The Sun Rose on Birdie at the Lake Storey Campground in Galesburg, IL

We woke up yesterday morning to a cool 66 degree morning in Illinois. I don’t reveal the name of the campground where we stay until we’ve gone to the next one. The Lake Storey Campground in Galesburg, Illinois is very nice. It’s clean, quiet, and the lake is so pretty. The first time I was here, I was traveling with a friend of mine from a women’s camping outing in South Dakota. We just happened upon this place. We had dinner then noticed there was probably a nice sunset so we walked down to the lake. This sunset picture was five years ago. Too bad my sweetheart didn’t get to see this, because it was one of my most memorable sunsets ever.

The Same Campground…Six Years Ago

The sun came up yesterday, the sky was clear, and there was no evidence of the massive rains we received the day before. We took our time waking up. We like to plan our travel days so we arrive early enough to enjoy the next campground…to go for a walk, to make a nice supper, to sit together quietly in our camp chairs and talk. We like to drive in an unhurried fashion, stopping here and there to explore and stretch our legs. That’s why it’s going to take five days and four nights to get from West Virginia to Colorado.

Same View Yesterday Morning

When Hubby #2 and I brought the baby to West Virginia for the grandparents to see her for the first time, he had one week off. It wasn’t the first time we drove from Colorado to West Virginia and back in one week. That was absolutely miserable. But, when you’re working full time and you are poor as church mice, you do what you have to do. Now that we are older and retired, there’s no hurry to get from Point A to Point B. 

I love driving across Iowa. The farms are pristine. The fields are chock full. The barns are amazing. There are silos and grain elevators everywhere. It was so obvious we were in the bread basket of America. Everywhere we went, we met the nicest people. We stopped in pretty rest areas and gazed at the amazing wind turbines that are capturing Mother Nature and putting her to work in people’s homes and farms. We hopped up to I-80 and, while the road had us feeling like we were riding a washboard most of the day, there really was a lot less traffic than there had been on I-70.

I spent months planning this trip and I wanted ever single stop to be memorable. I can’t wait to tell you about the campground we stayed at in Nebraska last night. It was a sight to behold! We got in around 5:00, which is perfect. The campsites are spaced far apart with lovely grass lawns between them. And, for me, the very best thing is…no one had a campfire. At least not close enough to cause me any respiratory issues.

I don’t know if it’s still because this camper is so new to us and the shine hasn’t left it, but I honestly think I am enjoying camping in this little a-frame more than any other camper I’ve had. It’s so small. As a matter of fact, I showed pictures to my friend Diane and she couldn’t believe it was big enough for two people. You may remember when I was pulling the Girl Camper Raffle Trailer, I took my non-camping friend with me for a weekend of fun with a group of gals. While that camper was much smaller than what I was used to, this one is micro in comparison. 

First off, there’s no bathroom. So, the “Tinkle Tank” is pressed into service during the night…unless you want to walk over to the camp bathroom. Which isn’t a problem…but I like the convenience of not having to go outside. As far as showers…just about every campground I’ve ever been to has had a bath house. I am not averse to taking a sponge bath in between showers. This camper has a sink and a hot water heater. I don’t know…I think the reason I like this so much is, it’s get back to the basics of camping. Short of sleeping in a tent on the ground, it’s a “no muss, no fuss” alternative to hauling a “house” with you with a large flat screen TV and a massive stereo system. And…we get 17mpg pulling Birdie. That’s a bargain! It’s tiny, it’s cozy…and it’s a REALLY good thing we like each other, because you’re really up close and personal in a little a-frame camper.

We are now within a day’s drive of Denver, but it’s a LONG day’s drive and I’m not sure we want to put ten or more hours in today. So, I’m looking at campgrounds between here and there. Something that will get us into Denver after only four hours or so would be perfect. Hang in there with us…adventure awaits!

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“Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.”

Ephesians 4:32 ESV