Currently in Claremore OK (Low 68 Clearing After Storms High 86)
After a jam packed two weeks in the Kansas City area visiting friends and family we departed yesterday and headed to Claremore Oklahoma northeast of Tulsa. So for the next few days we are living on "Tulsa Time". We are staying at the Will Rogers Downs KOA.
It was approximately 220 miles, this is the route we took.
But it was
not uneventful trip that is for sure. Bob had purchased an Edge Evolution Diesel Programmer
which ran great for awhile but then we had a great loss of power. We
pulled off to the side and Bob switched back to the original
programming. This worked again for a few miles but then about 2 miles
from the park it happened again so we pulled off to the side of the road
once more. A very nice Oklahoma State Trooper stopped and made sure we
were OK.
While on the phone with Good Sam Emergency Roadside Assistance Bob had the idea to turn the ignition on and off a few times to hopefully achieve a reset. Since we were still on the phone we decided to give it a try and it worked because we were able to get to the KOA with no further problems.
During check-in Bob mentioned the problems we were having and as luck would have it the husband of the gal who checked us in was a mechanic at a shop that specialized in diesels and diagnosed problems for free. So we unhooked and Bob headed off to the auto shop. The mechanic put the monitor on and found no problems. We then went for about a 10 mile test drive and he monitored all the parameters and everything checked out. Since there was nothing to fix there was no charge. But we'd like to give Fatt Daddy's Auto Repair a shout out. Since it was a semi emergency they worked us in right away, were very knowledgeable and friendly. If you have problems with your truck in Claremore Oklahoma, near Tulsa, we recommend these guys.
After that excitement we are probably just going to kick back and relax a little, catch up on laundry, generally try to recharge after being on the go so much the last two weeks. There is a Will Rogers Memorial Museum we are thinking about going to today.
Till next time,
Bob and Jo
Currently in Peculiar MO (Low 64 Partly Cloudy with Rain Currently 66)
Heading to Claremore OK (Currently 70 Cloudy with Storms High 84)
Although we have stayed a few times at this park this was one of the few times we have been in one of the pull thru sites. Since it is very likely that most visitors would probably end up with one of these sites we thought it would be a good idea to review the park from this perspective.
Conveniently located right next to Interstate 49 south of the Kansas City area it is probably the best park in the area, especially for longer stays. The downside is that the road noise is fairly consistent all day long and pretty loud. Sounds strange to say but that is an upside too. It is consistent enough that you do get used to it. All the park roads and sites are gravel and it can get a little dusty if it is dry. There is good spacing between sites.
The pull thrus are long enough to stay hooked up if necessary or to park your 2nd vehicle. The hookups are convenient. Here is the Lifestyle from the front.
To the right.
To the left.
From the rear.
The view of Interstate 49.
The folks in the office are great. Having farm fresh eggs and home grown tomatoes for sale in the office was an added bonus.
We leave today for Oklahoma as we start our trek to Albuquerque for the International Balloon Fiesta.
Till next time,
Bob and Jo
Currently in Peculiar MO (Low 63 Cloudy Rainy Not as Warm but Humid High 72)
We recently added a safety upgrade and a storage upgrade to our 2010 Ford F-350 DRW. The safety upgrade was the Powergate Tailgate Lock. This adds a deadbolt that operates with the remote for the power locks for the door. We haven't had any problem yet but decided to no longer take any chances.
The storage upgrade was a DU-HA underseat storage unit for the back seats in our Ford F-350 Dually SuperCab. Here is the storage unit empty.
We were able to get a surprising amount including our grocery recycling bags, the jack and its hardware, and other stuff.
With the seats down you can't even tell that there is stuff there. So maybe this is both a storage and safety upgrade because if would be thieves can't see what's there they are less likely to break-in.
A couple of upgrades that were needed, besides it has been awhile since we've done anything to the truck and Bob was afraid he might have to turn in his man card :-)
Till next time,
Bob and Jo
Currently in Peculiar MO (Low 59 Mostly Sunny and Humid High 83)
September 10th marked the 7th anniversary of our first night sleeping in our RV. Except for some time spent in a hotel while getting some work done we have spent every night in one of the two RVs we have owned.
