LAMONI IOWA TO LINDSBORG KANSAS WITH A PARK WARNING IN SALINA!!

It was a reasonably warm night so we didn’t have to fire up our blue flame heater.  Can’t even remember the last time we used the furnace in the rig to keep warm.  The Legacy blue flame heater does a fine job….& dancing flames look nice.

THIS 8 MILE STRETCH OF INTERSTATE WEST OF TOPEKA KANSAS WAS THE FIRST PIECE OF ROAD LAID IN THE INTERSTATE HIGHWAY SYSTEM
We were hooked up by 6:50 a.m & rolled on out of Split Buff County Park with a beautiful Iowa sunrise casting it’s early morning rays across an old Amish farmland.  Buggies in the yards, clothes on clotheslines & we saw one small Amish girl leading a horse from the barn while a second smaller girl filled a water trough.  Chores before school. 
  
KELLY WORKS ON A DEER PARK RESERVATION, TAKES A WORK RELATED CALL, PROGRAMS GARMIN GERTIE FOR TOPEKA TRAFFIC & TYPES AN EMAIL RESPONSE TO RETIRED ROD IN KANSAS CITY.  ME?  I JUST DRIVE THE RIG & GRUMBLE A LOT!!
Four miles back to the town of Lamoni & we were southbound aboard I-35 on a direct collision course with Kansas City.   As readers know, I will go miles out of my way to avoid the traffic chaos & madness of large cities & I had already poured over my maps Tuesday night for an alternate route.  Plus, I much prefer the quieter pace & rural scenery of secondary roads any day.
        
HAVING A GAME OF ‘STICKS’ WITH MAX, CHECKERS & THE MOTORMOUSE AT A REST AREA……ME & THE LITTLE MOUSE
Just north of Kansas City we hung a right at Cameron & picked up highway 36 west to St. Joseph.  We underestimated St. Joseph & failed to employ the help of Garmin Gertie.  We missed our southbound turn for I-29 & blew through town on 36 west.  Weather has been good so we just stayed on 36 to Fairview & hung a left on 75 down to Topeka Kansas.  Picked up I-70 & pointed the nose west for Salina.


THIS IS THE PARK IN SALINA KANSAS WE DID NOT STAY AT!!
Saw a lot of billboards for the ‘Oz Museum’ so we knew we were probably in Dorothy & Toto’s neighborhood.  That old Wizard & I have some things in common you know:}  Easy to see how that big Kansas wind twisted itself up into a blustering Tornado years ago & blew Dorothy & her whole house off to the land of Oz.  The heavy wind gusts coming out of the south all day were trying to blow us somewhere as well, & it wasn’t straight ahead.
  
TONIGHT’S OVERNIGHTER SPOT IN LINDSBORG KANSAS
The Escapee Club ‘Days End’ book we use to find places for overnighter’s is 5 years old & that may have caught up with us today.  Kelly had found a County Park in the city of Salina so about 2:30 this afternoon, after a short Wal-Mart grocery stop, we headed for the Thomas County Park.  It’s near the interstate & what a great find it was with all it’s trees in a nice peaceful park setting.   Well, that is until we talked to a young local couple sitting on the tailgate of their pick up truck.  They warned us about the park being a night time magnate for homeless people & Gays.  They said the Park gets ‘Bad’ at night & didn’t recommend staying there!!  So, we heeded their warning & left the Park poste haste.  I think it’s about time we got an updated ‘Days End’ book & we may have to pick up our Escapee’s membership again to do that.  We dropped the membership about 5 years ago for no particular reason that I can remember.  I think they frown upon Cursmudgeons!!

Didn’t take Kelly long to find us another park via our outdated Day’s End book of course & before long we had moved a short 10 miles south down 135 to the small Swedish flavored town of Lindsborg.  A quick stop for directions soon led us to the McPherson Co. Old Mill Picnic/Campground about 4:30.  Small park with a gravel ring road, washroom, water nearby & electric.  We didn’t bother with the electric.  Verizon signal is great & we’ve pulled in 6 clear channels with the rig’s antennae.  Nice little Park but it wouldn’t be everybody’s cup of tea.   Good enough for us gol darned bunch of Bayfield Bums though.
Haven’t looked at my maps yet to see where we’ll end up tomorrow but for sure it will be somewhere southwest of where we are now.  It has been really nice using a different route this year seeing things we have never seen before.  Love the rolling hills across the Great Plains.  Not as flat as coming across Texas.
Finally made contact with my Doctor today regarding some tests before we left & his office said, have a good trip & call us in the Spring:]  Also, the winds of change are blowing in Arizona & our travel plans may be shifting gears shortly.  Stay tuned……………

SORRY ABOUT ALL THE PICS OF THE RIG & JEEP BUT IT’S ABOUT ALL I HAVE SOME DAYS RIGHT NOW
GROANER’S CORNER:{  From the following list of 25 items, count all the ones that you remember -- not the ones you were told about! How to score yourself is at the end.

