State of Iowa.

We left Mill Point Saturday morning headed for a Walmart on our way to South Sioux City in Nebraska. We knew rain was coming our way and I watched the radar carefully to see where we should wait out the storm. I was hoping e would get to Waterloo on Route 20 in Iowa but we didn't make it.

We ended up stopping in n Iowa City Walmart to wait out the storm and decided to stay there for the night since it got too late. The next morning I had a choice whether to go through Des Moines  or head up North on 380 to route 20. I chose the latter since it was shorter but shorter isn't always better. We were bouncing on the road like in a bouncy castle. I wasn't about to tell Vov that there was another way since he was cussing under his mustache the whole way through.

Mill Point Park

It was a pleasant stay in Peoria, IL. We had a nice, relaxing cruise on a paddlewheel boat on Peoria lake that was interestingly narrated by a recording. The calliope was also recorded, although it was sitting right up there on the deck.

The park was a little unkept but right on the lake. There was white fluff flying around all 5 days that we were there. It got in to absolutely everything, inside and out. The worst part was when it rained and the fluff turned to mush getting caught in Sasha's paws. That's when I decided I am getting meself a Dyson vacuum cleaner for Christmas.

The 4 nights in the park cost us $52 and the area had lots of shopping and attractions, The Zoo. 

Milton Point Park, East Peoria

Sunset on Peoria Lake. 

East Peoria, IL

Left Summit Lake around 10 am. 260 miles today to get to Millpoint Park.  We took 36 through Pendleton and on to 38 through Noblesville, where I counted 3 yarn stores. Took a lot of will power to pass them by, must return to this place someday. Then on to 32 through  Westfield and Lebanon.

Between Westfield and Lebanon Route 32 was flooded eastbound. Another good rain and we would have been stuck in the corn fields.

Summit Lake State Park Indiana

Summit Lake State Park  5993 N. Messick Rd New Castle, IN 765-766-5873

This is the first park we encountered that charges admission to the park as well as camping fees.

So what do you do in a state park when it's raining the second afternoon in a row? You make fire roasted Veal Osso-Bucco.

On the way here we stopped at Kroger's in Sidney, Ohio. They have a generous section of organic produce and I filled my cart. Also the young man behind the seafood counter was very knowledgable about all the fish that was on display. Refreshing, to see young people who love what they do.

Summit Lake is a 2680 acre state park with an 800 acre lake. Fishing, bird watching , hiking and boat rentals are some of the activities. We only stopped here for 2 nights since it was on our way. Tomorrow on to Peoria, IL. There we get our mail and take a cruise on the river.

Alumapalooza 5 comes to an end

After many new friends and 7 days of fun Alumapalooza 5 comes to an end. After Andy's evaluation that our hitch is hooked up all wrong we headed southwest to Summit Lake Park in Indiana which is an easy 100 mile ride.
Of course, we wish we could go to visit Andy's dealership in London, Ontario but unfortunately our passports are somewhere in transit.

South on 75 to Route 36 we finally turn West and go through some beautiful farm country.

Season 2014 Begins...

First night of the season it's 59 degrees in the trailer this morning and it's 52 degrees outside in Silver River State Park in Ocala, FL. Just yesterday we were complaining of terrible heat back home.

A welcome sign to camping has been 3 ticks that I took off of my legs sitting by the campfire, one of which started to dig in to my skin but barely.

On the bright side, the park is beautiful and the Silver River is the clearest water we have ever seen outside of an aquarium.