My original plan was to leave this morning for Lincoln, Nebraska...a five hundred mile drive south and west. But those plans have changed. As many of you know, I have been having some “family problems” in Florida. But, before I left on my camping trip, a certain relative (well...”half-relative) and I worked out a temporary financial arrangement, and I secured his “word of honor” that the arrangement be would be honored and that I would be “undisturbed” on my camping trip. And now...he has broken his “word of honor” and all hell has broken loose in Florida. My attorney there is out until Tuesday...so I decide to stick around and talk to him before heading any further west...since I might, instead, be heading to Florida.
So...on this Monday, I'm trading a 500 mile drive for a day of work...fun work. Everything that we've done over the past few days now has to be “undone”. Tables and chairs are cleaned, broken down and restacked in the garage. Leftovers are carefully evaluated and discarded or stored. The huge tent comes down...stakes out, poles down...almost as difficult coming down as going up. Roger and I make the “trash run”...the bed of his rented pickup filled with bags of garbage. Then we return Roger's rental and are picked up by Don to return for lunch.
A great lunch of leftover meats and salads...and desserts. More work until early evening. Then...it's “cocktail time” once again. Later, another great meal of leftovers.
In the evening, sitting outside...talking, drinking wine...late in to the evening.
Monday, June 30, 2014
2014 Western Camping...Day 13...Sunday, June 15, 2014
Everybody is sleeping in and moving slow on this morning. Everybody but Roger, that is. He's up because this is “his” day...the Master of the Griddle will perform his magic.
Breakfast here is every bit as elaborate as dinner the day before. Pounds and pounds of food go on the griddle...side pork, bacon, venison sausage, potatoes, onions...the list goes on and on. Inside the house and the garage, people are hard at work on pancakes. French toast, fresh donuts, scrambled eggs, toast, coffee, juice and milk.
The crowds return...carloads of hungry people seeking breakfast. By 2:00 or 3:00 in the afternoon, it's pretty much over. Those who stay on (like me) relax.
Dinnertime comes and there are plenty of leftovers...so we feast on those.
Late afternoon and evening sitting in the garage (even though the weather is nice)...more beer...a few cigars.
An early night to bed tonight.
Breakfast here is every bit as elaborate as dinner the day before. Pounds and pounds of food go on the griddle...side pork, bacon, venison sausage, potatoes, onions...the list goes on and on. Inside the house and the garage, people are hard at work on pancakes. French toast, fresh donuts, scrambled eggs, toast, coffee, juice and milk.
The crowds return...carloads of hungry people seeking breakfast. By 2:00 or 3:00 in the afternoon, it's pretty much over. Those who stay on (like me) relax.
Dinnertime comes and there are plenty of leftovers...so we feast on those.
Late afternoon and evening sitting in the garage (even though the weather is nice)...more beer...a few cigars.
An early night to bed tonight.
2014 Western Camping...Day 12...Saturday...June 14, 2014
The big day is finally here.
By the time that I get up, Roger already has a pot of coffee brewed. We sit in the garage over coffee and cigars. We are in side because it is already raining. The skies are dark...good thing that we have a tent.
I spend the early part of the day setting up the rest of the tables and chairs and performing a number of “odd jobs”. I make a run into Grand Forks to pick up more beer. Roger left a case of Miller Lite in the garage refrigerator last night and, this morning, it's about empty. I know that it was a late night last night as we partied with the “Kansas City Gang”.
Now, carloads of people begin to arrive...family, friends, neighbors. Everybody brings a dish to share...and people tend to bring what they make best. By late afternoon, things are in full swing...lots of food?
I renew contact with lots of people that I've met here in years past...and I am greeted warmly. I've said many times that I always feel like family here. I also meet a lot of new people...and that's always fun.
As evening falls, Don gets the band set up in the barn...and the music starts. It will go on, in one form or another, until 3:00AM or so.
Lots of beer and wine is consumed this day...a lot of it by yours truly. I make it until a little after midnight...then it's time for bed.
It's been a great...and long day...and night.
By the time that I get up, Roger already has a pot of coffee brewed. We sit in the garage over coffee and cigars. We are in side because it is already raining. The skies are dark...good thing that we have a tent.
I spend the early part of the day setting up the rest of the tables and chairs and performing a number of “odd jobs”. I make a run into Grand Forks to pick up more beer. Roger left a case of Miller Lite in the garage refrigerator last night and, this morning, it's about empty. I know that it was a late night last night as we partied with the “Kansas City Gang”.
