The Magic Box

Gary has given me some wonerdul gifts. Some were surprises such as the book ' Bridges of Madison County' ....which after reading he said it was not even a moral book, I liked it!....to a Christmas present after  agreeing we would not exchange gifts that year, and as of now...leaving room for another surprise.... My favorite gift is my IPad.

It can do such wonderful things. When watching an old movie it can quickly tell you what those stars are doing today, it can quickly solve a disagreement on facts, it gives the date and time of the day when it is first opened, takes great pictures, allows one to hold a texted conversation with pictures in real time and it will even talk to you when you have a question. It truly is just what Gary has named it, 'The Magic Box'

Yes, I love my IPad but not as much as the hubby who gave it it's name.

Clinton Lake 10/2-4/2013

We left home about 9:00. It was a beautiful day and we were excited about using our camper again. We knew the weather could be a challenge because the weatherman said Friday would be rainy and much cooler.......just typical fall weather. We felt we were up to the challenge.

After lunch with mom we went out to Mac's and left for the Lake from there. We were to camp in the federal park but because of the government shutdown we went to the state park.

We set up camp in a beautiful site across from the "Mother Ship",Mac and Jo's camper,  and we were ready for the weekend.

It was warm and very windy Friday. We did walk around the park.....Mac and Gary checked out the Lake for possible fishing.....too windy. So the day was spent visiting, going into Lawerance for lunch, reading, playing games and just enjoying each other and our surroundings.

Later we heard we were to have violent wind and rain....that was a bit scary as far as I was concerned. The plan was for us to stay in the mothership since Mac and Jo had made plans to go to services at St.Francis. I could just see our little camper being tossed around so I was more than willing to hang out in their camper.

As it turned out the storm was not that bad. In fact we thought it was over so we went back to our little camper. We no more than got in when it poured down again!! It was cozy and felt solid in there after all! It did get down to the 40's that night. Our little heater worked ok. If we had turned it on sooner it would have been perfect. 

When we woke up Saturday it was a cold morning  so we decided it was time for us to go back home but before we did Mac built another campfire to warm up the situation. It did a pretty good job until the wind came up and we were back In the mothership. We knew than it was too cold and windy for us to stay. We began packing up around 10:30. It was cool but a brisk cool. It was fun being outside getting our exercise putting done the camper. It was a perfect fall morning. Jo had a wonderful chili lunch for us, KU was playing on the radio and we were inside where it was warm. What more could one ask for on the first cool day of fall.

We got home around 4:00. It was good to be home after another fun and adventurous  trip in our little camper.

IN THE MOOD

I  I'm in the mood. Not the Glen Miller mood....even though a little romance is always welcomed. ...my mood is autumn. I am ready to say bye to summer, hello autumn. 

My decorating friend helped me get started. I have such wonderful friends.......just a side note I wanted to share........ Kathy came over to get me started. With a trip to Walmart and to Hobby Lobby we were on a roll.

     

               

 The center piece for the table took two days to complete but Kathy give me a good start.

I just need some Halloween candy to really set that off. Don't you think so too?

Of course autumn always brings some fun so I tried my hand with a little playfulness. Jack the jack-o- lantern was made by my mom back in the 80's.

 

I am all ready to enjoy the sighs, smells, and fun autumn has to offer...........now we need to wait for the cool weather to set in.

FISHING IN BENNETT SPRING

Bennett Spring, MO AMAZING

Missouri is a beautiful and hilly state. I did not realized that. My nickname for it is the roller coaster state. We got to Bennett Spring around 3:30.  Just time for a short visit with Mac and Jo before a pot luck dinner celebrating the end of their three days of fishing. The trout was yummy.

Pictures of why Bennett Spring is a fisherman's paradise.

This is the fish hatchery where they release the trout each night.

First Morning Coffee

Nothing better than that first cup of fresh coffee in the morning. 

It smells great. It taste great and it's warmth is so comforting.

I like to sit back in my favorite chair, gather my thoughts and prepare myself for the day.

Nothing better than that first cup of fresh coffee in the morning. 

I am ready for the day.

Camper

Amazing how a mind can change.

Gary and I started our camping experience in a tent. From there we went to a pop-up to a hard sided pop-up to an airstream.

We used each of these but a very  few times and than sold them. That was enough for me. We were not campers. The idea of camping was better than the actual thing. As far as I was concerned there were to be NO MORE CAMPERS!

Knowing that Gary did not feel as strongly about this as I did he continued to search the Internet to find the dream camper.

Then we retired. 

As we became more settled in our new home and getting comfortable with retirement unaware I was getting more interested in looking at what Gary was looking for......a pop-up. Yes, we have gone full circle.

Pop -up now purchased. Beautiful,comfortable and easy to maneuver.

This could be the one . Hopes are high  and yes, one can change their mind even when they think it never possible.

THE SEARCH IS ON

We have been looking for a fold up camper for some time. It seemed the best deals were around the Denver area. So on July 21 2013 we were on our way.

On Monday we went to Littleton to see the first camper. Had a great visit with the owner. A interesting  guy who enjoyed making improvements that would best fit his needs which were not necessarily ours.....and the price a little high. Telling Dan we had an appointment at 1:00 to look at another we were on our way.

Next we drove to Longmont and there we found our sweet little camper.


It took us most of the afternoon to close the deal. Sue had bought the camper in 2007. It was like brand new, even still had the "new" smell. She had used it several times and loved it. It was just time for her to let it go. Because there were things that needed to be done in connecting the lights we said goodby until tomorrow and went back to our motel closer to Denver.

Tuesday bright and early we were back In Longmont. We had made several trips to Camp World the day before. In knowing this was our last trip,hopefully, we said goodbye to Sue for the last time pulling our little camper

All went well at Camp World. Terry whose job was just to help out as people came in with questions was very helpful We knew we wanted a Good Sam's directory but were always were told they were sold out. Our new found friend Terry came through for us and found one. With a new camper, a 2013 GS directory and new membership with Good Sam plus a coupon for one night of camping we were truly happy campers.