Karen's Blog

Trails, Turtles, and Trolls

6/1/2026

Our weekend at Thomson Causeway was deemed a huge success. The only fly in the ointment was about five million mosquitos and gnats. But the weather was good, the food great, and the company stupendous. Glampers came from the Des Moines area, northeast Iowa and Illinois.

Friday, most of the group spent kayaking, biking, and hiking. Thomson has excellent backwater for kayaking and a variety of waterfowl, geese and turtles provide company. There are numerous "Caution: Turtle Crossing" signs on the road into the campground. I hiked the Hidden Slough trail, which loops back on itself in enough places to keep an old lady pretty confused. We finished off the day with an excellent potluck, campfire, and a lot of stories. Some of them might have even been true.

Saturday, we piled in four vehicles and headed for Clinton. Our mission was finding the four Giant Trolls recently installed there. Our first stop was to see Marvin at the Bickelhaupt Arboretum. He was fairly easy to find, stretched out under a hillside tree.

Next, we headed to Eagle Point Park to find the Hidden Troll. It took some doing. Most helpful were some kids who told us to go to the 'blue playground' where we found a parking lot and trail sign, which led us up and down hills to a twisted sculpture deep in the woods.

The third troll, Helmut, is busy planting a tree near the Sawmill Museum and the fourth, Warren is napping in a building near the old train depot. The trolls were created by Danish artist Thomas Dambo, and Warren, Helmut, and Marvin are named for three brothers who lived near Clinton. An amazing display!

By that time, we were in need of sustenance and got to the Candlelight Inn on the river early enough that they could seat 16 people without reservations. The house specialty is Chicken George, which was a popular choice, but several of us enjoyed their seafood entrees, too.

All in all, a great weekend. When I arrived, everything worked on my camper except the propane. I didn't need the furnace and I rarely use the stove since I would rather cook outside, but the fridge switches to propane when I'm traveling. One of our very helpful 'Manpers', Duane, volunteered to check it out. After crawling under the slide to the propane access and finding no problem, he checked the stove and it lit! The lights on the fridge indicated it was working there too. Apparently the air had cleared out of the lines by that time. I love it when something fixes itself!

0 Comments

On the Causeway

5/29/2026

0 Comments

The Midwest Glampers are hanging out at one of my favorite spots, Thompson Causeway across the river from Clinton, Iowa. The views to the west from the campground across the widest pool in the Upper Mississippi River Basin usually provide wonderful sunsets.

The sites now have water hookups so setup was pretty easy. My outlets an faucets are all working--just need to figure out the propane issue.

For those not familiar with glamping, it mean glamorous camping, and no one was more glamorous at our visit last night than Jackie. I guess I didn't bring the right clothes. A garage sale find was produced of rolls of mesh fabrics and discussion ensued about possible crafts, from pompoms to hang from awnings to mesh tents.

Today's plans include kayaking, biking, and hiking. I didn't bring my bike or steal a kayak so I will be hiking. We'll finish off the day with grilling and a potluck supper. Tomorrow we will go in search of the Giant Trolls recently erected in Clinton.

We went from high 80s and very little breeze yesterday afternoon to a very cool night for sleeping. I even had to get my little space heater out this morning. A beautiful moon ended the day.

0 Comments

Venturing Out

4/28/2026

1 Comment

It's that time again. The beginning of camping season. My camper, Agatha, spent the winter at a storage place down by the river about 5 minutes from me. Thursday, I dewinterized it, requiring the loan of my friend George's driveway and garden hose, Check. Performed the gymnastics necessary to make up the beds. Check. Got the propane tank filled. Check. Loaded the necessities that needed to stay in for the season. Check.

Sunday morning, I brought it up to the apartments, stopping for gas on the way. Fortunately, a whole row of parking places were empty by my apartment so I could park and load food and clothes for my trip to Lake Darling to meet my old camping group. The drive over was fine, in spite of taking a new route because of road construction, I arrived mid afternoon, got the water tank filled, and got parked without too many do-overs.

Things had been going too smoothly, but that was about to change. The fridge wasn't running off the propane, and I hoped once the power was plugged in, that would remedy it, but it would be a couple of hours before I knew for sure. And I didn't have any water in the hot water faucets. I planned to fix a salmon patty in a small cooker but when I went to plug it in, the outdoor outlet didn't work. Neither did the one by the kitchen sink. Groan. I made do for supper with a couple of salads I brought along and some homemade bread.

