Our Anniversary Trip~

 By 11 a.m. on our 43rd anniversary, Butch was backing Maverick into the Cabin's driveway!  I'd made reservations at Okoboji for the following night & we planned to leave Friday morning.  His dispatcher didn't seem to know the difference between one day & the next, having scheduled him to make a delivery before midnight, the 9th.  He would have had a wait to be unloaded, then have a three-hour drive to Omaha. After an intense phone conversation, his dispatch changed & he dropped the loaded trailer at Nationwide for another driver to deliver.  This is the one time he expects to get home when he's scheduled home time weeks in advance.  It's been an on-going issue & it's difficult to make reservations.

Butch is Home!

I didn't know for sure when he'd be home & was mowing when he arrived.  Butch got out of the truck, after hours of driving & finished the job for me!  I finished packing & made lunch.  Later, we enjoyed a rare evening sitting out on the deck, before dinner.

Friday morning, we dropped Finn off with Doris. He was a little unsure when he met Doris's daughter & niece - who were visiting too! (Celebrating Doris's 94th Birthday!) Doris said later, it didn't take Finn long to make new friends. 

 It was a perfect fall day & I was looking forward to the drive. We stopped in Spencer for lunch before arriving at our hotel to drop off our things.  We drove to East Lake Park on the shore of East Okoboji Lake.  We unloaded our bikes & left on the Great Lakes Spine Trail.  I realized I'd forgotten my Garmin...  (I took a photo of my bikes odometer mileage & used that to log our rides.)  Our first goal was the Tatanka Trail head.

At the Tatanka Ska Trailhead~

Admiring the views, we noticed things appeared dryer here than at home.  The colors we'd enjoyed last year weren't in evidence.  The leaves were dry & littered the trail.  It was just before 6 p.m. when we reached the Dickinson County covered trailhead in Spirit Lake.  Taking the same trail we had last year, we didn't have too far to go.  We were out about five miles when we came to the barrier in the photo below.

Trail Closed...

We'd seen pipe going in several places along the trail, but there was no notice of a closed trail posted.  We turned back, disappointed.  It was just before 7 p.m. by the time we'd returned to the Bronco.

Back at the shore of East Lake Okoboji~

Our plan for Saturday, was to leave from the Tatanka Trailhead & take the newest trail due east to Silver Lake.  According to the map, 14-miles one way.  We'd ridden out a few miles last year & hoped to complete the route this time!

Arnold's Park ~

 After getting home late in the day on our anniversary, (a day earlier than we'd expected!) Butch still had to make a delivery in Omaha Thursday morning.  We had reservations at Okoboji for Friday.  I thought it would be better to drive up today & enjoy an extra full day tomorrow.  Past the end of the season, our room was available.  While Butch was gone, I packed us up & by the time he was home, we were ready to leave.  

Lights of the Promenade~

We dropped Finn off with Doris & were on the road.  It didn't seem like a long drive; we stopped to eat at the China 1 Buffet, just south of Spencer.  The outside of the building didn't put us off, we were hungry!  Inside was neat, clean & the buffet was excellent.  

We arrived at the Vintage Block Inn & Suites in Okoboji about 6:30 p.m.  The motel reminded us of something from the Motel Rescue on Discovery Plus.  Who knows when it was built, but the current owners have made many improvements.  Our room was cute, with plenty of room for the bikes & had the bonus of being within walking distance of local bike trails.

Arches lighting the path~

After checking in, we drove to Arnold's Park.  The new arches over the lit pathway were beautiful in the gathering darkness.  The restoration of this area was started the first year we visited, 2017.  The pathway was new since our visit last year.  The lights cycled through a change of color every minute or two.

Covered Pavillion~

The path directed us toward the waterfront.  All the improvements have made a huge difference in the area.  On our visit & late afternoon walk last year, we'd wondered what was being constructed in the area below.

State Pier~

The sails were a beautiful addition & I'm sure they can be seen from quite a distance out on the lake.  It was as nice a fall evening as we could have asked for.  Just a light breeze off the water & amazingly quiet for being so close to town.  

Our little motel~

Returning to our motel, the little Block Party retro pub was open.  A few people were sitting out enjoying the warm evening & view of the lake. I borrowed the photo below from the web site.  It looked inviting, we walked over to check it out.

Outside seating~

We ordered drinks, Butch tried a new to him brew.  We found a quite table toward the back. The owner came by to welcome us.  We discussed the weather; the entire state & I think the whole of the Midwest is as dry as it's ever been.  Sitting out in the fresh air, on such a beautiful fall evening, it was the perfect place to unwind.

