This is what happens when I fall behind and I’m about to hit the road again – Catch up time!!! Which could mean this will be another photo dump. We will see where my mind and words take us today. I have been very busy, but my life has felt more ‘normal’ these few weeks with work, ball, and hanging with friends. It is July 26th, but we start today’s blog at the end of June.

From Chicago, I shot down to Tennessee because everyone kept telling me it is beautiful and I had to check it out. Did you know that the real name of Rocky Top is Lake City? huh

I stayed at Norris Lake, and yes, it is a very pretty area. The rainbow picture was cool looking so I had to share. My favorite part of TN is that there were no flying, biting bugs! I saw a bunch of crawly things, but those are manageable.

I finally made it to Missouri to see these lovely people: Stacey and Jeff

This was at a July 4th celebration concert. The night before we watched fireworks from the roof – that was a bit scary!!! I crab walked it – 4 point contact at all times.

Oh and we got some water time in too. Thank goodness Stacey is good at taking pictures! I’ll be back to St Louis soon. I had to take a jump up to Chicago for a work and volleyball filled week!

On the way, I stayed on old Route 66 in the quirky little town of Atlanta, IL. Have you ever wondered what happened to all the Giant Fiberglass figures companies used to use for advertising? They ended up in this little town for goodness sake!

The road on the right WAS Route 66, but now, this was the view from my campsite. Okay, I never really wondered what happened to all the Giants, but I laughed when I found them in this out of the way tiny place.

Bob was hiding in the Texaco ‘American Giants’ museum.

I guess there were Bunyans all over the country holding everything from hot dogs, to pencils, to chain saws. So, what was the demise of the fiberglass giant? They were unstable! I’m guessing somebody almost got smushed, so they ordered all the giants torn down and destroyed. Somebody stowed this Paul away in a storage unit in Las Vegas until Atlanta decided to give them all a home. It was an odd thing to stumble across and it is now journal documented.

Chicago was a blast! We celebrated Steve’s birthday.

Played a lot of volleyball – it was kinda neat with the Chicago skyline in the background. I had no idea Chicago had such beautiful big beaches!

And went to yet another music festival. That’s my friend Janet – I met her months ago on this trip and she let us park on her grass. That’s Brian – I had just met him the day before – he lives in Panama.

It was a great week in Chicago. Steve and I got a lot of work done and I met his entire family: Mom, brother & Dad. Time to head back to St Louis!

I stayed at a nice Harvest Host (Dallas Pond) on the way – saw some totally goofy looking chickens, met a sweet old man named David (we shared coffee for breakfast), and got some delicious fresh eggs. Did you know that drones are now crop dusters? David lives between corn and soy bean fields, and I saw both a plane AND a drone spraying them down – modern times I guess.

A drive along the Mighty Mississippi

And I’m back at Stacey’s in MO. I think I will fill you in on this week next time.

Thanks again faithful readers!

Tip of the day: If you put something down in an odd place, first remember that you did put it down. Second, remember where. Thank God for honest people! I left my wallet, phone and new water bottle on the back of Jeff’s truck. It took me about an hour to realize my water bottle was missing – let alone the other two items. When I got back to the truck, two young men were taking it all into the lost and found. My faith in humanity continues to be restored! Seriously, how does anyone forget all of those three important items?! I worry about myself sometimes – lol.