Day 5 - Going to Kansas City, Kansas City here we come!

Bass Pro Shop Parking Lot

We awoke to a chilly start this morning and we discovered Allie's core temperature to be 53°. A touch of electric heat fixed the problem. Since the weather was forecasted to reach the mid-70's, summer attire continued. 

Our entrance steps seem to be totally out of commission now. Whenever we open and close the door, we are met with an awful grinding sound. They refuse to come out all the way, so "G" bungied them together so they don't rattle. As Rosesnne Rosannadanna always said, "It's always something."

Crossing the Missouri River, again. It not only runs north to south, but west to east.

The first big adventure of the day happened at lunchtime. We decided to eat out and I chose the Country Pride Restaurant. Their place mats boast, "Taste a bit of Americana." It was an experience for "G," who is so fastidiously clean, to actually order and consume a meal where even I found it shabby, dated, run down and a bit unkempt. 

After we ate, we took Allie for her first professional wash at Blue Beacon Truck Wash. For $37 we got the mud, dust, dirt and grime power-washed off our big girl and for just $12 more, Sir Duke got the same royal treatment. Both came out sparkling clean. Props to Blue Beacon Truck Wash. 

We patiently awaited our turn

We're up....

Waiting safely outside, while I remain inside Allie with Lucy!

A complete view of our journey through Kansas....

As the long day began to turn into night, we pulled off at Mill Creek RV Campground in Paxico, KS. I had found this place back in NY and had it on my list of places I thought we might like to stop at when we were ready for a break. It turned out to be a charming little place with all the comforts we could require: full hook-ups, 50 amps, level sites with trees, an old barn loaded with old license plates and old tools and an out-house. So many things that we took a stroll and photographed just some of the sights. 

The owners are a very nice couple in their 50's with four grown children and 10 grandchildren. We met Cameron and Casey, two buzz cut cuties aged about 9 and 5. After checking in, we saw a girl of about 10 and another boy close to 3. They have only owned the campground for two weeks! 

The only two drawbacks we have found are the deafening noise from the cicadas and the rumble of freight trains as they roll across the Union Pacific Railroad tracks located right behind our coach. 

Top right, the storm shelter. We checked that out first. Middle right, a cyclone! Oh my!

License plates, tools, wheels and wheels and wheels, and old farm equipment

Many funky buildings, sheds and surprises.

Having fun.

Too many sights to share.

I had to prove I was here.

The railroad tracks

Deep thought for the day: Once out of the tri-state area, a whole new world emerges. One full of hard work, sitting in the shade, striking up a conversation with strangers, listening to the deafening sound of cicadas, learning the lesson of how to stroll and enjoy the beauty of our wonderful country. Middle America is absolutely amazing.

Day 4 - Indiana to Illinois to Missouri

Allie and "dirty" Duke

It was so chilly last night at the KOA in Terre Haute, IN that we actually needed to turn on our electric heater when we awoke. It was hovering about 54 degrees most of the morning and the decision to continue wearing capris led me to regret that choice well into the day. Like going from summer shoes to winter shoes, so do I resist the fashion change to pants. Alas, tomorrow, I shall succumb to wearing jeans. Meanwhile, our destination, Denver, boasts a high of 90 degrees. Go figure.

Today was a very interesting day filled with all sorts of unexpected occurrences. The first was getting trapped in a Pilot Service Station. Maneuvering a big rig that's towing a mid-sized car is quite a fete in a station that should, but does not, accommodate gas motor homes. Two vans parked in just the wrong spaces while "G" was pumping gas and blocked our only exit. "G" politely asked them to move and was met with only a bit of grumbling by one driver. 

While driving along I-70 in Illinois, we came upon the "Embarras River." A quick glance at the name had me thinking it was shy... We then came upon the cities of Montrose and Mt. Vernon, two very significant New York cities to me.

Okay, now comes the tourist-y part of our day. We stopped in Casey, IL to see the "World's Largest Wind Chime." Little did we know that we could have also seen the "World's Largest Knitting Needles," but we sure did see a pretty big rocking chair! Casey was a very quaint and charming town that had tree-lined streets, with low branches that scraped the top of Allie the whole ride down Main Street. We high-tailed it out of Casey quickly.

Observations of the day:

• Mid-America is full of hard-working farmers,
• Driving through makes me want a farm house with a Dutch Star on the unattached garage,
• I can see why you would want a gun,
• I-70 in Indiana is either decrepit or under much-needed construction,
• I-70 is the straightest interstate I've ever travelled,
• Corn grows in Indiana, Illinois and Missouri,
• Walmart is a welcome friend when you need to park your RV,
• We gained an hour and missed when it happened,
• I can prep a meal while on I-70 and have it cook in the convection oven while rolling,
• Lucy survived I-70 in Indiana and has been a terrific traveller!

