Well it’s been some time since I posted an update here and I
hardly know where to begin.
I did make it back to the mid-west before the big snows hit
the Dakotas in late September. I hurried along, spending one night at Eagle
Rest RV Park in Chadron Nebraska and one at Hagge County Park near Sac City
Iowa. I can recommend both of these places as they have full hookups at very reasonable
prices. Eagle Rest is right on US 20 so the highway noise is a bit more than at
Hagge County Park which is several miles south of US 20. Both places are close
to restaurants / shopping and while both offer shower facilities, only Eagle
Rest offers laundry facilities.
I spent most of October at Paul Wolf Campground in Elgin
Illinois, Kettle Moraine State Forest near Eagle Wisconsin and Rock Cut State
Park near Rockford Illinois. While at Kettle Moraine my friend Donna took the
Amtrak to Milwaukee where I picked her up. She enjoyed spending time in the
woods, having grilled steaks for dinner and roasting marshmallows over the
campfire.
I was also invited to go sailing on Lake Michigan. My friend
Bonnee is a member of the Milwaukee Community Sailing Center and she organized
a day sail on “Reliance”, a 30 foot
C&C, with a crew of 5. I couldn’t very well pass that up as the end of the
sailing season was very near. It was great to be on the water again and to meet
new people. It was a cool but very sunny day with fair winds and we all enjoyed
my last sail of the season.
Photos are compliments of Bonnee.
Toward the end of the month Ronna and I decided to take a
short, 2 day trip to Wildlife Prairie Park near Hanna Illinois. We took the
camper and spent the night at Jubilee College State Park which is also near
Hanna City and only about 8 miles from Wildlife Prairie. Strange name for a
state park until one looks further into it:
“Named Jubilee College
in 1839 by its founder, Episcopal Bishop Philander Chase in expression of his
thankfulness and joy, the college was one of the earliest educational
enterprises in Illinois. Through a series of misfortunes climaxed by the
Bishop's death, the college closed in 1862. In 1933 the college and grounds,
consisting of 93 acres, were presented to the state of Illinois. Since that
time, the Department of Natural Resources increased the acreage to 3,200. The
college closed in 2008, however, the college building, placed on the National
Register of Historic Places in 1972, has been restored to its original
appearance and is under the management of the Illinois Historic Preservation
Agency.”
We made a quick stop at the old college campus on the way to
the park but found the building closed due to the time of year. We are planning
a trip back there next June when we can tour the building.
Wildlife Prairie Park is a great place to spend a day. Black
bears, grey wolves, bison, cougars, bobcats and others are kept in a natural
setting and provide some good photo opportunities. There is a gift shop, places
to grab a snack and a small working farm as well.
Oh, if you’re ever in the area of Hanna City Illinois, don’t
miss the chicken dinner at Gil’s Supper Club. Some of the best fried chicken
and coleslaw I’ve had.
If you decide to visit the northwest corner of Illinois be
sure to stop in Galena. Ronna and I chose to live it up a bit and spend 2
nights at Hawk Valley Retreat near there before I headed south for the winter. Hawk
Valley is a quiet, beautiful place with wonderful hosts and delicious
breakfasts.
Galena became a boomtown during the civil war because of the
lead mines. The city is named for the mineral "galena", the natural
form of lead sulfide and is known for its history, historical architecture, ski
and golf resorts. It’s the home of Ulysses S. Grant and tours of his home, as
well as other mansions, are available. Trolley tours of the town are very
informative and a good way to get an overview. A wide variety of food and
antique shops abound.
On November 9th I left the great, soon to be
white, north and headed for warmer climates. My first one night stop was at the
Army Corps of Engineers Gun Creek Campground near Rend Lake IL and my second night
was spent at the Army Corp of Engineers North Abutment Campground on Granada
Lake in Mississippi. Both of these were very nice places to stay and, with my
America the Beautiful Senior Pass, only $8 / $10 a night. I pulled into
Natalbany Creek RV Park during the early afternoon of November 11th
and will be staying here for several weeks.
Have to say I’m pleased with this place; about 135 sites,
all with full hookups and a monthly rate of 399.00 plus tax. Shower and laundry
facilities are very clean and, because there are only about 20 rigs here at the
moment, very quiet. The place is right outside the city of Amite (pronounced
aim-it) Louisiana with a Walmart and a variety of restaurants only a few miles
down the road.
During the first week of December there is a truck camper rally
being held in Branson Missouri which I have already made reservations to
attend.
Well, that’s about all for now. Hope this update finds
everyone happy and healthy!
