Standiford Family Web Log

We slept late on Tuesday morning even though we had gone to bed early. We took are computers and new iphones and went down to ‘The Gathering Place’ at the resort and worked on getting the new phones set up with all the applications. When we finally had enough of that we drove into WallyWorld at Owensville and did some grocery shopping. We mostly just relaxed. We watched a few episodes of M*A*S*H on DVD and then went to bed. This morning the guys showed up to fix the landing jack on the camper. The shaft was twisted off. They had to go get parts but it is fixed now. Part of it will be covered by warranty but their service charge and mileage charge will not be covered. Oh well, lesson learned. Beth went down to the pool for water aerobics while I waited for the guys to come back to put the parts in. When she got back we ate lunch and watched another episode of M*A*S*H. I decided to come up and update the blog while she takes a nap. Some of our friends are talking about going on the hayride tonight so we might also if they are not full. More later.

We got up at 5:00 am on Monday morning and were ready to leave at 6:30 am. Took a little longer to hook up then we thought it would. Guess we are still rookies. Had rain off and on until we hit Indy and then it stopped and we had clouds until we hit the Illinois border and it cleared up. Stopped in O’Fallon and picked up our new iPhones and then headed to the campground. Got to the campground around 4 – 4:30 pm. I was so tired that I asked them to set up the camper. When he went to crank down the front jacks the one on the drivers side did not come down. He turned the shaft with a crescent wrench so we could get it off the truck. Got it leveled and everything ok. Looks like there is a shaft connecting the two that sheared. Guess it got retracted too far and sheared. We called the dealer and they gave us the name of a person in the area that can work on it. He is going to come out Wednesday morning. We have to pay him and then take the old parts and the bill to the dealer and they will reimburse us for it.  We went to bed very early since we got up so early and we were both very tired. Not only did we go to bed early but we slept late also.

What a great day. Jamie and Kelsey slept in the camper with us last night while Kelly, Jordan and Austin slept in the tent. After breakfast they went in the pool for a while. About noon, Beth’s bro and sil and their three kids came out for a visit. They stayed about an hour and then left to move more stuff from the farm to their new house. Kelly, Jordan and the kids left about 3:00. It was hard to say good-bye since we are leaving for MO tomorrow morning and won’t see them again for a while. We had invited some friends and family out for a cookout and they started showing up just before Kelly left. We had quite a few people in the camper because it started to rain. We did have a backup plan since they have a pavillion here and we could have used it if we needed to. We had Scott and Colleen, Carl and Sue, Ron and Thelma, Tom and Linda and Ashley, and Cindy. A few of these people we had not seen since we moved to MO. Had a good time even if we did have to sit in the camper most of the time. We finished off the evening by getting ready for the trip back to MO. We drained the holding tanks and put the hose away. Moved the license plate on the truck back to the front. Put the flags away. Cleaned the grill. Also did some work inside the camper to get ready. The less time we take in the morning the sooner we can get on the road. Long trip. I’m signing off for now to go to bed. More when we get to MO.

Got up this morning and went to the Reunion. Met some old friends and some new friends. Had some re-enactors come in and talk about what it was like 125 – 150 years ago. Then came back to the camper with Kelly and the kids. They went swiming for a while. I watched Austin sleep and then he woke up and watched me nap for a while. Going back to the reunion in a few minutes for a catered dinner. Beth just tried to fix a slice of toast and flames shot out the plug on the toaster. This was the toaster that Mom and Dad had in their camper. I don’t know if it is shot or if it is just the cord. I’ll take a look at it next week when we are at the campground and have a few spare moments. It has been a great toaster. Makes better toast then any other we have ever had. Kelly and the kids are going to pitch a tent out here tonight.

Slept late this morning and then went and had lunch with Kelly and kids at Fish of Stroh. Then went and picked up matress for Kelsey. When we left there we drove over to Preble to register for the reunion but no one was there. We called one of the organizers and they said that when no one showed up by 5:00 pm they packed it up and went back to their motels but were meeting at the Back 40 for dinner. So, we drove to the Decatur Cemetery and visited a few graves. There were flowers on many of the Standiford graves. We then went over to the Back 40 and ate with the group. After dinner we drove over to a cousin’s house (Janet Torson) and sat around a campfire until almost 10:30. The evening really went quickly. Couldn’t believe it wsa 10:30 already. Drove back to camper and getting ready for bed but thought I would update the blog a bit before turning in.

