We are off and running.....well, really off and sauntering...

Evie the drool monster.

Fall is here and it was time to pack-up and leave Cedar Rapids. It was much harder saying goodbye this time, all because of one little girl. A few tears were shed but the other part of me was ready to get back on the road. Our summer trips to Wisconsin and Minnesota did help prevent our hitch itch to a point but it finally overcame us and we were ready to hit the road.
Mark,Janie & John
Originally we were going to visit John’s brother Mark in Belleville, IL, but instead he came and spent a couple days with us and met Evie. It was short but very fun visit. He tells the best stories. So instead of that direction we decided to visit our other son and his wife in NW Iowa. We had not spent much time with them so wanted a few more days. Previously we had stayed in Storm Lake but I found a county campground about the same distance from them with FHU sites for just $15. Its Hagge Park in Sac County. It is a nice little park but the flies we terrible so don’t know if we will go back or not. We did take the kids out to dinner one night and made dinner for them one night. It was fun to hear how the school year is starting for Melissa (an art teacher k-8) and how Gabe’s new job is going. A mom just needs to hug her kids once in awhile. :)

Currently we are visiting John’s other brother Walt and his family in the Kansas City area and Sunday we will meet my brother Dave and wife Kelley who live in Lawrence, KS for dinner. We have stayed here before and like this little Jackson County park called Blue Springs Campground. It is on the border of both Lee’s Summit, MO and Blue Springs, MO. It has FHU sites and is in a great location for us to visit everyone. 

I love visiting family but I am also ready for it to be just John and I discovering new places. We have a tentative outline of our trip. From here we will be visiting the Branson area, probably staying at Table Rock State Park. Next up will be the Hot Springs, Little Rock area of Arkansas. We also want to go to Memphis, Nashville, and probably the Smokey Mountains. I don’t have any reservations so we can change our minds if somewhere else catches our fancy. I do have a couple options of   places for parks but if any of you out there have stayed somewhere you want to recommend I would love that. Memphis and Nashville have been the toughest to find a park that sounds good. When I check RVparkreviews.com many sound like they are not in the best of locations. This fall travel is all to places that neither John and I have been to so if you have suggestions please offer them, its always good to get feed back from those who have been there. We don’t have to arrive in Fort Walton Beach, FL until just before Thanksgiving, so all together we have about 8-9 weeks to discover the South. Found out our friends Jeff and Cheryl Bright will be Destin West in November so we are overlapping a little and will spend Thanksgiving together.
Emily and Evie

Mitch, Evie and Emily

Mitch and Evie

I think traveling will also get me back into the groove on the blog. We are here until Tuesday and then we will be off and running.....well off and sauntering really, we’d rather not travel too fast, have to slow down and smell the roses.

My photos today are from two chances I had to shoot photos of Evie and of the family. I am so going to miss that little girl.   
My sweet little granddaughter Evie. Will miss her so.

Happy Trails...............................................



Comments

  1. Travels with EmmaSeptember 19, 2013 at 5:28 PM

    I do hope you stop to get a spa treatment in Hot Springs. It is an unforgettable experience. I stayed at a COE park about 10 miles away when I was there a few years back. Nice waterfront site.

    Also, outside of Little Rock is Maumelle COE park. It is also a beauty to stay at. I was there this May, and had a huge site (not on the water).

    ReplyDelete
  2. The Odd EssaySeptember 19, 2013 at 5:55 PM

    Oh, I have to ask... Is your granddaughter's name Evangeline? Our great-granddaughter will be 2 years old tomorrow... Evie... her name is Evangeline. Your grandbaby is beautiful!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. UnknownSeptember 19, 2013 at 8:57 PM

      Her name is actually Evelyn. the name Evangeline is also a beautiful name. Isn't the grandma gig a great one!!! :)

      Delete
  3. owensontheroadSeptember 19, 2013 at 9:05 PM

    Your little grandbaby is sure a cutie. I bet you enjoyed spending time with family this summer. We were near you for a night, staying in Amana Colonies RV park. Unfortunately we were on a mission to get to PA to visit family or we would have looked you up ;)

    ReplyDelete
  4. Kenny And Angela's AdventureSeptember 19, 2013 at 11:13 PM

    We have been in Branson 3 weeks now and are leaving Oct 1. The state park is nice but more then $17 we are paying at Turkey Creek Rv park in Hollister about a mile from downtown Branson.

    ReplyDelete
  5. AnonymousSeptember 20, 2013 at 6:05 AM

    I'm sure it is difficult to leave your beautiful little granddaughter but I understand the road calling to you. We will be in FL Jan, Feb, and part of March this year. Don't know if your travel plans will have you there then but would love to see the two of you again.

    ReplyDelete
  6. RV Khronicles of KevelynSeptember 20, 2013 at 6:43 AM

    Great pictures of Evie and her parents. She is a doll. I'm sure you'll miss her. I'm looking forward to hearing about your travels on the way to Florida. We haven't explored that area too much. We did go to the Smokey Mountains several years ago with the kids. I don't even remember where we camped. We've also been to Branson. I enjoyed Silver Dollar City when we were there.

    ReplyDelete
  7. AnonymousSeptember 20, 2013 at 9:13 AM

    I understand your feelings. Sure we miss our kids, but it is really the grandchildren that we miss even more. You have a really cute one there, drool and all. lol

    ReplyDelete
  8. butterbeanSeptember 20, 2013 at 3:07 PM

    Howdy Janie & John,

    Janie, you may want to find a really nice camp, away from a creek or river, to 'hole-up' for awhile; there's a WHOLE LOT OF RAINY STORMS heading your way... Find a place with good museums & libraries, NOT just eating places...
    That girl sure looks like her daddy, but both parents are so good-looking...

    Hope y'all get situated before the weather gets to you and you can have some HAPPY DAYS !!!

    ReplyDelete
  9. The Bright'sSeptember 21, 2013 at 9:30 AM

    Glad to hear you're back on the road! We will be visiting Knoxville and Nashville as well... it will be the last part of October. It does seem like there aren't a lot of places to stay around Nashville. I will ask our friends that were there last year where they stayed.

    ReplyDelete

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