Home Again, part four

Monday morning we ate breakfast and then decided to take a ride/drive up into the mountains. Our destination . . . Queen Wilhemina State Park. The boys rode their bikes, but L and I rode in my car. It was a bit cool outside but a really beautiful day. We stopped at the park entrance and bought postcards, then we continued up the mountain, stopping here and there to look at the fall colors and the beautiful vistas.

At the top we saw the beautiful Queen Wilhemina Lodge -- this is about the 4th building that has stood on this spot since the original building was built in the 1890's and named for the new Queen of the Netherlands, who was crowned in 1898. The lodge contains guest rooms, a gift shop, and a dining room which features a popular buffet.

The foyer of the Queen Wilhemina Lodge, featuring a native stone fireplace.

There are wonderful views from the front of the lodge.

A miniature train provides rides at times but it was not running while we were there. Later we read that they were featuring a Halloween ride that was supposed to be scary. Too bad we couldn't be there for that!

Back at camp two more of our group arrived and set up their tents. We fixed the last pre-planned evening meal -- minute steaks, rice, and green beans. Tuesday morning we fixed breakfast for all (oatmeal with raisins) and then I announced that everyone was on their own for future meals -- my kitchen was closed! (Once the rally opened the dining room was available for meals, or we could go into town to eat.)