Grant River, Potosi, Wisconsin (Camping)
Camping together.
It was on our summer 2018 must-do list.
We decided on a campground, which was highly recommended by Aunt Mary and Nola, located just across the Iowa-Wisconsin border on the Mississippi River.
It was just a short afternoon drive from Peoria. We scouted out some firewood from a kind old man. The wood was a little damp so we asked, "Have you had much rain around here?" He started grinning and chuckling as he replied, "You haven't grown fins yet?!?"
This was our first clue that the weather report we had seen might be there to stay - RAIN for the next 3 days. Yet, we were hopeful and excited for our little adventure!
We got our site set up and it was so cozy! Everything fit in the tent just perfect.
Ike started the fire while I organized the tent and started prepping potatoes for dinner. The thunder started and within moments the rain followed. We ran into the tent and zipped ourselves in. Like little detectives, we started crafting a plan for how to finish making dinner. :)
I would brave the rain while holding an umbrella over the fire while Ike hovered down over the flames and cooked the potatoes and melted the raclette. It worked wonderfully except for the fact that I could not figure out how to position the umbrella in a way that did not direct all the smoke directly up into my face. I was gasping for air the whole time while Ike was down on his knees in the mud cooking up a masterpiece. However, the delicious dinner was well worth the struggle! :)
We headed back into our tent to enjoy our dinner. However, we soon discovered that water was rapidly leaking around the edges of the tent! The water had already soaked into some of our books, food, and supplies. We made a couple mad dashes to and from the Subaru trying to rescue everything we could that might get wet. In the end, we only left our blankets, sleeping bags and pillows in the tent. They were slightly damp around the edges, but we were totally exhausted and collapsed into them anyway.
The next morning, we woke up to more rain at dawn.
I was ready to head home. I was wet and hungry and had no idea how we were going to make our beloved coffee and breakfast in the rain on soaking wet logs. This was suppose to be a spiritual retreat - a time to rest and connect with the Lord. It was turning out quite differently than I had planned.
Isaac was not so easily discouraged. He wanted to face this challenge and still find a way to have a wonderful time! We got in the Subaru and drove back across the Mississippi into Dubuque, Iowa. We headed to Walmart to purchase two large tarps and more rope.
When we got back, Isaac set to work climbing trees and tying knots. He created the coziest shelter. We repositioned our campsite under the shelter and set to work making a fire out of the soaking wet logs. To my amazement, Isaac had a blazing fire going before long at all.
We enjoyed more Raclette for lunch. :)
From my journal:
"Is that my phone ringing?" I'm sitting next to the bonfire, dodging the smoke and waiting for Ike to get back from the Ranger station. As I look around for the buzzing phone, I realized it is in the tent and there is no way I could hear it ringing. Then, I realize this sound that I assumed to be a vibrating electronic is actually a bird's call in the trees to my left. With a sheepish sign, I lean back into my chair and realize how much I need this step away from technology.
We spent most of our day there in our little shelter. It was so cozy - the rain had made the weather very cool. We snuggled under blankets and leaned in towards the fire. It was the perfect camping temperature!
I read aloud from Chasing the Dragon by Jackie Pullinger. Isaac whittled a little wooden knife. We talked and laughed and sometimes just enjoyed the quiet.
Our shelter faced out towards the Mississippi. To our delight, we watched a bald eagle swoop down to catch fish and then return to her nest to feed her young.
We also befriended quite a lot of may flies. For some reason, they picked their 24 hour life cycle to be our second day there. :)
We drank coke from glass bottles and made s'mores in the early afternoon with peanut butter cups for the chocolate. :)
That evening, the rain cleared and we went for a walk. This Grant River Recreational Park is just wonderful! It is a beautiful and peaceful setting. The bathroom and facilities are very clean and well-maintained. And the community of people who stay there are friendly and relaxed.
We watched barges pass on the river and listened to the train whistle between us and the hills.
That evening when the rain started again we headed into Potosi to the Potosi Brewery. They served us some delicious Wisconsin cheese curds and a great flight of beer.
Our last morning was just beautiful. It was quiet and peaceful. Except for the may flies there was no one in sight from our campground. And there was no more rain on the forecast.
