2020, May 7-10: Pink Elephant Rally (formerly Pike's Peak, IA)

[Iowa Dave]

Last year was the first year for a rally held the first weekend at Pikes Peak State Park near McGregor
Iowa. This year it’s renamed as the Pink Elephant Rally and will be May 7 through 10 again at Pikes Peak. It’s listed on Fiberglass but I thought there might be some Escape owners who don’t frequent that site regularly. NE Iowa in the spring can be cool and sometimes rainy but the wildflowers, migrating northbound neotropicals, and a blazing oak fueled campfire in the reserved all weather shelter (all three days) are what camping is all about for me. Every brand of fiberglass is welcome, potential buyers as well. A single reservation fee of $4 and $16 a night gets electricity, , a picnic table and fire ring at every site. There’s water available, hot showers and a dump station 18 sites reserved so far, had about 30 campers including 6 Escapes last spring.
Iowa Dave

[Donna D.]

2020, May 7-10: Pink Elephant Rally (formerly Pike's Peak, IA)

https://www.fiberglassrv.com/forums/...-ia-89742.html

[Iowa Dave]

Thanks Donna, I appreciate it
Iowa Dave

[fudge_brownie]

I remember one of my business overnight travels took me to Prairie du Chien. In looking for a place to stay I booked an overnight at the Pink Elephant Motel. There was no casino in those days or maybe there was something on an anchored river boat.

Anyway, the highlight was the Pink Elephant. I would guess a 50's style motel, maybe updated once in its existence. No breakfast in those days. But perched on the hillside with views over the Mississippi River, it was special. The railroad was below the bluff and barge traffic was close to the Minnesota shore, I was sad when it grew dark and the sights disappeared.

I bet Pikes Peak will be a great place to rally.

[Steven M]

Originally Posted by fudge_brownie

I remember one of my business overnight travels took me to Prairie du Chien. In looking for a place to stay I booked an overnight at the Pink Elephant Motel. There was no casino in those days or maybe there was something on an anchored river boat.

Anyway, the highlight was the Pink Elephant. I would guess a 50's style motel, maybe updated once in its existence. No breakfast in those days. But perched on the hillside with views over the Mississippi River, it was special. The railroad was below the bluff and barge traffic was close to the Minnesota shore, I was sad when it grew dark and the sights disappeared.

I bet Pikes Peak will be a great place to rally.

Sounds beautiful, just booked site number 3 arriving on Wednesday the 6th. Really looking forward to seeing some old friends and making some new ones.

[HABBERDABBER]

"I bet Pikes Peak will be a great place to rally."


Will you be attending, maestro Paul?

[Iowa Dave]

Hi Tom
As is my usual modus operandi I will have an adequate stock of paper Iowa Roadmaps. They can be used for fire starters, present wrapping, restroom emergencies, and the one that I will bring for Maestro
Paul will show that directly across the river from Marquette where he allegedly stayed one night is the fine state and his home state of Wisconsin. He mistakenly noted it as Minnesota which lies about 25 or 30 miles to the north. It’s not the Iowa water, it’s what you put in it. Paul, get cracking and get registered. There are 27 sites already spoken for on what would otherwise be a light early camping weekends.
A nice view of the Mighty Wisconsin River at its
confluence with its Dad, the Mississippi, is available from the overlook adjacent to the shelter house.
Here’s Jake letting me know a grouse walked through these bluebells a couple days earlier at Yellow River State Forest.
Iowa Dave

[HABBERDABBER]

I suspect maestro Paul is in Florida now, sun baked and addled, so he did mistake his home state for Minnnesorta. Proves he's human.



As to the Iowa maps, I currently enjoy possession of a superabundance of them.........but bring 'em along. Are they 2020 versions? I don't want to get misled or lost......again.


Included is a drone photo, taken last year at Pikes Peak lookout of Visconsin, from da Iowa side, across the mighty Mississippi. Yah, you betcha. Drones are allowed to fly in the park grounds. Enlightened behavior, by Iowa officials in my view. Most parks don't allow drones.

[fudge_brownie]

Iowa or Minnesota, whats the difference? I should have known that McGregor is in the great state of Iowa.

Florida plans have taken a brief hiatus as we await for the latest winter storm to clear, we always plan some extra days at a COE campground in cases of inclement weather. I think I am out $12 for missing the first night of my reservation.

And if it turns bad en-route, I am always towing my bedroom.

[HABBERDABBER]

Nay, maestro Paul.......it's Visconsin or Minnnesorta we're quibbling about. Not intriguing Iowa. There be some difference, I'm told.

