Illinois Adventure

On our way home from Illinois, we planned to go by St. Peters, a northern suburb of St. Louis, to see Brycie's cousin and her family.  As we were going south toward St. Louis, our GPS kept trying to route us west, so, we finally decided to see where it would take us.  Well, it took us to Grafton, Illinois, a small town on the Mississippi River.  As it turned out the river had been flooding the lower-lying areas.  The GPS told us to turn left and "take Ferry."  What do you mean "take Ferry" we asked.  Guess what?  It meant exactly that.  So, us flatlanders boarded the Ferry on the mighty Mississip' and headed across to the other side.  We had no idea where we were but were confident the GPS (which we've named "Gordo") would steer us right.  We went 15 miles or so, and lo and behold, another Ferry, which was closed for business.  We waited a while, along with some other cars, and after a bit, they opened the gates and let us on.  Across we went on another river.  We're still not sure where we were.  Once across the second river, we had to drive several miles in 6-8 inch water covering the roadway.  Then, all of a sudden, we came around a corner and were in St. Peters.  We almost felt like the Griswold's in National Lampoon's Vacation.  Jim got to play the part of Clark Griswold, and Brycie got to play the part of Beverly D'Angelo.  No one was available to play the part of Cousin Eddie.

This is the first Ferry at Grafton, Illinois

Some of the warning signs

Notice the house and the water in the garage.

The river was completely over the banks.

Here we are getting ready to board the second Ferry.

Yep, there we are.

Right in the middle of the Mississippi River

Brycie enjoying the adventure.

Gordo the GPS has us right smack dab in the middle of the river.

Here is what we had to drive through.

Fourth of July, 2010 -- Jacksonville, Illinois

Cousin Darcy was so nice to bring some sparklers and smoke bombs for Hutson and Clare.  She didn't know if the loud noises would frighten them, so she brought safe fireworks.  So thoughtful.  Thanks, Darcy, for a fun time.  You're a good cousin.  In the evening we all went to Jacksonville Lake to watch the big fireworks display.

Happy 4th of July from Ridgeview Winery, Mt. Sterling, IL

Pretty

Cousin Darcy

Vacation To Jacksonville, Illinois For July 4th Holiday

We haven't been to see Jim's sister, Janis, and her family in Illinois for a while, so we decided to spend the Fourth of July Holiday with them.  The accomodations were wonderful, the food was spectacular, and the company is always fun.  We had a good time just relaxing, taking photos, enjoying being in the woods, eating fresh corn on the cob, painting toenails, eating fresh peaches, watching fireflies, eating fresh tomatoes, going to one of the area wineries, eating homemade bread .  .  .

Jim doing what Jim likes to do - take photos.

Hutson relaxing.

Brycie's photo of the lily pad and frog.

Darcy's dog Sassy.

Clare relaxing.

Darcy, Darcy's dog, Sassy, and Hutson.

Clare and her sunglasses.

Jim at the vineyard.

The family, Darcy, Dave, Janis, Clare, Brycie, Jim, and Hutson at the winery.

Toenails.

Hummingbird outside the kitchen window.

Brycie doing what Brycie likes to do - take photos.

Water Lily and goldfish.

Aunt Jan at the Winery.

Niece/Cousin Darcy

I said, "Dave."

Hutson chillin'

Interesting spider web.

Fresh corn on the cob - Yum!

Another Funky Snack with Ela and Angelo

We've learned that Ela and Angelo will eat most anything.  Well, here's the latest .  .  .  cheese-flavored larva (the same critter you will find at the bottom of a bottle of Mescal).  The second picture gives you all the nutritional information, in case you're interested.  As Clare puts it, some of the stuff they eat is downright 'gusting.  All of us but two (and you know who you are) tried the Larvets. 

Wanna bite?

This is the important stuff for those watching their weight.

Oh yeah!

In the hand .  .  .

In the mouth .  .  .

Oh!!!

Hutson's turn.

Guess who liked them?  Not much different than scorpions, which seem to be a Chinese delicacy.

The bravest one of all, Ela.

Ela and Katie washing down the bugs.

Ela's Birthday - June 30, 2010

We all enjoyed Ela's Birthday Party with dinner at Johnny Carino's, then a trip out to Pop's on Route 66.  Pop's is a gas station and restaurant on Old Route 66 just east of Edmond, Oklahoma, near Arcadia.  It is designed with a 1950's look and features somewhere around 500 different kinds of soda pop.  You can still get Grape NeHi and Jolt (Jim's favorite).  Having Ela for a friend is just . . . FUN!

The big pop bottle.

Two sweeties - Ela and Brycie.

One sweetie, Ela.

Another sweetie being a goofball.

We can't call Hutson a sweetie, but the lad sure does like Coke.

Ela and her new camera.  She's getting a pretty good eye for a good image.

Miss Clare.  Oh, and gas is $2.69.

A little bit of Italy right here in the good old U. S. of A.

Get your "Very Berry" here.

Pretty ladies.