Monday, July 27

5:58 a.m. -  We are homeward bound today!  And it's time.  Amber needs to be home; she's tired and not feeling well and needs to see her kids and grandkids. 

Yesterday, it was a long travel day.  And it wasn't an easy drive.  There was a lot of hills action followed by a lot of busy interstate action before arriving in Eureka, Missouri, which is where Six Flags is at.  The KOA we are staying at is nice, but it's older.  Older sometimes means trees, and this stop does have trees, which is welcomed because it's really, really hot again.  So yesterday, we jumped into the pool, had some supper in the camper, and then we ventured out to get some fuel for the truck and some ice cream.  And more good news is that we can get a meTV station out of St. Louis!  

So today, we are going to pack up and get ready to head home.  The route takes me on a highway north out of Eureka, but I'm not going that way because I'm tired of the hills.  So I'm going to take advantage of an expressway bypass around the west side of St. Louis and go that way.  And yet, I'm not taking the camper home today.  With the really hot temps and sun, our road in front of our house will be very soft, and getting the camper and truck on that road and trying to back up the camper will likely result in me tearing up the road and getting asphalt in the tires of the truck and camper.  So I've booked a couple of days in Loud Thunder to basically store the camper while the temps cool down.

Things to do for School

• get display project completed
• finalize placement of schools on district map
• periodically add to the RR group history report
• periodically check on mail at post office
• update attendance each week in SDS
• send any IEP notices to Mrs. Saey

OTHER THINGS

• pay Joe for vb clinic

• 
  When:    Saturday, August 8th, 2026
  Site:       Galesburg High School (Kimbrough Fieldhouse)
                Classroom and 3 Courts are all air conditioned
  Registration: 8:00 AM
  Cost:      $35.00 in advance or $45.00 at the door
  Dress:    Casual * Please bring your whistle, soft soled shoes, and a writing utensil
  Contact:  Joe Thompson - joethompson7@comcast.net  (309) 368-1714
  Send checks payable to:  Foremost Officials Clinic
                                           Attention: Joe Thompson
                                           1035 Dayton Drive
                                           Galesburg, IL  61401-1310
  

• call eye doctor about refill
• eye drops and meloxocam
• grease wheels to camper
• clean slide rails
• remove any unnecessary weight from camper
• get correct measurement of the correct wiper slide material
• order slide wiper conditioner
• get Amber's bike fixed
• mow the yard
• spray weeds
• spray Creeping Charlie
• finish paying knee medical bills and get reimbursed
• use Dick's gift certificate
• a hood light switch for the Ford
• July 18-27 - Trip to Branson, MO (and Strawberry, AK) https://docs.google.com/document/d/1D3BB0_IuwRs0WDKqm1Euor9WUH84SeF1DIwKi7OWeS4/edit?tab=t.0
• July 28 - Bus Refresher Course
• July 31 - Adventureland trip
• Aug. 3 - WCOA Banquet in Macomb (Tony is interested)
• Aug. 8 - Galesburg volleyball clinic 8 a.m.
• Aug. 27 - 7:30 a.m. - Appointment with Hussain at ORA Moline
• Nov. 5 - 10 a.m. - Milan Optical

Softball-Volleyball 26 Schedule

8/5/26 - SB at Ridgewood - 4:30

8/18 - SB at Ridgewood - 4:30

8/20 - SB at MerCoJH - 4:30

8/26 - SB at Ridgewood - 4:30

8/27 - SB at MerCoJH - 4:30

Things To Do for History Page
• What/Where is South Buffalo Prairie School and for that matter West Buffalo School and East Taylor Ridge School?  ugh.
• Friday Tidbit on the RR History Network Page


Knee Surgery Dates Completed
• March 11 - 10:25 a.m. - ORA Moline - Consult
• April 1 - 1:45 p.m. - ORA Moline - MRI
• April 9 - Walk in labs at Tr
• April 15 - Dr. Wang pre-op physical (surgical clearance) 8:45 a.m.
• April 28 - 9:40 a.m. at ORA Silvis
• April 30 - 10 a.m. - Milan Optical
• May 4 - surgery on left knee at Trinity Moline
• May 5- returned home from hospital
• May 6 - home recovery
• May 7 - home recovery
• May 8 - home recovery - visited ICE for about an hour - 9-10 a.m.
• May 13 - 8:45 a.m. Post-Op Appt Hussein
• May 15 - 8:20 a.m. - ORA PT
• May 18 - noon - ORA PT
• May 20 - 8 a.m. - with Brandon; 9:20 - ORA PT
• May 22 - 9 a.m. - ORA PT
• May 26 - 3:20 p.m. - ORA PT
• May 27 - 9 a.m. - ORA PT
• May 29 - 8:20 a.m. - ORA PT
• June 1 - 8:20 a.m. - ORA PT
• June 3 - 8:40 a.m. - ORA PT
• June 5 - 8:20 a.m. - ORA PT
• June 8 - 9:20 a.m. - ORA PT
• June 10 - 8:40 a.m. - ORA PT
• June 12 - 8:20 a.m. - ORA PT
• June 16 - 10:20 a.m. - ORA
• June 24 - 9:00 a.m. - ORA PT- Cancelled
• June 25 - 9:25 a.m. - ORA appt with Hussein

