On the Road Again...Part Five

Friday, May 23

Today is the start of Memorial Day Weekend.  And yes, we are traveling.  Not the best plan!  We left Findlay this morning around 8:00 am and are headed to Branson, Missouri.  It's a beautiful morning, bright and sunny.  A picture perfect day.  We're headed to Terre Haute Indiana where we will spend the night.

A wonderful surprise!  We had an easy travel day.  Traffic was moderate, especially for the start of a long weekend.  We breezed right on through Indy...  and arrived early afternoon in Terre Haute.

I-70 in Indiana has to be the roughest road we've ever traveled!! Shake, rattle and roll for about 100 miles.  Looking forward to smoother roads tomorrow!!

We stayed at this KOA this past August when we were headed to Branson.  It's a fairly nice KOA, though over priced (but within reason as far as KOA's go).  We paid $45 for the night, water and electric only.  The pads are gravel, and shorter than some we've stayed at.  They're on the narrow side, with grass in between the sites.  The park is surrounded by trees.  Because it is an older KOA, it's not exactly "big rig" friendly.  But we managed quite nicely.  They recycle at this KOA and they also offer an air compressor free of charge.

It seems rather odd to us to be headed south for the summer rather than north.  For the last five years we have spent part, or all, of our summer on the Spirit Lake Reservation in North Dakota.  We decided this past summer that a change was needed...  New adventures await us in Branson!

Saturday, May 24

We left Terre Haute this am under sunny skies.  Traffic was light, I-70 was much smoother.  Thank goodness!!  Terre Haute is close to the Illinois border, so it wasn't long before we were back on central time...just when I'd gotten used to eastern time!!!

We'd planned on stopping at a rest area just east of the St. Louis bypass, but unfortunately it was closed.  By this time the sunny skies gave way to clouds.  We continued on through St. Louis, where we crossed the Mississippi River...

love this bridge!

the Mighty Mississippi

the corn fields have given way to rocky and hilly terrain

By this time we were starving.  We were looking for a rest area, truck stop or any large parking lot.  We exited off of I-44 in Eureka looking for McDonalds.  The first place we came to was a large parking lot at Eureka High School.  We stopped there and grabbed a quick lunch.  

We were less than 70 miles from our destination.  Shortly after we stopped, it began to rain.  We had a brief downpour, then it turned to a light rain.

It was still raining lightly when we arrived at our destination at Ladybug RV Park in Cuba, Missouri. 

Ladybug is an Escapee Park; they give a 15% discount to all members of Escapees.  The lots are long, but narrow with gravel pads.  The park is located in a wooded setting, so it's very pretty.  We also stayed here last year on our way to Branson.  We're staying here until Tuesday.

Sunday, May 25

The weather of the day is Hazy, Hot and Humid!! We're enjoying it after the cool weather we've experienced for most of the month.

After worship this morning (we worshiped at Cuba UMC, a very friendly, albeit small, congregation) we decided to take a walk through the historic part of town.  The weather was perfect for a nice walk, warm and sunny.

great tree to climb up and sit a spell...

a sampling of the murals

The city of  Cuba was founded in 1857 and was named after the island of Cuba.  As you can imagine, there are some very historic buildings located here.

Holy Cross Church.  The construction of  this Ozark field stone church began in 1936

the Wallace House.  constructed in 1885, the house has been completely restored

stopping to smell the roses

memorial obelisk honoring those who have given their lives in service to our country.  too many names...

love this roof!!

The old Route 66 goes right through Cuba.  The city's twelve murals have attracted attention far and wide.  The Missouri legislature has proclaimed Cuba, "Route 66 Mural City."  The murals have been featured on television shows as well as in magazines and newspapers.

It all started in 2001 when Peoples Bank commemorated its 100th birthday by painting a mural of the bank's first cashier and long-time president.  It also depicts the town's first Model T...

notice the "route 66" sign? it appears on all twelve of the murals

A few of our favorite murals...

Senator Harry Truman campaigned in Cuba for re-election in a very close 1940 primary.  He attended Cuba's Homecoming Fair, which is a century-old tradition...

Amelia Earhart made a forced emergency landing in Cuba on September 4, 1928.  Finding no damage to her Avro plane, she was able to continue on her journey...

This mural depicts Al West, Cuba's mayor from 1946-1958.  During this time, the city purchased the electrical system, paved and lit streets and extended its water and sewer systems...

The Millworks recreates the look of the 1948 Roberts-Judson Lumber Co. Millworks Building.  The building was the site of custom woodworking and sheet metal production...

There are several Civil War murals.  These murals depict conflicts between the troops of Confederate General Sterling Price and Union General Thomas Ewing in September 1864.  The battles started at Fort Davidson near Pilot Knob, Missouri and ended with the rescue of the Union Troops in Leasburg, Missouri...

In November 1948, Academy Award actress Bette Davis and her husband arrived in a Packard station wagon at the Southern Hotel.  Reporter Wilbur Vaughn asked for a photo.  Refused, he snapped a photo anyway and was chased by Davis' irate husband.  He escaped and the photo appeared in the Cuba News and Review.  This mural depicts the actual photo that Vaughn snapped.

this mural is painted on the Cuba News and Times building...

Paul T. Carr built this cottage style filling station in 1932.  The oil company actually did choose '66' as part of their logo because Route 66 was being constructed with the intent to make traveling faster.  Phillips 66 gasoline would expedite this.  The Bill Wallis family preserved this building, taking it back to its original design, including the roof...

Lots of history to be sure.  We thoroughly enjoyed our walk through the city of Cuba.


