We have spent nearly the whole month of November in Missouri. We explored my ancestors in Seneca. We visited with our Alpine Coach Owners Association in Branson and took in two of the really big shows there. We traveled the length and breadth of the Missouri Ozarks staying at Corps of Engineers parks at Pomme de Terra lake and Lake of the Ozarks. We then toured the Missouri capital building in Jefferson City and rode a ten mile segment of the Katy trail. It follows the railbed of the MKT, the Missouri, Kentucky and Texas Railroad. For a swan song we traveled to the eastern edge of Missouri to St. Louis and we attended a performance of the Paul Taylor Dancers and watched Neil’s sister Julie perform. Paul Taylor and his Dance Company were performing the “world premier” of a new dance, “Beloved Renegade.” We had a wonderful day with Jerry and Janene, Julie and Niel’s parents. We visited the Transportation Museum and then attended the dance performance.
The real problem has been an early cold snap in this part of the country. We have had several nights at twenty degrees. Now I know some of you put up with these temperatures all winter long. Think about it, however. Our walls are about an inch and a half thick. These coaches are not well designed for winter in the north, so we decided that we were way to far north. We bid Jerry and Janene, and their daughter Julie good bye and we have now moved to Arkansas. Just moving 300 miles further south has allowed us to have our nights in the thirties. Better yet we are looking at daily highs in the fifties again, and that is really nice.
Another thing that is driving us further south is that many of the camp grounds are closed for the season. We have learned to call ahead to check them out. Tonight we are in an Arkansas State Park at Poinsett Lake, about twenty miles due south of Jonsboro Arkansas. Tonight in a camp of 26 sites we are one of three campers.
Over the next few days we plan to tour around Arkansas and Tennessee. We will continue to dodge the cold weather and closed campgrounds. We will search out new adventures and visit wonderful places. Stay tuned.
Love to all from sunny Arkansas. We wish everyone a pleasant Thanksgiving.
Gary and Judy
