2019 Winnebago Rally/Diane's birthday

Sunday 21 thru Friday 26 July 2019

Sunday the Heritage Park was open, here is a link to some photos of tractors, steam engines and their great transportation exhibit.      Heritage Days

We have been really busy this week so I will just do a summary.  The weather cooled down a lot after Saturday's  storms.  Morning temps were in the high 50's oh so nice and the highs were in upper 70's. 

PA get together!  

It was nice!

We started off a little to busy trying attend way to much stuff.  We did make it to the evening entertainment Monday,  it wasn't that good.  The vendor displays opened on Tuesday morning and the best seminars were at the same time.  We ran from one to another and by the end of the day we were to tired to attend the evening show.   (24th Diane's Birthday)   Wednesday we tried to pace ourselves a little better but we were still wore out by evening.  Each morning was cereal in the camper.  Lunch was catered the Waldorf University and the food was excellent.  Evening meals varied. One night was a pizza party for all the PA campers.  One was row party where we walked around sampling different foods from different states.  KA - ribs LA- gumbo NC- chicken and rice soup and our favorite TN had Lynchburg Lemonade (80 proof). And a night or two with new friends.

We had a lot of maintenance done as well.  Michelin checked our tires and Carefree Awnings fixed

Loved this guy.

This is where he liked to sit.

our awning both were free.  We also had the Blue ox tow bar and the generator serviced.  And lastly we had upgraded shocks and steering stabilizer installed. Diane (and me too) found way to many items we could not live without, new rugs for the steps, t-shirts, hats, magic pain reliever (Hemp), meat from a local butcher shop(yes at an RV rally).  But most important was a "pet inside please rescue" sign for Rudy.  And Rudy has not been a happy camper and never wants to go to another rally.  We were in and out of the Moho all day long and according to him we were not giving him enough quality time.  The last seminar we went to I had to pick him up to put him in his house. (poor  Rudy).  Friday Diane walked down to the entertainment to see Chris Kroeze, who she enjoyed.  We did miss the one show Diane really wanted to see, an a cappella group called 'Home Free', but Diane did manage sneak out for a little and walked down the road where she could listen to them.  

Rudy's pet Rescue sign

We have met and a lot of people and made many friends.  Our badges had a First Timer ribbon on it and everyone welcomed us.  There were so many names and faces even one couple from Lewisberry, PA.

The Rally Grounds and 

all the Rigs that are here!

Yes we are in there!

Tomorrow everything will be over and we will get back to our normal routine.

Forest City and the Winnebago Pre-rally

Tuesday 16 July 2019

Waiting in Line!

No need to hurry this morning since we have a short drive to Forest City for the Winnebago Rally.  And of course we were ready by 10:00 anyway.  We drove Iowa route 9 for much of the trip but of course there are no interstates in this area of Iowa.  After a stop for fuel we rolled toward Winnebago and as we closed in on the last 30 mile a very sever storm bared down on us.  My speed dropped to 20mph for several miles but alas, as we rolled through Forest City the rain stopped and the sun came out.  We found our spot in line around 2:00pm and just about 15-20 rigs ahead of us but not all that bad for the first day of parking for the rally.  We parked walked up and down the row talking to other

Finally parked!

campers asking about how things work and we quickly found out the grounds have been temporarily closed due to the rain.  As time went by excitement turned to frustration they talked of turning us away or parking us on a gravel lot with no hook ups.  Some where around 3;30 pm they opened up the gates and we made our way quickly to our spot. Phew!!  We went straight to happy hour as soon as the A/C was up and running.  Burgers for dinner and talked to some of our neighbors. 

Wednesday 17 July 2019

Even before breakfast but after coffee we went down to the service center to sign in for some service.

We wanted our three slide serviced, two TV's weren't receiving cable or air signals and I have one basement bin leaking.  After filling out the paper work we were on the waiting list and it wasn't long until they called and told us to be at the service center at 6:30 am Thursday morning.  Next was breakfast at the Cabin Coffee café, we had a very good croissant sandwich.   We drove around town for a while re-familiarizing ourselves with the area.  We were here in 2013 and not much has changed.  Back to the Moho, walked around the campground and stopped at the office to get our badges and seems they couldn't find them. It is still hotter than crap mid 90's  plus and 90% humidity so we didn't move fast or far.  We had sausages for dinner, stayed inside in the A/C and started packing for service in the morning.

