Charlotte, Michigan, Spartan Factory

All the work was completed on Monday so this morning we will go back to Elkhart, Indiana to complete the under bracing on the coach.

Charlotte, Michigan, Spartan Factory

We didn't get all our work done on the coach in Elkhart, IN so when we are done with Spartan work we will be heading back there for a couple more days. While in Elkhart we toured the Studebaker Museum and the History Museum. I have photos in My Photo Gallery of both of those tours. I included a photo here of Royle next to his dream convertible. Actually, I think his dream convertible is a 1972 Triumph.

Charlotte is only about 120 miles NE of Elkhart, Indiana. We are in a very nice parking area and, again, we have 50 amp. A coach parked here has WineEnthusiast written on it. The owner was just talking with Royle and said he builds wine cellars. He was telling Royle about all the expensive wines he has tasted and his favorite wine is a $1000/bottle. Wowie! Sounds like he is a wine enthusiast. He invited us over for a glass of wine tonight and said just to bring our own glasses - we only have acrylic - hope that isn't to crass.

ELKHART, IN

We are in the parking lot of the Supreme RV Services. They will put in the under brace on our coach tomorrow. Our kitchen slide won't slide out, that happened last night, so they try to fix that as well. We have 50 amp power so we are all set.

In the mid 80's here! It is close to 8:00 p.m. and we still have the air conditioner going.

MONTICELLO, IN

We are at the White Oaks on the Lake Western Horizon RV Park and leaving today for Elkhart, Indiana to get some coach work done. We'll be back here again in a week or so after all the coach work is finished. From Elkhart, we'll go to Charlotte, MI for more work on the coach. We will be staying in the parking lots while getting coach work done and not sure if there will be electricity; no electricity means no updates to blog. So, if you don't see updates, that's why.

SPRINGFIELD, IL

We stayed 2 nights at the Double J Campground which is just a few miles outside of Springfield. Springfield is the capitol of IL.

Again, a lot of history in this city. Abe Lincoln moved to this area when he was in his early 20's. He ran for and became president when he was living here. We toured the house he and his family lived in as well as the Lincoln Museum.

The above photo are the wax figures of Lincoln and his family standing in front of a replica of the White House. Abe and Mary Todd had 4 sons, one died when he was just 4 years old, another when he was 11 and another one died when he was 17. Their oldest son Robert lived until he was in his 80's. Robert had children but none of his children did so there are no descendants of Abe Lincoln.

More photos located in My Photo Gallery, 2008/2009 Winter Season.

This morning we will be heading for Monticello, IN and will stay one night at the White Oaks Western Horizon Resort.

GATEWAY ARCH, ST. LOUIS, MO

We visited this memorial yesterday. So interesting. The building of the arch began in 1962 and was completed in Oct. of 1965 but the plans for a memorial began in the early 30's. Close to the arch is where the Missouri river empties into the Mississippi. Lewis and Clark outfitted here in 1803 for their exploration west. This city was the stopping off place for supplies as people headed west. Thus, the arch is also referred to as Gateway to the West.

I hope you go into my photo gallery to see more photos of this area. Just click on 2008/2009 winter season - the link to "Photo Gallery" (off to the right, screen down). This link will take you to all albums, click on the arch photo and that will take you to all the photos within this album. Click on each photo to enlarge and see captions. Royle took a tram to the top and was able to get photos from the windows at the top of the arch.

Heading for Springfield, IL this morning.

BOTANICAL GARDENS, St. Louis, MO

We went into the city to see the Botanical Gardens - this tops our list and we try to see them wherever we go. San Antonio was at the top of my list but it now comes in 2nd. The founder, Henry Shaw, was a bachelor who made his wealth in hardware and selling goods to settlers setting off for the West. He devoted the rest of his life to creating a garden at his county estate (which is now within the city). The gardens cover 90 acres.

The photo above is what you first see when you enter the Visitor Center. There are more photos in my photo gallery section of this blog - off to the right, screen down, click on 2008/2009 Winter Season, click on the botanical garden album and then click on any photo you want to enlarge.