More Rustic Barn CG

While at Rustic Barn we had a dinner on a paddle wheeler. Next day we had lunch at a recommended place we are lucky not to have gotten sick from. Survived OK and left next day for the National toy museum. Enjoyed this a lot and watched a movie about raising corn and processing it for feed. I guess we are farmers at heart.

From here we drove to Guttenburg, WI and ate brats and shared them with meat bees along the mississippi at a german festival or festible as they say in Lodi.

Late afternoon found us in Iowa having dinner with Shirley's niece and husband. The drive home after dark to the sight of flashing lightening. We arrived safely but that is the night we had the strong thunder storm.

Sign says it all.

Farmer Barry in all his glory.

Is that Shirley?

Hard to see but it's covered with toy tractors.

Mural in Guttenburg

Yes, Annie goes with us whenever she can.

Jeff, Cindy, Shirley and me.

See Ya! Barry and Shirley

Rustic Barn RV Park in Kieler, WI

Sept.18th found us driving in WI, roads were abominable. Finally out of town driving along the mississippi when we saw what looked like a steam boat in a lock. We drove down and behold we came upon the American Queen. It was so huge we were able to talk to folks as they sat on their balconies. Three couples were from CA and one couple were from Lincoln Hills. Small world. So maybe someday look for us to try this mode of transportation.

Arrived at Rustic Barn and I usually stay in the truck while Shirley goes inside. Annie saw a stuffed pig and barked at it the whole wait.

This was an interesting park, we were covered in cicada filled trees and had a strong thunder storm our last night.

Shirley and Annie on a stuffed cow.

Barry, Annie and the pig.

The ship is huge.

Paddle wheel and all.

They are gone now.

See Ya! Barry, Shirley and Annie

E-mail is off, so try this again. St. Cloud to Red Wing, MN

We are at our next to the last stop and I stayed home today to entertain Annie and just loaf around. We have no e-mail 'cause I put our U-verse on vacation hold and I guess they have figured out how to stop our email this year, because things are the same as usual however. With time on my hands I decided to try this. Wish me luck. So if anybody is just fooling around looking for our blog here it is.

From St. Cloud where we got completely lost trying to find the RV park, we made a call from a golf course where we had parked and as luck would have it the golf course is where we had dinner that night.

Anyway from St. Cloud we drove to Red Wing, MN. Loved the place!

Shirley and Jane at the shoe factory.

This is out of order but next day we went to a luthiers store.

Back in order, we visited the shoe sales store. 

Back out of order, the luthiers.

Meanwhile Mike and me trying on shoes.

Best mens room I have ever seen.

Yep, the luthier had harps.

Us along the Mississippi.

And Mountain Dulcimers too.

Next we visited the site where puffed wheat and rice was invented. Remember,  "Shot from Guns?"

They support art here too. This is a moose from wood taken with the artist.

See Ya! Barry, Shirley and Annie

Getting started on the Great River Road

Everyone arrived by early afternoon on the 10th. After saying hi and then letting them all set up we went to dinner at the Peppercorn Restaurant. We knew most of the people or had at least met them along the way so we all fell into easy conversations.

Next am, the 11th, we drove to Lake Itasca and the headwaters of the Mississippi. It was cold. Hard to believe Shirley, Annie and I had been there just two days earlier and had worn shorts.

Also, the 11th is Shirley's birthday. For dinner we all went out to Sparkling Waters and had a delightful dinner. After the horrible incident just 13 years ago is was a very fitting way to end our day.

Our tour boat, the Chester Charles II.

This was a two and one-half hour boat ride, the cold made it seem even longer. Hard to believe this is the source of the Mississippi. While on board we had cinnamon rolls that were the largest I have ever seen. We shared one and were stuffed.

Annie did not get to go on the boat ride, but satisfied her curiosity by looking out and waiting for us.

You can almost pee across the Mighty Mississippi at this point.

Yep, just a few more feet to go.

Are we dressed warm enough, NO! As it turned out is snowed last night in
Grand Rapids, the earliest snow since 1880




More to come, Barry, Shirley and Annie

Waiting in Bemidji

We arrived here on Wednesday the third of Sept. The forecast was for severe thunderstorms etc. So we did what any red-blooded Americans would do, we sat up and watched the Weather Channel. As luck would have it most of the bad stuff was to the south of us, but the evening was interesting nevertheless.

