Wed, Aug 8:  KOA, LaSalle-Peru, IL, to Wagon Trail Campground, Rowley’s Bay, WI:  Not a good travel day today.  We got an early start and stopped right away to top off the tank and have breakfast.  We were on the road by 9:00.  Continued north on I39 and the road was still terrible.  Thought it would be better when we got into Wisconsin, but it’s even worse.  Took Rt. 43 out of Milwaukee.  Thankfully, Mike was driving.  Going through Milwaukee was horrible—between bad highway, construction, and traffic.  Our fifth wheel and truck took a beating for sure.  Got off I43 and onto I42 which is a county road and in much better condition.  I took over driving after Mike drove for 3-1/2 hours.  We didn’t get here until almost 4:00 and got into our site easily and set up with no problems.  Except the kitchen slide would not go out.  One side would go out but not the other, so it was cock-eyed.  Had a guy here in the park look at it, but he couldn’t do anything.  So tomorrow morning we’ll be on the phone with a mobile RV outfit in Sturgeon Bay.  So, until then we can’t get to our pantry and most of our food.  Fortunately, we can get into the refrigerator.  I made a bunch of goulash before we left, so we have that anyway.  The only good news is, our little wi-fi gizmo works!  Yes!   

So many beautiful wild flowers in this area.

Washington Island

Tue, Aug 7:   St. Louis, MO, to KOA LaSalle-Peru, IL:  We actually got an early start this morning because of storms predicted in this area.  After squaring everything away in the house, we headed to the storage area, with a stop at the local donut shop for donut holes for Mike.  Needless to say, as soon as we got to the storage area it started raining—gently at first and then a deluge.  Sat in the truck for a while until it abated somewhat and then hooked up quickly and left. So, we left in the rain.  I hate pulling this thing in the rain, but at least it wasn’t pouring.  We got going a little before 9:00 and actually ran out of the rain just south of Springfield, IL.  Continued east on I55 and stopped just south of Bloomington and fueled up and ate at a historic restaurant on Rt. 66—Dixie Diner and Truck Stop.  Mike took over driving, continuing east on I55 and then north on I39 in Bloomington.  I39 was not a good road, but Illinois is basically bankrupt, so it is what it is.  Anyway, we arrived at the KOA in LaSalle-Peru and were set up by 2:00.  Not a bad drive, but we ran into rain again near our destination.  After we got set up, Mike was sitting outside at our picnic table relaxing and something fell out of the tree above him and hit him in the back.  A baby sparrow fell out of the nest.  It’s under the picnic table and the mother is feeding it.  Not sure if it’ll survive (sigh). Tomorrow we leave for Ellison Bay on Lake Michigan.  We have no wi-fi or cable TV or phone service there—unless they have upgraded somewhat.  At any rate, not sure how often I’ll post.  

Yellow Lady Slipper

Cana Island Light

Sat, Mar 31, KOA W. Memphis, AR, to St. Louis:  We finally made it home!  Left this morning at 9:00 and pulled into the storage facility at 3:00.  Unloaded the food and headed home.  Really chilly—low 50s.  And, there’s a winter storm advisory for St. Louis tomorrow.  We could get 1-3 inches of snow!  Damn!

Found a spot for my cute little wine bottle light my sister and brother-in-law made.

Fri, Mar 30, Birmingham South RV Park, Birmingham, AL, to KOA W. Memphis, AR:  Well, I made it through Birmingham okay.  I65 wasn’t as bad as I remembered.  Exited onto I22 heading west through rural Alabama and Mississippi.  After an hour we stopped and topped off the tank and had something to eat.  Continued on and an hour later Mike took over driving.  Rt. 22 is a pleasant drive through rolling hills dotted with dogwood and red bud trees in bloom.  Gassed up again in W. Memphis.  I55 on this stretch of Arkansas is terrible.  Hopefully it’ll be better as we head north.  Left at 9:00 this morning and arrived at the KOA and were set up by 3:30.  A long drive.  50s most of the day but sunny.

Thu, Mar 29, Birmingham South RV Park, Birmingham, AL:  Playing the waiting game today.  It started out cloudy, then the sun came out, now the wind is picking up and more clouds moving in.  Not supposed to get bad until about 3:00.  Hopefully it won’t be severe.  Warm and windy here—mid-70s.

The storm, it is a'comin.

Wed, Mar 28, Deer Run RV Park, Troy, AL, to Birmingham South RV Park, Birmingham, AL:  A really short drive today—only 2 hours.  Continued on Rt. 231 to Montgomery and then got on I65.  Stopped for fuel after an hour and then Mike took over driving.  We’re here for two nights.  Changed the bedding and then took the dirty sheets to the laundry and washed them along with any other laundry.  Got that done.  We were going to do it tomorrow, but we may have severe weather then.  It’s beautiful out there right now.  75 and mostly sunny.  But severe weather is lurking west of here somewhere.  Friday is supposed to be nice—sunny and 63.  So our drive to Memphis on Friday should be okay.

Beautiful sunset a few years ago.
(picture by Sandy)

 

Tue, Mar 27, Tallahassee East KOA, Tallahassee, FL, to Deer Run RV Park, Troy, AL:  An uneventful and easy drive today.  Headed west on I10 and after about 30 miles we stopped at the Flying J for some breakfast.  Continued on and after about an hour I stopped at a rest area and we switched.  Checked the tires and the bikes and continued on with Mike driving.  We exited I10 onto Rt. 231 which is a limited-access, four-lane highway through rural Florida and Alabama.  A pretty drive.  Trees are just leafing out and the azaleas are beautiful.  We left this morning at 10:00 and arrived here at Deer Run by 1:30, but we gained an hour and are now on Central Time.  YES!  Tomorrow we leave for Birmingham for 2 days.  No severe weather threats—yet.  Low 70s.

Wild Flowers of Door County