Day 5 – Kansas City, MO to Chamberlain, SD

Posted on by September 9, 2015
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Day 5 found us up and out by 6:30 (UGH) am. We sailed up I29 from Kansas City to Chamberlain, SD at a rapid 75+mph. We stopped in Sioux City, IA for breakfast and then cruised non-stop to Mitchell, SD and the Corn Palace (pictured). The murals on the exterior of this building are made entirely of colored corn and reflect the theme of the year. Every year, an new theme is chosen and the murals are redone. They have been doing it since 1892. Had lunch right next door at the Scoreboard Pub & Grill – Great Wheat Beer and good food.
Stopped for the night in Chanberlain, SD on the shores of Lake Sharpe (an impoundment on the Missouri River.) It was difficult to find a motel here so we called ahead to reserve something neat Mt. Rushmore. After calling a dozen places near Rushmore, I finally found a new Comfort Inn in Custer, SD – we’ll be staying there Saturday and Sunday nights.

Day 3 – Kansas City, MO

Posted on by September 9, 2015
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Wednesday started slow as we slept in late and just relaxed the morning away. (What are vacations for?)
After a late breakfast, Mary & I struck out on our own for City Market near downtown. Lots of produce and exotic foods we just don’t see in Loudon. While there we stopped in for some World Famous KC barbeque at Windslow’s BBQ – yum.
Then we went to the Steamboat Arabia museum – this is a fantastic find of artifacts from a riverboat that sank in 1856. A fluke of nature preserved many of these articles in perfect condition.
More tomorrow

Day 2 – Mt.Vernon, IL to Kansas City, MO

Posted on by September 9, 2015
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Tuesday morning found us on the road West. From Mt. Vernon (gas at 249.9) we traveled I64 across the flat farmland of Western Illinois. to St. Louis, MO. where we picked up I70 toward Kansas City, MO.

Although it had rained quite a bit Monday night, we had a really pleasant drive until we got caught in traffic around an accident in St. Louis.

We noticed signs for a “Wine trail” at exit 175 and with the clock nearing noon, I was able to convince Mary that we ought to force ourselves to investigate. Three hours later, we really did force ourselves to leave the delightful town of Hermann, MO. We tasted wines and beers, toured the Stone Hill Winery (one of 10 or more in the area), toured the local brewery and sampled 5 different beers. If you are ever in the area, this is a wonderful place to spend and afternoon or a week. We regretted needing to be in KC this evening but pressed ever West to the Missouri, Kansas line for a great evening with Mary’s brother, Tom and his wife Maxine. We’ll be in KC for a couple of days taking in the sights and just relaxing before heading toward Mt. Rushmore on Friday. Oh, Tom and Maxine will travel with us to Rushmore and then they’ll return to KC while we continue our wandering.

Day 1 – Loudon, TN to Mt. Vernon, IL

Posted on by September 9, 2015
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The sky over East Tennessee wept this morning as we headed West on our great adventure. For the first time in weeks, there was a steady hard rain. After topping up the tank on the way out of town ($2.37/gal), we jumped onto I40 headed West toward Nashville.

For the first 20 miles, we felt like we were on a bumper cars ride – saw several accidents and spinouts as people just seemed to go in all manner of crazy directions. We saw at least 5 cars that spun out of control in the rain. I considered heading home and going back to bed but we decided that we would just keep going. Breakfast in Cookville and the sun began to break through the clouds.

We headed North at Nashville – no signs of the flood damage there but we didn’t get off the interstate. Then we proceeded into Kentucky and crossed the Ohio River into Illinois at Metropolis where yours truly acheived brief “Superhero” status in Superman’s home town. We walked through the town and along the Ohio River, sat in a riverfront park and watched towboats shuffle barges.


50 miles north and we stopped in Marion to visit Richard’s Great Aunt Ivolene (89 1/2 years old and still going strong). We hadn’t been to Marion since the mid 1990’s and enjoyed driving around town and seeing places that tweaked my memory. On to West Frankfort (site of a terrible December 1951 coal mine disaster) for supper at a deli then an hour North to Mt. Vernon for the night.