Tuesday, May 27

It rained almost all day yesterday and into the night.  We awoke to a warm, muggy morning.  Time to pack up and drive the rest of the way into Branson.  It will be a short day, about three hours on the road.

We had a touch of rain while on the road, thankfully it didn't last long.  Just long enough to raise the humidity.

We stopped at the coolest rest area EVER!  It's located on I-44, just northeast of Springfield.  It's pegged as the last rest area in Missouri...

looks like any normal rest area...

until you walk inside...

information center

the sidewalk leading through the picnic area is painted to resemble Route 66 

picnic shelters all up and down the "road"...

It was a quick and fun stop!!!  We continued on our way, and soon we were back at The Dewey Short Visitors Center in Branson!!  We have the same lot as we did this past fall when we volunteered here. We'll be volunteering here at the Dewey Short Visitors Center until the end of August.  We're looking forward to new adventures!!!

On the Road Again...Part Four

Monday, April 21

We left Hot Springs and Cloud Nine RV Park this morning on an overcast and drizzly day.  We're headed north...

We're spending tonight in Sikeston, Missouri 

The clouds and drizzle followed us most of the way.  Shortly after we arrived, the clouds moved out and the sun began to shine.  

We went to dinner tonight at the original Lambert's Cafe, Home of the Throwed (not tossed) roll.

Lambert's has made arrangements with Hinton RV Park to pick up and transport any guests who wish to dine there.  As we needed to fuel up for the morning, we did not take advantage of that benefit...

Lambert's is a fun place to have dinner.  Gotta watch out for those throwed rolls.  As our friend
David says "keep your head up and your eyes open!"  And the food is good!!


Tuesday, April 22

We've been blessed with great weather since we left Oklahoma City.  Today was no exception.  A beautiful, sunny day.  Perfect for traveling.

We're heading to Indianapolis, Indiana for the night.  Along the way, we crossed the Mighty Mississippi in Cairo, Illinois...

approaching the bridge

the sun was brilliant...

No matter how many times we cross the Mississippi, I still get a thrill.


Tonight we're staying at Lake Haven RV Park.  Lake Haven RV is on the southwest side of Indy. We'll be back in the mitten tomorrow...

Coop liked walking around this pond

We followed the "green line" north...all was green with trees budded out and flowers in bloom until we arrived in Indy.  It will probably be a couple more weeks until the trees bud out and the flowers bloom here.  In the meantime, not a tulip nor a daffodil in sight.


Wednesday, April 23

A little cool this morning, but still a nice, sunny day.  We left at 8:00 am, which put us right in the middle of rush hour.  Not the best planning!  It wasn't too bad; it only took us 30 minutes or so to get around Indy.

We arrived at Haas Lake in New Hudson today.  A pretty, but chilly day.  We're so looking forward to spending time with family and friends.

As I mentioned before, Spring has yet to arrive in this part of the country.  If you look close enough you can see some buds on the trees.  Spring is still about two weeks away. 

 

 

Good Friends, Good Times

 

 

Celebrating George's graduation from Eastern Michigan University

Gene and Deb, George's proud parents



 

Phoebe Love (my women's circle at church)

more Phoebe Love

Lady "O". She & her mom hosted our gathering

 

 

Ron and his good buddy Fred

 

 

we spend a couple of nights with my dad and his wife, Joyce

 

 

Ron with our good friends Gary and his grandson Caden



Nancy (Gary's wife) and Caden

the boys



Caden, our favorite Cleveland Browns fan!!

 

 

While here, we made the decision to empty out our storage unit.  When we first went on the road we rented a 10x20 storage unit.  We haven't need anything out of it for the past two years, soooo, time to get rid of it.

 

We sorted, kept a box of mementos, and gave some things away.  We then called the Salvation Army who sent a truck to our storage unit.  They loaded up everything that was in the unit...

 

 

hauling stuff out



almost done

just enough room for the remaining furniture

 

It was bittersweet emptying out our storage unit.  The end of a chapter in our lives.  Now that it is done, we feel very good about it.

 

 

Friday, May 9

 

The weather has been cool (mid-40's with some 50 degree days thrown in) while we've been here.   In the two weeks that we've been in Michigan, we've only had two or three days without rain.  At least everything is green!!

 

This morning we are leaving Haas Lake and heading to Findlay (about 120 miles south) to visit with our son, daughter-in-law and grand kids.  We're staying at Pleasant View RV Park in Van Buren.

 

Spring has definitely sprung!! The trees and flowers have blossomed.  So very nice to see!!

 

 

While here...

 



 

We hung out at the kids house and played...

 

 

Catch...

 

 

Preston

Teague likes to play too

 

 

Planted flowers...

 

 

Lily

 

Mowed the yard...

 

 

Teague

 

 

Rode scooters...

Preston

Lily

Teague

 

Rode bikes...

Teague

 

Took selfies...

 

 

 

Teague's first selfie...

 

 

 



Cassie and Teague

 

 

Played in the sand...

 

 

 

 

And just generally hung out...

 

 

 

 

 

Cassie

not just anyone gets to drive Grandpa's truck!!

 

 

We went to Judo...

 

 

 

Lily

 

 

Daddy participates as well...

mommy playing with Teague...

 

 

We went to the playground...

 

 

We played at Grandma's and Grandpa's

Lily showing off her 1st place medal for her 5k race...

taking Cooper for a walk

playing at the playground

dodge ball!!

 

 



We also went to an "all-school" Mass where Lily gave a reading...

Friday, May 23

All too soon our time in Findlay has come to an end.  Time to hit the road once again.  We left Findlay this morning and we're headed to Branson.

Today is our son's birthday.  Happy Birthday Bryan!!