[Iowa Dave]

Hi Paul
Be careful with the weather, it’s nothing to mess with. When Rita and I started camping up there 50 years ago, the motel on the cliff and the elephant were there. Then later the riverboat casino actually plied the river. After the law changed they permanently docked the boat in Marquette and the Elephant became a staple where he’ s now located. Through it all, we camped for
many vacations in the area, trout fished, enjoyed the local restaurants, went leaf peeping most every fall, and made a lifetime of memories. Saw my first bald eagle just east of New Albin as a friend and I took his barge tow boat down the river in December to Lansing before ice up. Cooked our dinner on the manifold while our beer cooled, wedged in a cable spool on the deck. No matter how life plays out, my bucket list will always contain one more trip to Allamakee county.
Iowa Dave

[Jimrules]

We were glad to hear about this one!

Now we don't have to wait for the Mississippi River Rendezvous to see our friends from the forum. We'll still be at there MRR but it makes a nice set of bookends for the camping season.

We booked site #14.

[rbrandenstein]

Thanks for the heads up on this rally. We are planning to attend although we won't get there until Friday. Booked site #39

[Iowa Dave]

It will be good to see you again. Bring some Missouri spring weather with you. 39 is a nice one that backs up to the woods, should be some good birds there. Last year I sat in an empty site down that way one morning and watched an American Redstart. Hope you’re having a good winter.
Iowa Dave

[LeonW]

Originally Posted by Iowa Dave

Hey Leon
Pikes Peak State Park
Now renamed as the Pink Elephant Rally
May 7-10 2020
Listed on Fiberglass RV
All Fiberglass trailers welcome
On a bluff 300 feet above the river
Pavilion already rented for Thursday,
Friday, Saturday. Free Iowa Roadmaps
Iowa Dave

Dave, I just reserved a campsite for this. Is there any other registration that needs to be done? Can't wait to get my free Iowa Roadmap, and maybe even free Iowa Bicycle Route Map.

[Iowa Dave]

Hi Leon
Well today is just filled with good mews. Went to my dentist today, Dr. Pickenprobe, no cavities. Then got your email on attending the rally. From there I went out to the local D.O.T. Office and made a new girlfriend who plied me with maps and a nice smile. Back home just before it started snowing after stopping at the bank to make sure I was still solvent. Looking forward to seeing you and Lindy again. Remember when clothespins held playing cards that were flipped by spinning spokes ? Oh, and no other fees that I know of.
Iowa Dave

[mcdonner]

Boy, sure wish we could make this rally but it doesn't look like we can. I'll have to see what i can finagle. Linda still has her cherished Iowa map given to her by Iowa Dave last year.

[LeonW]

Originally Posted by Iowa Dave

Hi Leon
Well today is just filled with good mews. Went to my dentist today, Dr. Pickenprobe, no cavities. Then got your email on attending the rally. From there I went out to the local D.O.T. Office and made a new girlfriend who plied me with maps and a nice smile. Back home just before it started snowing after stopping at the bank to make sure I was still solvent. Looking forward to seeing you and Lindy again. Remember when clothespins held playing cards that were flipped by spinning spokes ? Oh, and no other fees that I know of.
Iowa Dave

Dave, Thanks much. I do remember when you could get a nice sound from a playing card in the spokes.

It has been 30 years since the first time I stopped at Pikes Peak State Park. I was on my bike and carrying 35 lbs of camping gear, on my way to Galena with my friend Mac. What I remember most was riding up the hill from Macgregor, only to turn around the next morning and ride back down the hill and cross the river before heading down to Potosi for the next night. Beautiful view from that park! Looking forward to seeing you and Rita!

[Iowa Dave]

Hi Leon,
Now there’s another good attraction that’s not all that far from Mcgregor, the reconstructed Brewery at Potosi. Great brewery memorabilia, a good tap room and good sandwiches at lunch time. Rita and I have been there and my brother goes over regularly. It’s a biker destination not quite on par with Poopy’s in Savanna but still interesting.
Iowa Dave

[LeonW]

Originally Posted by Iowa Dave

Hi Leon,
Now there’s another good attraction that’s not all that far from Mcgregor, the reconstructed Brewery at Potosi. Great brewery memorabilia, a good tap room and good sandwiches at lunch time. Rita and I have been there and my brother goes over regularly. It’s a biker destination not quite on par with Poopy’s in Savanna but still interesting.
Iowa Dave

Dave,

I have been plotting a bicycle trip this summer that would start in Lacrosse, go down to Pikes Peak, then over to Potosi, and then Mineral Point before heading back to LaCrosse via Mt. Horeb, Spring Green and Sparta. Don't know if it will happen, but a guy has to have something to dream about when the high temp is going to be -2 F.