Mark Twain Lake, Indian Creek COE (Nov 18 - 21)

 After a greet day at Bible Study, and lunch with Cari & Jessica I took off for Indian Creek campground.  It was a nice ride because I actually had a tail wind for most of the trip.  When I got to the gate the attendant said I was the last one...for a total of 7 sites taken.  Considering there are 250 sites at the campground, it was really wide open.  Got to my site 31 and loved the view.

It was not real level but managed to get it level with my blocks.   The wind was still blowing but with all the trees it wasn't too bad.  Took a short bike ride before coming back and met my closest neighbor several sites up....they were in a tent.  Then I just fixed a leftover steak from my last camping trip.  

Got up the next morning and really slept well considering it was the first night when I usually don't sleep that well.  The sunrise was just beautiful...don't ever seem to be able to catch God's glory in a picture, but:

Fixed eggs & bacon over the fire and again really enjoying my new grill.  Took a really long bike ride to the different parts of the Indian Creek campground....probably the best COE campground I have been to.  There are many full hook up site, some with water/elect, and a lot with just elect which is what I am on.  There are many sites, I think 250, and many have great views of the lake.  During Halloween they require two sections of the campground to decorate and pictures show they really do a great job with it.  I was kind of tired when I got back so just fixed BBQ for supper.  

Slept well again and watched another beautiful sunrise.  Took another bike ride down to the beach and boat ramp. Really a very large beach:

I don't think they have anything there but the beach which really looks pretty nice.  Coming back to the camper I took a gravel trail which was OK but then it is the close of the season. Sill some nice views:

Got back and fixed some hamburgers for lunch which I will take a couple of them home.  They just taste so good....  Didn't do much else but got some new neighbors and he brought a chain saw.....who brings a chain saw to a campground???????  Trying to just ignore....but it sure messes with a peaceful setting.....  It got cloudy and a front is/has going thru so while the winds are less it is getting cooler thru this afternoon.

Slept good last night but still kind of sad that it is ending.  God is still so good to give me these precious memories. Fixed some cinnamon rolls in the stove this morning, but burnt them.....Oh well, ate them anyhow.  Just taking it easy as I slowly start to pack things away.  Side note:  I was not able to get satellite initially but tried again later and it hooked up.....just never know...maybe wind was a problem initially.  I was sitting in the camper when I noticed a camping trailer go by with the door swinging open.  I got up and out and 'ran' waving my arms.  They saw me and waited and I told them about the door.  Evidently they had reserved my site for the next two nights when the campground closes.  They told me not to hurry but I went ahead and finished packing up and left.  They had pulled into another site to wait.  Just took my time coming home and enjoyed the trip back.  Got to St Peters about 1:00 pm so went to Lakeside and parked, fixed and ate lunch, before continuing on home.  This was another great trip.  

Rend Lake, Gun Creek COE (Nov 4 - 7, 2020)

 Nov 4 - Day 1

Came after Bible class and having lunch with Cari.  Nice trip here with no problems.  Got set up and nice view of the lake. 

Nov 5 - Day 2

Fixed breakfast over a fire and really enjoyed it.  I really do love the grill I got as long as I am able to hammer in the post close to the fire.  

Took a ride around the campground.  There is a golf club nearby and rode over there. They have  driving range and there is a driving range that I rode on a rock rode that goes through it.  But it turns out that there wasn't really anything interestin at the end of it.

Came back and fixed some hot dogs over a small fire.  Had a guy come by to look at the bike because his wife thought that it would be neat for her.  

Fixed bacon wrapped steak over the fire, with baked potato and corn-on-cob.....delicious.

Still following stuff election....don't know why..just makes for a downer.

Took another shorter bike ride and saw a beautiful sunset.

Nov 6 - Day 3

Had pancakes again over the fire.  Sure is a lot of fun.  While I was cooking the guy that was interested in my bike came over and brought me some wood.  His name is Dennis.  We talked for a pretty long time and I think I have found my duplicate.....He is the Sunday School Super at his church and can't understand how 70 million Americans can be so stupid....voting for Biden.  We talked about just trusting God....even when we don't understand.  We both agreed that American is going the way Israel went....but still trusting.  We just agreed about everything.  Too bad they were leaving today I sure could have talked with him for a longer time.  

Took a nice long...really long, about 2 hours...bike ride.    Turns out there is a long trail, paved, that goes along I57 as it goes around the golf course.  Then cuts back down toward the lake.  It was really a great ride and I didn't even go all the way to the end.  Saw some really tall pine trees....sure felt small under them.

The ride really wore me out so fixed some coffee and just sat in my lounger just enjoying the view.  Since I had more wood, I fixed a fire just for the fun of it.  Decided to fix some hamburgers and corn-on-cob, & fruit.  Again, delicious.  

Watched a movie since I had good connections.   Then in the evening had a fire again and roasted marshmallows....tried eating them right off the fork and it worked really well. 

 Turned out to be a really super day.

Nov 7 - Day 4

Well, today is when I return home.....guess I am ready but sure could bear to stay longer.  

Fixed French Toast over the fire for breakfast with scrambled eggs and bacon.  So delicious.  I think...I know I have eaten too much.  

Took off for home about 10:30...stopped to dump tanks...and then left for the rest area that is about 1 hour from there.  Stopped and had a chicken sandwich which I fixed in the oven.  A little different, but good.  The gas tank was running low, but got to Costco at home and filled it up.  Got things unpack and looking back it was really a great trip.