SEPTEMBER 20 - OCTOBER 11: Working on the Farm

It's hard to believe that we've been at the Wallendal Farm for a month. The time has passed quickly.  Selene has not worked very much, but Hank has more than made up for that.  Ten to 13 hour days, starting before dawn and ending after dark, were not unusual. Thank goodness for at least 2 off days per week so he could have time to rest up and relax until his next shift.  The people we work for, and work with, have been helpful and caring.

At this farm, over 300 acres were devoted to growing  different varieties of pumpkins in many sizes and colors. 



Migrant workers from Mexico make up the crews who pick and pack the pumpkins, according to size and type. Each pumpkin  is run through a cleaning/disinfecting rinse, dried and readied for  shipping in very large cardboard bins, then stacked 2 or 3 high until needed.

 Sixty of these bins will fill a semi trailer.  Before loading, each bin is labeled with code stickers that track the source of the item and the destination.  This can be a 7 day per week operation depending on incoming orders.  Many of the pumpkins grown here end up at big box stores such as Walmart, Trader Joe's, and Aldi.  There are many FDA regulations that must be followed during the whole process.

Hank's job was to drive tractors or pickup trucks pulling large wagons, or driving gutted school buses, for loading by the pickers as he moved along the pumpkin rows.




 He also hauled the filled pumpkin wagons from the fields to the packing house for processing. He did some of the "stickering" of filled bins as well.  There has been a lot of rain during our stay, especially the last two weeks, which occasionally causes vehicles to get stuck in the muddy fields, adding to the job's challenges.  Most of the migrant workers speak little English, and we speak no Spanish,  so sometimes there were language issues.

There have a been a few hot days during our stay but the last couple of weeks have been very wet with daytime temps in the 50's.  Yesterday was a high wind day with snowflakes yesterday morning! This morning we're down to 35 with a hard freeze predicted for tomorrow morning.  Once there is a hard freeze, the growing season on the farm  will  come to an end.  Shipping will continue into early next week.  The migrant workers have to go back to Mexico by the 18th and another year's production will be history.  We'll be leaving whenever the farm owners no longer need us.

During our stay, we've had a 50 amp hookup by grain elevators 1/4 mile from the farm headquarters. There is a portable water tank next to us with non-potable water so we use bottled water for drinking and cooking. The last 3 weeks, we've had a local septic service empty our tanks instead of driving 26 miles to a county park's dump station ( much more convenient and well worth the cost).  Limiting our water usage so we don't fill our grey tank quickly has become second nature.  TV reception has been good thanks to stations in Madison, WI south of us. Our Verizon phone and data signals have been strong. 

We've had time to do a little exploring in the area. When needed, we've gone to Adams, WI.....15 minutes away.... for various errands and mail pickup. Our 52nd wedding anniversary was October 8 and we celebrated by sharing a pizza at Bucky's Brick Oven Eatery in Adams.  

It will soon be time to say good-bye to Wisonsin and start our journey south for the winter.

SEPTEMBER 11-20: Down On The Farm

Ever since we started fulltime RV living in 2012, we've talked about workamping. Our other plans always got in the way of setting aside time to do this. Three weeks ago we saw a request for workampers on a farm near Grand Marsh, WI for a 4-6 week period. This location was only 110 miles southeast of Osseo, WI, and we had no definite plans for that time period. A long phone call with Meaghan, co-owner of the farm, convinced us to give this opportunity a try.

Grand Marsh itself is a very small unincorporated town (2010 population was 127) and is east of La Crosse, and north of Madison.  The town has Myrt's Handi-Mart with gas pumps, a post office (only open a few hours a day), an elementary school, fire deparmtent, The Wooden Nickel Bar,  and  some homes.  Adams, about 15 minutes from us, is the nearest town with shopping, restaurants and other services.

 Three miles from Grand Marsh is Wallendal Farms, a 3100 acre family farm growing many different crops and Wisconsin's largest pumpkin grower. Now is the time for the pumpkin and squash harvest. Hank's job is to drive the various farm vehicles back and forth from the fields as well as operating a fork lift in the packing shed. Selene works part-time as needed with shipping paperwork and office data entry. Our campsite is a spot about 1/4 mile away next to some short grain silos on the edge of corn fields. We have a 50 amp electrical hookup and non-potable water available.  Verizon phone and data signals are strong.

