Gibson Girls Go RVing

On This Day

2011-04-07T08:05:00.000-07:00

We laid our heads down for the night with heavy hearts after giving the "kids" extra love and pets. Our gratitude for their presence in our lives was magnified by the loss of our friend. So on this night...

When Shaker lain down on my feet, I didn't squirm out, but was instead grateful for the anchor. When he brought his blue bone to bed, I didn't complain but listened with a smile as he gnawed away.

When Russ stuck his nose in my face and snuggled up next to me I didn't complain about being hot, but snuggled back. When he jumped off the bed to get a drink and then asked at 2:30 am to be picked back up, I just did it. On this night, I was grateful for the inconvenience.

And when they woke me up at 6:00am, I didn't grouse but let them out and smiled while I watched them play.

And on this day, when Shaker took his extra lap around the yard before coming in, I didn't scold, but smiled at his silly habit.

And when Ruff Ruff, bounded through the door and nailed me four square on the legs, I didn't do anything but laugh at his silliness too.

So today and for always, I thank Margie for bringing into this world my beautiful Ruffles and his side kick Shaker Baker. From the first bite of potato chips, they had me. Thanks be to Margie and the whole Foggy Bottom Crew. May you find peace, knowing that her legacy is rich and much loved. Kim and Kathy.

Colony Campground Iowa City, Iowa

2009-06-23T18:31:00.000-07:00

We stayed here for a dog show last weekend. Small family run campground. It used to be out in the sticks, but now it is being surrounded by the Iowa City suburbs. It is actually in North Liberty which is in the corridor extending between Iowa City and Cedar Rapids.

I did not take any pictures because it just kept raining.

It was comfortable and had full hookups. Really big rigs would have a hard time fitting in here.

I thought it was odd that the campground office was closed since it was the weekend.

It was a comfortable place to stay but nothing to do on site.

I would give it a 7.

Here is a link:

http://www.colonycountry.com/

Winnebago factory tour and Pammel Park, Forest City

2009-06-18T19:31:00.001-07:00

We headed up to Forest City Iowa and had a factory tour of Winnebago. They were down to two lines. Class A and Class C gas were on one line and diesel pushers on another. Even then the work force was half what it was a year ago and they were only working four days a week.

We stayed at Pammel Park a city park just up the road from the plant. It had electric only, but the dump and potable water were easily accessible and in fact being improved most likely in time for the Grand National Rally.

The Winnebago River flows right on the side of the campground and there is a little waterfall. A golf course is right across the road. I would recommend it if visiting the factory, although electric hookups are available near the plant also. They had a big service area at the plant also.

The tour was okay. Kim tells me that since I work for John Deere and have been in many of our domestic and overseas plants, that I am spoiled.

Avoid Topeka

2009-06-18T19:25:00.000-07:00

The National Specialty was fine, but the site was awful. We were parked in the far parking lot of the ExpoCenter which was in the worst part of town. We were near a fire station which broadcast all of its calls on the outside loud speaker so the firefighters who were outside could hear it. We nearly levitated out of the RV when we heard it the first night. And from what I could tell, the rest of Topeka did not have much to offer. They had a spot celebrating the fact that they discriminated and that the US Supreme Court had to set them right (Brown v Topeka Board of Education.)

Really, the city was much seedier than we expected. The people were 95% friendly though, although we were approached several times by a beggar while we were camped. The amount she needed was just enough to buy a fifth.

Topeka or Bust

2009-01-22T14:24:00.000-08:00

The National Cardigan Welsh Corgi Club (http://www.cardigancorgis.com/) specialty dog show is in Topeka, Kansas this year. So the Gibson Girls will be loading up the RV and heading west in April.

Who knew there was so much to do in Topeka, KS? http://www.visittopeka.travel/

Youniverse

2008-11-07T14:28:00.000-08:00

I thought this was a pretty cool exercise so decided to share it as I think it sheds light on to what and how we like to explore the world.

Give it a try at Http://DNA.imagini.net/friends

Lamb's Resort

2008-09-22T19:35:00.000-07:00

We staying in Schroeder, MN at Lamb's Resort and it was breath takingly beautiful. The Resort itself had beautiful camp sites with lovely walking paths nearby.

There are very few places in the world that I would go back to but let me tell you that the North Shore area in MN is definitely one of them!

Check out the web site http://lambsresort.com/

Still at Temperance Liquors

2008-09-15T20:53:00.000-07:00

After chuckling at the name, we went in and our son immediately fell in love with the giant bear. I inquired about the bear and learned that her husband had bought it at a trade show. She commented that she could have bought a lot of t-shirts for the same amount of money. While she didn't think much of the money spent, she did admit that it brought folks back!

Temperance Liquors

2008-09-09T20:11:00.000-07:00

We were traveling along Lake Superior in Minnesota and stopped in the "North Shore" area.

We laughed ourselves senseless when we came upon Temperance Liquors. So we went in and asked the owner from whence the name. She laughed and said it all started with Temperance Canoes, then traders and then added the liquor.

