Camping Near A Famous Arch, Getting Lost in an "Urban Prairie" and the Burgoo. Our week September 4-10.

This past week we found ourselves headed westward.  This was one of those rare times where we started off towards a destination without really knowing where we would end up for the night.  Luckily, we came across this campground near St. Louis that did not require a reservation, so we were able to park there for a couple of nights.  Did I say park?  Yes, because that is exactly what it was.  A parking lot, but with full hook ups.

The St. Louis Arch seen from our front window.  It felt like we were underneath it.  Even though we were in a big parking lot, it still was a very interesting experience.

However, on the day we were packing up to leave and start the next leg of our journey, we had the unfortunate incident of breaking off the only key to our RV inside the lock.  Not to panic though, luckily, there was a locksmith close by.  Unluckily, (is that a word) it was in a less than desirable part of East St. Louis.

East St. Louis was once a thriving industrial and railroad  town and once claimed to be the fourth largest city in Illinois with over 86,000 residence.  Today there are around 23,000 that claim this city home, fortunately for us, one of those residences is a locksmith.  Oh yea, did I mention its in Illinois and not Missouri.

Like many inner cities, after the industries left much of the city fell into decline.  To me this city looked like an "Urban Prairie".

Here is an example of how vegetation has taken over unoccupied buildings.

Another example of abandoned buildings.

More scenes of the Urban Prairie.

  Soon after we arrived we had our keys replaced and were sent on our way.

Our next stop on our journey just happened to find us next to Randy's hometown in Arenzeville, Illinois, in time for their traditional Burgoo. 

 What is a Burgoo you ask?  Well the short answer is a bowl of stew.

It really is much more.  Its a two day festival with rides and games and amazing music and just an all around great time with family and friend.  I am so glad we were able to make it this year.

We stayed at the Buena Vista Campground in Chapin, Illinois a very quaint and quiet Campground.

With the weekend behind us we had to say our goodbyes to all of our relatives and a great bowl of stew and move on up toward Green Bay, Wisconsin.

What an incredible little city campground we found along the way.  Holtwood Campground in Oconto, Wisconsin was simply spectacular.  

We were right on the banks of the Oconto river, although I don't know why this picture came out so blurry.

With a view like this I could blog all day.

While in Wisconsin were were able to check out some really interesting places but for some reason the only picture captured was of this vintage McDonald's.  Shows you how easy it is to wow me.

How cool is that.

And this.

They do love their Packers in this town.  This outside the Titletown Brewery.

All in all we had a great stay in Wisconsin and hope to come back and spend more time exploring this state but for now we must trek even further north into the Upper Peninsula or U.P. of Michigan.

Have a great day and remember everyday may not be beautiful but you can fine beauty in every day.