Getting started on the Great River Road

Everyone arrived by early afternoon on the 10th. After saying hi and then letting them all set up we went to dinner at the Peppercorn Restaurant. We knew most of the people or had at least met them along the way so we all fell into easy conversations.

Next am, the 11th, we drove to Lake Itasca and the headwaters of the Mississippi. It was cold. Hard to believe Shirley, Annie and I had been there just two days earlier and had worn shorts.

Also, the 11th is Shirley's birthday. For dinner we all went out to Sparkling Waters and had a delightful dinner. After the horrible incident just 13 years ago is was a very fitting way to end our day.

Our tour boat, the Chester Charles II.

This was a two and one-half hour boat ride, the cold made it seem even longer. Hard to believe this is the source of the Mississippi. While on board we had cinnamon rolls that were the largest I have ever seen. We shared one and were stuffed.

Annie did not get to go on the boat ride, but satisfied her curiosity by looking out and waiting for us.

You can almost pee across the Mighty Mississippi at this point.

Yep, just a few more feet to go.

Are we dressed warm enough, NO! As it turned out is snowed last night in
Grand Rapids, the earliest snow since 1880




More to come, Barry, Shirley and Annie

Waiting in Bemidji

We arrived here on Wednesday the third of Sept. The forecast was for severe thunderstorms etc. So we did what any red-blooded Americans would do, we sat up and watched the Weather Channel. As luck would have it most of the bad stuff was to the south of us, but the evening was interesting nevertheless.

We were going to spend one night here and travel around in the area and see the sights since we had 8 days before the caravan started. But, after driving to Canada, and doing chores etc. etc., we decided to stay put and just drive around in the area. Bemidji is a cute little town with friendly people, lots of water and the last couple of days, great weather.

Unfortunately, I seem to have contacted West Nile Virus. Not diagnosed, but how hard is it? I have all the symptoms. I get around like I'm a hundred year old man. Last night I did get some sleep and think I will soon be on the mend.

Lex, Annie, Shirley and Cynthia

The morning after the night before and no worse for wear...No  hail!

Our little family

Ray and Ray at the Treherne Museum

This was closed, but we got a special tour. For my gun nut friends they have one of the finest collections I have ever seen.

The caravan group is to meet on the 10th and the weather forecast is for thunderstorms and severe rain. So I am glad we are already set up.

Shirley and Annie are doing fine. We brought Annie's crate along, but I think it will be left behind on future caravans as she is becoming very mature in her behavior.

Take care. There will be much more to come as we roll along.

Barry, Shirley and Annie

Back on the road, heading home.

We finally left Jackson Center for home. The time spent here was good in that weather was a real problem. I-40 seems to be out, due to rain and tornados. I-80 had flooding and severe rain. So we stayed at Jackson Center. One day it would rain and have thunder storms. The next day it would threaten us. Saturday, June 1st was to be be the worst day of all but it turned out to be a winner. We finished attending Alumapalooza with a great dinner and a performance by Antsy McClain and the Trailer Park Troubadours, which is apropos of you think about it.

Next day, Sunday I had already hitched up and just had to pull the power cord and stow it away when I  could not get the cord from truck to trailer attached. I had had it replaced because a squirrel had gnawed through it. It did not seem to fit. Had they put on the wrong size? I berated myself for not checking it sooner but after I had unhitched etc., I learned I had it upside down, due to a blue dot on what I thought was the top. So we got off around 10 am.

A side light was Annie who we exercise by having her run between us for treats; almost got eaten by three huge Poodles when she ran to them, rather than one of us. She also has gone under a fence after birds, etc. This time as I was hitching up etc., she got loose from her tether but when discovered was only in front of the truck. It ain't easy being a parent!

Never the less, we made it on our first night to Remington, IN where we stayed in an RV park diving only about 186 miles. Yesterday we drove over 267 miles and stayed at a state park in IL, in Nauvoo, which is where Joseph Smith started the Mormon church. Lots to see, but we were just too tired. Some of the roads had been closed due to flooding and we were rerouted several times. Also at this park our power cord burned out by plugging it into a bad connection. It still works, but the burned end needs to be replaced. I try to tell myself this is the land of Lincoln, but Illinois has a history of corruption that I just can't shake.

Today we drove highway 2 which is very scenic and rural. We had very little traffic, but some rain and clouds. We are spending the night in Nebraska City, NE we are tired but the weather is nice, cloudy, but nice. Tomorrow we will drive to Lincoln, NE to see Bob and Sue who were on our Civil War caravans with us and who we have known now for some 7 years.

One event in Alumapalooza was a backing event.

Annie is growing up.

This was a timed event, using only radio help from your mate. As you can see it isn't easy. The event was stopped due to rain.

More later, Barry, Shirley and travelin' Annie

Still at Jackson Center

It's Sunday, May 26th. We are still here at Jackson Center. They finished our trailer on Friday but weather has been a problem on both I-40 and I-80 so we decided to stay for Alumapalooza; an affair that will keep us here until next Sunday. We have never been to it but these Aluma-things have been springing up all over. This is the 4th one here and they have been in Florida, New Mexico, etc. So we will let you know how it goes.

Local weather has been funny. Three days ago we were running our AC now we are running our heaters. We have met some new friends and Tuesday, some of our friends from CWIII will be here. Annie is still growing and has learned not to chew on our shoes and has learned "sorta" off and no.

