Bob & Bonnie Martin (22598)
North/South Dakota State Directors
Hello Spring!! North and South Dakota set a few records this last winter for snow and low temperatures. It was quite a winter, and we were glad to miss the worst of it as we joined, again, the annual migration of snowbirds to sunny Florida. We were later than usual on our departure as we stopped at the Newmar Service Center in Nappanee, Indiana. What a great accommodating facility to have our coach serviced/repaired in the cleanest, most organized shop we have ever seen! Thank you Newmar! Daisy Mae, our Shichon, absolutely loved the pet lounge!!
After hurricane Ian we didn’t know what to expect after seeing all the news coverage of the devastation the storm brought to the Fort Myers area. But, after speaking with friends already in Florida, we decided to continue on and enjoyed a pleasant stay in the same RV resorts we’ve inhabited for 22 winters. Fort Myers Beach and Legacy Marina, in downtown Fort Myers, were completely devastated. However, downtown Fort Myers is clean, and all the shops and restaurants are open and bustling with people. The city yacht basin still had five or six boats that were capsized or on their sides and needed to be removed, but most of the old, fixed docks were still there. In most all of the surrounding areas, we could see scattered FEMA roofs (blue tarps covering roof damage to prevent further rain infiltration), downed pool cages, and vegetation damage. Debris was quickly being trucked away. Recovery is well underway, but for Fort Myers Beach and Sanibel Island, it will take a few years to rebuild and they will never be the same.
The last three to four years have been very trying for a lot of people, but spring is here and with it the hope for better times ahead, and with that, rally season will soon be in full swing. There is still time to join the North Dakota/South Dakota Rally in Medora, North Dakota. Arrival is July 11 and departure is July 15 at the Red Trail Campground, phone 701-623-4317 or 800-621-4317. When you make your campground reservations be sure to mention Bonnie’s name and that you’re with the Newmar rally. Plans are to include four breakfasts, an entrée for the arrival potluck and a catered dinner, if available. We will be attending a Pitchfork Steak Fondue, followed by the Medora Musical in the open-air Burning Hills Amphitheater. This is a great show featuring semi-professional actors, fireworks and laser lights. And, no need to worry about the walk up out of the amphitheater as they boast having the world’s largest outdoor escalator. We also will attend either The Teddy Roosevelt Show or the Theodore & Edith performance (dependent upon the 2023 schedule for these venues). The Theodore Roosevelt National Park and North Dakota Badlands are “must see” day trips. Also, there is Live Music on the Town Square Patio, and don’t miss Cowboy Lyle’s Candy Barn and the Joe Ferris General Store. There’s also the North Dakota Cowboy Hall of Fame, and several historic sites to explore. You can enjoy a self-guided Audio Walking Tour of Medora and take your furry friends to Ruff Riders Dog Park.
Be sure to make your campground reservations now as space is limited! Any questions contact: Bob 605-770-9210, Bonnie 605-770-9207 or email Bob at bomar301@gmail.com.
