Klinger Musings: May 7 - May 13, 2021 Off We Go!

May 7, Friday Off We Go!

We were up about 7:30 and had breakfast. We got around and made our bed. Both of us worked on finalizing the packing of the RV. We checked the oil and transmission fluid. On our way out of town we stopped at O’Reilly’s for extra transmission fluid and orange hand cleaner. Then we stopped and got some cash. We left Perry about 10:45 AM. When lunch time rolled around we stopped on the turnpike in Kansas and ate. We stopped again about 2:30 so Steve could rest & nap. We got to Independence, MO at about 5:30 PM. We walked the dogs a bit and then hooked up our utilities. For supper we had turkey burger, baked fries and berries. We stayed at Campus RV Park and it only cost $35. It was a nice spot. I had tried another park but they wanted $90 for the night - so we kept looking.

Sorry about that line in the picture - it is a crack in the windshield of the RV

May 8, Saturday

We got up and around pretty good and left about 10 AM. We stopped for gas and got in a bad bind. So we had to unhook the pickup to get out. We would not have had trouble if the road construction crew had not had their equipment in the way. Then we went to the back of the truck area and got the pickup re-attached. We were then on our way to Des Moines, IA. We stopped at Walmart for groceries and then had to make another trip in there to pick up transmission stop leak. When that was finished we were on the hunt for the Iowa State Fairgrounds Campground .We drove all over trying to figure out where to park. Plus it took awhile to get to the part of town where the Fairgrounds was located. Anyway we finally made it and they only charged us $30 for our stay. I would not stay there again because it was basically a hilly field and the sites were not well defined. Also we were just parked on grass and it wasn’t too level. Then it rained all night and I was worried that we would get stuck and not be able to leave the next morning! Supper was chili, chips and berries.

Two older RV's we saw before we took off this morning. They were in the Campus RV Park.

Crossed into Iowa pretty quick.

May 9, Sunday

When we got up on Sunday, it was 42 degrees but felt like 36 degrees! What happened to spring? when I woke up I sent out a lot of text messages wishing the women in my life a Happy Mother’s Day. After breakfast we putzed around a bit. Then we left for Forest City, IA. Luckily we had no trouble getting out (did not get stuck)! Yea! we ate our lunch at a rest stop about 1:00 PM. We arrived at Winnebago in Forest City IA about 1:00 PM. We filled the water tank and then parked the RV. I did my usual Sunday chores and we also rested. I read a book and checked out the motel situation in Forest City. For supper we had turkey burgers and chips. We have to have the refrigerator empty by Tuesday morning when the RV goes into the shop.

A few sites from Des Moines IA

May 10, Monday

We stayed overnight at the Winnebago lot last night. We were up at 7:30 and had breakfast. I paid some bills and worked on my blog. It was nice so we walked the dogs around town. Then we checked in with the Winnebago service office and toured the visitor center. They are still not having factory tours - so we did not do that. We hung out in the RV and watched TV and took it easy. Our supper was Chicken, Rice and berries.

Beautiful grass at Winnebago

Our RV at Winnebago lot

The Winnebago Visitor Center & our pickup

Some very pretty trees!

May 11, Tuesday

We were up at 5:45 AM. We packed our stuff that we would need in the motel. So again we packed up stuff and moved it to the pickup. Then we took the RV to the Winnebago shop. I drove us out in the country and we found Eagle Lake Conservation area. We walked all around. Then we went back to town and walked around Pammel Park and hung out there like homeless people. For lunch we picked up burgers at A & W and went back to the park to eat them. Later we drove east to Pilot Knob State Park and check it out. Finally 3:00 PM arrived and we checked into the hotel - Cobblestone Inn & Suites. It was very nice. It was just built last summer. The only bad thing about hotels is there is poor lighting and no chairs to just sit in. You basically have to lay on the bed. Later we pickup up chicken strips for supper from the nearby A & W.

Art or Wind machine at Pammel Park

Golf Course across the river at Pammel park

Flowers from Eagle Lake Conservation Area

Every town should have a tank in the town square!

Dam at Pammel Park

May 12, Wednesday

We woke up at 8:00. While we were just putzing around Winnebago called about 8:45 and said the RV was ready to be picked up. So we got dressed, packed and loaded our stuff back into the pickup. We also walked our dogs. We hurried to Winnebago and waited for them to bring the RV around. Steve checked it out and the guy explained what they did and how they replaced the slide ram. Then we paid the bill and off we went. We got gas on one side of the road and then went across the street to HyVee for groceries. We were then on the road, but before we got to the interstate, there was road construction. So we waited! We stopped at a Walmart and had lunch in the RV. We walked the dogs and then got back on the road. We drove some back road highways with very little traffic, to Walnut Grove Minnesota! It was lovely countryside and we stayed at Plum Creek County Park. It was really nice. Camping at its best. I even used their bathroom to take a shower. We only had electric hookups. We didn’t fill the water tank when we drove in. Supper was smoked sausage and home fries.

May 13, Thursday

Well, I’m glad it’s not Friday! We got up at 7:45 and then got dressed and walked the dogs. This is a lovely little county park and only cost $23. We reserved our site online the day we came in. There are seasonal sites here and many people have their RVs all set up. We drove the RV to their dump site and took care of that chore. Then we went into Walnut Grove, MN and toured the Laura Ingalls Wilder Museum. We were there about an hour and a half. It was nice and there were several additional buildings we toured. Next we were on the road to Pipestone, MN. We got gas and then went to the National Monument. We walked the dogs and had our lunch in the parking lot. The visitor center was closed (open on weekends). I guess because of COVID or their season is not fully underway yet? Not sure. Then Steve and I walked on the trail (dogs not allowed) back to the quarry. This is an important Native American cultural site. Natives use the collected stone to make ceremonial pipes. The rock formations were very interesting. The we were back on the road and drove to Mitchell, SD and stayed at R & R Campground. (we stayed there last year also). It was an easy end to the day.