Here is a link to a satellite view of the farm headquarter, the owner's house across the road, and on the right side are the grain elevators where we're camped next to cornfields.
https://www.google.com/maps/place/Wallendal+Farms/@43.9089272,-89.6753594,546m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m7!3m6!1s0x8800c84bec95da9f:0x35c2efecc49cbe4d!8m2!3d43.9087261!4d-89.6778491!9m1!1b1

When we arrived on the  afternoon of Tuesday, Sept. 11, we were warmly welcomed by the various family members and other workers, had a short tour of the facility and took care of paper work. On Wednesday, Sept. 12, we clocked in and received food-safety education, then started our first day of training which lasted about 4 hours. Hank learned to operate the 3 tractors, pickup truck, the forklift, and gutted school buses (for hauling pumpkins).



 Selene learned the shipping data entry protocol.  Hank's work day can start before dawn and can last until dusk depending on shipping needs. They will try to give us 2 days off per week, but  that is dependent on shipping orders.  The actual field picking and packing is done by migrant workers, mostly from Mexico.

They've harvested the corn since we've been here, and they were right beside our rig - a harvester and semi truck with open trailer driving side by side down several rows at a time with more semi's falling into place as the loaded one departed. They worked until after dark several nights. Since we're both born and raised city folks, this was something new to see close up.



There was another workamping couple parked at our location until 2 days ago when they left for an event, but they'll be back sometime next week.  The farm owner's home is the storm shelter for all workers during work hours,  and for us after hours.  The daytime temperatures were hot the first part of this week, but after the last two rainy days, there might be frost on some of those pumpkins Saturday morning and there should be much cooler days next week.

We'll share some more details of our life on the farm in the days ahead.

SEPTEMBER 6-11: RV Radio Network Rally

Our journey from Flandreau, SD to Osseo, WI was uneventful. We spent the night of September 6 at the Walmart in Hudson, WI, just east of Minneapolis. On Friday, Sept 7, we did some shopping before making our way to Osseo, WI after stopping at a rest area for lunch and at Flying J for fuel.   

The Stoney Creek RV Resort in Osseo was the location of the RV Radio Network's Fall Rally. The campground is a a full-service resort with many amenities including cable TV and Wi-Fi. They were having a final Family Weekend for 2018, so the campground filled up fast late Friday afternoon and evening. There were 16 people attending the rally with 3 members staying in a nearby motel. We shared daily happy hours, 2 dinners, 2 breakfasts along with other rally activities. The group went to dinner on Saturday night at  the Norske Nook Restaurant and Bakery in Osseo.

During our stay, the weather was beautiful with a couple of chilly mornings. The rally ended on Sunday night, but 8 attendees shared another Happy Hour on Monday. We left Osseo on Tuesday, Sept. 11 for our next stop - Grand Marsh, Wisconsin.

SEPTEMBER 3 - SEPTEMBER 6: South Dakota to Wisconsin

Our reservation at the Left Tailrace COE Campground near Fort Thompson, SD was to end on September 4. With rainy and windy weather due on the 4th, we decided to leave on Labor Day, September 3. We traveled east for 150 miles  to Flandreau, SD and the Royal River Casino and Hotel, owned by a branch of the Sioux Nation.

  Flandreau is one of the oldest cities in South Dakota and is located about 40 minutes north of Sioux Falls.


 There is a 20 site camping area for RV's only at the side of the property with paved sites, electric hookups, and a dump station. Potable water is also available.


 The price is $10 per night. We each got $5 in free play for joining the players club, and Monday through Thursday seniors can get the lunch or dinner buffet for $5. We stayed for 3 nights, played some penny slots and ate at the buffet once for lunch and once for dinner. No big wins for either of us, but we enjoyed our stay.

