The Journal of 2008-09

Sunday, November 30, 2008

We took off this morning at 10AM with the threat of snow hanging over us but the temperature was pleasant and somewhere in the thirties.  We got a call from Julie, our daughter-in-law, and she told us that the forecast was saying that there might be upwards of 9 inches before tomorrow morning.  When we left home there was a slight flurry activity taking place.  Before we reached Crivitz, WI (50 miles from home (and three hours later)) we hand run up on two car accidents and snow conditions that almost reached a white-out.  We both figured that Green Bay would be our stop for the night, but by the time we reached there, we couldn't see a flake of snow on the ground, or any in the sky.  The sun actually made an appearance for a time.

We reached West Bend about 3:30 in the afternoon and about 3 inches of snow was on the road and a cessation did not appear in sight.  We parked our rig and disconnected the car to complete our trip to Stephanie and Mark's where we would celebrate Christmas with the kids.  It had been a harrowing journey but not quite as bad as the blizzard we had to drive through in Iowa a couple of years ago on our way home from the winter solstice.

Here I sit typing at 7 in the morning afraid to open the shades for fear of what I may discover outside.  It was still snowing when we went to bed last night at 12:30.  We'll just have to tough-it-out for whatever we discover.

Monday, December 1, 2008

When we got up this morning the windshield was frozen with ice and there were snowdrifts all over.  She offered to go out and collect our electric cords so I let her.

We headed out from Sean and Julie's this morning about 10 AM and knew we'd never make it to McD's for Breakfast.  We had to stop at Flying J for Fuel since we only filled about 10 gallons last night in West Bend.  Our low fuel light came on just before we got there and we knew we'd never make it to Oak Creek.  We also paid 4 cents more for it last night, than it was at home.  Go figure.  Sharon didn't offer to fill the tank so I knew who was going to do it.  It was colder than a witches thorax out there in the wind.  Now I know why she didn't offer.

We got to McD's just after 10:30 so we had to settle for a Double Quarter Pounder with Cheese and Fries.  We met my sister Marge and her husband Wally there and stayed just long enough to eat.  We were anxious to get on the road and moving.  They had brought us a Kringle so we dutifully accepted it and headed out again.

By 3:30 in the afternoon, we had gotten lost a couple of times by making the wrong turns cause the snow was covering up the road signs. it started to get cold enough for the blowing snow to turn to ice on the road so we looked for a place to stop for the night.  We were quite short of our planned destination so we stopped at the Princess Wenona RV Oasis, a gas station with hook-ups, for the night.  It was quite quiet last night but it seems our water is frozen this morning.

Tuesday, December 2, 2008

Our water stayed frozen until we stopped for the night at Cuba, MO.  This morning it was still "ugly cold" when we got ready to leave for the day.  The roads were clear, however, the windshield washer also stayed frozen until we got well into Missouri.  When I finally got the windshield washed the sun came out and it was a nice day, temperature included.

We had intended to stop at Sullivan, MO for gas but because we got lost the other day, I was afraid we'd be a little short of Sullivan.  We stopped for 10 gallons just before we got to Sullivan.  At Sullivan we filled up for $1.359.

We continued on to Cuba, MO before we stopped at our campground.  We were hoping to be in Branson tonight but the cold weather dealt us a bad hand.We should be there by tomorrow night.  Besides "we're retired" so what's the hurry.

The "Merrimec Valley RV Resort" is quite nice even though it's quite empty in here.  That situation makes for a quiet night so we're not complaining.

We heard about a Truck Wash on the Interstate and we think we'll hit that before we really get rolling in the morning.

Wednesday, December 3, 2008

We got rolling about 9 this morning and found the Truck Wash in Cuba and found out there are 200 of these babies in the U.S.  It's nice to know because I have no desire to wash this motorhome anymore.  It cost us $47 but that also included the car.  We dragged the whole rig through.  It was a great idea until it started to sprinkle even before we got out of town.  By the time we got a hundred miles down the road, it was raining pretty regular.

We stopped at Lambert's Café for lunch and I pigged out on "Throwed Rolls".  I ordered Chicken Wings and actually ate a couple of them this time instead of taking them home and eating them later.

By the time we got back outside, the wind was really howling and it was still sprinkling somewhat.  We actually only had about an hour to drive to get to Branson and our exit.  After we exited it took some doing to get to our campground.  The directions left a lot to be desired, and it seemed like they were made before the changes to the highway here.  We made it only taking one wrong turn but that's a major thing when you're driving the rig we're driving.  We settled into Treasure Lake RV and there were quite a few RV's here.  The place is pretty big however.

We scanned the brochures and decided we would go to see the Gatlin Brothers show tomorrow morning.  We're getting to the point that we need to pick out the best show that we think we'll enjoy

We headed for the "feathers" early tonight having had another long day.  Tomorrow should be more relaxing.

Thursday, December 4, 2008

It was cold again last night and the furnace ran enough to verify that.  Not quite as cold as it was in Wisconsin and Illinois, but cold.

