Day 60, "Every picture has a story"
The date was October 2, 2014 and actually the picture shows it was taken at 5:07 PM! The start was in 2012 when we pulled our tiny camper home. We decided to take in MN state parks. There are 67 so we set in for the long haul. During 2012, 2013 and early 2014 we took in a total of 63. We camped in many but for some we just stopped and visited for a time. Then in late summer of 2014 we headed west, then north and then west again to Alaska. The last 3 state parks could wait. After spending 5 weeks in Alaska, interrupted by a flight home to see Terry's mother on her death bed, we drove onto the ship of the Alaska Marine Highway and headed to Bellingham Washington. We headed down the coast while taking in several national parks and then at Ventura CA we headed west towards MN. We took in several more national parks but as we drove into CO we got a message from brother Dave that he had finished the guitar he had made for me so for sure there needed to be a stop in Jamestown ND. As we drove onto I 94 headed towards St. Paul on October 2nd we decided to end our 15,000 mile camping trip by taking in the last of MN state parks. We had 4 left and they were pretty much in the same general area. From Jamestown to St. Paul is about an 5 hour drive so as we departed from Dave and Marlys home at 9:00 we felt we could visit all 4 and arrive home before dark. First it was Crow Wing State Park and that was easy to find, then Kathio State Park which we had to drive into town to find the park center and then Father Hennepin State Park. Now it was about 4:15 and we had ONE last park, Lindbergh. We drove into the park about 4:45 and were disappointed as the visitor center was closed. We looked inside and then walked towards the shelter near the center. Each park has a place with a park stamp you can use to stamp a MN park book. Here we were, ready to stamp the 67th and last park into our book. Before we could do that the door opened in a house near by and a ranger walked towards us and asked if he could help us. The center was closed but he would be happy to open it. We told him our story of visiting parks and this was our last one. His face lit up and he said he had not had the honor of being the last park in someone's book. He personal stamped our book after he opened the center. It seemed like he was almost as pleased as we were happy. In doing the parks one gets a free night of camping after #25 and another free night after 50. Then when you send in proof that you have visited all 67 you get a plaque and a pin. It was a fun 3 years of camping and I would say MN state parks are a treasure to all who visit.
I am geared up for the last of the fall tennis this afternoon. The weather should be great, cool, and the compeition should be fun as I am not sure Tarpon Cove vs Tarpon Cove has happened in the past. I will be playing court #1 with Rich who has memory issues so it should be FUN in more than one way. Really the matches should be very one sided in our favor but in tennis, as in so many sports, you never know what might happen. The home team usually brings drinks and individual snack but we will have the kitchen bring over crackers, cheese, chips and drinks, pretty high end, right???
Well there are several things that need to be done before Terry's "ladies only" party so may get some of that work done this morning. The party will take place next Tuesday but better early than at the last minute. I know, that is not my usual MOO to be honest!!! For an explanation MOO, to me, is mode of operation. Makes sense, right?
My favorite cup holds one last cold sip of FP so I am out of here.
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