By evening the fridge was cold. Before I went to bed, I noticed the nightlight in the outlet in the bathroom wasn't on. But a small light went on in my brain and I remembered it was a GFI outlet. I pressed the reset button and not only did it come on, but so did the kitchen and outdoor one because they are all wired together. Success!

Monday morning, I got out the manual I had used for dewinterizing and checked the water valve configurations. Sure enough I had missed one and now have hot water. Still haven't figured out the propane issue and it was a chilly morning today without the furnace. But I'm camping.

It's been very relaxing over all. The severe storms, large hail, tornadoes and general end of the world they've been forecasting for Sunday night and Monday didn't materialize, other than a downpour Monday morning and intermittent relentless winds. We've done a lot of visiting and laughing, not solved too many of the world's problems, and told a few lies. We have been entertained by the local waterfowl such as pelicans and the geese family pictured above and goldfinches and indigo buntings at the feeders. We finished off yesterday with custard pie and rhubarb crisp!

1 Comment

California or Bust. . .

3/8/2026

3 Comments

and it teetered on a bust. I love to travel and wish I could afford to do more of it, but one tradition I have been able to keep the last several years is a trip to visit my old friend Joanie each winter at her second home in Ventura, CA. I had made flight reservations for yesterday, and Joanie and her daughter Jen would pick me up in Santa Barbara.

BUT...when I woke up early Saturday morning, three texts greeted me from United that had come in the night. My flight out of the Quad Cities was delayed about 45 minutes to give the crew adequate rest time. I'm certainly not one to ask a pilot to fly on too little sleep, but a second message pointed out that this may cause disruption to my connecting flight.

I checked, and sure enough, I was scheduled to land in Denver at 11:18 and my Santa Barbara flight would take off at 11:20. Every year that I've made this trip, the landing gate has always been at opposite ends of the terminal from my next flight.

There was a number to call to change flights if necessary, and after a half hour on hold with the most god awful music, a nice fellow told me I should change connections. The only later flight was at 7:00 in the evening and would arrive in Santa Barbara at 9:13. Eight hours later than the original time frame--eight hours to be spent in the Denver airport. But it is what it is. I made the change, and notified Joanie. Good to go.

BUT...our flight made better time than usual and landed 15 minutes early. Still not enough time to make my original schedule. So I trekked from B55 to B63 where my rescheduled journey would continue. I sat down to think about what I wanted for lunch.

BUT...during the flight when my phone was turned off, I had received a text from United that my original 11:20 flight was delayed until noon and would be taking off from B39. There was still time! I hurried back down the concourse and got there as they were loading the plane. I finally had a chance to speak to the gate agent, explained the situation, and after several minutes on her computer, she said I could change back to my original flight.

BUT..it was too late to get my checked bag retrieved so it wouldn't arrive in Santa Barbara until 9:13. I decided to go ahead, contacted Joanie, and got on the plane. We arrived on time and they were there to greet me.

BUT... It took over an hour to make sure my bag hadn't arrived with me and fill out the necessary information to get it delivered to Ventura. They said that would probably be mid afternoon the next day, but I was skeptical and resigned myself to making do for possibly a couple of days.

BUT...in the middle of the night my phone rang. A man with a heavily accented but pleasant voice wanted to check the house number. He works at the Santa Barbara airport but lives in Ventura and was delivering my bag plus two others on his return from work!

SO...once I adapted my watch to two hours gained from time zone change and one hour lost for daylight savings time, I am up and running and ready for the week!

3 Comments

Making Good Trouble

9/26/2025

0 Comments

Not camping or writing this week. For twenty years I have heard about the work done at Back Bay Mission in Biloxi, Mississippi from my former co-worker, Carol. This year, I got a chance to participate. I only wish I was younger and more useful.