Found this a the visitors center!

Thursday 18 July 2019

 Now some of you may remember that the Angeli girls do not do well at 5:00am. I was up and had a cup of coffee but someone had to wake Diane.  I was going to call her on the phone but eventually worked up the nerve and took her a coffee.  She was really already awake waiting on her coffee.  We made it to the service center at 6:30 right on time.  We dropped off the coach  and headed to breakfast (with Rudy) so Diane had to order while I waited with Rudy. The temps are still in the mid 90's so we couldn't leave Rudy in the truck at all.  We drove to Mason City and Clear Lake about 35miles away. Clear Lake is a resort type town with little shops and a park on the lake.  We walked around on the shady side of the street,  had lunch in the park but just to hot to enjoy the place.  We took the long way home and arrived at the service center about 2:30 and the Moho was waiting on us.  Oh Yea!  Went in to pay only to find out they weren't done. Oh Boohoo.  We have to bring it back tomorrow at 6 AM.  Back to the camp ground park for the night and leftovers for dinner and early to bed.

Friday 19 July 2019

Up at 4:30 (that's right) day two of service.  Not much talking this morning Rudy would not get out of bed until Diane started to put the slide in.  We arrived at the service center 6:05 not to bad.  Today they are working on the slide outs.  We went to breakfast same place same food.  We just went back to the service area to sit, just to hot to be outside. We waited until lunch, went to lunch and back to wait some more.  There were probably 35 people and 15 dogs in the center all who were up by 5AM and have been here for 8 or more hours.  When some one went for a walk some else took their seats.  Moho came out about 3:18.  We went to pay and guess what.  We need to bring it back but after the rally to get new slide out motors.  Good news is we are done for now.  Back to our site, get situated, and grabbed a beer.  Hot, sticky, tired and just wore out.  Showers and bed.

Saturday 20 July 2019

Done with service and time to go have some fun.  Today begins the Pucker Brush celebration in Forest City.  We arrived in town at 10:30 for the parade and then some good fair food.  At around

The storm heading for the Rally Grounds!

11:15 just half way through the parade a severe storm hit.  Wind 50/60 mph and rain.  We were by the vendor's area and tents, hats, all kinds of stuff flying around.  We ended up in a entry way with 3 little boys crying because a lot of the candy they collected blew away.  We kept them company until their parents came by to pick them up.  Back to Moho, no fair food for us. When the storm was over we went for a stroll with Rudy and three of the  porta potties had blown over, one of the tents blew away and three big event tents collapsed. The only good news the temp's dropped quickly into the 60's.  Diane did laundry (in town) we had dinner and called it a day.

Last days in Fayette, Iowa!!

Saturday 13 July 2019

After a quick breakfast we drove 40 miles to the nearest town (Decorah) with a good grocery store.  It was a nice drive and a nice day.  First we stopped (guess where) that's right for lunch.  It was a nice

Beautiful buildings,

Norwegian influence. 

family dinner the service and food was good.  Next was a farm store, dress store and then Walmart( I know but we needed wine) I even went in with Diane and she didn't say once go wait in the truck.  After that we drove through town and again a lovely town with lots of history we stopped at one antique store, a short walk in downtown and then to the grocery store.  They had a nice meat department and we loaded up. It was after five by the time we got back and Rudy was happy to see us.  We wanted a fire but again the heat and flies drove us inside.  Chicken on the grill to top off a good day.

Sunday 14 July 2019

The camp ground emptied out today.  I think there are 6 or 8 campers left in the park.  Rudy and I are recovering nicely from are illnesses just need to keep taking pills.  Diane headed into town to the laundromat to do bedding, towels etc. just to much for our washer.  I started washing the Moho as Rudy stood guard beside me.  Once he chased off an entire herd of bunnies(2) that had encroached into his territory.  Diane came back we unloaded had some wine outside, with a fan on high and a fly swatter in hand it was 

Rudy doesn't like

Air Conditioning!

bearable.  I grilled up some chicken breast and we had wraps for dinner.  Then we were just sitting around doing evening stuff like watching TV and computer games when I decided to swat a gnat hovering over my wine glass.  With just one good swing I sent my almost full glass of wine across the table onto my lap on it's way to the floor and over to the sofa.  Oh YEA!  I did not get wine on the ceiling or Rudy but everything else in the living area was red.  Diane still loves me. I no longer mind the gnats on my wine cup.

