THE DUTTONS ON THE ROAD

As we continue the tale. This is the beginning of very exciting year 2022.

We started off 2022 celebrating Pat and Wayne's anniversary in San Antonio having a great time and made plans to do New Years 2023 in San Antonio.

As we had gotten our new shed ready. It was time to head to the Ranch in New Mexico. To clean out the Casita and turn in the lot there. Our son Mike had just purchased a new cargo trailer; we took it to get stuff. This was a sad but good time. As we had enjoyed our time at the Ranch and made many friends. It worked out that we were there for Valentine's and we were able to go to their party.

Our Casita

Dancing with one of the best Joanne

Remined us of a prom.

The next day we headed back to the Corral. For the rest of the winter and early spring. We spent time doing and helping at the Lone Star Corral. Lots of activities, meals and outings.

Mike, Janice and Marlene

Evening out with new friends at a11th St. Cowboy Bar and Grill in Bandara, TX.

Larry and Marlene

Joe Bob and Glenda

This was a fun night, throw on dinner and dancing.

It's mid-March now and time to go watch Keegan play tennis. Then on to Ponca City, OK. to see family and get ready for a wedding. We moved on to Wichita to get ready for our Granddaughter Rebekah's wedding on April 23rd. then back to Ponca City to go to Mary and Matts orchestra concert. After going back to Wichita to spend time with more family and Dr for checkup. Was good.

Now was time, May 25th to start our travel season adventures. Our plans were to be in Westfield, Vermont for month long stay at Millbrook Campground starting August 27th. So having 3 months to get there our adventure starts.

First, we go to Clinton Lake in northeast Kansas by Lawrence, where my sister Pat lives to see her and family. It was our good fortune that my other sister Connie was there also. After a few days here it was time to move on.

We had planned a route to head to Hannibal Missouri to start a trip up the Mississippi River to its headwaters. Then across to the Upper Peninsula and down thru Michigan to follow along the great lakes and up though New York to northern Vermont.

As we left Kansas, we made our way to Ray Behrens Campground on Mark Twain Lake by Hannibal, MO. It is now the first of June and for the next month we stay along the Mississippi River to the Lakes of the head waters in Minnesota. This are all 3–4-night stays.

Our next stop was Clark's Ferry Campground, Davenport, Iowa. Where we visited the National Pearl Button Museum in Muscatine, Iowa.

In the early 1900s Muscatine was known as "the Pearl Button Capital of the World" manufacturing more than 1.5 billion mother-of-pearl button annually, and 3/8ths of all pearl buttons sold in the world. Drawn from the natural bounty of mussels in the mighty Mississippi, nearly everyone in town was employed by the luxury pearl button industry in one form or another. The museum tells the story of the immigrant-entrepreneurs, the laborers, the buttons, and even the mussels. This is a must see if ever in this area.

Moving on again to Blackhawk Campground, Desoto, Wisconsin. Here we were able to meet up with Ronda's cousin Marlene and Lori in Prairie du Chien at Mulligan grill for a visit. From Desoto we moved on up the river to Highland Ridge Campground, Spring Valley, Wisconsin. Did some hiking here.

Our next move was to St Cloud/Clearwater RV Park for one night was time to do laundry and enjoy FHU site. This is NE of Minneapolis.

Our next stop was one of the many lakes of the Mississippi. Gull Lake recreation area, Winnie Dam Campground and Leech Lake Recreation area.

Camp Site Winnie Dam campground.

Mosquitoes were big had to get a screen room.

We were in these lake areas for 2 weeks thru the 4th of July. spent most of our time here hiking and exploring the area. Sometime in exploring Grand Rapids, MN.

As it was time to move on again make our way to the UP of Michigan, with our first stop being at Iron River Airport in Wisconsin. This was a one-night stay with our Harvest Host Membership. Our next night was another HH spot at Black River Basin at Snowriver Mountain Resort, Bessemer, Mi.

Spot at ski resort.

First time parking at a ski resort at the top of the mountain

Moving on the next day to another HH. K. I Sawyer Heritage Air Museum at K. I Sawyer AFB. Very interesting Museum. As we moved on the next day we didn't have far to go. So took the day to go to Marquette, Mi. to take a boat tour of Picture Rocks National Lakeshore.

Ready to go on boat ride.

Too many pictures to share.

Stannard Rock Lighthouse

Then on to Brevoort Lake Park just before the Mackinac Bridge crossing the next day.

Mackinac Bridge was as advertised

As we cross the bridge, we turn east to follow the shore of Lake Huron stopping in Alpena, Michigan, at Campers Cove RV Park. It was time to need a FHU site again.

Moving on again we stayed at Monument Campground on the river road west of Oscoda, MI. this was a neat spot. The campground is part of the Huron-Manistee National Lumberman's Monument Visitors Center which has stunning views of the Ausable River and a wealth of information about the history of lumber industry. also, great trails and nearby sand dunes, making it a great place to explore and learn about the area history.

