TOUR AMERICA 2022, ALBERT LEA/AUSTIN KOA, HAYWARD, MN

Tuesday, May 3, 2022

Temperature 59 Degrees, Rain, Overcast, Sun

Albert Lea/Austin KOA, Hayward, MN

We awoke this morning to a steady rain and according to the weather report there would be no letup until the afternoon. Imagine, then, how delighted we were when it stopped around 9:30 am. We both agreed that it was now or never to get out of Dodge.

There was only one slide left to bring in; the electric had to be disconnected; and, the jacks needed to come up and the suspension aired up. Once this was done we were rolling out of the RV Park, taking it slow because of the potholes and all the water.

Which way to go? The way I wanted to go? Or the way that Ms. Barbara had decided would be the quickest and the easiest. Well, I’ve learned over the years to trust my wife’s instincts and her ability to plan the best route. Once again her way was the best way.

Thankfully, after about 45 minutes on the road the rain had stopped. All we had left to contend with were the winds. Though they were gusting they were coming from almost straight ahead and they weren’t that strong. We had no construction delays. Traffic was light. The roads were in decent shape. All of which made for a relaxing journey north.

It wasn’t much longer and we were bidding farewell to Iowa and entering the state of Minnesota. A few hours later we stopped for fuel. Wow, has the price of diesel gone through the roof again. Ah well, its only money.

Fuel stop behind us it was a quick 15 minute trip to our new home for the next two nights. Now, I’m not necessarily a fan of KOA’s but this was about the only decent RV park in the area. Or so the reviews stated on various web sites. The park is clean and the grass is green. I can only imagine how nice it will look when all the trees are again in bloom.

My first suspicion that all those reviews might not be right began with our turn onto the entrance road. It was dirt, a bit rough and muddy, and you needed to take it slow. The hairs on the back of my neck were beginning to stand up.

We stopped at the office to register and receive our site number. What’s this, no escort? Very uncommon for a KOA. Now I was on high alert.

Then we were at our site. Not even a gravel base. Just plain old dirt and very narrow.

And with a good deal of mud thrown in for good measure. But wait the worse is yet to come.

As soon as you enter the site you begin to drive uphill. In order to level out Elvira the back had to come up quite a bit and down went the front. Reminds me of a kneeling camel! I’m glad we’re here for just one visit because I can guarantee you I would not want to return here again.

Ah, but the saving grace of it all was that the sun was finally shinning bright. I was beginning to think that it had gone into hiding never to return. However, the one thing we did not escape were the colder temperatures. Tonight we are supposed to be in the 30 degree range! That’s OK we have plenty of blankets.

We’re settled in and ready for a good night’s sleep. Tomorrow we go sightseeing. Where you ask? Tune in tomorrow and we’ll share where our adventures are going to take us.

Thanks again for spending the day with us.  It’s always great to be able to share our story with family and friends. Comments? Feel free to share them with me. And always remember, cherish every moment of every day that God gives you and live those moments to the fullest.

Our continuing mission remains the same: to explore as many new states as possible, to seek out new acquaintances and make new friends, to boldly go where we have not been before