Saturday-Sunday, September 12-13, 2020 - Preparing for our Move Tomorrow; Lunch with Grandkids; Chores in Joplin; Visiting my Step-Dad; Quiet Evening at Home

Saturday-Sunday, September 12-13, 2020 - Preparing for our Move Tomorrow; Lunch with Grandkids; Chores in Joplin; Visiting my Step-Dad; Quiet Evening at Home

Saturday, September 12

When I said yesterday we would have a busy day today I was not exaggerating!  Both of us spent the morning getting things done in preparation for our move tomorrow.  I headed to the grocery store at 7am to get a few groceries before we leave.  Dean needed to take some things out of Bentley's basement - our old grill, extra chairs we had taken with us to Pennsylvania, and a cooler.  He took these to the garage, and while he was there he seasoned the new grill before we use it for the first time.  We had received a message this morning that the other items I ordered from Amazon had been delivered here at the park.  They leave them at the office, so he stopped to pick those up, as well as another package that was delivered to the Post Office this morning - our protein powder made it here before Monday!  We were happy to hear that since we won't be back in Oswego for 2-3 weeks.  

He was happy to get the grill tools I ordered for him to use on the Blackstone as well.  The gift cards the boys gave him helped purchase these two items!!  I washed all of those so they would be ready to use while we are at out campout.

While he was gone I vacuumed, dusted, etc. and started putting things away I knew we would not be using before we leave tomorrow.  I also made some some changes in the desk storage area.  I always struggle to get my cookbook out, so I moved it to the storage area in the middle, where I can easily open it and pull it out while sitting at the desk working.  The things that were there, we don't use nearly as often (manuals for Bentley), but we need them with us; so they moved into the emptied area where the cookbook had been.

We are meeting our grandkids (Brett's) in Columbus at 11:00 for lunch at Las Lunas.  They are two very busy kids.  Dacy is attending Missouri Southern in Joplin, MO and working at Walmart.  She is an order picker, and she loves it.  Tucker is a Senior at Columbus High School.  He plays soccer, and runs cross-country.  He works at the restaurant at the Columbus Golf Course.  We had a difficult time finding a time that would work between their two schedules, but we made it happen.  We haven't seen them since Dacy's graduation back in July.  It was great to catch up with them and even though it was short since Dacy needed to leave for work, we enjoyed our time with them.  The food was excellent too!

We headed to Joplin after that.  On our way there we came upon these cars west of Baxter Springs.  It was slow going, as we followed them in to Baxter Springs.  They made it through the light, but we had to stop.  Unfortunately, cars were in the way going through the intersection to get many pictures, so I asked Dean to turn left and drive by them so I could get a few pictures.

Just outside of Baxter Springs.

Waiting at the light as the last one made the turn.

Only two I could get good side pictures of, as we made the turn at the light.

A few pictures where they set alongside Main Street on Route 66.  

I texted my step-dad's wife Verna earlier this morning to see if they would be home.  She replied they would be, and to stop anytime.  It was our first stop in Joplin.  It was so good to see them.  It's been a few months since we've been there.  We had been visiting for awhile, when Verna received a call from my sister Crystal.  She was in Joplin and her car was making a noise.  She was able to make it to their house.  We visited for another 15 minutes or so, before we had to leave.  We have several errands to do this afternoon.  When we left Verna was calling Chevrolet to see if they could look at Crystal's car.  I told Crystal to call us, if she ended up needing a ride home, as we would be here for a few more hours.  I intended to take a picture of Larry & Verna before we left.  I wish we could get all seven of us girls together - his three and the four of us for a picture.  A project to work on!!!!

Our first stop was Harbor Frieght for a couple of things Dean wanted, then Sam's.  When CIndy and I were at Sam's last Saturday I bought some towels in their kitchen supply area since I was needing new ones.  When I opened them after we returned home, I was shocked at how large they were, twice as big as what I wanted.  I returned them.  Dean wanted to talk to the hearing aid specialist about his hearing aid, so we took care of both of those errands.

