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!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 







On the Road Again...Part Three

Friday, April 18

We arrived in Hot Springs, Arkansas.  It was only 100 miles or so from Petit Jean State Park.

While here we're staying at the

The park is aptly named as Cloud Nine sits atop a mountain...We've a gorgeous view looking down into the valley below...

view from our campsite

evening view

clubhouse

nice place to sit a spell

After we set up, we took a ride into downtown Hot Springs to get the "lay of the land."  Hot Springs is a year-round health and pleasure resort adjacent to Hot Springs National Park. The Hot Springs region is well-known for its three nearby lakes—Lake Hamilton, Lake Ouachita
(wash i taw) and Lake Catherine -- and for being rich in quartz crystals.

Saturday, April 19

Today we went back into Hot Springs to visit the Visitor's Center at the National Park...

The National Park encompasses one side of the street (it includes the Visitor Center, bathhouse row, as well as a small park.


The restored Fordyce Bathhouse now serves as visitor center for Hot Springs National Park and museum for the thermal bathing industry.

Fordyce Bath House, now housing the Visitors Center and Museum

lobby

women's dressing room

the dressing rooms are made of mahogany

ladies cooling room (a place to cool off after your hot bath)

then it's off to shower

and then a massage

exercise room 

the bath houses were very ornate, utilizing marble and mahogany, along with stained glass windows

the DeSoto Fountain (fountain of youth)

stained glass on the ceiling above the DeSoto Fountain

Bath House Row...

the Buckstaff, still in use as a bath-house

hot water coming out of the springs, look closely and you can see the steam

one of the springs...

located on the grounds of the park

another view of the park...

Across the street from the National Park is the Historic Arts District, along with shops and eateries...

Arlington Hotel

yep, you can even ride the ducks...

Baseball enthusiasts can follow the Hot Springs Baseball Trail, a 26-marker walking and driving trail that denotes the history of the sport...

Easter Sunday, April 20

We awoke to a beautiful day.  Highs today were in the mid-70's.  Today we worshiped at First United Methodist Church in Hot Springs.  The church was established in 1852.  The sanctuary is simply beautiful, with a large pipe organ and lots of stained glass.  They held six services today, including a sunrise service.  We were very surprised that First UMC is one of three Methodist churches in Hot Springs...

Following service, we went to Cracker Barrel for lunch.  Love their french toast!!  As tomorrow is another travel day, we spent the rest of the day relaxing and enjoying the warm weather and sunshine!!

Monday, April 21

Overcast, drizzly day.  At least it's not windy.  We're leaving Cloud 9 RV Park and are headed north...

Cooper gave this park a "paws down".  The lots were all gravel.  He didn't even like to go outside.  The park suited our needs; however, if we were to revisit Hot Springs we would not stay here.