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Road tripping with Babs and Tom, Wausau, WI (2026)

06/09/2025

Home again home again Jiggity Jig!
We left this morning for home
We hit heavy rain outside of Madison to Lodi. There were 3 terrible accidents. We got off at Lodi and waited for rain to subside. We sat 45 minutes going 2.6 miles waiting for them to clear the accident. Glad we weren’t close to that. Before I could get off I was driving 40 with my hazards lights flashing. Too scary. These were the only accidents we saw the entire trip except a couple of cars in ditches early on.
3 lanes of traffic for 45 minutes +. I’m sure traffic had been sitting for much longer as when we got off the interstate we met the ambulance going onto the interstate as we headed into Lodi.
So glad we got home safe and sound, we know someone did not today!

06/08/2025

June 6 & 7
Today’s travels were a long day. We drive to Weldon Springs near Clinton IL. Our GPS took us right through the heart of St. Louis so we got a birdseye view of the Gateway Arch in the fog. We also caught a glimpse of the Saint Louis Cardinals Busch Stadium. The traffic was MOVING and it was a bit scary but I made it through safe and a little less sound. The first rest area I took a short rest before getting back behind the wheel to finish the day. The campground sits on the banks of a small lake that we relaxed on the dock and enjoyed the view. There were a few people fishing but did not see anything caught. We did see a turtle swimming and Odie was taking it the great view. He also liked climbing on the slick sycamore tree.
We got up and I made waffles in my mini waffle iron. So fun to have something different on the road. We then drove to Rock Cut State Park near Rockford IL. It is the largest state park in Northern Illinois. It is an alcohol free park. The lake is on the mighty Rock River and the place where wagons once forded it, hence the city name - Rockford. I think we saw there were 560 camping sites and one cabin to rent and we were on 412 and some young kids wanted to pay us to switch sites with them. Ours is very wooded on all sides and very private. There a lot of wild turkeys and little rabbits running around the park.
Our last night on the road. Tomorrow will be a 200 mile day and then we will be home. We are both ready for a long bit of rest and relaxation. We love our travels but it is nice to get back home. Can’t wait to see what all is growing in the yard - oh yes we know - there will be weeds and sticks to take care of? But Jamie has assured me that there are plants growing in the new garden I planted last summer. Yay!!!

06/07/2025

June 5
We left Branson this morning and were headed to Meramec State Park. We stopped at my 2nd quilt shop of the trip, Sew Simple Quilt Shop. It always amazed me how different all the shops we stop at are different. I didn’t think they made so many different materials and patterns. I did see a quilt I thought was really cool but decided I had enough patterns at home and didn’t warrant another one that I might not make. There were also a couple other cute shops in the same mini mall so of course I indulged. Tom even found a really cool man’s apron with fish on it. He has really been wanting one. We stopped at a really cool rest area/welcome center in Missouri that was all decked out like an old fashion gas station on Route 66. All the workers were in service station uniforms and all the tables in the picnic area had covers that named old auto related service names. There we picked up some information about Meramec Springs Park and Campground. It is one of the largest springs and considered the most beautiful spot in Missouri. So we changed our camping arrangements fir the night. It was an important site for indigenous tribes as well because of the springs free flow, abundant forest for their hunting and supplies as well as the red pigmented hematite. It is a family foundation dedicated to preserving the history of the Maramec Iron Works that began in 1843 by Thomas James and remained in operation until 1876. After James death in 1920 his granddaughter Lucy Wortham James inherited the land and upon her death in 1938. She established a trust that created The James Foundation that owns and operates Meramec Springs today. The park is a 1856 acre wildlife refuge. The Spring water comes through the underground cave of 350 foot. You can still see many remnants of the old Iron works furnace and refinery forges operation. Trout fishing is very popular there also. There is a Missouri Department of Conservation project 1 of 4 hatcheries in Missouri that raises trout in the Spring Branch and releases fish daily from March to October. We were lucky enough to see that process while we were walking the path around the around the Spring. As you travel around the walk you will see the actual spring bubbling in the middle of the pond. This area is a fish santuary and can’t be fished in but down stream a bit you can fish with a valid fishing license and trout stamp. While in the visitor center you can see diorama’s of life as it was when the Iron Works Village was actually in operation and also watched a video about the sorings and the cave that feeds it. We were amazed at the amount if caved that Missouri has andvstill offer tours of most of them. We had a hard rain overnight and we were glad we had wrapped our electric cord so it wouldn’t be sitting in the mud. The next morning there were many water poddles standing, some big enough they looked like little ponds.

