Lake of the Ozarks State Park, site#136, (Nov 6-9, 2023)

 Nov 6, Monday

Pretty good trip down but fought wind again.  It looks like there is a frontal system coming through and I will be fighting wind again on way back.  Oh well, it is still great.  The weather is really warm, especially for November.  When I was here last November the temps were as low as 18 F, so I really have a lot to be thankful for.  When I first arrived at this site I wasn't too impressed and looked around at some others, but ended up here and it has turned out to be really nice... level and good view of the lake.  

Had Conner take down the cell phone booster that didn't seem to be working.  I brought all the pieces with me including a long pole.  I put it together and stuck up the pole.  I didn't seem to make any difference since the signal I was receiving was very weak.... 0 - 1 bar.  However, while fooling around with it, I discovered that if I lay my phone on the inside antenna that I go 5G with 4-5 bars.  Wow, couldn't believe it at first but tired streaming an it worked great with no pauses.  If I moved the phone even a foot away it got weak again.  I check the comments on Amazon and they said pretty much the same thing....  didn't have those kind of comments when I bought it 3 years ago.  Finally paying off.  

Nov 7, Tuesday

Slept really good especially with it being the first night.  

Fixed fire and then had bacon and eggs for breakfast....  just can't beat it.

Took a trike ride around the campground which is almost empty.  

Haven't done anything with the boat.  There is a path down a little hill to the lake. I had taken the boat batteries into the house to charge and forgot to put them back in the camper.  Put it on my checklist so not to do that again.  

Took another trike ride and one of the few campers mentioned how much he likes the trike.

There are a lot of deer running all over the place.  I saw one group of 6 deer just walking through the campground, and then 1-3 others at different times.  

The leaves are pretty good but just not very bright.  

Nov 8, Wednesday

Slept pretty good.... had to get up once and don't feel I really went back to a good sleep.  

Fixed a fire and had French Toast w/bacon for breakfast.

Internet still working good for streaming, but having trouble uploading pictures to this blog.  

Weather is still absolutely perfect... thank you Lord.

Nov 9, Thursday

Select absolutely wonderfully all night.

Fixed a

fire this morning and fixed pancakes and bacon which again were absolutely delicious.

I have to say that this must be one of the best trips I've taken in a long time.  I have to thank the Lord again for all of my blessings this week as well as others.  There wasn't one thing that went wrong, the weather was beautiful, I am feeling like there is no pain at all. It just doesn't get any better than this, and for the first time I really wasn't ready to come back home.

Gun Creek #84 and #87 (REND Lake) ( Oct 23 - 26, 2023)

 Oct 23, Monday

- The trip coming down was no problem, everything worked great.

- I came to site # 84 and I knew it was sloping but what I didn't realize is that not only sloped down quite a bit it also sloped sideways quite a bit. I tried to set things up but it just didn't work very well at all. So when I went up to register, I had looked around and found site number 87 looked pretty good even though it wasn't on the lake. The only thing that was really nice about # 84 was that it was on the water.  The gentleman at the booth saw that I was in the Air Force because he also was in the Army so we had a bit of a discussion. He made the change for me to site #87. I don't really have a great view of the lake but I can see it through the trees.  But it is very level, And also it is kind of separated from everybody else which I like as well.

- Took a bike ride around but not very far , I will probably do more.

-  Had a couple driving by stop and tell me that they had a bike just like mine that was also electric.  Al & Vicky.   Turned out they are hosts for the campground. He mentioned we need to get together and take a ride, although it was her bike that is like mine. Not sure what he has.

October 24th, Tuesday

-    Slept really good, in fact it's probably one of the best first night sleeping experiences I have had.

- Haven't been doing a whole lot except writing my track around the area. The only place I can put the boat in would be down at the boat launch, but when I took a look at it it seemed to be very steep and I am just not willing for my first time to risk it.

- For some reason My Internet seems to be a little weak. Not sure if that might be because I took down the antenna making that it wasn't being very helpful. Could I be wrong? Nah...

-  Still glad that I moved spots even though the view isn't as good, it is sure a lot easier than fighting that slope.

