Completing the Journey North

We done did it. We completed our journey North from "Get Out of Texas".
Stayed in 8 different locations.
Stopped, visited or photo op 7 different places.
Close to 1060 miles since Beaumont, Tx.
175 Gallons.

You read about our stop in Chaute, Ks. When we left, our goal was a COE on the Melvern lake. Plan spend 3 days, near the lake and sit back. What we found?

Yes, road closed signs. Instead of driving around on the Loop? you have to back out. Yep won't work for DaGirls, although Dakota was thinking hey, this might be good. Next to a lake, water, fun and a place to run, well maybe run. You know that lease law.

However we choose to cancel and continue our journey. Using our usual resources, we landed in Westmoreland, Ks. A bustling town of 757 (2017). Where they have a very nice full hookup sites (50 amps). This is a stop-over place only for 1 nite, as the rates have been raised to $35. So, not many Rv stop-over. Especially in a place you can walk up and down main-street in less then 20 minutes, including photo ops.

Good place to stop in ? Ice Cream Parlor

So, we enjoyed our short stay, the night was cool and quite, until morning (Stupid bird). Then we fueled up and continued our journey north. 

As we continue on the road, we spied a sign, Marysville Rv Park, Come stay with us. Ye-Ah, lets find it. Well we did but the inn was full. However we did score a large parking space on the street. Why you ask? Because we could but also we spied this:

What we spied, as we were coming into town, besides the Rv park, is what really drew us was seeing these:

Black Squirrel ? Squirrel !.

Well, we did not spied any Squirrels but we did see:

 Squirrel !

 Squirrel !

This is some serious BBQ'ing. 

Before I forget - Farmers Market, this one was going on as we drove thru the town of  Frankford.

Not a bad take-away here. If you see something of interest, stop, take a-while and walk around. You never know what you will find. 

Safe Journeys and Travels

DaGirls Rv

Susan, Tilly, Dakota and me

Further North

Our journey was to head north to Friend, Ne. Plan, Susan goes to Chicago, me, I stay and work on our new table.

Once we left Branson, our heading was Kansas, well somewhere in kansas. As Susan was in the driver's seat, I started searching for a city park or something similar. What I found was a city park, in the town of Chanute, Ks. Parks name Santa Fe Safari RV Campground.

Where for the price of $0, you can stay 2 nites, and then there after $10/nite.

Santa Fe Safari RV Campground - Clicky

No real need for campground photos: Well maybe a few:

But, our plan 1 nite, and then head north to Melvern Lake. Where we had reservation at a COE. Stay 3 nights. Relax. Well everyone remembers the rain? Well it seems many of the COE are closed, but they do a poor job of informing people. 

We arrived, were told we either back down and in, or drive down and park in. What ??? Why can we just go around the loop?

That is the loop road. See the barricades, well that is next to our site. After looking at it, we decided to decline and inform the gate attendant. He say no problem I will get you a refund. So, off we went in search of a place for the night. 

But not without a few photo ops along the journey:

So, after, searching we found a city park in Westmoreland, Ks. 

Oregon Trails Rv Park - Clicky  

A little more reading, and I / we learned that this city was the first mayor stop for settlers heading west:

Westmoreland  History:

   The Oregon Trail crossed Pottawatomie County and passed just south of Westmoreland which was a rest stop for travelers drawn to the area due to a natural spring which offered a fresh supply of water.  The spring also established to the town site's western limits.  Since this area along the trail was frequently used, ruts from the early wagon trains can still be seen.

   In 1856, John McKimens came to the area and in 1858 established the first post office.  The post office was name in honor of McKimens' native county, Westmoreland, Pennsylvania.  The post office was located in his home at Rock creek crossing.

   The first house built in Westmoreland was a log structure erected in 1860 and stood at the southeast end of town.  In the winter of 1862, the first school was established and the building used for the school was a log cabin which stood near the corner of the future State Street and the public highway intersection.  This school served several townships yet there was no clear boundaries for the school district.

Good side, large sites, FHU, 50 amps. Very small town, easy walking in and out. However, they recently had a price increase, what was $10 and $20, now they are  $25 - $35. Pricy for us, but hey 1 nite and then we leave. But this is a wonderful place for a stop. 

We did take time out to walk the town, which took all of 20 minutes, and then stopped in for an ice cream.

Safe Travels and Journeys

DaGirls Rv

Susan, Tilly, Dakota and Me.

Keep an eye on the rear camera.

Continuing our Journey

Our goal when leaving Little Rock? Well Branson, Mo. Branson, is where the 2019 Alfa Roadrunner Spring and the AOC rally will be held. So, a stop over was in order to check out the park, and look into the sites.

We pulled into Turkey Creek Rv park, this is an Escapee Rv owned park. Like many parks old, but acceptable to us. 50 Amp FHU pull through and satellite.

Photos ? Well not really:

Safe Travels & Journeys
DaGirls Rv
Susan, Tilly, Dakota and me

Continuing the Journey North

Once we left Hot Springs, we headed Northeast - to Little Rock, Ar.  One of the things I forgot, was I have kinfolk in the Arkansas area. Always in the back of my mind, I remember dad talking about Little Rock, and Pine Bluff, however the one place I do not remember was Camden, Ar. It seems Camden was where most were located, but we had already passed the city. So, leave tracking down second aunts and uncle for later.

Our Destination - Downtown Riverside Rv park.

Our primary goal - William J. Clinton Presidential Library. This will be the fourth library we will have visited. Our libraries include Reagan, Eisenhower, and Johnson. We always like reading up on history, and events that helped to create a timeline of those years and leading up to the now. More on the history and events later.

Photos of the Library? Well a few maybe:

 Being in Arkansas and right along the Arkansas River, especially this year, the river levels have continued to rise and breach the river banks. Even while we were at the Park, the level rose over 3 feet in 2 days. We heard reservations were being cancelled for the week of May 31st.

One of the interesting places I wanted to located was the beginning point of the Louisiana Purchase. I wonder how many people even remember what that means.

Sometimes we just have to re-read it - Clicky - Wikipedia

Just where is this point of interest?

A State Park - Titled Louisiana Purchase State Park (in Arkansas).
The point of interest is located in what they call a Head Water Swamp, yep - a swamp. It is situated along a boardwalk about 200 yards winding long.

When we arrived , it was down about a 1 mile long straight road. Could you bring the Alfa? Well you could, but you would be disconnecting the tow vehicle and then slowly turning and backing up a little. 

Soon we were in sight of the end, our goal - what - where - there it is in the swamp itself.

Ok, enough of this - I'll get back to Little Rock later and also let you know where we are located. 

Just remember to Enjoy Life 

Safe Journeys and Travels

DaGirls Rv 

Susan , Tilly, Dakota and me 

And Keep an eye on the Rear Camera - Specifically the Tow