Once dinner was done, we found a Walmart parking lot where we could just stop and eat. We moved to a Bass Pro Shop lot to spend the night. A better parking lot and more welcoming.

It was a long, crazy and fun day! I can't believe we made it all the way into Missouri, which means no sticker on the map for Illinois...

Hanging with the "big boys" in Indiana - do we look lopsided to you?

The photo of Missouri's welcome sign was too blurry to post.   :(

The sign says, "Chuck's Boots." I tried my best to catch the shot.

A comforting sign along the road

Casey, IL - "Big things in a small town."
The World's Largest Wind Chime and a really big rocking chair!

My only shot of the Mississippi River

The magnificent Stan Musial Veterans Memorial Bridge that spans the Mississippi River

A shot of the Missouri River

Dinner at a Missouri Walmart parking lot.

Deep thought for the day: At the end of a long day, there is nothing so comforting as crawling into your own bed (with those you love).

Day 3 Ohio to Indiana

 No photoshop here. Just a perfectly placed rainbow. 

Today is a solemn day for our country as we mark the 14th anniversary of the terrorist attacks on the USA. September 11, 2001 is a day I will never forget. I can close my eyes and be transported back in time and feel all I felt and remember all I had seen. I'd like to start my entry with a magnificent photo that was taken last night after a torrential rain storm in NY. Proof that beauty eventually emerges from the worst destruction.

                          

In spite of an early start to our day, we knew that we would not be afforded an early start on the road due to my having a little mishap last night. As every RVer knows, items shift and move while on the road, and although I'm no exception, I was still shocked when I opened an overhead compartment and was attacked by my aluminum foil wrap. I sustained a nasty slice to my right thumb that should have had a couple of stitches, but I decided to wait until morning to head over to the nearest Urgent Care. 

Although still bleeding, I was informed that it was too late for stitches. It seems that 12 hours post-injury is too late to stitch a gaping wound (at least in Ohio). A thorough cleaning (ouch), a pressure bandage and a splint were provided and we were finally on our way. 

I'm embarrassed to admit that this was my third injury of the summer, so I'm hoping that the "bad things happen in 3's" is now behind me - the ankle, index finger and thumb. 

Our free night at Cabellas was peaceful and we all slept well. One other RV showed up during the night, making for a total of four rigs in the spacious parking lot. 

We travelled along Route 70 with an unplanned detour that afforded us the opportunity to drive past the Birthplace of Wilber Wright. I guess the Wright's moved before Orville was born. 

We also drove on "Historic National Road," aka Route 40. Even though it took us over 20 miles out of our way, we got to see some pretty little towns ing the way. 

Since we wanted to shower and do a load or two of laundry, we decided to locate a KOA for the night. I found Terre Haute KOA, which is just about 10 miles from the Illinois boarder where we shall put our jacks down and call it a day. 

Deep thought for the day:  Celebrate each day as if it might be your last. Fourteen years ago thousands went about their morning, assuming it was just another day. -vc 

I couldnt resist...

I was so excited to snap this pic of the arch, I missed the Welcome to Indiana sign.

Day 2 - Second stop - Columbus, Ohio

We woke up this morning to 63° and it felt too much like fall for me. A nice, early start on the road gave us plenty of time to rack up over 300 miles today and we now find ourselves planted firmly in a Cabellas' parking lot close to Columbus, Ohio.  

Cabellas near Columbus, Ohio

At one point, I had "G" put on the floor vent for some heat to take the chill out of my toes, another reminder that fall is fast-approaching. A couple of milestones we passed along the way today were the Allegheny River and the highest point east of the Mississippi, which was at mile marker 111 on Route 80 - elevation 2250. Allie made it all the way up without a hitch, even though she is teetering on the heavy side.

We passed mile after mile of beautiful windflowers. A little research led me to discover that in 1982, the Audubon Society partnered with the PA DOT and created a magnificent view for travelers. Some of the wildflowers currently in bloom were, Goldenrod, Cattails, Fairy Wand and Ragweed, to name the few I knew. 

        Beautiful Fairy Wand 

              Goldenrod 

Once Route 80 turns into the Ohio Turnpike, it becomes a toll road. However, on the bright side, for only $20 per night, an RV can pull into one of the many rest stops where electric hook-ups and a dump station are provided. We surely are not in Kansas (NY) anymore. Even with that cool option, we decided to veer off south to Route 71 to avoid the tolls and eventually make our way to Route 70, the major Route just south of 80, which runs directly into Denver. 