Here are some of our favorite pictures from the last year of fulltiming.
It has been an amazing journey, one we hope to continue for a long time.
Till next time,
Bob and Jo
Currently in Peculiar MO (Low 70 Showers and a Heavier Thunderstorm High 85)
Our old hometown area of the Belton/Raymore area surely misses us, or at least the foodie spots do. A number of places that we regularly ate out are now out of business. The list includes (in no particular order); Bob Evans, Sheridan's Custard, Ryan's Steakhouse, New China House, Lucille's Diner in Peculiar, Diamond Ray's in Harrisonville.
We left our hometown area 7 years ago for the road. We have been back a few times but we never understood the impact we had on the local economy.
Some new places have been added like Freddy's Steakburgers, Golden Corral and a Texas Roadhouse. A Chinese place is going into the old Ryan's Steakhouse location. We just hope that they have factored in that we are not in the area and still have the enough business without us.
Till next time,
Bob and Jo
Currently in Peculiar MO (Low 62 Sunny and Humid High 88)
We would like to wish everyone a Happy Labor Day.
We are proud to be Americans and will always stand for our National Anthem.
Hope everyone has a great Labor Day!
Till next time,
Bob and Jo
Currently in Peculiar MO (Low 58 Pleasant With Some Sunshine High 77)
We left Waukee Iowa yesterday and drove to Peculiar Missouri. We are staying at the Peculiar Park Place RV Park.
It was approximately 220 miles, a long day for us anymore. Here is the route we took.
We have a jam packed two weeks meeting with family and friends.
Till next time,
Bob and Jo
Currently in Waukee IA (Low 64 Partly Sunny High 79)
We left yesterday from Clear Lake Iowa and headed to Waukee, also in Iowa. Our destination, Timberline Campground.
It was approximately 130 miles, this is the route we took.
While here we will be meeting family and friends and of course eating out
Till next time,
Bob and Jo
Currently in Clear Lake IA (Low 64 Some Sun, A Thunderstorm in Spots Currently 69)
Heading to Waukee IA (Currently 73 A Shower or Thunderstorm in Spots High 81)
Mason City Iowa is just a few miles from Clear Lake on the other side of of I-35. We did not know that it was ranked as the 14th best city for architecture sightseeing. Frank Lloyd Wright is a big reason for that. It started in the early 1900s when FLW was in Mason City designing the Park Inn Hotel. Dr. George and Eleanor Stockman met FLW while he was in town and asked him to design a house for them, what is now known as the 1908 Stockman House.
They wanted the $5,000 Fire Proof House that was featured in a Ladies Home Journal article. Here is a model of the fire proof house.
Here is a model of the final product, slightly different than the fire proof house.
Here is a picture from the visitors center showing the house and some of the interior. You could not take pictures during the tour inside the house.
The 'theme' of this house according to the tour guide was symmetry. Here is the front of the house, notice the windows, how the centerline of the windows is at the centerline of that side.
The back of the house shows the same symmetry.
One neat thing is that there were no exterior gutters. Here is how the rain gutters were setup.
We heard a couple of things from the tour guide or from the movie at the visitors center that made us glad we took the tour. The Stockman House is the only prairie style house that you can tour in Iowa and it is the only middle class prairie style house that you can tour in the entire United States. All of this in Mason City Iowa, pretty cool.
We leave today for Waukee Iowa for more friends and family.
Till next time,
Bob and Jo
Currently in Clear Lake IA (Low 52 A Thunderstorm in Spots High 74)
After a haircut for Jo and pedicures for both of us, along with a good food at Jensen's Cafe, El Toro Restaurant and Zuppa Cucina, we left Prior Lake Minnesota yesterday and headed to Oakwood RV Park in Clear Lake Iowa. We are in one of the longest pull thrus we have ever seen.
It was approximately 125 miles, this was the route we took.
