All four wheels are turning

August 29, 2019
World of Fun Village
Kansas City, MO

What a week!!!  It all began last Friday with about 30 miles left on our trip to Onawa, Iowa.  One minute Uncle Steve was motoring right along behind us and the next minute he was on the side of the road giving his fire extinguisher a work out.  Hot bearings can cause enough heat to light up a tire!!
After a roadside band-aid....chaining up the axle.....we arrived at On Ur Wa Campground with high hopes of being on our way on Wednesday.  It's hard to get parts ordered and delivered on a weekend.  Tuesday arrived and everyone anxiously waited for the Big Brown Truck (UPS) to arrive.  As I understand the process, next day delivery is scheduled to arrive by noon the following day.

At 3 minutes to noon, the Big Brown Truck came roaring in the campground.  The truck wheels hadn't even hit the pavement on the street departing the campground when the campground owner arrived at Uncle Steve's site on his golf cart loaded with boxes.

It looked like Christmas....so many goodies.  But alas,  the frown on Dad and Uncle Steve's faces told the story before they could even utter the words.....'where is the hub?'   Uncle Steve got on his computer to check the tracking for the missing box and then his phone only to discover that the hub hadn't made it to shipping in time to go out on Monday and was due to arrive on Wednesday.  Huh???

Oh well, they had plenty to do.  The Axle Surgeon was due Tuesday afternoon to weld on a new spindle. 

They also had to replace some additional bearings on the other side of the rig.  Busy, dirty business.  Our planned, relaxing two night stay had turned into a busy 5 night stay.

Onawa isn't a very busy town, but they do have a nice tire shop that is part of the big John Deer business, and a Nappa store that is located in the good sized Case farm equipment store.  And they even visited O'Reilly's.  As a matter of fact, they made so many trips going back to pick up items they had to order, they were well known by the clerks.  

Aunt Carol and Momma were pleasantly surprised to discover that the Fiesta Market had a nice inventory of groceries on hand.  And that was about the extent of the shops for the ladies.  They popped into the quilt shop that had a bit of a musty smell.  Not something you would want when selling fabric!!  Of course with Uncle Steve's tailgate being turned into a work bench and Dad's truck turned into a parts courier truck, there wasn't an over abundance time left to head to any lady's shops anyway.

All in all, it was a very comfortable campground to spend time in as the owners were very relaxed and friendly and didn't mind work being done on site.  With the majority of the campers being overnighters, we pretty much had the park to ourselves during the day.  Lots of room for chasing my ball in the grass.

Wednesday morning rolled around and once again and the gang was waiting for the appearance of the Big Brown Truck to deliver the hub.  The driver's timing was a bit earlier so we just knew we would be heading south by afternoon.  Well, let me tell you.  It was not a pleasant experience opening the box and discovering ......yep, you guessed it......the WRONG part.  What??? This is what we were waiting for?????

More phone calls ensued and Uncle Steve got a doozy of a gal who sounded like she was on her second day of work.  Calling  back did the trick.  An actual human being who not only knew her job well, but had compassion for the situation we had been put in.  "Mr. Griffin, you will have the correct part tomorrow!"  Usually parts have to be in shipping by noon to make the next day delivery and it was just past noon by the time he had hung up from the doozy clerk, but this new gal knew how to make things happen!!

By now, our next two campground stops were very familiar with us......we are delayed once again.  Please reschedule our arrival.  Well, that didn't work at Peculiar Place RV Park as they only had one site left.  No problem.  We had lots of time to find an alternative stopover spot while we were waiting once again for the Big Brown Truck.  

Thursday morning rolled around with a bit of anxiety.  Do you think the Big Brown Truck will deliver before noon so we can get on the road by early afternoon?  Will it even be the correct part?  The campground owners said we were lined up for their 'stay the 7th night free deal' if indeed we couldn't depart on Thursday.  But just before noon UPS delivered and our campground owner zipped the box over to our site.

 Three cheers!!! The correct part was shipped.

 Now for a smooth installation....a little over an hour of labor ... and then additional time to put away all the tools. 

By 2:11 pm we were ready to roll and depart our spacious LONG pull thru sites and be 'on our way' as we departed On Ur Wa Campground

.

And here we are in Kansas City, Missouri arriving and setting up well before dark.  It just doesn't get any better!!  Momma, where's the pic of our new campsite?  Oh well, I guess she was in a hurry to get dinner on the table.  I don't have to worry about that problem as my dish is always stocked with my food....ready for me whenever I'm ready to chow down.  But I do have to remind them to give me my evening dog bone treat to chew on.  It keeps my teeth pearly white!!

