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.