Red Wing
Campground
Treasure Island Casino Campground
Once upon a time, we told ourselves we would not stay here because it just looked like a parking lot with RV hookups. Well, it is. However, it was the only place available that was close to family and friends. Our opinion has definitely changed. The grounds, bathroom, and showers are very well maintained. There was a bit of construction as they are installing a huge solar farm and were digging up the ground to lay in the electrical cables and such. If you are into gambling, of course this is very conveniently located. We did take in the water park when Troy, Brenda, Alek, and Carli came to visit. There was a nice open field for Polly to run and plenty of paved paths for us to run on.
Things to see
Buffalo Hunt Coaster (Rapid City SD)
Okay. At first glance, this seems hokey. On our way to Nemo, SD, we saw signs advertising this place. You ride a roller coaster shooting laser pistols at fake buffalo targets. It was SUPER FUN! Turns out, Mark is a horrible shot. He still blames the equipment even though facts would prove otherwise. Bruce is the bomb!
Jen & Friends at the MetroNOME
Jen Burleigh-Bentz is a long-time friend of ours. She is a very well-known stage actress, especially in the Twin Cities area. Singer, dancer, actress. Among other activities, she has a monthly cabaret-style show at the MetroNOME brewery in St. Paul. When we went to see her, she was doing a tribute to a show she was in 10 years earlier - Disenchanted. Her fellow female actresses put on a great, albeit abbreviated, show. She was fabulous.
MN State Fair
We've been to the MN State Fair ("The Great Minnesota Get-Together") several times and Camille joined us this time. We had a great time sampling foods, riding the lift, dancing with our friends from The Backroad Kickers, and seeing a tribute to Barb's favorite group - Meat Loaf! Michael Lee Aday, the original lead singer who was known as "Meat Loaf" passed away in 2022. The original backing band, Neverland Express, puts on a tribute show with new lead singer Caleb Johnson (American Idol Season 13 winner). It was fabulous!
MN Zoo
The MN Zoo is always a great way to spend an afteroon. We went with Troy, Brenda, Alek and Carly this time. They removed the out-dated tram and put in an elevated walkway in its place. It was a great way to see the animals. However, beware that the static electricity builds up and you are constantly shocking yourself and others. Hopefully they get that fixed.
Rivertown Live!
Mark had seen on Facebook that the organizing committee for Rivertown Live! (in Hastings) was asking for volunteers to help with a variety of tasks. We signed up to help set up in exchange for general admission tickets. We started out setting up chairs for the VIP section but also helped unload one of the semi-trailers that had all the HUGE speakers and amps. It was quite interesting. The performers this year were "The Hype" (an 80's tribute band), John Waite, and Starship featuring Mickey Thomas. It was a very good show!
Schaar's Bluff and Spring Lake Regional Park
This is a great park to picnic, hike, bike, or just relax at. Great views of the river too. We were lucky enough to be home for the annual bonfire that our friends, Pat and Tom organize.
Hiking
Barn Bluff
We have hiked Barn Bluff many times. When Troy, Brenda, Alek, and Carli came to visit, we all enjoyed doing it again. Great views on a beautiful day.
Food and Drink
Bayside Tap & Steak House
Bimi Thai Restaurant
After our recent trip to Thailand, we were craving good Thai food. We love curry! This place opened up in Hastings, MN and the curry dishes are very good. We went 3 times during our stay. Watch out for the spicy chicken appetizer - a little too hot!
El Norteno Authentic Mexican
While in Camille's part of south Minneapolis, we tried this nice little restaurant. Outdoor seating on a nice evening.
Forestville Winery & Event Center
Also known as Forestville Vines. A very quaint place in an old schoolhouse. They have lots of activities along with good wines, good pizzas, and good music. The day we were there, they had "yoga in the vineyard" and a bunch of local artisans selling wares. Mark performed here!
King's Place Bar and Grill
A very famous burger joint in Miesville MN. There is a local "town team" baseball team and King's has dozens, if not hundreds, of burgers with some kind of baseball-term name.
Las Margaritas
Our stay in MN is not complete until we eat and drink, sometimes multiple times, at our favorite Mexican restaurant. This one is in Hastings, MN and the same owner has one in Cottage Grove.
Matt's Bar and Grill
There is a battle over who can claim the invention of the "Juicy Lucy", Matt's and the "5-8 Club". They are both within a few miles of each other. I'm going with Matt's. What a cool, old-school, neighborhood bar. You can get beer. You can get a burger. Not a whole lot else. A "must do"!
The Tipsy Steer
While out with Camille, we had breakfast at this cool little place.
Vino In The Valley
We have been out here on a number of occasions. This summer, Mark played here twice and at one of those, some of Barb's relatives showed up for a girls-night-out. Thanks! We also were here for the annual "topless tour", a trip with other owners of convertible cars.
Wiederholt's Supper Club
A great old-fashioned supper club. We went there to celebrate our 7th anniversary. Great food and the after dinner ice cream drinks are a must.
To make a long story short ...
A nephew's wedding
Mark's nephew, Shelby, married Stephanie in Wisconsin Rapids, WI in an outdoor setting. The bridesmaids wore very nice dresses and the groomsmen wore cowboy attire (boots, vests, blue jeans, hats). We toasted with Busch Light beer! Camille came with Barb and me. It was so nice to see relatives. Shelby's dad, Mark's brother Greg, had passed away a few years ago and they had an empty chair with his picture on it, along with an empty chair for our mom, and Shelby's mom's parents. A nice touch.
National Night Out at White Pine Assisted Living
When we lived in Hastings, MN, we hosted a NNO event at our house for the entire neighborhood a few years ago. A friend of ours works at this assisted living facility and asked if Mark would come play for the NNO event they were hosting. It was a lot of fun. The local police, EMTs, and firefighters were there as well as the newly chosen Strawberry Festival court (Cottage Grove's annual festival).
Our annual trip to Nemo SD
We didn't have the time to pull the RV out to Nemo to visit Bruce and Traci so we went out for a quick four day visit with Polly. They have several rental units, one of which is a small RV so that's what we stayed in. The Nemo valley is quite beautiful and our visit with these great friends never disappoints. We had a really fun hike in the National Forest, with many creek crossings; Polly and their dogs just loved it. See our story below about the Buffalo Hunt Coaster!
