June 29, 30, 2017 Check that off the "Bucket List" (Thursday night: HWH Service, Moscow, IA....Friday/Saturday Night: Amana Colonies RV Park, Amana, IA)

Yesterday (Thursday)
It was a whole lot of waiting!  Waiting for the Service Department to call for our RV; then, waiting for the work to be finished!

It was worth all the waiting.  The Service Department learned that the left rear jack that had been replaced last November in Boerne TX had been put on backward!  Geez!  Backward.  

The Service Department also repaired the control box for the jacks and replaced two pressure switches on the jacks.  

Wow, the system now automatically levels once again...and smoothly.

The total cost for the fours hours of work was just over $100!  Very Pleased with the service and labor costs!

If you have HWH jacks or slide room controls, we highly recommend work at the HWH Factory/Service Center in Moscow, IA.

Today was the ninth birthday of our youngest grandson Zade; we wished him Happy Birthday over the phone.

Today (Friday)
Today was filled with fun!
We left the RV at the HWH Factory and traveled by pick up today.

First stop was the Herbert Hoover Presidential Museum in West Branch, Iowa.  We learned a great deal about H. Hoover.  He was much more than the president during the Great Depression.  He was a humanitarian, organizer, and benefactor, and remained true to his Quaker roots.  After a successful career as a mining engineer/surveyor/geologist he organized a national food drive in Europe to feed the starving after World War I.

Bucket List Accomplishments
LeClaire, Iowa----ever heard of this small town?

Do you watch.... "Antique Archaeology" AKA "American Pickers" ???

Danielle was not in the store.

Mike and Frank were out "picking" today.

Some of Frank's oil cans.

Outside the "Antique Archaeology" store

This visit was on Glen's "Bucket List"!  

LeClaire Iowa is a Mississippi River town, very neat, and welcomes tourists!

"Antique Archaeology" is not the only "antique" store in town.

Check back tomorrow for the rest of today and tomorrow's activities!

June 27-28, 2017 Family Time and Tire Failure (Left Marshalltown IA, Arrive HWH Service Center, Moscow, Iowa)

Tuesday, June 27

We gathered with James, Aunt Lois, Mike and wife Deb for breakfast yesterday morning at a local diner.

We rode into the country, locating a 10-story tree house, hoping to have a tour.  At arrival we learned a reservation is necessary.  No tour.

In the evening we gathered again with Diana, Aunt Lois, James, Mike and Deb, for visiting under the awning of our RV.  It was a great time.

Wednesday, June 28

With a short two hour trip planned today we left about 10:30.  

There was a "hot" smell in the front of the MH, as well a loud thumping noise.  In just ten miles down the road, the noise was very loud, and obviously a tire noise.    Glen pulled over to the side of the road, and discovered the right front tire was coming apart.  It never went flat.

A call to the Roadside Service, CoachNet started the procedure of finding a tire repair company.  In an hour a technician arrived, and proceeded to remove the failed tire, and replace it with the spare that Glen carried in a basement bay.  We were soon on the road.

The only problem:  the spare is 13 years old!  The technician gave Glen a list of tire places in Cedar Rapids, 45 miles to the east.  We drove to "Pomp" Tire Service, purchased a new tire, had it balanced and installed.  Off again!

Tire ready to be removed.

See the damage on the lower portion of the tire.

Another 45 miles east we arrived at 5:30 at "HWH Corporation", the company that manufactures the jacks and slide out mechanisms for the motorhome.  "HWH" will inspect the leveling jacks, and do any necessary repairs.  There are two specific jacks that Glen wants looked at.  We will see what tomorrow brings.

THE SWOPE FAMILY-minus Diana and Sharon

James Swope, Mike Swope, Lois Swope Brown

June 26, 2017 We are in Iowa (Riverview Country RV, Marshalltown, Iowa)

We had a leisurely start for the trip zig-zagging across Iowa, heading south and east to Marshalltown, Iowa.

What did we see between Souix Falls SD and Marshalltown, Iowa?  CORNFIELDS and some Soy Bean fields.  Lots and lots and lots of corn.  The farms were anchored with the house and barns and sheds surrounded by plenty of planted trees forming a wind-and snow break.  There were also several tall silos to hold the harvested grain.

We are slightly east and north of Des Moines, the capitol of Iowa.

Why? you might ask, are we in Marshalltown.

My dad's only surviving sibling, Aunt Lois lives here as well as three of her four children.   When I called cousin Diana I learned that Mike, the fourth child, is here also, with wife Deb, in the same campground as us.  It's a small world.  

By chance Diana and hubby Jerry, James, with whom Aunt Lois lives, and Aunt Lois were coming to visit with Mike and Deb at the campground.  It was a family reunion.  Diana had not told any of the others that we were here.  Surprise!  We crashed the party.

Sharon, the missing daughter, had other plans for the evening.  

We made a date for breakfast in the morning.  Hopefully we will see Sharon then, if not, the tomorrow evening.  

We will do some exploring tomorrow.  

Hope you are having a great week.

