Karen's Blog

A Happy Accident

6/29/2020

A month or so ago I was notified that several people I know were going to be camping at West Overlook campground on the Coralville Reservoir this week. By that time, all of the sites down by the lake were taken so I picked one in a small loop at the top of the hill. There are just five sites on this loop shaded by huge old pines and overlooking a wooded ravine. It is absolutely lovely.

I managed to back Agatha in without rolling down the hill, and with friend Bob's help, got her somewhat level. I am very grateful for the AC (and the shade) since the forecast for today is 90 with high humidity and the rest of the week doesn't look much better.

Last night, two other couples who ended up on this loop shared their fire for grilling and we polished off our meal with watermelon, ice cream bars, and cookies. One cannot have too many desserts when camping. We had a nice visit after and I had a great night's sleep. It's a dog's life.

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Ghost Campers

6/20/2020

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One of the reasons I decided to write a series of mysteries that take place in campgrounds is the unique nature of your contacts with others there. You are in fairly close proximity to a number of people that you don't know and when you spot unusual activity, you tend to wonder and perhaps make up reasons to explain that activity.

I have been at Cherry Glen Campground on Saylorville Lake near Des Moines since Thursday. What has me perplexed (and making up plots) is not the activity at several campsites near me, but the total lack of it. There is a travel trailer across from me with a tow vehicle and not a soul out since Thursday. Next to it is a fifth wheel--no tow vehicle by that one, but again, no sign of life since I got here. Next to me is a motorhome with California plates, and the first night a man was out covering bikes against the expected rain, but not a glimpse of anyone since then. Granted, I have been gone a few hours each day, but when I am here, I have spent a great deal of time writing at my nifty little desk built into the dash with a great view through the big windshield of the surrounding area. Farther down the road, there is a lot of activity--kids out throwing a ball, people in lawn chairs, etc. But these three--i just don't know. If Frannie was here, I'm sure she'd check it out.

Meanwhile, I have been enjoying my time with family, especially my two great granddaughters, Olivia and Jordyn. Today we will be celebrating both of their birthdays with a small gathering. Their mother, Brooke does great birthday parties, and this one will feature an ice cream truck! Yesterday, Olivia, almost 4, came to visit my camper and was totally enthralled. She particularly liked the electric bunk over the cab and cartoons on the outside TV. Last night, when I went to their house for supper, she wanted to know why I wasn't in my camper. But as long as I was there, she led me on a tour of her Legos and directed my part in a drama involving her stuffed animals. Little Jordyn, just turned 1, is the exclusive focus of their two dachshunds, which explains O. J.'s rotund shape.

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A Glamping We Will Go, II

6/14/2020

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Although a touch on the warm side for my northern blood, we have been blessed with beautiful weather here at Pleasant Creek. Yesterday morning, I did a book took on The Time Travel Trailer. The group had great questions. Then in the afternoon, Carla's husband Jason talked to us about wheel bearings--very informative.

Last night we had a luau supper for the whole group: pork loin, Hawaiian rice, etc. Leis were provided as well as tropical drinks, with a campfire afterwards and a few lies being told. Decor included a palm tree and road signs. A wonderful evening finished with a beautiful sunset.

This morning we will pack up and head home to get ready for a visit from my boys who plan to finish the work on the pergola. Later in the week we will journey to Des Moines where I will camp at Cherry Glen and family will celebrate great granddaughters Olivia and Jordyn's birthdays. Busy times. I hope Agatha keeps up the good work.

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A Glamping We Will Go

6/12/2020

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This weekend Agatha is making her glamping debut at a small gathering of the Midwest Glampers at Pleasant Creek State Recreation Area near Cedar Rapids. This is the view from my writing spot this morning. We never camped at Pleasant Creek before, although Butch and I drove through it a few years ago and said "We should come back here." But we never did.

So now my long time friend Joanie and I are here with the Midwest Glampers. The Glampers are the women who inspired me to try and go it alone. It's a small group this time but lots of laughs already. Saturday night, they have a luau planned with a potluck for those who choose or bring your own meal for those who prefer that. Joanie and I did not come prepared with the appropriate costumes and we did discuss weaving grass skirts for the occasion but we are afraid the park rangers would frown on us cutting the amount of grass necessary. We walk over to the other loop after our supper last night to join the campfire. Lydia's adorable daughter roasted (read 'burned') marshmallows for everyone except Carol, who was waiting for a one toasted "golden brown." I don't know if she ever got one.