Back Bay has a long history and carries on an incredible amount of projects here on the coast. The mission trip I am with originated out of Edwards UCC church in Davenport, in response to the devastation in the area from Hurricane Katrina. For several years, they have partnered with a UCC church from Florida. The tasks are many. Some team members help out at the mission's food pantry and others at the Micah Day Center, which provides everything from meals and laundry services to transitioning skills, program help, and showers to people who are struggling for many reasons. Just getting acceptable ID cards can be a challenge But the bulk of the effort is directed to rehabbing housing, especially since Katrina. That could include floor replacement, painting, bathroom and kitchen remodeling, etc. This year's project was building a long handicap ramp and replacing the steps on the house next door.

We prepared meals for about 50 at the Day Center four days. I worked in the food pantry two days, manned the front desk one morning at the Day Center, and packed shower bags one afternoon. There were jobs feeding our crew as well.

Of course, you know what they say about all work and no play, and I can tell you, this is not a dull group. They may occasionally have trouble following directions, as evidence by the signs on the doors, but for the most part stay out of serious trouble.

And there were a few diversions. Trips to the beach and the farmers' market were pleasant and filling (!!) On Tuesday, Carol organized a karaoke session. And Thursday night, we went for supper at Ground Zero, where there was more karaoke.

But the experience of seeing so many people determinedly involved in "strengthening neighborhoods, seeking justice, and transforming lives," (Back Bay's purpose) is one I will never forget. A lot of their advertising uses the motto "100 Years of Making Good Trouble."

Back Bay Mission can always use your help!

0 Comments

Wild Women at Wildcat Den

9/6/2025

1 Comment

I had to post this photo because this is the straightest I have ever parked this camper. Butch would be proud. Here at Shady Creek Campground, a Corps campground between Muscatine and Davenport, the Midwest Glampers are having their September outing.

Some time since I was here three years ago, they have replaced the power posts with a new white model that looks like a cross between a lighthouse and R2-D2. Opening them can be a bit of a trick with no instructions, but they give a cute ambience across the campground at night with their lighted caps. I am sorry to say that the showers haven't improved since I last gave them a D+.

But one of the attractions here is proximity to Wildcat Den. an Iowa State park with only primitive camping. It has always amazed me to visit the pockets of totally different scenery, mostly in state parks, from the ubiquitous Iowa cornfields. Wildcat Den has dramatic ravines featuring limestone bluffs and formations with names such as the Devil's Punchbowl and Steamboat Rock. The trails are a bit of a challenge (classified as hard in the park's brochures) and we used to bring our kids there when I was much younger. There are lots of steps. some with handrails, many without. The photo is of a cave wall along the trail with art work courtesy of the minerals in the stone. A beautiful place!

1 Comment

Best Campsite by a Dam Site

8/26/2025

1 Comment

It's time for our yearly sojourn to Howell Station below the dam at Lake Red Rock near Pella. We are sorely missing some familar faces--Butch of course, and Bill Laughlin. No Lehmans could join us this year, which makes the trip hardly official. But we've added some new folks, and so far they haven't screamed and run away.

The weather is fantastic--jeans and sweatshirt weather, necessitating some extra blankets at night. Perfect camping weather in my book. The ebikers have taken some nice rides, and the non-ebikers have taken some nice walks, naps, and reading time. I would be in that second group. I did take a short walk across the bridge and considered one of the nature trails but decided I would wait til today for that. We also plan a trip into Pella this morning to the bakery and quilt shop.

I have my favorite campsite, 142, which Butch and I used many times because of the shade. Not a big bonus this trip but very pleasant. The birds have been busy fishing below the dam and we've had several eagle sightings. Letha took this wonderful shot of a young eagle sitting a few feet away and probably wondering what these stupid humans are doing. The river is the highest we seen it in over ten years of coming here. As usual, we've had some pretty good food and nice beverages. The sunsets haven't been as spectacular as some years but still a nice ending for a great day.

1 Comment

It's a Wrap!

7/30/2025

0 Comments

Both Book 4 of the Time Travel Trailer series, Trailer in the Dust, and the weekend with the wild women of Midwest Glampers wrapped about the same time. The new book finds the mysterious trailer in the hands of a new owner, Edna Mae Barker's granddaughter Kim. And Kim has no idea what the trailer can do when she, her husband, and their young son decide to take it camping to the Oklahoma Panhandle. Kim decides to wear the pendant her grandmother received from her husband-to-be in 1937. The rest is history--or not! The Kindle version will be released August 5, and the paperback soon after. The ebook can be preordered at a discounted price.

