I had hoped to snap a photo at our last campsite for the trip, but, as expected given the weather forecast, it is rainy and foggy as I type.
The day started out cool and sunny in Kentucky, and the decent weather continued up to Charleston, WV. The drive through the windy, hilly portion of I-64 between Charleston and the Virginia border was done through rain, with low clouds over the mountain tops.
Our stop for the night, in Dawson WV, is at another privately-run campground, right along the highway. It's a set of graveled parking spaces, with all utilities, in a family's farm---very basic. Ranger enjoyed a walk during a brief reprieve from the rain, with calves and cows to see and lots of green, green grass. This evening, it's very quiet, as people are staying inside. Upper 50's, rainy, foggy....a miserable night to be camping, but we are snug in our Navion. It was a good night for hot soup and a grilled cheese sandwich.
Just over 200 miles to drive tomorrow, going home!
And after an evening of rain and a night of high winds, we awoke to a beautiful morning in West Virginia.
Okay, Illinois and Indiana are pretty boring. The southern stretch, which we crossed on I-64, is a bit nicer than the north, but it's still not interesting.
But we covered about 300 miles today, and here we are....
Specifically, we are at a private campground in Frankfort. It's a Friday night, and the place is full. Quite a few of the sites appear to be seasonal (with decks, plants, and golf carts), but we managed to get a nice long pull-through site that is not terribly close to the one next to us (with the road on the other side).
It's still in the 80's and Ranger does not look happy. I think he's ready to go back to the cooler temperatures and the great dog park in Wisconsin.
One more night on the road, tomorrow in West Virginia, and then we'll be home!
Yesterday, under cloudy skies (again), we drove to Waterford, about and hour and a half east of Madison. We visited with (cousin) Dugan and his wife Lu and Dugan's dad Doug Robbins. We were fortunate on the timing, as they will be leaving soon for their other home in Mesa, AZ, where they spend the winters. (I will stop in for a visit with them when I go on my next Road Scholar hiking trip in January.) Doug treated us to a fine lunch at a local restaurant, and then back to their home for dessert.
By mid-afternoon when we were ready to do the drive back to the RV (and to rescue Ranger from a long day inside), the sun came out. We took Ranger back to the dog park that he enjoyed so much earlier in the week, and again he had a ball! He found a dog about his size to chase and be chased by, running and running at top speed. He also made friends with a black-and-white dog that could have been his cousin---lots of play wrestling and other dog play.
Kak and Susan came for dinner, bringing left-over chili and salad, and we spent a pleasant evening, last one, with them.
In the morning, we headed south, crossed the border into Illinois, and drove most of the day through flat farm fields. Our site tonight is at a private RV park in Effingham, Illinois. It's not scenic, but it's clean and flat and we got a pull-through site so that we did not have to unhoook the car. And surprisingly----it is HOT! Upper 80's in early October---who would have predicted that, especially after I was in several layers of clothes the whole time we were in Madison.
Tomorrow, we cross Indiana and should get half-way across Kentucky.
After getting cleaned up and picking up Kak, we headed west to Richland Center. We had arranged to have lunch at (Aunt) Ruth's house with (cousin) Mike and Mary, plus their son Christopher and his daughter Doria. As has been the case in the past, Mary prepared a large and varied lunch (several excellent salads, sandwiches, and carrot cake for dessert), and we enjoyed Doria (age 3 1/2) who is starting to talk up a storm (both English and Chinese).
Then we made a short visit to the cemetery to take a look at the monument that Dan had ordered but never actually seen.
We had dinner at Dobhan, an excellent Nepalese restaurant in Madison, where I had tarkari made with acorn squash---delicious!
While Dan went out to get a part for the RV's headlight, Ranger and I took a long walk in the park. The campground is part of the larger Capital Springs State Recreation Area, and it has a long bike trail and walking paths through the wetlands.
We went into the city to meet Kak for lunch, between her appointments with patients. In mid-afternoon, we took Ranger to the dog park just a short distance down the road from our campsite, and he had a GREAT time, running and playing with the other dogs. We were so impressed at how well behaved he was, coming back to us when called and generally playing nicely.
Then back to the RV to grill burgers for dinner with Kak and Susan.
Well, at least we are east of the Mississippi again, having crossed at Dubuque.
This day's drive took us through our old stompin' grounds, where we lived for the first three years after we married.
We awoke to sunshine and warmer temperatures in Iowa, but as seen in the pictures, we went back into heavy clouds as we got into Wisconsin.
We drove past typical Wisconsin scenery on our way to Madison.
We have set up camp at Lake Farm Park, a Dane County park just south of Madison. The beltway around Madison is not far away, so we can hear traffic noise, and we must be in the path of planes taking off from the airport. But the park feels surprisingly remote, with lots of open marshland and trees just turning color.
Kak and Susan came over for dinner. Actually Susan BROUGHT a delicious dinner, so we did not even have to cook. Then we enjoyed a campfire before they had to head back, in order to get up for work tomorrow.
Damp and foggy this morning, but the forecast is for sunny and in the 70's---a beautiful fall day ahead!
We have been "camping" in Tim and Pam's driveway in Marion for the past three days. Thursday it was sunny and warm, so while Tim, Pam, and Dan went out shopping for various needs for their new pop-up camper, I stayed around and did a thorough cleaning of the inside of the RV, getting lots of red dust off of everything. Friday and Saturday the weather turned cool and cloudy, with drizzle on and off, so it was really nice to have a house to spend time in----Ranger took over the kitchen, getting under Pam's feet while she cooked and cooked and cooked. We have been eating great food, and way too much of it!
Dan and Tim worked on their camper, checking out the water, propane, AC, refrigerator, etc. to see whether it's all in good shape for them to head out on the road. Pam is already dreaming of a bigger travel trailer, but they sure got a good deal on this one as a starter.
Ranger would probably stay here in Iowa with Tim, Pam, and Lola if we let him. They sure spoil him! And he really seems to enjoy long walks, even in the drizzly weather, around Marion. But today, Sunday, we need to pack up and move on. Next stop: Madison, Wisconsin! We leave here with a clean RV, inside and out, with laundry done, grocery shopping done, and with full stomachs
