Rain, Wind, Tornado Warnings

 Rain, Wind, Tornado Warning and Tornados on the ground 

High Winds, Heavy Rain and Tornados warning, our first night in St. Charles, Kane County Fairgrounds. Yep, you guessed it.

Fortunately damage was minimal. During this storm, we heard a very loud crack. Our first thought, well there goes a solar panel. So, in the morning as I did a walk around, I notice all the panels were ok, but I saw the awning arm sitting on top of the slide. Seems the heavy winds pulled the long awning arm out of it socket. 

For those of you, who have a SoLong slide, whether 24 or 27 Ft you have a Carefree of Colorado SOKIII XL Slide Awning. The awning roller is make up of 3 pieces. 2 rollers and a insert. The insert and rollers are held together by 4 rivets on each arm. Well you can guess what can happen over 14 years. Rivets do give out and pop. So, nothing mayor, just disassemble, remove and dry everything. The repair will take place prior to leaving. Nothing difficult. 

This happened after a lovely evening with Dana and Tom for dinner. They choose a lovely place downtown St. Charles, McNally's Pub. Good food different drinks along with good talks. 

 

So, where are we? 

Our first night we stayed at the Kane County Fairgrounds. Water and 50amps dump area. However, the Fair is starting this week, July 17th to the 21st. We were only able to stay 1 night. We will return on the 22, the first day after the fair closes. Then it is back to the Kane County, Paul Wolfe Campground. For us, really me, this is a nice campground 20 minutes (15 miles) from Dana & Tom's place. 

It has now become easier for us to use Dana, as she is a resident, to get the resident rate. 

50amps, concrete pad, central water between 2 units, and 1 common dump. 

For additional information read all about it Here 

Susan will be spending good amount her time with them, as for me, I will come and go, while going minor fixups and some upgrades, especially after the storm.

So, onward and upward as the old saying goes.

Safe Travels and Journeys 

DaGirls Rv and Gus the Bus

Susan, Tilly, Dakota and me 

Wrapping Up - Burlington WI

 Earlier I wrote about our arrival location, and who we were visiting. Well now for the rest of the story. 

Our goal, stay for awhile and maybe go to the Oshkosh Air Show. After remaining here with Wayne and Sandy, getting a plane ride, and doing some heavy thinking, The night temperatures are lovely and comfortable, however we are using the generator and all 3 AC's compressors to cool the coach and rid of the humidity, in the afternoon. Then there is the long range temperatures. I decided dry camping up at the show, is something we can do without. Especially, with the weather playing a big role. So, my plane days are gone, I spent enough time either designing, working or visiting military bases and aircraft carriers. 

Wayne had invited us to stay at a farmers field, where every year, he would rope off an area for his RV and friends. He decided this would be the last year he would do it. He found out, if he volunteered 49 hours, he could get a spot in the field. Believe me, it definitely will be easier for him in the future. 

Friday morning, Wayne and Sandy left and have gone up to Oshkosh, we are staying here till Monday, and them going south to our campground, located outside of Elgin, IL. It will be a very long drive. About 75 miles. We can make is longer, but have chosen the quick way down. The only issue is 3pm check in time.

Paul Wolfe Campground - Press Here for additional info

In the mean time, let me show you what finally got completed down at the Happy Cabin. Thanks to Jon (JN electric) & Kelly. 

Old - Really Old Panel

New 200 Amp Panel

Complete with a  20, 30 and 50 amp receptables, and room to grow

Big thanks goes out to Kelly our up-the-hill neighbor.

Alright, as I said thanks to Wayne and Sandy, for allowing us to stay here,  they also have been attempting to give us a ride for a few years now. Well Thursday was the day. 

Hey Dwight, the Corn Starks here are over 6ft high and corn is coming out, and something they have here and NOT in Nebraska is Walking Corn Starks. See the many tiny feet.

And a few odd photos of our travels

Fisherman Corner's COE - Moline, IL

Wonderful COE park, 50amp, central dump and central water. Sites are good and most are easy to get into.

 

This one is for JR and Ann, since he has a Bronco, I thought he would down size

Clean and no wind on our traveling day, this is condensation from the Nuclear Reactor

Here is an additional piece of Information. Camping in Wisconsin is very expensive, expensive as in $ 70 and above . After a few days, I have finally found 2 Fairground's which are reasonable. So, if we ever come back to a better job of investigating Wisconsin, as least I found a couple of bases. 

Dragster with a blown engine

How about a little round up since leaving Show Low for Roadmaster in Vancouver, WA. You can check our route and places we stayed, in the map to the right. Click on it and it will open up

Total Miles                                      3549

Receipt - Fill (Gal)                          488

Cost of Fuel $US                            $1,650.74

Average Cost/Gal                          $3.39

Gen Run Time                                 9.0

Gen Fuel (Gal)                                6.5

EngRunTimeHr                               0.0

MPG  minus GenRunTime           7.3

Lbcu MPG                                        7.6

 Dry Camping                                  7           

Nights Total                                     31

Average Night Rates                     $21.64

Total Cost Rates                              $369.00

Safe Travels and Journeys

DaGirls Rv and Gus the Bus

Susan, Tilly, Dakota and me

Leaving Nebraska

 We left early Monday, July 8th, as usual, we awoke, got coffee, feed Dakota and Tilly, do the small items that we left from the night before. Jeff, was up, Breaunna and Jade came by and said their goodbyes. 

We were on the road by 7 am, and hooked up in 20 minutes down on the corner. Our distance was only going to be about 300 miles, but due to how early it was we decided to continue on, plus locating an overnight stop in Iowa was getting difficult, as no one was calling us back in a timely fashion. I located a COE park (Fisherman) inside of Illinois, very close to Moline. With our discount $15, for the night with 50amp. 

After a good dinner, and walks around area, we retired. Morning came, did our morning routing, and proceeded out. We stopped at the dump to clean tanks and take on some fresh water. Next stop Wayne and Sandy's place outside of Burlington, WI.

Once here, we setup and enjoyed a night gather outside talking. A discussion was held about taking us up in Wayne's 4 seater that evening, but clouds were gathering, so we tabled that for the next morning. That was then tabled due to possible rain in the morning. However on Thursday morning promised to clear up. So, off we went.

There we are, along with the Farm, and Farm house which Wayne sold.

We spent time at the local farmers market, which, was awesome. Which we had room in freezer and refrigerator. 

Along with a drive out to Mars Cheese Castle 

We also stop at a liquor store just to see the products

Ok, this is enough for now: catch you up later with the rest of the story.

Safe Travels and Journeys

DaGirls Rv, Gus the Bus

Susan, Tilly, Dakota and me