Ramping up

Posted on by September 9, 2015
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We’re loading up the Sonata for an anticipated 3500 mile journey through much of the Midwest and great plains. From our home near Knoxville, TN, we expect to visit between 8 and 13 states and maybe a short jaunt into Ontario.

Planned stops are in Marion, IL, Kansas City, MO, Mt. Rushmore, SD and Rhinelander, WI. Other destinations in the Dakotas, Wyoming, Montana, Michigan and Ohio will be considered as well.

Today is our final loading and packing day – with just Mary and I and a loosely planned itinerary, there is no telling where we might go and what we might see. Come along for the ride, it might be fun.

Tristan’s first catch

Posted on by October 23, 2011
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Tristan's fish!

In late June, we had our 10-year-old grandson Tristan over to Tellico for a week of sailing and fishing.

Tristan took to the fishing more than sailing so we spent some time looking for panfish in the lake.  Though he hadn’t fished before, the showed the wonderful traits of patience, perseverance and a real desire to learn how to do it well. This is Tristan’s very first fish; one of many fish caught that week.

Hopefully we can get him back next year for an introduction to the fly rod!

Zack’s sailing week.
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Posted on by October 20, 2011
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Captain Zack

In mid June, we picked up our 17-year-old grandson Zackary for a week of sailing on Tellico Lake.  This was the first time Mary and  I had him to ourselves for a full week.  The winds we less than exciting but Zack was able to learn the fundamentals and sail a bit.  He even passed a final exam by transporting Nana across the lake and back.

It is such a joy to spend a little time with the next generation and to discover that although they are addicted to video games and Ipods, they are, after all, just kids wanting to have fun.  Show them something new and after a bit of time, they take to it like ducks to water.

Maybe we can get Zack back next summer for more lessons and more wind.

Building OutDotCalm
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Posted on by October 12, 2011
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OudDotCalm

What the heck is, “Our Dot Calm”?  Why, it is that sailboat I had been wanting to build for 30+ years.  In the 70’s, a Stevenson Projects designed a Weekender sailboat for Family Circle Magazine and I fell in love with the design and decided to build one “Someday”.

Well, career, family, and all the other stuff of living got in the way of the boat project and it wasn’t until the fall of 2000 when my friend Andrew Raring died in his 50’s that I decided that my boat building “Someday” ought to come soon because I wasn’t guaranteed a certain number of days and I had wasted more than 10,000 of them thinking about a boat instead of actually building one. 

So, in the Spring of 2001, I ordered the plans and began constructing my dream. Less than 4 months later on July 4, 2001, we launched OurDotCalm in Salem Lake in Winston-Salem, North Carolina and released a grand sigh when she floated on her lines and sailed better than I had a right to expect.

We found a group of similarly deranged folk at the Back Yard Yacht Builders Association (  BYYB ) and have been enjoying adventures with them ever since. From the Chesapeake to Georgia and back again, we have sailed our little craft with like minded folks.

Think about that dream you have tucked away – then drag it out, dust it off and live it! You will be glad you did, we certainly are.

Early Spring on the Davidson
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Posted on by October 23, 2011
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Jimmy fishing the Davidson

As spring brings life back to the Brevard area of North Carolina, Jim Hatchell and I met at the Davidson River Campground for some fishing and tale telling.  This trip, we both caught a few fish but nothing to brag about.  Truth be told (and being an avid fisherman, I ALWAYS tell the truth) we enjoyed the visit as much as the fishing.

I admitted to Jim that I really didn’t know much about trout flies but wanted to learn.  He took it upon himself to tutor me in the lingo of Yellow Humpies, Blue Winged Olives and Elk Hair Caddis.  Lest I forget, there were nymphs, Stoneflies and a terresterial or two thrown in for good measure.  We sorted and organized and somewhere along the way, we even caught a few trout including a nice brookie that we stalked, watched and which Jim graciously allowed me to catch. Very satisfying!

Supper in camp!

Now, I wouldn’t want you to think we suffered for lack of nourishment while “Roughing it”, we ate like kings!  Jim handled the suppers and I managed the breakfasts.  Lunch was trail mix or an Ice Cream at Dottie’s, we managed not to starve.

Come Sunday, it was time to head home and start planning another trip!  As usual, a great trip.

 

 

 

Supper in camp!
Jimmy fishing the Davidson