NE Iowa anyone?

[bikerchic777]

As you may have read, me and Barbie (BarbaraRose) are having a mini gtg this weekend up at her place in MN. From there I will travel to NE IA for a few days. Thinking of Pike's Peak State Park. The state Parks in IA are open year round and it is still off season until the end of April. Only $11 for a site w/ electric! Can't beat that with a stick!!! It is pretty up that way. I will have my new mh and a bicycle and inflatable kayak with me for transportation. Would love to gtg with anyone who is close or passin through.

[avalen]

oh boy, gtgs are so much fun, don't forget to take pictures

[Bethers]

If you get a chance while you're up that way - drive across into WI and follow Hwy 35 north or south between Prairie du Chien and LaCrosse (or even north of LaCrosse - but then you might want to do part of it on the MN side. It's a glorious, beautiful ride and if you do it, you'll pass right by where I used to live and had my business. I love it there and it'll be great this time of year. Also, watch along the Mississippi there for bald eagles. Many nests can be found from the road, if you know where they are - and they'll have the babies in them this time of year.

There's a COE Park (Blackhawk, if my brain is functioning) south of LaCrosse - north of DeSoto - that I like, also. I think it's open by now. So if you go that route, you could check that out, also.

[BarbaraRose]

Beth, thanks for that suggestion. That is a beautiful drive! I will send Linda down that way when she leaves here (or she may decide to stay up here all summer! ).

[bikerchic777]

I actually thought about going up there. Not sure what I'm doing yet. Now the court is saying that I may have to appear before the judge for this divorce! I'm going to call again today and see if I could get in this coming Mon, as that is the day they hold court...small town! Otherwise they will set my court date for sometime after I start work. So, could be going to SD instead. Life is about change, isn't it? All I know is that I definitely want to make it up to my gtg with Barbie! From there is up in the air!

[Paulette]

I'll be in Iowa, but not till around the 1st week of July. And not NE, but closer to Omaha, which would be SW. Hmmmm. Nevermind!

[dpf]

Linda...I'm in Avon, SD and from what you're indicating I'm thinking you're probably heading to Emery or Ethan? Neither are very far from me. I can offer you a free place to park if you need it. Are you pulling a toad?

[bikerchic777]

Paulette. ..I will be work camping at Saylorville Lake, just north of Design Moines, for the summer. Please come see me on your way through! What type of RV? Just keep in touch to let me know when. Who knows, maybe we can get others interested in a GTG!

[bikerchic777]

dpf...Thanks for the great offer! I may have to head up there if the judge says I have to appear in court to my divorce. Don't know when yet or if. I'm a resident of Madison. If I have to go, I would likely have to prove I resided there, so would have to have a campground receipt, but would love a mini gtg.

[dpf]

Ha! You just gave me a good giggle! When you said small town and court only once a week I figured it had to be in the place in Emery population about 500! I will have you know that Madison is the 13th largest city in SD!

[Paulette]

Linda, I'll certainly keep it in mind! I'm dropping the GD off at her dad's and then not sure where my path will take me as my life is getting ready to change here real soon. I have a 35' Class A (Allegro Bay). But, I will keep it in mind, maybe on my way back east!

[bikerchic777]

13th largest, huh? Wow! Well, knowing SD that must be true...lol. Paulette. .Nice mh you have there! Would love to know about your upcoming changes, if you care to share. I'm in the midst of a big change myself, in case you haven't read. Divorce, going full time solo RV, just bought my own mh, start my work camping job soon, etc, etc, etc!

[Paulette]

Changes...hmmmm....well, my business partner and I are going to sell the company this year. He needs to retire, for health reasons, and I've decided (for now anyway) that I'm going to retire too. I think it will be easier for the new owners to take the reigns if we both step out at the same time. Unless something causes me to change my mind, that's what is going to happen. I'm not sure yet WHEN this will happen, but it is in the works. Now, being fortunate enough to retire at my age (52) and being able to support myself with income for the next 5 years (length of time we are extending the sale for) or longer, you would think that I could just hop in the rig and take off! BUT, since I am raising my granddaughter, and she is only 11, I'll have to figure out some other way to scratch my hitch-itch. She needs a home base so that she can continue her schooling. Yes, I would love to take off and home school her, but she feels like she wants to continue to attend conventional school. She has been through an awful lot in her life so I'm inclined to let her make some of the decisions (within reason). So, I have 6 more years of being house bound. I figure that gives me plenty of time to sort through, get rid of, clean up, organize, minimize, etc.

So, if everything has fallen into place by the time we head for Iowa this summer, I may just wander the roads for most of the summer. And if not, then I'll have to come back here and keep pushing everything into place. I just don't know yet. But, I'm excited about it none the less! So yes, I will definitely plan on stopping in for a visit at some point this summer. Just can't give you a definite date yet.

[bikerchic777]

My 11 yr old GD wanted to go with me last winter and home school her. I have to work now, but would consider taking her with and putting her in a school where I stay for the winter. You might propose that option to her. Lots of cool places for her to see and learn about! Alligators or cactus. ..either way, she would always have those great memories with Gma! I will try to keep all posts of when my GD will be staying with me this summer, so maybe you two can come then! That would be fun!!!