Got up this morning and went to Kelly’s. Beth started a load or two of laundry. We went to Mr. Coney for lunch and then stopped at Hobby Lobby. It was raining at the time so I said I was just going to sit in the truck. Jamie stayed in the truck with me and boy, do I look funny with only one ear. He is quite the chatter box. That evening Ron and Thelma came out to the camper and picked us up for dinner. We went to Richards Restaurant in Bluffton. I can highly recommend the grilled Alaskan salmon. It was great. Came back to the camper and sat and talked for a while. Had a really good visit. Just about the time that Ron and Thelma were getting ready to leave, Kelly, Jordan and the kids showed up to go swimming. They got there about 8:00 and the pool closes at 9:00 but the lady told me if I would lock the gate we could stay later. They swam until about 9:30 when it started to look like a storm so we got out and they headed for home. Just after they left the wind really started to pick up and the camper started to shake so we went up to the shower / restroom area in the building. The owner showed up and opened the store and most (if not all) of the campers showed up. When it finally cleared up we went back, checked the radar on TV and went to bed.

Went to Shipshewanna today. Kelly and the kids went also as did Tom and Linda. We stopped at Kelly’s and she followed us. We pulled in and parked and there was Tom and Linda. They got there exactly the same time we did and parked next to us. As always it was hot and crowed. I’m guessing we stayed about 3 hours or so and then headed back to Kelly’s. Jamie and Kelsey rode with us so we dropped them off and headed back to the camper for a little R&R. We were not very far from Kelly’s when a Ft. Wayne police officer pulled me over. It was because we don’t have a rear plate on the truck. In Missouri they only give you a front plate if it is licensed for over 16,000 lbs. I explained that and he checked the license and registration and checked to make sure that it was not stolen. When he gave it back he asked if we had two daughters – April and Kelly. Turns out he went to high school with them. Anyway, while we are in Indiana we took the plate off the front and put it on the back. We will move it back before we leave for home. Just going to chill out tonight.

We got up Sunday morning and got on the road about 7:10 am. Took 146 to I-57 up to Effingham and from there took I-70, etc. It was 427 miles and took about 9 hours. Drove between 60 and 65 the whole time. Took plenty of rest stops and ate at a rest stop picnic table. Averaged 9.1 mpg for both tanks. Got to the KOA and got set up. We were pleasantly surprised by the KOA. This is only their second season. We expected sunshine lots but it is lightly wooded.

Monday morning we got up and drove to the farm to load some more of the furniture that Beth got – the bedroom suite that belonged to her mom and dad and the old ‘monitor top’ refriderator from the basement. Tom and Linda came out to help us. Had to take a window out to get some of the furniture out of the house. Took most of the day. We took the furniture in to Kelly’s and stored it in her shed since we cannot haul it back this trip. Then Tom and Linda came out to the camper and had supper with us. Kelly, Jordan and the kids came out to swim in the pool but did not swim very long because the water was very cold. I put on my suit but didn’t go in because of the cold water. Going to Shipshewana tomorrow.

Just got back from the air show. It was really good. Left about 1:00 pm and drove over to a school and took the bus from there. Saw some really interesting stuff. There was a wing walker (crazy lady) and aerial acrobatics. The best two portions of the show were the Golden Eagles parachute team and the Blue Angels. The Blue Angels are amazing. Got some video of them plus some good pictures. Will post the pictures later to the same link I sent earlier. We didn’t have to drive. We rode with the couple that organized the rally. They live here in Cape Girardeau and know their way around. Tonight we have a pot-luck. Heartland is supplying the meat and the place settings. Each couple then is bringing something. We got assigned the salad. Tomorrow we will hitch up and head to Bluffton KOA where we will be staying for the next week. Probably won’t post again until Sunday evening. Happy Father’s Day to all you fathers.

Well, we got some pictures. We are not going to the air show until after lunch. The Blue Angels are going to perform and they are the last ‘act’. So we went downtown this morning and took pictures of the flood wall. Will post them when I get the chance. Also got fuel $2.89 per gallon. Not too bad.