Monday, October 5, 2015 - A weeks Worth of Activity (Indian Creek, MO)

This week was full of fun and relaxing. 

I have pictures but internet not good enough to post.

Tuesday, September 29

B&J took us for a ride to show us around the area. We saw the house that Janet grew-up in.  

After they were married they actually purchased it and started a family. Then they built a home in the woods on several acres with a pond in the back of the house.

They showed us the many campgrounds in the area. We took a ride to the Clarence Cannon Dam and the W. Boudreaux Memorial Visitors Center. The center has many stuffed animals on display of which there are several that Bob has donated.

We stopped at a local place for dinner called “The Junction” before going home to Bella.

Wednesday, September 30

We took a ride to Hannibal to see E&M.  B&J were going to Warrensburg to get their youngest daughter and take her to St. Louis for a doctor’s appointment on Thursday.

We have stayed at Mark Twain Campground before so Jesse knew the way.  We made our way through the road construction in town and pulled up in front of their rig.

Bella was excited to see them. We sat outside visiting and getting caught up.

Then we put Bella in her kennel and headed into town for lunch. Hannibal Brewery was the place.

E&M had never eaten there before so it was new to all of us. The location use to be a car dealership so it was transformed.

The food was tasty and the company was better. After eating we sat talking and getting caught up on the internet.  Service at our campgrounds is not very good.

We headed back to camp and Bella. We took her off lease and let her run around the field next to their site, she was having fun! We sat and talked for awhile before heading back home.

Thursday, October 1

We just hung out around camp today and got some chores done. Washed windows, dumped tanks, washed the RV cap and did laundry.  After dinner we walked over to B&J’s to say hello to Kelsey as she was staying with them for the weekend.

Friday, October 2

We were up and out early because I had an eye doctor’s appointment. About 2 weeks ago I got a large floater in my right eye.  I just needed to make sure that there was no damage. Good to hear that there wasn’t, and I just needed to get use to it.

Then we went to lunch at Subway and I got my nails done before moving on to Walmart.

We got home and I put the groceries away and then we went over to sit with Janet and Kelsey to visit. Bob was off doing hunting things with his brother.

Back at home I made dinner and we relaxed.

Saturday, October 3

We spent most of the day and all evening over at B&J’s sitting in front of the campfire.  Terryn, Kolton, Kara and Dustin came and we all ate food, laughed, roasted marshmallows and had lots of fun.

Sunday, October 4

Again we just hung out at home. I did some laundry, made a pot of chicken chili and just relaxed.

Moving  on with week 2.

Monday, September 28, 2015 - A day of mostly rest (Indian Creek, MO)

This morning we just sat around with our usual activities. 

I made breakfast of corned beef hash, eggs, and toast.

Then we got busy and gave the inside of the RV a good cleaning, which didn't take too long.

Then we took Bella for a walk around our loop and decided to take a drive to see the other area's of the park.

The marina and boat launch.

We were sitting outside when B&J returned from their errand in town. We grabbed some chairs and sat with us on our patio. We talked about everything and then had pie and ice cream.

Bella loves to sniff around and chew on twigs. The leaves stick to her face hair and she looks a mess, but still cute!

It was getting late so we said goodnight and went to our own rigs. 

Shortly after that I heard voices and looked outside and found Steve and Cathy.

I grabbed some chairs and then went over to let B&J know that we had company. They came back over and we sat visiting and getting caught up until darkness came.

 We all said goodnight again and went back into our rig for the night.

Sunday, September 27, 2015 - Travel Day (Indian Creek, MO)

We left this morning at 9:30am, and arrived without indecent to Indian Creek Core of Engineer Park at 1:15pm.

Bob had texted us that our site number was 61, which would be next to them.

We stopped at the ranger station, showed our Geezer pass to receive 1/2 off and paid $168.00 for 14 days or $12.00 a day for FHU.

We pulled up in front of Bob and Janet's rig we got hugs from all 4 of them. Their grands, Terryn and Kolton were here.

We wondered where we were going to park because there were rigs on both sides of them. Bob told us the one rig was going to pull out when we got here. That didn't happen for another hour, but it gave us time to sit and visit.