October 25, Wednesday

-  Slept really good again

-  Had a little rain come through last night which was really unexpected. I did not put the awning out because I did not think there was anything coming.  I guess I should always prepare for rain even when it's not forecasted.

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Damsite #59 (Pomme De Terre Lake) ( August 28 - 31, 2023)

 August 28, Monday

    - Trip down was good.  Decided to drive straight through, which took about 4 hours, and by the time I got there I was kind of tired. Did not do much after that, just got Set up. Got checked in when I came in but he gave me the wrong site number so I had to get my bike out and rode back up to change the paperwork. So I got a little exercise. Everything is working really good, since I am without any shade it got a little warm. Just rested for the rest of the day.

August 29, Tuesday

    - Slept really good last night until about 4:00 AM which is about my normal time to get up. But went back to sleep until 6:30 a m.  fix my normal breakfast of eggs bacon and toast over the fire since the temperature is about 60 degrees, it was great. 

Felt energetic this morning so I took a bike ride and ended up writing about 10 miles and then still so thankful for my electric assist. Ended up riding over to Pom de Terre State Park.  great trip.

August 30, Wednesday

Slept really good again....  I could get used to this.  This is a picture of the moon over the lake... still looking good:

Fixed a fire again this morning and had bacon and French toast.  Of course it was great. 

Took another long trike ride, only about 3 miles, this morning and it still feels good.  

Fixed a fire for lunch but it was a little warm.... just had to fix some hamburgers and, of course, it was delicious.  

This has been really relaxing so far.... not really doing much of anything but enjoying it.  If my boat wasn't at home I certainly would not be anxious to get back, but the thought even crossed my mind to leave today.... but....

August 31, Thursday

slept really good again last night, in fact almost all the way through.

Getting packed up to head back early today because I'm hoping to be able to start setting up my boat today. God has been so good to me throughout this entire trip, all I can say is thank you Lord.

Boulder COE, Carlyle Lake (July 17 - 20)

 July 17 2023, Monday

Travel to Boulder was pretty easy.  I had put some fuel system cleaner in the tank and I felt like it helped, but still got 100 miles on first quarter tank of gas.  Got set up easily and started to enjoy it all.  The weather has been hot and humid with dew points ranging from 62 to 72.  

July 18, Tuesday

Cooler this morning and I really slept well.  Started a fire and fixed bacon, eggs, and toast....  so good. 

They really remodeled the campground.  They paved all the sites and they are really very large.  Some are close together, but those that are on the lake have really nice views.  I am on site 33 which is nice, and can receive satellite (which was another issue...  turns out that the cable from the Wally to the receiver was disconnected.  I called Dish and the tech was not able to help me and gave me to the next level.  But just as I was calling them is when I noticed to had been disconnected.  Once I get it connected everything worked fine.)  Internet connection is good so have been able to watch some movies.  Mint is working well.

Rain has been all around me but we didn't get any.  They prevented me from getting the boat out to see how it all is going to work.  Might try in the morning. 

Rode my trike around the area a few times yesterday and today.  Not a lot of places to ride so only put on 4 miles so far.  

July 19, Wednesday

Slept really good again last night.  Fixed some cereal this morning because I want to work on the boat.  The weather finally looks good for it.  

Blew up the boat, with my electric pump, but waited until 7:00 am because it is a little loud and didn't want to disturb my neighbors.  Everything worked well.  

Started playing around with the motor figuring out how it works and finally got it attached to the boat.  It is a lot larger than I expected it to be..... Oh well... more power????  I did run into one problem that is preventing me from taking it out on the lake here..... the connections to the battery are for a standard battery and I am using my scooter batteries which have different connections.  Going to have to order some 8 AWG connectors..

Tried to mount the boat on a 2 wheeler but I need to do something so the boat can rest on it since when I lift it in the front it tends to bend.

July 20, Thursday

Slept great again.  Had pancakes this morning but didn't start a fire....  getting lazy in my old age.  Watch a great movie... Ticket to Paradise....  happy endings... I loved it.

Getting ready to leave for home, but not in any hurry.  God has again been so wonderful to me on this trip.  Different though because I never did talk with anyone.  Looking forward to seeing family again.