We took off this morning to see Larry Gatlin and the Gatlin Brothers Show this morning and it was absolutely excellent.  It was almost two hours in length and the time passed very quickly.  It was their Christmas Show and the music was beautiful and very nice indeed.  There were no other performers except the brothers, but they all took their turns doing solos.

After the show we went to Joe's Crab Shack at Branson Landing and ate lunch.  We both had the King Crab Bucket and shared a bottle of wine.  It was everything we expected and it was the first time we had King Crab.  We had a ball cracking the crab and just savoring every bite.  And of course washing it down with the wine was frosting on the cake.  Yumm.  Speaking of Branson Landing, it was quite a surprise for us since we had been here last year, and never knew about it.  It's a Mile and a half of stores near the old historic downtown, and a trolley runs up and down the Landing to deliver shoppers.  Very nice.

We decided that we would stay here an extra day.  Instead of leaving tomorrow, we'll head out the next day.  We stopped at Wal-Mart on the way home but it wasn't a Supercenter so Sharon went next door to the Jubilee to do her grocery shopping.

We got home about 2:30 and after Sharon put the groceries away, we just sat and watched TV.  About 6 or so, Sharon put together some Turkey, Dressing and Gravy and we had sandwiches and Potato Chips.  The sandwiches were very good and went down beautifully.

TV was on the agenda for the night even though we had to look for something to watch from 7-8.  We both went to the sack at 10 having had a very nice day.  It doesn't take much to "poop us out" anymore.

Friday, December 5, 2008

This was the extra day that we stayed for.  We had nothing special to do today except that Sharon wanted to go to a Flea Market and I wanted to go out for Breakfast.  We stopped at Baldnobbers Restaurant for Breakfast and it was nothing special.  The food was very good and the price was right.  The $4.99 Breakfast seemed to rise when the $2 coffee was added in, however.  Sharon got to her Flea Market but she didn't find anything until she went into a little sports store right next door, and picked up a Birthday gift for our grandson.

We just rode around and found Wal-Mart to pick up some labels for the Newsletter.  We were amazed at the roads that have been constructed around Branson to help you get around without driving down the strip.

We also stopped by American Bandstand Theater to take a couple pictures of the outside of the building for our scrapbook and movie.

In the afternoon we had just planned on dumping the holding tanks until I found out that I had only  l½ lengths of sewer hose and that wasn't enough.  The sewer locations here are in a really weird spot.  So we'll dump on the way out of the campground.

We pretty much just sat around for the rest of the afternoon until supper when Sharon reheated some frozen Lasagna and made Garlic Bread out of some Hot Dog Buns.

We sat in front of the tube for the night even though there wasn't much on.  There was 2 episodes of Numbers on and I like that show, but one was a repeat from October.  At 10 we both headed for the Slumber Room.

Saturday, December 6, 2008

Today was going to be a travel day of sorts.  We intended to take a side trip to Bentonville, AR to see the original "Wal-Mart".  It was actually Sam Walton" 5 and dime in the center of town.

When we got to the office we had a 20 minute delay trying to get our money back for the card/key for the gate.  By the time we got that settled, I was in a huff, but it only lasted a few minutes.  We had better fish to fry.

We stopped for lunch along the way and got into Bentonville about 12:30 on the recommendation of the visitor center manager.  They were having their annual Christmas Parade and you couldn't get near the store.  By the time we arrived only the pony and camel rides were left in the main street.  We spent about an hour in the store and museum.  The museum was filled with memorabilia dating back to the 1940's.  It was very interesting.

Back on the road again and heading for Oklahoma City although we know we won't make it tonight.  We don't have enough time and we hate to drive in the dark even though we'll have to for a short time tonight.

We settled into our campground at the Wal-Mart in Shawnee, OK about 5:30 and just after the sun went down.

We watched TV for the rest of the night and we both settled into the slumber palace about 10-ish.

Sunday, December 7, 2008Happy 34th Anniversary

I was up early this morning and having forgotten to get an anniversary card, I went shopping early into Wal-Mart.  I was back before Sharon knew I was gone.

We left Shawnee this morning headed for Amarillo and BBQ at Dyer's.  We stopped for Breakfast at our first gas stop.  The Cookery at Flying J had a buffet for $7.99 and we stopped for it.  The food was good but the buffet wasn't.  For the price it lacked a variety of Breakfast items.

Today was mainly going to be a travel day and trying to get back on our projected schedule.  We're a day behind at the present time and if we stay less on one of our next two stops we'll be back on time again.  But I don't think either of us is going to be willing to do that.

We rolled into Amarillo about 3:30 in the afternoon at Amarillo West RV Park.  We will have a couple of hours before we go for our anniversary dinner.

We left for Dyer's about 6 and we enjoyed the meal immensely.  Dyer's has the best onion rings EVER.

We came home and I sat on my new Homedics Massager (X-mas present from Sharon) for the rest of the night.  It felt quite good on my aching back.  I don't think the surgery I had on it is working as of yet.

We watched whatever TV was on for the night and then promptly went to see the Sandman at 10.  The TV couldn't have been too god because I fell asleep on and off for the night.