We were going to spend one night here and travel around in the area and see the sights since we had 8 days before the caravan started. But, after driving to Canada, and doing chores etc. etc., we decided to stay put and just drive around in the area. Bemidji is a cute little town with friendly people, lots of water and the last couple of days, great weather.

Unfortunately, I seem to have contacted West Nile Virus. Not diagnosed, but how hard is it? I have all the symptoms. I get around like I'm a hundred year old man. Last night I did get some sleep and think I will soon be on the mend.

Lex, Annie, Shirley and Cynthia

The morning after the night before and no worse for wear...No  hail!

Our little family

Ray and Ray at the Treherne Museum

This was closed, but we got a special tour. For my gun nut friends they have one of the finest collections I have ever seen.

The caravan group is to meet on the 10th and the weather forecast is for thunderstorms and severe rain. So I am glad we are already set up.

Shirley and Annie are doing fine. We brought Annie's crate along, but I think it will be left behind on future caravans as she is becoming very mature in her behavior.

Take care. There will be much more to come as we roll along.

Barry, Shirley and Annie

Back on the road, heading home.

We finally left Jackson Center for home. The time spent here was good in that weather was a real problem. I-40 seems to be out, due to rain and tornados. I-80 had flooding and severe rain. So we stayed at Jackson Center. One day it would rain and have thunder storms. The next day it would threaten us. Saturday, June 1st was to be be the worst day of all but it turned out to be a winner. We finished attending Alumapalooza with a great dinner and a performance by Antsy McClain and the Trailer Park Troubadours, which is apropos of you think about it.

Next day, Sunday I had already hitched up and just had to pull the power cord and stow it away when I  could not get the cord from truck to trailer attached. I had had it replaced because a squirrel had gnawed through it. It did not seem to fit. Had they put on the wrong size? I berated myself for not checking it sooner but after I had unhitched etc., I learned I had it upside down, due to a blue dot on what I thought was the top. So we got off around 10 am.

A side light was Annie who we exercise by having her run between us for treats; almost got eaten by three huge Poodles when she ran to them, rather than one of us. She also has gone under a fence after birds, etc. This time as I was hitching up etc., she got loose from her tether but when discovered was only in front of the truck. It ain't easy being a parent!

Never the less, we made it on our first night to Remington, IN where we stayed in an RV park diving only about 186 miles. Yesterday we drove over 267 miles and stayed at a state park in IL, in Nauvoo, which is where Joseph Smith started the Mormon church. Lots to see, but we were just too tired. Some of the roads had been closed due to flooding and we were rerouted several times. Also at this park our power cord burned out by plugging it into a bad connection. It still works, but the burned end needs to be replaced. I try to tell myself this is the land of Lincoln, but Illinois has a history of corruption that I just can't shake.

Today we drove highway 2 which is very scenic and rural. We had very little traffic, but some rain and clouds. We are spending the night in Nebraska City, NE we are tired but the weather is nice, cloudy, but nice. Tomorrow we will drive to Lincoln, NE to see Bob and Sue who were on our Civil War caravans with us and who we have known now for some 7 years.

One event in Alumapalooza was a backing event.

Annie is growing up.

This was a timed event, using only radio help from your mate. As you can see it isn't easy. The event was stopped due to rain.

More later, Barry, Shirley and travelin' Annie

Still at Jackson Center

It's Sunday, May 26th. We are still here at Jackson Center. They finished our trailer on Friday but weather has been a problem on both I-40 and I-80 so we decided to stay for Alumapalooza; an affair that will keep us here until next Sunday. We have never been to it but these Aluma-things have been springing up all over. This is the 4th one here and they have been in Florida, New Mexico, etc. So we will let you know how it goes.

Local weather has been funny. Three days ago we were running our AC now we are running our heaters. We have met some new friends and Tuesday, some of our friends from CWIII will be here. Annie is still growing and has learned not to chew on our shoes and has learned "sorta" off and no.

Dinners have been abundant, Steve brought his "green egg" and a local meat market has kept him busy. Yesterday I joined the digital age, by replacing our old analog TV in the trailer. It looks very nice. Same size as the old one but now we can watch TV off our antenna when we don't have cable hooks-ups.

Today will be a lazy day as no sight seeing is planned. Tomorrow, who knows?

This is me and my "brother" Bob. He's from Massachusetts, but thinks "right."

See 'ya later, Barry, Shirley and Annie the wonder dog