Iowa

We spent a good week in Forest City, Iowa at the Winnebago Factory for service.  They replaced the kitchen slide mechanism, two back levelers and made other minor adjustments.  It is definetly worth coming here.  Their techs are specialists in each area of the RV and really know what they are doing.

The days for those lined up for service goes as follows:  Up at 6 to get ready to be without your home for the day.  This means tote bag with snacks, books; computers for some, pets for others!  Meet with tech at 7 a.m. and leave your rig in their hands.There is a lovely service waiting room with multi-outlets for computer users, comfortable couches, chairs and tables. Coffee and tea always available. Other choices for occupying your day: one may go to Mason City, Clear Lake or to the casino.

The waiting room can get pretty interesting - and sometimes a little crowded. Getting to the facilities can be a tricky obstacle course.  Usually there are several dogs and cats and, every now and then, a bird.

Of course, the RV'ers are an interesting lot .. always good stories to tell and interesting adventures to share.

We toured a Frank Lloyd Wright designed house in Mason City - The Stockton House.  I would like to move it to Albuquerque.  Perfect size - about 1200 sf and lovely layout!  We also checked out the Frank Lloyd Wright designed bank and hotel.

We happened upon a strange "park" near the Stockton house.  The hairdresser at Great Clips called it the "Junk Park" but the sign in front of it said "Rancho Deluxe Z Garden".

Saturday morning we traveled to Elkader, Iowa to spend the weekend at a beautiful campground called Deer Run.

We are now headed to Elgin IL where we will be for the next two weeks.  All of Ali's family will be there as well as Mel and Maureen - all for A.J.'s high school graduation on Saturday.  Luckily, his is the first of five graduations being held that day at the Sear's Center - so we avoid lines and crowds to go to an 8 a.m. graduation and then off to breakfast!