Wheatland COE, Pomme De Terre Lake (Jun 20 - 22, 2023)

 

Since I didn't have internet I kept a log in Evernote and just copied it here but added the pictures.

June 19, Monday

• Slept good be woke up early. Going camping at Wheatland Park on Pomme De tar Lake.

June 20, Tuesday

• Got to Wheatland COE and it turned out there is not any internet. I am able to text and sometimes get email. I think the email comes through when I go for a trike ride because i seem to occasionally connect. The booster doesn't seem to work at all.
• Had a good drive down with little to no wind. Just took my time and i felt good. It turns out that Wheatland is just a few miles down the road from Buck... This is a nice park and I am able to get 1 out of 3 satellites' so I am able to watch a few things but never sure what is going to work. I have also watch some some DVDs.
• Wheatland sites are nice, with rock driveways, but they are closer together that many of the COEs I have been but still have a little distance between them. I am on #30 which faces the beach and that wouldn't be bad except for the noise and I do get some view of the water but not a lot. The activity side of the site faces the SE so I get a lot of sun and the awning helps a lot there. Site #15 and #22 are pretty good but probably no satellite. Site #80 is the best site.... good view and should be clear enough for satellite.
• This site would be good if I had my boat because I could launch it close by.... site 22 backs up to my site and would be better for boat launching but probably less good for satellite.
• Took a ride over to site #80 and it is not only best for views, but I was able to get a little more internet connection. I was able to make a phone call. It looks like that is going to be my favorite site when I come back.

June 21, Wednesday

• Slept really good
• Fix French Toast & bacon over a fire this morning. It seems I can use a fire to cook breakfast in the morning in the summer and supper in the winter. Spring and Fall I can fix anytime.... depending on temps.
• Found that internet is illusive. Sometime just riding my bike I find a sweet spot where it connects but it does always last.

Saw this deer on one of my trike rides and didn't seem to bother her at all.

June 22, Thursday

• Got up after pretty good nights sleep but it was kind of short.
• Fixed blueberry pancakes and bacon over a fire.... tasted good.
• Drove back home and stopped in Camdon (?) and got gas at $2.95.... everywhere else it was $3.19 -3.40. I had noticed it was $3.03 on the way down so decided to stop there on way back. I was a little concerned but had about 7 gallons left.. so at 9 mpg and could have gone about another 63 miles.
• Got refrig emptied before crashing.  

Bucksaw COE, Truman Lake, (Jun 5-8)

 Jun 5, Monday

Great trip down.  Weather was great and even had a little tailwind.  Left earlier than usual, about 8:30 am and stopped at Boonslick Rest Stop for early lunch.  Got to Bucksaw about 12:30 and set up was easy.  Temps had warmed up to about 88 F so didn't really do much until later.  Took a bike ride and went to register since they didn't open until 3 pm.  Ended up talking with the host for about 45 min who turned out to be a Marine who was also in Vietnam.  Talked about the war and many other things.... really a nice guy.  He got out after 6 years because his wife couldn't take the possibility of him not coming home one day.  His daughter was also born while he was in Vietnam and I shared my daughter also being born while I was there.  We really had a great connection....

Jun 6, Tuesday

Weather cooled down to about 55 F this morning which felt great.  Got up early and got dressed, started a fire, fixed and ate eggs and bacon all before 7 am.  

That little light spot in the sky is actually the sun... poor air quality

Took another trike ride this morning and was actually chilly but it was a great ride.  This location is quite large and next to it is a resort and marina, also with a campground.  There are about 300 camping sites on Bucksaw but it doesn't feel crowded at all since there is a lot of space between sites.  Everything is working great.... God is so good!!  Internet is available, barely.  I am doing a lot of real relaxing.  

The rest of the day was spent just riding my trike and relaxing.  

June 7, Wednesday

Slept really great and even got up later.  I think this relaxing thing is really slowing me down and I am loving it.  Fixed some pancakes and bacon over a fire this morning and still in my relaxed mode.  