Sunday, July 26

1:38 a.m. - I woke up and then had to use the bathroom, so I'll be up for a bit before I get sleepy again and head back to bed.  I figured I might as well get an entry in before I read some more of my book.  Then I'll go back to sleep.  

We are in a KOA in Horseshoe Bend, Arkansas, and this was a bit of a "surprise find".  I honestly expected an older, rural KOA next to a lake, but it's a new, modern KOA next to a lake resort.  And what's cool is that it shares a lot of the amenities that are just across the road on the resort like indoor pool and hot tub, outdoor pool and beach access to the lake, and for a few, there is an "aqua park" with a bunch of those inflatable jumping things.  Also in the resort area is a restaurant called Dick's Place, which is where Amber and I ate last night - I had some mozzarella sticks where were hand-breaded and wonderful, and I had a calzone which was good too.  And yes, I decided to get the bikes down off the rack and do some exploring, and I was able to motivate Amber to join me in visiting the beach on the lake.  And of course I ended up talking with some locals, because that's the sort of thing I do.

All of that afternoon/evening stuff occurred after a LONG, CHALLENGING day of driving.  I was really hoping that north central Arkansas was going to be "less hilly and curvy" - it wasn't.  There weren't the big uphill and downhill areas but there really wasn't ever and opportunity to put the truck in cruise control and just go.  And then when we arrived at this KOA, the hook-up procedure wasn't very user friendly.  The sites are tight and all rock, and you have to sort of walk on big rocks around the camper to get around.  Whoever designed this campground really didn't know what camping folk need and appreciate.  On. the other hand, we made it, and there were things to do.  There was also a band that started playing around 8 p.m., but it was so dang hot, that we skipped that idea.  The reason why we came this way was to visit Strawberry, Arkansas, as that is the town that Amber's grandparents on her dad's side came from.  And we discovered that there isn't much to Strawberry - population 268.  But we went there, and we got Amber in a picture with the town sign.

And now on to today.  We don't have to be in a big hurry, as we have a lovely 5+ hour drive today to get back to Missouri for our final stopover near St. Louis before making the final stretch tomorrow up the Iowa side.  Today's drive isn't going to be much fun either.  And now I have a new worry.  Apparently there is extreme heat at home, so trying to get the trailer home in the afternoon heat is not going to be a good idea.  I'm likely going to be better off putting the girl at Loud Thunder for a few days until the heat comes down...I'll talk to Amber about that.

Things to do for School

• get display project completed
• finalize placement of schools on district map
• periodically add to the RR group history report
• periodically check on mail at post office
• update attendance each week in SDS
• send any IEP notices to Mrs. Saey

OTHER THINGS

• pay Joe for vb clinic

• 
  When:    Saturday, August 8th, 2026
  Site:       Galesburg High School (Kimbrough Fieldhouse)
                Classroom and 3 Courts are all air conditioned
  Registration: 8:00 AM
  Cost:      $35.00 in advance or $45.00 at the door
  Dress:    Casual * Please bring your whistle, soft soled shoes, and a writing utensil
  Contact:  Joe Thompson - joethompson7@comcast.net  (309) 368-1714
  Send checks payable to:  Foremost Officials Clinic
                                           Attention: Joe Thompson
                                           1035 Dayton Drive
                                           Galesburg, IL  61401-1310
  

