The Cranberry Sandwhich Up North

North Shore a Delicious Sandwich

We visited a few of the North Shores waterfalls on the Minnesota side and we worked up a huge appetite! There’s fast food....nah! We wanted to sit down and try something new. We googled what was up there and we decided on The Rustic Inn Cafe.

We’ve been to the other pie shop which is very good and have been there a couple of times. It was just time to try something new. It was a beautiful day so it was busy just like the parks where we were visited. It was a 45 minute wait but we didn’t care we didn’t want to move anymore so we waited. Plus it smelled amazing in there!  We ordered, Josie ordered the quesadilla’s and Jenn ordered the Bacon Cheese burger and Cody had the chicken tenders. I decide to get out of my comfort zone and try something other than the burgers or steak. I went with a turkey club served on cranberry bread. This was the most amazing sandwich I’ve had in, well ever!

The bread was soft and everything went really well together. I tend to dissect my food, pull this or that out. I ate the whole sandwich with out pulling any thing out. Ok ok I didn’t eat the pepper.  This was amazing and I’ll stop every time at the Rustic Inn Cafe just for this. What a great way to end our fall trip on the north shore finding a great place to eat. The service was great and the atmosphere of the café was very cozy like a cabin I wouldn't mind getting stranded in a snow storm here. I come out weighing a bit heavier but it would be worth it.   If you’re up traveling through all the waterfalls that the north shore has to offer be sure to stop in and grab some grub you won’t be disappointed.
Side note they have a small candy shop right the in the restaurant. We were so stuffed we forgot to grab a bag full of goodies. I guess...….I know there will have to be a next time.

Rustic Inn Cafe website 

https://rusticinn.cafe 

Life can get crazy!

It’s been since 2015 since our last blog. With kids getting older and more active when we have a spare moment it’s nice to just chill out. Now our kids are three years older yikes and able to give us a few hours I thought I’d start this blog back up. I’ll be blogging about the trips we’ve take and some of the bumps in the rv we’ve had. I hope you’ll enjoy and maybe also learn something along the way. Wait till I talk about our slide out debacle. Sometimes it just takes a moment to slow down. Haha!Safe travels everyone and stay tuned.Like us on Facebook at Gasoline and Marshmallows.

Yea Boo Boo!

Day 1

After our sugar rush in Jordan Minnesota to the Largest Candy Store in Minnesota we headed to Beaver Trails Jellystone park in Austin Minnesota. We were on some very nice roads on they way smooth and not bumpy which always makes for an enjoyable ride. We would've taken interstate 35E down to Interstate I90 but our sugar tooths took over. When we arrived at the park at about 3:00 in the afternoon Thursday, it's  right off the interstate you come off Exit 187 off of I 90 and boom you're there. We went down a long road to the ranger station and checked in while Jennifer was checking us in a lady in a pink golf cart took us to our site who was very pleasent . B1 a nice and level spot with plenty of room and right next to the park so we could watch the kids from under our own canopy. There was plenty of room between RV's and the stagger them so the the hook ups are between the sites and tour campfire ring and picnic table are not looking at the sewer hook up. Big plus in out book. 

The hook ups are in between RV's.

DID I SAY LEVEL.  *maybe lucky

The site

We had rented a golf cart to ride around in so we decided to take a tour of the grounds. With mini golf,pool, pool with slides, inflatable water slides, paddle boats,arcade,petting zoo,an rc track and 4 playgrounds the kids were going to be busy. We decided to have a little dinner and roast hot dogs over a campfire and the kids hit the jumping pillow & the playground.

Jumping Pillow. Lot of time spent on this. 

The playground/a view from my seat. 

It was nice to have the playground right across from the site the kids could feel a little more freedom, and the site was in eye site of the jumping pillow to. The only down side to having the site so close and open to the road and playground is it's very busy & a lot of traffic however we'd take the site again. We decided to break out the RC car and try the track out, we had a ton if fun out there the car isn't the fastest car and the batteries don't last long but it was fun to run it. We all took turns till the batteries wore out and we headed back. We decided to call it a night from all the traveling and went to bed. 

Day 2

We all slept in and after breakfast the kids wanted hit the pools. The 3 slide pool had a height limit 48 inches which my son didn't make and he was bummed. My daughter got to go down it and had a lot of fun.

My son and I went on the inflatable water slide which they said if he can climb to the top he could go on it.

 Can my boy climb! The lines were short on Friday so he got to go up and down a lot and the slide was fast. He loved it, my daughter got in it to and had a blast. Then they both went to the regular pool and jumped in and swam around. When we left the water for awhile we went over to the arcade this arcade gave out tickets and they had a ticket machine that gave out the prizes pretty neat. 

Our favorite 

It was a great Friday we even rode the train. With not a lot of people the kids got to use everything with no lines. Later in the evening Jenns sister came to join us for the weekend. I went over and met my neibours Bill & Melissa who I found out don't live that far from our house. It's funny when you meet people and find out they live just down the road. Small world.  We had a Dutch Oven meat loaf that was awesome for dinner. I had some of the root beer soda I picked up at the candy store, which was fabulous. After dinner the kids played and played. This is the first time I remember our son going to sleep right after we put him to bed and he slept in till 8:30. He was tuckered out.

