Toad Suck

 Don't get offended by the title for this post. The C.o.E. campground we pulled into is in Toad Suck, the name around this area.

We were headed for the upper class section of Toad Suck.
The campground is at the base of the Toad Suck Ferry Lock and Dam #8.

Our site area was on the backside of the dam. The bottom photo is one of the control spill gates for controlling river level.

Walking to the frontside of the dam you can see just how controlled the water flow is. Out of the picture are guys fishing... I couldn't see if it was good fishing, but they were fishing.

On the other side of the river was the ferry lock. The lock is required because the height of the river is higher on the backside.

As we walked farther into another area of the park, there was a general use pavilion, and stairs leading down to what appeared to be swimming holes.

The swimming areas are sheltered from the river currents, and looked pretty calm. We made it around the park and back home before the rains started again. This is just a short stay, but it is slated to be rainy most of the stay. After the rain these pools were filled, and the rocks were no longer visible.

I decided to enjoy the rain, and went for a hike. In my stupidness I chose to travel across the bridge. The walk path was about 18 inches wide, 3 feet off the lane.

The area we were in, looking down from the bridge.

Today was my lucky day, so to speak. I was crossing over to get a picture of the locks, and what did I see... barges coming down river.

Looks like like one big barge with a pusher boat... SURPRISE!

There actually were 12 barges tied together.

Here he was passing under the bridge, to wait for them to pump the water level down so they could continue their journey. Beyond the gates the water level is probably six to ten feet lower.

I found evidence that toads are in the area. Unfortunately this guy was permanently sleeping alongside the road.

I made it back to the trailer, about ten pounds heavy due to all the rain I soaked up.

I was relaxing in the bedroom when I heard a crash in the kitchen, I walked into the kitchen to find Carol cleaning up pickle juice and broken glass. It would have been o.k. if it was just a broken bottle of pickles... however, the refrigerator door fell off. We will need to get a new door ASAP, which means probably when we get to South Dakota. Our temporary solution for the broken hinge... Gorilla duct tape. One advantage to not doing dairy anymore, is that there is no spilt milk to cry over.

Here is the day we left Toad Suck. 

The bridge was almost gone because of the fog coming off the river. Have no fear, it was only that way during the morning.

Prep was easy for leaving Toad Suck... we stayed hooked up to the truck. You see, there wasn't a lot to see around the area. We will see you at our next vacation spot... in Missouri.