The Weirdos Wandered to Pine Island
We did it! All the work was done on the camper just in time for camping season. Our first season trip was to Pine Island, MN.
I got a call from Camping World in mid-April saying they had started the work and it would be done within a couple of weeks. So we booked a trip to to Pine Island to accompany our good friends, who had just purchased their first camper.
A few days later, I got another call saying once they started working, they realized more parts needed to be ordered. They couldn’t know how long that would take since it took six months to get the first batch of parts. I asked if we could get it done enough to use it, and once the parts came in, we could bring it back for final touches. Thankfully, Jim agreed that was possible so I booked a time to go pick up my second home. Of course as happens, the final parts arrived before my scheduled pickup, so all the work was done. PHEW! I’m so glad we finally have the camper back! Thanks for the free winter storage, Camping World!
Knowing we wanted it ASAP, they didn’t get time to clean it up, so there was a thick layer of sawdust on everything. I spent a few hours sweeping, dusting and wiping off every single surface and cranny. It’s so fresh and clean now.
Campground Review: Hidden Meadows RV Park and Campground in Pine Island, MN
We’ve been to Hidden Meadows in Pine Island twice in the past. (I only wrote about one time, because I’ve been slipping on maintaining this blog). This time, they have made some very nice improvements!
The site are all clearly marked with gravel pads and site numbers. In years past, the way the had the sites laid out was very confusing. They also added sewer hookups at each site, which made it much easier for our first-timer friends. Best of all, they added a nice, big dog park on site. Thankfully we had several chances to use the dog park without sharing it with other dogs, so we were very happy to have that amenity. They still have the lovely walking trails along the river. It was rainy and very muddy, and I was in a boot for my broken foot, so we didn’t use the trails much.
Overall, 10/10 – I really enjoyed this place and I think it is now my first choice for any stay in the Rochester area.
Beer time
No trip would be complete without a visit to the local brewery. Since we used to live in the Rochester area, we still have several friends there. We met up with a couple of friends at SXSE Brewery, located just a few miles from the campground, in Pine Island. They have a huge, beautiful patio and great beers. We spent a lovely few hours catching up with friends there. The dogs enjoyed all the greenspace to sniff and play on the playground when the kids weren’t around. It was a match made in hoppy heaven—good friends, great beers, and the dogs running around like they’re on a never-ending treasure hunt for dropped pretzel crumbs. If only life came with a ‘beer and friends’ setting, we’d be permanently in vacation mode!
After a few beers, the four of us campers went home to grill some steaks. It was pouring outside, so we all ate inside at the “Strand Castle.” (I’ve decided to name the camper this because the Prizler’s bought a camper without a slide. It’s very similar to our first camper, the Aspen Trail, and a smidge cramped inside so it made ours feel like a castle!)
Seasonal Sites
Our first-timer friends have two beautiful German Shepherds, Kita and Koa. We took a pack walk with the four humans and four dogs around the entire campground area. The Shepherd Parade attracted a lot of attention among the seasonal campers. It was like a grand procession of furry majesty, with the Shepherds leading the way and capturing the hearts of every camper we encountered. I’m pretty sure there’s a rumor circulating now that Pine Island has been officially renamed “Dogtopia.”
Overall, we had such a great time with the Prizler’s on their camping trip! I’m so happy we have the RV back and it’s camping season once again!
