We left Fr Hennepin this AM after being there for th emonth of June 2009. And Surprise - they asked us to come back in 2010. So far we believe we will do that. We enjoyed ourselves and really love that lake and surrounding area. We saw snakes,bear,deer and fawns, albino deer, an owl and a momma grouse with 7 chicks. How much nicer can it be.
We're headed to Itasca today to hook up with some of our family. Just got groceries in Wadena at a Super Walmart and are going down the road now just out of Sebeka. There are sure alot of places for sale everywhere we go. No place calls to me yet.
We'll be back at Carefree on the 8th of July and that will be nice too !
Michelle and family are using our site at Carefree while we are gone. They like it alot.
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
Friday, June 26, 2009
Bear Update
The bear cage has been moved out - he didn;t come back. A mother bear and 2 cubs were also sited so they feared that if the mother or the cubs were trapped it could be more dangerous than just letting them roam. We didn't actually see the cubs and mom.
But last nite we saw a horned owl and her nest - what fun.
The berries are plumped up now that it's rained. So they have something else to eat. That's a good thing !!
The mosquitoes have also plumped up - on my blood I think. But that comes with the rain.
But last nite we saw a horned owl and her nest - what fun.
The berries are plumped up now that it's rained. So they have something else to eat. That's a good thing !!
The mosquitoes have also plumped up - on my blood I think. But that comes with the rain.
June 2009
We're back at Fr Hennepin after a weekend at Grand Marais with our WIT club. What a beautiful setting with an automatic air conditioner - Lake Superior. We had fun playing cards - won a little money playing Texas Hold em.
Next week when we leave here we're heading to Itasca State Park with some of the family. Then back to Carefree CC - we're excited to head back there for the rest of the summer until fall.
I don't think we'll ever go into a public bathroom without thinking about how disrespectful some people can be when using rest rooms. Yikes - this cleaning crew deserves a medal. I don't think they could possibly pay them enough. Now that the park is full almost daily it's even worse. And the kids play near the bathrooms and stuff the toilets full of paper and grass.
We're having fun and it's already the last weekend of June 2009. Time flies -
Next week when we leave here we're heading to Itasca State Park with some of the family. Then back to Carefree CC - we're excited to head back there for the rest of the summer until fall.
I don't think we'll ever go into a public bathroom without thinking about how disrespectful some people can be when using rest rooms. Yikes - this cleaning crew deserves a medal. I don't think they could possibly pay them enough. Now that the park is full almost daily it's even worse. And the kids play near the bathrooms and stuff the toilets full of paper and grass.
We're having fun and it's already the last weekend of June 2009. Time flies -
Life in June 2009
The McKenzie's are beginning to think about our next stop at Itasca State Park for the 4th of July. It will be good to be at Itasca but we're also looking forward to getting back to our lot at Carefree CC. The month of June at Fr Hennepin has gone much faster than we anticipated. We've gotten into a routine and met some very nice local folks. I don't think I will ever go into another public bathroom without thinking of these bathrooms. These employees who clean these bathrooms are saints - believe me. The things people do are just atrocious. And now that the campgrounds are full almost every day the activity is increasing as well as the bathroom usage.
We spent a weekend at Grand Marais during this month. Grand Marais is so quaint and has a natural air conditioner - Lake Superior.
Friday, June 12, 2009
More Bear News
The bear came back today - same path. Only this time he went into the woods and caught a fawn and killed it and ate it. He sat right there within view and chewed that poor little 3 week old fawn into shreds. All that was left was 4 little legs.
'So they called the CO's back again and they came with a trap to catch it so they can get it out of here.
They hung donuts and sweet frosting in the trap. The tenter had to relocate so they could put the trap near the scene of where it killed the fawn. The albino momma deer was running around like crazy they said - I didn't see her. Denis got some pictures.
So this has been quite an event here in the park. We shall see when we get up in the AM if the bear has been caught. We shall see !!
'So they called the CO's back again and they came with a trap to catch it so they can get it out of here.
They hung donuts and sweet frosting in the trap. The tenter had to relocate so they could put the trap near the scene of where it killed the fawn. The albino momma deer was running around like crazy they said - I didn't see her. Denis got some pictures.
So this has been quite an event here in the park. We shall see when we get up in the AM if the bear has been caught. We shall see !!
Bear excitement in the Park
We had a bear come into the park on Thursday. It was in the other campground and then wandered into a vacant site here near the lake. It then went down to the water and then back up here walking down the road as if there was nothing going on. It was about 4 feet tall on all 4 paws. They figured it weighed about 150 lbs. We called the Conservation Officer for Mille Lacs and they came however most assumed it just got lost and was gone for good. I guess since the berries aren't ripe yet they don't have any food.
The CO's made light of it and joked that he was looking for a picanic basket!
So we thought nothing of it and went about our business. But we did visit each site and notify them to make sure they put all their food in their vehicles and not to leave their dogs out.
