Merry Christmas!

Hi all
Tis the season to be jolly.
Might as well, life is good and I for one am so glad to wake up each day
and have one more chance to bring joy to my family.
How does that sound, now that I am done blowing my horn,
I am still thankful for each day God has given me and the family and friends I get to spend it with.

This season is turning out pretty special for Millie and me.
We have decided our BWB has come to a time to retire too.
The decision to upgrade to a more travel worthy rig began with
figuring out what we would like and how big a truck we need to pull it.
Found a sweet deal on a Ford F350 diesel longbox 4X4.

Had to part with our trusty RAM that had nearly as much storage as our trailer.
After about 2 months or research we finally decided on a 5th wheel which prompted the big truck.
Then had to find one for us.
Floor plan was paramount.

We want to be able to use the rig without extending the slide rooms.
Finally found 3 and managed to eliminate, painfully I might add, 2 of them.
Could not easily find a little used one so we ......................
Bit the bullet and ordered a new Arctic Fox Silver Edition 27-5L.

We did not get all the bells and whistles, only the ones that we wanted.
So much more storage, inside and out.

So now we get to take the big truck when we go this winter
and pull our little old white box for one last season on the road.
It will be put up for sale next spring when we expect our new rig will be delivered.
We will miss it and all the memories created
while living and traveling in our little house on wheels.

So soon our adventures on the road will resume,
until then, we are wishing you all a very Merry Christmas
and the absolutely best New Year yet.

Make your day great
Love ya all
Tom and Millie

Vacation

Hi all
Yes, vacations are appreciated even when you are retired.
A time to get away and spend time with your loved ones.

We got the BWB parked at Millie's cousin's place so it can have a little hibernation time.
And be waiting, much further south than home, when we are ready to get away from winter.

After getting all put away we headed north for a little vacation time in Brainerd, MN.
Home of the filming of the movie Fargo, go figure.
We traded for a week at a time share resort there, actually in Nisswa, MN on Gull Lake.
While we were planning putting the trailer away and looking forward to a mini vacation,
Millie was busy inviting her sisters and any of their families that were close by.
We had also been looking forward to spending time with friends from the Twin Cities,
who had got a week at another time share about 20 minuets north of ours.
First night Millie's sisters and spouses joined us and the next day we ended up with about 17 or 18 total of us amounting to about half of her close family, including sisters, nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews.

Niece and nephew, one each of many.

And on to the Great nieces and nephews.

This bunch sure has beautiful kids. Could be I'm a little prejudice, Naaw, they're just cute.

And guess what??????????????????????????????????????????????????????
We had a great time! Yes, it's true. I think the kids may have been more well behaved than the adults!
Was a really great time and I am so lucky to have married into such a wonderful, loving group of people.
Just another thing I thank Millie for giving me.

Winter is setting in and light snow and lakes beginning to freeze over.

And a view from our condo.

We had visitors almost every evening and many mornings. Of course deer gun started this weekend and I'm sure this one's family knows very well they are safe on the resort.

Yesterday we became empty nesters. Got together with our friends for some adult beverages and a wonderful meal at a local smokehouse. Realized it has been about 30 years we have known each other. Meeting at the resort they are staying at this week. So much has changed since then, kids have grown up and some married. Our friends have become Grandparents, twice, since then. We have all changed jobs, some of us many times. We've all moved into different homes and traveled to many exciting places. Doing all of this while not looking a day older than when we met. Well, not many days.

Thanks Bev and Bernie for allowing us to be part of your lives.

Now today we start packing up to be out of here and back to real life Saturday. It has been a wonderful week and so much fun.
So here's to you our readers!

Make your day great!
Tom and Millie

Good morning!

Hi all
So glad we came south to store the trailer.
Below freezing every night and Halloween was the 2nd coldest recorded in KC.
We are only about 40 miles from KC.
Today we have to organize and get ready to leave the BWB here near Ottawa, KS
Thanks so much to Millie's cousins Dawn and Gary for allowing us space to park.
Happy to not think about towing the BWB out of ND in February.

Yesterday we had a great day, maybe because it was so chilly being only in the low 40's.
Best part was the wind stopped. Made it kind of fall like to be outside not having to hold your hat.

Started out going to the Old Depot Museum in Ottawa, KS.
http://www.olddepotmuseum.org/historical-sites/old-depot-museum/
Great choice, and we had a wonderful and informative couple of hours going through the displays.
We had the place to ourselves and did not have to move along any faster than we wanted.
One of the displays was about an early local photographer "Dad" Martin.
Long before Photoshop, "Dad" produce many fun prints exaggerating the productivity of the area.