Bob's sister KB and friends Sam and Kevin were also camping in Clear Lake this weekend. We met them at 'The Musky Lounge' where we have eaten before. This time instead of the musky burger we split the walleye fish fry and the broiled shrimp. Good food and good company.
The rest of the weekend we plan on more eating out and doing some sightseeing, just having a great time.
Till next time,
Bob and Jo
Currently in Prior Lake MN (Low 50 Partly Sunny Currently 58)
Heading to Clear Lake IA (Currently 61 Times of Clouds and Sun High 73)
You know it's time to head south, that winter is just around the corner, when you see these pants at Sam's Club, fleece lined pants.
Yesterday was a great day. After a couple days traveling in a row we both slept in and had breakfast at home. After showers we went to one of our favorite places to eat, Jensen's Cafe. After a wonderful meal, with lemon ricotta pancakes to share later, we took Jo to her haircut appointment.
While Jo was getting her hair cut Bob shopped at Sam's Club then Walmart and then a Farmers Market. He timed it pretty good as he only had to wait about 5 minutes and Jo was walking out. We then got much needed pedicures.
Yesterday was also a great day because it was the beginning of pumpkin season. Look what Bob found in Sam's Club.
These mini muffins are one of our favorite pumpkin things, a fantastic start to pumpkin season.
Our new rule is when we see fleece lined pants for sale we head south so today we are heading to Clear Lake Iowa. Bob's sister and some friends will be camping in Clear Lake so we are sure food and good times are ahead.
Till next time,
Bob and Jo
Currently in Prior Lake MN (Low 63 Mostly Sunny High 76)
It was a dark and stormy night. It was kind of eerie at the Northern Wisconsin State fairgrounds. We were the only ones there at the campground and there wasn't a streetlight, or any light, to be found. A storm was coming in and it rained overnight.
Maybe that is why the sunset was so spectacular.
After spending one night we left yesterday and headed to Dakotah Meadows RV Park in Prior Lake Minnesota.
It was approximately 120 miles. Here is the route we took.
Last night Bob was able to connect with an old college friend. He met for supper and spent about 3 hours catching up on our exploits in the 70's to today. Another great benefit of the lifestyle we have chosen is reconnecting with old friends.
Today we plan on eating at Jensen's Cafe, one of our all time favorites and one of the places we discovered while fulltiming. Jo is also going to get a haircut and if we can work it in we are getting pedicures.
Till next time,
Bob and Jo
Currently in Chippewa Falls WI (Low 60 Cloudy with Chance of Rain Currently 67)
Heading to Prior Lake MN (Currently 68 Partly Cloudy High 85)
The day started out promising. SlideMaster finished the sliding cargo tray and began the installation. This gave us an opportunity to go into Antigo and visit Peroutka's Meat Processing.
Known for beef jerky, hot dogs, and all kinds of sausage, we bought chicken brats, philly steak and cheese brats, hot dogs, snack sticks, etc. Sadly they were out of beef jerky, you almost have to be there when they start selling as it sells out quickly. We got diesel and then lunch at McDonalds and headed back.
We put everything back in the basement area and hooked up and headed to Chippewa Falls. By now it was too late to go to our next intended stop in the Twin Cities area since we would be dealing with rush hour traffic.
It was approximately 130 miles to Chippewa Falls and the Northern Michigan State Fairgrounds. This is the route we took.
The day that started out promising turned sour with the perils of moving your house down the road at 65mph. We have three hanging lights above the island, we had three now we have two.
The end light worked it way free and swung around breaking the light fixture. A couple of the roads we were on were real rough. We had glass everywhere we had to clean up before we could let the cats out of the bedroom. A cute story about the cats and their travel day. It was about 1:30p when we left and the cats just couldn't figure out that we were leaving. Normally we are out by 11a. Usually as soon as Bob gets the bedroom done and the slide put in JJ leads the way with Sandra following shortly thereafter. Tiger sometimes goes up on her own but usually has to be carried. This time JJ and Sandra would have nothing to do with us leaving. We finished everything downstairs and still they weren't moving. We had to coax them with food.
