Friday, September 29, 2017

Get It On!

That’s what the sign said, so we did.

IMG_3806

We drove all the way sw across Illinois and on into Missouri, leaving behind the huge farm fields of the Midwest and entering the foothills of the Ozarks. We drove around St. Louis, crossed the canal  which

IMG_3807

got water traffic around these shallows in the Mississippi,

IMG_3811

and exited the highway at O’Fallon.  We came here to have an air hitch put on our house in Wentzville.  We intended to stay at an rv park in O’Fallon but were informed that it was full.  Plan B was to stay at the Elk’s Club, but they had only 20 amp electric and no other hookups.  RV Parky revealed The Sunrise RV Park outside Moscow Mills, just north of Wentzville.  Instead of backtracking to the highway, the gps took us 17 miles along the back roads.  The drive was very scenic with lots of curves and hills that would have been much more fun on the bike. 

IMG_3817


IMG_3819

The rv park is built on the side of a hill.    The whole park is rather unkempt and rundown.  The park has two buildings.  One is a residence with office.

IMG_3826

The other houses the laundry and activity center.

IMG_3830

The laundry was fairly clean with 4w/5d and only 1.25—cheap!  There was no place to fold clothes unless you went around the corner to

IMG_3831

the activity center.  The pool table was in bad shape.  The ceiling is falling in.

IMG_3832

These booths seemed out of place here.

IMG_3833

All along the back wall were these wonderful carvings.

IMG_3834


IMG_3835


IMG_3836


IMG_3838


IMG_3837

All of the roads were in bad shape.

IMG_3824

Most of the people have been here a while, (note the freezer and the steps) but there were a few spaces for travelers.

IMG_3841

The sites are nice, though:  long, wide, fairly level concrete with concrete patios, 50 amp full hookups and only $20 per night!

IMG_3842

The views were excellent—fields and woods on three sides, and nice houses across the street,

IMG_3840

and a picturesque little fishing pond.

IMG_3829


IMG_3820


IMG_3827

Now that we have some interesting roads, we plan to do a little riding tomorrow.

Louise and Duane

Thursday, September 28, 2017

Parting Shots

One last day in the Land O’ Lincoln.  This afternoon we taught brother Ed how to play Golf with Skipbo cards, then drove down the street to visit his daughter Michelle and her husband Pete, their daughters Kaylee and Kenzie,

IMG_3800

their Corgi Hadley.

IMG_3804

After a “tailgate” supper of brats and dogs, potato salad and brocolli salad, we had a serious game of Chickenfoot dominos.

IMG_3801

The family settled in for the Bears/Packers game, (Pete is a Cheesehead) so we collected our hugs and kisses and flew the Eagle home.

IMG_3802

  The weather has turned chilly, leaves are falling, the fields are being harvested, and Michelle served us cider and donuts for dessert.  Time for these thin-skinned old people to head south for the winter.

Moving day tomorrow.

Louise and Duane

Wednesday, September 27, 2017

Lounging Around

Kamp Komfort RV Park & Campground  sits in a triangle of land bordered by I74 (running behind the office) on the south side and N600E. Rd. on the east side.  The campground has 50 and 30 amp full hookup sites, with some tenting areas.

Coming down the drive you face the office.

IMG_3787

To the right is the play area, with 50amp sites beyond.

IMG_3789

To the left is the swimming pool and 30 amp sites.

IMG_3788

Across from the office is this nice covered picnic area.

IMG_3786

All of the sites are pretty long, fairly level, and gravel, with grassy areas between, each with a fire ring and a picnic table.  Many are shady, some are open.

IMG_3792

For exercise today we did our personal exercises then took a walk.  When we got to brother Ed’s house we helped him load this analog tv onto our truck for a trip to the electronic recycling place.

IMG_3795

That was enough exercise for the day, we decided. (Let me add here that these two guys are old:  Duane is 70 and Ed is 77!)  After lunch Duane took a nap while Ed and I worked a particularly tricky Sudoku.  When Duane woke up we played a game of Mexican Train before supper.

IMG_3796

Once again Ed proved himself a very good cook.  After we stuffed face we chatted for a while before time for us to head home.

IMG_3797

One more day with the family.

Louise and Duane

Tuesday, September 26, 2017

Alpha And Omega

Today (Tuesday) we reached the end of our Ohio tour by exiting that state, driving across Indiana and arriving in Carlock, Illinois, just north of Bloomington/Normal.  We are here to visit my oldest sibling, Ed.  (I am the youngest.)  After we got set up at Kamp Komfort RV Park, we rode the bike to Ed’s house for a nice long chat.  He made supper for us including sweet corn and tomatoes fresh from his garden.  I’m really going to miss those!

IMG_3781

We will be here until Friday, when we end our midwest visit and head south to start our winter stay somewhere.

More fun with Ed tomorrow.

Louise and Duane



Monday, September 25, 2017

Contrasts

Not too long ago when we visited here at the Darke County Fairgrounds, the place was full of things to do and people to see.  When we moved from the bustle of the Miami County fairgrounds yesterday to the empty grounds here the difference was striking, made more so because these grounds are twice as big as Miami County’s.

IMG_3761

The Coliseum empty of the hundreds of vendors who call this home at fair time.

IMG_3758

Busy squirrels and dead leaves are a reminder that it’s time to head south.

IMG_3765

Three campers shared the quiet campground.

IMG_3766

We aren’t here to listen to the quiet.  We are here for one last visit with friends Gene and Barbara.  As an added bonus, several other old friends/Delphi plumbers/ Euchre card players were available for one last dinner together.

IMG_3755

After stuffing face we found a better arrangement for yakking.

(After I put this pic here I noticed I Didn’t get one of the girls in the picture.  Sorry, Dottie!)

IMG_3756

Today we shared fresh corn on the cob and tomatoes from Gene’s garden for dinner, and a few games of cards.

IMG_3767

This time we had to say “see you down the road” since we are leaving Ohio tomorrow. 

We spent 10 weeks in Ohio collecting a lot of hugs and quiet a few kisses from a boatload of family members and old friends.  This will have to last us until we come back to Ohio again or until we happen upon each other in our travels.

Tomorrow, another state, another time zone.

Louise and Duane

Sunday, September 24, 2017

Amazing!

Blacksmith = artsmith


IMG_3612

IMG_3616

IMG_3621

Hands and anvil combine blacksmithing and carving.

IMG_3623

The little figures inside are gremlins.

IMG_3739


IMG_3744

This is the inside workings of a large lock.

IMG_3745


IMG_3746


IMG_3747

IMG_3748

The lilies can be moved when there is a fire.

IMG_3629

Tribute to a long time SOFA member who died this summer.

IMG_3631

IMG_3633

IMG_3625

Steve, another long-time blacksmith/black powder camp friend with his whimsical reading lamp.

IMG_3628


IMG_3624

Yes, this dragon is breathing real fire!

IMG_3679

Next, moving day.

Louise and Duane