Minot, ND

     Two years ago the Souris River crested and destroyed over 4,000 houses and businesses.  Most of the homeowners did not have flood insurance because they were not considered to be in a flood plain (levees and dams had been put in place many years ago).  Many of those owners are still not back in there homes and are still in the process of rebuilding.  NOMADS work under the umbrella of a local organization helping those who do not have the financial or physical abilites to rebuild on their own.
     NOMADS are in the area for several months, with teams that change weekly. I am volunteering for two weeks.  Others sign up for varying amounts of time.
      This is the house in which we are currently working.  The team started by installing insulation in the   outer walls and putting up drywall throughout.  It's a joy (even though it's hard work) to be a small piece of the puzzle that helps others regain some kind of normal life.

Watertown, SD

I had the opportunity to spend a week with a friend in Watertown.  I had met her in Arizona.  When she found out I was headed to North Dakota for a volunteer project, she invited me to stop and visit.  She has an electrical hook-up for an RV and beautiful home..  Watertown is a very nice town with lots of bike paths, which we used every day.  (She was like my personal trainer-making me go farther every trip.)  The storm sirens are tested every Friday, but did not have to be used while I was there.  :)
We also enjoyed the amazing amount of birds which came to her front porch to feast on the oranges and jelly that she had set out.
At the end of the week. I continued my travels to North Dakota to volunteer on a NOMADS disaster rebuild.

Camp Fontanelle, Fontanelle, Nebraska

     After my stay in the Kansas City area, I headed to just north of Omaha, NE.  Camp Fontanelle is another beautiful camp with lots to offer the campers and community.  During the summer they have the usual youth camps, with additional activities of laser tag, jumping pillow, zip line and petting farm.  In the fall, as a fundraiser, they have a 10 acre corn maze (one acre is for laser tag) and a 3 pumpkin patch.  Fun!!
     While I was there I cleaned cabins, scraped paint, and ran the wood chipper.  The very nice RV area was 1/4 mile from the camp entrance.  I got a lot of walking done.   Using my new iphone with a downloaded pedometer app, I was able to log 10,000 steps each day.
     Now I am at Lewis and Clark State Park.  The campsites are terrific.  I am right on the shore of Blue Lake.  The birds in the picture are American Coots. (seriously)   From here, I am going to visit a friend in SD and then onto Minot, ND to be a part of the  NOMADS disaster rebuild.

Kansas City

     I came here to help my brother move from the western side of KC to the eastern.  Most of the work was done before I arrived, but I was able to help complete the move.  I also had the opportunity to visit with members of his family, which is always what I like most.  I did enjoy being treated to many meals, too.  I stayed at a pretty little campground right in Independence, MO.  The picture is the Community of Christ Temple (LDS) that is right behind my RV.
     While rain postponed some of the work, I had the chance to do some personal errands.  I got an iPhone.  I've been told more than once that now I'm a big girl.  I've had the 'gas cap' and 'check engine' light come on regularly since I've gotten this rig.  I finally went to a Ford truck repair and they were able to find the problem and take care of it.  It took a lot of work and time, but it was under warranty.  It only cost time for me.  I also found out that the 'radio' media center that I've been less than happy with is going to be replaced.  Maybe that'll be the end of the glitches.
     Since it took a couple of days for the RV to be fixed, and a storm was forcasted, I stayed a few days longer.  Unfortunately my Sunseeker exprienced it's first snow.  ugh.   Hopefully the winter is over and warm weather will prevail.
     On to the next adventure of volunteering at a church camp north of Omaha, NE.