It is a strange phenomenon here in the corn belt. We stayed at a relatively deserted state park off of Highway 50 with a small lake. I had looked it up online while we were driving (I spend a lot of time on the internet while Rich drives) and it said nothing about not being able to swim. But there was no swimming due to snapping turtles or algae or something. The kids adjusted more quickly than we did, switching to fishing. Ruby made a friend there as well.
Today we stop in Illinois for lunch at a state park thinking we would take a dip at the lake there. Again, no swimming!!!! And looking for a camping place in Missouri at state park or national forest campgrounds there would be an option to fish or boat but no swimming.
On highway 50 to St Louis corn and soybeans prevail. We witness food being grown to feed livestock instead of food for humans. Oceans of soybeans and tunnels of corn. Corn so high in some places it obstructs our view. Getting to our camp yesterday we wound through sections of farmland, houses sparse among the fields. The fields are labeled with signs, 'Pioneer' or ' Agro-Gold' advertise something I am not comfortable with. The seed? The chemicals? Not sure, but I don't like it. As we move through southern Illinois we see a version of the Bible Belt here, churches and signs for Christ on every corner.
I think we are all beginning to feel like we are ready to be home. Shorter tempers, Ruby crying for Idaho for the first time two nights ago. The kids sink into the iPad as soon as it is charged. We are 'headed for the barn' in this case Colorado. It is in our sights yet hours away. Stopping to eat takes too much time and when we do we are invariably disappointed in Yelp's ratings. I am too stubborn to join and give places a poor rating because of the politics--ALEC in particular. Look it up. Koch brothers suck.
While Reese sleeps (Tangled is not his thing) we cross the Mississippi again into St Louis, the Arch presiding proudly, the new bridge beautiful. We didn't stop, keeping our eye on the swimming prize, but saw a lot of beautiful old brick buildings in states of disrepair and abandonment. We arrived in time for dinner and a swim--at least the kids and Rich. Warm ponds give me the creeps. The best part was the shower, although it was cold. The state park had an ORV race this weekend and fortunately no one was racing around after eight pm. We bailed out early after a noisy evening of crickets, frogs and whatever holds concert most of the night and hit the road.
After stopping in Kansas City for another terrible lunch (thanks for nothing, Yelp!) and a visit to the Steamboat Arabia we headed out again. The steamboat is fascinating as it went aground in the Missouri River in the mid 1800s. Since then the Missouri rerouted itself and someone found it in a cornfield outside of KC. It was unearthed and large fortune of goods was found. It's side wheel paddle is open for display and the rest you can view through a museum. Both the kids were enthralled.
So, who has been wondering about the state of the van and the air conditioning? The engine still cuts outs under load at high speeds, for which we are seeing some folks in Colorado. It is similar to the feeling of having a clogged fuel line. It has started to stall after driving for awhile when slowing to stop as if the idle is set too low. Nothing that has proven dangerous. The air conditioning? It is fading. The air is not as cold as it was, but cooler than outside. As I type I am warm, sticky in places and I feel a sheen on my upper lip. The back of my head is cool, the kids aren't complaining, and it is hotter as we drive west. Guess time will tell. I don't see any changes until getting back to Boise.
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