1. Blackjack chewing gum
2. Wax Coke-shaped bottles with colored sugar-water
3. Candy cigarettes
4. Soda-pop machines that dispensed bottles
5. Coffee shops with tableside jukeboxes
6. Home milk delivery in glass bottles with cardboard stoppers
7. Party lines
8. Newsreels before the movie
9. P. F. Flyers
10. Butch wax
11. Telephone numbers with a word prefix (e.g., Olive - 6933)
12. Peashooters
13. Howdy Doody
14. 45-RPM records ... and 78-RPM records
15. S&H Green Stamps
16. Hi-fi systems
17. Metal ice trays with lever
18. Mimeograph paper
19. Blue flashbulb
20. Packards
21. Rollerskate keys
22. Cork popguns
23. Drive-in theaters
24. Studebakers
25. Washtub wringers

If you remembered!
         0 - 5 = You're still young
         6 - 10 = You are getting older
       11 - 15 = Don't tell your age
       16 - 25 = You're older than you think!
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MOSCOW IOWA TO LAMONI IOWA & GOOD NEWS AT HWH:))

SLIP BLUFF COUNTY PARK NEAR LAMONI IOWA

OK, it’s 7:15 a.m. Monday morning & I’m in the ‘wifi friendly’ lobby of HWH.  The coach is in the big 9 bay garage & they said Kelly could stay in the rig to ride herd on the doggy gang.  They don’t want any of their prize mechanics torn apart!!

WE ARE IN BAY # 4

   

CHECKING THE HYDRAULIC FLUID FOR THE LEVELERS

We’re having a hard time adjusting to the confusing time changes.  First, clocks were customarily set back Saturday night & then Sunday we drove through our first time change.  My brain looks at the clock & computes the correct time but my body doesn’t have a clue what time it is anymore.  I’m not even sure if it even knows where it is!!

HWH’s (Hard Working Hydraulics) Moscow division consists of 4 buildings with 6 acres under roof.  It’s a large facility & most RV leveling systems are made right here.

  

THAT’S US ON THE RIGHT

WOW, it’s 8 a.m. & we’re good to go already here at HWH.  Two blown fuses were found & once replaced our rear view camera & power to the leveler box was restored.  They looked at the problem rear leveler that sometimes sticks down & it worked perfectly every time they tried it.  A bit slow but nonetheless, it worked.  They recommended not doing anything so we decided to go with their recommendation.  Total bill was $64 & we were out the door headed for the nearest big ice cream store for a couple double scoopers.

               

PET FRIENDLY REST AREA & A CASINO COWBOY

Thought Randy over at THE ROADRUNNER CHRONICLES had a thoughtful post yesterday on ‘thanking his blogging buddies’ & readers for stopping by his site.

         

IN SEARCH OF SLIP BLUFF COUNTY PARK ON A VERY DUSTY GRAVEL ROAD

Gassed up at the Kum & Go gas bar near HWH & by 8:45 we were westbound on I-80 with the hammer down heading for Des Moines Iowa.  Garmin Gertie once again did a mighty smooth job of taking us right through Des Moines & setting us up on I-35 south.  It was a good feeling to get the leveler & camera problem behind us, make the big turn in Des Moines & get the rigs nose headed straight for the great American Southwest.

    

Kelly found a county park in her ‘Day’s End’ book so I’m typing this from Slip Bluff County Park about 4 miles east of a little place called Lamoni.  I think we are just about on the State line between Iowa & Missouri & about a hundred miles north of Kansas City.  What a super great park this is for us…..we are the only ones here & we just love when that happens.  We certainly live a charmed life sometimes.  Electricity at the site & water near by.  Spotlessly clean washrooms with wonderful hot showers.  Great pull through site & we are surrounded by Oak trees.  They were doing a prescribed burn when we came in & we were close enough to the fire at times to feel the heat.  Lots of smoke in the air & it just smelled great & reminded me of so many memorable campfires over the years.  Sunny day with the temps in the low 70’s so all in, no grumbling or complaining from the old Cursmudgeon today.

