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.