SATURDAY, MAY 25

JUST IN CASE YOU WANT TO COMMENT, YOU’RE ABLE TO DO THAT NOW J

SATURDAY, MAY 25:

     At 6:30, we had lift-off – left home for our North to Alaskan adventure.  Was a lovely morning – cool, mostly clear – almost gave me second thoughts about leaving!  Well, not exactly . . . However, if St Louis did have mornings & weather like this 350 days a year, we might not be so anxious to flee the summers!

 

     Of course, did all but the very last minute packing yesterday and earlier.  We’re packing for 3 seasons this trip - warm summer, “shoulder” seasonal weather, and downright cool/cold conditions.  Plus rain gear for both temperate and colder days.   So we had a lot  to pack.  So thankful for our roomy RV – everything fit in the closets and drawers, with a little room to spare.  This is the kind of trip we had in mind when we bought this RV, with all of its storage capacity – now it’s being played out for real! 

     Stopped down the road a couple of hours at Columbia for McDonald’s bkfst.  Then only made a couple more stops for gas as we turned north at Kansas City on I-29, and kept on this road all the way thru Iowa  (hugging Nebraska border) till reaching the southeast corner of South Dakota, where  we turned west onto I-90.   The roads were very good almost all of the way, and Bill said the RV was pulling easily.   Ran into a couple of patches of rain, but the rest of the time was just mildly overcast and in the 60’s or 70’s.  

     We stopped at one rest stop in Iowa to walk & water Pappy.  Was very nice & pleasant.  Even advertised free Wi-Fi access.  That’s a first – a sign of keeping up with the times.  A guy was manning a table offering free snack goodies – brownies, cookies, etc, plus cold water & lemonade.  He represented the Lions Club.  Had a donation jar out, but he made it clear that there was no expectation nor obligation to contribute.  Talked a little about the projects the Lions Club supports – especially distributing eye glasses to those who need  them.   Just made me happy he was there doing that – giving up a Saturday, especially Memorial weekend Saturday, to help others.  That has to be one of the best things about the USA – its volunteer impulse.   Makes me proud.

     Stopped just outside of Mitchell, SD,  about 7:00.  Drove 650 miles!  Mitchell is home of the Corn Palace.  Made a heart-rending decision to skip that (sarcasm here).  Will we have the fortitude to do the same with Wall Drug tomorrow??   Located a nice RV park thru the Good Sam trailer directory.  Nice size park, family-oriented, very quiet &  peaceful .  Got set up very quickly & easily.  Ate left-over spaghetti from last night, and enjoyed some wine which dear neighbors Jim & Mary gifted us with last night.  Then took Pappy for a little walk around the park.  Typed this, both read some, and went to bed before 10:00!   The wind is blowing as I’m typing this – may be bringing in some rain and a storm.  But feel cozy and snug in our little home. 

    Almost seems a little surreal that we’re really on a trip which will end up thousands of miles from here.  But seems very comfortable and familiar to settle into our home on wheels again, the first time in a little over 7 months. 

      Thank you, Lord, for a good and uneventful first day.