.

.
Borrego Springs, CA

Wednesday, May 7, 2014

Oh yah, Ole and Lena, I’m back in Minnesota

When I got up this morning, the wind was still blasting away in Summit, SD.  I checked my weather apps, and the forecast for Fargo, ND, and Detroit Lakes, MN, didn’t show severe winds, so I decided to head out.  A couple of miles after I got onto I-29 it dawned on me how Summit got its name… because it’s higher in the air than anywhere around, and probably has wind most of the time.  As soon as I descended into the valley, the winds dropped significantly.

It was an uneventful drive of 180 miles that I had to the refuge today.  Along the way, I wanted to fill the gas tank so I’d have a virtually full tank while the rig sits at Tamarac.  I remembered that last year I stopped at a Love’s station just outside of Fargo, but I passed it by this time.  I seemed to remember a couple of gas stations along US 10 in Minnesota that would not be as crowded, and I could take my own sweet time getting into and out of one of them.  Thankfully, I was correct.

As I pulled into the station in Hawley, MN, it soon became apparent that I was back in the land of Minnesota-nice people.  I chatted with the man at the pump next to me, as he was curious where the heck I was going with this big rig, and was surprised that it used gas as opposed to diesel.

_MG_0069 

The pump was rather slow, so he went on his way and my next visitor approached.  This older guy, with only about three teeth, was chewing on a chicken leg.  He too wanted to know where the heck I was going.  I told him, and he then launched into the story of his sister (who’s really six months older than him, but claims to be four years younger) and her third husband who has an RV.  He was about to leave, but waited in the doorway of the station as I went to pay my bill.  When I came out, he gave me a magazine with everything to do in the Park Rapids area, and proceeded to tell me where the best grocery store was in Detroit Lakes.  I thanked him for the information, and finally wiggled my way out of there.

_MG_0071

It was with a great sigh of relief that I backed into my site here at Tamarac once again.  The skies had been threatening rain all day, but I got everything basically set up before the skies opened up.  The easiest thing I did was press that little button that launches the automatic satellite DISH.  Why in the world didn’t I have this thing installed years ago? 

_MG_0073

All the staff welcomed me back, but there was one thing that happened that sealed the deal on my return to Minnesota.  Just before I started this post, I picked off a tick walking on my neck.  I got out the duck tape, and stuck him on it.  Yep, I’m home for the summer!

Thanks for stopping by… talk to you later,  Judy

39 comments:

  1. That ol' tick was waiting for you to return! Glad that you got there safely. It's nice to the "home" for the summer, isn't it? Mark

    ReplyDelete
  2. That wasn't a very nice welcome from Mr. Tick, he could have waited at least a day to greet you.

    ReplyDelete
  3. ok it may be a cliché but lots of us old timers really believe there is a Minnesota Nice. As a matter of fact when in trouble I count on it.....:)

    ReplyDelete
  4. Welcome to your summer home.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Glad you made it...watch out for those ticks!!!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Nice to hear you are there and safe. I forgot about those unwanted hitch hiker you are plagued with there. Now rest up and enjoy the few days before you start working.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Don't forget to put some diesel additive in the fuel tank to keep stuff from growing there.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I guess you missed the part where Judy said that she used gas not diesel. I don't think your idea is a good one and hope she doesn't act on it.

      Delete
    2. If I were Judy, I would put some Stabil in the gas tank where it would sit for long periods.... The stuff is good to keep gasoline from turning to varnish......

      Delete
  8. Glad you got to where you were headed and everything went well!! eeeewww to the ticks, I could NOT be there!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  9. I guess it is too late to wish you a tickless season, Lena! ;-)

    ReplyDelete
  10. What a wonderful site, well except for the dang ticks. We are in AR and had out first one day also. Enjoy your Minnesota summer. Becki

    ReplyDelete
  11. Ewww!! I had a tick on me once and it grossed me out. Still makes me feel squeamish just to think about it. Hope you post some Ole and Lena jokes!

    ReplyDelete
  12. Glad you made it to your beautiful summer site without any problems! But all I can envision now is you wrapping yourself in duck tape to ward off the ticks for the next 2 months!!!??? Ha! Well, if it gets too bad, try that permethrin spray on some old clothes to see how it does.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Ticks? Duck tape? I'm thankful I've never seen a tick. but glad you had duck tape to get it off

    ReplyDelete
  14. Yuck...those ticks are gross! Seems like there ought to be something you can do to keep them off you. How about Emma? Does she wear a tick collar? Cant they make one for humans?

