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September 28th, 2021

9/28/2021

Pleasant Creek State Recreation Area would be a very pleasant place if the temperatures were more like late September instead of mid-July. I was here in June of 2020, and it is so sad to see the loss of trees resulting from the August derecho. Everywhere in the woods surrounding the campground, broken and bent trees lean to the east and large bare patches in the campsites mark the loss of crucial shade trees. Yesterday, the combination of the high temps and no shade turned Agatha into a nice little oven. Since my power issue was resolved, I can run the A/C but sitting inside with shades drawn, everything closed up, and the A/C churning away kind of defeats the purpose of camping. I did it anyway for a while in the afternoon and got in a little napping and reading.

It is a beautiful spot, though, and we did get a hike in yesterday morning. Ken and Harriet and I were joined by my long-time ACT friend (and boss!) Mrcia and her husband Harlan. They provided yummy pulled pork sandwiches and kale salad plus apple cake the first night. Last night Ken smoked chicken--some of the best I've ever eaten.

This morning I will get a walk in earlier but the rest of today and tomorrow is looking like a repeat of yesterday.

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Skylarking on the Skunk

9/25/2021

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An unexpected camping opportunity popped up when Ken and Harriet were asked to fill in as camp hosts this week at Oakland Mills County Park south of Mount Pleasant, Iowa. It's a small campground and they expected a quiet week, so they encouraged others of our camping group to join them. Several were busy but Letha and I decided to check it out. It's a beautiful spot on the Skunk River. The photo is one Letha took of the sunrise on an early walk with her dog.

We arrived on Wednesday afternoon in perfect weather, but found that the hosts' week had been less than quiet. There had been a camper-rockin' storm Monday night, several incidents with squatters, and a couple of recalcitrant campers, but there also were some interesting visitors. Three flint-knappers sat around their campsites and practiced their craft of chipping rocks to make stone tools--arrowheads, knife blades, etc. They produced amazing work with a wide variety of colorful rocks. When we asked what they did with them when they were finished, one man answered "Make another one."

A tent camper was also in the area with a 1919 Model T that he had built from parts. He spent every day on the road with cohorts, visiting interesting spots in the area.

We hiked up the bluff a couple of times and visited the old cemetery. Many of the stones predate the Civil War. The earliest one we found was 1827. A swinging bridge crosses a ravine but I passed on that.

An old iron and wood bridge still stands and is for pedestrian use only. It was great for viewing the rise of the moon and the sun. We were careful to follow the rules

On Thursday, we were joined by Patti and Jeff, classmates of Harriet's and former students of mine. Per usual, we did not starve--especially with Italian beef sandwiches and potato salad on Thursday and Ken's smoked pork loin and Patti and Jeff's cherry cobbler in the Dutch oven on Friday. Agatha performed beautifully, which is a good thing because I returned home yesterday, did laundry and repacked to head up to Pleasant Creek this afternoon for a few days.

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Barn Happy, Artistic Pleasures, and Middle East Delights

9/12/2021

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As planned, Saturday was a full day. We enjoyed a great brunch at Barn Happy. Besides excellent food, every table had a large bouquet of fresh garden flowers. The walls were lined with Iowa-made items such as fudge, caramels, photography and other artwork, pottery, caramels, linens, and did I mention caramels? And there's a second floor with more items, so we did a little shopping. We had to hit the road when Carol tried to steal the gnomes.

Next was Artapalooza in downtown Cedar Falls. We ducked in and out of the shops as well to take advantage of the A/C since the temps by then were warmer than they need to be in September.

Back at the campground, a little rest was necessary to prepare for the wonderful dinner courtesy of Lydia's husband Ali. It was a delicious chicken dish with rice, of which I can't remember the name. A feeble attempt at karaoke followed, but this old lady surrendered to the mosquitos and headed inside. All in all, a great weekend!

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Trails, Goats, and Ice Cream

9/11/2021

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So after three weeks, Agatha and I are back on the road again. So far, the power issue seems to be fixed and, like the hardy pioneers that we are, we are able to keep our phones, Kindles, and computers charged. My friend Ginge and I are at George Wyth State Park near Cedar Falls for a weekend with the Midwest Glampers. Thursday night was a beautiful, cool evening with a lovely sunset through the trees to our west. We enjoyed a quick supper of brats, sweet potatoes, and melon and a campfire with the group to polish off the evening.

George Wyth has lots of great trails, both biking and walking. Friday morning, a group of us did a couple of miles on one set of trails, only getting lost once or twice. We came across a bird-watching area and enjoyed the woods but didn't see much wildlife.

Late afternoon found us carpooling to Three Pines Farm, about 15 minutes away. This fifth generation farm offers folk school classes in everything from photography to sourdough bread making, goat and piglet yoga, and incredible homemade ice cream sandwiches. We made the acquaintance of Leonard the Llama, Lola the pig and Glen the goat (who seems to be in trouble most of the time.) The old barn has been restored as a meeting and event venue. The ice cream sandwiches, made from homemade ice cream between lacy homemade cookies featured mint chocolate chip, vanilla, lemon, or two butter bourbon ice cream. Fantastic. Kara, the owner, filled us in on the history of the farm. We finished off the evening with a great potluck and campfire.

Today will be a full day also. Brunch and shopping at Barn Happy and then Artapalooza in down town Cedar Falls. A special treat is in store for supper. Lydia's husband Ali is going to fix us a Middle Eastern dinner. The only fly in the ointment so to speak has been a mosquito and his five million best friends.

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September 28th, 2021

Skylarking on the Skunk

Barn Happy, Artistic Pleasures, and Middle East Delights

Trails, Goats, and Ice Cream

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