06/07/2025

June 4
Another perk of the cruise that we were able to get a hotel the next night for only $40 so we decided to take advantage of that offer, Clarion Hotel at the Palace. Before heading to the hotel we drove to the Table Rock Dam and toured the visitor center and watched the film of building it. It reminds me of the dam we lived above in Yankton. Table Rock Dam spans 6,423 feet and rises 252 feet above the riverbed. It is important for flood control and as well as its generation of electricity. The lake covers 43,100 acres, and at 220 feet, it is the deepest lake in Missouri. The lake's 745-mile shoreline is roughly equivalent to the length of the California coast. We then went to the new Shepherd of the Hills fish aquarium where trout fish are hatched and raised before being released into the many rivers and streams in Missouri.
At the hotel we enjoyed the hot tub at the outside pool area and then another dip in the indoor pool area.
We then went out for dinner at Gettin’ Basted. Our ribs and sides were fabulous and the service was equally as good. We even took some of the ribs for a second meal. I’m also going to try and find a recipe for Poblano Cream Corn side that was so good and so different. One of Ozark’s best known pitmasters behind the restaurant, Brad Leighninger will be competing on Bobby Flay’s “BBQ Brawl” series on the Food Channel, a big honor for a chef. Apparently he has won many awards in Branson as well as traveling to other competitions. Odie was impressed with the trophies he has won in his other competitions , I thought they were smokers for sale but the wsitress set me straight ! We don’t usually watch the food network but I think we might have to see if we can find that show when we get home. Hope he does well!
It was nice to have a big comfy bed that included a complimentary breakfast in the morning one more time before we arrive home in a few days.
We really enjoyed our relaxing days in Branson, many other days this trip were long or rushed. What a nice respite!

06/07/2025

June 3
Our fun river event was a cruise, dinner and entertainment on the Showboat Branson Belle. This boat is the largest ship ever built on a land lock lake, 4 decks and a full scale theater. We rode for a 2 hour cruise on the White River featuring a 3 course meal. It was very good but so much food we could hardly finish it. After dinner they gave you time to walk around the ship and go out on the decks and watch the river and land slowly change. We would have preferred an afternoon cruise but darn they were sold out. We were also able to see the skyline buildings of the city before it was dark. One of the crew helped identify what we were seeing. It was fun to see all the lights from town and the dam after dark . Odie was really impressed with the boat but didnt know the meaning if walking the plank. He really enjoyed the Ooey Gooey Butter Cake made from scratch by the bakers at Silver Dollar City! So did Tom and Babs!
The entertainment for the evening was fabulous. It spanned 60’s music to country and then a patriotic set of music paying tribute to the veterans on board. There was even a singer from my home state of Nebraska. A magician who served as the MC for the evening, 6 singer/dancers, 2 dance performers and 3 musicians on stages well as a band in the back of the theater. We had so much fun and was one of the highlights of our trip. It was almost 11 o’clock before we got back to our campsite and I can’t believe how well we did backing into our site in the dark. We laid a couple lights on one side and Tom directed me on the other. Yeah! It worked!