There are lots of trees here so we were concerned that we wouldn't be able to get our roof top satellite but with a little tweaking moving back and forth we got it!!! There is no WiFi, but we are able to pick up internet with our Verizon MiFi, although it's very slow.

We got set-up and relaxed before going over to B&J's for dinner. They had chicken wrapped in bacon, sausage wrapped in dough, potatoes, corn casserole and ice'd tea. As always everything was delicious. For dessert we had cherry cheesecake that Terryn had made. She said she likes to cook and I told her she has a great teacher with her Grandma.

Once we were home we just watched some TV before going to bed.

Not sure if I will be writing everyday since we will be here for 3 weeks, but I will try to keep in touch at least once  week.

Saturday, September 26, 2015 - Last day & P.T. Barnum (Amana Colonies, Iowa)

After our morning normal activities, drinking coffee, computering and watching TV, Jesse went to town to get fuel in the truck.

A little while later we decided to take a drive to the bakery to see what we could find. 

We bought a pie and some pastries.

I straighten up the rig and did more laundry, why does it always seem never ending.

We really hung out around home most of the day.

There was a knock on the door and the gentleman asked if we remembered him. We said that we didn't and he informed us that we met at Mountaindale about 2 years ago.

He said it was the same year that Jackie and Tony were there and we told him that was 2011 so it was 4 years ago. His name is Joe Cherry.

We sat outside and visited a while. Talked about trucks and our Mobile Suite. We told him how happy we are with our rig and so happy we purchased it. 

We bid each other safe travels.

I made us chicken fajitas for dinner, they were very good if I may say so myself.

We got dressed and head to the Creamery Theater for our show.

The show was BARNUM.

With a cast of  10 they told the story of not only P.T. Barnum but about giving yourself permission to do the things you've only dreamed of doing; the things that scare and excite you, the things that the rest of the world might not see as "practical" but the things that have potential to make your life a happier one........ Like maybe selling everything and buying a RV and travel around the US.

Friday, September 25, 2015 - Exploring Amana Colonies (Amana Colonies, Iowa)

We were no hurry to get up and go out this morning. 

I changed the bed linens and did 2 loads of laundry. 

Made breakfast of bacon, eggs and toast.

Then around noon we went out to explore the different colonies.

We started by going to the Creamery Theater to get tickets for the show on Saturday night.

We went to several of the General Stores and browsed. 

At the wood shop we found this:

We walked around the town and visited the cheese, wine, meat, broom & basket, Christmas, tea & coffee and leather shops.

After that we went back to camp to spend some time with Bella. 

This park is actually in a corn field and is very large. You can see the field behind us.

We decided to try Phat Daddy's Pizza for dinner.

It's very thin crust and baked in a wood fired oven. 

12" is the only size they have, but it was plenty for us. 

They cut it into squares so you get pieces without end crust which seems strange, but very tasty.

We went back home to Bella and took her to the field behind us and let her go. She ran around and had a fun time chasing her ball. She was ready for relaxing for sure just as we were. 

Thursday, September 24, 2015 - Iowa another new state (Amana Colonies, Iowa)

We left camp at 9:10am this morning. (Another new state for us).

  On the way we stopped at Hardee's for breakfast. 

We saw lots of corn fields on our way.

Had the company of a beautiful 4 legged baby.

We arrived at Amana Colonies RV Park at 1:10pm in Iowa.

We will be here for 3 nights, paid 2 nights at Passport America rate at $17.50 each and one night at $35.00 for a total of $74.90 with taxes for a FHU 30 amp.

We got set up and relaxed with a beverage then decided to explore the area and get some dinner.

We stopped at the visitors center and found that most of the shops close at 5:00pm and it was 4:45pm.

I took some picture of the displays at some of the shops

We had dinner at Ox Yoke Restaurant. We ate family style. They gave us salad of cold slaw and cottage cheese. Then I had grill pork loin and Jesse had breaded chicken. We were also served sauerkraut, corn, green beans, mashed potatoes, gravy, bread and strawberry jam. It was all tasty. For dessert we shared a delicious chocolate silk pie.

