May 25-27 - Quad Cities

We arrived at the KOA in Rock Island, IL with a SUV pulling up beside us and a guy saying "We saw your Airstream so had to come over to say hi!"   Big Ed is rebuilding a 22 ft. Safari Airstream and is on the Airstream forum on computer.   His wife is from Fayetteville, NC, so that was added incentive to follow us to the KOA to greet us.   Can't beat THAT for a welcome!

It has been very warm here all weekend, with highs in the 90's and very windy.   They desperately want rain here, not having had any for 3 weeks.   Unfortunately, it isn't to happen this weekend.   The KOA has bake sales, ice cream socials, hay rides, and fishing for those who stay in camp.   We tend to want to roam and see things, so we consulted the web and brochures for possible things to see.   We've been here several times, so have seen many things on earlier visits.

On Saturday morning we headed the mile to the Hy-Vee (our favorite grocery chain!) for breakfast and then we decided to go to LeClaire, IA across the river to the Buffalo Bill Museum.   It seems Bill spent his early childhood there, and the town has a museum with a section on him.   It also has a 100 year old paddle boat inside that we were able to explore.  After spending two hours there, we went a block up the street to Sneaky Pete's, a restaurant located in the oldest commercial building in town.   The building dates back to the 1830's and originally served as a hotel for seamen off the river boats.   The atmosphere in the restaurant is casual western, with ties snipped off diners and hung from the ceiling.   Seating is at trestle tables and benches, the salad bar is an old claw-footed tub.   Drinks are served in fruit jars and kerosene lamps light the tables.   Oh, did I mention the saloon has the original tin ceiling, complete with a few bullet holes.   :-)

On Sunday we drove to the Walnut Grove Pioneer Village located in a Scott County Park near Long Grove, IA.   IT was about 20 miles from the KOA.  They had exhibitors demonstrating rope making, weaving, quilting, broom making and crafts for sale.   We toured all the buildings, saw a gun fight on the town's street, and enjoyed kettle korn.   We cooled off in the saloon and then started back to camp.

Monday we will travel as far as Omaha, NE and then the following day Cheyenne, WY.   My next blog entry will likely be from Salt Lake City, UT.  

May 15, 2012

It's almost time to hit the road!   We are currently packing the trailer and hoping we don't forget anything this year!  Here's our itinerary for the first two weeks.  

2012 Trip Itinerary

May 23 – Cracker Barrel,  Newport, TN   (Exit 435)  5 hrs. 22 min.

May 24 -  Cracker Barrel,  Seymour, IN  (Exit 50B)   6 hrs. (est.)

May 25 – KOA, 2311 78^th Ave. W., Rock Island, IL   (5.5 hrs)

To  28

May 28 – Omaha KOA, 14601 Hwy 6, Gretna, NE 68028  (5 hrs.)

May 29-   Cheyenne, WY KOA 8800 Archer Frontage Rd.  (6.5 hrs 470 mi)

May 30-    Salt Lake City KOA. 1400 W. North Temple, 84116 (7 hrs) 467 mi/   Out June 1 

June 1 -5   Ely, NV  40^th N. Hwy 93 (if arriving after 5 p.m., call 775-289-3303)  (from junction of HWY 50/6/ & 93 NE 2 miles on 93)  Valley View RV Park  Approx. 242 miles from Salt Lake City (4 hours)