On the Way to Branson

This motor home adventure began September 1 when four couples gathered at the Halstead Hacienda. Larry parked each coach close to his workshop (barn) as it arrived. Jim and Linda were first in and were tucked away on the east side. Chuck and Donna were next, and they were in front of Jim and Linda. We came in last (missed a turn en route) getting a spot next to the large barn door. Larry had moved his coach out of the barn to the grass by the driveway, and provided each coach with electricity. What a guy! It was a very nice overnight.

Mem organized the dinner Monday evening with chef Larry providing burgers. The other ladies provided accompanying dishes and no one went away hungry. Larry took the guys on a jeep ride around the acreage and to meet his neighbor Baxter. Baxter has a restored 1896 Ford in his barn which he proudly showed us. He found the pieces years ago in another barn in Indiana I think. He has not yet got the engine operating. It is in a barrel submersed in oil. He has an Briggs & Stratton in the car which does fine when he takes it to antique car shows. Baxter has an extensive workshop where he makes fascinating products and tinkers with pumps, among other items. Engineers Jim and Chuck were enthralled and a bit envious. We also went with Larry to feed his fish in the pond, and to see "Walter" the giant catfish.

Tuesday morning Larry lined up the wagons, and we headed west along I-64. The weather was sunny, warm and perfect for traveling. Larry took the lead and Jim was our tail gunner. The destination was a Wal-Mart store vicinity of Charleston, WV. We made a fueling stop in Raphine, VA to take advantage of a lower price than in WV. We also had a lunch stop at a roadside rest area. Chuck took the lead about midday; he had scouted out the Wal-Mart. Chuck had called every Wal-Mart that we were likely to visit and had obtained permission and parking instructions. The trip was a little over 300 miles, and we settled into Wal-Mart's lot around
4:00 PM.

The Wal-Mart routine is usually the same. We find a parking spot away from the store front that is easy to get out of in the morning. Next we level the coach and secure the tow car by removing the ignition key. When everyone is settled we go in the store and spend some money on things forgotten during packing and/or something for dinner that evening. Then, it is back to the coach for dinner, TV and sleep. During the night, things happen. Street sweepers may clean the asphalt and see how close they can get to your coach. Delivery trucks come and go most of the night. There is traffic in and out all night, probably customers and employees. Sleep is possible, but not fully restful.

Wednesday was another perfect travel day, and we were underway at 8:00 AM. This proved to be a big advantage: the group decided to push on to Mt. Vernon, IL, a little over 400 miles. Chuck had found Wal-Mart in Mt. Vernon that was about 150 miles from our campground in St. Charles, MO. Watching the weather became more than a curious exercise. Hurricane Gustav was no longer a hurricane, but its storm was heading north toward St. Louis. We wanted to get as close to St. Louis as possible before the rains came. Actually, a light rain began after dinner around 7:00 PM ET. We should have been happy to gain an hour in the Central Time Zone, but it served to add another hour to a long evening in a parking lot.

By morning, rain had arrived in force. We delayed departing to miss rush hour in St Louis,but the rain did not stop. Visibility was poor most of the trip and there were traffic tie-ups, but we made it without incident. For reasons unknown, we made a fuel stop in the rain to top-off before entering Missouri. We did get wet. We frequently congratulated ourselves for driving as far as we did yesterday.

Sundermeier RV Park is near the Missouri River in St Charles. The park has concrete pull-through pads with full hookups. The neighborhood we passed through to get here was ratty, but the park is nice. There is a restaurant and conference center here at the park. Uniquely, the park has a trolley that takes campers into St Charles on a regular schedule all day long. We hope to take that trip weather permitting.

We will be here through Saturday leaving Sunday morning for Branson. Tomorrow night we will have a group dinner (two couples will join us) at Beef Eaters Pub & Grill, directly across (about 30-feet) from our coach site. Rain continues. We have connected water and electric, but nothing else. The car is still connected to the coach and the cable TV and sewer can wait for dryer weather. It is dry inside and we will stay here napping and watching the U.S. Open. More later.