December 28, 2014 Sunday

Well Christmas is over! We have it accomplished for another year! Yesterday we went shopping at Stillwater and got Steve's birthday present, a new camera! Hopefully he will have some fun learning to use it and take some great pictures! He is still sick, just not getting over the sinus, cold, and head congestion! He may have to return to the VA. I signed up for Amazon Prime to try it and we have even watched some movies on it. Still deciding if it would be worth it for us. We have watched football all day -- just taking it easy. I also did some laundry and cooked supper. Next on the agenda is to get very serious about finding a different RV. We will focus on this in the next 1-3 months! Wish us luck on finding what we want and need. For Christmas, we got some RV goodies-Collapsible measuring cups, bowls and a dish drainer, also a portable air comressor, and folding step! Can't wait to get out there! Hope it warms back up soon. OK not much other news, so I will sign off.

October 17 - 19, 2014 - remainder of trip

Friday We left Springfield, MO KOA and drove to Bartlesville, OK. We drove a lot of backroads. We decided to stop in Bartlesville where my niece lives because we had not seen her new house. When we arrived we decided to stay at the RV park in town instead of the state park -that way we would be closer to the action. We met my niece and her husband at a great Mexican restaurant in Bartlesville: El Maguey Mexican Grill and Cantina. We really enjoyed the food! Then we went and toured their new house and sat and visited with them and the boys. Had a great time. Saturday We got up and drove into to Tulsa - to look at RV's. We went to 3 or 4 places and still did not find what we want in our price range. We did a lot of driving. Back to the RV, then another visit with family. Sunday Homeward Bound! Arrived home - to unpack, decompress and prepare to return to work the following week. Had a great trip! Can't wait until the next one!

October 15, 2014 Thursday

We made a slow start. Buster chewed up his halter. We went and visited with Jim this morning for 2 o4 3 hours. Then back to the RV. Tested a little - Steve took a nap. Next we drove to Ozark, MO to eat at Lambert's Throwed Rolls- check out their web page. They have a tradition of throwing your dinner rolls. Wow, there were tons of people there. Steve caught 3 rolls (Dropped on on the floor); I caught one that pegged my shoulder. The food was just OK-- the rolls were "heavy", other food was bland. We were not impressed -- we like the Texas Roadhouse better for quality of the food. Of course this place has a reputation and we wanted to see what all the hub bub was about. They do give you a lot of food - so keep that in mind. Maybe we didn't order the best items... not sure but I had heard about them from a blog Our RV Adventures (Greg White), he really likes this place, so we had to check it out.

We stopped at Walmart on the way home -- got here about 8:30 PM. Mary showered, read a book and sleepy time it was.

October 15, 2014 - Mountain Grove, MO

We drove to Mountain Grove, MO today. My grandparents used to live here when I was about 7 or 8. I wanted to see if I could find their place - no luck. Of course since that was about 50 years ago - the roads and scenery have probably changed. We checked out the square and where Steve's old trucking company had an office. It was a nice drive. We had lunch at McDonald's (salad), then drove home. I am doubtful that we saw Grandma & Grandad's place, but we did see some that might have been their place. It is difficult to chase 50 plus year old memories. They had a tall tree with a swing - we spent hours swinging and jumping into the green grass below. They had a huge garden and raised a lot of corn. I remember sitting under a big tree shucking corn when I stayed with them. They also did not have indoor plumbing - which meant trips to the outhouse and baths in a big washtub. My sister said we used to go to town to the library when we were kids. I dropped in at the library, but it was in a different location and they could not help me find the location of my grandparents' place. Better luck next time! It is still a very pretty location to look around.

October 14, 2014 Tuesday

We drove to 3 or 4 places in Springfield to check out RV's. We ate lunch at Steak and Shake --very good. Then came home, rested a bit. Then we did Laundry.

We ate soup and cheese & Crackers for supper and rested after the laundry - Laundry tired us out!

October 13, 2014 - Monday Driving Day

Driving day to Springfield, MO. All day it rained. We had trouble finding the first RV Park we looked up. There was construction in the area and that was pretty hard to manage in the RV, large town, towing the pick-up. We didn't like it and didn't stay. Luckily we drove around the RV Park and discovered it was mainly a trailer park - not really a RV park and we had not paid or reserved a spot - so we left. I called KOA and they had spots - and even though they are somewhat expensive - they are usually nice to stay at. Again we had trouble finding the place due to construction and they gave me the wrong exit/road number. They gave me 150 and it should have been 140 -- finally found it after another attempt with the correct road number. The road we were going down, just kept getting narrower and looking more residential- never a good sign. Anyway, we were prepared to unhook if needed - but it wasn't necessary because the road had an outlet to a main road, yea! We finally found the KOA and we were tired so we set up, ordered pizza from the office, showered, watched TV and went to Bed!! ---One of those frustrating drives-- mainly because of road construction.

