Oct. 12-19

I am so glad I built a week of being home with Kim.  I blew out the irrigation lines, changed her tires, covered the camper and several other to do lists.  Enjoyed making name plates on wood with my new CNC machine.  Made one major mistake on the church welcome center sign which bummed me.  Kim reminded me that we are about grace, not perfection.  I seem to recall hearing this recently.
Flying back to Chicago late Saturday night.  Wonder how I will do on a red eye.

Oct. 9-12

Got to visit my cousin, Steve Beckett, who is a retired veterinarian in Baraboo, WI.  Rode motorcycles 100 miles through the rolling dairy farms.  Like riding in a Hallmark card.  Changing leaves added so much.  Went to their UM church for dinner and met the pastor there. 

Walked their two dogs in a nearby state park and got to know his 3 granddaughters.  Left Saturday morning to drive 3 hr to Chicago and flew home.

Oct. 8

Drove through the farmlands of northern Illinois and into Wisconsin.  Got to a nice state park in Wisconsin Dells and the fees were $46 per night.  Found a lovely motel for $39 in the Dells.  This area is packed with entertainment venues, theme park, river cruises, and shopping. 

Day 29

A bit of road weariness led me to a cheap hotel in Peoria, IL.  No natural campgrounds and I refuse to stay at a cramped RV park surrounded by giant rigs.  I think the weariness may be due to the fact that the scenery does not change:  flat farmland for miles.  Perhaps the cumulative effect of being on the road for a month as well.  Gives me a chance to catch up on computer work and repair the tent. 

Day 28

Today was the day for hiking part of the Ozark Trail. I hiked two and a half miles and turned around and returned to camp. I made way for several mountain bikers as they zipped down single track trail. The sun was creating shafts of light through the the green canopy. I was struck by the lack of animal life in the forest. I did not see a single squirrel or bird. I do not see a single snake which made me happy. I made friends with a man named Daryl from St Louis. We enjoyed checking out each other's camping rigs.

Day 27

I left Harry Truman State Park and headed south east to experience more of Missouri's natural lands. I must say that some of Missouri's back roads are very twisty and hilly with speed limits that are much too high.  I entered Mark Twain National Forest and settled in a campground that was free. At least this campground was not empty and there are several other campers around. I met one man and we had quite a lengthy conversation about camping and our rigs. I prepared chicken and dumplings freeze dried with some grapes and a bit of wine and crackers. It's been a great day. And I'm ready to retire.

Day 26

 yesterday was an interesting day in terms of things not working out very well. I am out of cash and stopped in town after town to see if I could get some cash at another Credit Union. No luck and no cash yet. Then the campground I intended to stay was closed. Here was my dilemma. I despise RV parks. But there was one available and they took my credit card but I decided to push on. Several campgrounds were closed. I am now in the backcountry of the Ozarks just wandering around. I even thought about going up to a house and asking if I could stay on their farm for the night. I pressed on towards Harry Truman State Park. Behold, they took my credit card and gave me a site with electric power for $15!  Thanks be to God!

Day 25

Got my custom cover installed just in time for a big storm headed this way from the west.  This means I'll be driving with the rain tomorrow towards Kansas City.  Hoping to land at a campground at Lake of the Ozarks near Clinton, MO.  Thanks, Salina, for your hospitality.