The FMCA Convention in Minot

It was the Family Motor coach Association’s 100th International Convention and Expo.  

I had registered before Hugh had decided to join me because it fitted into the timetable of traveling home.  I had been to one before with Penny who said she did not want to go to another one! I was concerned as to how much Hugh might enjoy it.

It is now day three and we will leave for home to-day. Hugh has found it quite enjoyable and has had conversations with some very interesting people (common interest in History, airplanes and other issues), and has learned a lot about RVing as well as looking through some amazingly luxurious coaches. It has greatly helped that we had our bicycles to come and go as we wished and get around the vast site. (The North Dakota State Fair Grounds).



For me what has been the most interesting is to be able to attend some of the many education seminars. Examples - Rooftop air conditioner maintainance; the top ten maintainance tips every RVer should know; understand, monitor and protect your RV electrical system etc. 

I have also benefited by visiting several vendor booths and have received helpful advice on : The towing hitch (bought a new one); the satellite dish; surge protection devices; how to repair the Diamond Coating (which is on our RV) etc. 

Last evening (Thursday) was a special presentation (speech) by Captain “Sully” Sullenberger. He was the Captain of the US Airways Airbus jet that landed in the Hudson River (New York) when both the engines of the plane were knocked out by a bird strike (large birds like Canada Geese) ten years ago. 

Some people will have seen the movie “Sully”.  His speech was very professional and touched on many issues that the audience would have liked. About 30 % of the audience was ex-military. Sully had been a fighter pilot. He touched on the value of women in society (He has two daughters in graduate school), on loyalty to the American flag, on the values that  matter - caring for others, treating people equally, and making a difference for the benefit of others in the US and around the globe. A very professional (he had tele readers) and inspiring talk that would have resonated with most of the audience (older Americans and some Canadians living in mostly large motor homes). There are about 1200 Motorhome Coaches parked here on this vast site.

It is time to move on after two days heading west for home.

Turtle River State Park in North Dakota

This was our last night before the FMCA Rally in Minot. We then had an easy drive along highway 2 of about 300 KM to Minot. What was of interest about this park was that it was originally designed and constructed by the Civilian Conservation Corps starting in 1934. It was part of the “New Deal” make work program created by President Franklin Delano Roosevelt. 

It was mid week and there were only about six other campers in the two large camping areas. There were excellent trails and on Wednesday morning we bicycled along a muddy trail beside the Turtle River. It was pleasantly quiet and wilderness like.

Red River State Recreational Area

This park gets the medal for having the most interesting history. In 1997 the towns of Grand Forks (in North Dakota) and East Grand Forks (in Minnesota) were flooded and a large proportion of the population were evacuated. The Red River flows north from here and passes through Winnipeg on its way to Hudson’s bay. 

Following this natural disaster the Corps of Engineers built a berm around the river with a barrier that is sealed off during the spring run-off when the river rises.  The area were we are camping was a housing subdivision. After the flood the houses were removed and a camping areas for RVs established. There was also established a Greenway bicycle path which we took advantage of for about a 10 KM bike ride. 

It was still wet with a Scottish mist drizzle but not raining like it was on Monday. When the spring run off occurs the area where we are camping floods but the barrier and flood gates that are installed prevents the town from flooding. The area acts like a giant reservoir to slow the river and may well prevent downstream flooding.    

Adventures in Itasca State Park

Of all the state parks one has visited so far this one gets a medal. It is over 32,500 acres, and includes not only the beginning of the Mississippi River but large traces of Minnesota’s remaining old-growth red and white pine forest. It was established in 1891, had a stormy history involving logging that eventually got resolved in 1922. Lake Itasca was determined to be the headwaters of the Mississippi River by Jacob V. Browser the founder of the park.  

The park had clearly many improvements made incrementally over the years. In particular there is a superb paved bike path. It is used year round and even has a separate map for the winter (cross country skiing and snowmobiling).

Unfortunately it was raining on Monday morning, however we set out, suitably geared, in light rain. We cycled to the headwater site and then down to Douglas Lodge where there was a restauraunt. By this time there was torrential rain and we were glad to stop for a bowl of soup and share a bison burger. The bike back to the RV was in heavy rain and we were glad of a hot shower. We cycled about 15 KM.

Minneapolis

We stayed at a KOA about 50 KM south of Minneapolis. Got stuck (and lost afterwards) in heavy traffic getting there because of extensive road works.

The following day we made it into the middle of Minneapolis. I had visited there in the 1980s when I did a three week course in Epidemiology at the University. Minnesota is a Blue state and one has the impression that there has been quite an investment in parks etc.

We parked on a street and did about a 10 KM bike ride around the East Lake of the Isles Parkway around “Lake of the Isles”. We were on the “Grand Rounds Scenic Byway that offers a little bit of everything: great scenery, historic sites, modern and contemporary art, outdoor recreation, and great shopping and dining, all within the heart of Minneapolis”.  A city I could visit again as long as one could decide which season to be there (cold, like Winnipeg in the winter).

Chicago and a rest day

We drove into the center of Chicago (the Interstate goes there) but tried unsuccessfully to find a parking spot so that we could explore the water front. It is strange being in the middle of a huge city after life on the road. All we could do was to take a few pictures, drive a circuit downtown in the traffic (Hugh navigating and me driving) before heading on to pass Milwaukee and Madison and find ourselves at a very nice Camp Ground (Sky High Camping Resort) near Portage Wisconsin. 

This camp ground was so pleasant - swimming pool, able to do laundry and excellent internet speed that we decided to stay an extra day. The temperature is cooler 26C in the day and 15C at night so one can site outside comfortably.

On Saturday we will be south of Minneapolis at a KOA campground, then Sunday at Itasca State Park, Park Rapids Minnesota and Monday at Red River Recreational State Park, East Grand Forks, Minnesota. From there we will be two days from the FMCA rally at Minot North Dakota. 

On the way home and some repairs

We left Gettysburg on Monday 5th (a holiday in Canada) but first were very lucky to find S&S RV Service nearby. We had sprung a leak in the exhaust (muffler). George Scott, the owner took us in right away on Monday morning. He was very knowledgable about the Workhorse Chassis (It is a 2007 vehicle) made by Chevrolet and also the Banks exhaust system that we have. Not only did they repair the exhaust (two gaskets needed) but advised on a couple of intermittent issues - instruments turn on and off unexpectedly, a leaking water pump (he said), that there had been a recall on the brakes which he thinks has been done and an ABS light that comes on intermittently. I was most impressed with his knowledge.

We were able to leave at 1.30 after having been to a Starbucks to get their high speed internet and update the Blog.

We are heading west now and need to be in Minot North Dakota for Wednesday 14th August and the Family Motor Coach Association rally.  I have shown Hugh the Frommer book on RVing which outlines more than twelve different types of people/personalities that go RVing!

These are Garbo Gourmets (those who like to live the comfortable life style on the go), Sportsmen, Weekenders, Families on vacation, Ecotourists, The ultimate shoppers, Relatives, Retirees and Empty Nesters, Pet lovers, Travelers with disabilities, Special events attendees, Snowbirds and Full-Timers. We will potentially meet them all at this rally.

We found Rocky Gap State Park at Flintstone, Maryland for Monday night. Another state park with nicely spaced sites, good washrooms, electrical hookup (for the air conditioning) and on Tuesday morning we did about a 7 KM bike ride on a very challenging (roots and rocks) path around Lake Habeeb adjacent to the park.

Now we are at a Good Sam camp ground - Wolfe’s Campground at Zanesville, Ohio.