Hazelwood, MO

Sun (9-13-09): Today our Discovery caravan (Campbells, Halsteads and us) met up in Hazelwood, MO for an overnight stay at Cabela's [314-225-0100; 5555 St. Louis Mills Blvd; 38.791960, -90.412944]. Actually we parked in a lot behind the Mall in a dirt truck parking area. We were not allowed to park on the pavement around the Mall. See pics below. We went into the Food Court for lunch and then walked the whole mall. Cabela's had some really neat stuffed animal displays of many animals including Africa. We got up close and personal with a couple of grizzlies and a polar bear! This mall has alot of activities for young people like ice skating, Nascar racing, skateboard ramps and a Merry-go-Round. Walking this big mall was good exercise!

Camping at the Mills Mall

Happy Hour--Shirley, Mem, Larry & Dallas

This evening 10 of us had Prime Rib at one of our favorite restaurants -- Beefeaters, in St. Charles, MO www.banquetcenterofthelittlehills.com/beefeaters.html. Unfortunately, our friends Bob and Nance Roth weren't able to meet us for dinner this time as they were in Branson and the Hellrungs were busy getting ready for a trip to Memphis. But Mem and Larry's friends were there and we enjoyed getting to know Dallas and Shirley better.

Alton, IL - A Day on the Mississippi River

Sat (9-12-09): Well, back to the pigeon. Larry put a notice on Craig's list last night about finding a banded pigeon and long story short--the owner was found. Seems he lives about 20 miles away and had let some of his pigeon off in OK and elsewhere here in IL. He wasn't sure where this bird had flown from and wouldn't know until he saw it's number. He has a website at http://www.goldstarlofts.com/ .

Today was a wonderful day spent on Larry and Patty's beautiful 54-ft cabin cruiser out on the Illinois and Mississippi Rivers. (See pics below) Wonderful weather and good friends--what more could you ask for. Grafton (where the marina is located) was having a craft fair in the park and we wandered thru there after we came off the water. Nice fused glass jewelry and other things for sale. It was pork BBQ sandwiches for dinner after at the Hog Pit there in Grafton and then back to the coach to watch the Richmond NASCAR race. Lights went out for me before the race ended!

Hellrung's 54-ft Bayliner "Liberty"--What a Beauty!

Larry Doing What He Loves to Do!

Enjoying the Ride!

Bow Master Bedroom

Jim and Patty in Galley Making Margaritas--what else!

Dave Roth's New Development in Grafton, IL

Can-Am parked outside of the Hog Pit--

Chuck has been thinking about getting one of these! [And we did in May 2010!]

Hellrungs, Alton, IL

Fri (9-11-09): What a nice sunny warm day we have to travel! Even this last section of I70 in IN has smoothed out! We arrived at Larry and Patty Hellrungs early afternoon. As we drove into their driveway, we met Patty heading for her mailbox with a sign saying that they had found a banded pigeon. It just flew in and walked into their garage and acted like it was "home". So they were trying to find it's owner.

Hellrung's Visiting Homing Pigeon

Note: If you go to "Archives: 2007, 09/02 - 09/09, and then Tues, Aug 28th - Alton" in this blog, you will see pics of the Hellrungs house and our parking arrangement that we took on our visit here back in 07.

The guys parked the coaches and then we all sat and visited on their front porch watching the pigeon's coming and goings all the while. That evening we had dinner at Roper's Regal Beagle Sports Bar and Grille in Godfrey, IL.

Terre Haute, IN

Thu (9-10-09): We left Gallopilis, OH about 8:30 a.m. this morning and traveled with the Halsteads till they turned off in Indy to go to their daughter's house. Mem had given me several Charles Martin books to read and I took advantage of a lot of sitting time to get well into the first book, "The Dead Don't Dance". I would highly recommend this author!

I70 south and west of Indy was VERY bumpy. Chuck even found a screw on the floor and now wonders what it came out of! Wonder what else has loosened up! We met up with Jim and Lois Campbells at the Wal-Mart Supercenter [812-299-4677; 5555 S. US Hwy #41; 39.398650, -87.404300]. We all went inside to pay our camping fee and came out with a chicken for dinner and wiper blades for the Campbell's coach. This store even sold some liquor at the checkout counter where they also sell cigarettes.