I'm Chloe

Helper Dog

August 25, 2019
On Ur Way RV Park
Onawa, Iowa

Dad has been telling me that I need to earn my keep so I have given it some serious thought.  I have decided to step up and become a 'helper dog'....making life a bit better for those around me.  Of course to be totally honest, there is an ulterior motive to my plan.  You see, Dad always has to sit down in his chair and put on his shoes before we can go out and play.  Now if I just help him with that task, I'm beginning to earn my keep, as well as getting to playtime quicker.  Sounds like the perfect plan to me.  I spring up behind Dad in his chair and.....

 he turns to me and asks why I have to be a pain in my a.. backside!!  Well!!!  I was really taken aback by that.  I'm 'helper dog' here at work.....earning my keep and some serious playtime.

Last night Uncle Steve and Dad grilled chicken for dinner.  Momma had set the table in our rig.  Dad brought in two pieces of chicken for Momma and himself.  Uncle Steve brought in 3 pieces of chicken for .....hey, there is only two of them....and 3 pieces.  Here I come to save the day.  I just knew someone was going to over eat and be uncomfortable so......before you could blink an eye.....I snatched one piece off that platter so quick that no one knew what had happened until they heard the thud as the piece landed on the floor.  You see, it was a bit warm as it had just come off the grill.  Well,  you should have seen Dad jump to action.  Hey, I'm helper dog not 'pain in my a..' dog.  Can't you see I was just trying to help?  I'm earning my keep!!  

We have had lots of new neighbors every night here.  The park begins to fill up as the afternoon turns to evening but by mid morning, they have all departed.  I guess they are taking the name of this campground to heart....On Ur Way.  We won't be on our way until all the overnighted parts arrive and are installed on Aunt Carol and Uncle Steve's rig.  That might happen on Tuesday which means we will be On OUR Way on Wednesday.  I have offered to help get under the rig and lend a helping paw but Dad has told Momma that I am NOT invited and to keep me away.  Now Dad, how am I going to learn anything about wrenches and bearings?  

I guess it's my turn to be a helper dog to Momma.  What do you mean I'm in your way and under foot while you are baking?  I'm just ready to help out if anything should hit the floor.  

I guess I'll just curl up and have sweet, tasty dreams about how that piece of grilled chicken would have tasted if I had been able to chew each morsel before letting it slide it's way to the bottom of my belly.  

I'm Chloe

Still on the road

August 23, 2019
On Ur Way RV Park
Onawa, Iowa

What a pretty ride! We followed the yellow lined path as we headed south in North Dakota.

We didn't find a 'wizard' at the end of the path as Dorothy did when she followed the yellow brick road, but we did find a very impressive beast....actually a family 

These beasts can easily weigh somewhere between 1000 to 2000 pounds with the females being the lighter.  Jamestown, ND is home for this family and the National Buffalo Museum.

We also visited the Frontier Village...a collection of old frontier buildings from yesteryear.

Our next stop took us into South Dakota.  Our timing was perfect.  We arrived on a Wednesday, just in time for the evening pick in.  It's an informal gathering of musicians and that night, the group grew to 5 guitars, a stand up bass, and a mandolin/fiddle player.

We were in Summit, SD ....population of 291..... at a very nice campground with L O N G pull thru sites.  Seeing as there really didn't seem to be anything in Summit, we drove into Watertown, SD and found ourselves enchanted with Terry Redlin's Art Museum.

Not only were we impressed by Terry's works of art, but the building itself was very well designed to showcase his themed creations.  A video gave us a good overview of Terry's life and how this museum...a gift to Watertown.... came to be. Each picture had a plaque giving an overview of the inspiration for the painting.  There is no admission fee charged.  I guess the sales of art in the gift shop help to cover the cost of maintaining the large 3 story building.   Uncle Steve gave some serious thought to contributing to the sales.  There was also a second building on site that is rented out for weddings or events.  Such a beautiful setting!!

Now today turned out to be a longer day in the truck than planned.  We headed south with Onawa, Iowa as our destination.  We should have arrived around 2 pm but it was well after 5.  I didn't complain at all as I LOVE to travel and I'm very comfy stretched out in the whole back seat.  I think  Dad and Uncle Steve weren't as happy.  You see, Dad missed out on Uncle Steve's flaming tire episode in Alaska so ....Uncle Steve gave him a repeat performance...on the opposite side of the same axle.  With only 27 miles left, we found ourselves on the side of Interstate 29 removing the hot tire and chaining up the axle. 

