Sometimes an RV Outing Just Demands a Do-Over

Last weekend's fiasco of a trip was going to leave a bad taste in our mouths all through the soon to arrive long winter months. The best way to replace a bad experience, and the memories that come with it, is to get right back on the horse and do it again. We called for a weekend "Do Over" and all thoughts of lost sleep from inconsiderate campers have been replaced with a memories of a calm relaxing evening around the camp fire.

This time we headed out Saturday morning with our destination being the Camping Resort at Grand Casino Hinckley. A scenic drive of 75 miles down Hwy 23 from Duluth to Hinckley MN.

It's getting closer to winter now, the recent windy conditions have dropped the last of the fall foliage to the ground. Trees are bare, and hunters are headed for the woods. Along the drive we pass the occasional pickup truck parked along side the road, with ramps attached to tailgates, where ATVs have been off loaded to provide transportation through the now not so dense woods.

Farm fields have all been plowed under, nice and neat for next spring's planting chores. Yes, it's a rather stark scene, but it almost seems more orderly with crisp lines of plowed rows and naked trees highlighting geometric lines of buildings and barns.

Expectedly we find that half the spots at the resort have been winterized so we settle into place with the only amenity not available being water, not a problem for us, we have 50 gallons on board.

We enjoy coming to the Casino, not to gamble but to camp in luxury. Cable TV, wireless internet, and one heck of a good dinner buffet as close as the shuttle bus which stops right in front of your campsite.

This trip we brought our own special treats, home made toll house cookies and rib eye steaks to be cooked outdoors on our hibachi grill. No point leaving the campsite when you can eat this good right here.

Our aim was to just kick back for the evening, enjoy a cozy campfire, eat a good meal and turn in all comfortable and warm as our furnace cycled throughout the night.

All through the night the train whistles blew. Way off in the distance, it was amazing how far the sound carried. Not once did we hear any annoying boom boxes, or loud campers. It pays to step it up a notch and stay at resorts that have security patrols and rules that are clearly enforced.

Dawn slowly arrived, bringing streaks of daylight beaming between the day/night shades. As I watched the splendor of the new day arrive through the windshield my wife snored peacefully away. Daybreak is the best part of the day, I seldom miss it.

After a leisurely breakfast of French toast, made from fresh home made bread, we rolled out onto the empty secondary road that took us north, back to our work a day world.

This wasn't a fancy trip, with lots of activities, just a simple "Do-Over" to finish up the season on a positive note. That's the great thing about Rving, if an outing doesn't work out very well, you can always take a do-over and make right. (Be sure to look at all the pictures)