Tuesday - October 6

 Hello from Lake James....so happy to be here after another long day of travel.    425 miles thru KY, TN and NC.    Really strange that the further south we went the more fall color....loved it and can only imagine the next few weeks thru the hills of TN and how beautiful it will be.

Our neighbors across the street at CT, Buddy and JoAnn live in Candler (suburb of  Asheville) offered their property for keeping Flo and Big Red the next 6 days.    Buddy met us there, got Flo all settled along with electric hook-up and then off to Ingles to meet JoAnn.    Soooo good to see them - 1st time since late February.    We sat and yakked away while Mark and Buddy enjoyed some dark chocolate Dove bars, I had a Starbucks iced coffee and JoAnn had a sandwich and drink.    So good to catch up with them.    Then we said our good byes and we'll see them late December in CT and we were off in Ruby to Lake James.

JoAnn and Buddy

Annette and the kids were home when we arrived - the kiddos were a big help getting our stuff carried upstairs to the carriage house.    Annette made a delicious meal of sweet 'n sour meatloaf, mashed potatoes and gravy and green beans w/bacon -  one of my very favorite meals!    Also got in some good games of euchre (3-handed) which Annette won both games.

Mark went on home and Annette and I enjoyed our wine and some good catching up!   

Looking forward to seeing our NC kiddos the next few days, but bummer we won't see Philip who is still in training with FedEx in Memphis.

One of the neat pillows at Whispering Hill RV Park last night in Georgetown, KY

SO TRUE !!!

Monday - October 5

 Whew what a day!!!    Picture perfect weather (don't think we've seen a cloud in the sky for past several days)!    However, it was stressful dealing with heavy traffic, crazy drivers and lots of construction (Indiana) -  360 miles

But we are at Whispering Hills RV Park in Georgetown, KY and so happy to be here!    We stopped 3x along the way and got gas in KY for $3.79 (Ruby) and diesel for Big Red at $5.40.

Tonight is the 12th time we've stayed here..  Memories from many years ago with Daisy and having Brady with us and swimming in the nice pool  (2015) which is now closed for the season!    

When Mark checked in at the office, the lady told us to be sure and check out the new bar?    So, in April, a new building went up with a very nice bar (The Happy Campers Bar) and all kinds of tempting drinks (mocktails and the real thing) and then just 3 weeks ago, they opened an outdoor patio on the water with nice wicker furniture, tables and chairs, mums, fall pillows, etc.   Very nice - we sat out there in the sunshine and enjoyed our drinks.   

Our neighbors next door are from Rhode Island - did not see that state at KK.

We had a baked spaghetti casserole from Braker's Market and I made a salad for supper.   Delish!

Nighty night = back on eastern time and we nomads are tired! 

Happy Birthday to Brooke's dad, Bob who is 87 today1

Sunday - October 4

 Happy 1st Anniversary to our grandson Drew and his bride, Tessa...

October 4, 2025

October 4, 2026

Love this central IL weather and today was another winner!    We left KK at 8:00 and drove into Goodfield - had planned to get some coffees at Revive, but forgot they are not open on Sundays.    Off to Busy Corner to get the kids favorite piece of pie.   While I was picking up the pie, Mark checked on a coffee shop in Morton.    A few days ago we were at Four30 Scone which we really enjoyed but today he decided on a closer one off the interstate - "LnB" (Leaves 'n Beans).     I went in to get the coffees and a maple vanilla chai donut and he went to get Ruby washed.    We shared the donut and sat for a few minutes and then took our coffees and back on the road.

We were going to Davenport to meet Liam, Drew and Tessa who were coming from Cedar Rapids (D and T) and Iowa City (Liam).    We first went to Costco for gas for Ruby - $3.88 - gotta love Iowa prices!   The kids rode together and we met at the Machine Shed.    Enjoyed their good comfort food and lots of chatter - a very fun visit and can't wait to all be together in NC for Thanksgiving!

Said our good byes and hugs after which a very nice man who was driving the John Deere tractor giving hayrack rides took our picture!    So much neat fall decor with a straw maze for the little kiddies.

Grandma, Tessa, Drew, Liam, Grandpa

Back to KK (2-hour drive) and changed clothes and set to work getting stuff on Flo stowed away, the tanks empty and hoses, etc. put away, Flo and Big Red hooked up, etc., etc.

Micci (owner of KK) stopped by with my new water bottle which she made - has the machine to do various art decor, all colors, etc.   I love it!

 

We went for a walk around KK one final time....no new states but in the past 3 weeks, 38 states have been represented!     Amazing for little ole KK.

Connor was visited today by Gibson and Frankie on U of I campus.

Anne celebrated 29 years yesterday with State Farm!

9 on zoom tonight - Doris went into detail about her daughter-in-law, Michelle's surgery, taking care of the grandkids, etc.   It's going to be a long process/recovery and prayers are much appreciated.

 

Saturday - October 3

 Beautiful fall day and it's COLLEGE FOOTBALL SATURDAY!!!]

We had a lunch date with Marty (our neighbor on Jackson Street for many years)!    He celebrated his 90th birthday on September 17th and his kids had a surprise party for him but we were in Memphis, so missed it.    Was hoping to see his 4 kiddos but between work and illness, didn't happen.   Anne joined us at Schooners and we had 1 1/2 hours of great visiting, reminiscing, and checking up on the ole neighborhood where Marty still lives.

"Methuselah" and Marty

And then Mark and I went to Anne's to watch football - Notre Dame's big win and part of Iowa vs. Ohio State game before we left for 4:00 Mass at Holy Trinity with Father Joe Logan.  Bye bye to Anne till Thanksgiving.

Stopped for a deluxe gondola at Avanti's to have while traveling next week.    On home for supper and watched rest of Iowa game which they lost and IL lost to Purdue!  

Walked around the campground - not much activity and no new states.

Friday - October 2

 

 Chilly morning....Mark and Big Red went into town to get Flo's propane tank filled at Love's.   I sorted laundry and left for town in Ruby.   Stopped at Dollar Tree for a few things and then met Claire at Biaggi's for lunch.    What a big surprise to see my cousin Dick and Mary there.   They are in town for a wedding tonight.    

Dick and Mary

Claire and I had a lot to catch up on - she and Mike just returned from a 2 week river cruise in France.   So....we yakked and yakked and 3.5 hours later....we said our good byes (with leftovers) and hugs.    We'll get together in Florida in January.

Excellent pumpkin creme' brulee which we shared

 

Claire and Pat catching up!!!

On home.    Mark and I loaded up the car, I changed clothes and off to the laundromat in Normal to do 3 loads.   And finally on home.    It was a gorgeous fall day - perfect for a wedding!    

Enjoyed some leftovers for supper....

Have a great weekend!