June 24-25, 2017 Saturday/Sunday Activities (remember to click on each photo to enlarge)

Saturday  

We met Myrna and Dick at the "Old Courthouse Museum" in downtown Souix Falls yesterday afternoon.  The building, native red granite stone,  is imposing.  The courtroom has 30' ceilings.  

 Sunday 
Today Jim and Dee escorted us to Watertown, SD, home of the Terry Redlin Art Center.  You might not recognize his name, but I wager you have seen some of his art.  His speciality is wildlife, set in the plains of SD, and Minnesota.  He donated several oils to Ducks Unlimited of South Dakota and Wisconsin as fundraisers.  

The center houses 216 original oil paintings.  If you are headed north on I-29 for any reason, I highly recommend a stop there.  We spent four hours there.  It is user-friendly.

Watertown, South Dakota

"Hidden Point 1983" , one of my favorite waterfowl "Common Loon"

White-tailed deer: Favorite subject of Terry Redlin

Winter Snows 1997

American America 1990

This is one museum that you want to read every plaque under the paintings.  Each painting told a story.  It is awesome.  

June 23, 2017, Friday Souix Falls, SD Museum and Drivers' Licenses (Souix Empire Fairgrounds, Souix Falls, SD)

We are once again up to date with our driver's licenses.  They are renewable on one's birthday every five years.  

With our birthdays 180 days apart, June 3/December 3, I renewed late, and Glen renewed early.  I had previously applied for and received an extension.  It was a painless procedure; and good for five more years.

After the visit to the driver's license bureau we went downtown to the "Dakota Trading Post".  Are you familiar with the television commercials "Buck Naked Underwear"?

It was fun exploring the store.  

This afternoon Jim and Dee served as guides to the downtown area.  We toured the Pettigrew Museum.  Mr. Pettigrew was a founding father of Souix Falls.  

Built in 1889

This area of the home was added in 1923 as a museum.  Notice all of the petrified wood used in the  wall.

Jim and Dee, Glen and I also toured a museum dedicated to the USS South Dakota.  Click to enlarge.

Jim, Glen and Gayla in front of the USS South Dakota Museum.

Tonight we are meeting Myrna (Glen's oldest sister), Dick for dinner.  

Oh, Yes.  Myrna and Dick are also in Sioux Fall for two weeks.  They are at a different RV Park.  We visited with them yesterday afternoon.  

June 21-22, 2017 Corny Trip (Blue Ox RV Park, Pender, NE; W H Lyon Fairgrounds, Souix Falls, SD)

Wednesday:

We left Missouri, traveled into Iowa, then into Nebraska!  It was "corn-y" all the way.  Huge corn fields on each side of the road.  

We had just entered into Nebraska, going west to Pended, NE, home of Blue Ox.  Ahead of us was a sign that read "one lane bridge", then "9-foot wide one lane".  We discussed whether we could fit in the 9'.  When in doubt, don't.

We went down a side road, disconnected the pick up, and planned on turning around and back-tracking.  We watched oncoming traffic and saw two-three 18-wheelers crossing.  If they can cross, so can we!

I followed Glen across the bridge.  There was room for the MH plus mirrors with a few inches to spare!

Blue Ox makes hitches and offers preventive maintenance on their hitches.  They also have an RV park with full hook-ups, free for their customers.   We parked as directed.  Within an hour a technician was at the RV to check out our Blue Ox.  He worked about an hour.  He replaced bushings and checked all connections.  The total charge was $37.27.

We opted to spend the night.

The town of Pender has two restaurants.  The one we chose would only receive one-star on Trip Advisor. In other words:  ugh.

Thursday:
This morning we had a leisurely start, going north to Souix Falls, South Dakota.  We are parked at the W H Lyon Fairgrounds.  It isn't fancy, but has full hook ups, away from the interstate, and close to downtown.

Also, we are parked next to friends/neighbors Jim and Dee Lyons (Zapata TX).  This is their hometown.  They are catching up on family, doctors, friends....you know, what you do in your hometown.

Tomorrow we will be renewing our drivers' licenses.  That can be done in any county.  We chose here as we knew Jim and Dee were here, as well as this office is open 5 and  half days a week.  In our hometown of Madison SD, the license office is open Tuesday's only!  

The temps are only in the upper 70's--love it!!

We will be here until Monday.  

June 20, 2017. On the road! (Sharp RV Park, St. Joseph MO)

We left Cape Girardeau this morning at eight o'clock, Mighty early for us!

We traveled on interstate all day.  The truck traffic was heavy.

We stopped around three in St. Joseph, MO.  We will drive to the Blue Ox service center in Pender, Nebraska.  The center offers a exam of the hitch and needed repairs if needed.

We used the Passport America directory to find this RV park.  For a small yearly membership you can stay at 50 percent discount.  Yes there are some limitations but the savings more than pay for the  membership fee.  Sometime the park isn't "resort-y" but for one night stays it is great. If you aren't familiar with Passport America " and are an RVer, please check it out!

June 16, 2017 Day Trip 2--History Lesson Learned

The day started with breakfast at "IHOP", favorite breakfast place of Ashlynn and Zade.  Then....

Today's Day Trip was to Trail of Tears State Park, Jackson MO.

