2017.05.28–Davenport, IA

2017.05.28–Davenport, IA

We arrived here Friday afternoon.  Fortunately, by the time we arrived, the hard rain was over, so at least Jerry didn’t have to setup during a rain storm.

For those of you who watch the American Pickers TV show we visited the Antique Archaeology shop on Saturday in Le Claire, Iowa.  We both now have the tee shirts to prove it.  😊

We met up with Jerry’s brother’s ex-in-laws later that afternoon on the river in Davenport.  Even though they had just returned from a very busy visit to Atlanta they graciously played tour guide for us.  This included a ride on the Channel Cat River Taxi.  Since I had never been on the Mississippi that was a treat!  They then showed us parts of Davenport, Bettendorf and East Davenport, Iowa.  We ended the day with dinner at an Asian restaurant, and, of course, a great ice cream shop.  😊

This is the Kone elevator building.  I thought this was a strange building, until l learned it was a building built by an elevator company.

Today we visited the John Deere museum in downtown Moline, IL which is actually just across the Mississippi.  I can’t imagine how much money they have in the exhibited inventory.  They are truly an international company.  We thoroughly enjoyed the museum.

We went back to the Mississippi, to the same spot as yesterday so Jerry could take another picture.  (He took one yesterday at this same place.)  The authorities said the river had risen at least 6” overnight as can be seen in his pictures.

The geese are swimming on the sidewalk.  And the mighty Mississippi rolls on...

2017.05.25-Champaign, IL

2017.05.25-Champaign, IL

It turns out there really isn't that much to do in Champaign.  But we certainly enjoyed the lovely cool, wet weather which is great for the flowers.

The highlight of the trip was a visit from my cousin's daughter, Amy and her two sons, Nate and Nick.  Neither have reached first grade, so Lady Di was a lil cautious, but did great.  She even came out from her usual hiding place to sniff at them both.  Lovely visit!

Photo by Jerry Brazil

2017.05.24-Champaign, IL

2017.05.24-Champaign, IL
We arrived here late Monday.  We were late because we had the Air Force One braking system installed on the coach and the towed.  Now, the towed uses the coach brakes.  Better braking - YEA!

Today, it was 57 when we woke up and it is still 57, only now, a light rain is falling.  A good day to stay inside to do laundry.  :)

2017.05.20-Boonville, IN

2017.05.20-Boonville, IN

Today is cloudy and rainy but we headed to Evansville, Indiana, anyway.  We found a place of native Indian mounds, Angel Mounds.  It was interesting even though there wasn’t much to see.  We saw lots of green grass, a few reconstructed buildings and a few mounds.  But, the visitor center had a good depiction of what they think their lives were like for the Indians who lived there over 1000 years ago.

2017.05.19-Boonville, IN

2017.05.19-Boonville, IN

We took a day trip today, heading south east to Campbellsville, KY.  The bad part is that it took 3 hours to get there, and then, of course, the return trip.  A long day, but, we think successful.

We drove by the Amazon Fulfillment center, which is absolutely HUGE!  Walking in there is going to be difficult, but, if we continue our walking, doable - I hope  😊   The current schedule is to work there from October 1 until December 23, filling orders for the Christmas rush.

We then drove to the RV park where we will be staying.  It is out of town about 5 miles or so and way back off the beaten path.  It will be a very quiet place, we hope.  At this time, there were not many RVs there, but we were told Amazon workers start arriving in August, and by the end of October, this RV park will be full.

To get to Campbellsville, we crossed the Ohio river on this cool bridge.  Across the river, there was this power plant.  I don’t remember seeing a nuclear power plant before.

2017.05.17-St Charles, MO

2017.05.17-St Charles, MO

Today, we walked around the historic district, Old Town of St Charles.  Nothing out of the ordinary, lots of places to eat and drink, and the usual gift shops.

We did walk into an art museum, but only because Jerry thought there were exhibits about the tanks that used to be assembled there in the building.  When we were told that there were no tank exhibits, we left.

