August 5, 2012

We were the first to arrive at Camden SP probably a little bit after 1:00 PM.  We were pretty much set up when Julie, Arnie and family arrived.  About the time they were done setting up Leslie, Paul and the kids made it.  They were followed by Dennis, then Steve, Karen and Vadim.  A little later Laura and Mark arrived then finally Joyce, Lee and Mom got here.  The SHOWeR group was finally all together.

Camden is a pretty park.  There is a small manmade lake that the kids are canoeing in today.  The Redwood River runs through the park and there are three camping areas.  We’re in the upper.  The lower is near the swimming pond and there is a small horse camp across the tracks.  The tracks run through the park and are fairly busy, we often hear the trains and train whistle.

We did take a ride yesterday to see the park and a little of the area to the east and north to Marshall but that’s about it as this is more of a family visit time.  The younger kids have been active swimming, fishing and canoeing but most of the time has been watching grandkids and visiting.

Tomorrow we head home so I’ll try to add some pictures and wrap this up when we get home.

August 8, 2012

We arrived home Monday about 6:00 or so.  The drive took a little longer than planned as we had to stop 3 times to secure a body panel.  There are several panels on the coach that are held on with double stick body tape.  I’ve learned to easily deal with this when one comes loose.  I guess this time there was either too much residue from previous tape jobs or my tape is getting old because it would not hold.  After replacing it twice I got out the Scotch88 and got it anchored down for the last 30 miles.

The SHOWeR reunion was great fun.  The kids swam, fished and canoed and the little ones really enjoyed the bounce house.  Each family took turns preparing the evening meal which was great fun.  The different “camping food” choices were interesting and it was all good.  There were also two group breakfasts and a group lunch.  No alcohol was consumed as it is illegal in Minnesota State Parks (if you believe that I have a good used bridge to sell).

Camden SP is on our list of parks to revisit.  We did not get to spend any time exploring the area or to see as much of the park as we’d like to.  The topography changes as you move from east to west in Minnesota.  Around Camden it is more open prairie than farther east, more arid and rougher terrain but the glacier cuts seem less dramatic than in the east.  When we were in Shetek the staff was working to keep the trees alive in the new campground.  One ranger said that they had not had any rain since Memorial weekend.  While in Minnesota we got a little rain every three or four days.  The crops looked pretty good.  On the drive home you could drought damage kept getting worse as we went south.  Along I29 north of Council Bluffs fields that were under water last year are so dry the corn is dead and beans are close behind.

Well this will be my last post until our fall travels.  We’re not sure where we are headed yet but thinking of Colorado.