RV Envy

This weekend is the RV and Camping Show at the Fairgrounds.  It's a great day to look at RVs and dream of better weather, because it is way too wet and dreary to actually be camping.  My sister, Jacci, and I went to check things out.

We come from a family where camping was a way of life.  Every year our parents would pack us all up in the station wagon, load the top carrier with the tent and sleeping bags, and we would head out for vacation.  I thought everyone did this.  It wasn't until I was an adult that I realized how fortunate we were

It is also a family tradition to get together at least once each year for Family Campout.  We have a big family get together with relatives from Iowa and Kansas, usually somewhere in southern Iowa.  Nine Eagles and Lake of Three Fires are two favorite destinations.  Some of us camp.  Some of us just drive down for the day to eat, and talk, and eat, and sit around the campfire, and eat.

For a long time I have wanted a small RV so I could pack up my dogs and head out to visit family and friends, and explore the out of doors.  So far it hasn't been in the budget, but I think I am getting closer.  That's why it is so much fun to go to an RV show and walk through all these vehicles.

I will not consider the $445,000 bus that costs three times as much as my house.  But some of these others might be in the running.  I like the high end finishings of the Winnebago Navion, but the Four Winds or Winnebago Spirit might be closer to my budget, and I would love to have either of them.

It's fun to look and dream!  Maybe I should buy some lottery tickets?

Winnie is a Camping Dog

Last weekend was Family Campout 2012.  This was Winnie's very first camping trip.  She loved it, so now she's a camping dog.

Photo #219: Lisa and Her Backpack

Lisa and Colin were in town this weekend. They recently returned from their vacation, which was a backpacking camping trip near Lake Superior. Lisa is modeling her unloaded backpack for me, here.

Lisa grew up camping, but our family's style of camping is of the modern restroom and travel with the relatives, who have a motorhome variety. In college she was a camp counselor at Camp Hantesa, so she has always enjoyed the out of doors. She said this was the most rustic camping she has done. Colin is an experienced backpacker. They saw some beautiful scenery and had a great time. Colin is also a great photographer, and I enjoyed seeing their pictures.

Photo #213: Thomas Mitchell Park

This weekend I visited Thomas Mitchell Park. At 175 acres, this park is much smaller than Yellow Banks. It is located at 10509 NE 46 Avenue, outside Mitchellville, Iowa. This park is also managed by Polk County Conservation and it is much more familiar to me. Our Fourth Graders used to come here for a fall field trip each year, so I have looked for wildlife in the pond and hiked the trails, as well as supervised kids on the playground.



The tree sculpture is new. I don't remember that. I'm thinking this is a Morell Mushroom, but I could be wrong.



This park has nice picnic shelters, and some hiking trails. It has a campground with electric hookups and modern restrooms. There is a tenting area near the creek that runs through the park. It is green and shaded, but it is also close to the road. If you're looking for quiet and a more woodsy feel, Yellow Banks Park is probably a better choice. I do like the ambiance of the red foot bridge.



Thomas Mitchell Park is more of a groomed park than Yellow Banks. It is great for picnics and camping. There are some hiking trails, and a pond, but no fishing. It is a wonderful place to go, and it's just a short drive away.

Photo #212: Yellow Banks Park

I decided to go on a little adventure today and check out the campgrounds at some nearby parks. Even though I was born here, and moved back here almost thirty years ago, I was not aware of Yellow Banks. I had heard it mentioned, but I was under the impression that it was father away, when in fact, it is located in Runnells, just a few miles from here. Located high above the Des Moines River, it covers 517 acres, and the view was breath-taking. The above view was shot from the tent area. This tenting area is rustic, without flush toilets, but it's just a short walk to the modern restrooms in the trailer area. I liked the wooded tenting area.



It was fairly flat, with ample space between campsites. The campsites had great fire pits, some of which are even surrounded by benches.



Yellow Banks is just one of the five parks that are part of Polk County Conservation. You can learn more about these parks by visiting their website at Polk County Conservation. We are so lucky to have such beautiful parks in and around the city of Des Moines. To give you an idea of how close it is to home, I stopped in the restroom in the trailer area. While I was washing my hands, I heard a girl say to her mom, "Mom, I think Ms. Day is here." It was one of our Phillips kids spending the weekend camping. Yep! Teachers have to be on their good behavior at all times.

Photo #191: The Wisconsin River

These are my photos for Saturday, July 10th.

This trip to see homes designed by Frank Lloyd Wright was also a camping trip, though we were not exactly roughing it. We traveled in Jacci's motor home, which is a Pleasure Way. We stayed at the Wisconsin Riverside Resort, and our space was right on the river. You can see the beautiful view right behind the motor home. The campground is located in Spring Green, Wisconsin, just down the road from Taliesin and the House on a Rock. While we toured Taliesin, we only saw the House on a Rock from a distance.

Fortunately Jacci purchased a screen house before we went, because the mosquitoes were ferocious. The campground has cabins for rent, a swimming pool, restaurant and bar, and wifi. Camping has changed a lot from back when our family started with just a few sleeping bags and a tent.