Wednesday, September 23, 2015 - I new state for us (Hayward, Minnesota)

We left this morning at 9:30am and traveled 4 1/2 hours to the KOA in Hayward, Minnesota. We have a FHU site at the rate of $32.70.

We stopped one time just after we entered Minnesota for a potty break.

Soon after our stop it started to rain and was still raining when we got set-up.

Minnesota is a new state for us so I have added it to our US map.

Today is our 36th wedding anniversary, but we have decided to stay home and not go out. 

I heated leftovers from the past two days and we watched the premier of Survivor and the finale of Big Brother. 

Tuesday, September 22, 2015 - A Day to Rest (Mitchell, South Dakota)

It was wonderful to know when I woke up that we were not going to travel today. 

Bella and I were very happy.

Once I was up and computered for a while Jesse and I went to Perkins for breakfast.

Then we went back to the Corn Palace

It's an event center with murals inside and out made of corn cobs.
It's been there over 120 years and they redecorate the murals each year.

Inside there is a gym with corn art and we watched a 15 minute film about how it got started.

After we were finished there we went to Walmart for some supplies.

We got this hedge hog toy for Bella and she loves it, will not leave it alone.

We got home around 1PM and I had the rest of the day and night to just be home.

I baked an apple crisp for dessert.

For dinner I made a meat loaf, scalloped potatoes and broccoli.

I got all caught up on laundry and we relaxed.

We will travel again tomorrow.

Monday, September 22, 2015 - Travel Day (Mitchell, South Dakota)

We left Wall this morning at 9:50 am.

Our travel was non-eventful. We have seen so many antelope through Wyoming and South Dakota and today was no different. I think they are beautiful animals. Their coloring, light brown and creamy white is unmistakable.

It's too hard to get pictures because we go too fast past them.

We stopped in Chamberlain at McDonald's for lunch yesterday. We actually wanted Subway, but no place to park this big rig.

We arrived at 3:00PM central time in Mitchell, South Dakota and it was hot 90 degrees. We are staying at R&R Campground, using our Passport America Membership the cost was $22.79 for FHU site.

We relaxed for about an hour after getting all set-up.

We were not able to get our satellite, because of trees, but they have good cable TV.

We decided to take a ride to see the Corn Palace but they were closed.

We came back to the rig. I made stuffed pork chops and veggies for dinner and just watched the boob tube.

Sunday, September 20,2015 - Wall Drugs (Wall, South Dakota)

We departed the camp ground around 9:30 this morning.

We had an uneventful drive to Wall SD and arrived at 1:00.

We checked in using our Good Sam Membership and paid $31.90 for  FHU with pretty good WiFi at The Arrow Campground.

BTW last night also had  WiFi and it was excellent. The WiFi in Estes Park was just fair.

Back to today:

We got set-up and decided to go to Wall Drug which is only a few blocks away.

I suppose in it's early days in the 1900's it was the place to go. 

In my opinion  it's a tourist trap where the food is just okay and everything is too expensive.

We ate some lunch in their restaurant. Jesse did get 5 cent coffee. 

Some of the art work on the walls is very beautiful and worth quite a lot of money.

In the mall like area there is a small very cute chapel.

After we left there we went to fill the truck with fuel and headed back home to Bella.

We are only staying one night so we are on the road again tomorrow.

Saturday, September 19, 2015 - Devils Tower (Wyoming)

I forgot to tell you about the visitor we had last night. He/she wanted to come in and visit us and was driving Bella crazy.
 We finally had to shut the door.

We left Caspar at 9:30am made one potty stop and arrived at the Devils Tower KOA at 1:15.

We have a FHU pull thru site and paid $53.26.

I made us a sandwich for lunch, we walked Bella and headed into Devils Tower National Monument Park.
We showed our Geezer Pass and found these little guys along the road.

 So cute!!

We went into the visitor center and gift shop. Then decided to walk the path around the Tower.

There were some climbers and we watched them for a while.

We walked around the whole tower 1.5 miles. 

Jesse found me a walking stick which made it easier for me on the hills.

That was the most exercise I have had in quite a while. 

For dinner I warmed a pasta casserole I had froze and then we sat in our chairs until bed.