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Travels with Agatha

6/4/2020

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Trip No. 2 with Agatha (named of course for Agatha Christie) is now in the books. We opted for a mid-week stay at Tailwater West, a Corps of Engineers campground on the Coralville Reservoir, a little over a half hour away. It was my first driving venture on an interstate and, wouldn't you know a south wind was hitting me broadside at what seemed like 80 miles an hour. A bit of a white-knuckle experience. But overall, I am pleased with the driving ease of this lady. I managed to back it in to the campsite with only a little help.

It was probably not the best week for a trip. The beautiful 70 degree weather of the previous few days turned into 80s for our Monday arrival and 90s by Tuesday. I was slated to work the primary election back in West Liberty on Tuesday from 2:00-10:00 plus had an eye appointment on Thursday morning. Harriet also had to return on Tuesday to donate blood. She drove her car to the campground on Monday and I rode home with her on Tuesday, picked up my car, and drove it back to the campground after the polls closed. That meant for yesterday's departure we had five vehicles (and fortunately five drivers). Letha graciously drove my car back to town.

But it was a good trip and more valuable learning opportunities. The wind died down Monday night in time for a nice fire. Tuesday of course I missed the fire, but Wednesday morning we hiked the trail along the Iowa River and checked out the flow through the exit chute. We visited with a former student of mine who is also looking for a smaller camper and came out to look at mine. I got in a nap after lunch and we had a nice campfire in the evening.

The Wednesday night campfire got a little wild. We had had a visitor, Ricky Raccoon, the previous two nights, and he was back with a couple of friends. Toward the end of a very still evening, a sudden gust of wind stirred the fire and forced some shifting of chairs. It apparently also blew a small container containing a few pumpkin bars off the table. Suddenly we heard frantic growling as Ricky and his friends skirmished for the treats under Vince's truck. Meanwhile, Chloe, Ottaways' dog circled the fire stretching her leash right in the flames between her and her mistress. We noticed it just in time to save the leash. There was another incident with Letha that doesn't bear repeating in a G-rated blog.

All in all, a good trip. I learned how to dump the grey and black tanks, hook up fresh water, and got some more driving and backing experience. I also learned that I need to take along checklists for set up and tear down.

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The Good, the Bad, and the Scary

5/17/2020

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I usually write these posts while camping but for some reason Lake Darling State Park is a Black Hole for Verizon. We asked a young Verizon employee in nearby Washington once why that was the case and he insisted it was because it contained a "body of water." I assume that means if you live on the coast or a river or have a birdbath, you can't get Verizon service. Whatever.

Anyway, as I explained yesterday, this was my first solo adventure with my new (to me) camper. It was a mixed experience. First of all, you have the Covid restrictions. You are supposed to practice social distancing and most people did. We had decided ahead of time that we would not do our usual shared meals. We had one group campfire. We took walks in pairs or threes. We wore masks when out. The four chairs pictured above in my campsite were never used by anyone other than me.

The good news was that the weather forecast was not completely right. Wednesday and Thursday--our two full days there--were supposed to be very rainy. Wednesday was cool but lovely and Thursday only produced one small shower during the day. Wednesday, I went for a walk first by myself and then later in the morning on a mushroom hunt with Letha. We didn't find anything but enjoyed the spring greenery and flowers. We spotted red trillium several times.

However, on my early walk, I received a text (texting was the only outside communication I had) that my very close friend of 40 years had lost her fight with Alzheimers and pneumonia. The next day, I got notice that I had a message from a cousin but was unable to open it. Her mother--my mother's youngest sister--was not well and I suspected the worst. That was confirmed when I got home and was able to get to the message. Carol Dean (I called her Aunt Deanie) was more like a big sister when I was little, since she was only eleven years older than me. Two huge losses.

There were the usual glitches when one travels in a new rig, minor in comparison. I had loaded the coach in such a short time that I couldn't find anything without an extensive search. The outside compartments are in need of major reorganization. For example, the power cords and hoses are on the opposite sides that they should be. But those things can be easily remedied. There is the more serious battery issue to be addressed.

