And we are off... (MN, IA, MO, KS)

Oct 23, 2017   We left home around 9:15 am, heading to Dakotah Meadows RV campground in Prior Lake Mn.  It took us about 4 hours to drive the 150 miles.  The weather was overcast and cool (cold). The wind did not pick up until just about 1:00.  After setting up we went walking in Spring Lake park not far from the campground.

The wind really picked up and the temps went down..  Of course we visited the casino to donate a few dollars before settling in for the evening.

Oct 24: it was cold but not as cold as we expected it to be when we got up this morning.  We took advantage of the beautiful shower house before heading out at 8:15 am.  The wind was very strong coming in from the NW.  We drove 150 miles, 130 of them on I35 heading south.  We could feel the wind bursts every now and then but not too bad.  We ended up getting 10.6 mpg with the wind at our back and side.  Not too bad..

We arrived at Beeds Lake State Park in Hampton Iowa.

this spillway was barely wet the last time we were here in 2012.

We own the park!  No one else here to enjoy the park.  The wind was relentless all day and most of the evening. The wind was coming off of the lake so hard that we could not walk near it, instead we tried to stay in the wooded area for our walk. We were here a few years ago, since then they built new shower houses, of course they are closed at this time of year, but we do have 50 amp service and water near by.

Wed: our day off from traveling.  We first went to:

There was a great observation deck but the sun was not in the right spot for us to identify the many ducks.

then we headed to:

Great hiking and lots of woodland and prairie birds.

We ended up in Hampton Iowa for dinner at Willies for Pork Tenderloin

today was a great day, the winds died down, the sun was out and the temp got to 64.  After this the weather is suppose to tank....

Thurs Oct 26: we are off to Red Haw State Park in Chariton Iowa, (near Osceola). it was about 150 miles, most of it on I35.  It was a bit windy, sun was out and temps about 60.

after setting up we headed to

to look for some birds and do a bit of hiking.  The weather forecast for Friday was cold, windy and maybe some snow flakes.  We thought that since this park in on a huge lake (Rathbum) we should do it today.  It was a great park, we did not know they had a campground.  It was not easy to find on the internet!!  Next year we might go there.  We ended up spending so much time there that we went to Hy-Vee for supplies and a pretty good Oriental dinner to go.

Friday the temperature dropped to low 30's with very high winds today.  We headed out this morning for

Oh yes it was cold.  Long underwear under flannel lined jeans, winter wool socks, t-shirt, 2 long sleeve shirts, a pull over jacket and a flannel lined jacket, of course a wool hat and two sets of gloves/mittens.  I was not too cold during our 2+ hour hike in the forest. Believe it or not we were alone.  We found the Hidden Lake

We headed into Osceola for a bit of shopping and to visit the casino.  I actually won $50!  boy that was fun.  There was a Whispering Giant (Peter Toth wood carving) in Osceola but it got water damaged.  There is a new carving to take its place.

There was one in Iowa Falls, where we were on Wed but we did not remember to look for it!!  will have to try to remember to look next year.

Saturday morning the wind has died down a bit.  Its still cold and windy but not as blustery as yesterday.  We took a couple mile hike around our park (Red Haw) before heading back to Rathbum lake area.   we found some hedge balls!  We got a few yesterday on our hike to take with us to So Tx.

We tried hiking a bit by the lake but the wind was too strong and cold to do much walking.  We then went back to Honey Creek Resort for the Bluegrass Fest

the first group was the Baker Family.  A 13, 16 and 18 year old with their mom and friend.  They were good but  really need to get more variety in their songs.

Lori King and Junction 63 was better but still lacked a headliner group.

Po' Ramblin Boys were very good. We enjoyed the entire set.

 and finally Edgar Loudemilk was fabulous.

Although we did not care for the first two groups we had a good time listening to the music.  The last two groups were worth the time we spent sitting on hard chairs.  All in all a great day.  When we got back to camp the wind died down so we could have a wonderful campfire.

Sunday Oct 29:  brrr.... pretty cold this morning but not too windy.  We left at about 8 am for our 160 mile journey to Smithville MO.  We stopped a few times before settling in at Crows Creek campground on Smithville Lake.

Great asphalt walking trail along the waters edge goes for miles and miles.   We had planned on having water at our site but the last few days had freezing temps so they turned the water off, but not in the bathrooms or showers..

Beautiful day for a campfire

Monday: the wind is relentless, it just won't stop blowing. Another cold and windy day.  We were able to take a nice walk before it got too windy.

We did see a large flock of ducks on the water, they seemed to be on the other side of the lake.  After walking around a bit we drove to the other side to see if we could figure out what those birds were.  Well, they moved to the other side of the lake, where we just came from!!  Birding is so frustrating sometimes.

Tues Oct 31  Halloween  30 deg this am..  but not windy!  We took a nice walk around the park before heading out at about 10 am for Kansas.  We drove about 120 miles to Osage City, KS.  Eishenhower State Park on Lake Melvern.

We had camped here in 2012.  Great sites, water and 50 amp with brand new bath houses.  We arrived and the temp was 37.  Of course we had to go for a walk around the park after we got set up. Another cold night, temps below 30.  Hopefully that was our last one!!

Its with a heavy heart that I write that my oldest brother Harold passed away tonight.  He had been very sick for the past year and is now at peace.  He was stubborn and a had "know it all attitude" but he was also so generous, caring and so appreciative of all of his family and friends. He always had a story to tell, not sure if any were true but he would make us laugh.  Most of all I will miss his laughter.

Good Night dear Harold

Bird Count: Life is still at 573.  Year is up 2 birds to 295 and the month came in at 98.  We tried real hard to make it 100 but those ducks kept evading us.