KarenMusserNortman
  • Home
  • Frannie Shoemaker Mysteries
  • The Time Travel Trailer Series
  • Mystery Sisters
  • Karen's Blog
  • Large Print and Audible
  • The Newsroom
  • Coming Events
  • Borrow My Books-KU
  • Camping (when it isn't murder)
  • Giveaways and Stuff
  • About the Author

It's a Wrap

10/25/2016

1 Comment

 
Picture
We have come to that sad day each year in the lives of most campers--at least in the northern climes--when we have to face the fact that the water is being turned off in the parks and camping becomes a survival exercise rather than recreation. But we finished with a flourish. On Friday, after four enjoyable days at Pere Marquette, we packed up and headed back north. We had arranged to meet some of our camping group at Lake Darling State Park in Iowa, one of our old favorites.

Lake Darling has undergone extensive renovations in recent years. The lake has been drained and dredged, the campground redone, roads rebuilt, and excellent facilities added, including shelters, year-round cabins, and a beautiful lodge. The park is named for Iowa cartoonist/environmentalist, "Ding" Darling. On Sunday, in commemoration of Ding Darling's 140th birthday, they featured a one man show by Tom Milligan called "A Conversation with Ding Darling." Afterwards, birthday cake (!!) and tours of the new cabins.
We also had visits from Butch and Harriet's baby sister Mary and husband Leon on Saturday, niece Kelly and boyfriend Caleb and old friends John and Karen from nearby Washington on Sunday. The weather was impeccable and the campfires unmatched. Ken's smoked pork roast on Sunday night provided the final flourish on the finish.
Lake Darling is one of Verizon's Black Holes so we had no internet or phones for four days--hence, no blogging until we got home. Now it's time to clean up the Christmas wrappings and lick up the cookie crumbs. The laundry is in progress and the refrigerator emptied, but we still need to haul in all of the dry food and liquids. Then one more trip to the dealer for a couple of repairs and winterizing. Lucy the Gray Ghost will be surrendered to her first winter behind the garage until a spring trip rescues her from her exile.

Meanwhile, other adventures and challenges are on the horizon. This Saturday, I will be going to Maquoketa to the Maquoketa Art Experience gallery for a book sale and signing with several other eastern Iowa authors. Nearby Maquoketa Caves State Park of course is the basis for Bats and Bones. If you live near, come and visit us between 11-1.

Saturday, Nov 5, will be our third annual 'Book Bums Writers' Workshop.' Fourteen other authors will be joining me for a full day of writing trash-talk. The following Tuesday, I am scheduled to work the election for 16 hours and less than two weeks later we leave for St. George Island, Florida and our biennial family far-off fling.

My actual writing is on the back burner until all of this is over, but A Campy Christmas just came out in audible format in time for you holiday travelers and The Space Invader is doing very well.

1 Comment
ginge
10/25/2016 08:08:36 am

Pleased to hear that Space Invaders is doing well. It is well worth the read.

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    Author

    Some random thoughts about writing, camping, and eating.

    Archives

    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    December 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    January 2020
    November 2019
    October 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    December 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013

    RSS Feed

Proudly powered by Weebly