Monday 15 July 2019

Breakfast burrito made on the grill.  Pills all the way around for Brad and Rudy. The heat continues it was 73 when I got up this morning heading to 87.  And for whatever reason the flies are terrible.

Our last night!!

I washed some of the Moho.   Diane did a bunch of phone calls, put dinner in the crock pot, did some bill paying, a load of laundry and organizing for our trip tomorrow.  Left overs for lunch.  Then it was time to get serious about getting ready. I finished washing the Moho ( I have to do sections as the sun/shade moves) and Diane went to town, post office, grocery store and farmer's market. She returned we finished packing and tried to have our last wine outside but the flies drove us inside.  A nice meal, walk around the CG, Rudy and Bradley pilled and off to bed for the two of them.  

Moving to Fayette, IA

Monday 8 July 2019

A little cooler this morning (68) I took advantage and started packing before Diane was up.  This is this first day that it was below 70 in the morning.  And before I forget this will be the 3rd day in a row with out rain.  We were packed and ready to roll by 10:00. It was into the low 80's by the time I unhooked the water/sewer and on the sunny side.  I'm glad I did most it early.  We headed out route 20 a four lane road quite rough in some places.  We stopped at a Flying J with RV lanes.  Turns out it was one pump at a slight angle just as I pulled in a camper pulled in going the wrong way and a SUV was blocking the other side.  I tried to make the turn to go out couldn't make it. Now we are blocking half of the entrance.  Diane thought we could make the turn going the wrong way.  That certainly beat unhooking the truck while blocking the entire entrance to a Flying J.  I cranked the Moho as hard as I could and we just cleared the curb and we were out of there.  We pulled into a Target parking lot for lunch somewhere near Waterloo IA.  When we left the intersection was under construction leaving very narrow travel lanes and hard turns.  I made the turn Diane was watching the truck in her mirror and I had my head out the window to see if my mirror would miss the lane closed sign. Phew!!  We made it.  The rest of the trip was uneventful and we arrived.  Except the road into the state park was long with three turns and poor signage.  However we guessed right and got to our spot without any further ta do.  The traditional travel day burgers and nice walk for Rudy.

Tuesday 9 July 2019

We are set up and enjoying the park.  The sites are very nice and large with a picnic table and a nice fire pit.  Brad and I headed into town about 11:00 and stopped for lunch at the local diner, not bad. 

Old Town Architecture and

one of the heated streets!!

We walked up the street, stopped at a little shop that had wine, cheeses, meats and animal feed.....you can tell  you're in the back woods of Iowa.  We crossed the street and did the local museum, which was a sanitarium, and a few other things before it became the museum.  It was a guided tour and they actually had a lot of interesting things and the lady had a lot of interesting stories to tell.  After that we headed back through town, when Brad decided it was processed cheese on his sandwich and not real Cheddar cheese so it's time to head home.  Brad was pretty much under the weather the rest of the night, so it was chicken and green beans for dinner a couple of walks and an early evening for us all.

Wednesday 10 July 2019

We got up and had a nice breakfast, then I started cleaning while Brad waited for his time to take Rudy to the vet (he has a spot on his leg he keeps licking and now has it raw).  While they were gone I worked on cleaning the floor and doing a good steam cleaning.  I had both bathrooms and the bedroom done until they got home.  We then had tomato sandwiches for lunch and then I threw Brad and Rudy out until I finished the rest of the Moho.  Now this is not an exciting day, but it needed to be done and I felt good getting it finished.  We had a very nice evening meal, steak, mushrooms and a baked potato....it was a good day.