Wednesday we drove to Sioux Falls to pick up prescriptions at Target, then did some sightseeing at Falls Park near downtown. A five-story veiwing tower offers great views of the falls, the park, and the city.







Today, we traveled east through Minnesota and stopped in Wisconsin at Exit 2 on I-94. We're overnighting at the Walmart in Hudson, Wisconsin. Our original plan was to stay at the Woodbury Cabela's just east of Minneapolis. However, when we called them to ask about staying, they said the city had an ordinance prohibiting overnight RV parking, and would fine Cabela's $100 for each violation. They apologized for turning us down. The Hudson Walmart gladly gave us permission to park in their lot and we'll thank them in the morning with some shopping before we leave.

The weather during the last few days has been great - not too hot and gradually getting cooler.  Tomorrow we'll travel southeast for 87 miles to Osseo, Wisconsin for a rally.

August 23 - August 30: Heading Back East

Thursday, August 23, we left the Elkhorn Ridge Resort to head east on I-90 for 81 miles to 24 Express Campground in Wasta, SD.  Our destination was a 10 site campground behind a gas station and military museum that we learned about on the internet.  It has long gravel pull-through sites with electric hookups, a dump station and available potable water for $10 per night. One site appears to be a long-term resident, possibly the campground overseer.

 No semi's are allowed. Despite being close to I-90, it's a quiet environment. Wasta is a very small town (population 82) and also has a post office, small motel and bar.

Friday, August 24, we drove 15 miles east to Wall, SD, home of the historic  Wall Drugstore which now includes many other tourist businesses.


Wall is just a few miles north of the Pinnacle Entrance to Badlands National Park where we spent a few hours enjoying the very different landscape. Our admission  was free thanks to our Lifetime Senior Pass.




We returned to the campground by driving west through the National Buffalo Grasslands ( no buffalo sightings), back to Rapid City for a grocery stop, then returned to 24 Express.

Saturday, August 25, we continued east on I-90 for 150 miles then turned north on Hwy. 47 to Left Tailrace Recreation Area Campground, near Fort Thompson, SD.  The campground has 81 electrical paved sites and non-electrical tent sites.  Our waterfront site faced the boat launch area and had a good view of the Missouri River to the left.



Hundreds of bird come and go on the rocky ledges on the  sides of the boat launch area.

We will be at Left Tailrace campground until Sept. 4, or until our tanks need empying, before heading farther east.

AUGUST 15 TO AUGUST 22: Pre-Rally and Rally Time!

Wednesday, August 15, we drove 10 minutes east of the Spearfish Walmart to Elkhorn Ridge RV Resort . The Chapter Pre-Rallies and the American Coach Association National Rally were to be held at this location starting that afternoon.  Elkhorn Ridge is a large campground with 186 RV sites, many cabins,  tent camping, and many amenities to go along with this scenic location at the edge of the South Dakota Black Hills.

Front view









Side view










 We're members of 3 ACA chapters, and the morning gatherings and Happy Hour meals provided abundant pre-rally food and companionship.



Thursday, August 16,  we started the day with a  coffee and light pastries gathering. We went into Spearfish to take care of some errands, and then went 40 miles west on Hwy. 14 to Sundance, Wyoming, so we could say we had been to Wyoming!. We ate lunch at Higbees Cafe.





      At 5 P.M. there was a happy hour gathering  with hot dogs and all the trimmings.


Friday, after the coffee gathering, it was time for more sightseeing. The Spearfish Canyon Road was reported to be one of the sights to see in the area so that was our destination after breakfast. We traveled US 85 to Deadwood, SD, known for its gold rush history  The downtown area has a lot of old west architecture mixed with a few modern buildings. There are casino or gaming signs on many buildings, and the area is accessible on foot or on trolleys from the parking lots at the edge of town.











Lead, SD is Deadwood's neighbor, and is also a product of the Black Hills gold rush.





From Lead, it was a short drve to the the 22 mile Spearfish Canyon Scenic Byway, which climbs 2000 feet through rugged back country. Bridal Veil Falls is on the side of the road....no hiking required





The name of this 60 ft waterfall can be seen in the shape of the water as it falls over the edge and thinly veils the limestone and other rock layers like Victorian lace.

















