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.

Laura Ingalls Wilder Museum at Walnut Grove MN

Our sweet site at the county park outside Walnut Grove MN

 

Mary & Steve freezing at Pipestone National Monument

Beautiful building at Pipestone MN

Highway Art

May, 1 - 6, 2021 Tying Up Loose Ends

May has started and we have may things to do before we take off for Montana. On May 1 I mowed the front yard and the north side of the fence, while Steve helped me. Logan and Steve mounted our new satellite dish on the RV. We worked on the ditch behind the fence in the back yard. Later we enjoyed watching the Kentucky Derby. For supper we ate at La Macarena in Perry. Sunday I finished mowing and the guys completed their work on the ditch. Pam & JC came over and we went over what things they need to know if they end up staying at our house after their house sells. They are having trouble finding a house to buy in Bartlesville.  On Monday, I had to get a new drivers' license because mine expires in August and I won't be here then. So I got that taken care of. Then I did some mowing in the back yard. The guy took down the honeysuckle vine and the pergola it was growing on. It seemed to die out from the rough winter we had. We also worked on the ditch behind the fence. We are trying to get it cleaned out so the water will not run into our back yard and kill the grass. In between these things we did laundry. I also took the keys to Hazel.On Tuesday I went to Linda's to get my hair colored. Then we had lunch. After that I ran the vacuum sweeper and Steve ran the carpet shampooer. We also washed our kitchen curtains and Logans bed sheets. Next we drove to OKC and watched Logan play in the state Soccer Playoffs. They lost, but we enjoyed the game. After it was over we went out to eat at Texas Roadhouse and got home late for us older folks! Wednesday we drove back to OKC for Steve's SCI appointment. I went to Target and got a paper towel holder and then we were back home in time for lunch. We worked on putting away more kitchen stuff and hanging the curtains back up . Plus we washed the blankets. The young guy who is going to tend to our yard - cam by and we gave him the first half of his money. Thursday we started packing the RV. We also paid bills and did other things to prepare for our trip. Steve worked on  washing the RV windshield also. 

April, 2021 It's Been Busy!

 I started out this month with a trip to the orthopedic doctor here in Perry, Dr. Stubbs. They x-rayed my left shoulder and he said most of the cartilage was gone. He gave me a steroid injection and I was on my way. It seemed to help. Yea! Steve did some work on my car and I watched him. I also went to the eye doctor on Friday the 2nd and had my eyes checked and ordered more contacts. After that we went to OKC and shopped at Bass Pro for some shirts for Steve and REI for my shoes. I also went to Target and got some socks. We made a stop at Lowes for hinges and then Dillard's in the mall at Quail Springs for  new jeans for me. We finished up the day with supper at La Macarena in Perry. Shopping is not one of our favorite things, but sometimes you need stuff. On Saturday the 3rd, Steve got his second COVID vaccine (Moderna) and so that is complete for both of us. He also put new spark plugs in his pickup and fixed a hinge the the screen door. I watched Basketball and napped.  Sunday we took it easy because Steve felt a little funky from his vaccine. 

Easter Lily I got from my niece

We saw this at Bass Pro & thought it would be a great thing for Santa to bring us. 

Monday the 5th I emailed our manager at Echo Lake to let him know we are both fully vaccinated and looking forward to our summer volunteer jobs. We also completed our laundry and Steve changed the oil in the RV generator. On Tuesday the 6th - my sister Pam called and said someone had bought their house. So now they are looking to move to Bartlesville to be near their daughter. Steve worked on routing  his signs for Echo Lake. We had supper at La Macarena with Linda and Hazel.  Wednesday - we didn't do much. We heard from Kristi - that her job  is moving her around. She will be teaching 4th grade Math and Science instead of 2nd grade. This is a big change for her. We did our Walmart run on Thursday. While we were in Stillwater we also bought a trail camera at Academy Sports and Outdoors and stopped at Lowes for boards and paint. Of course we had a nice sandwich at Schlotzsky's while we were there. Friday the 9th we took the RV out and got the oil changed. I tried out some paint stripper on a cabinet door. When we return this fall we will strip the old stain off the hutch (in the kitchen) and paint it to match our cabinets. We will also paint the walls a new color and maybe change the flooring. Saturday I hemmed my two pairs of new jeans and we worked on the trail camera. We met Logan and Kristi to go shopping for Logan's birthday. He got shirts, a vest, a tie and some new jeans. I think he made out pretty good. We bought a portable satellite dish for our RV at camping world. The we went to supper at The Fix in Edmond, OK. It was pretty good. Kristi, John, Logan, Steve and I all ate together. Sunday we made Steve an Apple ID and in the afternoon we kind of watched golf - The Master's. We started packing up stuff in our kitchen. 