Went out for a long trike ride this morning and was stopped by a guy asking about my trike for his father who then got out of their truck and came over.  Jim and Burt had a long conversation about the trike and the father was also in Vietnam....   seems like a time of Vietnam Vets.  He had hip problems and had recovered from cancer.  Seemed like a really nice guy.

I had biked down to the resort marina and went through their campground.  I think the campground had a lot of campers but I think people were storing them there and then using them when they came out for fishing, etc.  

Had a good rain shower hit with a lot of water in a short time, but thankfully I was prepared.  Everything went fine and it cooled things down initially but then it passed, the sun came out, and the humidity just hung in the air.  Came in and just watched a move

Still relaxing....

June 8, Thursday

Slept real good again and long... got up once.  Temps are still a little cool with rain showers in the area.  Fixed some Raisin Bran cereal with fresh strawberries and a banana.  Got things ready to go, took one last trike ride, and put it away.  Ready to go, but seems awful early to head back.  

Some showers came in again so got a late start which is not a bad thing.  I had a smooth trip back stopping again at Boonslick Rest stop.  Started generator which started very easily and microwaved some hot dogs... sure tasted great.  Got home about 4 pm so just unloaded the food.

Great trip.... Thank you Lord!!

Damsite COE, Pomme De Tere Lake (May 15-18, 2023)

 May 15, Monday

Had a nice trip down... no wind.  Did have some rain but no problems.  I stopped once at Kingdom City, but drove the rest of the way with no problems.  

I had put some chemical in the black tank because it is still not reading right and these were suppose to clean them.  Don't know if the chemicals cleaned them or not but it didn't fix the problem.  I just needed to empty the tanks when I got to the campground.  Well, it seems that everyone leaves late because it was 1:00 pm and there was a line waiting to empty their tanks.  I decided to go to my site and just not hook up.  So I waited a while thinking that I would be open and went back but the same camper was still there and so I decided that He must be about done and got in line because there was only one more after him.  I think I sat there another 10 min and the first guy was still there.  So I decided to go back and have lunch and come back later.  I did that and now a line had formed again with 3 more campers.  I just went back and hooked up.  Well, it started raining and came down pretty good and didn't stop.  Finally, about 8 pm the rain broke and I went over.....  it was open and I got the tanks emptied.  Returned to my spot and it started raining again.

Didn't get to finish setting everything out because the rain kept coming down.  Watched a movie, fixed some cereal for supper and went to bed.

May 16, Tuesday

Got up about 8:00 am, fixed some coffee and went outside to finish setting everything and to fix breakfast over a fire..... it was still raining... light, but enough to just put the awning out get my chair out and sat outside under the awning in the light rain.... still enjoyed it.  Best laid plans.  Came in and fixed some eggs and bacon on the stove and watched another movie.  

Rain finally stopped and got everything set up and took a bike ride.  Stopped to talk with a Danny who was a fisherman.  He had been out a little earlier and said he laid down his fishing rod to get something and a fish took the hook... and the rod.  He never saw it again.  

Still haven't got a fire going because still getting occasional light drizzle and heavy fog.  So watched another movie. If I am stuck inside, this is still a great place to be stuck.

Drizzle/fog just doesn't want to go away so haven't had a fire yet..... try breakfast...

May 17, Wednesday

Slept really good....  found a better way to integrate a pillow in the sleeping setup to raise my feet to keep swelling down.  No swelling this morning... (strange how I find thankfulness in small things....God is so good)

This is the morning I have been waiting for..... sun came out... Temps still cool...  had French Toast & bacon over a fire.  Oh so good... thank you Lord.  

Took a long bike ride and actually got to Pomme De Terre State Park.  Just went to part of it but hopping to go back this afternoon.  Stopped to talk with Danny and his wife, Victoria, and of course they really admired my trike.  

Did take a ride back to the state park and this time took a look at the campground.  Over all I traveled about 13 miles today and it really felt good.  My knee was feeling better when I had finished than before.  I think this has really helped it.  

Fixed some hamburgers on the fire and they were delicious, of course....

May 18, Thursday

Slept really good again last night.  The sun isn't going down until after 8 pm so staying up later but still getting up early.  

Fixed fire this morning and had bacon and pancakes for breakfast.  Then will need to start packing up to get ready to take off.  

