We did a trial run last summer after we bought the trailer and after one night decided to put it on Craigslist. When it didn't sell we reevaluated and decided to try it one more time lasting 30 plus nights. Go big or go home!

 We left yesterday after I tried playing golf again. I try every week. When Gary picked me up at the golf course I looked like I just got out of a shower. It was a very hot and muggy morning. I like a nice salty gritty feeling on my skin as I cool down. Gary likes it too.

But the girls were ready, we were all excited as we turned the car and trailer north and headed out of town. We weren't alone. There were lots of campers and trailers on I75 along with the usual traffic. We went thru half dozen down pours and finally made it to our first destination, Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center State Park. This was a beautiful park with very secluded sites, big trees, trails, clean showers and toilets and all for $17.70 since we now get a senior discount. Bam! If I knew about all these discounts I would have gotten a fake id just like the kids getting into bars, only I'm after the discounts. Maybe I could start a new business for old farts. We woke up to a cloudy but quiet morning. Hated to leave Stephen Foster but Georgia is waiting for more seniors. So until my next update goodby from a McDonalds somewhere near Macon, Georgia.