Thursday 11 July, 2019

Fort Atkinson

We got up and headed out about 10:00 going into Fayette for breakfast, what a mistake, not a restaurant in site, a bakery, but not breakfast.  So up the road to West Union to the Gus and Tony's Cafe for a nice breakfast. This is the same place that feed me cheese spread and called it cheddar, but breakfast was good and we had entertainment.  One of four old geezers came over to ask what brings Pennsylvania's to his town.  He was quite interesting and we learned a lot about West Union IA.  The most interesting thing was that main street around the court house and two blocks each direction and all the businesses have been set up to use geo-thermal heat.  The town drilled 120 wells, replaced all the water and sewer lines, paved the streets with brick and used directive concrete in the drainage areas.  It costs over 10 million most coming from the geo-thermal industry as a grant.  He left just as we finished our last bit of breakfast.  We were off to Fort Atkinson, the Bily brother's clock museum, the smallest utilized church in the USA and back home for diner.  Now these places are not something you drive out here to see but they are all very  interesting and each bring a piece of history with them.  The Bily brothers who were farmers and carved clocks in the winter were offered one million dollars by Henry Ford for a clock.... they refused the offer. WOW!  On the way home we stopped at a local vegetable stand for 

some corn and strawberries and the strawberries were wonderful.

4 pews and holds 8 people

built in 1885 and still

used today!

The clocks were Beautiful

but no pictures allowed!

PS.  As the day wore on I began to notice some pain in my ear.  A quick stop(3hrs) at a walk in clinic and I was on my way with drugs for an ear infection.  Oh Yea!!

 Friday  12 July, 2019

It was 60 degrees this morning that's the coolest is has been in a long time.  We had breakfast on the grill and Diane headed into town for a haircut and started to wash the Moho. It was 1 o'clock by the time she returned and I was tired of scrubbing. We had lunch, cleaned up and for a reward we took ourselves to a winery just outside of the park.  A little like the Field of Dreams movie,  honed out of an Iowa corn field is this winery. To our surprise there were ten of us there for a tasting which was free.  You get five free samples but apparently for lady couldn't count as we had at least ten each.  Just goes to show you 'if you build it they will come'  it was really nice.  Back to the Moho chicken on the grill with some local Iowa wine.  A good day.

The road to the winery, yes in the middle of a corn field

The winery was actually cute and the wine not bad!!

Webster City and Fort Dodge

Friday 5 July 2019 Lehigh IA

I was down and out for the day.  I just sat/laid around the house all morning sipping on green tea and throat lozenges.  Diane went for a bike ride, then a walk and then a bike ride.  By lunch I felt a little

Theses small towns have

such grand old buildings!!

better so we headed to check out Webster City.  We had lunch (pizza) at Leon's Pizza it was good and we got the large so we had leftovers.  A quick stop at a antique store and I was wearing out fast.  Last store was ACE hardware for a flag and then back home.  The weather is still hot and humid and that wears a person out anyway.  I walked in the house got a green tea and flopped on the sofa.  Diane walked around the campground talking to just about every one.  Seems most of the people live within 25 to 30 miles from here come here every holiday and of course they know each other.  We are the only ones from out of state.  Everyone has been nice and they all want to know how we ended up in Webster County IA.  This is a great lake for fishing (best is the state some say) I wish I would have felt better.  Diane finally came in left over pizza for me and Diane had a cheese sandwich( I offered).

Saturday 6 July 2019

Part of the old Fort.

I'm Going  to Live!!  I'm Going to Live!!  Feeling much better, not great but better.  We headed into the Fort Dodge museum Fort.  We stopped for lunch at Sneakers Restaurant. It was good Diane had a buffalo chicken wrap and I had wings.  The museum was interesting always so much info it is hard to comprehend.  They built these forts so fast after the civil war and many were only in use for a few years.  Fort Dodge was one of them only being used about 4 years.  The army just abandoned the place and not many survived.  The guy who acquired Fort Dodge was a bit of a historian and had the foresight to preserve the buildings.  It was really quite interesting.  We stopped at the grocery store and decided on crab stuffed mushrooms on the grill for dinner.  Back to the Moho, walk Rudy, fire  up the grill and ready for dinner.  What a let down.  The crab filling had no crab meat, mostly some kind of cream cheese stuff with a flake of crab meat.  The mushrooms themselves were great.  But that filling made my stomach churn within the hour.  

There used to be a pottery

here in Fort Dodge.

What a collection!!

Sunday 7 July 2019

Feeling even better today. I made breakfast on the grill.  We started packing for our road trip tomorrow while watching the 4th of July crowd pack and leave.  There are 47 sites here and only 6 of us are staying tonight.  Most of the people live very close so there was no big rush in the morning and a few were still here until five or so.  Around lunch we headed to Walgreen's and then the grocery store to stock up for Fayette IA.  Seems each campground is getting a little more remote.  Back to the Moho just sausages on the grill for dinner.  We wanted a fire but just to hot.