The whole trip, the song, "Ohio," by Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young, kept playing over and over in my head, which caused me to research the awful Kent State College Shootings that left four young, unarmed Americans dead and nine wounded during a protest over Nixon's moving troops into Cambodia. National Guard Troops were called in even before the protests began, because anti Viet Nam Conflict sentiments were high among the kids that were being deployed to fight a battle they knew would never be won. I end that topic here, as I do not like to discuss religion or politics in my blog.

Lucy has adjusted very well to being "at home" in a Cabellas' parking lot. It never phased her appetite or curiosity one bit (or bite). We are very fortunate that she has adapted so well to this adventure.

Tomorrow, I'm hoping for a quick departure and a few more hundred miles behind us. I'm guessing that my next entry will generate from Indiana. Stay tuned.

Deep thought for the day: No matter where you go, or how far you travel, all roads are better than the ones in NY.

Look close to see her licking her lips!

Day 2 - one day closer to CO

Checking out her new "digs."

Yesterday, we got a late start, had a little difficulty connecting the tow bar, and needed to stop to check on Sir Duke a couple of more times than normal due to the tow braking system's frequent flashing alarms.  We're not sure if,  1. The vehicle is braking,  2. The brakes are locked, or  3. If we lost Sir Duke all together. A quick look in our rear view camera, shows him smartly keeping pace, so we know there is a wiring issue that "G" will need to troubleshoot before we head out on the road.

Last night we stayed at a place I had researched previously, Gram and Pap's Campground. In Bellefonte, PA. We are close to Penn State College and they are getting ready for a big game this weekend and a full campground. Unfortunately, the many fans arriving today will be arriving in intermittent rain. 

We were provided with a lovely, full-hook up, pull-through site with 50 amp service at the top of the property. The staff (and neighbors) were all as friendly as could be. We were greeted by a black cat, who didn't appear to want any attention bestowed upon itself and a boxer, named Posey, who couldn't get enough lovin.' We experienced several large-sounding nuts hitting the roof during the night, which perturbed the spoiled one - Lucy, not "G!"  lol

A fill-up at a local A Flying J gave us the MPG verdict for the first leg of our journey. The magic number is 5.3. In Allie's defense, we did traverse the Pocono Mountains, so the next computation should be higher. We drove for about 6 hours, including the stops, and racked up 265 miles. 

It was so nice that after a long day of driving, we fiound ourselves comfortably at home, with our own bed, shower and kitty cat. No luggage to carry, no frightening remote controls, and no fear of bedbugs. Life is, indeed, beautiful and home is wherever we park it.

Today finds us hitting the road just after 9 AM, and bound for our next stop which most likely will be somewhere in Ohio.

To be continued...

Deep thought for the day:  A long journey begins with one small step. Here's to hoping we make a giant step today.  

Different, but okay, I guess.

Westward Ho

The long anticipated "Second Great Big Adventure" is finally underway. According to the GPS, we should be arriving in Larkspur, CO in 1810 miles or by 2pm tomorrow. Quite an optimistic prediction that doesn't take u-turns and detours into consideration. After all of our final goodbyes, well wishes, and warm embraces, we released the brake and rolled out of Croton Point Park. Although we left behind family and friends, they will be safely tucked in our hearts until we either meet again or return. 

We decided to just "wing it" this trip and did not make any reservations along our route, thus giving us the opportunity to stop whenever and wherever "G" has had enough time behind the wheel.

Our departure time from Croton was delayed due to some last minute errands and inexperience with our new tow set-up.  We no longer tow my little Sentra on Miss Dolly Parton, but flat-tow our Jeep Grand Cherokee. After we hook and unhook it a few more times, we will be able to save a lot of time and energy using this method. "G" outdid himself this time with hours of thorough research and self-installation of the flat-tow bar system, which saved us over $1000.  

Now that we are towing the Jeep, I needed to come up with a name for it. "G" would say, "it doesn't need a name," so without consulting him, I've decided to name it "The Grand Duke of Burgundy," or, in honor of Mr. Ellington, Sir Duke, for short. 

We have finally ended the northern course of the trip. From this point on, we are heading towards the setting sun. Our first pit stop was at the Pilot weigh scales, in Newburgh, NY where Allie weighed in just under her max gross weight.  Yikes!

Allie and Sir Duke, "G," me and Miss Kitty are now officially off on our Second Great Big Adventure: to Colorado and beyond and then on to Florida, where we will hibernate until spring.

Deep thought for the day:  "May the force be with us."

A last few photos of our last few days.

Mr. Stromboli!  Cugina Maurizio

Dear cousin Lisa

Happy times

Jon - fellow Tiflin owner

Cheers! "Charming" Charlie

"G" and Butch - where there's a will, there's a way.

The Chardonettes!

Saki buddy.

Officially on the road again.

Oh poop, I'm not in Kansas anymore. Lucy looking for all her doggie friends.

                    Sir Duke, in royal fashion