Jun 23, 2010 - A sojourn in Sioux City, Iowa.

After another “hairy” semi-sleepless night with 2 hours of 60-70 mph winds and some rain we actually woke up at 7:30am, which was on time for us as we had planned to spend a day in Sioux City. By 9:30 we had finished our breakfast, walking the dog and a few chores and we took off in the Honda for an hours drive to Sioux City. Sioux City is on the border of Iowa and Nebraska, with most of the city being in Iowa. Our first stop was at Trinity Heights where we parked outside the Museum, which was going to be our starting point. Oh my goodness...

Jun 22, 2010 - Another day in the life.....

Our work schedule here is pretty nice. In a 14 day work period we work approx 7 days. Usually 2 days on, 2 days off, 3 days on, 3 days off, 2 days on 2 days off…. That’s the structure, with exception of long weekends when we all work over the weekend. Today is the first of a 2 day off period and we really didn’t have a plan for today. After our late breakfast we went off to Wally World to stock up on a few items – of course we also picked up some items we didn’t really need, but did want. One of those was the DVD – It’s Complicated. As our...

Jun 19, 2010 - Not cut out to be policemen.

After the severe weather yesterday, the water slowly subsided (it took almost 24 hours) and the sun came out and we had a very pretty day here in Storm Lake. Even though we were working, the office faces the lake and we were able to watch the Hobie-Cat regatta taking place. All the bright colored sails racing against the blue sky what a gorgeous sight. These sailors booked here into our campground for the weekend, most of them in tents. Our tent area is in the north section of the campground and is very secluded. During dinner there was a...

Jun 18, 2010 - What a storm!!!!

Sheesh – I’ve been through some storms in my life time but today probably ranks as No. 1. We woke up to thunder and light rain at 7 am. I got up took a shower and made us bacon, eggs, toast and coffee. After a leisurely breakfast it was as if all hell broke loose. The thunder roared and roared and roared and with it the rain was coming down so hard that we could not see the lake. Then the first hail storm hit us. Luckily the size of the hail was under an inch around but it was pelting the RV with the heavy winds driving it. At the same time...

Jun 16, 2010 - No PJ's before 10 pm!

Eventually the sun is shining. Actually I don’t know if I should be rejoicing because we truly have been enjoying the cool weather at this time of the year. As you know I planted my tomato seeds for the upsy downsy planter the other day and have kept them covered in plastic wrap. Well… eureka! They have sprouted. Now I need to move them outside into the sunshine – just as well we actually have some of that today. As soon as they get strong enough and are a couple of inches high I will be transplanting them into their crazy container. Last...

Jun 13, 2010 - Wonderful cool weather.

We woke up this morning to 59 degrees and light rain. The forecast says light rain all day with a high of only 72…. Well it never even reached that and nor did we have much rain, but it is overcast and cool. This Florida girl is loving the cooler weather….. just hold the severe weather pleeeez!!! I can just hear all our northern readers saying .... Whaaaat? We want sun and heat in the summer! I wanted to mention something else about Storm Lake for those of you who have not ventured to this part of the world. It is home to a division of the...

Jun 12, 2010 - Storm Lake... Ahhhh Haaaa!

Well we have been here almost a month now and have had enough experience with this crazy weather to know exactly why they call this Storm Lake. It seems that our days are great, if not pretty windy for the most part but the nights are stormy, yes major thunder storms and lots of rain most nights…. We won’t discuss severe weather at this stage, all I can say we have only had the one frightening night so far. Yesterday I booked in 8 tent campers, four of which were camped close enough for us to see out of our RV windows. Shortly after...

Jun 9, 2010 - Crockpot Cheese Potatoes

What started off being our first 3 days off has now become 2 days off. We don’t really mind working the extra day – no problem. We will now work Thursday and Friday and then have Saturday, Sunday and Monday off. Not much to report today other than a quick trip to Wally World where Tony bought me a fishing rod and reel, more nightcrawlers and we bought one of those Upsy Downsy Tomato Hanger kits which were on sale for $2. When we got back home I started step one and that was to plant 2 types of tomato seeds in little containers. Large beefy...

Jun 8, 2010 - A German flavored day.....

After being woken up during the night with another thunderstorm I was happy to arise at 6am for my cuppa Java and breakfast. I left Tony to sleep – would you believe he slept right through the thunderstorm – only waking him as I was walking out the door at ten till nine for my Chiropractor appointment. When I got back Tony had the bed made, finished his breakfast and said he was ready to take a drive “somewhere”. As it was overcast and cool all day we thought a day in the car exploring the area sounded like a good idea. We headed west to...

Jun 6, 2010 - Excited campers.

As I have mentioned before we have not been involved with tent campers previously. We have always been in RV Parks, where we have our homes on wheels and every modern convenience at our fingertips – this is certainly not camping. Tenting is camping! One thing I really enjoy about watching the tenters on arrival, is their excitement as they all pile out of their cars and vans after a long trip. First we see Mom, Dad, kids and dog come to check in, full of anticipation about the week ahead that they are getting to spend quality together time...

Jun 4, 2010 - Awful storm and trip to Le Mars.

We had been asleep for just over an hour, when at midnight there was a frantic knocking on our RV door. Tony jumped up bleary eyed, went to the door and there was a Cop. He was warning us of a storm headed our way in about 20 minutes. He said it was producing winds in excess of 60 mph plus hail, and that we must go to a shelter. Well we don’t really have a shelter here in the campground, only the bathroom/laundry building which is built with block but has small windows and a lightweight screen door …. None of the requirements of a shelter,...

Jun 3, 2010 - Deer and Baltimore Orioles.... yes the birds!

This morning we were blessed by a visit of three deer in the campground. As most of you know wildlife is really what makes our “wheels turn”. Tony was out working early, driving in his buggy when he spotted them. I was still in the RV, so he called me to give me a heads up. They were very skittish, but nevertheless it was super to see them in our backyard. Every day we have been visited by 2 pairs of Baltimore Orioles …. The males are a stunning bright orange and black and such a pleasure to watch as they feed at our red hummingbird feeder....