Let the battle begin!

Since it was another chilly rainy day today, I decided to drive to Fargo, ND, to satisfy my yearning for a couple of food items I haven’t had in six months.  First stop was the Bread Smith store to pick up a few loaves of their hearty hearth baked breads.  I chose the French Peasant Bread and the Buttertop White Bread,  but then a new item called my name.  It’s called Chocolate Babka.  Toasted, I think it will be a delicious breakfast bread.  I’m going to test it out tomorrow.

Long time readers may remember that I found Carol Widman’s Candy Company last summer.  You know I had to stop to get a pound of dark chocolate covered sponge candy.  It will probably be another month before I head back to Fargo because the Bread Smith store sets up a booth at the Detroit Lakes Farmers Market each Saturday, and that starts next weekend.  There’s always a long line at their booth, and that’s where I originally found them.  They’ll be making their Liberty Bread by then, and I’ll be getting some.  It’s a tasty loaf with blueberries and cranberries mixed in.  I do enjoy a good loaf of bread.

By the time I got back to the rig, the rain had blown away and Emma and I were able to sit outside.  It was still chilly, but mostly due to the 30 mph northerly winds.  As you can see, Emma is right at home again at Tamarac, but she’s also on constant vigilance.

You never know when some marauding mammal might appear.  As I’ve said before, Emma pretty much ignores birds unless it’s a turkey vulture, but anything with four legs brings her right to attention.

The fun begins.  It’s thirteen lined ground squirrels vs. Emma.  They’re sizing each other up for another season of battle.  They are pretty wily characters, and usually win the skirmishes, but it sure adds some spice to Emma’s world.

As the sun peaked out from behind the scattered clouds, there was something different to the right of the patio that caught my eye.  It appeared to be a big round ball about 40’ up in one of the deciduous trees.  Can you see it?

It was a big porcupine taking a late afternoon siesta.  I wondered if this was the same porcupine that favored one of the pine trees in my front yard here last year.  Up in the trees is a good place for this guy.  I sure don’t want Emma doing battle with this mammal.

If it’s sunny and not raining in the morning, Emma and I will be off to reacquaint ourselves with the rest of the refuge.  I do like it here.

Thanks for stopping by… talk to you later,  Judy

Settling in

I’m sure glad I pulled in here yesterday when I did, because the weather has been crappola since…overcast, chilly, and rainy.  That made today a good day to take care of my long to-do list.  I headed for Detroit Lakes on a mission.

First up was getting a hair cut.  I did that at Wal-Mart.  I’m not a big Wal-Mart shopper, as I prefer to support local businesses, but sometimes I have no choice.  Next up was L & M Fleet Supply for a new pair of steel toed boots.  The pair of boots that the refuge paid for last year were just too big, and I always felt like I was going to trip and fall.  I found a pair that was just my size, and bit the bullet to buy them for my John Deere mowing assignments this summer.  I think the refuge would have bought a new pair for me this year, but there was only one pair in my size and I didn’t want to take the chance they would be gone in the next couple of weeks. 

I was also there to buy my favorite type of oriole feeder.  A nasty raccoon demolished the one I had toward the end of my last stay here.  I wanted the type that held the nectar mixture, but also had a place for an orange half and four places to put grape jelly.  The orioles aren’t here yet, but I’ll be prepared for their arrival.

I also stopped at the only grocery store in town (the one the guy with three teeth recommended yesterday) to replenish my larder.  By the time I finished all my errands, the skies opened up and the rain came down.  I took my time driving home and saw my first trumpeter swan of the season on the refuge.  I do believe she is sitting on eggs.  How nice that I’ve found a place to easily monitor how this nesting proceeds.

The rain was really coming down as I neared home, so I took a little drive on the refuge to see what I could.  I really didn’t want to unload all my plunder in the pouring rain.  I came upon some ring-necked ducks in one of the lakes.  There were two males, and one female.  I guess she hasn’t decided who’s the most attractive yet.

You can see from this view along the Otter Tail River what a dismal day it was.  However, I sure enjoyed it more than one of the campgrounds I stayed in along my journey here. 

