Monday, September 01, 2008

ROADTRIP

We have decided to take a little roadtrip. We will visit several of Minnesota's State Parks, camping now in the quiet lull after schools have resumed for the fall. Fall is my favorite season. I love the warm days filled with the rusts, oranges, and yellows of the changing leaves, and the smells of drying and dying foliage. I am excited to get up and out in the bright morning sunshine to taste the fresh crisp air with all my senses. A campfire in the evening feels good when there is a bit of a chill in the air. A campfire when the temps are in the 90's and the humidity is also, makes no sense! I love fall. I just wish it would last longer. Like 9 months or so. Then give me a month of winter for Christmas, a month of spring for Easter, and a month of summer for July 4th! Otherwise give me fall!

We will work our way up the western half of Minnesota, then cross over into North Dakota and visit our grandson in Grand Forks. Sammy just started kindergarten this fall, so it will be fun to hear about his new adventures. Oh, it will be nice to visit his parents, our son Lenny and his wife Connie, too. And next Sunday we'll visit the church we attended for the seven years that we were stationed at Grand Forks Air Force Base. We have many dear friends up that are still members there.

I will give you a tour of each park we visit. We will go for a hike, no matter what the weather, and I'll take pictures and tell you a little about each park. Minnesota has wonderful state parks, and each one offers something a little different than the others.

I am looking forward to this roadtrip. I am looking forward to the quiet and peace of our northern woods, and to sharing it with you.

When we return, hubby is thinking of taking a part time job. He wants to save a little extra for our winter adventure. Yup, we're planning a roadtrip in January, too. We're going to act like snowbirds and head down to Florida for a month or more. More places for me to take pictures and report back to my blogging friends. But that's months away. First the Minnesota State Parks. I'll report as I can, relying on coffee shops and restaurants for my connection.

9 comments:

Lisa said...

Oh this is going to be soooo awesome. I can not wait to see your great state. Thanks for taking me with you (so to speak). You need this, and I want you to know, I am really thinking about doing the same thing. I want to get a trailer and just go. Taking the dogs with me. I think they would do ok. Depending on how long we would be gone...!!!!????
Please stay in touch, don't be gone too long at any one point in time. Be careful, be safe and have a BLAST. I can not wait to see your first posting. We need to meet up somewhere and do this together! Bloggers on the road.

Doreen Orion said...

My husband and I took a year off and traveled the country in a 40 ft converted bus. (My book about the experience, QUEEN OF THE ROAD was just published this summer by random house.) We loved the experience so much, we're planning to fix up our house and sell it in 2 years or so. I'm curious why you stopped full timing. Any words of wisdom?

Unknown said...

I love fall, too! Sounds like an awesome trip; Minnesota has some beautiful state parks. It's always nice to get up to Grand Forks, too, which is "home" for me.

Michelle said...

Yeah, a road trip. When are we leaving? I love to camp when the weather starts to cool down. Shorts during the day and sweatshirts at night by the fire. And the best part of camping....smores!

And when you head down to Florida let me know if you will be in Tampa. Me casa ya know.

Marge said...

Lisa,

You should do it! Many of the people we met down in Florida in early 2007, had their dogs with them. In fact, the camp where we stayed for three plus months had their own dog show, and they gave every dog that entered a certificate so no one's feelings would be hurt! Wouldn't it be fun to meet up someplace along the road?

I guess we're only going to be able to be gone a week......less than I had planned.....but hubby has a chance of a part time job so we have to hurry back. But I'll get a chance to show you at least five of our state parks.

Marge said...

Doreen,
The reason we stopped fulltiming was that my mom needed us to come home to take care of her. We came home in January, not knowing if we'd need to be here for 10 years or 10 months, so we sold the big 5th wheel. Mom passed away in July. Now we just have a tiny 15 foot trailer, not for full timing! But we'll still go out when ever we can. Thanks for toppy by. Please come again!

Marge said...

I'll wave at all your old boyfriends, Brenda!

Marge said...

Michelle,

I think we're going to Florida in January or February. Probably will stay in Panama City at Tindall Air Force Base, where we were two years ago. But you never know! I've not been to Tampa area, and do have a friend down there, so it could happen!

I've been checking out your blog. My hubby retired after 20 years in the Air Force and I see you are definitely an Air Force family! Now I'll have to also check out Shay's blog!

Lisa said...

I am just stopping by to say good morning. Thinking...where are they today, right now. What are they doing? But I will wait till I hear from you and see all your pictures to day dream again. So, here it is Tues morning, and I just wanted to say, be careful, be safe and have fun. (send pics soon!)