After enjoying the museum and starting to get hungry, we did the only thing that made sense.
But on the way we cruised Main St. stopped by the Franklin County Court House for a quick photo.

Then we made our way to.....................

Great Vodka, made from Kansas sweet corn. (I guess it is their form of "corn liquor" commonly known elsewhere as "White Lightning".
However, Iv'e tasted a couple of those and this is nothing like them.
Smooth and a slightly sweet flavor, so good I bought one.
Millie liked the Pumpkin Spice flavored and we bought one of those for Holiday sipping.
Buck-U Products

Proprietor of the distillery directed us to the "best place in town for lunch".
Smoked Creations BBQ
Somewhat like a sports bar, BBQ joint. The food was great and had a good selection of beer.
We had an appetizer between us and took enough home for supper.
Loaded Potato Chips

Good service and prices were reasonable or better.

So all "loaded up", we headed next to "Pome on the Range" just outside of Williamsburg, KS
and only a hop, skip and a jump down the road from the RV Park.
Pome on the Range
The great Orchard, winery and gift shop, where you could buy fresh apples, frozen Ubake pies, Jelly, wine, salsa and lots more.
We sampled the wine and of course purchased a few bottles, bought some jelly and got Apple Cider Slushies.

After the day of sightseeing, sampling alcohol, eating and delicious desert (the slushie) we went back to the BWB for a relaxing evening. Finished the BBQ appetizer, watched a little TV and headed for a good night's sleep.

Today will bring it's own challenges (repacking) and rewards.
Make your day great
Tom and Millie

New Beginning

Hi all
Time has come for us to begin our
Big Adventure III
Of course, not off to a big bang, more like a little whimper.
Today we headed south and are at a Walmart in Sioux City, IA.
Sometimes Walmart has a great deal on Sunsets! 😊

Light rain and started out near freezing temps.
Stopped raining just before we got here.
And a bit warmer, not expected to go below freezing tonight.
Still plenty cold and a good workout for the furnace and it is working perfectly,
knock on wood.
Tomorrow we head to Ottawa, Kansas.
Never heard of it? Well, Millie has relatives there.

Now the whimper part, we are going to spend a few days there then winterize
and park on Millie's relatives property until we return after the first of the year.
This coming weekend we head back north to Brainerd, MN for a week at a condo.
Relatives coming and going to be a great time.
Then back to Fargo for winter. 😬😬😬

That's how it begins and I will post throughout the next couple weeks
and occasionally after until we leave next year.

Make your day great
Tom and Millie

And the hits keep coming!

Hi all
By hits I mean beautiful Autumn days.
Back at the lake for likely the last hurrah.
Last night was down in the 30's so it is getting very close to the end of the season.
Been a great summer with friends and family.

From today.
One of the "Last leaves".
Autumn skies are so blue, I even toned it down a bit in photoshop.

Woke up to this guy doing a little fishing before the long trip south.
I believe it is a Common Loon all ready in Winter colors.
Or possibly a juvenile that has not gotten full colors.
What ever, it is a Common Loon.

Now I also played with photoshop to try my hand at being a little artistic.
What do you think?

Just going to keep enjoying the gorgeous weather and forget about the weather to come.

Make your day great
Tom and Millie

September Ends

Hi all
Finishing up September at the lake.
Enjoying the fall colors and the cool weather.
Millie has been quilting away and I have been working on images.
Keeping us both quite busy.
Friday we took the day off and went to Maplewood State Park near Pelican Rapids, MN.
Mostly sunny light winds and about 70.
Just a lovely day to hike and drive the park loop.
The fur kids were so happy to get out and hike. They also slept real good last night.
Here is a series of photos showing the fall colors details.

And here's the gang!

And the scenic views showing the beauty of this park.

And playing with Photoshop and HDR

Make your day great
Tom and Millie

Weather changes back and forth

Hi all
Love September in the North Central states.
One day 93 breaking a record, couple days later only mid 50's.
Sunny or misty and rain.
And the leaves are beginning to change.
Unfortunately, it all portends Winter is coming.
We all know how to survive and thrive during those months,
just dream of being where it is warmer.

Enough with the weather report,
now on to the photos.
Leaves showing off!

Sunset cruise!

Some fun photographing an Osprey.

Foggy morning.

Rainy day.

Stormy sunrise.

An Autumn sunset 

And finally Smokey Moon.....
Not too bad for an 8 megapixel camera.

The last hot day we had friends of our visited at the lake.
Wonderful day with Dennis and Connie and wonderful weather.
Spent much of the day out on the lake.
I know them because I contracted with their company for many years.
They have been a big part of my life and so nice to spend time with them.

Hope your summer has been memorable
Make your day great!
Tom and Millie