Minnesota Part 3

Camden State Park was the next destination on our Minnesota tour. We booked this spot so long ago that we really couldn't remember what accommodations we had. When we checked in, the host asked if we had water on board or if we needed to fill up our fresh water tank? We definitely had forgotten our site had ONLY electric. While we took advantage of the dump station just inside the park, we also took advantage of filling up our fresh water tank! We had the patience to fill it 70% full because it was taking quite awhile. 100 gallons would have to do for the eight days we were staying. Our gray tank holds 60 gal and our black tank holds 40 gal, so we figured that was sufficient. Let the water conservation game begin!

Camden State Park

Our site needed some minor tree trimming that the DNR officer helped us complete before we pulled in. We fit! We had good 50 amp power. We had a nice secluded spot. Win-win-win.

We re-acquanted ourselves with the town of Marshall. We lived here from 2003-2008. There are some favorite spots still there, along with quite a few changes in the sixteen years since we left!

Our old house! The trees look huge now.

While in the area, we ran into and caught up with some co-workers of Chad's and friends that we hadn't seen for a long time. It's funny how even though a lot of time passes, that you can connect with old friends like no time has passed at all. It was great to catch up on what everyone is doing and what all the little kids are now up to as 20-23 year olds!

The true motivation for us returning to the area was for a celebration. I sang with a group called All My Favorites when we lived in Marshall, and we had a reunion show to celebrate our director Lee's 75th birthday. It was a balmy 93 degree day with a dew point right around 78. I about melted. I staved off heat exhaustion with the necessary accessory of a cooling towel around my neck for most of the night! There was a food truck, over 100 people attended, and we played for almost 3 hours! We hadn't played together in over 10 years. Lee did some great planning and came up with a set list a few months ago, so we could all practice from afar.

The All My Favorites reunited!

Lee (the birthday boy) and Jeff on guitars

The concert venue at the Louwagie homestead...it completely filled in by show time!

It was so fun to reunite the band and recreate some musical magic together. I have such fond memories of performing with this group, and this night was no different. Music feeds the soul.

Next stop...Wisconsin.