Jacks down in Prior Lake, MN

We got were all set up about 2PM, it was a good trip.  Somehow we missed rain the two days of travel.  We saw wet highways and water puddles places but didn't get any on us until we were all set up.  We don't like to travel in the rain but can if we must.  We got a Star Tribune Sunday paper - this has to be the best paper in the U.S.  Went out for a quick hamburger in the evening.  We are both very tired.

Moving, Moving, Moving

After watching the weather and thinking of every possible option we finally, finally decided to head north today.  We got to Osceola Iowa about 3PM, not many people at our usual campground.  We went to Arby's for a sandwich as our old favorite Made Right is now a Subway.  We were not in any rain but went through several areas where it recently had rained.

Ride on the back roads

It is good to get away from the tourist area after awhile.  We took a trip around the Tandycomo tail waters, there are a couple little towns, some campgrounds, etc.  One area used to be a playground for the rich from Kansas City and St. Louis.  They would take the train to Hollister and then a boat.  Also there is a old dam that still generates power.  We went to Steak and Shake for dinner one last time before we head north where there are no such places.

Shopping in Branson

We did some shopping today at an outlet mall, purchased nothing.  Then on to K Mart to see what they have and picked up a couple things.  We had lunch at Culver's before coming home.  The weather has been warm today.

From worst Buffet to best Buffet

We had breakfast at the Grand Buffet today and it was a grand breakfast, one of the best ever.  Afterwards we walked it off at Wal Mart.  Then we spent the rest of the day around home.  Grilled steak for dinner and talked to our daughters.

The Haygoods

We went to the Haygoods show this evening.  We usually go there when in Branson, they never fail to please.

Rain and cold

It rained from midnight through the morning and turned cold.  We made a post office  run in the morning to pick up our mail we have sent every two weeks.  Nothing important or even interesting in the mail as usual.  We had dinner at home, watched some TV and that was our exciting day.

Bad Buffet

We went for groceries in the morning and also to Target.  Got to get that Target fix now and again.  In the evening we went to the Plantation Buffet.  When we walked in a man behind the counter was reading the paper and finally decided he could be interrupted to seat us.  The salad bar was OK, nothing remarkable.  Then they had corn, beans, mashed potatoes and chicken three ways.  The chicken had been there awhile.  I spotted a baked potato and fixings so had that, some okra and tried to eat a piece of baked chicken which was dry and tough.  There were two cobblers for dessert, I took the wrong one I guess.  I took blackberry and it was full of tough seeds that I couldn't chew and got caught in my teeth.  We won't be going there again!  Wish I had the nerve to ask for my money back.

As we got home from dinner a motorhome pulled into the park and seemed to have problems deciding which site to take - the office was closed by this time.  We gave them some advice and they went to one of the sites we suggested, then moved, then moved again, then moved again, then moved back to the first site.  They had been on the road ALL day, I would just take the first site and adjust the next day.  I'm sure I've met numerous members of their tribe while working at Happy Holiday.

Most beautiful day ever

It was so nice in Branson, MO today - just couldn't have asked for a nicer day.  We did things around the motorhome, shopped a couple of outlet malls and went for a hamburger dinner at Fuddruckers.

Friends stop by

Dottie and Paul, friends from Sumter Oaks in Florida stopped by today.  That was a surprise, we had a good two hour visit - good to see them again.

The storm clouds from yesterday cleared and we had a nice bright and cool day in Branson.  I made vegetable soup that I had purchased the fixings for some time ago and just waiting for a cool day.

Stormy weather

We went out for breakfast at McFarland's and a good breakfast it was.  It has been a hot and humid day, just the kind you would expect for bad weather.  A storm line went through starting about 2PM and we had thunder storms on and off until about 7PM.  Thankfully nothing dangerous, but it was predicted so we watched the Weather Channel on TV closely.

Lunch with friends

We had lunch with Lamont and Georgann - good to see them again.  They will be working in West Yellowstone again this summer.  After lunch we drove down the Branson "Strip" to see if any tornado damage form the Leap Day storm was still visible and it sure was evident.  Many buildings including large motels were totaled.  What was interesting was how the tornado jumped around like it was picking what it wanted to destroy.  One building would be trashed and the next OK and then the next trashed - made no sense.  It struck in the middle of the night, still remarkable that no one was killed.

This was a motel

Mangled sign

Yet another long day

But we did make it to Branson, MO.  It is a difficult trip from Little Rock to Harrison, AK.  Lots of traffic, hills, curves, roads with curbs, up down and around!  Don is an excellent driver of our 55 foot train - motorhome plus car.  I am not an excellent passenger, my nerves get rattled.  It is good to be here at the Escapees Turkey Creek park.  We were surprised at how empty the park is as usually about full - we got a good site anyway.

Another long day

It was 9 hours on the road today from Gulf Shores to Tunica, MS.  Three areas are metro and lots of stop lights and traffic.  We're just staying one night here (too bad as we have a nice site), we went to get to Branson before the rain does.

Busy day in Gulf Shores

We started the day by going to breakfast at Don's very favorite place, the Foley Waffle House - not just any Waffle house, the Foley Waffle House.  Then we went to Old Time Pottery where besides a new comforter for the bed I bought some drinking glasses and mats for the inside stairs.  It was off to CVS, Coleman and Camping World to complete our morning.

After a nap, I was still tired after the big drive yesterday, we turned on the AC and cleaned the house and washed the towels as I figured this was the only chance for days as we will be moving again.

Move to Gulf Shores

It was 9 1/2 hours on the road today to get from Orlando to Gulf Shores, Alabama.  Long day and hot in the afternoon.  We're tired and it seems like everything we do we either have to do twice or have problems.  A day of rest tomorrow.

Trip to Ocean

We took at day trip to the ocean.  It was a nice day and fun trip.  We stopped for lunch at "Bob Evans", hadn't eaten at one of those for a long time - food was OK, not great.  There were a lot of homes for sale by the ocean, hard to pick out the one I would want to buy!

Escapee Luncheon

It continues to be hot and humid, they call it FLORIDA!  We went to the Escapees Luncheon today, most of the people there were from Sumter Oaks.  Good to see them again even through it has been only 10 days since we moved away.   Afterwards we went to K-Mart and Bealls for a little shopping and a chance to walk our meal off.  Last night we ate at Sweet Tomatoes again as it will be the last time until we get back south next fall.

Hot days in Orlando

It hit 90 degrees yesterday and is suppose to be that all week.  The fog was thick this morning!  We ate at Logan's Steak House yesterday, they always try to seat us in the bar or back room as they did again yesterday.  We were clean and dressed appropriately - but somehow we don't look like dinning room people!!!  This morning we went out to get a few things done and stopped at Dunking Donuts for coffee and donuts.  The air conditioners are running all the time this afternoon.

View from our door

April Fools

No one has fooled me - yet!  We ate breakfast at the Golden Corral, they have made to order omelets.  An omelet, some bacon and their good onion fried potatoes makes my day.  (I do have to have a rice crispie bar dipped in the chocolate fountain and a piece of fudge for Char.  Char, my sister-in-law, always had to have a fudge when we ate at Golden Corral in Harlengin, TX.)  We took back the DVD "A week with Marilyn" and got the movie "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo".  Then we stopped and got some k bobs for dinner and some sweet corn.

Sheila called from Ft. Lauderdale to tell me they had a great cruise and were getting ready to fly home.