TMBA II coming soon!

Hi all
Summer is drawing to a close and there is a hint of Fall in the air.
Beginning Sept 24 the Big Adventure continues.
Of course hoping the RV place can get the repairs done by then.
Backed over a garbage can and now neither the black or grey tanks will hold water.
So early next week we have an appointment for the repair.
Otherwise we are filled with anticipation to begin the next journey.

Stay tuned and check back for more exciting adventures.

Tom and Millie

How to get tired!

Hi all
Busy day again.
Of course you know we just love it.
Got up and went into Harmony to visit my 101 year old cousin.
Had a nice visit, even tho we interrupted her Domino game.
Then back to the campground and a short wait for Ken and Muriel
They stayed in town last night due to meetings this morning.
Had a bite of lunch and headed up stream.
Going about a mile to Moth Cave
the head waters of the Forestville Creek that runs next to the campground.
About 3/4 mile we reached the cave.

That's it, the cave entrance.

and Millie had to do a little spelunking.
Got dark real fast so did not go very far in and the water coming out was cold.
Even after walking most of the way in the creek.

Millie in another entrance
but it did not go far.

Millie relaxing before we started back to camp.

Had to stop and "smell the roses"
Yeah, I know, these are NOT roses.

Our guide, Ken, taking a rest.

The little creek had a few deep spots
and no I was not on my knees.

Made it successfully back to the campground
a little wet, but well exercised.

After we decided it was time to not cook.

Out to Suzie's in Ostrander, MN
Great burgers and cold beer.
Then Ken and Muriel took us on a little side trip to Iowa.
Watched a great sunset and had a nice drive.
Sure get to feel bad about missing so many years not to far away.
All we can do now is enjoy our relatives as new found friends.

Started packing up to make the journey to Millie's sister's place
for the annual Carlson Gathering.
Making the trip tomorrow, only about an hour away so easy drive.
Looks like packing up in the rain, but after today, we know how to handle wet!

Make your day great
Tom and Millie

Cave tour and Hummingbirds!

Hi all
No, the birds are not in the cave!

Yesterday Ken, Muriel, Millie and I  went to Mystery Cave.
Had a good time and great tour.
Typical cave stuff,
stalactites, stalagmites, bats, pools, flowstone and other cave stuff.

Today we slept in and lazed around.
After noon, Ken and Muriel headed back to town.
I spent some time attempting to photograph hummingbirds.
Fast little buggers!
This was the best I accomplished today

Don't have the equipment for these.
Could only make 1/500th of a second
and could not push the speed any further and maintain enough light.
Sure glad I have some photo friends that do and they make beautiful images.

Tonight we went to Cousin Joanne's for supper.
Cousins Ken and Oliver joined us with Muriel and Lea.
Had a great time visiting and
supper was delicious.
Thanks Joanne!
Got home and watched the sky for a few meteors
saw a few and called it a night.

Tomorrow we hope to visit Cousin Esther once more before we leave.
Then back to campground and a cool walk up the creek to the cave it comes out of.
Supposed to be a hot day making a hike in the cool water very inviting.

Make your day great
Tom and Millie

Vacation!

Hi all
Yes, I said it, we are on vacation.
I know it is hard to believe that we need a vacation from retirement.
The projects have been one after another and life is still busy.
So we decided to take the week before Millie's family annual get together
and combine a shake down run and vacation.
After cleaning out the camper this spring and making some small repair/upgrades
we had to go camp and see what we forgot to put back in.
List isn't too long yet.

We are in southern Minnesota just outside of Forrestville/Mystery Cave State Park
Great Ma and Pa owned RV park.
Small enough for neighbors to be friendly and still quiet.
Here with a cousin of mine and having a good time.

Went for a drive to look around the area and came across

Yes, a barn!
Hard to believe in Minnesota.
Today we went to Forrestville.
A Minnesota Historical Soc. run attraction in the State Park.
It is a great inexpensive tour of the original buildings
and store.
With live actors that did a great job of being in character
in 1898.
Very well done and worth the trip if anywhere in the area.

Residence and dorm for hired single men.

Front door and kitchen with live cooking on the wood fired range.
Smelled really yummy.
Unfortunately it appeared to be only for the actors.

