At the Iowa State Fair

 80 degrees here in Clarinda, IA at 7:30 pm on Wednesday with 2" of rain overnight and more rain with storms expected during tonight.

Sitting behind our trailer, eating supper in the shade at the Iowa State Fair Campgrounds Sunday after we had gotten trailer set up..  Were on sidehill on grass.  It rained during the night Sunday and again Monday during the day.  Great Granddaughter Jessica will spend the week with us.

This was the trailer as set up Sunday afternoon.

Monday morning we walked the 100 yards
or so to catch one of the shuttles down to the
Fairground.  We stopped to have Jessica registered
in case she got lost.

First building we came to was the Agriculture
Building, had to wait 15 minutes for it to open.

Though it had been advertised that a likeness
of Caitlin Clark would be in butter, there was
a sign that No Caitlin Clark - and it was true.

We got a hard-boiled egg on a stick -- looked a little like this:

Clifford, the Red Dog is behind these two girls here.

About noon it started raining hard and we
found a lady putting on exhibit of
preparing beef indoors.  After an hour there we
went back outside, still raining.

After locating some restrooms, we spent some
time under the roof at the Administration
Building watching it rain.

We waited in some lite rain to get into
the Iowa Pork Tent.

Had some delicious pork and waited out
the rain.

Spent some time in the Learning Center and visited ducks, goats, hogs that had just farrowed (one had 15 piglets) chickens, baby chicks, and probably other animals I can't recall right now.

After walking around the Industrial Arts
Building we got seats under a canvas covered
area on seats and waited nearly 2 hours for
the show.  We were up front.

95-year old LeRoy Van Dyke put on a good show and then introduced Chris & Taylor Malpass, the Malpass Brothers.  We have seen them many times and they gave a very good show.  There was some mist in the air and quite a few people were out in the open.  We, and the performers, were covered and we enjoyed the show.  They were doing a second show at 7 pm, but we were beat after walking around the fair for about 11 hours so headed back to the trailer.

It rained more Monday night, I was up twice re-filling gas in the generator.  By Tuesday morning it was a muddy quagmire where they had us park.  I tried to drive up the "path" but spun out and finally backed clear back down, took down a pennant-type fence and backed clear out into a grassed area.

Wasn't any signs to not go there, so used that way out.  We stopped at Aldi's and Sam's Club in Des Moines and then headed for Clarinda.  Arrived about 3 pm after dumping tanks at the city spot near the airport.

It is raining hard now at 9:20 pm as I write this and watch is out for severe storm, maybe with tornado and hail.

Will write another blog tomorrow to bring up-to-date the last of the Kenwood RV Rally at State Center and the weekend at Cam & Patty's.

LCM

At Iowa State Fair

 68 degrees and sunshine at 7:45 pm Sunday at Iowa State Fair Campground.   Arrived about 4:15 pm today. 

Wasn't able to get 120 Volt, but are in an area that generators allowed anytime so will be able to run my CPAP and charge phones overnight.   Is cool enough that won't need A/C.  

Rode the shuttle a bit to see the RV's.  There WebSite states they have 2,300 sites full hookup, 760 partial and it looks like at least a couple hundred like ours with nothing more than a spot to park on grass. 

Looking forward to seeing the Malpass Brothers tomorrow afternoon and look around the fair starting at 8 am.

L Carroll 

Weekend in Marengo, Iowa

 In Marengo, IA.

Friday morning, after eating breakfast with the other 13 Kenwood people, we pulled our trailer about 70 miles from State Center to Marengo.

Cameron had arranged with a neighbor for us to park our trailer by one of his farm buildings.

Spent quite a few hours yesterday watching the many photos and videos from Cam & Patty's recent trip to the Netherlands.*****************and, since writing the first of this sentence have spent about 3 hours watching more pictures and many videos of their very interesting trip..

Intend to hook on to trailer after lunch here and pull to Iowa State Fair Campgrounds.  Spend tonight there and attend fair on Monday and head out to Clarinda on Tuesday.  Will have great granddakughter Jessica with us.

LCM

Cool weather in State Center Iowa

 68 degrees here in State Center Iowa at 11 am Wednesday with forecast high of 78.

Lola was brought out from her nursing home yesterday for a visit and for the photo.   Her grandson Justin surprised her, bringing his girlfriend and one sister. 

 

Lots of good food, including fresh picked sweet corn. 

Tomorrow we go together and eat at a Barbecue place in n Marshalltown and then tour the Matchstick Museum in Gladbrook, Iowa. 

We had eaten together at Pizza Ranch in Marshalltown Mondayevening.   The Gallaways called and canceled coming due to illness as did the Cranes.  So we have six RV's with 14 people.   Judy Chroninger and her sister Maxine Koch are staying with the Witts in their 5-th wheel.

L Carroll 

Doc Adams

 

Milburn Stone, whose real name was Hugh Milburn Stone, had a life marked by significant milestones both in his career and personal journey. Born on July 5, 1904, in Burrton, Kansas, he embarked on a path that would lead him to become a beloved figure in television history.

