Way back in the early 60’s I received my driver’s training from my father on the roads and expressways of Chicago. I don’t believe the present National Interstate system had been established yet, but we had the new Kennedy, Eisenhower, and Dan Ryan Expressways to practice on along with the Chicago Skyway, State Street, the Loop, and Lake Shore Drive. That early training served me well this morning as I made my way from Indiana to Chain O’ Lakes State Park which is near the Wisconsin border in northeastern Illinois. My route took me right through the heart of my original home town. Being early on a Saturday morning, the traffic moved right along…way over the stated speed limit. I had to go with the flow so I wouldn’t become a traffic hazard, don’t you know.
Anyway, after two and a half hours, I arrived at Pam and Stan’s campsite. It was a relief to be out of the parking lot, and enjoying a magnificent fall day in a state park.
Emma was beside herself with joy to be with her boyfriend, George. They’re having an animated ‘conversation’ here. As I said last night; poor George just isn’t quite sure what to do with all of Emma’s exuberance. She just wants to run and play, and he wants to remain aloof. Emma’s pretty persistent about not being ignored, though.
Later in the afternoon, Pam and I took the dogs for a nice long walk around this very large state park. That’s when we found this restored wetland area with a flock of Canada geese on it. It was shorts and t-shirt weather for me today. So nice this late in the season.
The park has five campgrounds in it and numerous picnic areas. The place was really packed, and there was barely an empty camping site. Pam said that is very unusual for this time of the year. I think it’s because the weather folks have been touting this as a fabulous weekend all week, and for a change they were right!
In all too short a time, I had to pack Emma into the car, and start the long drive back to the rig. I don’t drive after dark, so I was out of there shortly after 4:00. It was the perfect Indian Summer day…
Thanks for stopping by… talk to you later, Judy
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So glad you had a nice day out of the parking lot. Love the pic of Emma & George...Emma looks like she is smilin' and enticing George...LOL
ReplyDeleteLove the Fall colors in your pictures. And if you can't get Blue Plate, Hellman's will do!
ReplyDeleteOut of the parking lot. What a great day. Jim's a real Mayo fan also. I like that Miracle Whip stuff only with tuna fish. Other wise I don't anything on my sandwiches. It's good for George to have his world shaken up once in awhile. You go Emma.
ReplyDeleteIt's much more crowded in my RV park this weekend, too. Kind of nice to see so many RVers taking advantage of this great weather.
ReplyDeleteMy family is definitely a Best Foods family, too. (Hellman's is Best Foods out west - I wonder why?)
Looks like you're in a great location! Emma does look like she is in love.
Good thing you took care of those HLS last week!
ReplyDeleteGlad you got to get out in the sunshine for the day.
I'm so glad you got a chance to spend a wonderful day and forgetting about all the RV troubles for a while. I really miss the Midwest this time of year.
ReplyDeletenice to have a great day away from the rig!..thanks for sharing your day!!
ReplyDeleteSounds like a fun day! I grew up eating Miracle Whip or whatever "salad dressing" was on sale. When I got out on my own, I discovered Hellman's Mayo. Yum. Then when I moved out west, I finally caught on to the fact that Hellman's was now called Best Foods "Real Mayonnaise". Yum again! I wonder what other well-known products go by different names in different parts of the country?
ReplyDeleteGlad you got a day out of the parking lot and Emma got to play! Looks like a wonderful park. Weather is great here in Kansas as well.
ReplyDeleteDefinitely a Best Foods Mayo girl!
ReplyDeleteSo glad to hear you had a good day away from the parking lot. Bet it was good for Emma too. Great pictures.
What a nice change of pace for you ... and such gorgeous weather, too. We're having a lot of sunshine and almost summer-like temps this weekend as well ... so nice after so much overcast and rain.
ReplyDeleteWe here in the North as so fortunate to experience this time of year with the changing of Seasons. I like the flock of Geese photo:))
ReplyDeleteWe are a Mayo rig here as well. What a beautiful day. Glad you and Emma got out to enjoy it.
ReplyDeleteChain-O-Lakes is a great state park. The weather this past week has been absolutely perfect. I'm glad you're enjoying the fall color as much as we are. Now, to get you out of that parking lot and headed south!
