Sites 72 and 74
Dad and I walked down to the lake and probably walked about a mile and a half. It was warm, but a nice evening.
We had a relaxing morning on Tuesday, and got on the road about 10:15. It started raining during the day, and we had separate lunches in the campers at a roadside park. The 18 wheelers created a nice ambiance. We took off in the rain, and Shelly told me we forgot to shut the front vent. It was pouring down rain, and couldn't drive over 35 mph. The road was under construction, and we were driving on the old shoulder. We kept waiting for an exit, but it wasn't for about 15 or 20 miles down the road before the next exit. I was expecting an inch of water in the floor, but there was only a small puddle. We stopped in Charleston, Missouri at Boomtown rv park. It wasn't much, but we got full hookups for only $12. Mom, Shelly, and I walked down the road to the Boomtown gift store, where they got a few things, and I got big firecrackers. We sat outside and relaxed. The sunset was beautiful.
We drove again! It is a long way to Wisconsin. Surprise! We made it to Comlara park just north of Normal, Illinois. It is also north of Bloomington, Illinois, also, but now I can say we are just a little way away from normal. We visited with Mark and Mattie, who were locals camping next to us. We sat outside, and enjoyed the cool breeze.
The next morning, we looked at the radar, and it showed rain coming in from the west, and the threat of large hail and severe weather tonight around Green Bay. We are going to wait out the rain this morning and drive a few hours to southern Wisconsin to camp tonight.
We called Don Stenz in Cleveland, and we'll be staying at their house tomorrow night. This will be the first time to use the courtesy parking from WBCCI. 
Earl and Donna stayed at Village Inn where we are staying, and we all sat by a campfire telling stories. 
We stopped at several cemeteries to see Knutson, Hecker, and Madsen grave sites. 
Peter Knutsen's grave had us confused as to when our name got changed from Knutsen to Knutson. We had never seen the Knutsen spelling associated with our relatives. Juel, Marie, Earl, Donna, Warren, and Barb came over to our camp, and ate supper with us. 
Shelly had grilled ribs, and roasted redskin potatoes. Warren had given us some fresh corn on the cob, and we cooked that, and mom made salad and fruit salad. After supper, we sat by another campfire until about 9:30.
Shelly at our campsite #40a
Thunderstorm rolling in.
Mom and dad's campsite#80
We avoided the rain by waiting, and drove through the countryside around Rockford, Illinois, to avoid the turnpike. It was only about 15 minutes longer, and we got to see nice farms. We stopped at Mukwanago, Wisconsin in a nice city park. We sat outside until the Mosquitos made us go inside. We played scat until about 9. The cool front has not gotten here yet, and was uncomfortably warm trying to sleep. Don and Kay Stenz's back yard.
We stopped in Sheboygan at Walmart to restock on groceries, and were impressed by the low prices on most items. We took pictures of the huge flag as we drove by. We arrived at Don and Kay's place in Cleveland a little after noon. Kay showed us where to park, and we visited with her for an hour, before driving to Valders. Juel was home, and Toby, their collie wanted attention. Jeff came by later, and we caught up on Valders news. We drove back to camp, and visited with Don and Kay.
On Saturday, we left Cleveland about 9 to set up camp at Village Inn near Two Rivers. Chad stopped in while we were setting up, and we got to meet his kids, Andrew and Grace. We felt bad about hurrying, but we had to pick up Karen at 11 in Green Bay. Her flight arrived on time and was uneventful. Green Bay airport was great because it was uncrowded and small. We were only there about 20 minutes. Back at camp, Shelly cooked chicken tortilla soup and topped them off with brownies. Yumm. We walked on the lake walk by Lake Michigan, and when we got back, Warren had invited us to come over. We drove to his house, and they kept us entertained with their huge collection of vintage toys, games, and puzzles. We had fun catching up on old times, and didn't leave until almost 10.
Sunday was the big reunion, and amazingly, the weather cooperated with a perfect sunshine warm day in the 70's. Juel and Marie had everyone over to their house. Between all of my cousins, and their kids, there were probably over 50 people there. Warren and Barb also cooked an amazing array of burgers, hot dogs, brats, and grilled corn on the cob. I was not thinking, when I stuffed myself before going for the desserts. Everyone brought delicious sweets, and I was really full after trying several desserts. It has been 15 years since I have been in Wisconsin, and it was good to try to catch up with my cousins, and their kids. Warren, Blane, and I
Mom, dad, Luke, Juel, Karen, and Mark.
Me and Erin
Shelly and Erin
All the cousins- Blane, Karen, me, Dan, Jeff, Krista, Mark, Chad, Craig, Katie, and Sam
We were missing Jeri, Tracy, Sheila, Jesse, Shawn, and Heidi
Cousins and some of their kids!
Craig and family
Shelly made breakfast burritos for everyone. I have been wanting to see the Hecker homestead, so Shelly, Karen, dad, Earl, Juel, and I drove to Newton. Juel was the tour guide, and dad and Earl got to tell stories of their memories of the area.
Abraham Hecker's barn
Abraham's house
Dad and Karen in front of the hospital she was born in.
Agnes and Abraham's headstone
Dad's grandpa's headstone
Dad's grandma's headstone
Enjoying the fire
Tuesday was much more relaxed. Mom and dad went to his reunion, and Shelly drove to the laundromat to wash clothes. Maybe I should say Tuesday was more relaxed for me. Karen, Shelly, and I started to go to the antique store, when Jeff called. We realized we didn't have the key to mom and dad's Airstream, so we tried our keys to no avail. Karen suggested taking the hinges off, which turned out to be almost too easy. We were able to show their Airstream to Jeff before he had to go to work.
Shelly and Karen trying to put everything back in it's place after we broke in.
We went to two antique stores before coming back to Village inn. Karen and I went swimming, but stayed mostly in the hot tub. We all visited in mom and dad's camper, since it was cool and windy outside. Thursday morning was cool and windy, and we left around 9. At least the wind was out of the north, and was at our back.We made it back to Comlara county park just north of Normal, Illinois. It seems we're never normal. We camped in sites # 36 & 37 this time. We lit a fire, but the wind kept us from enjoying being outside, so we decided to play Yahtzee instead.
The trip home has been cool and cloudy, but rain free. We drove through St. Louis with no problems, and stopped at a city park in Waynesville, Mo. It is a nice city park, with a creek on one side, full hookups, and only $20. 
Sites 13 and 14
Shelly!
Two more days on the road took us home. We stopped at lake Eufala state park on Saturday night. There were plenty of sites available, and we got two overlooking the lake. They were premium sites, but still only $26 for us, and $24 for mom and dad.Shelly saying "again? Really?"
Me and dad looking at lake Eufala.
Mom and dad stayed at in their camper Sunday night, instead of driving home tired. We played triple Yahtzee again. Mom got six yahtzees! She won!