Mill Creek COE, Table Rock Lake (May 1-6)

 May 1, Monday

Departed Very easily in the morning. had planned to get away by 10 o'clock but but actually got away by 9. picked up some propane and the trip down was rather eventful with wind. Not terrible but enough to constant attention. Stop at a rest area on the way to Waynesville and this made the trip much easier. not being a hurry I traveled about 60 mph, even in the 70 mile per hour zone.

Got to Waynesville and to the Roubidoux campground. it's not really anything to brag about, really basic but with full hookups.  But for $20/night, I am not complaining.  It is good for overnight but not worth staying for any length of time.  

Took a bike ride but my knee made peddling difficult, so ended up us power mostly.  Not much to see within bike riding area especially since the main roads are not designed to allow trikes to safely ride with traffic.

May 2, Tuesday

Slept really good.   Looks like the winds will be lighter today.... hopefully.  Weather is good but got down to 44 F this morning so kind of chilly.

the trip to Mill Creek Campground was still quite windy. although, I did start kidding a tailwind after Springfield, so that helped in a way. Mill Creek Campground is kind of an older COE campground, but it is still pretty still pretty nice. I am on the site 58 and it has both electric and water. This makes it very nice. Set up easily enough but had a little problem with the hookups pretty far to the rear of the camper and had to use my second electrical electrical cable to reach the box. The view at the site absolutely wonderful. Got the bike unloaded and took a ride around the campground,, but my knee wouldn't allow me to pedal so I had to use electric all the way.

I got pretty tired and ended up taking a nap in the afternoon. Took a little bit too long of a nap because I still tired and ended up just watching a movie. I think I am not drinking my water again. The sunset was really pretty. I watched one of my favorite movies, The Fugitive, and it was still good. But it was three hours long and ended up staying up until about 10 o'clock.

At least the site is nice So even if I can't ride a lot I can enjoy the scenery.

May 3, Wednesday

I slept just OK last night, and got up early as normal. My leg is swollen again so found a wrap in my first aid kit and wrapped it up last night which seemed to help it some. Guess I should have kept the appointment with the doctor. Still a stubborn old German

Took another bike ride and my knee was feeling a lot better.  This really is a nice park.  I rode all around it and I don't think there is any site that doesn't have a view of the lake.  Fixed Bacon and eggs over a fire for breakfast, egg rolls for lunch, and hamburgers for supper.  Everything seems to be going pretty well except for my leg and ankle being swollen.  I am keeping it wrapped and it doesn't seem to be limiting me from doing anything.   

Satellite is working well and I am surprised because I do have several trees all around me.  I guess I parked in just the right spot.  Took another bike ride this afternoon.  Nice and cool so I am really enjoying the fire.  

I got this game on my phone that I kept it going for about 2 hours so I didn't get to bed until close to 11:00 pm.  Decided that I shouldn't play it at night.  

May 4, Thursday

Slept pretty good considering I didn't get to bed until late.  Still woke up early and couldn't go back to sleep.  I had to get up early because I had to drive to dump the tanks at sunrise.  Leg is still swollen but still not limiting me.... drinking a lot of water.  

Fixed some bacon and pancakes over the fire this morning and of course they were delicious. 

Took a bike ride this morning and when I got back I put the trike on the back ready for travel because it is suppose to rain through the night.  Might be some rain tomorrow when I head back.  Thankfully there is no wind so I am able to put the awning out and sill sit outside.  

The rain came.... but it was a gentle rain and I did sit outside.  It was very peaceful and I think I just sat there and took in another perspective of God's creation. The awning work very well.  Spent the rest of the day just catching up on some things and watched another movie.  

May 5, Friday

Slept OK.....  I went to bed about 7:30 and slept until midnight, went to bathroom and couldn't go back to sleep.  So I watched a Diagnostic Murder for an hour and than slept for another 4 hours.  Just being flexible.  When I did get up I noticed that neither my knee, leg, nor ankle was swollen..... go figure.....

Also pain was just old age pains..... God is so good!!

