July 23rd - 30th - MN to SD

July 23^rd – Thurs

We loaded the bike and got a fairly early start on our drive north to Garrison and Mille Lacs Lake. We were late enough that we didn't get stuck in traffic on any of the highways that the GPS used to get us through St Paul.

We stopped for a late breakfast and some grocery shopping at a nearby WalMart. When we got to Bob's Campground, the guy working there (Larry) had an abrupt change in manner when we said Mike Paul had talked to him about a site for us – a change from “all business” to “welcome!!” We soon set up next to Mike & Susie and relaxed for a while.

Mike & Susie hadn't had lunch so while they ate we went to the nearby casino (!!) and then stopped for a fast food dinner on the way back. We visited with Mike & Susie for a bit and then crashed.

July 24^th – Fri

We went to town with Mike & Susie for a very nice breakfast and since there wasn't much going on in town we all went to the casino. We were back in time for dinner and then Mike got a fire going in a nice “mobile” fire pit provided by the campground. We were enjoying the fire when it started to rain and then poured. Susie was smart enough to head for their 5^th wheel while the rest of us huddled under our awing and I took movies of the downpour. We had a small river coming off the awning and rain was bouncing a foot off the cover on the bed of Mike's truck. Luckily the fire pit had a cover so the fire was OK later.

July 25^th – Sat

After breakfast we went to the parade for Fun Days. It was a typical small town parade with all the fire trucks but was much larger than we expected. The parade started at 11 and we were happy to find a shady spot to watch it as it was already warm. After the parade, Terry & Mike went to the VFW while Susie & I wandered through a few vendor tents and then joined the guys who had seats saved so we could play bingo. Believe it or not, we all played 15 games of bingo – and didn't win a thing! After dinner we again enjoyed a fire but this time with a few friends dropping by instead of the rain.

July 26^th – Sun

After breakfast we all walked to see a car show and then to watch pig races which Mike & Susie had never seen. It was really hot and we were early enough to get mostly shady seats on the portable grandstand. Kids & parents were down by the “racetrack” so they could take part in contests between pig races and grab the beads & Tshirts being thrown to the crowds.

The people putting on the pig races did a very good job of getting viewers involved – hula hoop contest, bouncy ball races, bouncy “horse” races for adults and all the kids following “pied piper” style around the inside of the race track and then racing the pigs on the last race. Very entertaining. We stopped at the VFW to rehydrate and then walked back to the RV park.

After dinner, Mike & Susie came to our rig and we watched TV & visited. No fire tonight.

July 27^th – Mon

We left at 7:30 as we had to get fuel and then waited for Mike & Susie at the gas station. They swung just after 8 and led us to their home in St. Peter. Mike has his own route which avoids busy highways and was a very easy 3 hour drive with a leader.

We backed both rigs into their driveway and Susie stayed home to mow the lawn & do laundry while Mike took us to see a big toy hauler in Lake Crystal about 20 miles away. We really liked the rig but we are not sure if the bike will fit.

When we got back, we loaded up our laundry and went to a nice new laundromat to get it all done. Then it was off to Mankato & Applebee's for dinner. Susie & I had time to work on a jigsaw puzzle before the guys were ready to crash.

July 28^th – Tues

We pulled out of the driveway early and hopefully didn't wake Mike & Susie. We stopped by the RV dealer to look at the 5^th wheel again but couldn't figure out a way to easily modify it to fit the bike so we headed down the road.

We stopped for diesel and breakfast and ended up at Doug & Delores Swan's in Balaton MN. After catching up and a light lunch, the wind died down and we took their pontoon boat for a ride on a nearby lake (name forgotten!!?). We took the boat out of the water and went for a nice dinner right there. We chatted some more back at their place and then hit the sack. Delores had Terry move our rig into the shade of the house when we left for the boat ride and there was a lovely cool breeze when we got back. In fact, I closed the bedroom door before we went to bed because it was cold.

July 29^th – Wed

Delores made us a yummy breakfast before we headed out. We have discovered another super stop on our summer tour schedule!!

We made a quick stop to dump our waste tanks and continued to Pipestone to take Phyllis Kasper to lunch. We had time for a nice visit with her before walking to a nearby Mexican restaurant. A photo op and we were on our way again.

Our next stop was Madison SD to see friends Clem & Marlene who we first met in Quartzsite almost 9 years ago. We went first to a state park where we have stayed previously but the guy said it would cost $30 extra for a pass for the motorcycle so we immediately left. We found an RV park at Prairie Village, got a spot and took the motorcycle to Clem & Marlene's which is not far away.

We checked out Clem's latest “plastic welding” projects before going to a bar for a drink and then to a new place for dinner. Back at their place we chatted for a while more before calling it a night and heading back to the RV park.

July 30^th – Thurs

We had time for coffee & a muffin before Clem & Marlene picked us up at 10 for a trip to – where else! – a casino near Sioux Falls. We all played (fed) slots before having a late lunch at the buffet. More slot play and then back to our place for a drink(s). Clem was sure he/we could modify the 5^th wheel but that isn't happening right now.

We took a couple of cookies from the buffet that we didn't have room to eat and they became dinner.