Architecture and Design...

As we came into Wisconsin, I discovered that Frank Lloyd Wright's House, Taliesin, was within an hour of our campground. I had to go. So Craig and I drove an hour to see his primary home in Spring Green, WI. It was beautiful and if I could live in this picture, I would. There were acres and acres of grass, and of course the amazing home, which is still occupied by staff and students at his school of architecture. A must see.










He even dammed a stream to make a pond in front of the house. Of course, he also created a way to supply electricity to the house from the small waterfall he created. I was mesmerized. Way ahead of his time. If I come back to Wisconsin, I'll see more of his work.







On the way back we stopped to see design of a different kind. The Dickeyville Grotto is an amazing collection of folk art around  the Holy Ghost Catholic Church in Dickeyville, WI. The display consists of several shrines made from found objects, created with incredible attention to detail. We all thought it was worth a visit









Even the birds got an amazing place to live. decorated with tile, stone and meticulous detail. Stop by if you have the chance.

In the World...

Before leaving the nicest city park we have ever seen, we decided to visit the largest truck stop in the world, The I-80 Truck Stop. You hear that and you think "come on, really?" Well, it was like a small city overall and the main building was the size of a Walmart, with three levels and two restaurants. Also a barber (where the boys got spruced up), a dentist, chiropractor...














And the bling. Be still my heart, or should I say Craig and Tom's hearts. Paula and I thought we might have to pull them away. You can get pretty much anything here. 

There is also a Trucking Museum with trucks going back to the turn of the 20th century. The museum is free and worth a visit.

Finally, we are on to Dubuque, IA. Well, actually staying at a cute park in Kieler, WI. Lovely people and a serene view out over the green fields. Tomorrow, Craig and I are on to Frank Lloyd Wrights home, Taliesin. I can't wait.

But the end of our day was a lot of fun. We visited the shortest, steepest scenic railway in the world. In Dubuque, of all places. The Fenelon Place Elevator was built so the mayor could have more time during lunch to take a nap. The things people will do. 

American Pickers...

Once we decided to head into Iowa, Tom wanted to visit the home of the American Pickers in LeClaire, IA, Antique Archeology. Two stores in one week. Sadly, the TV personalities were not in residence. But lots of cool stuff to see. And of course, a photo op...

Next it was on to the Buffalo Bill Museum. While the museum has a portion devoted to their favorite son, the majority of information was about regional history and life on the Mississippi. A steamboat display, memorabilia from LeClaire and of all things...













A display about the inventor of the flight recorder, James Ryan from the University of Minnesota in 1953. Also from LeClaire, IA. We loved the aviation reference. 

So many more interesting things to learn about America.

Can't wait.

So Show Me...

Our time in the Show Me state was well spent. Craig and I were able to visit long time friends John and Tim. I met John my first week in college, 36 years ago? What? 36 years? I'm amazed that it seems like yesterday. I miss them a lot.

After St. Louis, we decided to head west to Hermann, Mo. Hermann is wine country for the area. We heard there was a wine festival and decided to visit. We spent a lovely day visiting some of the wineries and tasting the fruit of their labor, so to speak.  Our last visit was to a lovely winery with a patio overlooking the Missouri river. Very relaxing and beautiful. 

On to Hannibal, Mo. A visit to Mark Twain's Boyhood Home and Museum proved an amazing amount of information about
Samuel Clemens' life. I will have to reread The Adventures of Tom Sawyer and The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. The museum gave us several photo opportunities. And yes we know we are in the opposite genders.  Becky and Tom, both ways?
















The museum also has an amazing collection of art by Norman Rockwell in the form of illustrations for the books about Tom Sawyer  and Huckleberry Finn. I have never seen so many in one place.

Of course no trip to the birthplace of Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn would be complete without a little work painting a fence. Our boys were good sports and posed without complaint. Okay, without MUCH complaint. We are having a great time and looking forward to more adventures on the Mississippi River.

Up in the air...

Before we talk about visiting the Gateway Arch, let's talk about getting to the RV park. Craig and I have camped here before, and we had problems with finding it then. 

Well, yesterday was no different. We were trying out a new GPS and as navigator, I sent us on the wrong exit. We did not just take the wrong exit, we went over the bridge into downtown St. Louis. In two large motorhomes with toads. Two routes, three GPSs, and 4 meltdowns. 

To the left you see the street our GPS's sent us down. The streets are made of cobblestones, uneven and so narrow we almost didn't make it. Imagine getting to the end of this street and ahead is a sign that says "NO OUTLET". And to the right is another narrow, cobblestone street. Then a disabled car tried to keep Tom and Paula downtown. Ask them and they will tell you about the angel that helped them out of that mess. 

Both Craig and Tom earned driving badges that day.

Our happy ending was when we made it to the Arch. All the way to the top and Tom and Paula have the pictures to prove it. If you are planning a visit, you might want to wait till 2017. The city is in the middle of a major redo of the area. Streets are blocked and getting in and out is a bit of a nightmare. 

Especially if you are in a motorhome.  

Gateway to the Midwest...

More about St. Louis tomorrow, but for now we enjoy this view from our windshields...

Music City...

We met up with Tom and Paula for our journey north at Seven Points Campground near Nashville, TN. It is a nice campground, with lovely views of the lake. But as we discovered not necessarily "Big Rig Friendly". 

Tom and Paula had to be moved to a new site so they could open their slides. Then they scraped a tree while trying to leave. We had a problem not being able to get under low hanging branches. We were moved to a site where our motorhome could not be leveled and looked like a fun house inside (slanted floors) and finally ended up with a site with water pressure so low I could spit water into the coach faster. 

Oh, then our fancy surge protector decided to protect us from receiving power. What? Several calls to the company resulted in staying an extra day so that we could get the part to repair the unit. A lot for our first shot out of the gate.


What did we do in the meantime? We went to eat and drink in Nashville, that's what. Apparantly they do not believe in big parking garages. This is an example of a one way in, one way out garage with at least 5 floors. What do they do at the end the work day? We decided not to find out. But Tom earned the first of many driving badges for this trip.




We did visit Antique Archeology. Such a cool place and stuff you wish you could buy, if only you had a place to put it.

Then of course, on to downtown Nashville. Lots of good food and a great morning spent at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum. Definitely a place to go in you are in Nashville. We never knew how many types of music mingled with country music.

Of course Craig had to throw himself into the act. He does love all kinds of music.