Happy 4th of July from Iowa.

Monday July 1, 2019

We got up and packed hitting the road about 10:00.  We stopped at a visitor center and while pulling in,  it ended up being a tight turn and we had to disconnect the truck and back up the Moho just to get into the lot.....they need to mark it no Moho over 30 foot in length.  We got parked and headed into

Flooded Fields!!

the center to get a map of Iowa and some visitor info, not much to be had for the area we are headed to, but we'll see how it goes.  Since we were already parked we had lunch and watched 4 more travel trailers and campers pull in.  Just as we were getting ready to hook up the truck, here came another so we had to wait until he got around us, we hurried up and hooked up and got out of there before we couldn't.  Back on the road and the rest of the ride was uneventful, but we were amazed at the amount of fields that are still flooded here in Iowa, lots of farmers haven't been able to plant, some couldn't even get to their homes through the flooded fields.  We found the campground, disconnect then off to find our spot....actually not bad at all.  Not much shade, but plenty of room with picnic table and a fire ring.  We got set up, our traditional burgers for dinner, then off to bed.

Tuesday July 2, 2019

After breakfast we did another 30 min. walk then headed into Fort Dodge to find a bike shop, my bike tire bit the big one.  First stop was for lunch at a place called Mineral City Mill and Grill, but just as Brad was getting ready to pull into the left turn lane, the two vehicles coming towards us, side swiped each other....so down the road a little further until he could pull over to turn.  Lunch ended up being ok but we have decided all the crazy drivers live in Iowa.  I think there were about 4 close calls in the parking lot while we ate lunch.  Back on the road, a tour through town, which is actually much larger that either of us thought and then we find the bike shop and drop it off for a new tires and a little maintenance.  After that we headed to Hi-Vee for a few groceries then back home to rescue Rudy.  On our way home we get a text the bike is done, but that will have to wait until Wednesday since we now have groceries in the car.  Brad grilled a steak and we had that on a salad, ended up being a nice meal, but it is still awfully hot and there are thunders storms every day.  After dinner I noticed the neighbors car and it looks as if it was the one that got hit in town today.....what are the chances?  I walked over to talk to them and it was the mom of the group, but she hasn't told anyone else at camp what happened.  

Campsite for the Week!

Wednesday July 3, 2019

We got up and Brad made breakfast on the grill, then we did our 30 min. power walk, talked with the neighbor, cleaned up and headed into the bike shop. Now by this time Brad's throat is really getting sore, but he still won't admit he is sick.  We did some more touring and stopped at the Community Tap and Pizza for lunch.  We ordered the 3 meat bar-b-q plate and split it....it was good and there was plenty for us to eat.  We headed down, picked up the bike, looked for antique shops....nothing, found a second hand store, nothing of interest, then we were headed out of town a different way when we found Fort Dodge, an actual fort at the other end of town, put that on the schedule to come back and tour when Brad is feeling better.  We then had to had back through town to Target, seems with the flu, we are down to 1 box of tissues and the 3 in the house are all running low.  A quick trip around target, back home then I headed up to the farm house at the end of the road for fire wood.  Back home, a nice fire and grilled some hot dogs, then off to bed with Brad while I cleaned up, took the trash out and did a final walk of the CG to check out all the activities.

Thursday July 4, 2019

Happy 4th of July everybody!!  

OK, it got Brad and he is down and out for the day, toast for breakfast and a rest in bed.  I did a 30 min. bike ride then headed home to check on Brad.  Brad got up, another cup of green tea, then back to bed for a rest, so I did another bike ride, this time down to the dam, watched some people horse back ride and another group of fisher people on the other side of the road.  Back home, I sat outside for a while and had a water, walked inside and just as I was sitting down, Brad and Rudy opened the door and came into the house.  Seems they were out for a stroll and we missed each other going through the park.  I then took a shower and we had lunch, left over chicken and steak over salad and another rest for Brad, this time on the sofa.  I took the truck back up to the local farm and got some more fire wood, rode down to the fishing pier, then headed home.  Thunderstorm hit just as the ham steak was done on the grill.  No fire tonight and  Brad is off to bed early again tonight.