Reference picture above......  that is a bird nest and I have watched really little birds going to it frequently.  As I was sitting outside this morning, it had stopped raining, and I notice that a big crow landed right next to the nest.  The next thing I saw was the little birds were swooping at the crow making many passes.  The crow kept jerking every time they came close and it finally took off never to return.  God certainly has a way protecting the little guys on his earth.  

Finished packing and took off about 10:00 am.  The winds were still blowing, but not too hard so it was a pretty good trip to Waynesville.  Suppose to be a Farmers Market at the campground tomorrow, so I might just drop by.  

Got to Waynesville with no real problems, except the wind continues to blow but not as bad as before.  Waynesville is the same since I parked in the same place.  They did have a Farmers Market and seemed to be a lot of people there, but I decided not to go and just start for home.  

The drive went well.... seems that driving between 1-2 hours and then stopping is good.  Got home and David/Mary were working in my front yard.... wow.... did it look great.  They weeded the front and put down a lot of mulch including making an area around the little tree.  Things looked great inside too.  I am so blessed!!

Gun Creek COE / Riverside Landing 4/10-15/2023

 April 10, Monday

Got up and worked out with David who took me over to get my RV.  I ate breakfast and then finished packing.  I found it very easy with some early packing and then only had refrig and a few other last minute items to pack.  Even went to the store and still got out by about 10:30.  I used Google maps but didn't want to go through St Louis so I took 270 North and didn't check it before I left.  I had put in a stop at the rest area to eat lunch, but Google took me a strange way.  I should have checked it before I left but ended up on some 2 lane roads which turned out OK.  I should know better... Check the route Google lays out before starting to use it.

But got to Gun Creek just the same and the weather is absolutely wonderful.  Warmed up a bit this afternoon, but felt good.  Finished off the left-overs from Easter lunch and it was still great.  Got everything set up easily but the spot (#50) still took some leveling.  Looks like #49 would have been better.

Took a bike ride around the campground and saw where spot #27 would have been great.  Then I just junk the food the rest of the day.  Got a good internet connection and satellite is weak - too many trees.

April 11, Tuesday

Slept good.... especially for the first night.  Everything is working good.  Seems like I am always thanking God for all of his gifts to me on this trip.  Fixed a fire this morning and had bacon and eggs which were, of course, delicious.   

Relaxed through the morning just puttering around...including killing 3 wasps and a couple of bees.  Think that did it.  Almost feel like their homes were on the camper.  Fixed an egg roll for lunch -  tried warming it over a fire and it didn't seem to add anything to it.  

After lunch took a long bike ride, about 10 miles total, and got to some areas that I had not been to before as this was the longest ride I think I have taken on my bike.  It was really great.  On the map I saw and then found a North Marcum campground that look like it hadn't been used for 20 years as it was all overgrown and could barely see the sites themselves.  Rode to the Marcum boat launch and then to the South Marcum Recreation area, which includes a beach, but it was open so wasn't able to explore it. I only saw two other people on the trail... looked like a couple on bikes going the opposite direction. Saw just her coming back as I headed for the camper.  There are more areas to explore so will probably come back this way next time.  My left knee started hurting on the way back so ended up using just electric for awhile to rest it.  The strange thing is that the left knee is the one that was replaced.... the right knee was fine.  It just goes to show that what God creates is much better than what man creates.  

By the time I got back though I was worn out so just junked it for supper and watch a couple of movies.  Using my Ethernet connection to the internet worked well until I ran out of hotspot data.  The strange thing is that it still showed I had an internet connection but only partially worked.  It didn't always load something, but other times it would load.  Haven't got it figured out yet, but I did notice that if I did a speed check on the Firestick that it would load..... interest.  Going to do some more testing.  

April 12, Wed

Slept good again.  Weather continues to be great..... thank you Lord!!  Got up this morning and did the dishes.  I had tried Wendy's way of just waiting until I got home and put them in the dish washer, but the sink got too filled up.  Doing the on the trip seems to work best for me.

Fixed french toast and bacon over the fire and as always, it was delicious.  Just kind of messed around the camp and enjoying, relaxing God's blessings. Still trying to figure out all the aspects of using Ethernet for my internet.  It didn't seem to work at all with Google TV and just sometimes with Firestick.  It does always seem to work using Firestick and going to Tubi and Feefee. Maybe it is just using apps that it works, but again that only worked through Firestick and not at all through Google TV.  The Ethernet does work on the laptop all the time.  

