October 3, 2015 Breakfast with Gallois cousins and Dinner with Paula!

It was always a tradition on my dad's of the side of the family when he would visit here in Illinois to get together with his family for breakfast.   I'd like to try to keep that tradition alive and was happy that Jason and Lucinda and Liz made time to join us.   It is important to me to try to stay in touch because it is so easy to lose touch living far away.

We had a good catch up and I so enjoyed getting together with them.   Thanks to them for giving up a bit of their day to meet us.

Connie, Jason, me, Lucinda and Liz

We went to Paula's beautiful home on the lake and she cooked a wonderful meal for us.      I tell you this wind is rough and lighting the grill was a challenge.   She built a beautiful fire in the fireplace and just sitting in that room looking at the lake is so relaxing.  Thanks Paula for making us always feel so welcome - love ya girl!  

 

October 2, 2015 Weiner Roast - Brrrrr

We invited some friends out to the park to roast some hot dogs.   Everyone came and I was so happy to be able to visit a bit with everyone.   Unfortunately it was way too cold to sit outside for very long.  There has been a fierce north, cold wind blowing since we arrived.  We didn't let that darn wind stop us and we did get our hot dogs roasted and we did have S'Mores!   

Sid and Diane Sullivan, Mark and Gwen Jones with granddaughter Katie, Connie and Zach, Jo Ellyn Frye and Chrissy Lochner all came by.  Thanks so much guys for coming out to the park.  We loved the visit and appreciate that you all took the time.

Zach, Diane, Katie and Gwen

Friday morning Gary and I surprised Sandy Hamann and showed up at her garage sale.  She was shocked and it was soooo good to see Sandy.   It's been a long time since we had seen her.   She honestly looks the same as she did when she was 18 - I'd know her anywhere.  It was fun to pop in on her.   Unfortunately we won't get to see Sherry this time!

October 1, 2015 Micklers

Today we spent some time at Connie's, did some laundry, took our showers and then Paula came over.   We drove out to the park and gave her the grand tour of our MoHo and then we all went to Burgers and Brews in Kankakee to meet Mary and Pat.   Mary was visiting from New Mexico, so we popped in and surprised her.   

We had a great time visiting and bonus, a friend from my high school days was there too!  Great little place, super good burgers and good people.  Can't beat it.   I'm so happy we got to visit with Mary before she went home.  

Paula and Mary Mickler, friends from childhood!

This is blurry but the only one I had of Pat Mickler and Patti (Boudreau) Williams

October 1, 2015 - Catching Up!

Well with no internet connection in Southern Indiana this blog has fallen a bit behind but no fear, it's catch up time!

At Arrow Rock MO we were in a lovely state park, very quiet, lots of trees, and nearby was the quaint village of Arrow Rock.  Apparently Lewis and Clark's keel boat ran aground at Arrow Rock on the Missouri River and spent some time there.   The village has been preserved and there are a lot of very old historical buildings that you can tour.  There is a live production theater that runs shows frequently and is very popular.  No show while we were there, of course, but they have a production coming for Christmas.  

On September 23, Wednesday, we went into Boonville for groceries and some other supplies we needed and explored a bit there.  We then drove through Arrow Rock but it was later in the afternoon and quite warm.  There were just a few people wandering around.  Very few cars on the streets.  It really looked rather empty on all fronts.   I suggested that we return on Thursday morning when it would be cooler and do some exploring.  Big Mistake - huge!

We returned on Thursday, September 24, to find the visitor center's entrance blocked by two state troopers, lights flashing, the whole nine yards.   I approached cautiously and rolled the window down and was told the parking lot at the visitor's center was full.  Today they were expecting 2000 school children for a special living history day!   Yikes - we blew it big time! We then tried to drive through the village and there were school buses everywhere and children and parents and the parents' car, so we beat feet out of there.

Plan B for the day was to drive to Columbia,Missouri and mosey around a bit.   We followed signs to an antique mall and spent about 2 hours wandering.  It was a nicely kept mall with 60 dealers and the prices were really great.  But I restrained myself and just looked.  I wanted to find a regular shopping mall and we did and I shopped a bit at a Dillard's, where they were having a great sale (bonus).  Then we found a great bar-b-que place on Yelp and had a really good lunch (another bonus)!  So far so good.   

We returned to Arrow Rock around 3 and checked to see if all the school kiddies were back at their schools and they were gone.  So we at least got to tour the museum at the visitor's center.  Nice little museum with lots of weaponry from the old, old days and they had an obit for Daniel Boone.    It said he died in his 90th year!  Wow I'd say that's pretty incredible for those days.   Also found a quilt from a prominent doctor's house that was in really good shape for it's age.  I marvel at the time those quilts took to make my hand.

So after all a really good day! 

A web of worms!  They were everywhere in trees in Missouri, this is how they winter!

This is the quilt from 1833!  Amazing

Did I mention the bugs?  This guy's brother was in my MoHo! Sorry he had to die.

September 25, we drove to Spring Mill Park in Southern Indiana.  Long travel day for us but we arrived before dark.   The park was full of campers as it was a Friday, lots of weekenders.  We had a bit of trouble getting level but eventually after moving the MoHo a few times, we got it.   We had dinner at the Spring Mill Inn and had our first pork tenderloin sandwich of the trip and persimmon pudding!   Yum, yum - I sure miss Gary's mom's persimmon pudding - it was the best.  