Dinners have been abundant, Steve brought his "green egg" and a local meat market has kept him busy. Yesterday I joined the digital age, by replacing our old analog TV in the trailer. It looks very nice. Same size as the old one but now we can watch TV off our antenna when we don't have cable hooks-ups.

Today will be a lazy day as no sight seeing is planned. Tomorrow, who knows?

This is me and my "brother" Bob. He's from Massachusetts, but thinks "right."

See 'ya later, Barry, Shirley and Annie the wonder dog

Home at Jackson Center

The plan was to drive only half way from Highland Haven, spend the night then proceed into Jackson Center for our appointment. Well our plans lately have gone awry more times than not. This was one of those times. We drove all the way through. Four hundred and forty miles in nine and one-half hours. The reality of the thing was rain, tons of it and getting out of Highland Haven which takes an hour along with buying gas which takes some time too.

The rain hit which slowed us down then we could not find any place to stop for over night. Finally we were only two hours out of Jackson Center when we found a place. We decided to just mush on and did. The hard part was driving through Columbus, OH during rush hour and as with all towns it has road construction. We made it fine however.

Shirley drove the last hour and as we pulled into Jackson Center at least one day early, we learned that friends had saved us a site. What a wonderful thing, friends. We parked next to the Lodens  and the Higgins.

To relieve Annie's pent up energy we let her off her leash and she ran and ran, then ran under a fence and into a hole. Happily she saw the error of her ways and came back to us.

Weather has been less than wonderful but it is OK, we are among friends and we are all waiting to get our rigs worked on.

Sleeping in is great and each day Annie is getting more mature. Life is good.

Yesterday, we got our mail. No problems, it was just there as it should be. One disappointment for us though is a restaurant we look forward to coming to is no longer open. This town is slowly dying. Honda has moved near by and is even taking people from Airstream.

Yesterday too, Annie saw her first rabbit, and almost got a cotton tail bunny. We made some new friends and just visited folks.

Today, Shirley visited with the ladies and I went to Sidney and got the truck serviced and ready for our trip home. Tonight 7 of us went to dinner together. We were supposed to be bad thunder storms but only had wind. Tomorrow we get our trailer worked on and have a BBQ with neighbors.

Don't know the guy but I'm sure this did not make his day.

My hat blew off when I took this but I'm sure you get the idea. It can happen!

For you racing fans, this Bobby Rahal van was parked at Walmart on our way here.

More later. Trailer should be done by Friday.

See 'ya, Barry, Shirley and Annie the rabbit puppy

Just a litte rest is all we ask.

Still tired from the caravan, the frustration of the mail non-delivery and the previous nights driving in a thunderstorm we decided to head for an Airstream park in the mountains of Virginia.

Well, we did not realize it was so far, it was only about 4 inches on the map. But when we needed it the most it was getting late and we were on two lane, narrow mountain roads and Lucille quit. We had forgotten to charge the phone. So we took many a wrong turn, but finally found the place after stopping three times for directions. Amazing where you can turn the trailer around when you have to.

Rain was threatening when we arrived, but we parked and realized the Luthers were there. So tired and all we loaded into the pickup of someone we did not know yet with the Luthers and headed to Floyd, VA for one of the best meals we have ever had. Also, we met and got to know a new friend.

After dinner we drove into town for some on the street bluegrass music. What a wonderful time we had. Love these small country towns. The rain held off until we got back to the trailer and had fallen asleep.

Next day the Luthers left and we just rested. Shirley did laundry, I finished hooking up water etc. and we read and napped. We stayed a total of three nights. Annie found a new friend. A Lab puppy that Shirley met on a walk about a mile from camp. We both took Annie back and she and Christie, Annie s new friend, ran and played together for over an hour. Christie then followed us home and Shirley eventually walked her back home.

Rain fell most of the second day and night but that was OK we just enjoyed the peace, quiet and the scenery. After the third night we left for Jackson Center.

More adventures later.

Us the morning after we arrived.

Shirley, Annie and Christie the Lab.

My, but it's fun to be a dog.

Yep, I was there too.

Not the best weather in the world but we loved it. Altitude here is about 3,300 feet.

See Ya! Barry and Shirley

Leaving the caravan and Newport News

Breaking up is always hard to do especially this caravan. Aside from visiting Jamestown and Williamsburg we had to get our mail. This should have gone like clockwork, but it didn't. Shirley spent many hours and two days finding our mail. The Lincoln postoffice had done it's job but Newport News did not. First she was told our mail had not arrived. A call to Lincoln and they sent what they had by overnight mail. Then, we found we did not have all the mail we were expecting and after more phone calls and more trips to the Post Office in Newport News; we learned it had arrived three days prior and was there all the time.

Disgusted we left at 11:30 for Charlottesville and a KOA. We usually don't use KOA because they are higher for what you get, but Virginia has fewer choices than most states. As we approached we hit a driving thunder storm. Slow driving, fast wiper blades and flashing lights found us headed for a Walmart in this downpour for supplies. The rain quit and we got our supplies and headed for the KOA. To our surprise we found some of our fellow Cilvil War caravaners staying there too. The Yates, Cotters, Spillmans and now us!

Still undaunted we head onward.

More adventures tomorrow.

Tom and I in our new Civil War t-shirts.

We didn't know or see these people but I think we would like them.

See Ya! Barry, Shirley and Annie