Thursday, July 23

6:13 a.m. - Yesterday was busy!  We rode bikes most of the day, and Amber ended up calling the day Bike and Boats Day!  To start, we drove to Dogwood Canyon Nature Preserve, which was built by the same guy who built Top of the Rock.  So it's a "nature preserve", but it's a commercialized nature preserve, not a state park or county park or anything like that.  So it's for tourists, but that's okay.  It was a longer bike ride than I thought it would be, and there were several things to see like fish and waterfalls and bridges.  It really was fun, and it would have been a long, long walk, so the bike ride was the preferred method.  Where we had to turn around there were some kind of fish I didn't recognize...like big goldfish, but they weren't goldfish...any way, there was fish food to buy for a quarter, so I got down close on the rocks and fed the fish.  

After Dogwood Canyon, we found a trail that leads from the Table Rock Lake Dam to a local marina.  This was created by the Corps of Engineers, and it was about 2.5 miles one way.  So this was a shorter trail that was also down-and-back, but it was mostly in the Table Rock State Park.  There were folks that were in the water cooling off, but we stayed on our bikes.  We looked for Moonshine Beach, but we weren't going to stay, so I turned the truck around and headed home.  

Later in the afternoon, we went to the Showboat, which was a dinner cruise on the lake with a show on stage.  Walking around the boat was fun...reminded me of my time as a security guard on the Jumer's gambling boat back in the day docked in Rock Island.  Of course, I went up and talked with the captains, and ventured around.  The show on the stage was nice, and the meal was good.

I think we got back to the campground around 6 p.m., and then Amber pulled up a movie on Netflix that was good.  

And today?  We are headed to Silver Dollar City, which is an amusement park.  It's not a long drive, which is nice.  And the weather is supposed to be good again, so it's a good day to head towards that attraction.

 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

Wednesday, July 22

6:06 a.m. - Day 4 of vacation?  Day 5?  Anyway, yesterday was a nice day.  In the morning, we got out early around 7:30 a.m. and drove out to Top of the Rock.  The owner of Bass Pro Shops was the idea guy behind building this "area".  It's all a bit weird and strange because it seems as though he is portrayed as this environmentalist and keeper of the outdoors, yet this place isn't really preservation of the outdoors.  On this park is a golf path paved trail that visitors rent to go around the park.  In the middle of the path within a cave is a little drive-thru mini bar.  I have to admit that it was fun to drive the golf cart through the trees and hills and caves and have a drink.  And the park is pretty, but it has all been groomed and landscaped.  Then after the cart ride we were shuttled to the museum (and of course there is a gift shop).  And around the museum there is a putting green as well as a nine-hole 3 par golf course.  Also, there is a chapel that apparently was built just for the owner's daughter's wedding.  In the museum, there was what amounts to four football fields of historical artifacts including Native Americans and "white".  It's mostly Native American, and the museum is organized into various collections by folks - presumably white people.  I was hoping it would be just a museum of local history and tell the story of the Ozarks, but it was much more than that.  There was a "collection" on Lincoln and civil war weapons.  There was a "collection" on Lee.  There was even a "collection" on famous movie cowboys.  So what I thought was going to be a history tour was actually a tour of various people's collections of historical artifacts.  And according to one of the guides, it was about 20% of what they actually possess in artifacts that are periodically rotated in and out.  It may sound like I'm being somewhat critical, and I guess I am.  It was something that was fun, but I guess cynical me just couldn't help myself from being .... somewhat cynical in my mind.

Then we went back to the campground and hung out in the brutal heat - again - before getting ready to go to a show - Sight and Sound's production of David.  Describing this event with words in a blog post isn't going to be possible.  The whole thing was massive and astonishing.  I decided to ask Amber if we could leave a little earlier than she thought, so I could get the truck in a little easier, and I'm glad we did that.  We were 45 minutes early to the event, and there was a long line of cars waiting to enter the parking lot.  Once we arrived, there is this huge auditorium that is impressive from the outside, but then the theater itself is this giant panoramic stage.  And the performance was wonderful, but the staging and special effects were like nothing I had ever scene, and there were even live animals that made there way through the aisles of the crowd up on the stage or down from the state - goats, sheep, lamas, camels, etc.. - and sometimes there were no actors or actresses leading them.  It was crazy!  The production and the setting and the theater are all very heavily Christian faith-based which was fine for me, but I did wonder if non-Christian folk would be view the production differently.  And the performance was over two and a half hours.  While that was great, I had a lot of trouble with my knees sitting that long because the seating was pretty tight.  

After the performance we ate at a family restaurant not too far away, and then we stopped by a Walgreens for Amber to pick up a few things.  

That was a good vacation tourism day!

And on to today.  Amber has talked about going to a park to ride bikes; she's talked about going to a beach; and I think we have reservations for a boat ride/show/dinner at 4 p.m.  At least it's a little cooler today.  Just walking outside to go to the bathhouse this morning to use the restroom was more comfortable that it has been since we started our trip.  

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

Tuesday, July 21

7:15 a.m. - We arrived yesterday in Branson.  On the way we stopped at a Buc-ees, and I must admit that I wasn't as impressed as I thought I might.  It's just a really, really big travel center that makes a lot of stuff for folks to eat, drink, and buy.  Then we made our way to our campground, which wasn't exactly the easiest drive, but we did survive.  I'm learning very quickly to "Google" RV friendly routes.  The campground we are in is fine.  It's not as nice as some we have stayed at, but it's okay.  In the evening yesterday we wen't for a drive to explore a bit and pick up a few things - stopped at a Camping World and a WalMart.  The city isn't really what I would have pictured it, but I think there is a learning curve to understanding it.  One thing for sure is that no one goes anywhere fast.  There is either a lot of traffic, or the road is up and down and winding around.  

Today we have a couple of excursions planned.  We are going to Top of the Rock this morning, and later today we are going to go see a show.  The heat is HOT.  We are supposed to get one more day of really bad heat, and then things are supposed to back off a bit, which will be nice. 

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