Trouble of course

Trouble normally occurs when you least expect it.  We had been enjoying the Branson/Hollister area for several days.  We got a feel for the area and were about to strike out and see the sites.  But on Saturday, our truck died in a Target parking lot.  Our batteries (2) were completely dead.  Called for a jump start.  Vehicle was able to be started.  Because the batteries were over 5 years old and after discussion with the jump technician, we drove to a nearby Walmart to check out alternator and install new batteries.  According to the fine people at Walmart, we were told that the alternator was fine EVEN THOUGH the alternator was showing a charge of well under 14 volts.  Put new batteries in and drove back to the camp site.  The next morning (Sunday) the vehicle was again stone dead.  Batteries could not be jumped.  Monday called to have the truck towed to a nearby Chevy dealer.  The truck made it into the shop on Tuesday morning.  We were told the alternator needed to be replaced.  I asked about putting in new batteries also, but was told that the Walmart batteries could rise from the dead without a problem.  I doubted that.  By Tuesday afternoon, dealer installed two new Interstate batteries and stated no voltage leak was evident.  Tuesday evening the truck was sitting back at the camper.  Hopefully, the vehicle will hold a charge by morning.  Four batteries in 4 days seems to be a little bit much.

With any tragedy, there is usually at least one positive act.  So it is with this drama.  By not having a vehicle for several days, we were forced to explore the area on foot.  Our location is such that downtown Hollister is about a mile away and in the opposite direction lies downtown Branson about 1.5 miles away.  Of course sidewalks are non existent and the roads are busy.  But the weather cooperated (highs in the upper 50s to low 60s)  and we enjoyed the area.  I am sure we saw more of the area than if we drove.   We also had the opportunity to talk with several people with Wisconsin ties--our backyard neighbors from the La Crosse area in the Airstream, the cab driver with ties to Kaukauna, the couple at the Chevy dealer who once ran a resort in Hayward, etc.  So all was not lost.  In fact walking to Branson was so enjoyable, we expect to walk with a couple from the East Coast tomorrow for breakfast there.  The truck will have another morning of rest. 

Hollister Missouri

Drove 193 miles this morning to Hollister, a suburb of Branson, MO. The trip from St. Louis was very scenic, but a very hard drive. Almost constant rolling hills with very steep grades. A lot of semi traffic also. Our truck survived and averaged slightly below 12 mpg.

We are staying at the Turkey Creek RV Village which is one of the Escapee's "rainbow" parks. The site includes a concrete pad, water, sewer, 30 amp electric service AND cable TV all for $87 per week! And if that isn't good enough, they also have a buy 3 weeks get one week free special beginning November 15.--that's $9.32 per night.  Not bad when compared to the high prices in Wisconsin.

A day of travel

Left the Wisconsin Dells area an hour later than expected. We had hoped to leave by 8 AM but left by 9. Drove 472 miles to Sullivan Missouri and are parked at a Flying J for the night. There are several other RVs parked here for the night also. Drove through St Lois at about 5 PM. What fun. Beautiful sunset in MO .

Ready to move

Finally we are ready to move. Tomorrow we are on the road south. We expect to take 2 days to reach southern Missouri. Unfortunately, the weather is fantastic here at Mirror Lake and we again have the place to ourselves. We are ready to move though.

Crowded Park

Well all good things must pass.  We have company here at Mirror Lake.  A couple of tenters, a Class B and a pop up trailer.  AND a large group of scouts in the group camp.  Things change quickly.  Its crowded here.  Now we know for sure that "we are not alone."

Wildlife have moved into the area also.  We saw an eagle fly straight down the road directly at us.  It was well below the tree tops.  I thought we would be eagle lunch.  But it looked us over and kept going.  I think it was looking for something more palatable.   We have also seen several deer including a rather good sized buck with a a large rack.  The deer don't seem to fear us.  They just slowly go about their business after giving us the eye.  Perhaps they know we left our bazooka in storage.

Its been quite chilly the last few nights--down in the low 20s.  Cold during the day also with highs barely reaching 40.  The furnace has been getting a work out at night.  Our little (and cheap) ceramic heaters keep us adequately warm during the evenings. 

 It's amazing how dark the mornings are here in the woods.  If we got up with the sun, it would be well after 8:00 AM.  Ask me how I know.

A Lazy Day

We continue to be the only campers in the park. We did extend our stay here through Saturday night (leaving Sunday).  I complained to the park ranger about the extreme privacy that we have had here.  She said we should expect neighbors this weekend.  All good things eventually come to pass.

Much warmer last night so we didn't need the furnace to keep the water pipes from freezing.   The sun was out today, so this afternoon we walked to the boat landing and through the woods to the beach path and then through the camp ground.   It was a very nice walk.  A bit breezy near the lake, however. 

The good news: oil change for the truck was $30 cheaper than in the Madison area.
The bad news:  replaced a front wheel bearing on the truck.
The best news: we had lunch with Donna's friend Connie.

Still Alone

As of this writing, we continue to have Mirror Lake State Park all to ourselves except for the occasional deer and raccoons.  And, yes, by 7:00 AM Monday, the bathrooms are locked and all water is off.  Fortunately we came prepared.

Sunday night was cold--down to 25.  Last night it was warmer at 28.  Both nights required getting up at about 4:00 AM to turn on the furnace to prevent water pipe freeze ups.  The furnace is forced air and the ducting runs over the water lines and water pump.  The low tonight will be in the low 30s so running the furnace won't be required.  We normally have no heat on once in bed.

Our rent on this site runs out tomorrow but we are considering extending our stay here through Saturday night, 11/06.   Then we expect to be on the road south to Missouri.