Texas to Indiana

The rest of the trip was uneventful.  We did take some country roads in Texas to see new scenery.  Lots of farmland and tiny towns.

         

We found a nice Passport America park at Shallow Creek  RV Resort near Gladewater.

One of our favorite campgrounds is Arrowhead Lake near Johnston City, IL.   It has a nice country setting and low prices.  We try to stop for a few nights anytime we’re in the area.

This time we were there on my birthday.  I chose to celebrate with a hike around Arrowhead Lake.  It’s an easy 2 mile hike.

Heading West Again

Several years ago, we stayed at the tiny campground, Arrowhead Lake, near Johnson City, Illinois.  We were delighted with both the campground and the price ($8.00 per night).

Imagine our surprise when we stopped this year, and found the campground had made some cosmetics improvements, and the price is still $8.00 (7.00 seniors)!

The campground is on the banks of Arrowhead Lake, and a walking trail runs along the banks.  These are photos we snapped of the office, picnic shelter, trail, log chapel and campground.

          

             

       

       

       

       

       

In contrast, a few days later we chose the 5 Star RV Park near Tyler, TX from our Passport America listings.  Yep, that’s the name, 5 Star.  We drove several miles down a narrow country highway to find the park.

      

When we finally located it, the “5 Star” park was nothing more than grass sites.  There was no Rec hall, laundry, or restrooms.   Texas has been in a state of drought now for several years, and the brown grass crackled underneath our feet.  To his credit, the owner said he had purchased the park rather recently, and had several improvements planned.  Our Passport price was $14, which means non-member customers are paying $28.00 nightly.  What a contrast to a few nights ago at Arrowhead Lake.

Rathbun Lake C.O.E.

The roadtrip today was similar to yesterday.  A little variety was added with the addition of soybean fields to the cornfields J.   Once beyond the Mississippi River  the flat farmlands turned to rolling hills, with many picturesque small farm buildings from the past visible.  This barn reminded me of Dad’s. We are spending a couple nights at the Rathbun Lake Prairie Ridge Campground near Centerville, IA. The water level is high.  The boat launch ramp is not even visible, and the trees are standing in water. The campground gets its name from the tall grass prairies with its many wildflowers.  An effort was made in 1971 to re-establish the tall grass prairies here.   Several monarchs were feeding on the milkweed blossoms as we walked. The weather is very humid.

From Bloomington, IN to Bloomington, IL

We’re on the road again!  We traveled Interstate 74 today, a new route for us.  The roadsides remained the same from Indiana into Illinois, as we passed cornfield after cornfield.

We have found, as we’ve passed through Illinois before, that the state has some of the best rest stops we have found.  The pictures below are from the welcome station on I-74 as you enter Illinois.

In front of the information area is an antique road grader. A little research turned up that this pull type grader model was manufactured between 1905 and 1961.The operator spent his days standing unprotected on open grader.

A short walking path winds near a small lake behind the center.

     

Fort Worth to Bloomington

  Although there were several stormy days and nights, the rest of the trip back to Indiana was uneventful.  We spent a couple of nights at Heyburn Lake C.O.E. in Oklahoma.   Despite the beautiful location, we spent our time indoors as the wind was too strong to take walks.

The weather cleared up by the time we reached Carlyle Lake C.O.E. in Illinois.  We had spent time here a few years ago.  This time we parked one of its smaller camping areas;  the second night, we were the only campers there.

We felt like we’d arrived home when we reached McCormick’s Creek State Park in Indiana.  We spent 2 nights at the park, visiting with friends, Diann and Rick.  We will return to McCormick's in June to camp host for a month, as we have for the past 3 summers.

Summer Trips with the Grandchildren

July was a busy month for us, as we traveled with each of our four grandchildren. The first week was spent in Gatlinburg with Cameron, then we drove up to Ron’s brother Gary’s cabin in the hills of Kentucky for our
"Christmas in July"

The view from his cabin almost makes you feel as if you’re still in the Smokies.

Seventeen family members were able to attend.

Gary had planned the event well, right down to a “Charlie Brown” Christmas tree and animated Santa.

Everyone spent the night, then we, along with granddaughters Chelsey and Alyssa, returned to Gatlinburg.

"Our Time with the Kids"

The two weeks in the Smokies with the kids followed the same pattern with the exception of the first day with Cameron, when we took a side trip through the Cumberland Gap area. We spent some time there hiking up to the original gap through the mountains that Daniel Boone used when first crossing the Appalachians.

Our pictures here on the blog page and in the slideshow (accessible at end of this post) are a combination of both weeks, the first with Cameron, and the second with the girls. Our first day each week in the Smokies was spent driving over the mountains from Gatlinburg to Cherokee, NC.

Cameron’s week held lots of rain showers, and the views really pointed out how the mountains earned their name.

However during the next week, the views were much different.

Of course, the highlight of a drive in the mountains is the hike up to Clingman’s Dome, the highest point in the Smokies.

Although the dome was partially enshrouded in clouds both times, the clouds still parted enough for us to get some great photo opportunities.

Everyone enjoyed the stops along the Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail, but perhaps Cameron most of all, as we spotted a mother bear and two cubs.

A seven mile road winds through the Artisan community. We stopped to watch a potter “throw” a dish, and really enjoyed the demonstration by a dulcimer builder.

The day we hiked to Laurel Falls was the exciting day for the girls when they had their chance to spot bears. A mother and her triplets crossed the trail while we were at the falls.

One of the little ones became alarmed and scampered up a tree. We got lots of photos before Mama decided to return for him.

Ron and I made a trip to the Smokies around 1980. One of the few attractions in Gatlinburg that looks familiar still is the Ober Gatlinburg Tram and chairlift, so we wanted the grandchildren to experience it with us again.

The tram travels about halfway up the mountain...

Then the chairlift takes you to the top...

Where a trio performs mountain music all day.

After the trip to the Smokies, we picked up our oldest granddaughter, Cassandra. Her choice of destination was much different from the others. Last year, one of her college classes was in anthropology. After reading of the Cahokia Indian Mounds in western Illinois, she wanted to see them.

We spent two mornings exploring the large area.

We were intrigued by a large “sundial” that has been recreated. It is believed that the Indians used this as their annual calendar, marking the seasons by the shadows cast from the poles.

A scenic drive along the Mississippi River

Took us to Grafton. We found the portions at a local fish market to be almost overwhelming. The catfish (one of Grandpa’s favorite choices) and the buffalo fish, lower left in picture, (Cassie and I were brave enough to try it) are caught from the river each morning, and served for lunch that day.

Along the drive a painting on the bluff caught our eye. We learned the painting is of Piasa, a legendary creature . In 1673, when Marquette and Joliet explored the area, they found such a painting, and were told by the Indians it was a “bird that devours men”. The Indians were very superstitious of the area.

We stopped for a tour atop a lock and dam on the river, although we were not fortunate enough to catch a barge making it’s way through the locks.

Our last stop of the trip was New Harmony, IN.

After viewing the exhibits and film in the Interpretive center, we walked the streets of the village. Cassie was intrigued by the two labyrinths, one of stone, and one of hedge.

It’s been a great month, traveling with the kids, and we’re glad we had the opportunity.

We are now back at McCormick’s Creek, and as soon as I can get Grandpa to wake up, we’ll be back on the job camp-hosting.

For a slide show of more photos from the trips, click here.