Meanwhile, back on the weather front. Wednesday night late, we had a loud and fast moving storm that woke us all up. However there was no wind to speak of. Thursday night was a different story. A deluge moved in after supper with 70mph wind gusts and several inches of rain. And it went on for hours. In normal times, the shower house would have been available as a storm shelter but it is locked up due to Covid 19. I rocked and rolled with the camper but she kept her footing and had no leaks.

The next morning the lake level was up at least 6 inches. Picnic tables on the lakeshore had become islands and docks were inaccessible. Packing up for the trip home required drying chairs and rugs out first. But all in all it was a welcome respite and I weathered--literally--my first trip.

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It Takes a Village...

5/15/2020

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...to get an old lady out camping by herself. I bought a 2014 Thor Vegas--a small motor home--a week ago, and did not have to drive it two-and-a-half hours home for my first foray. Brother-in-law Ken did the honors, as well as prompting me on good questions to ask. When the Iowa Campgrounds opened the next day, I couldn't resist an impromptu trip with our old camping group. We planning for social distancing, no communal meals, and masks.

I cleaned the rig, disinfecting surfaces, and stocked it with much (but not everything!) that I had taken out of the travel trailer before selling it. By noon Tuesday, I thought I was ready to go. The battery was deader than a door nail. Ken came and tried to jump it with no luck. A call to a local repair shop produced successful results, and by 4:00 I was ready to hit the road. Now, I should point out that I have no experience driving something that size (25 ft), although I have driven a Suburban (20 ft.) I relied on the backup camera, side view cameras, and mirrors a lot.

Neighbor Joy came over the help direct my back up to avoid destroying the neighbor's fence across the alley or the light pole by our drive. I made it out of the alley and through town. I had mapped out a route in my head to avoid any four lanes. I should have used a map.

The route I envisioned took me over the four lane on paved roads to Highway One, a nice smooth highway with much less traffic. That route does exist but about 7 or 8 miles further south. The one I took changes into a winding, hilly, twisty gravel road a couple of miles beyond the four lane. I finally made it before dark, but was so stressed that Ken agreed to park it for me. He also helped with some other first-time glitches. Vince and Ken helped me tune the TV in so I could get weather warnings of the severe storm that moved in later in the stay.

So I'm feeling pretty pleased with myself but obviously can't take all of the credit. Even my first supper was leftover meatloaf (a recipe from Joy) on homemade bread from another neighbor Colleen. I did roast the beets that I had as a side dish myself. The evening finished with a lovely sunset.

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Uneven Lanes and Sinkholes

4/3/2020

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I started this post a couple of weeks ago and then didn't get back to it. At the time, I had driven to Dallas to visit family and encountered several road work areas, including areas where one lane had been resurfaced and the other not, resulting in sometimes a slight bump when changing lanes and other times a jolt enough to cause a little heart skip and moment of fear. It seemed to me symbolic of my world at the time. My son and daughter-in-law were working from home, as were many others, and my grandson was finishing his first year of college online. In the last week, my routine and conveniences at home were upset by a needed repair to the floor in the main bathroom. My youngest grandson was scheduled to get his braces off and his driver's license in the same week. Both were cancelled due to shutdowns--a major upset when you're sixteen.

But at the end of the day, as I would sit down to watch the national and world news, it became obvious that the uneven lane scenario was not a good analogy. The road is full of sinkholes, sometimes opening up on people just when they think they are on solid ground.

I am very lucky. Yes, it's a lonely existence and difficult to plan much beyond a day. But I have plenty of food and supplies. Friends check on me and offer assistance. I am on a fixed income, which in normal times is considered a detriment but in this upheaval is a blessing. Most of all I have no health issues.

Yesterday I heard about 1300 people in a refugee camp in Greece with one water tap and no soap. New York and many other 'hot spots' of the virus are facing shortages of medical personnel and supplies. Unemployment is skyrocketing.

Closer to home, old friends/neighbors lost their son to pancreatic cancer. Another old friend and classmate lost her younger brother to a stroke. These families and many others face dealing with one of life's greatest tragedies without the personal support of friends and family that makes the grieving process more bearable. Local churches and organizations have had to cancel fund-raisers, which will hurt their causes in the long run. Decisions have to be made about reopening schools.