We had a little time left before an appointment at 3, so Lowe's was our next stop.  Dean is looking for a new blade for the band saw he bought from Brett.  He's not had much luck finding one and no luck there either.   We did purchase a couple of storage tubs.  I needed a small one for the RV and he wanted one to store the anniversary clock he recevied from his former workplace until we can hang it in our house someday.  Brett had been using it, so we picked it up last week along with the other items.  Hopefully the storage tub we purchased is the right size.  

It was now time to head to the Toyota dealership to have the oil changed in the car.  After leaving the car with a mechanic, we moved to the waiting area.  A short time later, a young lady walked over to tell us the air filter needed replaced and there was quite a bit of debris on it as well.  She wanted to know if they changed it did we want to have them clean it out, if any debris had dropped down through the filter.  We told her yes to do both if needed.  Fortunately, for us only the filter was needed.  It didn't take too long and a little over 30 minutes later we had one more stop to make before going home, and that was at 7th Street Walmart.  We didn't need too much.  Dean has been wanting to get a rain suit he can wear when we have to set up or tear down in the rain and a couple of things I wasn't able to get in Oswego when I went to the store early this morning.   

We were ready to head home and glad to see it when we got there.   After unloading everything, he got the hair clippers and we headed to the garage, as he really needed a hair cut.  With that done, we could now go home and relax.

We were both tired.  Dean relaxed in front of the TV and I read some more of my book until I could not keep my eyes open.  It was too early to go to bed, so I got up and did a few more things in preparation for tomorrow, before reading a little more.  I think we were both asleep within minutes after our heads hit the pillow.  

Sunday, September 13

I was up early (as usual) this morning.  I managed to get almost everything packed up before I left for church.  We did not plan on leaving Oswego until 1pm, as check in time at the park is not until 4pm.  It was too wet to mow yesterday, so Dean mowed the front part of the lot this morning.  It was still too wet in the back but you can't see it from the road, so we'll take care of it when we get back.

After church, I made our sandwiches (in a 5 carb tortilla), added a view carrots to our plate and some deviled eggs.  As soon as that was cleaned up, we took the car to the garage.  Dean got a battery tender to put on the car while we are gone to keep the battery charged, then we headed back to Bentley.

It didn't take us long to finish the last bit of packing, then putting the slides in, and hooking up.  We pulled out of the park at 1:16.  It was turning into a beautiful day for a ride.  We took some backroads rather than the Interstate.  We love these roads the best.

I've always wanted to visit this National Monument.  I'ts on our list of things to check out this fall, that are close to home!

Of course, I could not help but take pictures of barns.

I couldn't get my camera turned on in time to miss getting the mirror in it.  What a neat stone barn!

We made it to Arkansas - only a few more miles to Pine Tree Campground below Beaver Dam.

I always wonder about the stories behind these old homes.  

We arrived at our campsite and parked at 4:17pm - 3 hours almost to the dot.  It was a nice leisurely drive.  We have not stayed in this particular campground before, but we did stay at the one just below the dam that we passed on our way to Pine Tree Campground.  It is a beautiful area.  I'll take some pictures to share tomorrow and post them later.  

We were the first ones here of the three of us that are camping this week.  At 4:37 I sent a note:  We're all set up waiting on our friends to show up!!  Within a minute or two, Dean said here comes Alvin & Linda.  Only minutes later Drena said we're here!  For once we got to watch them park rather than the other way around.  Dean always enjoys watching others park, rather than everyone watching him!  HAHA

Soon they were set up.  We visited a bit before having a little dinner.  I was sure glad I bought those chicken pot pies - perfect quick meal after a travel day.  Later we got our Fire Genie out and everyone moved over to enjoy a fire outside.  It was a great day.  Four more days here and I'm looking forward to every one of them in this beautiful setting with some good friends.