Are you familiar with the Trail of Tears, created by the Cherokee Indian Nation?

We watched a 20 minute informational film at the Visitors' Center.  We were half way through the film when Zade commented:  "I thought Andrew Jackson was a good president."  

For those who need 11th or 12th grade American history refreshed....

The Cherokee Nation was a peaceful tribe with a democratic government, their own police, education system, made their own alphabet, etc.  Greed reared its ugly head when it was thought gold was in the streams of the Cherokee Nation in Alabama/Georgia.  The Cherokee wrote a petition to the Supreme Court asking for their nation be theirs alone with the tribe in charge of decision-making.  The Supreme Court agreed with the petition and declared the Cherokee Nation sovereign.  (1838-39)

Andrew Jackson, President of the US, didn't agree and issued orders for the soldiers and militiamen to take over the land and move the tribe.  Long story short: it happened and the Cherokee were force-marched over 800-1000 miles through the winter months, rivers, with only the clothes and supplies they could carry to Oklahoma.  Officially this was  known as the "Indian Removal Act".

There were actually five other tribes in other states involved in the government overtaking lands and moving the tribes.

There was quite a discussion after the film about human rights, government overtaking homes and lands, etc.  

Welcome to Trail of Tears Visitor Center: Zade and Ashlynn

Inside the Visitors' Center: Zade .  Photographer: Ashlynn

Mimosa Tree in bloom; overlooking the Mississippi River, Trail of Tears ST; photographer: Zade Hickey

Photographer: Zade Hickey; he was fascinated with this directional bouy in the river; learning to use the camera

Glen, Gayla, Ashlynn: photographer: Zade

Zade, Gayla, Ashlynn

Glen, Gayla, Zade: photographer Ashlynn Hickey

Sorry for the blurriness of the following picture.

As we were entering the visitors' center, this employee was returning this  PRAIRIE RING-NECKED SNAKE to the outdoors.  He had brought the snake indoors for identification purposes.  This small snake grows to a length of 10-14 inches.  Ashlynn and Zade both touched the snake.



Ashlynn and Zade were both interested in using the camera today.   They did good!

June 13, 2017 Mystery Trips (Still at The Landing Point RV Park, Cape Girardeau MO)

The nanny that stays with Ashlynn and Zade during the summer months is on vacation the week.

We are keeping them company this week, arriving at their house at 8:30 a.m. and staying until Darin comes after work.  There is no "baby-sitting" as they are self-sufficient.  It is a joy to be with them.

It is a super hot week, especially for the middle of June.  The high today was 96 degrees.  

Monday Mystery Trip  

Rather than stay home all day, we navigated to a mystery destination for Ashlynn and Zade.  (Remember you can click on each photo to enlarge)

Do you know what Missouri State Historic Site this is?

Top:  Bollinger Mill, Burfordville, MO
Bottom:  Covered Bridge at mill location
This is just seven miles north and west of Jackson MO

Glen

Ashlynn and Zade

From this location we drove to the "Oldest Still Standing Methodist Church" west of the Mississippi River....

 Inside the chapel:  Glen and Zade sang "Amazing Grace"

Ashlynn, Glen, Zade-front door behind them.

Tuesday: no mystery trip today!

Lunch today at "Shoguns", Japanese Hibachi Grill

The day ended with a baseball game.  Our favorite player!  Tonight he played as catcher, pitcher, and first baseman.

 Warm up

 At bat.

 On base.

THE CLOUDS WERE LIT WITH THE SETTING SUN!

June 7, 2017 Big Catch-Up

Wow, I am behind in keeping you up with what has been going on.  Sorry!

A week ago today Glen asked Darin, Sarah and kids to join us for breakfast Saturday morning at Cracker Barrel.  

Saturday morning we walked into the restaurant.  Everyone but Glen were surprised to see Trisha, Jeff, and Tanner sitting at a table.  Surprise for my birthday!  They had driven in Friday night for the big birthday surprise.  

It was wonderful having both our children together.  We enjoyed visiting with everyone.  Trisha and family were able to stay until Sunday noon.  

Glen saw the eye doctor yesterday.  Dr. Thoma gave Glen the "all clear" for his eye; no more return visits.  Glen is to finish the medication and refill for a second month.  

Today we visited with friends Donna and daughter Angela here in Cape Girardeau.  Their husband/dad Tom was a patient at St. Francis Hospital for a heart cauterization.  The procedure was finally performed this afternoon.  Nothing to cause problems were found, which is good news.  Tom will go home early this evening.  

This afternoon we visited with Glen's first cousin, Catherine plus husband Louie; and their daughter Melody and hubby Dallas, from Iberia, in central Missouri.  Dallas and Louie were here for examinations with Sarah, our daughter in law Audiologist.  

They both learned they were candidates for hearing help with hearing aids.  

After the appointments we "lead" them to Perryville (33 miles north of CG), for late lunch/early dinner at "Mary Jane's, Burgers and Brews".  "Mary Jane's" has The Best burgers.  I think they all agreed!

They headed back to central Missouri, and we returned to Cape Girardeau.  

We are happy that it worked out that we were here when they were here for their appointments.