Emma and I had a chance to sit outside this evening for a little while, and I’m happy to report that the birds have already discovered my feeder.  In less than 24 hours, I’ve had red-winged blackbirds, brown-headed cowbirds, American goldfinches, chipping sparrows, song sparrows, common grackles, and beautiful male rose-breasted grosbeaks come to the Hard Rock Bird Café.  A yellow-rumped warbler even hopped around in front of us.

The winds are supposed to be out of the south by Sunday, so I’ll be getting those oriole feeders ready tomorrow.  From what I’ve read about upper level winds that are conducive to bird migration, those orioles could be arriving before Sunday or Monday.  When you run a café, you have to be prepared. 

Thanks for stopping by… talk to you later,  Judy

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.

 

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.

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? 

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

Just like last year

Well, I decided to do the full 350 miles yesterday and arrived pretty worn out at County Line Campground just off of I-29 in Summit, SD.

This is a Passport America park, and a good place to spend the night with full hookups.  This makes the third time I’ve stopped here.  At the times of the year when I’ve stopped here, early May and mid October, I’ve been the only customer.  It’s located next to a town park right on the edge of Summit.  Very peaceful, and the cattle are lowing in the background.

Just like last May, I’ve extended my stay due to the high winds.  There was no way I was going to try driving this morning.  I even debated about pulling in my east facing slide.  The weather guessers had this one nailed solid.  I just hope they’re right again about tomorrow.  Winds are supposed to calm down some, so I’m planning to reach Tamarac.  It’s about 180 miles from here.  I’ll let you know if I succeed. 

Thanks for stopping by… talk to you later,  Judy

Winded in Nebraska

Yesterday was a great traveling day along US 75 through Kansas and into Nebraska to probably my most favorite private campground.  I found this gem last October when I was headed down to Louisiana.

It’s only four miles off of I-29 in Nebraska City.  It is owned and run by a couple that live on site.  The grounds are spotless, and there’s ample room between each site.

This is the full hookup site that I had last fall.  This time I chose to just have water and electric.  I have a rather secluded site with no neighbors.  Just what I like.

I thought I’d be pulling out this morning to head for South Dakota, but that didn’t happen.  Overnight the winds kicked up to the over 30 mph range, so I decided to just stay put.  There are a couple of interesting things to see in the area that I didn’t do the last time I stopped here, but I just didn’t have the oomph to unhook the toad and go see them.  Emma and I just took it easy as the trees bent over in the wind.

I know that traveling through the prairie states at this time of the year can be a challenge wind wise.  I’m pretty chicken when it comes to wind, so I’m really watching the weather forecasts.  There may be a small window tomorrow before more high winds come in on Tuesday.

If it’s not too bad in the morning, I’m going to try to make it to Summit, SD.  That’s about 350 miles or so, and quite a bit over my normal daily mile limit.  Like the proverbial horse quickly returning to its stable, I’m anxious to get to Tamarac. 

I’ll see how it goes.  I do have a place in mind that I’ve been to a couple of times about 200 miles up the road in case things turn nasty.  Wish me luck, please.

Thanks for stopping by… talk to you later,  Judy

It’s windy in Kansas, Toto

As I pulled out of the Riverside RV Resort (?) in Bartlesville, OK, this morning, my mind was saying Good-Bye to Bad Rubbish!  I’ll never stay there again.  I know that I haven’t found a private campground yet that can compare to my site on Tamarac NWR, but really, this one was the pits.  I was hoping for better as I made my way north into Kansas for tonight’s layover.

Before leaving, I checked several weather sites, and winds were supposed to be in the 10-15 mph range.  I can handle that.  Too bad that they were wrong.  As I entered Kansas, US 75 went from a pleasant four lane divided highway down to two lanes, and the wind kicked up a notch.  Of course, it was not a tail wind, so I just clamped on harder to the steering wheel.

It was a pretty good road, but by the time I got to Lyndon (just south of Topeka) the wind was really blowing.  I had thought of stopping to see the Little House on the Prairie in southern Kansas, but the only sign I saw said “You just missed the Little House on the Prairie.  Turn Around!”  Yeah, right… on a two lane road?  I don’t think so.  Maybe some other time.