Now, carloads of people begin to arrive...family, friends, neighbors. Everybody brings a dish to share...and people tend to bring what they make best. By late afternoon, things are in full swing...lots of food?
I renew contact with lots of people that I've met here in years past...and I am greeted warmly. I've said many times that I always feel like family here. I also meet a lot of new people...and that's always fun.
As evening falls, Don gets the band set up in the barn...and the music starts. It will go on, in one form or another, until 3:00AM or so.
Lots of beer and wine is consumed this day...a lot of it by yours truly. I make it until a little after midnight...then it's time for bed.
It's been a great...and long day...and night.
Wednesday, June 25, 2014
2014 Western Camping...Days 9, 10, 11...Wednesday-Friday, June 11-13, 2014
Wednesday morning, I make a "command decision". Roger and Gretchen want to travel to northern North Dakota to visit the "Peace Gardens" and, later, the Ronald Regan minuteman Missile Command Site. I'm not up for another day of driving (including three tanks of gas @ $60.00/tank). Plus, from Garyl's, I'm only an hour or less to Don and Mickie's.
So...after another great breakfast, Roger and Gretchen head out for the day. I grab a hot shower at Garyl's and head out around 10:00. In Grand Forks, I stop at Cabela's for some "bug repellant", then on to Happy Harry's wine and Liquor. At Happy Harry's, I load up on Bourbon, wine and a few cases of beer. I make another stop for groceries, then on to Don and Mickie's. When I arrive, no one is home, so I park my camper in my "designated spot" and hook up to the electrical outlets that Don has installed for campers.
Later, Mickie returns home and invites me in for rhubarb crisp and freshly-baked brownies. Don arrives later, and we have a few hours to talk. It's rainy, so Roger and Gretchen make the "Peace Gardens", but opt to skip the Missile Site. They roll in around 6:00...more cocktails. Mickie serves up a "hot meal" of "Southwest Pasta" along with salads, rolls, and plenty of dessert.
After dinner, a few beers outside...the rain has cleared up. Then, an early bedtime.
Thursday morning, Don and Roger have already been to Grand Forks to pick up a rental pickup by the time that I get out of bed. Later, Roger and I travel back to Grand Forks so that Roger can pick up Groceries and make his Happy Harry's stop. Back at Don and Mickie's, it's a day of work. Don and Roger mow the property, and I work with others to clean the garage and set up tables and chairs.
Later in the afternoon, oit's time for cocktails. Then, Roger, Gretchen and I head into Thompson for "steak night" at Brewski's Bar. The steak is thin, but decent. Not much of a wine selection at Brewski's, so we stick to beer. Back at Don and Mickie's, more beers...a few bottle of wine. Bedtime.
Friday, Roger cooks up breakfast in the morning. Later, Roger, Gretchen and I head back in to Grand Forks to stop at a small casino/bar for Bloody Marys and beers. ur stop there is a yearly tradition. Then, back to Don and Mickie's for more work...tables, chairs, a huge propane grill. Others arrive with a giant tent...good idea since rain is expected on Saturday. It takes close to three hours to set up the tent...large stakes, putting the tent pieces together, tightening the lines. It's a big job, but we are working with some family "tent experts" (Michael and Cody). When all is finished, the tent is solid and secure...it's not going anywhere. Mickie serves up another "hot meaql" of barbecue sandwiches and a plethora of desserts for lunch.
More work during the afternoon. This party is a massive undertaking, and there is always something left to do. It's fun work, and I am happy to participate as best I can.
another "hot meal" from Mickie for dinner. More wine after dinner.
Another early night...tomorrow is the "big day".
So...after another great breakfast, Roger and Gretchen head out for the day. I grab a hot shower at Garyl's and head out around 10:00. In Grand Forks, I stop at Cabela's for some "bug repellant", then on to Happy Harry's wine and Liquor. At Happy Harry's, I load up on Bourbon, wine and a few cases of beer. I make another stop for groceries, then on to Don and Mickie's. When I arrive, no one is home, so I park my camper in my "designated spot" and hook up to the electrical outlets that Don has installed for campers.