Second Day - Storm Lake~

Our second day dawned misty & cool.  Very reminiscent of a typical western, Washington day.  We found a little café with a lakeside view for breakfast.  With several interesting looking antique stores & gift shops in town, we did some shopping.

As we leave Oakworth for the day~

 I found something I wanted - Farah would look stunning pulling it!  With a price tag of $1,100 - considering the wonderful condition, I hope it finds a good home.

All original horse drawn sled~

 It was mid-afternoon by the time we finished in town & decided to drive north to Big Spirit Lake.  Pulling into the first park we found, the fall colors of the trees were so beautiful against the fog.

Cottonwoods line the shore~

 The park itself wasn't large, but had plenty of access to the waterfront.

Isthmus Park~

As one of what's known at the Iowa Great Lakes, the northern shore borders Minnesota.  This area is full of history, a massacre in 1857 is the most notorious.

Afternoon view~

 There was a walkway around a portion of the lake & we took it.  A beautiful staircase cut from the hillside took us to a long dock at the bottom.

Nika on the stairs~

 I walked out to the end of the dock, looking back at the brilliant fall colors on shore.

Nika & Butch~

 It was a perfect day to be in such a beautiful place.

Fog & water blend together~

I took lots of photos - the colors stood out against the slate gray fog.

Lake edge~

 Our truck waits!

Trees in full color!

 We drove on north, to the uppermost portion of the lake.  We crossed the Minnesota state line, just to say we'd been there!  Then drove on to Mini-Wakan State Park.  What a beautiful park!  The camping spots were as private as any we've seen here, many will full hookups.  There was also an asphalt bike trail, we've put on our ride list.

Mini Wakan State Park~

It was late by the time we returned to our room in Okoboji.  Neither of us were looking forward to another noisy night...  Lesson learned.

The following morning dawned bright & sunny again.  We were anxious to be gone from the room & on the road for home.  Heading south, we stopped in Spencer Iowa & admired the stunning Clay County Courthouse, built in 1900.

Spencer, IA

 We continued south on Hwy 59 through Harlan.  Butch had been there with the big yellow bus for games, but it was my first visit.  Such a beautiful town, with a movie theater still open!

It was a warm day by the time we were home - the weekend was one we'll remember.

First Day at Lake Okojobi ~

 We started out early.  Both of us excited to be taking a little three-day vacation for our Anniversary!  My Aunt & Uncle had mentioned Lake Okoboji to us several times, as their favorite place to visit.

Leaving home, it was cloudy & starting to rain.  Going north - there were huge thunderstorms sweeping the landscape.  It was just under 200-miles & a four hour drive.  As we entered Sac County, it seemed like every barn was decorated with a beautiful barn quilt!  When we stopped for a short break, the building below caught our attention.  The gray weathered wood a striking contract to the bright colors of the quilt blocks.

Quilt Blocks

What a beautiful display of some interesting patterns.

Across from the gas station was the sign below!  

Beautiful sign!

 We pulled into town & found our hotel, the Oakwood Inn.  Very cute three-story with nice landscaping, but too many issues for us to ever stay there again.  We did bring Nika & paid for a "pet" room.  Opening the door, the odor told us all we needed to know.  It looked great on-line, but next time we'll look further.

Butch & Nika on the back patio~

 View from the patio, of a pretty pond area.

Nice Views~

We walked the property.  Leaving Nika in her kennel, we went to town to check it out.

From the Gazebo toward the main building!

 The Boat Rental sign on the east side of West Lake Okoboji caught our eye!  Walking inside, Butch negotiated a price for a speed boat.  Out at the dock, he was given a short course in the operation of the boat.  So much fun!  It had been years since either of us had been out on the water.

Leaving the dock~

 Butch captained the boat easily.  Since I do get motion sick, he kept us moving right along!  This lake was carved by a glacier & is over 134' deep.

Butch~

 We decided to go all the way around the lake & site see.  The waterfront homes were each different & some totally amazing.  We both liked the older original homes, perfectly maintained with mature landscape.

Lakefront home~

There were buoys' marking the shallow water along the lakes edge.  It's a huge lake, with what looked like several small inlets.

Making a wake~

Our navigation of the lake complete, we turned toward the dock.  The lake had been pretty choppy, making for a fun, if cold trip!

Barge with crane~

Slowing down, Butch maneuvered us back to the boats spot.

Returning~

By now, we were both starved. Leaving the boat rental, just a short distance on the far side of the street & on the same side of the lake, was the Okoboji Store . On the water, we managed a table in the corner with a great view. The menu was great & food outstanding.

A beautiful evening~

 We sat for a while watching the sunset before leaving to walk around outside.  Such a perfect evening.  The colors of the sunset soft & muted.  Perfect end to a fun day!

Sunset~