A talk about much of the equipment needed to operate the
community.
And the 3 story barn.
Can hardly imagine this area all filled with hay from the ground up to the collar ties.
The side areas are where the livestock was housed and fed.

A bit of summer recreation for those with nothing better to do.
I expect there was rarely a line waiting to play.
Life was not as easy back then.

We also had done some shopping at several Amish Farms yesterday.
These people are keeping the craftsmanship alive and well in this country.
From furniture to leather goods to bread, jams and quilting.
Is very interesting to visit and learn about the Amish in this community.
Thanks Cousin Ken!

Ken and Muriel have been our guides and activities directors.

Plenty of great food and although we ran us almost out of beer,

bed was calling and we will restock tomorrow.

Cousin Joanne came out to the campground for supper tonight.

So the five of us visited and cooked over the open fire for a great time.

Lefty has even make up to Muriel about the little "nip" when they met.

Great time and looking forward to a few more days of relaxing

and visiting with wonderful people.

End of the week we are heading to the Carlson Gathering

and time to reconnect with Millie's family. 

I am guessing I will get tired and take a break to post again

to share more of the good times.

Make your day great 

and enjoy the fast moving summer.

Tom and Millie

Hot Hot Hot!

Hi y'all
Most of you are enjoying the heat with us.
Mid 90's and 50-70% humidity.
Yep, work in the morning and stay in for the afternoon.
All this occurring while I'm in the middle of painting the house.
Got one side done in two mornings.
But gave up entirely as the morning has been only bearable
doing other stuff and not for long without cooling off.
Hope to get back to painting and do two sides by Tuesday.
Then only one left and we will need a break for a few days
plan on the lake and finish up the cabinet hardware.

Been working on getting Passport ready to travel.
Gonna visit down to southern MN
then Millie's family annual gathering.
When that is all done
Only a few weeks left till we head out again on new adventures.
Wow, where did the summer go?

Grilled tonight as Millie bought us a nice steak
asparagus, mushrooms and some potatoes.
Timing was perfect cooking as all got done at the same time.
Love my new grill!

Forgot to mention the cukes
almost looks healthy.

Make you weekend great
and enjoy the heat!
Tom and Millie

Construction photos as promised

Hi everyone.
After a productive week and lots of great weather
including the T-storms and a trip home
to look at some houses with Chelsey,
yes, she is looking to make the big move.
Well, l have virtually completed the entertainment center
here at the cabin.
Only thing left is a couple of catches for the doors.

The big door on the right is for the portable AC unit.
We just got tired of looking at it and since it is only used on very hot days,
thought it should just disappear.
Switch for fireplace with an outlet for what ever, just seemed like a convenient place.
Door on left end is for access to the UPS unit so we don't have to reprogram
every time we loose power, and for some minor storage.
Door on the wall is to hide the electric service subpanel,
been planning that one for years and finally got it done.
Bottom below the fireplace heat duct is a future drawer for DVD's and such.
The fun part was creating the duct from the heat output on top of the fireplace unit
and getting it to come out the bottom and including a duct booster fan to insure air flow.
It was a fun and frustrating (at times) project and seemed to turn out well.
Time will age the wood to match the walls and ceiling in about 10 to 20 years.

That's about it for today
now to head home and get the house painted.
Ain't retirement great!

Tom and Millie

Middle of July

Hi one and all who are still following!
Summer is zipping by
or maybe we are so busy enjoying retirement........
and all the projects, time goes quickly.

Nearly done with the entertainment center/AC garage
at the lake cabin.
Next will be painting the house in town.
Hope that goes as quickly as summer is.
We just finished up with about 6" of rain over the past few days
now waiting for a few dry days before we can start the painting.

Weekdays at the lake are so nice and quiet
almost like the "off" season.
This morning while checking Facebook
had a wildlife treat.

They get really bold during the week.
Of course, rabbits and squirrels don't seem much affected by people,
the Mallard female was a bit unusual, at least in the group.

So off to size the doors for the entertainment center
and sand and recoat the top.
I will post photos when completed.

Make your weekend great
and enjoy whatever your weather is!

Tom and Millie