May 21 Driving to Wisconsin

I spent the night at an inexpensive, clean, convenient campground in Kellogg, Iowa, but it was noisy being so close to the freeway. That really made it unpleasant. That and the toxic mop smells I had to endure in order to be on the internet. It was also very windy, all day long, but the modification I made to my camper before leaving FL worked really well, so no problem-o. Here’s a picture just after crossing the Mississippi River (second time on this trip) in Wisconsin. Another drive-by shooting.

May 20 The Bridges of Madison County, Iowa

So I needed to pee and I needed gas. I drove by one exit where I could plainly see the gas station right there – thinking I’ll get off at the next one. So the next one, turns out I’m driving a mile and a half into the little town of St. Charles, Iowa, where the Imes Covered Bridge has been relocated too. So more good fortune! Got to read some history about covered bridges!

May 20 Kansas

Spent the night at the Hertz’s and visited with Monica Hertz, Virginia, and Barbara Jacobs, Virginia’s companion. Also met Jeff and Larisa Hertz. They have a beautiful home! Their backyard borders cropland; this year, there’s corn coming up. Virginia is doing well and looking forward to the family reunion in Nebraska this year. Monica prepared a delicious breakfast!

May 19 afternoon Stillwater, OK

Since I was driving practically right by, I had to make the detour and buy a tee shirt! It’s not a cute as the one I got tar on, Katharine, but it’s still nice!

May 19 In Oklahoma, Visiting the Coday Side

I had a great time in Oklahoma! They fed me real good, too! I really enjoyed seeing everyone and meeting all my younger cousins! SeaJay (I have this spelled wrong, most likely - so send me a email and I'll correct it, someone!) showed me how he makes arrow heads. Winter is busy with tumbling and cheerleading. She’s learning to drive and takes the corners real slow and the straight-aways real fast! :) Adrienne is going back to Indiana; she is interested in missionary work. Cody is going to join the Marine Corp. Aunt Darlene and Uncle Nob have a lot of dogs! Uncle Nob is going to start up a small welding business. Barbara and Mark are looking for work; I just missed meeting their youngest son by a couple of days. Max, you would have enjoyed meeting all these cousins! We talked about noodling, which is fishing by sticking your hand into a hole, the giant catfish bites your arm and you pull it up! I just saw a couple of good videos on youtube about this – check it out.

May 17-18 Traveling Through Arkansas

Spent the night in Brinkely, AR at a very nice camp area behind a Days Inn. Saw this red mulberry tree at a rest stop near Ozark, AR . It's fenced off because there are three graves at the foot of the tree. I wish that picture turned out better. The infant died first, then the 25 year old man (dad? brother?) and a few months later, the 19 year old woman (mom? sister?), all in something like 1879. I wonder what happened. I thought about Kathleen, mulberry trees and toxic heat.

May 16 In Tennessee, Visiting the Street Side

I went to Aunt Betty and Uncle Bill's house in the afternoon and visited with them. I got to meet Aunt Rita for the first time - she and Uncle John came out from Nashville. Paul, Alice and Ruthie live just a couple of house away from Aunt Betty and Uncle Bill, and it was so great to see them too! Aunt Betty made lasgna for dinner, yum yum! And homemade chocolate chip cookies!

I managed to lose my phone while I was there, but by some miracle, it was found after I left, by a woman at WalMart. That's a mystery because I didn't stop at a WalMart until I couldn't find Carl and June's house in New Johnsville. But regardless, Aunt Betty and Uncle Bill are mailing it to me in care of Danny at Danny's Campers, my Friday location, so life is good!

I spent the night in the driveway at Carl and June's house and didn't get away until the next afternoon. Carl showed me Google Earth and his very capable phone - wow. June made me an excellent ham and cheese omelet Sunday morning, delicious!