• call eye doctor about refill
• eye drops and meloxocam
• grease wheels to camper
• clean slide rails
• remove any unnecessary weight from camper
• get correct measurement of the correct wiper slide material
• order slide wiper conditioner
• get Amber's bike fixed
• mow the yard
• spray weeds
• spray Creeping Charlie
• finish paying knee medical bills and get reimbursed
• use Dick's gift certificate
• a hood light switch for the Ford
• July 18-27 - Trip to Branson, MO (and Strawberry, AK) https://docs.google.com/document/d/1D3BB0_IuwRs0WDKqm1Euor9WUH84SeF1DIwKi7OWeS4/edit?tab=t.0
• July 28 - Bus Refresher Course
• July 31 - Adventureland trip
• Aug. 3 - WCOA Banquet in Macomb (Tony is interested)
• Aug. 8 - Galesburg volleyball clinic 8 a.m.
• Aug. 27 - 7:30 a.m. - Appointment with Hussain at ORA Moline
• Nov. 5 - 10 a.m. - Milan Optical

Softball-Volleyball 26 Schedule

8/5/26 - SB at Ridgewood - 4:30

8/18 - SB at Ridgewood - 4:30

8/20 - SB at MerCoJH - 4:30

8/26 - SB at Ridgewood - 4:30

8/27 - SB at MerCoJH - 4:30

Things To Do for History Page
• What/Where is South Buffalo Prairie School and for that matter West Buffalo School and East Taylor Ridge School?  ugh.
• Friday Tidbit on the RR History Network Page


Knee Surgery Dates Completed
• March 11 - 10:25 a.m. - ORA Moline - Consult
• April 1 - 1:45 p.m. - ORA Moline - MRI
• April 9 - Walk in labs at Tr
• April 15 - Dr. Wang pre-op physical (surgical clearance) 8:45 a.m.
• April 28 - 9:40 a.m. at ORA Silvis
• April 30 - 10 a.m. - Milan Optical
• May 4 - surgery on left knee at Trinity Moline
• May 5- returned home from hospital
• May 6 - home recovery
• May 7 - home recovery
• May 8 - home recovery - visited ICE for about an hour - 9-10 a.m.
• May 13 - 8:45 a.m. Post-Op Appt Hussein
• May 15 - 8:20 a.m. - ORA PT
• May 18 - noon - ORA PT
• May 20 - 8 a.m. - with Brandon; 9:20 - ORA PT
• May 22 - 9 a.m. - ORA PT
• May 26 - 3:20 p.m. - ORA PT
• May 27 - 9 a.m. - ORA PT
• May 29 - 8:20 a.m. - ORA PT
• June 1 - 8:20 a.m. - ORA PT
• June 3 - 8:40 a.m. - ORA PT
• June 5 - 8:20 a.m. - ORA PT
• June 8 - 9:20 a.m. - ORA PT
• June 10 - 8:40 a.m. - ORA PT
• June 12 - 8:20 a.m. - ORA PT
• June 16 - 10:20 a.m. - ORA
• June 24 - 9:00 a.m. - ORA PT- Cancelled
• June 25 - 9:25 a.m. - ORA appt with Hussein

Saturday, July 25

5:03 a.m. - Yesterday was a good last full day in Branson before we pull out today and head southwest into Arkansas.  In the morning, we drove to downtown Branson to do some souvenir shopping, and we discovered that there is a "historic downtown" and there is a modern sort of "riverwalk downtown".  We started with breakfast at the Farmhouse Diner, and I ordered some grits to try with my breakfast.  I have a feeling I needed to add something to them, but it was something to try.  After breakfast we searched through the older part of downtown at various shops, as Amber likes to try to find little gifts for the grandchildren to take back with her.  Then on our way back to the truck, we walked along the riverfront which we really didn't even know was there.  Then we stopped at Walmart for a few things and filled up with diesel on our way back to the campground.  In the afternoon we traveled back on what we call "the strip" to view a show of entertainer impersonators at the Legends Theater.  There wasn't a very good crowd, and I don't think Amber had a good time, but I enjoyed watching the production.  The impersonated entertainers were Toby Keith, Lainey Wilson, Elvis, and the Blues Brothers.  Of course, my favorites were Elvis and the Blues Brothers, and I even got a picture with Jake and Elwood with my phone.  Amber and I got a theater picture with Toby Keith as we entered too.  The actors and actresses worked hard, but the band that supported the impersonators really weren't "into it" it seemed.  They seemed to be just going through the motions, and I think that takes away from the overall experience.  Maybe, though, they are like that so attention is focused on the main attraction.  Elvis was last, and he encouraged the couples to dance to the last song, which Amber reluctantly did.  There's one for the bucket list...dance with your wife in Branson to an Elvis impersonator!  After the show we had supper at a Chinese restaurant, and then we headed back to the camper.

So today this morning, we pull out.  I don't have a lot to do with the camper.  The bikes have to be loaded up, and then all the usual stuff with unhooking - cleaning and removing the sewer lines and water line.  Then we get the slides in, and then I get the truck and camper hooked up together and double check everything else.  