Saturday of our campout at Johnson Sauk Park in Illinois was supposed to start with a little kayaking but instead started with a little rain. That didn't interfere with our tour of Ryan's Round Barn in the afternoon.

The barn is over 100 years old and quite a marvel of technology. The displays feature machinery from the late 19th and early 20th century. The lower level is set up for the owners Black Angus cattle with feeders that can be filled from the central silo and an ingenious waste removal system.

The rain held off so that we could have a potluck and campfire Saturday night. As you can see from the photos, no one felt the need to sit too close to the fire.

I have to add a few more photos from Being Bad at Good's event on Friday.

Indicative of the grit of this group was the experience of Jill, a relatively new member, who rode in RAGBRAI on Friday and hopped in her truck after to pull her camper down to join us, only to be waylaid at the Walcott truck stop with a hitch problem. She spent the night there and showed up on Saturday in time to teach us the art of folding pages in old books to make sculptures.

So back to creating promotions for the new book and a little quieter week. And speaking of science fiction, I just heard the weather lady on the local news say the next several days are going to be "cooler, drier, and pleasant." I'll believe that when I see/feel it!

0 Comments

Breaking Bad at Good's

7/26/2025

0 Comments

The Midwest Glampers took my suggestion to do a campout at Johnson-Sauk, so I am back here for the weekend. Plans were hatched in the last few weeks, and the most popular suggestion was a visit to Good's Furniture yesterday in nearby Kewanee and see who could get the best photos of being bad at Good's. Several came prepared with props, and other opportunities presented themselves as we toured the three-flour, three building retail outlet. Just a few of the entries. I missed getting one of the giant plastic spider that Jackie placed on one of the pillows on a bed. We did not get arrested, and even had the aid of an employee who shall remain anonymous.

Before Good's, we had an excellent lunch at the renowned Cernos Bar and Grill. Arrival times and attendance of members was rather in flux, due to unexpected family demands, weather events, and medical emergencies.

Three of us arrived on Thursday, and after setup, we decided due to the high temps and humidity, it was THTC (too hot to cook ) and it was a good night to check out the restaurant here at the lake, Jack's Place. Yesterday, Lydia got here and Lorie and Randy arrived from the Kansas City area. And another member pulled in late last night. Jackie has had her camper repainted recently and added a couple of clever accessories.

It poured last night and is still raining this morning. That may affect the planned kayaking on the lake but won't interfere with our tour of Ryan's Round Barn here at Johnson's this afternoon. Maybe the forecast will be right and the rain will move out in time for a campfire at our evening potluck.

0 Comments

A Peach of a Site in Cherry Glen

6/13/2025

1 Comment

My class motto was A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. True, but for Agatha this weekend, a journey of two hundred miles began with the need for an oil change, a propane refill and a tank of gas. It has become an annual tradition for part of the family to gather in Ankeny mid-June for my great-granddaughters' dance recital and birthday celebrations. Pat and Jill come up from Texas, and I like to camp at Cherry Glen Campground on Saylorville Reservoir. Numerous others on both sides of Brooke's family also attend.

In preparation, last Friday, Agatha got the oil change in Kewanee, but I was unsuccessful in finding a place that could refill a fixed propane tank. Yesterday, after I passed my wellness check (unlike Agatha), I headed to Kewanee for a final loading and we took off about noon. By taking a southerly route over to 218, I could make a stop at A-1 Propane In Iowa City. That only took 15 minutes, unlike over a half hour to get gas, but that's another story. We continued our journey on I80, bucking a little wind, and arrived at Cherry Glen about 5:30.

My site is spacious with lots of shade and fairly level. Always a plus. It only took me two tries to back in. I was able to put together a supper of turkey brats, Italian corn salad, roasted rosemary potato salad and a nice glass of wine.

The shower house is right behind me, although I have to give the showers a C. One very small double hook, big enough to support a washcloth, and you know me and hooks. I will continue to use them though because the one in Agatha, I'm sure, is the World's Smallest Shower, and only rates a D-.

It's a much needed quiet morning. I got in an early walk before the heat arrives, and will rest up for the afternoon gathering and evening recital. But now, I hear the wind picking up and I'd better get out the awning tie downs before Agatha makes good on her threat to run away from home.