A Theme Park Lord's Day

Jim, Nancy and their daughter Katy met us at the Wilderness Chapel for the 10am morning worship service. It was packed with some even sitting on the floor. We sang song hymns out of the book and the preacher gave a clear Gospel-centered sermon.

We stayed together for part of the day while attending concerts and enjoyed a pizza and salad lunch together.

Jim and Nancy drove back our RV after the evening concert. Saw this sunset as we rode the tram to the parking lot.

We had root beer floats, thanks to the campground store manager letting me in after hours to get the ice cream!

Southern Gospel weekend

Saturday at Silver Dollar City. 30-minute concerts all day with lots of walking between venues. The park is built into the Ozark Hills so we get lots of exercise walking.

There are "characters" roving through the park greeting the guests. Here we are with "Whoopsie Daisy" and a "Doctor of Experiments".

Each evening ends with a full concert in the amphitheater. "The Inspirations Quartet" was amazing...non-stop traditional quartet singing for almost two hours.

It's Sunday morning and we are headed back to the park for the day. We plan to meet up with Jim and Nancy, relatives on Roger's side.

Friday surprise!

I discovered Friday morning that our 12volt converter had completely died. The converter charges the coach batteries which powers most of the systems on board such as the refrigerator, water heater, A/C, lights, etc.

I googled for RV parts and service and called Randy's Mobile Service. He delivered a replacement 15 minutes after I called. PTL!. He also gave some ideas as to why the converter died. It turned out to be one of the two coach batteries. So, we are running on one battery for now.

We took the noon shuttle bus to the park and soon were in a concert. About half way through a man a few rows behind us had a medical emergency and the show was immediately canceled and we all exited the space. It was strange to hear the singer interrupted mid-song by the PA announcement.

Our favorite concert today was the Lesters. They are a family group celebrating 100 years in Gospel music. The is normally a trio with a father, his adult son and daughter-in-law. Today he brought 4 of their 5 grandkids out to sing. They were a hit with the audience. Those kids can really sing!

A "free day" to catch up

On Wednesday we did laundry and swam in the pool. We also joined a Missions Fest Seattle planning meeting over Zoom.

The Southern Gospel Picnic started today. We are enjoying the groups so far.

We sampled taffy and watched it being rolled out and wrapped. Heather is at the front of the line! I didn't care for the daily flavor...carrot cake!

Arrived in Branson on Tuesday

We parked Monday night in the Sullivan, MO, Wal-Mart. Heading south on I-44 Tuesday morning we spotted signs for  Meramec Caverns and decided to stop for a tour. Caves are cool and our thermometer showed 104+ degrees!! The tour was over an hour long. Some of the features were interesting, but the best part was the "patriotic light show" in the "theater" - right in the cave. First time for that! However, we were fascinated with the opening and closing slide - both were Scripture references.

Upon exiting the cave, we were hit with the heat. There were other "touristy" places to see and that was the plan, but we decided to change our plans and drive direct to Silver Dollar City campground - our original goal for Wednesday pushed up a day. We were able to get the spot we had reserved a day early and were very grateful to plug in and run a/c. We're in site 36 right behind the clubhouse...near the pool!

 

Reviewing our travels since Sunday - a long posting

Parked at Love's in Dwight, IL, on Sunday night. We appreciate Love's. They almost always have some long RV slots available for overnight guests (free). They also have a great deal on coffee. Bring in any size thermos and fill it for $2.15.

Monday was a museum day for us. We visited the Pontiac, IL, "Museum Complex", a collection of small museums in adjoining buildings featuring a variety of interests. Since Pontiac is located along the old Route 66, that is one area of focus. The Livingston County War Museum has a collection of mannequins dressed in the actual uniforms of servicemen who came from there. It was sobering to think that each of these uniforms was worn by a person who is now passed into eternity. 

Another museum featured a small display of "Life on the the Titanic", including some items from the ship that have been recovered. Alongside this feature was a two-month account of Axelina “Axie” Constanzia Ergo who traveled on another White Star ship 11 years after the Titanic disaster. The exhibit shows items from her ship as well as some from the Titanic. 

Another exhibit in the complex is called Life in the 40's. Headlines of WW II and a refrigerator that looks like it came from the "Lost in Space" TV show.

After Pontiac we stopped at another museum in Atlanta, IL, which featured Abraham Lincoln. I liked the question "How do you measure up to Abraham Lincoln?" He was a man of great character and wisdom. Later in the day we visited his tomb. (He was 6'4".)

We were impressed with the wheat-weaving exhibit. Amazing artistry.

Across the street from the museum is a unique 8-sided library and a bell tower. We were there for the noon 12 ring!

In Atlanta is a Giant Museum. Although it was closed, the giants live outdoors, so you can see them anytime.

Our final museum stop of the day was the Abraham Lincoln Tomb memorial. This is a memorial that deservedly honors a great man.

Sunday in Sycamore and beyond

Saturday night was rough. Bruce and Roger were awakened by a very severe thunder storm that passed through the area. Heather slept through it. Bonnie was awakened 1/2 way through the storm. None of their trees went down, but many in other places did. Some lost power when the lines went down. It was quite a wild experience, since we don't have such storms out west.

We went to CrossView Church with Bruce and Bonnie. The music was good; the sermon was from Habakkuk. It was very applicable to the times we live in. Sunday School finished up the book of Esther; good interaction between the few of us that were there.

We left immediately for Shorewood, a southern suburb of Chicago. Maggie and Sidney were neighbors when we lived in Chicago in the 70's. Their daughter and a granddaughter were there, too. Maggie treated us all to Portello's famous Italian beef sandwich. Later we visited in her apartment. 

We drove a short distance and parked at Love's in Dwight, IL. The air has cooled and it's quite pleasant after an almost 100 degree day. One nice benefit of parking at Love's (besides being free) is their "coffee refill". Bring an empty thermos (any size) and the price is $2.13 at all their stations.