October 12, 2014, Sunday

Well again we slept in til 9 then dressed and walked the dogs. After our breakfast we started unhooking the utilities and prepping to leave. We stopped at the the sewer and then hooked-up the pickup. Next we took the RV out through the tunnel -- I took pics and then we were on our way. It has been a cold, dreary, drizzly day , so we are stopping at Walmart in Chillicothi, MO to be safe. Steve was too tired from the boring, gray drive to keep going. We spent money in Walmart getting some food, a heat pad, heat blanket and other stuff. Then supper was soup and sandwiches. We watched some movies and called it a night!

October 11, 2014 Saturday Covered Bridge Festival

Well we had the usual morning routine -- including sleeping in. Then we went to town (Winterset, IA) for the Covered Bridge Festival. It was $2.00 each and had probably 200 or more booths of food, crafts, jewelry etc. We had lunch at the Mexican Restaurant -- it was OK but a little bland-- nothing to write home about. We parked for $3.00 and left Buster in the blue crate in the pick-up and Zoey loose the the pick-up. The folks running the parking lot - said it was no problem if they barked. But I think after we walked away - they settled down. The temperature was in the fifties so they were fine in the vehicle - no possibility of overheating. We made our way around the square with the throngs of other people. It was packed. The weather was great, sunny and cool! I had to take off my fleece. We then made a stop for groceries and went back to the RV. We rested a wee bit and had potato soup and sandwiches on focacia bread---Yum! Next we had a nice campfire but it was still chilly so we turned i and watched Jeremiah Johnson. Then sleep, sleep, sleep! No Pics -- not sure why????

October 10, 2014, Friday

After the morning routine we decided to check out the remaining covered bridges. First we went to Roseman Covered Bridge. It is in an idyllic setting and has a gift shop. We bought "The Movie" and 2 t-shirts along with a magnet. On our drive to town we saw 5 or 6 pheasants and 2 deer. We crossed over a lovely stream, took some pictures there. Next we went to Hogback Covered Bridge and the Stone School house-- it was tricky finding it due to road construction and traffic on the gravel roads. Then a stop in Winterset for a pop. After a brief rest and map check we decided the best way to get to the last bridge was by driving down the interstate. We saw the Imes Covered Bridge and then drove the country road back to Winterset. We toured the 4-room John Wayne Birthplace house (not much of a tour) and enjoyed seeing the photos. They are building a new museum--ready next year. Then we returned to the RV and fixed supper. Steve made a fire and we cooked chicken and potatoes outside. Later after getting the fire going again (difficult with damp wood) we had S'mores. The last thin we did was watch Bridges of Madison County. We enhoyed the movie and discussion of it afterward.

October 9, 2014 Thursday

Wow, Steve is cold! Warmed up the RV and took showers and now off to Explore - not a quick start, left the RV about 11:30. We went to town and our first stop was the Madison County Historical Society Museum ( I am really exploring these history museums). We toured the Museum and an older house (Bevington-Kaser Mansion Mansion). Two older ladies led us on the museum tours and house tours. All the volunteers at this museum are "into" History and their county and the sharing it with visitors. We felt very welcome! Lunch was at Rudy's restaurant, a great hamburger and a shared piece of the best Cherry pie a la mode you could imagine! These folks in Iowa know how to cook! Next up was the Winterset City park and we saw the first covered bridge (Cutler-Donahue Bridge). We also walked a maze at the park and drove a one lane road to Clark's tower. After that we were on the trail of more covered Bridges: Cedar Bridge, then on to Holliwell Bridge. By that time we were tired! We did go around the downtown square and checked out two different stores trying to find the movie: ":Bridges of Madison County." Unable to score the movie so it is back to the RV. We rested and then had soup for supper. What a lovely day with excellent temperatures for being outside!

October 8, 2014 Wednesday

The crew (Steve, Mary, Zoey, Buster) got off to a good start after walking the dogs. We drove Highway 36 to Cameron, MO, then jumped on I-35. WE had lunch at Limeroni, Iowa. There was a Maid Rite Restaurant and a shop selling Amish Crafts - very nice stop!! Great lunch and scenery. Then we drove up the road to Oscelo, Iowa and stopped at Walmart for supplies ant from there to the campgroud. Traveled the last 5 miles or so on gravel -- The RV and pickup were very dusty when we arrived. We have been really surprised by the scenery. There are more rolling hills than we imagined. I thought Iowa was flat. The countryside around here is very easy on the eyes. We unhooked and took one of the few sites available for the week-end. Steve bought a lot of firewood - paid $20.00 and got four huge tubs! We stayed at Pammel State park- a place I had read about in someone's blog. The campground fee is $18/night - so $72.00 for 4 nights. And our the reason we are here is for the Winterset, Iowa Covered Bridge Festival which starts on Saturday! We are in the county where "The Bridges of Madison County" was filmed and of course I read the book again before the trip and we will watch the movie while we are here!

