We’ve landed back in familiar territory, Terre Haute Indiana. It’s our 3rd stay here at this campground. We are friends with the manager now, and when I spoke to her prior to our arrival, she said,
“I’ve been waiting for you to get here”
That sense of welcome by a familiar face is priceless. She couldn’t believe how much Benji had grown in a year. We’re parked in the perfect space, big shade trees, lots of grassy area. 2 picnic tables and fire pits, and a view of the barnyard. We listen to the goats bleat in the mornings and the donkey’s call in the afternoon.
They’re signaling that it’s carrot time.
We made our way here via Arkansas, Oklahoma and Missouri. In AR we visited with a friend of my family who has known me for 50+ years. He’s grieving the loss of his wife, and become physically frail. The man is 87 and didn’t quit his pickleball habit till he was 83! We headed to a botanic garden to walk, good for both of us. Benji came along and as usual was the star. Then we headed to his favorite lake walk.
After AR, we made our way to Bartlesville OK. Once settled, we picked up our youngest daughter from the Tulsa airport for a 10 day visit. She’s in between jobs, doing some online work and piecing together a new phase of life. I co-opted her because I wanted a buddy to explore with. We headed to Pawhuska OK to visit the Pioneer Woman’s Mercantile and possibly her ranch.
I’ve been a fan for a number of years, mostly on social media. Cynically- it must be nice to own a town that also serves as a destination business! But hats off to her for all she’s done to revive it. And of course, I had a bit of fun in her shop. We saved eating at her restaurant for Bruce, but missed out as they close on the days he could go. That was the major reasons for visiting Pawhuska.
I was anticipating a Drummond Ranch steak!
There is a reason the musical “Oklahoma” sings “where the wind comes sweeping down the plain”. It doesn’t only sweep – it violently tosses everything in its path! One of the locals told me it never quits.
After OK we headed, with Carolyn, to Lee Summit MO. We’d made friends with a couple last summer, in Terre Haute, who lived there. This time, we stayed in a gorgeous county park, Jacamo Campground.
Pristine park, with stunning views of Lake Jacamo. They even had cement pads! We stayed here a week, had 3 field trips and dinner with our friends. And Bruce felt left out in OK, so he took the week off to be our chauffeur. First trip was to Hamilton MO to see Quilt Town USA. Missouri Star Quilt Company owns 3/4 of Hamilton MO’s downtown. They have multiple stores, each with fabrics themed to the store’s titles. Floral; Sew Seasonal; Kids and Baby; Batik Boutique and so on.
It was charming, and all we could have asked for of a town that caters to the cult of quilting. And I mean cult. The more quilters I meet, the more accurate the name. One sales lady, couldn’t let me go until she told me how many sewing machines she had, and how she acquired them! (10 – inherited, garage sale, car insurance claim, and her own impulse spending). My fault for asking!
Our next field trip was to a living history museum, Missouri Town. Carolyn hearded us out of the RV on a sunny, cold and a ‘blow your head off ‘ day to see Bison and old buildings.
I think we were the only visitors for the hour we were there. It made for a chatty time. We had detailed peeks into the buildings, everyone wanted to escape the cold. Carolyn spent time with the General Store manager and learned of our next field trip. The unearthing of a steamboat from the 1800’s named The Arabia. It even has its own museum. Apparently 4 guys who had nothing better to do with their money, decided to start digging it up to find all the buried goods inside.
The ship was carrying merchandise for general stores along the Mississippi, along with the personal belongings of the passengers. Because only animal based soft items survived, anything made of plant based material disintegrated. It left wool coats with unattached buttons and shoes without laces. It was a fascinating story of people migrating north, and an education about steamboats and the transportation of goods. Also, it was closing in November, yay us!
Once again, wind was our steady companion.
After dropping Carolyn off in Kansas City to head home, we went to Hannibal MO, hometown of Mark Twain. This campground boasted a cave tour. Boy Scouts were camping in tents nearby. A couple of local families parked next to us for a weekend with kids. Benji was in heaven. We live in our RV more than camp in it so it’s fun to mingle with real campers. Fires, cookouts, flashlight tag and the happy calls of kids having fun.
And Hannibal did not disappoint!
We listened to “Huckelberry Finn” on our way here. His wit and writings are well remembered in his hometown. Stores, a museum and some rehabbed buildings of his early life are preserved for posterity.
Now we find ourselves in our interim hometown, Terre Haute IN. Dr Appointments are scheduled, eyes, ears and teeth will be checked. The animals will see a vet. Bruce already consulted a surgeon about his longstanding, injured shoulder, (turns out, full replacement surgery). We have a storage unit to relocate and shrink. And lastly, the wheely house will get a new, independent suspension and disc brakes. Fingers crossed it lasts longer that way.
And of course, Bruce’s 70th Birthday party!
Settling in here has truly felt like a homecoming. We’re grateful for the familiarity and comfort that it provides. As much as we love the travel life, having a place to call home each year, just feels right.