On the 12th of April (Monday) we were shocked when Steve's sister called and said his sister Terry who lived in Pine Bluff Arkansas died yesterday (10th). We had spent the day doing chores around the house and Laundry. Tuesday we continued as normal except we went to Logan's soccer game in Guthrie. While we were driving there Irene called and said we need to make the funeral arrangements (she was too distraught) and Terry's boyfriend wasn't taking care of things. On Wednesday we contacted Robinson & Sons Funeral Home and they were very nice and helpful in making arrangements for the funeral service. I also had a dermatology appointment. On Thursday our new kitchen cabinets were delivered and we took our dogs to the vet. I worked on writing Terry's obituary and we were in contact with the funeral home about final arrangements. On Friday the 16th we drove to Enid and visited with Pam & JC. It finally dawned on me that if they can't find a house to buy in Bartlesville, they can stay at our house this summer. Saturday, our new range was delivered and we went to OKC for supper to celebrate Logan's birthday at Outback Steakhouse. Sunday we packed up and drove to Pine Bluff, AR. We arrived about 6:00 or 6:30 PM and had a quick supper at McDonald's. 

Logan playing soccer

Cabinets arrived

    

On Monday we had breakfast at the hotel and watched some tv and went back to sleep. We walked at the Pine Bluff Regional Park and ran into a Dollar store for snacks. Later we met with the Funeral home to finalize the funeral arrangements. Then we went back to the hotel. Tuesday was the memorial service for Terry and the celebrant did a very good job. After the service we went out to lunch with Irene and Vernon to the Chinese buffet. Then we started home and arrived about 7:30 PM. It was really nice to be home and have our comfy chairs to sit in. On Wednesday, we did our laundry and other household chores and mowed the front yard. Thursday I had a doctor appointment in Ponca City and bought supplies at Walmart. We got home and did a few more chores and had supper. Friday we did routine stuff around the house. On Saturday I watch part of the Full time RV Summit and we putzed around. On Sunday we finished emptying the kitchen cabinets to prepare for installation of the new cabinets. 

Old Kitchen

On Monday the 26th, We were up at 7:15 and prepared for the cabinet installer. He arrived with his son at 8:30 and they got started right away. We didn't do much - because we couldn't get through the kitchen or garage while they are working. We walked our dogs frequently and crated them in the house while the workers were there. We got an email from our manager in Montana who wanted some pictures of Echo Lake when it was busy - so I forwarded him some. Tuesday it was more of the same. we did go to supper at La Macarena with Linda and Hazel and Stetson. Wednesday we putzed around the house while the guys worked. They finished finally about 9:30 PM. Thursday rolled around and we were able to start putting away some of our kitchen stuff. We went to Lowes and got sealant so Steve could install our new satellite dish on the RV. Then it was on to Chic Fil A for lunch and Walmart for supplies. Steve worked on installing a wire shelf/drawer system in one of our new cabinets -because we don't have as many drawers as we used to have. On the 30th (Friday) I got my hair permed and Steve got a haircut. Then we did catchup on bookkeeping. Later we worked on putting away more kitchen stuff. After the hair appointment, we drove to El Reno and picked up Logan. He is staying with us until Monday because his Mom is going away for the week-end. We ate pizza at Hideaway in Yukon and it was awesome! That is a wrap for April!

New Kitchen

In Memory of Terry

 

An Iris by the back fence