Monument camp site.

Our next stop was at Calhoun Campground in Beaverton, Michigan which we had reserved for a week. Our time here was spent exploring different small towns nearby. Midland City had a great farmers Market. Went to Coleman, MI. and hiked a few miles on the Pere Marquette Rail Trail. Another day we explored Bay City and some parks on Saginaw Bay. On Saturday morning an Amish Lady brought Bake goods to the RV Park to sell. We had strawberry-rhubarb pie and whoopee pies.

Sunset from our spot.

Upon leaving Beaverton we headed back west a little to Montague, Michigan, spending a night at R&R Suri Alpaca farm. Which is part of Harvest Host. We took a farm tour and learned all about Alpacas.

Had a very nice spot for the night

The next day moved on to Paw Paw Michigan to stay at another Harvest Host. Warner Vineyards which are in the middle of town. This was a very nice overnight with our spot being right beside a creek that ran through town. Forgot to take pictures.

The next night was to be another HH but temperatures were getting very warm. So, we decided to find a spot with hookups. Our nights were spent at Loveberry's Funny Farm, in Pioneer, OH. Staying 2 nights. While there we back tracked a little to Sturgis, MI where we had lunch and then went to Bontragers Surplus which has lots of RV parts but didn't find any that could not live without. But was very interesting. On the way back to the Funny Farm drop down and went through the Howe, Indiana and stopped at nice thrift store where Ronda found some books.

As we headed on again, we went to Napoleon, OH where we got on the river road along the Maumee River. Taking us though Grand Rapid, OH. where stopped for lunch at Miss Lily's Restaurant.

Great food and atmosphere.

After a very good lunch we continued on to our next stop in Gibsonburg, OH. Where we stayed at White Star Park, a Sandusky County Park. This was a 3-night stay. We explored the area and got our first views of Lake Erie.

Wonderful spot

Moving on again our next 6 stays will be at Army Corp of Engineers campground on different lakes and rivers in Ohio, Pennsylvania and West Virginia.

The first one being Mill Creek campground on Berlin Lake near Center, OH. for 4 nights. Checking out the lake and area around us.

Next stop was Tionesta Recreation Area campground along Tionesta Creek where it flows into the Allegheny River. While here we went to Erie, PA visiting Presque Isle State Park, Beach and Lighthouse.

Tionesta Creek

Relaxing with a good book

This brings us to the end of July 2022 about halfway through our summer travels. Will stop here for this post as it's getting a little Long.

Again, thanks for reading and hope you are enjoying the tale.

Next time will finish the story as it will have caught up with the beginning of the Blog.

This is coming up.

2024-2025 WINTER HAPPENINGS AND ADVENTURES

Since return in October to the Lonestar Corral. We have been enjoying our home park, being involved in activities, and operations of the park.

But we've had a couple of adventures. We spent Thanksgiving at Corpus Christi Lake State Park, with our good friends Mike & Janice. Hiking the park trails and having a great meal together. Going to Mustang Island and walking the beach. And have some great sea food.

For Christmas time we went to Ponca City, Ok. Our Granddaughter and Husband from Atlanta were to be home. We had not seen them for 2 years. On our way we stop to see grandson Keegan and his parents in Temple, Tx. to congratulate him on his acceptance to the US Merchant Marines Academy in New York. He graduates May 31st, 2025, and reports for basic training July 4th, 2025.

Keegan, acceptances letter.

As we traveled on, we then stopped and spent the night with our friends Dale & Pauline Ditto, near Choctaw, Ok. then on to Wichita, Ks to see Ronda's bother and his family. we had them, 12 total in our motorhome for a meal and wonderful time together. then to Ponca City, OK. to see grandkids.

Great time with Matt, Mary and Bekah also Julian who's taking picture.

After our time in Ponca City seeing family, it was time to get back to Hondo, Tx.

To get ready to meet my sisters and a brother-in-law in San Antonio, Tx. for NEW YEARS. 5th year doing this with my sister and husband Wayne and this year my sister Connie joined us. This was a very fun time.

Looking forward to next NEW YEARS to do it again.

Then January 13th we went to Temple to attend the school Board meeting. Where Keegan was recognized for his accomplishments and acceptance to USMMA.

The 20th of January we return to San Antonio Riverwalk for 4 nights for our 54th anniversary. Mike and Janice joined us on anniversary for lunch Schilo's German restaurant.

It was cold while there, the least amount of people I've ever seen on the walk.

The last day of January, Keegan's tennis season started. Playing mixed doubles.

Stayed the week at Mike's warehouse to help him. Until the next tennis tournament. but something else worked out. His high school Athletics Department held a National Signing Day. they had 11 that are going to play college sports.

His coaches

Girl friend

Really special evening.

We had 2 more weeks of tennis before they had a month off. And now that's where we are headed now is to a tennis tournament. Then on to Kansas for semiannual transplant check-up.

This was his last mixed doubles tournament