Saturday November 3, 2007 Pine Bluff, AK

YAA, we are on the road again! It was great spending 3 weeks in Hollister with new friends but it's exciting getting back on the road again. If only I could sing today it would have been Willie Nelson's "On The Road Again"! We only traveled 217 miles but most of it was on two lane state roads through the Ozarks, lots of hills and turns. The colors are changing down here so it was a pretty trip. We chose Pine Bluff as that's where my parents were married and first stationed when dad was in the Army during WWII. Mom travelled by train from Michigan to be with (chase?) him. Bev dug up their address (806 Texas) , I remember mom said they lived in a small apartment above a garage. Well, it's not there now. Darn. Texas goes from 720 to 1300+. Where mom and dad first lived is now a convention center with lots of newer buildings and parking lots. We then went to find the church, Trinity Lutheran, where they were married. Bev's post card had a picture and location of Pine and 15th Street. The building is still there but is a community center now. The building matches the picture post card Bev has so we are batting 500. Great weather, sun and mid 70s. It's nice hearing the night bugs again, this must be a typical CG as I can even hear a distant train whistle.

Friday November 2, 2007 Hollister, MO

Well, last night in Hollister! This afternoon the six of us saw Mannheim Steamroller and we really enjoyed them. Is it really Christmas time? The malls are playing Christmas music here already and have their Christmas decorations up and lit. The pictures are at the theater, the one with Judy has the tree decorated in popcorn balls. After the show we went to Odies for supper, good steaks and BBQ. It was Bill's 65th birthday so we got together here and had cake, ice cream and strawberries thanks to Dave and Trisha. We played several hands of Ono and the guys wumped the ladies.

Wednesday October 31 and Thursday November 1, 2007 Hollistoer. MO

On Wednesday and Thursday we took a RV driving course for 6 hours each day. We spent Wednesday inside the CG just backing up and parking the rig. That evening we got together with our 4 friends for a great supper, hot dogs. We sat around and talked as it was a real nice evening. Judy went to the CG activity center to check out the Halloween party. We had 2 trick or treaters, they were about 65 but wanted some chocolate.
Thursday we spent 2 or 3 hours driving on the road. I am comfortable on the road but Judy has only driven 3 times on major roads. She spent 2 hours in city traffic and on some real hilly and twisty narrow roads. She was happy as she feels much more comfortable now. We spend the rest of the day in the CG backing and parking. Thursday night was all got together in our trailer and had a taco supper, they were real good. The beer and margaritas helped.

Tuesday October 30, 2007 Hollister, MO

Today we (6 of us) went to the College of the Ozarks, about 2 miles from the CG. It is also known as Hard Work U. It was started in 1906 and the 1500 students have to work 15 hours a week plus 40 more in 1 week per semester. For that they get a free 4 year education, all they pay is room and board. They have a great museum with all kinds of stuff. Glass, dolls, 1 entire floor of guns, stiff made by folks living in the Ozarks, etc. They have the original truck used in the Beverly Hillbilly's. I didn't even make it to the third floor! We went through the fruit cake factory , yes we all bought one. We also examined the tractor museum. I wasn't able to see the third floor because I was summoned to lunch. They also have a culinary arts program and we had a great lunch, especially the soup. The campus is really set in a beautiful location in the mountains.

Monday October 29, 2007 Hollister, MO

A relaxing day, Judy went to Curves and the grocery store when she got up, I slept in awhile longer. We did some errands, picked up the Mainhein Steamroller tickets, had lunch at Backyard Burger, returned some too small shoes, picked up our mail and returned home. I washed the truck inside and outside. At 6:30 we joined 5 other couples who have HitchHikers for a small get together in the CG activity center. Tonight we watched an old movie "The Onion Fields" about the 1963 murder of a Los Angeles cop. Nice day, sunny and 70; tonight high 30s. We are getting quite anxious to start traveling again Saturday.

Sunday October 28,2007 Hollister, MO

Today we went to Eureka Springs in Arkansas, this is an old town from the late 1800s founded because of several springs (discovered much earlier by Indians) thought to have healing powers. The tourist and artists town is built on a mountain top so nothing is level or straight. We took a 1 hour trolley history tour of the town and had lunch at a Mexican restaurant. The springs now have their water supplied by the towns water supply, so much for healing powers. We also visited Christ in the Ozarks, the second largest statue of Christ in the world.

Saturday October 27, 2007 Hollister, MO

Today Judy did the usual, Curves. At 11:30 Dave, Bill and I picked up a van from Avis, got the ladies (and Tank) and headed for some Missouri back roads and wineries. The first was the best of the three we visited today. Nice setting in the hilly and wooded countryside, a large deck, live 3 piece band and lots of good wine (no beer). We stopped for lunch then the second winery wasn't much, a pole building and small tasting room. The third was nice with a taste of all their wines. It was getting late so we didn't stay long and got back to the CG about 8pm. My Lazy Boy chair was calling and I responded.