Time to slow down after an amazing several months of traveling and seeing so many great places. We drove on to Denver, parking our coach at “Camp Jackson” and spent a week with Joan and Earl. Time to rest (?) while washing clothes, shopping and visiting. However we did venture to their friends mountain home – and we mean mountain home. Laurel bought property on top of a mountain years ago and built a fantastic home years later. There is nothing like climbing the rocks behind her house, overlooking the area and taking in the gorgeous views; or relaxing in a hot tub at sunset; or sitting around a fire while looking at the stars. What a fantastic weekend! After loading the coach with many new purchases, it was time to move on. We set out for Nebraska to see Diana and Gene, our traveling buddies. Again a great time with friends as we saw the sights of Shelby and Lincoln, NE as well as learn so many facts on farming. Did you know they actually have male and female corn??? With tears in our eyes, we said goodbye for now and headed through Iowa. Fortunately the interstate was now open and we had no trouble driving across Iowa. It was sad to see people with their belongings out on the yard trying to dry out. Iowa City and Cedar Rapids still had high waters but most of the roads and definitely the interstate were opened. On to Minnesota where we first stopped in Spring Grove, MN which was another farming area. We took a drive along the Mississippi and stopped in Wabasha, where Grumpy Old Men was filmed. The town was neat – known also for the Bald Eagles that are here in September. Another interesting town is Winona with many large old homes and churches. (Course no pictures as left the camera at home- duh). Another day we drove to Harmony and around to various Amish homes that sold good – you can’t stop and not buy the Amish cookies and cakes. They also make great furniture but no room in the coach (darn). Another great town is Lanesboro and their great museum that is full of interesting stuff the townspeople donated. Unbelievable wood carvings from a barber in town; bridal room with wedding gowns – one from the 1800s; a dentist room with an old old x-ray machine are just a few of the items that were donated.

From here we drove to Hinckley, MN to the Grand Casino RV Park which is a great park. We can say we did play at the casino and didn’t lose even when you spend less than $5.00 and come out ahead it is still a win-win!! The casino put on a spectacular fire works display that we watched from our campsite. What a great place to spend the 4th.

Took a drive up to Duluth, MN and saw so many neat lakes and Lake Superior. Duluth has a neat rose garden park and walkway along Lake Superior which we greatly enjoyed. Minnesota is a state of 10,000 lakes and we saw several that were inviting us to stay but then remembered SNOW in the winter!! Drove around Millie Lacs Lakes and saw so many fish houses that they haul out in the winter to ice fish. One even had a satellite on the side of it and another new one had a satellite dome on top. Guess that is really fishing in style.

Time to head out for the Monaco Pre-Rally in Willmar, MN.