Jim made Lois and I martinis for happy hour and we did get happy! We had dinner in their coach--chicken and salad--and enjoyed spending some time together catching up. We really enjoy getting to travel with this couple!

Tonight we'll sleep next to a corn field and hear a train in the distance. Tomorrow we'll have just a couple of hours of travel time before we get to our friends, Larry and Patty Hellrungs, where we'll camp in their driveway for a couple of days. Life is good!

Gallipolis, OH - Heading West

Wed (9-9-09): We are here at a Wal-Mart Supercenter [240-441-0406; 2145 Eastern Ave; 38.822960, -82.172650]. We ran into pouring rain in the afternoon just before we got into Ohio. So much for a clean car and coach! I worked on a yr old size little boys pullover for a friend who is getting her first grandchild in Oct! Love this new yarn--Red Heart Soft Baby Steps! Mem and Larry came over for a pork BBQ and salad supper and then we all went into Wally World to pay our camping fee! Tomorrow it's off to IN.

Granddaughter Becky's New "Do"

One of life's pleasures are grandchildren and today I enjoyed my almost 15-yr-old granddaughter Becky's fun getting the LONG (down to her waist) hair cut off, getting some highlights and a new hair style! She's all ready for high school now. The cut off hair was even long enough to send off to Locks of Love , which was her idea to do.

How Short Do You Want It?

It's Gone!

Don't You Love That Smile!

Hair's Pulled Thru Cap to Bleach

Bleaching Hair

Under the Dryer

Bleached!

Highlight Color Put On

Getting Dryed and Styled




AND HERE'S THE NEW BECKY!

Warren, IN - Visiting Campbells

Fri (7/24/09 ): We left the FMCA Convention and headed west on Rt. 6 toward IN and then drove south on the beltway around Fort Wayne and got into Warren, IN about 2:00 p.m.. We stopped at the truck stop to dump one tank and fill up the other. We got all setup behind the "Big" House (water & electric) and headed over to the Campbell's for happy hour. Later, we headed to Ivanhoe's in Upland www.ivanhoes.info/ for tenderloin sandwiches and a strawberry shortcake with whipped cream and vanilla ice cream that the 4 of us shared it was so huge!

Sat (7/25/09): A thunderstorm rolled in about 4:00 a.m. and out went the power. Being hooked up to power behind the nursing home ("Big" House), their generator soon kicked in and we were back up and running. It was going to be a rainy morning. We headed back over to the Campbell's for breakfast--Lois' yummy Belgium waffles. After, Lois and I headed over to Warren's farmers' market and picked up a dozen ears of fresh corn on the cob, Jalapeno jelly (for Chuck) and apricot jelly and apple pie. Lunch was taken care of! I also picked up a box of frozen lightly breaded pork tenderloins to take home. I haven't seen any of these back in VA. Chuck spent several hours helping Jim figure out what was wrong with his computer. Lois and I spent the afternoon doing crafts--knitting & embroidery. We went to Fort Wayne for dinner tonight at Don Hall's Tavern www.donhalls.com/locations.asp?ID=37 . The martini's were good, oh and the dinner too!

Sun (7/26/09): We had a relaxing morning and early afternoon and I worked on the spreadsheet for our Colorado trip that we are going on with the Halsteads and Campbells. JimC is planning the route and the daily outings. Then Lois and I went in to the look at the gift shop items in "The Big House". I wanted to get a ceramic blow fish for my souring pad for the kitchen. I found a green one, which was just what I wanted! Then we went with the Campbells over to Huntington to the 4H Fair. Great hometown fair with NO rides. Great place for families to get together, look at all of the 4H projects and see the farm animals and of course EAT. We had smoked pork chops, applesauce, chips and bread with drink for $5.00! Where else can you eat like that for $5.00!

Monday we head to Indy to get tires for the Discovery and then head back to VA, where we will be home by noon on Tuesday. Seems like we are always planning the next trip(s) while we are on a trip. Isn't that what retirements all about!