Coffeyville & the Dalton Gang

After we went to church this morning and then had brunch we went with Gary & Suzanne to Coffeyville, KS where, in 1893, the Dalton Gang met their Waterloo. They wanted to outdo Jesse James and rob two banks at one time to get enough money to leave the US for South America. Well, they left the US but didn't make it to South America. The local towns folks spotted the robbery and raided the hardware store for guns and ammo to fight it out. The results were 4 of the 5 Dalton Gang dead along with four citizens. The bar by their tombstone was the hitching rail they tied their horses to during the robbery and their graves only marker until the one survivor, Emmet Dalton, got out of prison 15 years latter and added the gravestone.

When we returned to Chanute Stacy & Sharon Wise, fellow Haulin' HitchHikers, were here so we rounded them up along with another HH couple and the eight of us went out for supper. We then sat around until dark chatting. We spent some time then getting ready to our 7am service appointment.

Chanute, KS ..........and the great flood

We slept in this morning, went out for a bit and fueled the truck. It was about 10:30 when we pulled out for a short 140 mile drive to Chanute and arrived at 1pm. Gary & Suzanne greeted us when we arrived at the city park. Gary was fixing a blown 12v fuse for his fridge & A/C and I got to help by supplying the new fuse. After we set up we chatted for awhile then went to the sports bar downtown for supper. We returned and were picking their brains about their trip this summer to Alaska when Judy noticed we were flooding! The toilet valve had stuck open and, thankfully, clean water was overflowing the toilet. The bathroom floor was covered in water, the hallway carpet was soaked and the basement was wet. JOY JOY...it happened in Chanute and we have a service appointment Monday......great luck! We wet vacked up the water and WILL WATCH the toilet all the time now until Monday! This has also happened to Gary & Susanne in Alaska and Dave & Trish at the B&B rally so we know what to do.

Kansas City, MO Steve & Susy

It was a 300+ mile day but well worth it. We got an early start (8:15am) and arrived at 2:30 at the CG. Steve & Susy came over after Steve got off work and we chatted for almost 2 hours before we remembered we were hungry. They took us out to the Mongolian BBQ and we all really enjoyed it, including Judy who's often very picky about what she eats. We drove by their home, both of them, the stick house and their HH parked in the driveway. I must admit that Steve has to know how to back his 37' HH into the driveway on a crowded residential street. We went back to our place and talked until almost midnight. It was GREAT to see them again and we look forward to socializing with them in Montgomery, TX next month. If Steve retires in November, who knows, maybe we'll see more of them this winter! My only regret is I forgot to get a picture of them.

Rain drops keep falling on our heads........

We intended to drive halfway to Kansas City, MO today but.......Hanna's leftovers kept us in Litchfield another day. It was raining when we got up and the weather map looked like it would stop about noon so we went into town and Judy went to Curves, we had lunch at the Route 66 Cafe (the CG and Litchfield is on old route 66), & stopped at Wal-Mart for a few things. It was raining harder so we decided to stay put and putter around the trailer. We'll just drive longer tomorrow.

Litchfield, Il Honey Bend AOR Paek

We traveled 245 miles today, mostly expressway and Judy drove for a couple hours. Between yesterday and today we have been driving through LOTS of cornfields, corn is king around here. We arrived early this afternoon and are in another real nice park for $8. It has lots of rolling hills, water, large irregular sites, and almost empty. Just for Dave Wood it also has train tracks quite near. It has cooled off considerably and is actually pleasant working outside. I flushed the holding tanks real good after sitting in MI for 6 weeks. Judy made a nice supper; salad, chicken and spiced potatoes then we went for a walk around the campground and chatted with a local. We are now listening to the remains of Gustov falling falling on our roof. It's been a long time since we have been in a nice rain, very relaxing & enjoyable.

On the Road Again.......Monticello, IN

This morning we took Devyn to school, first day and in the fourth grade. By the way, she didn't wear the pink boots, she changed into sneakers. Remmy & Annie came out to say good bye too, or for breakfast. We said our good byes to Randy & Kristi last night. After taking Devyn to school we packed up and pulled out at 10:20 after emptying our tanks at a very nice BP station on the way. We pulled into a Western Horizons park at 2:30 and set up, it was hot...over 90. Judy made sausage, eggs and toast for brunch and we both stayed nice & cool inside with both A/Cs running. After it cooled off we filled the tank with diesel (IN is less expensive than IL) and picked up a few groceries. We are both tired so will most likely hit the hay early tonight. All is well!!!!!

Onsted, MI

Well, 2 weeks have gone by and what have we been doing? We went to Monroe and had supper one evening with my sister Bev & Judy's sister Jean. We have taken Devyn to soccor practice. We have traveled to Leslie and had lunch with two fellow HitchHiker owners. We have washed and kept clean the truck. Today we washed the trailer in preparation of leaving Wednesday. We have created a little monster, Devyn loves to play rummy and Mexican Train. She has been spending many nights sleeping in the trailer with us.

We dug out Dick's RC airplane and Randy did an excellent job of flying for several minutes until a tree cut the flight short. Kristi has been taking pictures, include Amy & Chris' new daughter Sidney. We have gone to the Lake Association picnic, visited with several lake friends at their place or out to eat with them. And, of course, a little work around here. We are looking forward to leaving Wednesday for Kansas.