IA & IL Visiting Friends and Family

October 13-29 , 2016

On Thursday Mark and Nancy arrived at Volga River State Recreation area. Since October of 2013 we have been meeting up with them in the northern midwest. This year we had chosen a place in MN but it was an eight hour ride for them so we decide to meet a little closer to their home in IL. Volga River SRA was about 3 hours for them. They arrived around noon and set up in the site next to us. The next four days were filled with catching up, good food and lots of laughter, the guys did a bit of fishing and there were always walks to take since Mark and Nancy brought their dog Gracie. The evenings were almost always spent around a campfire.

On Tuesday we all headed to Thomson Causeway COE park which is less than 10 miles from their house. Mark and Nancy were kind enough to play tour guides one day, then poor Mark had to work a few days.


 

Their home town of Fulton IL is home to a large Dutch population hence the windmill, the major tourist attraction in town.

Across the Mississippi River is Clinton Iowa, we took a ride through their beautiful city park. Eagle Point City Park is home to this castle like structure which when you climb to the top you have an expansive view of the river.

While at Thomson Causeway we were visited by other friends. Alex and Paul belong to our Grand Design Owners group and were on their way back to AZ and decided to stop in for an overnight visit. Thanks guys for stopping by, it was great to see you.

Our last evening with Mark and Nancy was spent at the Alder Theatre in Davenport Iowa attending a Moody Blues concert. Many years ago (1986) I had attended a Moody Blues concert with Mark and Nancy, when Mark found out they were playing in the area there was no question we would be going. What a great night with even better music, they played almost all of their hits and even a few obscure songs.






On Sunday 10/23 we said goodbye to Mark and Nancy and headed four hours south to Bo Woods COE on Lake Shelbyville. We use this campground as our base while visiting my folks who live about 25 miles away. We had reserved site 113 one of our favorite full hookup sites.

We were fortunate to visit as the fall colors were really popping. 

Our week was spent visiting with my folks, taking some drives around the area and seeing more of my extended family. 

While in the area we stopped at the Lake Shelbyville Dam Visitors Center where we inquired about possible volunteer positions for next summer. One evening one of the rangers stopped by and interviewed us. Sounds promising.

We had a great few weeks visiting friends and family in Iowa and Illinois, now we're on our migration south to TX where we'll spend the winter.

Until next time...

Iowa-Visiting Friends and Great State Parks

October 5-12, 2016


Wednesday morning the weather had turned for the better, it was a beautiful for traveling. About 3 hours later we arrived at Brushey Creek State Recreation Area near Ft Dodge Iowa. We were able to score a full hookup walk in site. We'll be here for 5 nights, off season rate for the site is $14/night, can't beat that price.

We enjoy our 5 days here doing a variety of things we haven't had much chance to do lately. We finally got the canoe back in the water and spent a few hours paddling around the lake.

We took a 10.7 mile hike/walk around the lake on a beautiful fall day.

Dinners cooked over a campfire.

Beautiful evening skies

Best of all was our proximity to Des Moines and the chance to spend time with our friends Cindy and Paul who are headed back to AZ this winter. Sure going to miss meeting up with them this winter.






On Monday we moved east across Iowa to Volga River State Recreation Area. Our friends Mark and Nancy will be here in a few days but we had another couple to visit prior to their arrival. Site 17 has full hookups and is again only $14/night.

On Tuesday we headed to Prairie Du Chien to visit our friends DuWayne and Jackie. After a quick lunch we headed to the marina where they keep their pontoon boat docked. It was a beautiful afternoon for a ride on the Mississippi River.

Barges filled with grain heading down the Mississippi River.

DuWayne and Jackie recently sold their house to their son and moved into their motorhome. After our boat ride we headed over to where they have built themselves a home base. They hope to have a site for visitors ready for next summer, looking forward to bringing our house to Dujac Farm.

Another month and we'll see them in TX, we're looking forward so spending the winter hanging out with them.







One more day and our friends Mark & Nancy will be joining us for 10 days of camping in Iowa and Illinois.

Until next time...