Here we are in Iowa

As we were very close to the eastern Iowa border we were soon rolling through that absolutely gorgeous state. We skirted Iowa City, Cedar Rapids and Cedar Falls, traffic was minimal and it was peaceful ride. I don't know how to describe the countryside, to paint a picture for you of the beauty of the very gently rolling fields of corn and soybeans punctuated by neat, crisp looking farms with white houses and red barns and towering silos. And photos simply do not do the scenery justice.

When we lived in La Paz I recall walking on the Malecon on the bay of La Paz and seeing layers of color... pale blue to deep turquoise, to the deeper blue water near the magote and marveling at the multiple layers of blues. The greens of the passing landscape were layered in such a way: light green of the grassy yards, the golden topped green of the unending fields of corn and deep, deep green of the bean fields, all framed by the blues, yellows and purples of wild flowers lining the road sides.

We arrived at our latest destination, Spirit Lake, Iowa around 5:30.
This is the part of RVing I don't really like, and the part Larry

Cutty's Okoboji Resort lodge

doesn't seem to mind at all. At this particular campground we were not allowed, once again, to use our golf cart (a disappointment for certain that later became rectified).  That means we had to remove both the golf cart and the car from the trailer, then hook the trailer to the golf cart. While Larry drove to a storage area to deposit the cart and trailer I scouted the assigned spot to ascertain if it suited our purpose and size. I was amazed that in this large campground I didn't see one other RV; almost all of the other residents had fifth wheel campers or tow alongs. I picked up Larry and took him to the site which I thought might be a bit tight but he deemed just fine. And it was, which is why he is the captain and I am the navigator.  We got set up, not without difficulty as the holding tank and sewer line gave some trouble. No need to go in to detail...

Larry relaxes........

We've found fellow campers to be a friendly group in general and the residents of Cutty's Okoboji Campground were no exception. I think it may be the close proximity of neighbors in campgrounds that lends itself to making immediate contacts and friendships. Our next door neighbors came back from an outing our second day there, and stopped by to introduce themselves. I admired the gorgeous big red tomatoes the woman was holding and she immediately offered to share, saying friends kept foisting tomatoes on them. I was a little embarrassed to be "begging" but she reassured me and I accepted. They brought us more the next day and we enjoyed those tomatoes in salads, sandwiches and fresh and cooked pasta sauces...delicious!

Sometimes when one meets people there is an immediate bond; I think the Italians call it simpatico. Whatever it is, Larry and I felt that with this native Iowa couple and I believe the feeling was mutual. We chatted with them several times over the next couple of days and they offered to take us on a tour of the surrounding communities and to Wisconsin (a short drive) for the best steak around. We met on a damp afternoon and piled into their van next day for a delightful tour.

In the fishery

We began to see the scope of the Iowa great lakes. Although the day was blustery and white caps topped the waves, we enjoyed these beautiful deep blue lakes, so clean and seemingly untouched,
despite serious development. We even stopped at a fishery and learned how the fish are "milked" in the spring and the fish eggs are raised to the point of fingerlings before being released, thus assuring good fishing year round. Our host told us about his hobby, ice fishing. Warm weather devotees that we are, Larry and I shivered just thinking about being out on the lake in sub freezing temperatures...for any reason.

Our tour included a tasting at a local winery, set in a beautifully remodeled barn with two lovely rooms for overnight stays...and buffalo in the back yard! The wine was delicious, a gift shop abounded in "winey" items and we thoroughly enjoyed chatting with the owner's daughter who teased Larry and told him she might have to banish him when he admitted to liking white zinfandel...from a box.

We drove on to Bergen, Wisconsin, perhaps the smallest town I have ever been in; if I remember correctly, the population is 20. There is a meat processing venture and a steak house. Our hosts brought wine and we stood outside on a patio awaiting seating in this busy restaurant; rain made it too wet to sit down. We sipped on our wine and our host pulled out a piece of paper and read a poem which he said had just come to him in the middle of the night.  Larry and I were touched by the beautiful words: a  fine toast, indeed.

                   "To new friends, God has

                   seen our paths be crossed.

                   Though faces again may never be seen   

                   Your memory will never be lost."

We enjoyed a delicious dinner and wonderful company that evening and the next as well, and I truly hope our paths cross again.

We were becoming quite familiar with the area and could find our way around without the GPS...most of the time! We saw a classic car show (we were not allowed to get too close to the cars; the owners are afraid of the drool factor!) and stopped by the Polaris factory to check out a Slingshot and Victory motorcycles which are made there. We also spent one day at Arnold's Park, wandering around to all of the shops and booths, and had a blast watching the little ones ride a not so gentle kiddie roller coaster. What fun,

seeing children as young as two lining up, by themselves, hopping aboard and then screaming, arms raised as they went around the bumpy course, only the cry out, "Again!" These Iowa kids are made of the right stuff!

  Taking a bit of a "busman's holiday," we were particularly pleased to enjoy an afternoon cruise on Queen II, a replica of a steamboat that plied the lake back in the 1800's. Unfortunately we were not 

able to hear all of the historical narrative due to windy conditions and thendisappointed once again to find we returned to the park too late to get into the maritime museum which had closed for the day. All and all though, a terrific day! 

Fall comes early in this area and while we were finding the days very pleasant the night temperatures were dropping to the mid-forties. Brrrrrr. It was time to move on, although I would be surprised to find any warmer in Rapid City, SD, our next destination.

Part of Cutt's Okoboji

Who??

Buddi enjoys the great outdoors

I know nothing!!

Really, really big prop

Adult fun