Very interesting. This is the first time we have seen a live bear in the wild.
The CO's made light of it and joked that he was looking for a picanic basket!
So we thought nothing of it and went about our business. But we did visit each site and notify them to make sure they put all their food in their vehicles and not to leave their dogs out.
Very interesting. This is the first time we have seen a live bear in the wild.
Fun at the Park
We celebrated a 91st birthday in the park. Doris Carlson asked her family to take her camping to celebrate her birthday. So her 3 sons and daughter and families camped in the park with her and catered to her all week and had a bday party for her. What fun !
I hope I can live long enough to camp in my 90's. She stayed by herself in her trailer and they had a baby monitor for her in case she needed them. She and her husband had camped here at Fr Hennepin for over 50 years.
What a delightful family.
I hope I can live long enough to camp in my 90's. She stayed by herself in her trailer and they had a baby monitor for her in case she needed them. She and her husband had camped here at Fr Hennepin for over 50 years.
What a delightful family.
Saturday, June 6, 2009
Saturday June 6, 2009
It's rained from mid-afternoon until early evening. We stocked up on wood tonite assuming there will be a run on it for the AM. There are several no shows and some folks have gone home, especially those in tents with kids. Can't say I blame them.
It's cold on top of it. 40 this AM and 50 today - we can see our breath. Very unseasonably cool - what a spring. We saw the albino deer again tonight but not her fawn.
Sunday is our busiest day as we make sure camp sites are ready for the next group and pick up tags.
It's cold on top of it. 40 this AM and 50 today - we can see our breath. Very unseasonably cool - what a spring. We saw the albino deer again tonight but not her fawn.
Sunday is our busiest day as we make sure camp sites are ready for the next group and pick up tags.
Thursday, June 4, 2009
Hello,
I thought I should update this with stories from our summer adventures.
We are camp hosting at Fr. Hennepin State Park on Mille Lacs Lake in Isle MN for the month of June. Aside from Itasca State Park it is our favorite park. Our jobs are mostly to sell wood - we also go get it and stack it at our site and to make sure all the bathrooms are stocked with toilet tissue. We also get wood for our camp fires. When trees are cut down the wood is used for the camp hosts - which is very nice. We use a golf cart to bring it to our site.
We don't get to keep the cart at our site. The former park manager has retired and the Kathio State Park manager takes care of both parks. He has different rules. So we go down to the maintenance building and pick up the cart and do our thing. We check bathrooms at the beach, group camp, boat landing, campgrounds and picnic grounds. Some are pit toilets. Thankfully we don't have to clean the bathrooms or the fish cleaning shack - they have a cleaning crew. We also pick up the tags that campers leave on the post and pick up any garbage they leave at their site and report if their firepits need cleaning out.
Aside from the cleaning crew there is only 1 full time maintenance, grass mower in the park. It's a shame as the limited budget is really limiting what can be done.
More tomorrow........Sharon
I thought I should update this with stories from our summer adventures.
We are camp hosting at Fr. Hennepin State Park on Mille Lacs Lake in Isle MN for the month of June. Aside from Itasca State Park it is our favorite park. Our jobs are mostly to sell wood - we also go get it and stack it at our site and to make sure all the bathrooms are stocked with toilet tissue. We also get wood for our camp fires. When trees are cut down the wood is used for the camp hosts - which is very nice. We use a golf cart to bring it to our site.
We don't get to keep the cart at our site. The former park manager has retired and the Kathio State Park manager takes care of both parks. He has different rules. So we go down to the maintenance building and pick up the cart and do our thing. We check bathrooms at the beach, group camp, boat landing, campgrounds and picnic grounds. Some are pit toilets. Thankfully we don't have to clean the bathrooms or the fish cleaning shack - they have a cleaning crew. We also pick up the tags that campers leave on the post and pick up any garbage they leave at their site and report if their firepits need cleaning out.
Aside from the cleaning crew there is only 1 full time maintenance, grass mower in the park. It's a shame as the limited budget is really limiting what can be done.
More tomorrow........Sharon
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Monday, April 13, 2009
Hello,
After spending the delightful Easter weekend with the Marlin's, we are now set up at Carefree. The water is on, buildings are open and the sun is shining - how much better could it get ? Oh and I don't have to go to work !!. YEH !!!!!!!!!!!! We are anxious to connect with our friends and our families.
We've got some outside work to do - some leaves to get picked up and the gazebo needs to be set up. I'm excited to see some spring flowers -
I'll post some additional info on our whereabouts for the summer. I'm doing this so I can print these for my travel journal also.
Heading to Pleasureland in St Cloud this weekend for our WIT travel club's first outing of the season. Show and Tell. Lots of fun playing cards and seeing the new Winnebago rigs.
Saturday is Jill's 40th birthday party and we'll go over to join the party for awhile and then bring the boys back to Pleasureland with us and keep them overnight. The party will continue on without us. And I bet we'll feel better on Sunday - better than the party goers. !