ReplyDeleteGlad you had a nice day away from the parking lot. Hope that will get you through until you are "sprung."
ReplyDeleteBaxter is a lot like Emma. He drives the other kitties nuts!
And I noticed a Michael favorite on your table along with the mayo--Cheetoes!
ReplyDeleteOh,Judy, what a lovely day for you out of that dang parking lot! Looking forward to your stories when you actually get to move your HOME! Best Foods out west, the ONLY way to go. Definitely a major cultural divide between the mayo folks and the miracle whip folks!
ReplyDeleteGlad you had a great day out in the real world. I am sure it will inspire you to put up with the current issues. so you can back into the real world soon:)
ReplyDeleteLooks like you had a perfect day. I'll have to look and see what the difference is between Mayo and Miracle Whip - they look the same to me!
ReplyDeleteThat photo of Emma looks just like the drawings of the blogger Hyperbole and a half:
ReplyDeletehttp://hyperboleandahalf.blogspot.com/2011/04/wild-animal-simple-dog-goes-for-joy.html
She diplomatically refers to her mutt as "the simple dog". It's hilarious!
Kim (won't let me post except as anonymous).
Glad to hear you got out on such a great weather day.
ReplyDeleteMy Daddy taught me to drive on the dusty roads of Kansas!! He was a great teacher too, since I've never caused an accident!
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad to got out to such a lovely place! And I'm sure it was good for Miss Emma also! The weather here in Branson is different than it's been any fall that we've come here! We even slept with a window open one night! Definitely an Indian Summer feeling to it!
Its good to see you getting out and about............
ReplyDeleteCheetos! I see Cheetos on that table! :)
ReplyDeleteI grew up on Miracle Whip. Maybe I should try some Hellman's to see what you all are raving about.
Glad you had the chance to get out of the rig and to a state park and spend some time with friends. Looks like you had a great day...glad for you and Emma.
ReplyDeleteGood to see you got out for a day and Emma got some one on one time with her buddy. I am sure she would like Rigg's with all the energy he has bottled up they would run that acre behind the house like it wasn't there.Hope you get going in the next couple of days. Be safe out there. Sam & Donna..
ReplyDeleteWell, yay for sunny skies, yay for good friends, and yay for George! So glad you had a wonderful day outside!
ReplyDelete"Bring out the Hellman's,
and bring out the best!"
What a beautiful fall day! :)
ReplyDeleteYou made your way to a state park within miles of our home, and we left for Iowa! If we were home we could've swung by and said hello! The geese really love it there, I've walked the trails at Chain O' Lakes, and really love it in the winter. The gate is closed to car traffic, but open to those onfoot and cross country skiers. I hiked on the road in the snow and saw quite a few deer out and about midday. Enjoy your stay in my neck of the woods!
ReplyDeleteHellman's and Miracle Whip may look the same, but there's no comparison, is there. I grew up on M.W. and switched after we got married... have not looked back since.
ReplyDeleteLast year, we stayed at a State Park in Northeastern IL, but it was on the lake. I really enjoyed that area. Never been to Chain O'Lakes though...will have to visit.
Yea!! Chicago was really a nightmare because of the marathon...Great that you got outa there.....Hopefully you will be heading South before long....
ReplyDeleteLove the pictures today, especially the dogs "talking" so cute!
ReplyDeleteLOL
We are having great weather here too, hope it lasts a little longer!
Cheers!
So glad you had a nice day to enjoy - so much better than a parking lot. Hope this is a good week for you.
ReplyDeleteDennis and I have been in that area a lot...Our nephew, Mark Eisenberg, is the Mayor of Spring Grove, IL which is in that area. It is a pretty area, but we have never camped up there. We'll have to try that sometime...Yes, this weather has been fabulous!!
ReplyDeleteI don't know why I have never read your post before. I see you comment on other posts I read.
ReplyDeleteI never realizec you had such a huge rig. But really sorry for all the trouble you are going thru with it. Hope they get you on the road in the next few days. What drag.
At least you had a pleasant weekend.
wishing you the best.