We got the RV backed in and it is pretty level. We walked the dogs. later we had frozen meals and Steve made a great campfire and enjoyed S'mores. Then kit sprinkled, and it sent us inside. After it let up the dogs needed another walk and we sat by the fire some more. The crew ended our day at 8:45PM and watched the "Man From Snowy River." I slept great and Steve got COLD, which is very unusual for him.

October 7, 2014 Tuesday

We left Manhattan about 11AM after unhooking the utilities, dumping the sewer and getting gas for the RV. We drove North and West then parked in a hospital parking lost on 75N at Holton, Kansas. The drove on to Wathena on Highway 36 ( apart of the Pony Express Route) until we got to St Joseph MO. It was interesting to think that we traveled on the historical Pony express Route in the RV - not horseback!.

At St. Joseph MO we parked at Frontier St. Jo Casino, where we had supper and entertained ourselves and walked the dogs. The beautiful Missouri River is right beside where we ate supper. We passed by Troy, KS and since I did not realize until later that a Peter Toth Statue is there, we didn't get to see it. Maybe next time!!

Monday, October 6, 2012

We got up about 8 AM and walked the dogs then had breakfast and showers. We are just poking along this morning. It is so relaxing to be here in the RV. We are really enjoying this location! In the afternoon we found the location of Juniata farms, Casemont Road, to Dyer to Blue River Road. We took pictures and a short walk. We returned back to the RV and napped. Later we drove around town and had supper at Chili's. When we returned to the RV we decided to have a campfire. Steve took some lovely pictures of the moon.

Sunday, October 5, 2014

Today is our 12th anniversary - another purpose of our trip - to celebrate our Anniversary! We went into Manhattan to get the lay of the land, hit Walmart for a few supplies and found the Riley County Historical Society Building (open 2-5 on Sunday. Then we returned to the RV to have leftover chili for lunch and a short nap. We returned to town to the Riley County Historical Society Museum. I talked with the people there but could not get any real good information on Juniata farm (where my parents were living and working when I was born). Then we drove around and looked at more tall grass prairie and stopped at the Tuttle Creek State Park. We walked a trail by the Blue River, toured the campground area then returned to the RV. We made a nice fire and had hamburgers for supper. We sat out by the fire and walked the dogs again. I emailed the public library and Kansas State library about the location of Juniata Farms - will await their reply. All in ALl a very nice day!

Fall Trip Oct 4, 12014 Saturday

We got up about 8:30 AM and ate breakfast and finished loading the RV. That took until about 10:30 or so, then we backed the RV out of the drive and put the tow bar on and hooked up the pickup. This took about 30 more minutes- we were out of practice. We grabbed the dogs and made a final check of the house. We had to stop at Perry Walmart for needed items, then topped of the gas tank and put some air in a tire. We finally hit the road about 11:30. We drove to Wichita, KS then Cassody, KS. It was our intention to stop at Pioneer Bluffs which was suggested by Linda (my stepdaughter), but we couldn't park the RV in the lot. We had a lovely drive on a blue sky day through the Flint Hills of Kansas. We stopped for a late lunch at Council Bluffs and ate at Hays House. It is a historic town and building, the restaurant has good food. We were also unable to stop with the RV at the Tallgrass Prairie Preserve due to limited access parking -we will need to return and park the RV somewhere and come back with the toad! This is the Neosho River Walk at Council Bluffs where we walked the dogs before our lunch.

After arriving at Manhattan, KS about 5:30 or 6:00 PM we got a spot at Tuttle Creek Cove Campground (COE). The cost was $27.00 for three nights with the Golden Access pass. The site had 50 amp service and water, with a dump station at the exit. We did remember to check and see if the gate closed at 10:00 PM - but since it was a KSU game night - the gates were open late. Sometimes at COE (Corp of Engineer) parks they lock the entrance gate at 10:00 PM. The site has a grill, fire pit and picnic table. It is very peaceful and quiet and overlooks the lake. Steve drove 227 miles today, much of it on narrow, two lane roads with no shoulder. The purpose of this trip is to explore Manhattan KS, where I was born- but only lived there 2 weeks before my parents decided to move back to home territory at Woodward, OK.