    Glad you are set up for the summer...we are anxiously waiting for all the beautiful birds!

    ReplyDelete
  15. ah ticks...they are creepy. Once when working in the woods in northern Idaho I sat down for lunch, I think it was around April. On the way back to the work camp a coworker said, "Don't let me scary you, but you need to pull over right now". seems as though my hair was crawling with ticks. 32 exactly. None of them dug in, but THAT memory still creeps me out! So glad you are safe and sound "home" for the summer with no more long driving to do any time soon.

    ReplyDelete
  16. Oh my Sue's 32 ticks take the cake.... GLad the trip was A-OK and you are back in familiar territory.... REST UP before the jobs begin .... NO post painting this time around ....

    ReplyDelete
  17. Ticks are right up there with black flys, mosquitoes and no see'ums on my list of "undesirables". What a way to start the summer!

    ReplyDelete
  18. Congrats on safe arrival! Your site at Tamarac looks beautiful. Everything sounded inviting except the tick--too many from my childhood camping

    ReplyDelete
  19. Glad you made it safely. I hope the ticks won't be as bad this summer, but it's not looking good, is it?

    We've had our automatic satellite dish for years now and I still marvel at how wonderful it is. I guess I still remember the old days when we had to manually aim our dish.

    ReplyDelete
  20. yup.... tick season started here in the Great Lakes ... we got the dogs all Frontlined and Lymes Disease Vaccines up to date too. Wish we humans could do that!


    ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
    Karen and Steve
    (Blog) RVing: The USA Is Our Big Backyard
    http://kareninthewoods-kareninthewoods.blogspot.com
    ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

    ReplyDelete
  21. Duck tape = tic tac! Who knew!! So glad we don't have ticks here.

    ReplyDelete
  22. So glad you and Emma have an uneventful trip back to Tamarac. See ya on the 23rd.

    ReplyDelete
  23. Glad this was an uneventful trip for you Judy and YUCK on the tick!! In this area of MT we don't have ticks or fleas--too cold??--and I am thankful!! And the cowboy says skip the diesel additive in your gasoline tank :)). He said you can use an octane stabilizer in your gasoline tank but is probably not necessary for the time you are going to be sitting still--just a little advice from my cowboy/mechanic.

    ReplyDelete
  24. Sounds like the character with 3 teeth and chewing on a chicken leg was hitting on you, Judy. What's not to like? A missed opportunity!

    ReplyDelete
  25. Haha! I think Rick is right! You may find yourself with an unwelcomed visitor one of these days :)

    ReplyDelete
  26. Welcome "Home". Even the ticks are glad to see you back.

    Smart idea to top off your gas tank, I try to do that too. Of course, with my luck, after I do that the price of fuel drops way down.

    Looking forward to seeing what adventures lie in store for you this summer. :c)

    ReplyDelete
  27. We use scotch tape then fold it over and look at the little buggers:) Glad you made it safely. Most people are Minnesota Nice...or the opposite not nice at all. We are using a product called Home Defense and spray it on the perimeter of our property...it helps in the yard. I hate ticks but I am not grossed out by them:)

    ReplyDelete
  28. well yaaa. . .a safe arrival. . .and a fabulous automatic satellite. . .life is good. . .sans ticks of course!

    Janice
    http://readytogofulltimerving.blogspot.com/

    ReplyDelete
  29. Welcome back. I could not stay in a place with all those ticks, though; I hate ticks.

    ReplyDelete
  30. You surely don't need another comment after 31. But I'll say , enjoy that satellite!

    ReplyDelete
  31. Glad to hear you had an easy drive and an entertaining time at the gas station. Having lived on a farm most of my life, I'm used to ticks. You just have to check for them faithfully. I'd actually rather have them than the mosquitoes and black flies that bite and leave long time itches or the absolute worst for me CHIGGERS. Oh Ole!

    ReplyDelete
  32. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Love reading about your adventures. Just getting ready to start ours. Glad your safe and sound!!! I misspelled my blog url. lol
      Sheila

      www.livingtheartistsdream.com

      Delete
  33. So glad you arrived safely! What an adventure, I guess you kinda stunned those men. I women driving a big rig all by herself! You go girl!
    Have fun and keep the ticks at bay!

    ReplyDelete
  34. Nice Post.Thanks for Sharing this in your Blog

    ReplyDelete