Yesterday we said goodbye to Scottsbluff and headed down Hwy 92, connected with US 26 in Bridgeport, NE then jumped on I-80 eastbound. The run down to the interstate was very easy with very little traffic and beautiful rolling hills. Since we drive a leisurely 55-58 MPH, we had a chance to take in all the beautiful countryside along Hwy’s 92 and 26.
Of course, that all changed when we got on I-80. Trucks, trucks and more trucks. I understand that they are out there driving to make a living but that doesn’t make it any more fun of us. Then there are the folks who try to go 100 MPH, pass us, then pull in right in front of our rig and slam on their brakes, trying to make the next exit. God, I hate that!
We pulled into the Sunny Meadows Campground just north of the boulevard in Elm Creek, NE about 3:45 PM CDT. This is just pretty much a large dirt parking lot that has RV hookups but $15 at night Passport America rate, it works for us.
After getting unhooked, we drove into town to mail some cards and find an ATM. We then spied Stuck’s Last Call Bar & Grill so we stopped in for a cold one and something to eat. They offered a good selection of bar grub and the beer was cold.
One of my bucket list items is to visit all of our president’s library’s so today we’re headed to Abilene, KS to tour President Dwight D. Eisenhower’s. Looking forward to that.
September 20, 2015
Yesterday morning, we left Elm Creek and headed south on Highway 183 bound for Abilene, KS. The drive was easy over rolling hills with very light traffic and light winds for most of the way. After turning onto I-70 the traffic picked up significantly as did the winds.
We pulled into the Flying J Travel Plaza in Salina, KS for fuel and using out Pilot/Flying J Discount Card, we got the cash price at $2.34 a gallon. Since we never carry that much cash, the card saved us $.10 a gallon. Joyce calculated that the rig got 9.2 MPG on that leg of the trip. Very nice.
We pulled into the Four Season RV Acres about 3:30 PM and after unhooking the CRV, we headed into Abilene for some groceries. Our first stop was at the visitor center where we picked up a couple of brochures and information. We then drove around the town admiring all of the beautiful homes and during the drive, we found the Elks Lodge so we decided to stop in and see what’s shakin’.
Well, there went going to get groceries. They were serving dinner, so along with having some great conversation with a few of the local members and watching Louisiana Tech get beat by Kansas State, we were there for about three hours.
September 23, 2015
On the 20th, we toured President Dwight D. Eisenhower’s Library and Museum. His museum is on 10 acres that was originally the family’s farm back in the day.
Bread proofing box. The President's mother would typically make 9 loaves of bread every other day.
On Monday we left Abilene and headed to the Ameristar Casino in Kansas City, MO, arriving here at about 2 PM. The run over wasn’t bad except having to navigate through the Kansas City maze.
During the drive over our Garmin GPS that we have had for six years finally gave up and died so after we got set up in the casino’s parking lot, I drove to the local Costco and got us a new one while Joyce went to make her donation to the local welfare fund.
Yesterday we toured the President Harry S. Truman Library and Museum and then Harry S. Truman National Historic Site.
This is the only record in existence that the President ordered the dropping of the first atom bomb.
September 25, 2015
We left the Ameristar Casino at about 10:30 AM and made the short 108 mile run to the Isle of Capri Casino in Boonville, MO.
Yesterday, we toured Warm Springs Ranch, the breeding farm for the famous Budweiser Clydesdales. What an amazing place.
There were three foals less than two weeks old.
This is the W from the original brewery sign.
This big guy was one of the stars in the Puppy Love commercial.
Read more about these wonderful horses, including what it takes to be a Bud Clydesdale at: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Budweiser_Clydesdales
After that we drove northwest of Boonville to visit the Boone’s Lick State Historical Site and then the village of Arrow Rock.
These drainage ditches are all over town.
Only one guy was locked up in the jail. They let him out that night because he was making too much noise.
September 29, 2015
After leaving Boonville, we made the run to Scott AFB, IL. We had heard some horror stories about driving through St. Louis so we decided to take a longer, but easier route around the city. Well, that didn’t work out so well. Traffic was very bad on I-270 around the south side of the city and to make it even worse, there was a lot of construction. But, we made it through and across the Mississippi River with just a couple of frayed nerves, arriving at Scott about 2:30 PM.
After getting set up in our reserved parking site, we made a Base Exchange and Commissary run. On the way into the BX, we ran into Chuck Carter and his wife Vicky. Chuck flew with the 710th MAS/ALS at Travis AFB, CA for many years and now lives in the Scott area.
On Sunday we rode the Metro Link (the station can be accessed from the base) to St.Louis for the sole purpose of visiting the Gateway Arch. Riding the train into the city is much easier than driving and trying to find parking. But that being said, here’s a recommendation. Plan your visit to St. Louis for a day when the Cardinals and Rams are not having home games on the same day. Just sayin’.
After getting our National Parks Passport book stamped, we walked the few blocks to the Arch. First up was to watch a 45 minute movie about the building this thing. Next, we got in what can be best described as a washing machine tub with five seats for the ride to the top. Ya get pretty up close and personal in those things.
After spending a few minutes there, we squeezed back into the tram car and made our way back down. We had a bite to eat before getting on the train for the ride back to Scott.
Yesterday we left Scott about 10 AM and jumped on I-64 for the run to Hartford, KY. We pulled into the Ohio County Park and Campground about 2:30 and got a back-in site with 30-amp electrical and water for $8.50 with our Passport America discount. I can tell you that this place ain’t fancy but for less than $9 a night, what the heck!
We then drove back up to Owensboro, KY to have dinner with Gary and Lynn Dauby, the parents of our daughter-in-law Adrian. We me at Colby’s, a great restaurant that we have been to before. It was a lot of fun visiting with Gary and Lynn again and when reluctantly leaving, we found ourselves wishing for more time with them. Thank y’all for your valued friendship and for picking up the tab for dinner. Next time, it’s on us!
This has been a long one so I’ll stop for now.
Barry and Joyce
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