  

THE GANG CHECKS OUT THE WASHROOMS & WE REPLENISH THE FRESH WATER TANK

We are kind of out in the boondocks here so can’t get any TV signals & the Verizon signal is low.  I might have to post the blog sometime tomorrow morning when we leave & get into a stronger Verizon coverage area.

THAT’S US IN THE BACKGROUND

 

Footnote to our dealings with HWH this morning.  The 3 staff members we dealt with were all friendly & helpful.  Service was prompt & professional.  They could have told us we needed this-that & the other thing but they didn’t.  We appreciated their honesty & felt the bill was reasonable for their service.

GROANER’S CORNER

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Tourists see the world, travelers experience it.

Until one has loved an Animal, their soul remains un-awakened.

OUR BLOGGER WEBSITE  http://thebayfieldbunch.com/

OUR PICASA PHOTO ALBUMS

http://picasaweb.google.com/stargeezerguy

The only thing better than right now will someday be the memories of right now...AL.

MONDAY BLOG DELAYED

We are out in the boondocks somewhere around the Iowa/Kansas State line & our Verizon signal strength is not strong enough to publish Monday's blog with my pictures in it.  As soon as we roll out in the morning & hit a stronger signal I'll hit the 'Publish' button on  today's blog.  I'm guessing mid morning................... A.

BENTON HARBOR MI. TO MOSCOW IA….DRY ROADS, SUNNY SKIES & WARM TEMPS

A COUPLE TIRED LITTLE TRAVELERS

It was a quiet night with the exception of Lowes outside speaker giving instructions to garden center employees from time to time.  It was our first night on the road in the past 7 months so routines had to be re-thought & RV habits remembered.  Aside from bumping into each other these first few days & stumbling over furry critters under foot we’re not doing too bad so far.

SUNDAY MORNING CHICAGO TRAFFIC WAS LITE

There was no hurry this morning because we had all day to reach the HWH plant west of Davenport Iowa so it was 9 a.m. before we had the wheels rolling.  Threw $150 into the gas tank & we were westbound on I-94 heading for Chicago.  Roads were dry, the sun was out & there was a touch of warmth in the mid mornings cool air.

  

CONSTRUCTION ZONE WITH NARROW LANES!!

Three years ago our GPS system, Garmin Gertie, took us through Chicago with no problem at all.  Today she did it all over again & we had no trouble whatsoever in the reasonably light Sunday morning traffic.  Easier to get through than Indianapolis I’d say.  GG has led us astray a few times but has never let us down in larger cities.  “Stay to the right,” “turn right in 1.2 miles,” “turn to the left",” “drive 4.5 miles & turn right.”  Garmin Gertie & I have nearly come to blows a few times over directions but we have managed to work things out & no blood or wiring has been lost.

NICE QUIET SPOT FOR THE NIGHT AT HWH

Driving for long distances gives a person time to think about a lot of things & I have found my mind going back to Margie & Bruce from time to time & their many travels.  It’s been nearly a month now since they tragically died & I still feel their presence not only in Blogland, but out here on the road as well.

Mike, over at HOMER & LUCILLE had some positive remarks & nice things to say about a few fellow bloggers, including ourselves, in his Saturday post.  Thanks for your kind words Mike. (the checks in the mail)

CHECKERS IS REALLY ENJOYING TODAY’S WARM WEATHER

Garmin Gertie led us right to HWH’s door alongside I-80 just a few miles north of Moscow Iowa.  The HWH lady on the phone Kelly made the appointment with a few weeks ago said for us to park across the road from the plant for the night.  How nice it was to discover HWH is located in a quiet country setting & not some heavy traffic infested industrial mall buried somewhere between mass suburbia & a big cities manic core.  Our location for tonight is a perfect & ideal spot for the Bayfield Bunch.  Not a soul around & the doggy guys can run free.  Now, how nice is that.

THE RIG TOWS THE JEEP WITH NO PROBLEM

Didn’t take us long to get our lawn chairs out & soak up some nice 70F air.  Our appointment is for 7 a.m. so how things will go from there we have no idea.  We may be happily back on the road again later tomorrow or we may be here a few days waiting on parts or something.  We also might leave here without enough money left to buy an ice cream cone either.  Oh dear, this lifestyle can be soooo expensive some times…

HWH’S MAIN BUILDINGS IN THE BACKGROUND & THAT’S WHERE WE GO IN THE MORNING

GROANER’S CORNER… Morris, an 82-year-old man, went to the doctor to get a physical.
A few days later the doctor saw Morris walking down the street with a gorgeous young lady on his arm.  A couple of days later, the doctor spoke to Morris and said, "You're really doing great, aren't you?"
Morris replied, "Just doing what you said, Doctor, 'Get a hot mamma and be cheerful.'"
The doctor said, "I didn't say that. I said you got a heart mummer and be careful."

