To Hannibal, Missouri

Last weekend (Labor Day Weekend) we spent with many family members as we watched and participated in our great-nephew Michael's wedding to beautiful Katie.  The setting was beautiful, outdoors and in a retreat which was serene and a little bit like the boundary waters of upper Minnesota.  The bizarre part of it - just a mile down the road was the craziness of the Wisconsin Dells with water park after water park after water park and rides and touristy kitchky attractions.  Perlstein Retreat is situated on a lake, rustic cabins and lodges on the grounds with lots to do.  We were asked by the bride and groom to snap a few pictures of the pre and post wedding activities and we were happy to do so.   Monday afternoon saw everyone (Katie and Michael included) pack up and depart for home and Dave and I settled back into the RV at the campground and started to review our photos.

Mr. and Mrs. Michael Stein

One of the things we needed before we left town was our mail and it was delivered Wednesday.  We drove back into Madison that afternoon to do some quick shopping and used Thursday to do laundry, clean, etc.  Yesterday we headed out and hit the road by 9am, our usual time for departure.  Had gotten Buddy drugged up, he only had one little episode during our trip.

We got pizza delivered, poor moose!

We did get to Taliesin - Frank Lloyd Wright's home

Even his farm was designed by him

The architect school (He built it originally for his aunts) still going strong today

Taliesin

We followed Route 61, called the Great River Road, south along the Mississippi River, dropping into Iowa near Dubuque, then dropping further south through Davenport, and on into Missouri. Then the road got closer to the river and at times we could see it but for the most part, knew we were close - could see all the refineries to our left.  Will be here in Hannibal, the boyhood home of Mark Twain (Samuel Clemons) where the famous stories of Huckleberry Finn and Tom Sawyer were born.  We were in Hannibal about 35 years ago - wonder if we will remember?

Wonder how it got there 

Goodbye Wisconsin, hello Iowa

The river is wide!

At times we could see the Big Muddy in the distance 

Lots of refineries

Hello Missouri

Our home for a week, going to explore Mark Twain country

In all our trip was one of the longer drives - 365 miles - but was fairly simple since we did not drive on any freeways/highways.  Took 7 hours and was the first time we drove on this summer's journey and it did not rain!  Maybe we have changed our luck.