Later, Mickie returns home and invites me in for rhubarb crisp and freshly-baked brownies. Don arrives later, and we have a few hours to talk. It's rainy, so Roger and Gretchen make the "Peace Gardens", but opt to skip the Missile Site. They roll in around 6:00...more cocktails. Mickie serves up a "hot meal" of "Southwest Pasta" along with salads, rolls, and plenty of dessert.
After dinner, a few beers outside...the rain has cleared up. Then, an early bedtime.
Thursday morning, Don and Roger have already been to Grand Forks to pick up a rental pickup by the time that I get out of bed. Later, Roger and I travel back to Grand Forks so that Roger can pick up Groceries and make his Happy Harry's stop. Back at Don and Mickie's, it's a day of work. Don and Roger mow the property, and I work with others to clean the garage and set up tables and chairs.
Later in the afternoon, oit's time for cocktails. Then, Roger, Gretchen and I head into Thompson for "steak night" at Brewski's Bar. The steak is thin, but decent. Not much of a wine selection at Brewski's, so we stick to beer. Back at Don and Mickie's, more beers...a few bottle of wine. Bedtime.
Friday, Roger cooks up breakfast in the morning. Later, Roger, Gretchen and I head back in to Grand Forks to stop at a small casino/bar for Bloody Marys and beers. ur stop there is a yearly tradition. Then, back to Don and Mickie's for more work...tables, chairs, a huge propane grill. Others arrive with a giant tent...good idea since rain is expected on Saturday. It takes close to three hours to set up the tent...large stakes, putting the tent pieces together, tightening the lines. It's a big job, but we are working with some family "tent experts" (Michael and Cody). When all is finished, the tent is solid and secure...it's not going anywhere. Mickie serves up another "hot meaql" of barbecue sandwiches and a plethora of desserts for lunch.
More work during the afternoon. This party is a massive undertaking, and there is always something left to do. It's fun work, and I am happy to participate as best I can.
another "hot meal" from Mickie for dinner. More wine after dinner.
Another early night...tomorrow is the "big day".
2014 Western Camping...Daqy 8...Tuesday, June 10, 2014
Roger is knocking on the door of the camper early this morning. Garyl has fresh coffee brewed, and he's whipping up an awesome breakfast of poached eggs, bacon, venison sausage, potatoes O'Brien and toast.
After breakfast, we get to work. Roger and I take down Garyl's snow fences...cutting and storing the ties, pulling out the wooden slats, pulling out the metal stakes and folding up the plastic fencing. Then, Roger and Garyl spend an hour or so on large mowers cutting the grass on Garyl's large property.
Our "chores" finished, we shoot for a couple of hours. Garyl is a professional marksman, and he has a very large collection of guns stored in two secure safes. So...over the next few hours, we shoot a .22, two 9mms, my Glock 10mm, an AR-15, a 12 Gauge shotgun with shot and a 12 Gauge "Slug Gun" with slugs. When it's over, we are all tired (and sore).
Sandwiches for lunch...then a few hours sitting around Garyl's driveway next to Roger and Gretchen's RV...just talking and relaxing. At 4:00, it's cocktail hour...a few bourbons. Roger grills steaks for dinner, Garyl cooks up potatoes, and I throw in a few bottles of wine.
We stay up late...drinking wine...talking.
A late night.
After breakfast, we get to work. Roger and I take down Garyl's snow fences...cutting and storing the ties, pulling out the wooden slats, pulling out the metal stakes and folding up the plastic fencing. Then, Roger and Garyl spend an hour or so on large mowers cutting the grass on Garyl's large property.
Our "chores" finished, we shoot for a couple of hours. Garyl is a professional marksman, and he has a very large collection of guns stored in two secure safes. So...over the next few hours, we shoot a .22, two 9mms, my Glock 10mm, an AR-15, a 12 Gauge shotgun with shot and a 12 Gauge "Slug Gun" with slugs. When it's over, we are all tired (and sore).
Sandwiches for lunch...then a few hours sitting around Garyl's driveway next to Roger and Gretchen's RV...just talking and relaxing. At 4:00, it's cocktail hour...a few bourbons. Roger grills steaks for dinner, Garyl cooks up potatoes, and I throw in a few bottles of wine.
We stay up late...drinking wine...talking.
A late night.