You know all of this. You can't avoid it. No one knows how long it will last. I have no words of wisdom or panaceas to fix this. All we are left with is sharing, caring, and preparing as best we can. And hope. There's always hope.

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Poems, Prayers, and Promises

3/22/2020

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More John Denver. Except I really have no poems to offer. However, most of us are offering prayers in this trying time. The changes since my last post two weeks ago are jolting. At that time, there were no confirmed cases of corona virus in Iowa. I had made plans to drive to Dallas ten days later to visit son Pat and wife Jill.

By Monday, the first cases were showing up but all connected with a cruise to Egypt. Basic precautionary measures were being touted online as well as on the local news. The crazy run on toilet paper began, causing those of us who were charged with educating many of the now adults to wonder where we fell down on imparting common sense.

As the week wore on, I began to reconsider my travel plans. But by the weekend, I could not see anything in my plan that would violate the guidelines. I would drive myself, take along my lunch, stay one night at Jill's parents lake house, and spend my time only with family. I figured there was no more risk than staying home for a week and doing necessary errands there.

I planned to leave on Wednesday, but when I looked at the weather forecast on Monday and saw the words severe weather for late Wednesday and Thursday all up and down my travel route, I decided to up my departure to Tuesday. Guidelines for avoiding the virus still focused on six-foot distances, washing your hands, and avoiding large gatherings.

As I headed south on Tuesday, I began hearing things like 'Elderly stay put!' and 'No discretionary travel.' I debated turning around but couldn't see any real gain so kept going. I arrived without a hitch on Wednesday afternoon.

Like many people, we found some distractions. A thousand-piece puzzle of 70s junk food kept us busy for several hours. Saturday afternoon, we took a ride around the area to look for stands of bluebonnets. Unsuccessful but certainly distracting. A drive through the marina where Pat keeps his boat inspired a search for You Tube videos on new boats and campers. And on Wednesday night we were treated to the incredible rainbow pictured above after a storm--a reminder of promises and not to lose hope.

But reality was never far away. Pat maintained his work connections through his computer and teleconferencing. Jill faced challenges of planning online lessons for her fourth-graders and learning new technical skills to execute them. She also helped Jack, a freshman at UTDallas, to move all of his belongings home to finish out the year online. My brother-in-law spent a night in a small Georgia hospital with heart problems, with the accompanying threats of of infection. Other family members and friends were changing plans almost hourly to return home from winter residences.

Tomorrow I will begin my trek back home with an overnight stop again at the lake house. It's been a welcome respite, but I think there are things I can do there that may be helpful to others. It's frightening to consider what the next weeks may bring. But I will remember the rainbow.

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Some Days Are Diamonds

3/8/2020

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We have always been huge fans of John Denver and the lyrics of his songs seem especially apropos to me at this time with the loss of my husband. I have been a member of a group of crazy, strong, amazing women called the Midwest Glampers for several years, although I've only attended one or two of their events each year. They hail mostly from Iowa, Nebraska, Missouri, Kansas, and Illinois. These women love to camp, and many have rebuilt and refurbished vintage campers (sometimes more than one). Others have teardrops or smaller class Cs. Some camp with their husbands, as I did, in larger units. Some bring their children ad/or pets to events. Many have suffered profound losses and challenges, but they are all tough.

The weekends involve games, murder mysteries, crafts, shopping, eating, and a lot of talking. This past weekend, we had a gathering to plan Iowa events for the year. Since the time of year was iffy for camping, the event was held at Camp Quaker Heights near Eldora, Iowa in a lodge type building with at least ten bedrooms, large dining room, great kitchen, TV room and wonderful deck. We even had a campfire on the deck...in a propane gas ring.

The day and a half was definitely a diamond for me. I realized on my way home that it was partly a respite because it was an event that Butch wouldn't have been at anyway--this was just women. It wasn't that I never thought or talked about him. Several of us who have dealt with this kind of loss or caring for a sick loved one shared our experiences and supported one another. And we also had wonderful meals, laughed, took walks in the chilly but bright blue weather, laughed more, and, along the way, even planned a few events. It was a very renewing and--although I think the word is overused--empowering. It will help me weather those days that are stones.