Fairview-Riverside State Park, Madisonville, LA:  We were surprised this morning with water all around us.  Apparently, behind the sites in this row is a little slough which is overflowing.  It’s now up to the mat in front of the steps.  If we wanted to go out, we’d have to slog through ankle deep water.  So we stayed in all day.  Knee pain or not, I’m ready to get out.  If the water doesn’t go down overnight, we’ll head to the KOA in Milton, FL, a day early.

Water, water everywhere!

Fairview-Riverside State Park, Madisonville, LA:  Started out cloudy and cool this morning, but the sun made its appearance early afternoon.  Turned out to be a beautiful day.  Stayed inside just lying around all morning, but ventured out in the afternoon. Got ensconced in my chair with my book and enjoyed the wonderful aroma wafting in on the gentle breeze.  The smells are more like spring than fall.  This loop is mostly empty and very quiet.  The couple across from us walked to the river with their fishing gear.  I even walked a little bit.  The swamp trail is beckoning.  Maybe tomorrow or the next day.  Low 70s today.   

Live oaks on the banks of the Tchefuncte River.

Movietime RV Park, Canton, MS, to Fairview-Riverside State Park, Madisonville, LA:  My knee is a lot better this morning.  Am now able to put weight on it, which is surprising considering how badly it hurt yesterday.  At any rate, I was able to take care of the inside stuff this morning so Mike wouldn’t have to.  We’re now at pretty Fairview-Riverside State Park in Madisonville, LA.  This park sits right on the Tchefuncte River (Cha-FUNK-ta) on what used to be the summer home of Frank Otis who ceded it to the state after his death.  Originally built in 1880, it was purchased and renovated by Otis in 1930.  The house is lovingly maintained  and we could walk to it from our site--if I could walk, that is. Across the river is the historic town of Madisonville.  Love it here.  And it was 68 when we got here.  A sunny, beautiful day.  Now, more drugs and hopefully my knee will be even better tomorrow.

Otis House

KOA, W. Memphis, to Movietime RV Park, Canton, MS:  A nice sunny morning, but cool.  And we were off by 9:30.  We stopped at around 10:30 to get some fuel and I took a bad step off the curb, twisted my left ankle and came down hard on my right knee.  Doesn’t look bad, didn’t even break the skin.  But I can’t put any weight on it and can barely walk.  No more driving for me for a while.  Mike got me back into the truck and we continued on, but shortly after that I started feeling like I was going to throw up, faint, or both.  And my vision was all blurry.  Fortunately, that only lasted twenty minutes or so.  Got to our RV park around 1:30.  Getting up the steps to the fifth wheel was a challenge.  I finally had to sit on the steps and scoot myself up with my arms.  Poor Mike had to do all the outside and the inside setup.  Now there’s no way I can go into New Orleans.  Hopefully Mike will go in by himself.  I may get it looked at when we get to New Orleans.  Stupid accident!

STL to KOA, W. Memphis:  Had mixed feelings about leaving this trip.  We’ve enjoyed balmy weather and the fall colors are outstanding right now.  And I love our home.  But we were on our way around 8:30.  A pretty drive down through the rolling hills of rural Missouri with all their neat farms amid all the striking fall colors.  Stopped in Sikeston for food and fuel.  Extreme southern Missouri and northern Arkansas give you the feeling of the deep south.  They grow cotton and rice and people have two first names—Billy Bob, Carla Sue, etc., and everyone has a southern accent.  And there’s a town called Hayti.  Love it!  We arrived here by 3:00 with temps in the upper 70s.  YES!  Did some cleaning and were set up by 4:00.

St. Louis, MO:  Left St. Joseph, MO, around 9:00 this morning—much later than we wanted because a front came through at around 6:00 this morning with lots of rain and wind, hail, and wind, lots of wind.  Thought we were going to be blown over. It finally passed and we got going.  Drove through rain for a couple of hours.  Stopped for fuel and food and then continued on.  Gave me a much better perspective of what Mike has to contend with taking care of the outside issues involved in setting up.  I took care of the sewer and Mike did the water and electric.  Arrived at our storage area at around 3:00.  Emptied the refrigerator and then headed home.  All in all it was a good trip.  Thankfully we didn’t have any breakdowns and Mike didn’t have another “episode”.  It is good to be home in one piece.

St. Louis, MO

Beacon RV Park, St. Joseph, MO:  Left Sioux Falls this morning at around 7:50.  Finally left I90 and took I29 south.  Stopped at a casino for fuel and breakfast and then Mike drove for a while.  He’s feeling pretty good today.  Just one more day and we’ll be home. I ended up driving the last leg, stopping for fuel one more time.  Warm and humid today, and the cicadas are in full chorus. Low 90s today. 

Historic St. Joseph, MO

This is the house where Jessie James resided when he was killed.
St. Joseph, MO

The Pony Express operated from St. Joseph, MO, to Sacramento, CA--carrying the mail in 7 days!