Time to head south

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.

http://www.wildlifeprairiestatepark.org/

 

 

 

 

 

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.

http://hawkvalleyretreat.com/bandb/

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.

http://galena.org/

On November 9^th 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 11^th 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.

http://www.natalbanycreekcampground.net/

 

My plan is to travel back to Chicago for Thanksgiving and Christmas before heading to Florida for the remainder of the winter. The Amtrak City of New Orleans stops in Hammond Louisiana, only 15 miles south of here, and will be a convenient way to travel back and forth for the holidays. The owners here at Natalbany have no problem with me leaving the rig while I head back north for the 2 visits.

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!