We were less than 2 miles from an exit which allowed us to travel secondary roads as we limped into our campground.  Aunt Carol joyfully said, "We made it!!"

Now today happens to be Friday of course, but Dad was able to locate the Axle Surgeon, Matt who is going to get a new spindle over-nighted.  If it arrives as planned on Tuesday, he will come out and weld the spindle to the axle.  That will only put us 3 days off schedule.

I don't mind at all as these pull thru sites are even longer than our previous ones.  Lots of room to chase my ball!!  Uncle Steve says, lot of time to locate a replacement tire.  Dad says, lots of time to pull the wheels and check out the rest of the bearings.  Auntie Carol and Momma say, lots of time for exploring and a shopping expedition.

Everyone is safe and sound and as the day ends, getting ready to slide between the sheets to dream of completed repairs.

I'm Chloe

FMCA in Minot, ND

August 18, 2019
Minot, ND

What a week!!  Auntie Carol and Uncle Steve

have been with us all week at the fairgrounds in Minot, ND where we attended the 100th FMCA International Rally.  We were 'up on the hill' which was lucky for us as the lower parking was a tad wet from the rain the day before we arrived.  And the best part, we were near the end of the row and next to a nice area to chase my ball.  We even had our own porta potty behind us.  It just doesn't get any better.  Did I mention that we could hear the train whistles so we felt right at home?  After all, it seems campgrounds and trains go hand in hand.

Did you locate our rig on the far left?  In total, there were just over 1600 rigs and 27 percent of them were first time rally attendees.  

Many of the shuttles were 6 passenger golf carts so they would drop you at your site.  They also had short school buses ....17 passenger buses.  Most of the activities...seminars, vendor sales, shows..... were located in a HUGE building which was convenient for everyone.  Momma said, her major complaint was the poor acoustics in the arena.  It made it very difficult to hear Sully talk about how he landed that huge plane on the Hudson saving the lives of 155 people.

 

Not as many vendors as they expected, but they still found some 'treasures' to purchase.

They even found some time to enjoy dinner at a local Irish Pub as well as the Starving Rooster, who used unique presentation for serving their salads....no bowls here!!

Uncle Steve and Auntie Carol had just returned from an Alaskan Caravan where they were know as rig #7. 

Now they are just known as one of the rigs in Lot 0, Street 30 attending the FMCA Rally.

I have to admit, I enjoyed the 'game time' in our rig even though it was tough to get their attention when they were engrossed in playing on the table rather than playing with me.  Uncle Steve and Momma partnered up and seemed to be on a winning streak.  It didn't matter if it was Hand and Foot, Pegs and Jokers or Fast Track.  But then they played some individual games instead of 'team games'.....dominoes and Five Crown....which broke the winning streak and gave Auntie Carol and Dad a chance to do a winning cheer!

Today is repair day for Uncle Steve's rig.  He lost a tire...it kind of burnt up just outside of Dawson City in the Yukon.  He did get his axle, bearings and tire replaced, but not the brake to that wheel.  So today's project is to install the brake parts that were sent to our current campground here in Minot for the 4th tire.  Dad just LOVES a project so he is excited today!!

Now me, I just love to chase my ball and there is the perfect grassy spot right behind my rig.  Okay Momma, I've had time to catch my breath so let's go play ball once again.

I'm Chloe

Playmate

August 11, 2019
Jamestown, ND

Dad said he found a new playmate for me.  He isn't aggressive at all even though he is HUGE and he definitely won't talk back.  I can easily run rings around him and he won't even bat an eye.

I think I'd rather have someone to chase, run with and yes, get slobber from.  I'm about due for some 'slobber hair gel'.

I wonder if this huge beast has anything to do with the width of the roads in Jamestown.  Lots of space for traffic and parking everywhere.....and maybe a herd of bison.....

It seemed like every block had at least one camper or boat parked at the curb.  I wonder what they do in the winter when it's time to plow the snow from the roads???

Tomorrow we head to Minot, ND and hook up with Auntie Carol and Uncle Steve Griffin.  We will fill up our fresh water tank and head into the FMCA rally at the Fairgrounds on Tuesday for a week of entertainment, seminars, vendor shopping, making new friends and more memory making events.  The only catch is, we have had so many memory making events this summer, we are on overload.  Sometimes it's even hard to remember what state we were in last week.  It's a good thing I'm writing it all down.  