There are plenty of trails for those hardy people who are up for the challenge.










Friday evening, there was another chapter Happy Hour with a catered barbecue dinner.

Saturday, August 18 was the official start of the rally with an evening dinner and giveaways for the 250 attendees.  During the next 4 days, there were meals, entertainment, an ice cream social,  some seminars, more giveaways,  and a tent of vendors to visit, along with chapter happy hours every day.


Sunday, we joined 46 others for a bus trip to the Crazy Horse Memorial and Mount Rushmore.  After a rally continental breakfast, we departed the campground at 9:05 A.M. for the 90 minute drive to the Crazy Horse Memorial through part of the scenic Black Hills. It was rainy, windy foggy and quite chilly when we started out, but the rain had stopped,  and the fog had lifted a little by the time we arrived at our first stop. The Memorial includes a large Indian Museum, as well as the mountain carving in progress. Proceeds from the site go toward funding the Indian University of North America as well as funding the memorial.  No government funds are accepted for these projects, and development has been slow, but constant, by the descendants of the sculptor who began the memorial.



This is the sculptor's model for the mountain carving taking place.

The memorial is far from completed.  The work is currently being done on the extended hand of Crazy Horse.  There was still some fog rolling by as we took this picture.





We enjoyed a delicious box lunch as we departed the Memorial and headed a short distance away to Mount Rushmore National Park.




As you enter the exhibit, you see the familiar sight straight ahead.

Amazingly, there were no worker fatalities during the construction of Mt. Rushmore.  However, several men later died from a lung condition caused by breathing the constant dust that resulted from the use of dynamite and jack hammers.




Our tour bus headed back to the campground under sunny skies about 3:30. After joining some friends for a dinner at Applebee's, we were ready to call it a day!


The rally ended on Wednesday night, August 22, with a dinner, and a variety of entertainment, including a marriage between two older members who decided this was the time and place for their wedding. An Indian minister officiated.  There was also a family magician show, followed by a DJ with music for dancing.


During our stay in Speafrish, we got to experience another of the thunderstorms that seem to come up in this area almost daily. There were no warnings with this one, but a high wind gust caused our new Eagle One antenna to break above the coach connection.  Hank has made one good antenna (we hope) from the two broken ones, and will test it when we get to a place where we'll be for several days.

Missouri Valley to the Black Hills of South Dakota

We enjoyed our stay in the quiet surroundings of Bob's Resort, 15 miles west of Gettysburg, SD. But after almost 2 months, it was time to head farther west for an event in Spearfish, SD.  After 4 days of 100 degree high temperatures, today dawned with cooling breezes and promises of better weather ahead.

Our departure routine was leisurely and unrushed as we made sure we hadn't forgotten the big and little items after sitting still for so long (thank goodness for our checklist!).  We left Bob's about 1 P.M. central time and immediately went into mountain time as we crossed the wide Missouri River and headed west across more of the South Dakota prarie on Hwy. 212. The changing colors of the land as we passed different crops including beautiful sunflowers, and the variety of pastureland with cattle, horses and even some bison, kept us entertained.



  Our destination was the City Park in Faith, SD about 95 miles from Bob's Resort. Upon seeing the city park campinng sites, it became obvious the sites were not long enough for our motorhome, so Plan B was explored.....Durkee Lake campground about 3 miles south. However, those sites were also not suited for our unit, and we decided on Plan C....continuing on to Spearfish. We traveled on state roads 73 and 34 for another 2 hours before getting on I-90 at Sturgis.  The prairie hills gradually became higher and before long we could see the outline of Bear Butte (4426 ft) just outside of Sturgis.




TheWalmart in Spearfish is our overnight stop.  Selene asked for permission to stay and was told that although there is a city ordinance against overnight RV parking in the lot, it has never been enforced. However, the store was required to tell us about it.  We decided to chance it since there were already at least 3 other RV's apparently staying, and we had found internet reports that no one was ever asked to leave. Today's high in Spearfish was 68 and it may go down in the fifties tonight.  Great weather!