One of our favorite Iowa campgrounds is Howell Station below the Red Rock Dam near Pella. A stay here always involves a trip to Pella to at least visit the quilt shop and the famous Jaarsma's Bakery. The campground is large and there are lots of places to bike and walk on level ground. Eagles and turkey vultures swoop over the Des Moines River and sunsets are excellent. The shower houses are good and sites are fairly level.
I say fairly. Our site this time slopes down from front to back as well as to one side. When we arrived, we got backed in and proceeded to put levelers on the door side. But when Butch raised the truck off the hitch, the trailer rolled back enough that the lift slipped off all of the blocks and the wheel locks were almost crushed. Fortunately the lift didn't bend, and after jacking the tongue up for two more tries and giving up on the levelers, we finally got situated.
I say fairly. Our site this time slopes down from front to back as well as to one side. When we arrived, we got backed in and proceeded to put levelers on the door side. But when Butch raised the truck off the hitch, the trailer rolled back enough that the lift slipped off all of the blocks and the wheel locks were almost crushed. Fortunately the lift didn't bend, and after jacking the tongue up for two more tries and giving up on the levelers, we finally got situated.
We are here with six other couples and one tagalong so meals have been large, varied, and almost heart stopping. Fortunately it's been warm enough that we don't have to get too close to the fire. One prankster produced colored flames last night which he said came from Puffs with lotion, but we think he lies.
Yesterday, four of the women made the requisite trip to Pella. At the quilting shop, I found very cool camping flannel for a new pair of pajamas. we visited the courtyard--forgot the name of it--with beautiful flowers and a canal. We read all of the signs and greeting cards in the gifts shops, had lunch and then hit the bakery. I needed a nap by the time we got back to rest up for another awesome supper.
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