Monday, June 16, 2014
2014 Western Camping...Day 7...Monday, June 9, 2014
The weather is not cooperating this morning. I'm up around 7:00 for coffee...under dark and cloudy skies with a light rain falling. Roger cooks up a “skillet breakfast” inside the motor home...potatoes, onions, eggs and sausage...all scrambled together. We plot our “strategy” for the day...no sense renting a boat if it's raining, so we decide to wait until 10:00AM to see if the weather breaks. By 10:00, we see a few patches of blue in the sky, so we are mildly optimistic. But it soon clouds over again and the light rain resumes.
At noon, we make a “command decision”...no boating trip for us today...time to pack up and get back on the road. We figure that we'll drive four hours or so to the town of Warroads, Minnesota and camp there for the night. Naturally, the weather breaks once we get on the road...a sunny, but long, drive.
In Warrorads, we stop for gas. We could camp here for the night...or...we could drive another 160 miles to Bathgate, North Dakota and camp at the home of one of Roger's best friends, Garyl. We opt to drive on.
It's a “tough” three and a half hour drive and, when we at last arrive at Garyl's, we are all pretty “beat”. Garyl is an excellent host...and we soon set up camp with electrical hookups. We set up chairs in Garyl's driveway and enjoy a few cocktails before dinner. Garyl and Roger worked together for several years, and there are many amusing stories of their times together.
A light dinner is consumed...and more than a few bottles of wine are opened...and emptied.
Another long (very) day and another early night.
At noon, we make a “command decision”...no boating trip for us today...time to pack up and get back on the road. We figure that we'll drive four hours or so to the town of Warroads, Minnesota and camp there for the night. Naturally, the weather breaks once we get on the road...a sunny, but long, drive.
In Warrorads, we stop for gas. We could camp here for the night...or...we could drive another 160 miles to Bathgate, North Dakota and camp at the home of one of Roger's best friends, Garyl. We opt to drive on.
It's a “tough” three and a half hour drive and, when we at last arrive at Garyl's, we are all pretty “beat”. Garyl is an excellent host...and we soon set up camp with electrical hookups. We set up chairs in Garyl's driveway and enjoy a few cocktails before dinner. Garyl and Roger worked together for several years, and there are many amusing stories of their times together.
A light dinner is consumed...and more than a few bottles of wine are opened...and emptied.
Another long (very) day and another early night.
2014 Western Camping...Day 6...Sunday, June 8, 2014
The usual “morning ritual”...up early for coffee and breakfast. Then, we are on the road once again. It's a long drive today...north out of Cloquet up to Voyageurs National Park...way up in the northern part of Minnesota near the Canadian Border.
Voyageurs National Park is almost exclusively a “boaters” park. Their are a series of lake and rivers comprising the park, and most of that is accessible only from the water. We arrive late afternoon and drive to one of several Visitor's Centers. The ranger is not particularly helpful, but we get a “guide” to the area. We are at Lake Kabetogama, and there is a choice between camping at one of several National Forest Campgrounds or private camping at one of the many resorts and lodges on the south shore of the lake. We opt for sites in a small resort on a secluded cove. It's too late to do much today, but we plan out our activities for tomorrow...rent a pontoon boat, bar hop around the shore of the lake, dock at one of many small islands for lunch. It should be a very fun day.
Afternoon “cocktail hour” begins...Roger splits some logs with his “splitter ax” for a nice big fire. A “snacking dinner” of nuts, chips and salsa, cheese dip, some smoked whitefish.
It's been a long day...and we have our “big day” tomorrow. Off to bed before 10:00PM.
Voyageurs National Park is almost exclusively a “boaters” park. Their are a series of lake and rivers comprising the park, and most of that is accessible only from the water. We arrive late afternoon and drive to one of several Visitor's Centers. The ranger is not particularly helpful, but we get a “guide” to the area. We are at Lake Kabetogama, and there is a choice between camping at one of several National Forest Campgrounds or private camping at one of the many resorts and lodges on the south shore of the lake. We opt for sites in a small resort on a secluded cove. It's too late to do much today, but we plan out our activities for tomorrow...rent a pontoon boat, bar hop around the shore of the lake, dock at one of many small islands for lunch. It should be a very fun day.
Afternoon “cocktail hour” begins...Roger splits some logs with his “splitter ax” for a nice big fire. A “snacking dinner” of nuts, chips and salsa, cheese dip, some smoked whitefish.
It's been a long day...and we have our “big day” tomorrow. Off to bed before 10:00PM.
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