So to answer the question, we just had to buy some wine at Temperance Liquors!

Thunder Bay Ontario Canada

2008-09-08T17:32:00.000-07:00

While in Thunder Bay Ontario Canada we happened to be camped next to an RV with a custom paint job. We chatted with the fellow and he told us that his RV needed to be painted and the factory paint job was going to cost him about $5,000, so he asked a local artist to paint his coach to look like his home setting. Here's the catch, the local artist worked for a week on it and only charged him $500. Have to say I think the local artist completely undervalued his time and talent!

Cascade River and falls, north shore MN

2008-07-30T19:52:00.000-07:00

We hiked into see the falls of Cascade River while up on the north shore of Lake Superior in Minnesota. Not a far walk, just about a half a mile, kind of up hill and down hill. So here are some pictures.

Kakabeka Falls

2008-07-11T13:06:00.000-07:00

While traveling in Canada, we stayed at the Happy Land RV park in Kakabeka Falls, Ontario. It was a lovely little RV park, very clean and nice wooded sites. But the best part of all--it was just a mile or so from the most magnificent water fall. We were told it is the second largest falls in North America--second only to Niagara Falls.

http://www.ontarioparks.com/english/kaka.html

Fort William Thunder Bay Canada

2008-07-09T07:41:00.001-07:00

We took a trip to Fort William in Thunder Bay Canada. It is a restored trading post and is populated by knowledgeable actors who "live in the period."

It was fantastic, and we learned a ton by interacting with the people. We walked into the trading post and learned we couldn't trade because we were not on contract with the company. Then we learned we could trade at the native store but we didn't have any beaver pelts so alas we couldn't trade. We learned beaver pelts were the hot commodity because all the fine men in Europe were wearing Beaver felt top hats.

Well I could go on and on but it was well worth the trip. But if you go...take bug spray. The mosquitoes were as big as birds!

There is a helicopter in this campground

2008-06-28T18:45:00.000-07:00

We made it to Thunder Bay Ontario and now are happily ensconced at Happy Land Campground, Kakabekka Falls, Ontario. We are not too far from the dog show which was our primary goal. Two nights ago, a mini helicopter showed up at a site across the road.

Would you take a ride in this helicopter, I note it was made from a kit.....

Beaver's Bait Shop

2008-06-27T17:21:00.000-07:00

Wow is all I can say. We found Beaver's Bait Shop in downtown Grand Marais, MN, but frankly how could we miss it with the huge fish sticking out of the roof. But more importantly than how we found it was what a great experience we had while inside.

My son is a huge fisherman and the proprietor answered every question very patiently and gave him some tips on where he could fish from shore. (Shore fishing was the only option because the charter boats weren't going out due to the cold water temperature and lack of fish biting) We bought a few lures, worms and got a one day fishing license and my son set out to bring in the big one.

Well he had a good time but the charter folks were right nothing was biting.

See you on the road.

North Shore Lake Superior

2008-06-25T07:36:00.000-07:00

Our next stop on the grand summer '08 vacation was Grand Marais, MN. We decided to stay in a municipal campground that is literally on the shore of Lake Superior. Right out door is this amazing light house!

The Campground is just grand as well. Just a quick walk to the stony shore, friendly people and nice facilities. How could we go wrong?

More soon about Grand Marais...

See you on the road.

On the Road to Wisconsin

2008-06-24T09:26:00.000-07:00

As we traveled north through Dubuque across the border into Wisconsin it was almost as if our hearts remembered how happy we always are to return to Wisconsin. It has been 5 years since our last trip and that is definitely 5 yrs too long between escapes to the wonder land.

While my sister (now 25) and son (now 18) were young we would take a yearly retreat to Hayward, WI and the Chippewa Flowage with a brief 3 or so day stay at the Wisconsin Dells. While at the Dells we would play at Noah's Ark water park and take it the Tommy Barlett water show on Lake Delton. Needless to say we were saddened when the torrential rains caused Lake Delton to drain when it forged a new path to the Wisconsin River.

But I digress, we crossed the border and the air smelled like pines or as we call it heaven! We stopped the first night in Chippewa Falls otherwise known as the home of Leinenkugel's beer. Oh how we love a good cold Leinies.

Our first night on the road was spent at the Pine Harbor Campground. What a lovely spot owned by the friendliest couple you ever want to meet. The sites were huge and shaded by towering pines. We enjoyed a fire and retired early so we could hit the road at a decent hour.

Getting Started

2008-06-24T09:20:00.001-07:00

Have you ever watched the movie RV with Robin Williams? Well for the most part we try to avoid the trappings that Robin Williams fell into, but occasionally even after 20+ yrs of camping and RVing we fall prey.

We were super excited to start our trip to Canada. The RV was packed, dogs loaded, kid at the dinette, engine running and Kathy couldn't get her seat belt on. It is a big joke with us--remember to use two hands and one long fluid motion, but every time she does the Robin Williams thing...pull stop, pull again stop, family laughs and then she gets the seat belt attached. An we are off!

See you on the road!