We got here and got the glass cleaned up and the rod threaded back into the bracket and tightened. We now have another thing to add to the checklist. We were rewarded, however, with a pretty good sunset.
We will blog about our new sliding cargo tray later.
We leave today for couple nights in the Twin Cities that will be jam packed with pedicures and haircut and eating out of course.
Till next time,
Bob and Jo
Currently in Deerbrook WI (Low 46 Mostly Sunny High 76)
After a great six weeks at the City of Houghton RV Park we left yesterday for Deerbrook Wisconsin. We are at Innovative Industries (SlideMaster).
This is the route we took for the approximately 150 mile journey.
Along the way we stopped and visited our friends Bob and Carol. We saw their property and house in the woods in Conover Township. We then went out to eat lunch and then back to their place for more conversation. We met Bob and Carol a few years ago at the City of Houghton RV Park and have stayed in touch ever since. They were the inspiration to camp without a sewer hookup for a week at The Soo (Sault Ste. Marie Michigan). We are so glad that we did, we had a great time. Bob and Carol are selling everything so that they can join the fulltime RV community. We are so hoping it sells soon. After a great afternoon we continued our journey.
We are at SlideMaster to get a sliding cargo tray. Here is an example from the web.
We got here early Sunday evening and are hooked up, electric only, my aren't we getting adventurous? They measured this morning and are fabricating the slide. While they are doing that we are heading off today to a great meat market and Wal-Mart in nearby Antigo, and of course someplace for lunch. Tuesday morning they will install the cargo tray and we will be on our way.
Till next time,
Bob and Jo
Currently in Houghton MI (Low 49 Light Rain Currently 57)
Heading to Deerbrook WI (Currently 55 Partly Sunny High 66)
We cannot believe it already has been 6 weeks and we head off today to Wisconsin to get a sliding cargo tray installed. An incredibly fast 6 weeks that was a mixture of mostly relaxation and sightseeing of course surrounded by good food and nice people. First the foodie review after we show the view we had when we were relaxing by sitting outside and reading.
There are a lot of great places to eat in the area. The one that we ate at most was probably Roy's Pasties and Bakery. Jo's all time favorite pasty is a nontraditional pasty consisting of chicken and broccoli and cheddar cheese. The traditional pasty is also very good.
Roy's also serves a breakfast danish that is pasty-like in that cheese, egg and meat is stuffed inside a danish. Desserts are also good at this bakery.
Another place we ate at a lot was Suomi Home Bakery and Restaurant. Suomi serves a Finnish custard pancake called Pannukakku that Jo craves.
Omelets and pancakes are also very good at Suomi and they also serve a very good pasty.
The best pizza in the area is the greek pizza at The Ambassador.
We already blogged about Carmelita's in Calumet and the thimbleberry margarita.
The food there is really good too.
Another spot in Calumet worth mentioning is Connie's Kitchen which serves Bob's favorite traditional pasty in the area. They also have a Wednesday special of a green pepper pasty that is Bob's favorite nontraditional pasty. We bought extra green pepper pasties, and Roy's chicken and broccoli and traditional pasty to freeze to have later in the year.
Since we have been here before and seen most of the places to see already we didn't do much sightseeing. We saw and blogged about the Copper Country Fire Museum in Calumet, the historic Catholic Churches in Houghton-St. Ignatius and Calumet-St. Joseph, visited 'The Gipper's' grave, visited a Canal Park on Lake Superior, it was a treat when a Tall Ship visited, toured the Birthplace of Professional Hockey in Houghton, and saw The Blooze Brothers in the historic Calumet Theater. We kinda felt like we didn't do much but if you stack it all up together that wasn't too bad. We still have a couple of things we can do the next time we are here.
Like we said we mostly relaxed and most of that was sitting outside and reading. We lost track of how many books we read. All in all it was a great time in Houghton.
We head today to Wisconsin to get a sliding cargo tray in our basement area.
Till next time,
Bob and Jo