It was a relief to pull into the Crossroads RV Park just north of Lyndon.  This campground is more to my liking.  There was also easy access to a spot to fill my propane tank, so I got that accomplished too.  It was getting rather low, and I haven’t filled it since I was at Okefenokee over a year ago.

The sites here are nicely spaced, full hook-ups, and level.  I had been assigned site #19 which is right next to that fiver on the right hand side of the photo.  I chatted with the man filling the propane, and learned that he and his son just purchased this campground last month.  As he pointed to the site I had been assigned, he also said I really could pick any sight.  So, I chose the one on the end of the row with a picnic table so I could sit outside with Emma.  I have never understood why campgrounds always pack everyone in next to each other when there are plenty of vacant sites.  I like some space, if possible, between me and my nearest neighbors.

In the afternoon, Emma and I walked all around the campground, and I enjoyed my first whiff of blooming lilacs!  I just love their fragrance.  As we walked around, I ran into the same man again, and told him how I enjoyed the lilacs.  Can you believe that while I sat outside with Emma this evening, the man’s wife brought me a little bouquet of lilacs?  How nice is that?  What a difference from the last place I stayed!

I also noticed that I’ve caught up with the migrating Baltimore orioles.  There must be a half a dozen of them singing their hearts out in the campground.  Spring is here!  I’ve decided to push on tomorrow, assuming the winds have calmed, and head for Nebraska.  I’ve got to take advantage of the lull in storms.

Thanks for stopping by… talk to you later,  Judy

Strategic planning

After the wind sort of died down yesterday morning, I left Powderly, TX, and headed for Bartlesville, OK.  I had picked out a Passport America campground that looked pretty nice on their website.  I’ve come around to making reservations at parks when I’m traveling night by night, and it’s a good thing I did in this case. 

Riverside RV Resort and Campground is packed to the gills!  A resort it’s not, and if you want to feel like a sardine packed into a can then this is the place for you.  I can almost reach out my window and touch the rigs on either side of me.  Even though I paid for two nights, I didn’t even attempt to unhook the toad.  The place is filled with utility workers, and when I arrived at two in the afternoon, there were only two vacant sites. There aren’t many choices in this neck of the woods.

The 220 mile trip to get here was fairly uneventful.  I only had to ignore Jack-in-the-Box twice.  The first time was in the middle of massive construction while driving though Tulsa.  He wanted me to take a left, while detour signs pointed right.  I followed the signs.  Then as we were exiting Tulsa, he wanted me to get off of US 75.  I knew 75 would lead me to the campground, so I ignored him.  That’s when a sign on the GPS said there was an unavoidable 11’ underpass ahead.    Since I was seeing plenty of 18 wheelers coming toward me, I kept going.  Don’t know where that underpass used to be, but it’s not there any longer.  Phew!

Being a person who prefers to use interstates to get from point A to point B while driving the rig, this has been a rather interesting route I’ve decided upon that uses US highways instead.  I did take the Indian Nation Turnpike for a good portion of the trip, and that turned out better than expected.  Yes, it’s a toll road, but not too expensive in my opinion. ($10.75 for the rig and toad)  It also had what has been for me the easiest in and out fuel station that I’ve ever encountered.  No heartburn this time, and the price of the gas was $.40/gallon cheaper than my last fill up in Louisiana! 

I had thought about visiting some places here in Bartlesville, but since I can’t unhook the toad with the way I’m wedged into the site, I passed on that idea.  I’ve already been to the Will Rogers museum several years ago, and took in more information about Will Rogers than I ever wanted to know.  So I spent the day planning out the rest of my journey to Tamarac NWR.

That’s where the strategic planning is coming in to play.  I weathered one severe spring storm in Louisiana, and according to the weather guessers I may have a window of opportunity to make a run to Minnesota before the next storm comes along.  Granted, I don’t ‘run’ too fast, but the next ten days look fairly calm weather-wise.  I’ve plotted out four more campgrounds to get there with two night stays at half of them.  Three of them I’ve been to before, so I know what to expect…no more sardine issues. 

If everything goes as planned, I could be at Tamarac a week from today.  That would be four days before my scheduled arrival, so I’ve got some wiggle room.  Now if I can just find a few more easy in and out gas stations along the way, I’ll be one happy camper.

Thanks for stopping by… talk to you later,  Judy