I'm so grateful for this getaway. We left feeling re-connected and refreshed and very aware of how the Lord was speaking to us and teaching us through one another.
Rain or shine, we can't wait to go back to Grant River!
It was on our summer 2018 must-do list.
We decided on a campground, which was highly recommended by Aunt Mary and Nola, located just across the Iowa-Wisconsin border on the Mississippi River.
It was just a short afternoon drive from Peoria. We scouted out some firewood from a kind old man. The wood was a little damp so we asked, "Have you had much rain around here?" He started grinning and chuckling as he replied, "You haven't grown fins yet?!?"
This was our first clue that the weather report we had seen might be there to stay - RAIN for the next 3 days. Yet, we were hopeful and excited for our little adventure!
We got our site set up and it was so cozy! Everything fit in the tent just perfect.
Ike started the fire while I organized the tent and started prepping potatoes for dinner. The thunder started and within moments the rain followed. We ran into the tent and zipped ourselves in. Like little detectives, we started crafting a plan for how to finish making dinner. :)
I would brave the rain while holding an umbrella over the fire while Ike hovered down over the flames and cooked the potatoes and melted the raclette. It worked wonderfully except for the fact that I could not figure out how to position the umbrella in a way that did not direct all the smoke directly up into my face. I was gasping for air the whole time while Ike was down on his knees in the mud cooking up a masterpiece. However, the delicious dinner was well worth the struggle! :)
We headed back into our tent to enjoy our dinner. However, we soon discovered that water was rapidly leaking around the edges of the tent! The water had already soaked into some of our books, food, and supplies. We made a couple mad dashes to and from the Subaru trying to rescue everything we could that might get wet. In the end, we only left our blankets, sleeping bags and pillows in the tent. They were slightly damp around the edges, but we were totally exhausted and collapsed into them anyway.
The next morning, we woke up to more rain at dawn.
I was ready to head home. I was wet and hungry and had no idea how we were going to make our beloved coffee and breakfast in the rain on soaking wet logs. This was suppose to be a spiritual retreat - a time to rest and connect with the Lord. It was turning out quite differently than I had planned.
Isaac was not so easily discouraged. He wanted to face this challenge and still find a way to have a wonderful time! We got in the Subaru and drove back across the Mississippi into Dubuque, Iowa. We headed to Walmart to purchase two large tarps and more rope.
When we got back, Isaac set to work climbing trees and tying knots. He created the coziest shelter. We repositioned our campsite under the shelter and set to work making a fire out of the soaking wet logs. To my amazement, Isaac had a blazing fire going before long at all.
We enjoyed more Raclette for lunch. :)
"Is that my phone ringing?" I'm sitting next to the bonfire, dodging the smoke and waiting for Ike to get back from the Ranger station. As I look around for the buzzing phone, I realized it is in the tent and there is no way I could hear it ringing. Then, I realize this sound that I assumed to be a vibrating electronic is actually a bird's call in the trees to my left. With a sheepish sign, I lean back into my chair and realize how much I need this step away from technology.
I read aloud from Chasing the Dragon by Jackie Pullinger. Isaac whittled a little wooden knife. We talked and laughed and sometimes just enjoyed the quiet.
Our shelter faced out towards the Mississippi. To our delight, we watched a bald eagle swoop down to catch fish and then return to her nest to feed her young.
We also befriended quite a lot of may flies. For some reason, they picked their 24 hour life cycle to be our second day there. :)
We drank coke from glass bottles and made s'mores in the early afternoon with peanut butter cups for the chocolate. :)
That evening, the rain cleared and we went for a walk. This Grant River Recreational Park is just wonderful! It is a beautiful and peaceful setting. The bathroom and facilities are very clean and well-maintained. And the community of people who stay there are friendly and relaxed.
We watched barges pass on the river and listened to the train whistle between us and the hills.
That evening when the rain started again we headed into Potosi to the Potosi Brewery. They served us some delicious Wisconsin cheese curds and a great flight of beer.
Our last morning was just beautiful. It was quiet and peaceful. Except for the may flies there was no one in sight from our campground. And there was no more rain on the forecast.
I'm so grateful for this getaway. We left feeling re-connected and refreshed and very aware of how the Lord was speaking to us and teaching us through one another.
Rain or shine, we can't wait to go back to Grant River!
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