Forging Ahead

Day 55 We made it safely to Chester, Illinois. It was still raining so basically just got our campsite set up. We changed campsites as the one we had reserved was unacceptable. Thank goodness there were other open ones. We went out for Mexican tonight and enjoyed ourselves. Tomorrow we visit my 2nd cousin.

Day 54 Today was a first on this trip so can’t complain. Started raining last night and for most of the day today. So no dog park for Moe and no hiking for us. Truly a day of sleep, reading, and watching a little TV. We did get out of the trailer to check out the rest of the campground. Joe was a little disappointed that he picked the wrong campsite..,,not on the water. Tomorrow we’re on the road again to Chester, Illinois. This leg of our journey we’re visiting my 2 cousin. Haven’t seen him since I was a little girl. His mom was my great-aunt. He’s 86 so this will probably be the last time I see him. 

Day 53 grocery and other stuff Today we took care of some things like going to the grocery store..However first on the agenda was going to a winery where we tasted and got some bottles. We then went to JC Penny’s so I could shop for the kids. I thought since Penny’s was closing I’d get some really good deals. Not so much. We then ate lunch and went the grocery store. Nap time was next. Nothing really to see in Rochester. Hopefully we’ll take Moe to a dog park and do a little hiking tomorrow.

Day 52 made it to Illinois Today was a travel day so we really didn’t do anything. The campground is very nice. Very spacious and it is not crowded at all. This is another state park that has no water hookup. That’s strange to me because the state parks in Tenn. have water and electricity. Since there are hardly any people here, I let Moe off leash and he got some frenzying out of the way. This park doesn’t have a lot to do. There is no beach but if you had a boat you’d be golden. They’ll be no fishing cause Joe didn’t get a license. So we’ll probably go on a hike and they have a winery close by that I want to go to. We are off the grid again, so I’ll post this when I have cell coverage. Night all.

Day 51 For the last day in Iowa, we had to take of business. Joe had to do laundry which took a minute. We then decided to take Moe to a dog park to let him run. He hadn’t been off leash since Bozeman, Montana. This park was very nice. Huge!!!! Nice cut grass and well cared for. Big open fields as well as a nice trail. He had fun with a couple of dogs and had fun running. Tomorrow we’re on the road again. We’ll be staying at a state park in Rochester, Illinois. Hopefully it’ll be nice. Later.

Day 50 Today was another hot and humid day. We took advantage of this by my going to the beach and Joe went fishing. He got two strikes, enough to keep him interested. I laid out for a bit and swam in the lake. It was wonderful. We then went back to take a nap. We ended our anniversary day by going out to eat at a neat Mexican place. Had something I’ve never had..floutinas. They were great. Tomorrow who knows what we’ll do. Stay tuned.

Day 49 Today was a travel day. It was another boring drive of cornfields and soybeans. We panicked when we couldn’t find our reservation confirmation. Joe did find it thank goodness. What we didn’t realize was the campground had no water hookups, just electricity. However, since we made it through dry camping we feel we can handle this well. There is a water pump we can use if our water tank becomes empty. All is good. This campsite is beautiful. So much nicer being in state parks. Tomorrow I hope it is nice enough to go to the beach. Joe bought a fishing license so plans to go fishing. There is a triathlon here at the park tomorrow so we can’t be out on the roads until 11. Ought to be fun to watch them , if I’m up.😊Here are the pictures of our campsite. 

Day 48 Well, last day in South Dakota. I can tell we’re farther East because of the humidity!! Hot and now humid! We took advantage of our time and visited two wineries. Good wine but I miss the wineries in Virginia because they were good wines and in very scenic places. I’ve inserted the pictures. One was in Iowa and the other in South Dakota. Tomorrow we’re on the road to Iowa. We will be staying in a state park which looks nice. Hope to enjoy the beach at the lake and if Joe decides to get a license, maybe he’ll fish again.

Day 47, Canton, S.D. Nothing exciting happened today. It was a day of rest and renewal. Joe and I also cleaned the camper. Tomorrow we plan to visit a couple of wineries. We used to do that a lot in Virginia but have not since we’ve moved. Ought to be fun. More tomorrow.

Day 46-Canton, S. D. Well today was a long boring drive. Nothing but corn, wheat, and hay. We are staying in a little campground surrounded by cornfields and the wonderful smell of manure permeating the area. We decided this experience will rival Clovis, New Mexico. I hope to have the energy to clean tomorrow and just relax. Friday we’re going to see if there are any wineries around. Nothing more to report. I’ll take pictures of our campsite. 

Day 45 What a neat day. We went to Badlands National Park. It was amazing to see. The rock formations were out of this world. In so many places , the rocks looked like different things to me. I “saw” castles, a Spanish church, and sandcastles. There were beautiful colors-yellow, rose, white, gray. I know my camera doesn’t do it justice but hopefully you’ll get an idea. We even got to see big horn sheep along with buffalo and antelope. The cutest thing was the prairie dog “town”. Apparently this colony is the biggest one in the country. We thought New Mexico had a lot of prairie dogs, it doesn’t even compare. There were thousands of them. Tomorrow we leave the Black Hills and will be across the state in Canton, SD. Apparently it’s on the border of Iowa. Don’t know what’s there but we’ll forge ahead.😊