On Saturday, September 26, we attended the Gilliatt family reunion.  It was so great visiting and catching up and bonus - both Kendra and Mariah were able to attend and their beautiful kiddos.
Our Gilliatt clan had the most people represented so that was nice.  After the reunion we all headed to Elizabeth and Jim's house in the country.   They have a beautiful home and were gracious enough to host us all.   Great time visiting and we had a nice fire outside to roast hot dogs.  We ate the wonderful leftovers from the delicious lunch at the reunion too.   Some great time spent with really nice people, can't ask for anything more.

Cousins Mike and Elizabeth

Art and Roger

Jon, Colleen and Art

Moon Clan

 

The cousins!

On Sunday, September 27, we visited cemetery and then visited John and Janet.   They came out to the park to see the MoHo then we all went to dinner in Mitchell.   Another great day catching up with family.

On Monday, September 28, we met at Porky's in Paoli for dinner with Valerie and Roger; Jim and Elizabeth; and John and Janet.  Good food, good folks make a good combination.

On Tuesday, September 29, another wonderful dinner at the most excellent Mexican restaurant in Paoli.   Jon and Anne joined us and we sure enjoyed the food and the company.  But sadly it was also time for us to say our goodbyes.  

Wednesday, September 30, travel day to Kankakee.   We are camped at the state park in the very same spot my parents always camped when I was little.  The same stand of three trees that my mother used as our private little potty area are still there.  I would refuse to use the pit toilets (as I still refuse to do) and literally would make myself sick, so she brought blankets and they attached them around this stand of three trees and bought a porta-a-potty.  It was the best!  We camped in a tent and it was made of canvas.  I remember so vividly waking up with a wet head because if you touch the canvas when it is wet, it leaked!  Lots and lots of good times at the campsite.  I remember Connie being so little that mom would bath here on the picnic table in a plastic tub.  And when she was probably 2ish, she wandered away from camp.  My folks were panicked to say the least!   Everyone was searching and calling her name.  Some wonderful campers had found her at the edge of the ridge that leads down to the river and had stopped her.   After she was born she and I would sleep in the back of the station wagon.  My mom made curtains for it.   As you can see it's been a very emotional stop for me.  I shed a few tears when we arrived and I realized it was the same exact spot, as I had hoped it would be.

Connie and Zach came out and saw us and then we went back into town and stopped at Monical's for pizza.  Pizza with no cheese please for me.   I took the pizza to Connie's and added my own lactose free cheese and stuck it under the broiler.   It was the crust I remember and love; that's all that matters.

OK - you all are officially caught up. Stay tuned

K3 State Park - the Site - see three trees in back to the right!

The bomb - Monical's, no cheese please!

   

September 22, 2015 Arrow Rock Historic State Park - Arrow Rock, MO

It was a short travel day for us, only 196 miles.   

We have arrived at Arrow Rock Historic State Park and it is another beautiful Missouri State Park.    Two thumbs up for Missouri and how well they keep up their parks.   We have full hook-ups and we are just one of a tiny handful of people here.  

Tomorrow we will explore the Village of Arrow Rock, which is a historical landmark.    What I know now is that Lewis and Clark came through here.  Hopefully we will learn more tomorrow.  

Weather in the low 80's, feels a little bit more humid.  I'm not sure I will be sitting outside much.   I've seen quite a few hornets in the area - no bueno for me.  I'm in this for the travel and sightseeing people, not the camping!   HaHa!!

 

 

September 21, 2015 MISSOURI STAR QUILT COMPANY

We are still at Wallace State Park - love it here BTW - and today we went into Hamilton, Missouri and the Missouri Star Quilt Company.   MSQC has helped keep this little town of Hamilton alive.  They now have 9 separate store fronts they operate on the main drag and are opening two others soon, all related to quilting and fabric!   Hamilton looks like so many other small towns we've seen.

I learned to quilt watching their YouTube videos.   The matriarch of the clan, Jenny Doan, is a wonderful teacher.   You can't believe all the out of state license plates we saw as we drove up.   They have a very dedicated and loyal fan base.    They do a huge online business and only charge $5.00 to ship.   They also have a "Daily Deal" which is a deeply discounted bundle of fabric or a tool or sometimes free shipping.   They have a loyalty program, quilters points, and you can redeem these to pay for merchandise.    If you quilt (or want to quilt) you should check them out online or YouTube.  

So I spent a little cash and cashed in a few of my quilters points and and I was on fabric overload!   There is just so much to look at.  
But we didn't stay long, I got what I wanted, and we visited each of their shops and were back on the road in just a few hours.  

Tomorrow is a travel day!  

Just for you Maureen!

 

September 20, 2015 Cameron, Missouri - Wallace State Park

Wallace State Park is a beautiful park.  We have a great campsite and there are very few people here.   We only traveled about 196 miles today so we were in no hurry to get on the road this morning.   Why not our usual 300 you ask.  Well I'll tell you why. We are going to Hamilton Missouri tomorrow which is the town where the Missouri Star Quilt Company is located.   I learned to quilt watching the videos that are on You Tube and done by one of the owners of this quilt store, Jenny Doan.   I've ordered material from them and I've even had them quilt one of my quilts for me.   It's a big deal people - really big!   Ha Ha

As I was getting dinner going, I looked out the window and saw this beauty across the street.   It's so cool to see these animals in their natural habitats.  Love it.    Except as we drove in I also saw a snake on the road - don't really love that!  HaHa