We said our goodbyes to Phil on Sunday evening, August 9th. It just never gets easy to do so and I dread the thought all day before doing so. I must say it's comforting to know he is happy in MN and looking forward to the cold weather! We will return in the cooler months and we look forward to the thrill of tubing and ice fishing again!
Our stay in Decorah, IA (August 10-11) was a great visit. It was wonderful to see our dear friends Donna and Dick Brown but it was also sad to see the effects of dementia, as our friend Dick is suffering and Donna is coping. It won't be long before he will have to be admitted to a full-time nursing home. Neurological deterioration is so hard to see when you remember that person being so vibrant and full of life and quick-witted but now has succumbed to simple smiles, asking the same question over and over again, and making impish sounds, and more emotional when he looks at you and he really doesn't remember who you are. It is sad, so very sad.
We had a full visit with Donna and Dick yesterday (Aug. 11) where we started off going to Iowa's Pike's Peak State Park; however, we ended up going to Effigy Mounds National Monument, the quaint town of McGregor, and then Pike's Peak State Park, but Donna decided we needed to go over the Mighty Mississippi to Wisconsin (Prairie Du Chien)! I have to say, Donna Brown is such a hoot! I think she needed that road trip more than us, which gave her a bit of a break from the everyday craziness she is going through right now.
We have to say the 2 mile climb and walk through the Effigy Mounds National Monument was fabulous! I have such beautiful photos but at the moment I am at the local Panera in Davenport and we have a 30-minute limit on their "free Wifi" even though we purchased our deserts of a cherry pastry for Thom and a blueberry muffin for me! But, I will post loads of photos when I have the time to sort through them! And, Iowa's Pike's Peak State Park is actually the first site named for Zebulon Pike two years prior to Pike's Peak in Colorado! The views were amazing. We will definitely explore this park more and perhaps even camp there!
Our stay at the Interstate RV Park in Davenport has been quite an adventure, and not one that we would like to repeat! After great grilled pork chops (if I do say myself) and learning I can cook microwave vegetables on the grill in their bag, it became quite obvious that there was a reason the lot next to us was cordoned off with a garbage can and a rock, the septic was overflowing! We informed the front desk, but I'm pretty sure they already knew there was an issue there. We were moved two sites over but was told not to hook-up. This was not so good considering we just dry camped for two days in Decorah at Sampson Springs Campground. When our Texas neighbors returned from their outing and found out they could not use the septic system they moved somewhere within the park. As this is a "NO REFUND" park, all of us are at their mercy unless we call the EPA! We shall see how they rectify this problem tomorrow.
BUT, and that's loudly typed here, there are other problems at this campground. I will leave this blog post with a photo of what I mean! You can imagine Thom's reaction when he saw this considering his background!
Interstate RV Park, Davenport, IA - A fan used to cool down the electrical boxes! ARE YOU NUTS?
This is a great campground; a mom and pop place that doesn't want to be invaded by rallies or clubs but rather likes the locals who come out to fish for trout. We were the only residents there for two peaceful and quiet nights! We will return most definitely! Two RVs stay full-time but the residents leave for IA and MN only to return each weekend during the summer!
I can't tell you what lot we were on - we were just there in a 50 AMP spot! Perfect!
Until next blog (with lots of photos) ...
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