OTHER RALLY ACTIVITIES

One night we had a campfire and one day a happy hour at the motel.

One night we ate at a family restaurant and the next night at a steak place-both excellent. Emmy and Paul Banwart and Dale and Irene Wilson were in charge. Here the Banwarts are on the left with Joe and Linda Evers on the right.

I had to zero in on one special person who was unable to be at the park last year because she was winning a rough battle with cancer. We're thrilled Etta Driesen (and Jim), are able to be back this year. We think she looks great!

After dinner we were treated to a performance of a group of singers that sang Broadway songs. They were great!

We even got to hear Elvis!

It was a very nice evening!

ALBERT CITY, IOWA

Al Ludeking, our happy activity director, decided the Ludekings, Browns, and Mulerts, should take a short trip to Albert City for lunch at the Twisted Spoon.

Al gave us this big story about reading about this restaurant in the Iowa Magazine and they were known for their great pies. I personally feel he had an alternative motive-this just happens to be Cal Anderson's hometown, and I think he wanted to see where Cal came from-of course, he always likes to eat! This is what the inside looks like.

If you get the chance to go, we found out that pie is only served on Thursdays-alas, it was Wednesday. Part of our fun consisted of watching one waitress serve almost 50 people, the ones in this room and 20 more in the back. Boy, she could move! The food was good and this isn't one of those one hick restaurant towns. There's another one across the street with painted wood windows, that serves food for dinner.

In case Cal is watching, here's a little more of your downtown. (I should have straightened the picture, but I think it gives it that special "look".

There's also a nice park.

A nice little Swedish town!

SANTA'S CASTLE

We toured Santa's Castle, which is a man's collection of moving decorations kind of crammed into the old library building.

It's kind of difficult to get good pictures, when they move so fast. This child's bottom goes up and down under the blanket as a cat chases a mouse under the bed. At least I got the tail.

Another tail, this time a reindeer.

Several poodles took over the kitchen.

Downstairs there was a train layout which everyone enjoyed.

If you're looking for a place to take your little ones, or the little one in all of us, this is the place.

OMELET BREAKFAST

We all filled our own bags.


Doyle Van Der Hart (in blue), was our cook.



Don't these look appetizing?

This looks a lot better!

Joe Evers was nice and did my dishes. What a guy!

They were delicious and fun!

TREE MUSEUM

We moved on to Storm Lake to attend the annual rally for the Iowa residents at our park in Arizona. One of the activities suggested was to walk through the Tree Museum.

The trees are in a park along the lake.

Each tree has a small sign underneath explaining where the tree sapling was obtained.

Definitely unique!

A SPIDER'S CREATION

When we were walking down by the Mississippi River Museum, the wheel out in front held a surprise.


I thought it was neat!

FARM LAND AROUND DUBUQUE

When we went back to Dubuque from Rickardsville, I couldn't help but take some pictures.



A little closer look.