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12 August 2007
As the metro cleans up from Saturday's storm, I thought I'd share my short-lived camping trip in Lanesboro this past weekend. Husband, dog and I left Friday and enjoyed a leisurely drive southeast to meet friends at a campground alongside the Root River. We stopped to feed and walk the dog in Chatfield (past Rochester) and I noticed a sign, "Western Days this weekend." At one residence I spied this ride pimped up for a parade. Friday was very hot and muggy. We brought along a brand new screen tent, a roomy 12 x 14' shelter from the sun and bugs. Our friends arrived in their RVs and strolled over to our tent site. They loved the screen tent and suggested we sleep in it. We were tempted, but decided to sleep in the ol' Eureka. At 5:00 a.m. we heard a rumble and husband ran out to throw the rain cover over our tent. Lightning and thunder came quickly, and so did the rain. We welcomed the cool breeze which was followed by loud gusts -- then we heard a loud crash. Husband remarked, "There goes the screen tent."
It wasn't up for 10 hours before a large branch turned it into a pile of twisted metal and vinyl. Husband took out the Leatherman, salvaged some d-rings, zippers and shock cords for a future tent build. Besides the loss of our new shelter, our old tent seams leaked in water, and Sam vomited on our blanket. We surveyed the spoils of Friday night and decided to call it a one-night stand. Luckily, our very hospitable friends opened their RVs and Saturday was all good. Husband, Sam and I enjoyed a cool drink, a soft couch and air conditioning while their dogs (loveable rotties and pits) lavished us with attention.
For those who haven't visited Lanesboro, I highly recommend it. Just a couple hours southeast and it feels like another state. And, check out Chatfield for Western Days in August. I bet that stagecoach was the star of the parade.
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