Journal entries are just that – the digital copy of my hand-written entries in my journal. If you aren’t interested in the daily details of our adventure, feel free to skip on to the next “regular” post.

We all gather in the sitting room and chat over coffee. One by one we shower and pack up, preparing for our departures.

Finally, loaded up, we take a group photo and head on out. Pat and Hillary lead us over to the RV and then head back to the city for tomorrow’s work week. Jim and Norma help us move bags into the RV and watch us maneuver around to exit. We say our (tearful) goodbyes and head on out, following each other until reaching the main road where we turn opposite directions.

Ashley and I stop at Walmart for a grocery restocking and to find lunch. Nothing appeals so we head on down the road.

Our next destination is the Badlands in South Dakota so we soon find ourselves back in Iowa. This time we let the RV do the work as we traverse the state. Good thing, too, as the wind pushes against us. So glad that the RAGBRAI traveled from west to east as this headwind would have been exhausting!

We see a lot of motorcycles on the road and wonder about Sturgis. Oh no! It begins tomorrow. We had hoped that it was last week or during RAGBRAI. No such luck!

Ready for a bit of solitude, we debate where to wait out the bikers. A variety of options are available to us – and with the current heat we prefer those that offer electricity so we can use our air conditioning.

We don’t spot anything that sounds good for food so we finally settle for a McDonald’s. Neither of us remember the last time we ate at one. While inside we look at the maps. There is a Passport America campground on our way – we can spend the night there and further plan tomorrow. They also have a laundrymat so we can finish our laundry as well.
Pouring over the atlas as I drive, Ashley has come up with a splendid plan outline for the next few states. Parking in Montana and possibly picking up part-time jobs would allow us to motorcycle around and visit a number of National Parks before moving on further west.

Tight fit through construction

We arrive at R Campground in Charles City, Iowa and love it! We pay for two nights and settle in. Full hook-ups, wifi, a pond and the laundrymat is about 100′ away. Plus friendly neighbors! Bill chats with me for a bit – he and his wife are full-timers who winter about 50 miles west of Donna, TX, where Gmom and Gdad used to winter. He also gives some advice on setting up our awning to brace it against the wind. Now a breeze won’t have us rushing to stow it away. Different than how Gary showed us – I wonder if he knows.

There is a bicycle trail around/through the town – it runs right next to the park. We will head out to explore in the morning. We’ve been eager to ride for a few days now (basically the second day after RAGBRAI) and Ashley’s shin is feeling ok now. There is an art walk and a couple of coffee shops listed on the city map, as well.

Laundry is done (3 loads) and we are tired from the late nights over the weekend and the day’s journey. Movie watching and then bed time.

Journal entries are just that – the digital copy of my hand-written entries in my journal. If you aren’t interested in the daily details of our adventure, feel free to skip on to the next “regular” post.

After another late night I woke up earlier than before. In anticipation of the day’s activities we were all ready to go fairly early. The electrical mystery was solved when Jim unplugged his phone, which didn’t charge after being hooked up all night long. Apparently the power outlet has a loose connection.

Roger and Denise came over late morning and cousin Dave and Betty arrived about noon, with food in hand. With their food plus last night’s extras there was more than enough so reservations were canceled and we ate at the house.

After eating and visiting, Jim, Norma, Ashley and I went to a winery, Fergedaboudit, while everyone else headed in to shop through Galena. A great little place that felt like we imagine Italy to feel, we had a great time! Sampled all of their wines and a wine slushy, then went to the patio to enjoy a glass and the view. Spoke to a lady Marine there and left just as it started to sprinkle. Timed it perfectly as it poured for a few moments before we drove out of it and back into the sun.

Shortly after we arrived at the house Pat and everyone else returned as well.

The girls chatted while the guys took turns plinking with the BB gun. Ashley took a turn as well and knocked the water bottle around some.

Approaching supper time we caravanned to Timmerman’s Supper Club. Ashley and I had been wondering what a supper club was and were very excited to visit one. Cousin Jeff and Betsy meet us there. Great atmosphere and an amazing view of the sunset over the Mississippi River! We chat and eat the evening away.

After eating we all head back to Pat’s. Jim plays guitar for all of us. It was so much fun to hear him play – some songs we have never heard before!