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Tourists see the world, travelers experience it.

Until one has loved an Animal, their soul remains un-awakened.

OUR BLOGGER WEBSITE  http://thebayfieldbunch.com/

OUR PICASA PHOTO ALBUMS

http://picasaweb.google.com/stargeezerguy

The only thing better than right now will someday be the memories of right now...AL.

BAYFIELD ONTARIO TO BENTON HARBOR, MICHIGAN....RAIN, SNOW, FOG, SUNSHINE:))

MAX & THE MOTORMOUSE aka CORA:)) 

Kelly was up scratching around at 4 a.m. so that was the end of sleeping-in till noon for me & the Motormouse.  A few minutes later the whole gang was stirring & before long we were checking off the final few things on our checklist.  I had hitched up the Jeep late Friday afternoon so the rig was out front on the road ready to go.  A few last things to load & a final farewell to the house.  We all switched our sticks & bricks hats for our RVing hats & had the big wheels rolling for the great American Southwest at 6:03 a.m.

ALL ABOARD EARLY THIS MORNING:))

Quiet morning drive but was surprised at the amount of snow on the sides of the road just south of Grand Bend.  Saw a police cruiser in the ditch so we knew there had been ice.  Roads were wet & our rig & Jeep are now caked in road salt.  Thirty five miles east of Sarnia we ran into fog & five miles later it was snowing.  Crossed the big Bluewater bridge into the U.S. at 7:30 in rain.  Nice border guard fellow with a sense of humor spared us another border horror story, wished us a good trip & head us on our way by 7:40.  Wow, two years in a row with no trouble.  Yes Toto, there is a border crossing paradise:))

 

OUR FIRST GROCERY BLOW OUT THIS TRIP AT BENTON HARBOR'S WALMART SUPERCENTER

By the time we reached Cracker Barrel in Lansing Michigan the sun was out & we had a nice day going on with big bright warm & friendly sunbeams pouring in the windows.  Hadn't been to a Cracker Barrel for breakfast since returning home last March & it was nice to have a big hearty breakfast again.  Made it to the Wal-Mart Supercenter in Benton Harbor by 2:30 & that is where I am typing this from.  Kelly has gone in for groceries & then we'll move next door to the Lowes parking lot for the night.  Hardly a flat piece of pavement here at Wal-Mart!!

  

GUESS HOW COLD IT WAS EARLY THIS MORNING!!

Sure nice having this Verizon Air Card.  Around Flint Michigan Kelly plugged in the card to a USB port on our laptop & seconds later we were on the internet.  Now how convenient is that.  No fuss, no muss, no bother & Kelly was able to check all the emails etc. without ever having to get out of her seat.  Some days I think we just have it tooooo darned good:))

       

BIG YAWN FOR THE MOTORMOUSE & SUPPERTIME IN A LOWES PARKING LOT.....BENTON HARBOR, MICHIGAN

Oh, & our biggest dilemma so far?  We totally cannot find the remote control for our onboard Toshiba flat screen television.  We have turned the coach upside down but it is not here.  Very strange because we never would have taken it out of the rig.  We are going to walk over to Wal-Mart or Best Buy after supper & see if we can find a Universal remote.  That is always the best way to find the lost one!!

OUR NEW COMPUTER CORNER IS WORKING OUT FINE

GROANER'S CORNER:((  If you can start the day without caffeine,
If you can always be cheerful, ignoring aches and pains,
If you can resist complaining and boring people with your troubles,
If you can eat the same food every day and be grateful for it ,
If you can understand when your loved ones are too busy to give you any time,
If you can take criticism and blame without resentment ,
If you can conquer tension without medical help,
If you can relax without liquor,
If you can sleep without the aid of drugs,
Then You Are  Probably ..... The Family Dog!

UPDATE.... Kelly programmed the new Universal Remote from Wal-Mart & it works fine.  She has been trying to reprogram me for over 17 years now but just hasn't had the same kinda luck......I think I might need a new set of batteries!!