Fixed some hamburgers over the fire for lunch which were again delicious.  Took a bike ride around the campground and I did notice that there were a lot of Class B campers, which I think are the younger generation.  The weather continues to be wonderful....again I thank you Lord!!

Just junked it again for supper....  I think I have too many sweets around and no will power.

April 13, Thu

Slept good except after the bathroom I couldn't get back to sleep so I watch a movie and then slept for another 3 hours not getting up til after 7 am.   Today I take off for Riverside Landing.  Don't have to be out of here until 3 pm, so no hurry.  Did't really do match the rest of the day. Decided not to take the bike off of the back end because I was going to drive in tomorrow for a Bible study.

The trip to Riverside landing went pretty easy. Stopped at the rest area and had some lunch and then drove on in. Campton spot #15.

Found out that they have a campground host who is here only on weekends. his name is Craig. He has my favorite spot #9 reserved for the weekends for the rest of the year. He is retired from Saint Charles County. He also wears suspenders, which is kind of nice to see somebody else.

They still have the trains, but I hardly notice them anymore.

April 14, Fri

Got up after sleeping quite well and took a shower to get ready for Bible study. Bible study was pretty good this morning. Naturally, it was great to see Cari.

Another camper came in this afternoon and they were fairly new at camping. they had a trailer so it was really entertaining to watch her giving him directions to get it parked. The host was giving them some pointers on parking, So I thought it best not for me to say anything to them as well.

Check my bike off the rack and took bike ride around the area. went in went into the area that is supposed to have carries old camper frame but couldn't find anything that looked home built.. I did find out one thing, all the wasps that I've been having we're coming from a nest that was under my bike cover. I always thought it was strange they seem to be hanging around the camper so much. I had killed two more wasps here.

Fixed some pizza for lunch and for some reason it was really really good. Fixed it in the oven and it got nice and crispy which is what I think made it taste so good.

Watched a really beautiful sunset over the river.

April 15, Sat

well it's time to go home today. **** really good again last night and fix some pancakes and bacon this morning. Just fixed them over a stove. I didn't feel like Getting all the stuff out to fix it over a fire.

McNair COE, IL /Riverside Landing 5-9 March, 2023

 Mar 5, Sunday

Went to church this morning and it was really nice.... the whole family was there and we all had lunch together.  Seems like it has been a while.   Had already packed the camper, including the refrigerator, and took it back to storage yesterday.  Went home to change after lunch to pick up the last minute items and change clothes.  Ended up leaving about 2:30 which is fine.  The weather was great.... really warm temps and clear skies.... in March, no less.  Had a nice trip to McNair COE, on lake Carlyle.  Staying at McNair Dam East campground.  There is also a West, which is closed still.  East is right on the Kaskaskia River running from the dam.  I pulled into the wrong spot which the host came by the same time I realized it.  He is also an Air Force Vietnam vet. So I moved down a couple of sites to the one I reserved.  Got set up easily and didn't do much else except took a short ride down the trail along the river.  

This is actually from the first, wrong, site I was at.

Mon, March 6

Weather is absolutely wonderful.  Got up and slept pretty good... again, first night.  Fixed eggs and bacon over fire.... great.  Then took a long bike ride.  Ended going over a trail/road which went over the dam.  There were signs that said the road was closed, but that usually doesn't mean for bikes..... at least to me.  It was a long trek to the other side and when I got to the dam itself I saw where they were painting it.  Spoke to some works as I went by and no one said anything to me so I thought I was all right.  Got to the other side and there were some more camping spots, a beach, a marina .... for sail boats.  So I explored the area and then headed back across the dam.  This time there was a sign stating 'no admittance'  but I didn't have much a choice since I had to get back to the other side and this was it.  More workers and there were very nice as I passed by.  Ended up being about a 5 mile trip.  Kind of didn't do much the rest of the morning.  Had lunch and then took off again to explore the West Campground. It is right on the lake itself and was and was really nice. Since it was closed the maintenance people were in cleaning up the campground. they have a lot of trails for bikes in the area and I took off on one which was along the lake. Didn't go too far but it was really nice. Seems like this is a great campground for bike riding. Again the trip was about 5 miles. Kinda rested the rest of the afternoon until fixed a fire and hamburgers. The day was warmer than yesterday and just absolutely beautiful. Thank you Lord.  