It won't be an easy drive, and I'm really hoping that north central and north east Arkansas are less hilly and "scenic" than Branson and the Missouri Ozarks have been.  It should be about three to three and a half hours to the next stop in Horseshoe Bend, Arkansas, but then we are driving to Strawberry, Arkansas, so there is going to be A LOT of driving today, just some of it won't be with the camper.  

Things to do for School

• get display project completed
• finalize placement of schools on district map
• periodically add to the RR group history report
• periodically check on mail at post office
• update attendance each week in SDS
• send any IEP notices to Mrs. Saey

OTHER THINGS

• pay Joe for vb clinic

• 
  When:    Saturday, August 8th, 2026
  Site:       Galesburg High School (Kimbrough Fieldhouse)
                Classroom and 3 Courts are all air conditioned
  Registration: 8:00 AM
  Cost:      $35.00 in advance or $45.00 at the door
  Dress:    Casual * Please bring your whistle, soft soled shoes, and a writing utensil
  Contact:  Joe Thompson - joethompson7@comcast.net  (309) 368-1714
  Send checks payable to:  Foremost Officials Clinic
                                           Attention: Joe Thompson
                                           1035 Dayton Drive
                                           Galesburg, IL  61401-1310
  

• call eye doctor about refill
• eye drops and meloxocam
• grease wheels to camper
• clean slide rails
• remove any unnecessary weight from camper
• get correct measurement of the correct wiper slide material
• order slide wiper conditioner
• get Amber's bike fixed
• mow the yard
• spray weeds
• spray Creeping Charlie
• finish paying knee medical bills and get reimbursed
• use Dick's gift certificate
• a hood light switch for the Ford
• July 18-27 - Trip to Branson, MO (and Strawberry, AK) https://docs.google.com/document/d/1D3BB0_IuwRs0WDKqm1Euor9WUH84SeF1DIwKi7OWeS4/edit?tab=t.0
• July 28 - Bus Refresher Course
• July 31 - Adventureland trip
• Aug. 3 - WCOA Banquet in Macomb (Tony is interested)
• Aug. 8 - Galesburg volleyball clinic 8 a.m.
• Aug. 27 - 7:30 a.m. - Appointment with Hussain at ORA Moline
• Nov. 5 - 10 a.m. - Milan Optical

Softball-Volleyball 26 Schedule

8/5/26 - SB at Ridgewood - 4:30

8/18 - SB at Ridgewood - 4:30

8/20 - SB at MerCoJH - 4:30

8/26 - SB at Ridgewood - 4:30

8/27 - SB at MerCoJH - 4:30

Things To Do for History Page
• What/Where is South Buffalo Prairie School and for that matter West Buffalo School and East Taylor Ridge School?  ugh.
• Friday Tidbit on the RR History Network Page


Knee Surgery Dates Completed
• March 11 - 10:25 a.m. - ORA Moline - Consult
• April 1 - 1:45 p.m. - ORA Moline - MRI
• April 9 - Walk in labs at Tr
• April 15 - Dr. Wang pre-op physical (surgical clearance) 8:45 a.m.
• April 28 - 9:40 a.m. at ORA Silvis
• April 30 - 10 a.m. - Milan Optical
• May 4 - surgery on left knee at Trinity Moline
• May 5- returned home from hospital
• May 6 - home recovery
• May 7 - home recovery
• May 8 - home recovery - visited ICE for about an hour - 9-10 a.m.
• May 13 - 8:45 a.m. Post-Op Appt Hussein
• May 15 - 8:20 a.m. - ORA PT
• May 18 - noon - ORA PT
• May 20 - 8 a.m. - with Brandon; 9:20 - ORA PT
• May 22 - 9 a.m. - ORA PT
• May 26 - 3:20 p.m. - ORA PT
• May 27 - 9 a.m. - ORA PT
• May 29 - 8:20 a.m. - ORA PT
• June 1 - 8:20 a.m. - ORA PT
• June 3 - 8:40 a.m. - ORA PT
• June 5 - 8:20 a.m. - ORA PT
• June 8 - 9:20 a.m. - ORA PT
• June 10 - 8:40 a.m. - ORA PT
• June 12 - 8:20 a.m. - ORA PT
• June 16 - 10:20 a.m. - ORA
• June 24 - 9:00 a.m. - ORA PT- Cancelled
• June 25 - 9:25 a.m. - ORA appt with Hussein