Any Port in a Storm

Briggs Woods County Park, Webster City, IA – April 27, 2014

We left Isle of Capri Casino when it looked like there was an area west of us where no storm activity was taking place at the moment. The weather prediction is looking dicey with rain and stout winds forecast for the next week.

We weren’t sure how far we are going to go today. We just know that the lack of Nebraska on our camp map is a major eyesore and must be corrected. So our route is loosely based on remedying that glaring omission. That means we’re not quite ready to turn north just yet. If we stay on US20 it will take us through northern Nebraska where we can camp and add the state decal to our US camp map.

Also, Frank wants to go to Forest City Iowa to pick up some parts for Big Guy. So we will at least continue to the US20/I-35 junction where a decision must be made. Our resources indicate several over night possibilities in the area. A Best Western parking lot, a Flying J truck stop, and 2 county campgrounds.

The weather window begins to close and we must find a landing spot. We rule out the Flying J. The Best Western is still a maybe, we can’t find any information about the county campground in Webster City, but the county campground out by the golf course sounds pretty nice. So we opt for the golf course.

The clouds continue to get darker and thicker. The wind has been blowing like crazy all day long. I’m surprised we aren’t leaving skid marks behind us from having to over steer just to go straight.

We pull into the Briggs Woods campground and make a couple of circles like a dog preparing it’s bed. We finally find the best spot in the whole campground and claim it as ours. As soon as we get parked, the rain begins in earnest.

One nice thing about camping in the “off season” is that you have the campground pretty much to yourself.

Even though we haven’t driven a lot of miles today, the weather kept things interesting and we were ready for it to be over. That plus the cold and damp that chills you to the bone require a special treat to end the day. EJ comes up with just the right thing!

Hot Cocoa with whipped cream and marsh mellows. That’ll do!!