Onward to new living quarters

After visits with Diane’s sister’s family, we started heading back to the north and west.  We stayed a couple of days in the Washington, DC area staying at Andrews AFB FAMCAP. 

Leaving there, we drove on to the Pittsburg, PA area and visited with Diane’s Aunt Peggy and her daughter, Lisa’s and her family.  It has been more than 50 years since they had seen each other in Arizona near the time of Diane’s paternal grandmother’s passing.  We stayed at a KOA in West Newton, PA.

Had a nice visit with Christina, Scott and the boys and girls while we rested up a few days at the Springfield, Il State Fair Campgrounds.  We had a nice spot and got to see some dirt track motorcycle races and a Swine show/auction.

It was then on to Waterloo, IA and we spent time before and after the 4th of July with Bob’s brother Tom and his wife Sherrie.  We stayed at the newly opened KOA campground and had a great spot up on the hill where we could see all of the campground, its lake and the Isle of Capri Casino next door.  We had great fun, great meals, and played lots of Farkle!

On the 7th of July, we headed to Sioux Falls, SD .  We spent two nights at the Yogi Bear Campground.  Enjoyed a meal with Winnebago friends Charlie Cross and Francoise Mulligan.  This fun couple showed us the highlights of Sioux Falls and the Falls park which we really found quite amazing.  We obtained our South Dakota driver’s licenses and became “official” full-timers.

We then travelled I-80 back to the east and I-35 south to head into Forest City, IA for the Winnebago Industries’ Travellers (WIT) Grand National Rally and the Military (MILWIT) National Rally which is the week preceding GNR.  As early arrivals, we assisted in the area set up for our rally.  We had a great time with old friends and made new ones.  Found 9 rigs from the Alaska Caravan in attendance and had a great reunion with them. 

On Friday, July 26th GNR closed with the MILWITs lowering the flags.  Bob and Diane relocated to the dealer’s parking lot for the change out of their new coach.  Our biking, camping, and MILWIT friend, Mary Dodd, spent two long days carrying stuff from the old to the new, one laundry basket at a time!  Today, Sunday is a relaxing day with a visit from Tom and Sherrie to see the new coach and a lunch at Shooter’s!    More pictures of the new coach to come.