Day3

I woke up and decided to do my rv park walk. I walk on the park roads all over the park just to see how big it is. The park is 2.21 miles estimated. 

I got back to the site and we had breakfast and hung out all day. We took in the pool again and the parks. My daughter and son took another ride around the park and saw some guys at the rc track with a real fast car I stopped and talked about rc cars for a while and learned a lot about the hobbie. Santa may have to bring a family rc car for next year. *wink. We the. Headed back to the rv and found out there was going to be a dj and dance at the pavilion across the street. We had our dinner bacon wrapped chicken. 

After that we relaxed and listened to the music. 

Day 4 

Dump and Runn this was the last day of the trip. The night before we cleaned up the site outside and got stuff out away so we had time to be lazy in the morning. We let the kids hit the park and we took one last tour on the golf cart and brought it back to the ranger station. We dumped the tanks and cleaned up the rv and headed home. 

We absolutely loved this trip. The park was clean there was plenty to do, the staff was excellent. The weather was fantastic! If you want a fun filled weekend go check out Beaver Trails Jellystone Park in Austin Mn. 

http://www.beavertrailsjellystone.com/

Safe Travels Everyone. 

The Pond 

Mini Golf

Sugar Rush in Minnesota

A friend of mine told me about this store in southern Minnesota that had every type of candy made or at least close to it. I mentioned it to Jennifer and we decided to reroute ourselves on our trip to Beaver Trails campground. On our trip down HWY 169 it took me back to our trips out west for fast draw contests not relizing we've past the heaven of sugar goodness multiple times. We arrived at the  huge yellow building with plenty of parking no matter what size of vehicle or rv, you can park here. We noticed the pie light was on which means fresh pies are in the oven. (I like my apple pies) We walked in and right away I saw the soda wall of all kinds of soda in glass bottles. (My favorite) 

THIS IS SHOT FROM THE ENTERANCE

They have many varieties of cotton candy, licorice,chips,candy bars,soda, bubble gum and bubble gum machines and candy cigarettes.... WHAAAT!!  Yes candy cigarettes. 

Candy Cigarette Table

This table took me back to my parents store. Just so cool and no I don't smoke and I use to have these all the time pretending I was cool or a gunfighter or my dad for that matter. I bought one box for my western room. 

Now they have a honey wall, a peanut butter wall, a jams wall and a maple syrup wall!!  Many kinds of to choose from it was awesome. 

HoneyWall 

Maple Syrup Wall

They have a Bacon wall with everything toothpaste to tooth picks. It was actually really interesting. 

Bacon Wall

Cotton Candy Wall

Licorice Table

British Candy

This is a small sampling of what they have at this store. When you visit don't forget to get the homade stuff, pies fudge and more. This will be a stop from now on our way to a site. Well worth the rerouteing of the trip. We actually got out cheap. I got a few bottles of soda with western themes on them and a weird soda flavor Bacon!! We'll see how that goes. We got fudge some candy for the kids and chocolate covered chips. Man are they tastey!! 

Of course we couldn't help getting a carmel apple pie & a carmel apple. If you're ever on HWY 169 in Minnesota near Jordon MN be sure to stop at Minnesotas Largest Candy Store. 

Since there's no website I found a Facebook page. 

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Minnesotas-Largest-Candy-Store/145817128774771

Thanks again and Safe Travels everyone.

Made me laugh

A Candy Neckless

Syrup. Should've bought some

The Loot

One heck of a good Fourth of July

We didn't do any rving this weekend an actually we will make it a point not to go anywhere else but to my wife's family cabin. I love July fourth at the cabin I get to BS with my nieces and nephews and it's really a pleasure to see them grow up to be great young adults. Then to see how well they hang out with my kids who are what younger it's just great. I always go for my Fourth if July walk this weekend I decided to jump into a little geocaching. This was located in the Yager County Park.

I found the geocach in a shambles. I put it back together and went on my way, I did let the the person know about the condition of the cach. After my walk we had walking tacos, where you take a bag of Dorritios and throw in taco fixings. Good stuff. Then Jennifer and I made Monkey Bread we made it in the 12 inch this time since we had so many people. It turned out great. As Jennifer was bringing the bread out to the picnic table she had a herd behind her it was hilarious. When she stat the pan down it was like a pack of wolves around fresh meat. When she brought it into the cabin it was almost gone only the bottom was left. Then my one niece made a Oreo brownie that was amazing!! I was all sugared up for the night. The wind was just not letting up all weekend but that didn't slow down the fun my kids jumped in the lake and went swimming. It was a great Friday. We did our Minnesota nice fireworks and then we shit down for the night.

 Then Saturday I got up and wanted to go find the other cache that was at the park. My son and his uncle Derrick went with. We went through the tall grass and woods to find this one. Derrick found it this was his first cache find. It was cool to go out and hunt this one down.

Deep in this woods is a cache.