Stone's acting career began in the 1930s, where he initially appeared in various films. He gained recognition for his roles in Westerns and eventually landed the role that would define his career: Dr. Galen "Doc" Adams in "Gunsmoke." This role, which he portrayed from 1955 until the series ended in 1975, earned him widespread acclaim and established him as a staple in American television.

Throughout his tenure on "Gunsmoke," Stone's portrayal of Doc Adams resonated deeply with audiences. His character was known for his wisdom, kindness, and unwavering dedication to the people of Dodge City. The show not only solidified his status as a talented actor but also endeared him to viewers who appreciated his portrayal of a compassionate and reliable figure in the Old West.

Beyond his acting achievements, Milburn Stone's life included personal milestones. He married Jane Garrison in 1939, and they had two sons together. His dedication to his family paralleled his commitment to his craft, illustrating a balanced life that extended beyond the screen.

Milburn Stone passed away on June 12, 1980, leaving behind a legacy that continues to be celebrated by fans of classic television. His portrayal of Doc Adams remains iconic, showcasing his ability to bring depth and humanity to the characters he portrayed. Milburn Stone's life and career serve as a testament to the enduring power of storytelling and the impact of memorable performances in the world of entertainment

One last hot day in State Center

 84 degrees at 10:00 am in State Center, IA with forecast high of 90 degrees.

Will be cooler after today.  Predicted low in the morning of 55º and high tomorrow of only 70º.  Will be a nice change from the hot muggy weather of the last few days.

Bob Weise, and wife Marcia, have been friends for the last seven years or so.  We have car-pooled with him for the 30-mile drive to barbershop chorus practice each week during the winter when we are in the Rio Grande Valley.  They live at Gladbrook, IA just a few miles northeast of here and we met them in Marshalltown yesterday for lunch and a good visit.  They have sold their Texas home and don't plan on being back in the winters.

Dick & Deanne Messer arrived from Minnesota yesterday with their motorhome we so have four units here now.  Only two more scheduled to arrive.  Schaffer's from Missouri and Servins from Illinois.  We think Cranes from Wisconsin are coming and staying in motel in Marshalltown.  Sisters Judy & Maxine from Ohio plan to arrive Tuesday and stay with Witt's in their 5-th wheel.

Last evening the four lady's went together and fixed a pot-luck type dinner for the eight of us.  Martin, the man who looks after the grounds and building for Lola, and his wife came by and joined in the meal.  He brought some vegetables and Phyllis, Lillian and Jerry had gotten tomatoes and green beans from Lola's garden (with Dolores' urging) so had a good supper.

The four ladies are in Marshalltown as I write this, shopping for groceries for the week.  I think we are all going into Marshalltown this evening for supper at Pizza Ranch.

Jim Galloway called yesterday to report they wouldn't be here after all.  They were going to stop on their way from the big Wisconsin Air Show to their home in Oklahoma, but his wife Patsy had gotten ill and so they had driven directly home yesterday.

More later, L Carroll Miles

In State Center, Iowa for the week

 75 degrees and muggy at State Center, IA at 9:20 pm Saturday.

Forecast is for cooler weather starting Tuesday, which is the official first day of this Kenwood RV Summer Rally.  No rain during the week.

After stopping in Des Moines to drop off an Amazon return, get gas at Sam's Club (and $2.83 for both of us lunch of all-beef hot dogs & drinks) and groceries at Aldi's store we arrived at the campground on south edge of State Center, IA about 1:30 this afternoon.  Jerry & Lillian Witt, from Ohio, were already here and set up.  Within an hour Trish and Steve Ellis from Illinois pulled in and set up.  Visited a bit.

Only less than 20 people are expected at this summer's rally, smallest to date, I believe.

We had waited quite a while at Sam's Club to get gas even though there were two pumping and only one in front of us in line.  When the 2nd in line finished, she pulled out around the guy in front of her.  The one in front of us pulled up into her spot.  As he stopped, the guy in the front position got in his pickup and pulled out.  But the guy in front of us just got out and pumped his gas at the second spot--after having trouble with credit card three times and taking forever to start pumping.  I suppose he thought I would pull around him and back into that spot, but not with the travel trailer!  Some people!  There were signs on all the pumps that they were sorry for the slow pumping, but the screens were plugged and they had notified proper people.

After eating supper in the trailer we drove 6 miles east and spent a little time at the Marshalltown Antique Small Engine Show.  They had closed for the day but had an entertainer that we listened to and walked the grounds a bit.  They will be open all day tomorrow with a lot on display as well as a lot of vendors--but we probably will not be there.

We drove on in to Marshalltown for some ice cream and scouted where Applebee's is where we are to meet Bob & Marcia Weise from Gladbrook, IA for lunch at 12 Noon.  For the last seven or more years I car-pooled with Bob to Barbershop Chorus practice in the Rio Grande Valley.  They sold their mobile home that they had been in for some 17 years and don't plan to return to the Valley.  With age and some declining health, they decided it was best thing to do.  We will be glad to get to visit with them.

Will try to post daily while here at the Kenwood RV Summer Rally.

LCM