Eventually everyone prepares to scatter for the evening, but not before planning next year’s gathering. Jim and Norma volunteer to host in Kentucky.

Journal entries are just that – the digital copy of my hand-written entries in my journal. If you aren’t interested in the daily details of our adventure, feel free to skip on to the next “regular” post.

After coffee and visiting for a bit I call and confirm that the fridge is up and running. It is, so Ashley and I shower and head up that way. We will be returning about lunch time, giving everyone else a chance to relax and get prepped for the day.

Everything seems to be in order, we receive some spare shelves for the fridge, and are on our way. Nearing Pat’s we find the restaurant from last night and pull in. Everyone comes to meet us, leading the way to a friend’s house – they are out of town for the weekend and thus have an empty driveway that we can use. We park the RV, give Pat and Hillary the grand tour, and then head on to explore Galena, Illinois.

Even though it is a touristy town, downtown is very quaint and a lot of fun to explore. We head to a fabulous restaurant for lunch. It’s been around for some time – Abraham Lincoln held a debate there when it was a hotel and he was running for President. Ashley had a chicken salad wrap while I try a Cuban, inspired by our recent watching of “Chef” at Joni and Jim’s.

We wander down mainstreet. I enjoy the art/paper shop – checking out sketchbooks and fountain pens while everyone else heads next door to the popcorn shop. They have a million flavors and fabulous samples. A whole shop dedicated to rootbeer! I should have picked up a sarsparilla – haven’t had one since I was wee. Ashley gets a latte at the cafe while Jim and I grab ice cream next door.

Pat and Hillary head back to the house to wait for Roger and Denise’s arrival (Roger is the eldest of the Guiney brood) while we continue exploring. Jim thoroughly enjoys the hot-sauce shop. I sampled a quarter of the store and he did his best to try everything.

We finally wrap up and head back to the house, arriving shortly before Roger and Denise. Jim grilled brats and burgers and we all ate and chatted the night away. We played another round of Catchphrase before calling it a night.

The power in Pat’s room mysteriously quit working (he found out upon trying to hook up his CPAP machine) and nothing we did fixed it. He finally decided sleep on the couch in the sitting room and solve the electrical mystery in the morning. 

Journal entries are just that – the digital copy of my hand-written entries in my journal. If you aren’t interested in the daily details of our adventure, feel free to skip on to the next “regular” post.

What a day! Packed up camp and headed to Moundview RV in Belmont, WI to get the fridge looked at. They had an open bay so we got in almost immediately. Ashley and I spent time in their waiting area, using the wifi and reading/writing for an hour or so. They sent us on our way with a new circuit board installed (which meant that my troubleshooting was correct and the first board that I bought was either faulty or the wrong one.)

30 miles and an hour later we stopped for lunch and realized that the fridge was no longer working, so we headed back. I dropped Ashley off at the laundry mat a few blocks away and went back. They switched out a sensor and charged us only for the part. Before I left they let it sit for a bit to ensure it would keep working. By the time we put the laundry away, though, it was again out of commission.

Third try and only a few options left. Symptoms point to a coolant leak (which often happens to older RV fridges) and the best option is a whole new fridge. Fortunately, that comes with a 2 year warranty and we will be reimbursed for the previous parts.

Jim and Norma have arrived at Pat’s and offer to come pick us up. The store/shop is closing so we pack overnight bags from the RV, back it into the workshop and wait outside for our ride. Everything will be ready for us mid-morning tomorrow. What an emotional, exhausting day!

It’s so great to see Jim and Norma!

The GPS has us wandering all over the country-side as we try to find the restaurant to meet Pat and Hillary. The kitchen closes and we eventually decide to head back to the house to meet there. They bring along some delicious pizzas for us to enjoy.

We chat while eating; Pat makes a Southern Comfort Manhattan for Ashley. We play 3 rounds of Catchphrase (on an old, analog game board – much better than the digital version!) and then head to the music room in the basement where Pat and Jim play some guitar for us. Hilary retires upstairs before Pat talks us into using the karaoke machine.

Early in the wee hours we head to bed, Ashley and I crashing on the pull-out couch in the living room.