 After that we headed back to relax a bit I passed out on someone's chair and when I woke up it was time to head to my parents for a BBQ. Great steaks and chicken and a float. We took separate cars because I was planning to go home and do some stuff. I'm really glad I didn't I stopped by the old site where my childhood home/ parents grocery store was. Kind of a weird feeling to stand where your house use to sit.

MY TRUCK IS WHERE OUR LIVING ROOM USE TO BE. The store would have been right in front of where I stood. 

Then I headed back to the cabin my son fell asleep on they way to the cabin and stayed sleeping till Sunday, he runs 100 mph and he was out. I hung out with the younger crowd and had some great laughs. Then it was about midnight before I left.

MIDNIGHT MOON

 Watched a thunderstorm on its way in which is always awesome to see.The kids and Jennifer stayed at the cabin on Sunday the kids road the jet skies with their cousins. I stayed back and took it easy and got caught up on sleep. Well now back to work on Monday. It was a fantastic weekend always great to see everyone.

We took a gamble in Hinckley

Day 1

We loaded up and headed out to

Hinckley Minnesota, to the Hinckley Grand Casino. We wanted to try this park well yes the casino but also we've heard good things about the rv park. We took highway 101 to highway 23 to interstate 35 right to the casino. The road through Mora is really bumpy and we didn't care for that very much. The kids of course slept through the whole ride which is ok. 

   We arrived at the park around 6:00 pm it's about 2 hours for us to get there. We checked in and found our site. This was the first time backing into a site for me so Jennifer jumped out to give me another set of eyes as we parked. The site is a level asphalt spot with a picnic table and a fire ring with a grill on the pit,

 the usual hook ups water,sewer and electric. A new feature for us was cable! I now see why people buy those portable satiilite dishes it's nice to have a little variety. There's about 5 feet between the picnic table area and the other site. There sewer and hook ups are to the left of that about 8 feet from the table which is alright. There are some trees around the park and some ponds with fish in them. Which if our state bird wasn't the mosquito it might be a great spot to get next time, unless they don't  spray for them. 

   We had dinner & went to the small kids park they have.

 They've got a rock climbing wall for the kids which was great to watch my little guy climb over the wall.

 We forgot to stop at the firewood are and grab the firewood and I went in and told the checking lady and she got someone to grab it for me so we decided to have a little campfire and relax. About 9:00 that evening I decide to walk the grounds and check it out. There's a bath house with vending machines and a path that leads to the casino. I mapped outy walk around the park and it clocked in at over a mile of road. I believe I saw 400 sites. Time for bed. 

Day 2

We got up and headed out. We promised the kids we'd hit the arcade the next day after breakfast. They have a shuttle that will pick you up when you put up your flag next to your number at your site *free and bring you to the casino. We got to the casino and had a big breakfast and head into the arcade. I love arcades that give you tickets and the kids love it to. This was a great arcade plenty of games for any age. I personally liked Sixgun Select, cause it had Fast Draw on it. 

We turned in the tickets and got the kids prizes and candy then the kids and I headway back on the shuttle to the rv park and Jenn stayed at the casino for some adult arcade time. The guy from the site next to us lent us his bounce ball game and we talked for a bit. Found out on Labour Day his trailer blew a tire and it broke from his truck and the trailer rolled and was totaled. So scary! After we played that and Jenn came back and we all just hung out for a while. Then my son and I decided to go try and find a geocach while we were here only to get skunked but still had fun walking the grounds. We just laid low for the rest of the day and then headed back to the casino to eat dinner and hit the arcade again. We had a beutiful day and a lot of fun. To end the day we tried these cone filled campfire treats. They were good. 

A fantastic way to end a fun trip. Sunday will be the normal dump & roll and can't wait for the next one. Be sure to check out Hinckley Casino RV Park when you're in Minnesota or need a little getaway. 

https://www.grandcasinomn.com/grand-casino-hinckley/where-to-stay/rv-resort-and-chalets.aspx

Till next time safe travels everyone.

C

 

Lake Maria State Park MN a small hike?

We didn't take the rv to Lake Maria State Park http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/lake_maria/index.html we actually drove the truck, it's not to far from the house. We've been meaning to get to this park for awhile but had to wait for the kids to get a little older cause we didn't know what the trails were like. One weekend we decided to head out not for a long walk, (so we thought) and just see how the park is. It's actually really nice with wide dirt trails moderate hills

and pleanty of water for frogs, birds,turtles  and loons.

 We headed in and we decided to just do a loop (so we thought).  My kids after seeing a map decided to go see the lake they didn't realize how far it was but we decided to keep going. When we can down the hill to the lake was a dock and canoes that were padlocked up also a bench and a picnic table to use. We sat and watched a loon and his buddies swim around and catch some food. 

 After a little rest we hiked on followed the trail out. There are primitive campsites all around with a food box, picnic table, and a campfire ring with a swing grill on them. There are outside primitive outhouses. One cool thing I found out is they have small cabins to rent. The running toilets and water are in the resources building near the parking lot. We definitely will go back out there for a outing next time we'll pack a lunch and toilet paper. 

Belly Tree, I found my nature brother. 

Just thought a close up was cool.