We took a trolley ride to the place considered to be where Lewis and Clark started their epic journey.  The visitor’s center had a very interesting film on their trip.  What an adventure!  Not sure if you can see the dog, but the dog, a Newfoundland, went where Lewis went.

Tomorrow is a travel day, heading to Newburgh, IN.

2017.05.16-St Louis, MO

2017.05.16-St Louis, MO

We explored a little bit of St Louis today.  It was a perfect day.  Well, almost, it was windy, but with the high temperatures, it was needed.  😉

We started out with lunch at the Morgan Brewery, where we sat outside.  Then, we took a trolley tour.  I was amazed at how much St Louis has to offer.  To name just a few, they have a free zoo, some free museums, a fabulous park (Forest Park).  It was an interesting trolley tour.

Then we went over to “The Arch”.  While in the visitor’s center, we viewed a film about how the Arch was constructed.  Interesting.  And, after seeing the film, I’m surprised no workers died during the construction.

2017.05.15-St Peters, MO

2017.05.15-St Peters, MO

Yesterday was a travel day.  The countryside here is amazingly green.  Being from the San Antonio area, this is something new to me. 

We are staying in a great RV park.  There is a lake, several pavilions, nice walking trails, lots of green space and nice RV spots.  This has been a work on the RV day, so no pictures.

2017.05.13-Carthage, MO

2017.05.13-Carthage, MO

We went exploring on this grand day.  The sun was shining and the temperature was perfect.  We started out at the 66 Drive-In.  The drive-in has been kept in great shape!

Next was a nature conservation park.  Even with all the rain, only one bridge was not passable.  The water was high and running fast, but, the walkways were safe.  I found one tree that has figured out how to collect its own rain water.

Then, onto Joplin, MO, where we found this great, small diner/bar, the Eagle Drive-In.  When we arrived, only two other couples were there.  By the time we left, folks were having to sit outside.  Great food!

While driving around downtown Joplin, we spotted this Route 66 mural.  So, we had to stop to take some pictures.  We then took Route 66, as much as we could, back to the coach.

2017.05.11–Carthage, MO

2017.05.11–Carthage, MO

While driving through western Arkansas, I was so surprised to see how green it was.  There were lots of trees and some of the bridges we drove over were scary they were so tall.

We arrived in Carthage, MO, yesterday afternoon.  It rained last night and again some this morning.  But, between showers, I took some pictures of the lovely flowers here at the RV site.  I think they are some sort of flag/iris.

2017.05.09-Eufaula, OK

2017.05.09-Eufaula, OK

We left Texas yesterday.  But, before we did, we HAD to stop at a Whataburger, one of Jerry’s favorite places to eat.  In the picture, he is saying “Empty!”.  And, so we said farewell to Texas and howdy to Oklahoma.

It was a pleasant drive.  The grass was green; there was water in the tanks and streams; and, large ranches with lots of horses.

2017.05.06-Weatherford, TX

2017.05.06-Weatherford, TX

Well, Jerry said he wanted to leave at 9am…  and, so we were on the road at 8:45am.  That’s even after going to get diesel before heading out.  😊  Yea!!

The trip to Weatherford was interesting.  As we are getting closer to our destination, Jerry says, “I don’t think the GPS is taking us the way I want to go.”  Yikes!  So, I get the map out and try to figure out where we are and where we are going, all the while trying not to get car sick…   We made it, just fine. 

Lady Di spent most of the trip in my lap.  Well, except for when I had the map open, then she wanted to lay smack-dab in the middle of the map.  =^.^=

Safe journey!

Happy trails to you, until we meet again…

2017.05.05-Getting ready

2017.05.05-Getting ready

The night before heading out to Weatherford, TX.  It will be sad, yet exciting to start this new adventure.  So many changes, but, we have really been doing this for a year.  We left for Alaska in April 2016.  Who knew this would become a life style?  Here we go!
Safe journey!
Happy Trails to you, until we meet again    =^.^=