New Windsor IL to Albert Lea Minnesota

On Monday June 4^th we made camp at New Windsor IL. (Shady Creek Campground). We took a drive into Galesburg to check out the worlds largest Adirondack chair & you know we had to have our pictures taken in the chair. We were told that there was a great old time Coney Island Hot Dog shop in town & we HAD to check this out too. It was the middle of the afternoon when we got there & had to try one out. So we all had their “famous” hot dogs - & they were very good. We also did a little Illinois wine tasting & the wine wasn't too bad.

Coal Creek Winery

Tuesday June 5^th - We made our way to E Moline Ill. Our camp site was right on the Mississippi River. While there we did some great exploring We went into Le Claire IL - we checked out the “Pickers” store. It looks just like it does on their TV show. We didn’t find anything we “needed” & toured the John Deere tractor museum & got to climbing on some gigantic tractors & had a blast. We toured a really neat distillery & did a little wine tasting. On Wednesday we headed out to the river taking The River Cat Cruse. It’s a boat that goes between Illinois & Iowa. Toured the # 15 lock - we got to watch a tug boat push a bunch of barges through the locks. It was pretty cool to watch . They had to swing one of the major bridges around so the tug could get through.. We took a drive on to Rock Island where the Army has a arsenal base. There were some beautiful old buildings on the base. That evening we took a picnic & went back to Rock Island and saw a fantastic water ski show on the Rock River. There were over 50 skiers. Very cool show.

Chuck & Greg in The Pickers "store"



I just had to play in one of the huge tractors





Lock # 15 at Rock Island on The Mississippi



  
Thursday June 7^th - we left E Moline Il. Heading north to Grant River RV in Potosi Wisconsin. On the way we stopped in Fulton, Il to check out a authentic Dutch working windmill. It was made in The Netherlands & shipped here & reassembled in Fulton. It is over 90 feet tall & is fully operational - I just had to buy some of their flour. Our drive to our next RV site was truly a “Back Roads of America” experience - thanks to our GPS. It was a beautiful area BUT it took us on some CRAZY roads. Not to drive a big RV on but thanks to some good driving by our guys we made it safe & sound to Grant River RV Park - right on the banks of the Mighty Mississippi River. After settling in we went into Dickeyville to get some “squeaky cheese” aka curds - & it really does squeak when you eat it. That evening after dinner we sat on the banks of the Mississippi River to watch the sun go down - it was a magnificent sunset. I also had to put my feet in the river. As it turned out this would be our last evening on the road with Chuck & Gail. Greg & I looked at the map & felt this was the best place for us to start our way back home. Friday morning was kind of a sad saying “see you later” to 2 great traveling buddies. Chuck & Gail we will surely miss you. We pray safe traveling dear friends.
On the drive today we saw more beautiful land. We do live in a beautiful country.  As of today we have made our way to 19 states.  What a trip.  When we stopped for the day we took a quick ride into Austin to get a tour of the SPAM Museum. It was a fun tour - we had to buy some SPAM that is only sold there. When we eat it we will give you a full report.  Not far from the SPAM Museum  was a satellite Mayo Clinic. I thought that was convenient if you ODed on SPAM.
As we settled into tonight camp site in Albert Lea, Minnesota I decided to try to look up some of Greg’s family in Howard S D. (we will be stopping near there tomorrow night). Low & behold I found them - we will be seeing them on Sunday. One of his cousins is the mayor of Howard. We are really looking forward to seeing where Greg’s dad was born & grew up & reconnecting with that part of his family.


Bye-bye Chuck & Gail
we will miss you!!