I'm Chloe

South to North Dakota

August 8, 2019
Jamestown, North Dakota

Every campground is unique in its own way.  Take Dakota Campground in Mitchell, SD that we just left.  We had a nice LONG pull thru site with full hook up and a comfortable amount of breathing space between us and our neighbors. Room to chase my ball and to kick back and relax on Momma's foot stool with my tongue hanging out while I recharged. 

We also had the bonus of bird droppings ....lots of bird droppings....and not just on the windshield to clutter our view.

Now these birds had every right to be located above us as we were encroaching on their territory as we parked under THEIR trees that shaded our site and all the other sites in this park.  There was so much tree coverage, it was impossible to get a clear line of site from our satellite dish to the satellite in the hidden sky even when Dad moved our dish trying to locate a hole .  Not to worry, we had two over the air channels....NBC for current news and a channel that played the old 50's and 60's shows, Antenna TV.  So I didn't have the music channel to entertain me while I was left home alone, but I was introduced to something called a 'Soap Opera'.   Did I mention that we had good Verizon signal for streaming movies?  I wish they would watch more dog stories!!  Someone told me Lady and Tramp is a great love story.  Ahh...swoon....

Now this RV park has neighbors....close neighbors.  Momma said she is tempted to open the window and reach across to the next rig for the 'Grey Poupon'.  I never saw that commercial, but Momma said it was a cute one.

I don't really care about those close neighbors, I am more interested in the BIG...HUGE.. intimidating creatures on the other side of the fence.  They are even larger than the cows I saw at cousin Missy's.  

Momma said they are bison and I should stay away as they can be mean to me....even the 3 1/2 month old is too big for me to play with.  Her Mom snorted at me with a stay away message when I got too close to the fence.  I was just going to slide under the railing to get a good sniff.  Maybe I'd better stick with chasing my ball?!?

Our ride here was rather nice today.  Lots of newly laid, flat, straight, smooth highway.  Yep, we are back in the flat land area once again with lots of crops and the addition of cattle in this area.  And we kept seeing HUGE grain silos 

The signs led us to believe these are co-op collection areas.

We also saw every bit of land being harvested.  They were bailing hay on the land between the highway and the crop fields.

I guess they don't have much roadside litter in South Dakota.

I'm Chloe

Corn by Number

August 7, 2019
Mitchell, South Dakota

Once again our angel was watching over us.  Grand Island had a pretty bad storm including some hefty winds.  Power was out for several hours with lots of wind and water damage to deal with. Everyone was told to stay home.  Thankfully, we had already moved on.

It was a pretty drive into South Dakota.

We have left the flatlands of Nebraska.   Dad had just commented that South Dakota knows something about laying good road when we came upon some road work.  The workers were taking the top layer off the road to level out the surface.  Once we left the road work area, we REALLY appreciated the smooth ride we had been given by the road crew.  As we traveled the area that hadn't been touched we couldn't decide if we were being treated to a fair ride...k-thump, k-thump or just practicing for the old Jello commercial.....see-it jiggles.  You could definitely feel each and every joint between road sections.  And  yes, Momma's microwave plate became unsettled once again.

Mitchell is famous for it's 'Corn by Number' murals.  Every year, the artist, Howe, creates scenes, based on the year's theme, and uses chalk to outline the sketch on black tar paper with a coding system for the different colors of corn cobs to be nailed into place to create the murals.  It is estimated that it takes 200,000 nails plus 1800 bundles of oats, 500 bundles of flax and 8 truckloads of sour dock weed each year. And about $130,000 for the task to be completed. In case you haven't figured it out, I am referring to the Corn Palace Murals.

The large arena is venue to known artists, such as ...if you are old enough to remember...John Philip Sousa, Jack Benny, Lawrence Welk, Tennessee Ernie Ford.  And current performers 

who are scheduled to perform later this month.  Thought this was unique billing on the stairs above.

And indoor sports are also scheduled.  Notice the hanging score board.

Right now, there is a souvenir shop set up on the floor.  

The inside murals last much longer than the outdoor ones.  These have been in place for 25 years and are not replaced yearly.  Of course they don't have exposure to the weather elements and the birds. 

It was hoped that Mitchell would be named the capital of South Dakota when the backers build the Corn Palace back in 1902, but even though the Corn Palace brought lots of attention and notoriety to Mitchell, it was not selected to hold the distinction of being the capital city.

Tomorrow is another travel day as we venture into North Dakota and get closed to joining up with Aunt Carol and Uncle Steve (Griffin) next Monday.  Auntie Carol has promised me that she didn't give ALL the treats away to the dogs on their Alaskan Caravan.  She still loves me best!

I'm Chloe