Crow Wing State Park, Fort Ripley, MN

Friday June 29 till Sunday July 1, 2012

For all of our years of camping, Ed and I each used a plastic 4 drawer unit to hold our clothes for the 70-80 days we would be camping on the road.  It seemed reasonable.  We're gone for so long, I didn't want to live out of a suitcase. After all, at home, we each have a large dresser and half of an 8 ft closet to store all the things we wear.  But the drawers are really heavy and unwieldy.  I certainly can't carry my own so Ed had to carry both.

As the years went by, it didn't seem really reasonable and the more I thought about taking so much clothing with me, it really seemed ridiculous. This year I decided to streamline my wardrobe. After all...I am CAMPING!  I'm not bringing along a 4 drawer dresser.  I am bringing along 3 plastic buckets from Stop & Shop.  One has underwear and pj's, one has tops and one has shorts and long pants. Ed is still using his 4 drawer but if I'm successful this year, I bet he will follow along.  We decided to combine and
make 1 large plastic container with coats and sweatshirts, hats and mittens.  Those things that 'you never know when you will need them'.  We will leave them deep in the truck bed 'just in case'.

In the week we've been on the road, we have used some of the 'just in case' clothing since it's been a little cool.  Today, however, we arrive at Crow Wing State Park at mid afternoon to unbelievably hot temps---high 80's and even more humidity.  Our campground is right on the banks of a very fast moving Mississippi River.  The campsite is nice enough but the mosquitoes are outrageous!  We each douse ourselves with Deet which only partially works.  Ed took a walk with Monty.  Monty had 20 mosquitoes on his muzzle!  Poor thing!

We are staying here for 2 nights.  Traffic is unbelievable near here.  There are two rather built up towns nearby--Brainerd and Baxter.---it's like Hyannis in July!  Today is pretty hot however---100 degrees most of the day.  We're dying....I don't care what you say...dry heat or not...this is HOT!  Monty has been panting all day.  Ed took an early bike ride and I did laundry.  It was too hot the rest of the day to do anything!  It's too hot to cook, so we decided to drive around in the air conditioned car to see if we can find any outdoor dining.  There really isn't any.  And we can't see keeping Monty in the car while we eat....somewhat cruel...he's been panting all day.  We head back to the campground to get a traveling dinner...chips, dip, cheese and crackers.

Soon we are off to Fort Abraham Lincoln State Park in Manden, ND.