Noticed the winds had shifted so there was a frontal system that came through and started the cool things down a bit. Still great.  I think the high temperature was around 75 degrees.

Tue, March 7

Slept really good last night. Heading over to Riverside Landing Campground.  add some pancakes and bacon this morning although I didn't fix it over the fire. Got the camper kind of cleaned up and and took a bike ride the other direction on the trail next to my camper. Turns out there's a couple of neat bridges on the trail, one that goes over the Kaskaskia River.

Left about noon and drove over to Hazlet State Park to check it out.  It looks nice and seems to have a lot of things there.  Got to Riverside Landing about 1:45 and got set up easily.  Don't think I will take bike off as it is suppose to rain/snow tonight.

Wed, March 8, 

Slept pretty good until about 1:30 and after going to bathroom couldn't go back to sleep.  Ended up watching George Stratt in Pure Country.... don't know what it is that I like that movies so much.  It is raining and looks like it is going to continue.  Took shower which felt really good.  I still like being in the camper watching TV rather than being home watching TV, so all is still good.  Did see a police car drive through. I am the only one here.  There was suppose to be someone on Site 9 which is the one I wanted but not there.  I just might move there after Bible Class/Lunch....

Bible class and lunch w/Cari were great.  Did move to Site 9 when I got back and it turned out that it had my name on it.  Now I am really confused......

Didn't do much the rest of the day.  The rain did stop but wind and cold just kept me inside.  Didn't do much of anything but... sadly... eat.  Fixed some cinnamon rolls........ 

Thursday, March 9

Slept pretty good, but the electric heater quit working so had to turn on the furnace which was bad.  I was thinking about ordering a second heater for the bathroom so that I would not have to keep the door open.  So, I went ahead and ordered 2 heaters.  

Took a short walk and then got ready to go..... really easy when you don't unpack much.

Left for home... short drive.

Riverside Landing 17-20 Feb 2023

 Did something a little different this time because I am completing this blog after I have gotten back home. overall it was a really great trip since this is a relatively new park. They do have great level sites that are concrete, with the play bad part is that they install the fire it's a pretty good distance away from the pad. Went there on Friday afternoon, February 17, and as it turned out I received my phone back from a repair on the same Day. So I was busy getting my phone taken care of and this is the first time out this year so A lot of things to get situated again.. ended up just having a frozen fried chicken dinner for supper.  Didn't sleep all that well because I tried to use my sleeping bag which didn't turn out too well. The next night I used a blanket with the sleeping bag liner that I use every night every night. And I slept like a rock. I did go to church on Sunday morning, actually Kerry came and picked me up. It was pretty good, but it was a really warm day so when I got back to the camper I took a nice long bike ride. Seems like I ate all the sweet stuff, and not and not very healthy. Discovered I only have 5G with hot spot data and ran out of data, so I bought another $20 worth which gave me only another 10G. But then I got the satellite working good and that's where I used most of the time. Seems like that's what I'm going to end up having to use for the most part on my camping trips here. Slept good again Sunday night and fix some eggs and bacon on Sunday morning. Had some rain Sunday  evening, so it was a little wet on Monday morning. I did get to use my awning for the first time And that turned out really well. Took another bike ride on Monday morning and then just took my time getting things packed up and ready to go. I did get to use my new electric chair and electric coat which kept me nice and warm. Only had a fire a couple of times because of cold and rain.

I did find that this campground had some pretty good benefits, besides being very close. The only Downer is a train that runs fairly frequency right by the campground. Got things packed up so slowly that but I didn't get out of there until 1 o'clock they do have a dump which was easy to use, but the water was shut off. The only hookup is electricity, which is enough for me. They have a really neat kayak launching place, which kind of makes me want to get a kayak again.