After spending the delightful Easter weekend with the Marlin's, we are now set up at Carefree. The water is on, buildings are open and the sun is shining - how much better could it get ? Oh and I don't have to go to work !!. YEH !!!!!!!!!!!! We are anxious to connect with our friends and our families.
We've got some outside work to do - some leaves to get picked up and the gazebo needs to be set up. I'm excited to see some spring flowers -
I'll post some additional info on our whereabouts for the summer. I'm doing this so I can print these for my travel journal also.
Heading to Pleasureland in St Cloud this weekend for our WIT travel club's first outing of the season. Show and Tell. Lots of fun playing cards and seeing the new Winnebago rigs.
Saturday is Jill's 40th birthday party and we'll go over to join the party for awhile and then bring the boys back to Pleasureland with us and keep them overnight. The party will continue on without us. And I bet we'll feel better on Sunday - better than the party goers. !
Thursday, April 9, 2009
Thursday, April 9, 2009
We are finally back in Minnesota. Yah !!!!!!! It's 1:30 PM and we are in Maple Grove on 94 headed for Carefree Country Club to unhook the car and park the motor home. We'll go stay in town with Michelle and family and hope for continuing warm weather next week. Our first summer campout is April 16, 2009. Oh-so much fun!!
It will seem weird to be home and not go to work. The thought has crossed my mind that I wonder what I will do. If it's like the past couple of months I wonder how I ever had time to work!!!!
It will be fun to see all our family and friends again. And of course we have to take care of our taxes by the 15th. Al Rudolph called and they are done.
I'll continue my blogs as we go places and next will attempt to add some pictures. Not sure how to do that yet but will work on that.
It will seem weird to be home and not go to work. The thought has crossed my mind that I wonder what I will do. If it's like the past couple of months I wonder how I ever had time to work!!!!
It will be fun to see all our family and friends again. And of course we have to take care of our taxes by the 15th. Al Rudolph called and they are done.
I'll continue my blogs as we go places and next will attempt to add some pictures. Not sure how to do that yet but will work on that.
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
Tuesday Evening, April 7, 2009
We reached Winnebago Factory at Forest City Iowa about 1:00 PM Got checked in and are first in line for some service on our rig on Wednesday. We need our slide outs adjusted and they will pick our rig up at 7:00 AM so it'll be an early morning. Luna and I won't be able to sleep in. It was really sunny and nice today here. About 45 degrees. So we're hoping for the same. We got the Minneapolis TV stations tonite and Denis is watching the Twins. So tomorrow we'll be coachless and thank goodness they allow dogs in the waiting room. We packed a bag for a motel just in case they don't get finished on Wednesday. There are about 7 rigs out here with us. At least they provide electricity while you wait.
That's it for today. We are grateful for our safe trip here.
That's it for today. We are grateful for our safe trip here.
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
We got into Cameron, Missouri about 6 PM last nite. Stayed right off the freeway to get elec and dump so we could shower and cook dinner. Took Luna for a little walk and came back and watched the Twins get beat in their home opener. Back ont he road this AM at 7:30, fueled up and headed for Winnebago factory in Forest City, Iowa for a few maintenance items. Primarily getting a couple of slide adjustments. It's not nearly as windy today - but cold 25 degrees in Missouri yikes. It's going to be a cold Easter bunny if it doesn't warm up.
This dog is such a dufus - all of a sudden she won't leave my side and now has taken to laying on the dash of the motor home. She's up there now in the sun taking her AM nap. She was very nervous yesterday with the wind and the noises it created in the coach.
This dog is such a dufus - all of a sudden she won't leave my side and now has taken to laying on the dash of the motor home. She's up there now in the sun taking her AM nap. She was very nervous yesterday with the wind and the noises it created in the coach.
Monday, April 6, 2009
Monday, April 6, 2009
We left Ardmore, Oklahoma this morning at 8:30 AM. Lake Murray State Park, Elephant Rock campground had sewer, 50 amp electric and water for $19.00 a nite on the lakeshore no less. It was beautiful there. Turned cold on Sunday - with high winds. Same problem today. Heading to Winnebago Factory in Forest Lake, Iowa for some maintenance on 1 of our slides. Traveling with Mark and Sandi. Denis and Mark did some trouble shooting on our inverter yesterday and it seems to be working today. That is a good thing.
We left Ardmore, Oklahoma this morning at 8:30 AM. Lake Murray State Park, Elephant Rock campground had sewer, 50 amp electric and water for $19.00 a nite on the lakeshore no less. It was beautiful there. Turned cold on Sunday - with high winds. Same problem today. Heading to Winnebago Factory in Forest Lake, Iowa for some maintenance on 1 of our slides. Traveling with Mark and Sandi. Denis and Mark did some trouble shooting on our inverter yesterday and it seems to be working today. That is a good thing.
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