06/07/2025

June 2

We drove to Branson Missouri and found a campsite at Table Rock State Park around 12:30. The manager there gave us a great suggestion for a restaurant so decided to check it out for lunch instead of leaving again later for dinner. College of the Ozarks has a lodge called The Keeter Center. It houses lodge rooms, gift shop and a restaurant. The gift shop is supplied products made by students at the school, and much of the food served in the dining room is grown on campus and they have a dairy that makes homemade ice cream that was quite tasty. Our meal was quite different and one of our best on this trip. Seafood Pappadelle Pasta dish and Kale, Quinoa and Peach Salad, both were great.
All the students work at the different places on campus in exchange for their tuition, no student pays a tuition for classes and they can also apply to work extra hours over holidays or the summer in exchange of room and board. The school was originally started by the Presbyterian Church in 1906, a junior college in 1965 and changed to a 4 year College of the Ozarks in 1990. It provides a Christian education to 1500 - 1700 students with 65% from the Ozark Mountain region. We were greeted by a student from South Africa and another from Uganda. It is 1000 acres overlooking Lake Taneycomo. I was especially interested in the antique quilts in the gift shop corner. Judy Steiger Howard a quilter, author and collector buys old quilts and repairs if they need it then donates them to the college to sell as a major fundraiser for them. The oldest quilt they have ever had was from the 1800’s and the newest from early 1970’s. There was also antique miniature sewing machines for sale. Some of those quilts we exquisite and all of them were hand quilted. The students there are really trained for the jobs they do as they were so poised and knowledgeable about everything around them and in the restaurant they knew what ingredients were used and how everything was prepared.
Table Rock State Park was established in 1957 and is 356 acres on the Table Rock Lake. Built on the White River between 1954-1958, gth of California's coast.

06/03/2025

June 1
Tom has always been intrigued with the Buffalo National River after hearing people talk about it at Canoecopia in Madison. Marty Cook really brags about how beautiful the river is and he sure was right. It was designated as the first American national river in 1972. Originating in the Boston Mountains, (funny name in Arkansas for a mountain range) dropping 152 steep miles at the confluence of the white river. We planned several days around the river but after having to reroute one of the places, Ozark Folk Center at the State Park was not going to be open that day and that was the main reason we were going to be there. So again we changed our route. We headed for Tyler Bend State Park right on the Buffalo River. Excited until we find out there is no electricity there and it is 90 degrees and Tom needs air conditioning when it that hot. We perused through the visitors center and talked to the ranger and found our 1 1/2 hours up river there is another corp campground, Buffalo Point that had electricity, called and they had an opening so drove there. There were many canoes and kayaks in the campground as well as many outfitters along the road we traveled to get there. At our campground most of the access to the river was high bluffs you could look at it but not get down to the water easily. After a nice dinner and visiting with our neighbors we enjoyed a quiet evening. In the morning we drove up to the restaurant that has a nice overlook of the river. Then drove back a few miles to a Dillars Ferry Bridge put in or take out spot for paddlers and got to get right next to the river and visited with some paddlers and outfitters. The access point for pickups or trailers was really awful. Odie and Jasper loved getting really close to the river as well as their picture with a couple kayaks they wanted to try out! Not as much time as we had hoped on the river but was fun to see the real thing instead of just pictures.

06/03/2025

May 30 & 31
After leaving Rogers we drove to Eureka Springs. Highway 62 is on the the hilliest and curviest roads we have driven. Arkansas really likes their curves in the roads none of them seem to be straight unless maybe the interstates. We have also noticed all the gorgeous wildflowers in the ditches, the Arkansas DNR implemented a program establishing roadside wildflowers along more 16,400 miles of highway and more than 200,000 acres of highway roadsides. They think it reduces long-term maintenance cost enhances habitat for pollinators and wildlife and protects native plant populations. If a new road is put in, they even document in the contract that wildflowers need to be planted on the roadways.

Arriving in Eureka Springs we drove through the historic section and noticed how narrow and congested the streets were and vertically no parking for a camper as long as ours. We stopped to find out about the trolley system and feel that will be a good fit for us.

We proceeded on to our campsite at Starkey corp of engineer campground. We were a little worried about the road as it was 10 miles out of town, but it turned out it was not so narrow or curvy getting there. We had a relaxing evening and even visited with our neighbors a bit. I think he is a bigger never Trumper than I am. His pickup is a testament to his beliefs.

On May 31 we ate breakfast and headed back into town. Before hitting town we stopped at Thorncrown Chapel located a couple miles out of town. On March 24, 1979 construction started on the mountain side. It was designed by E. Fay Jones, an apprentice of Frank Lloyd Wright. Jim Reed who commissioned the work could see he was going to run out of money. But a quote from Jim, “ I am not proud of the fact, but the first time I ever got down on my knees was on that chapel floor. I prayed more seriously than ever before. All the trials and tribulations gave me the humility to get on my knees. “ a few days later a woman from Illinois provided a loan allowing Jim to finish his dream. On June 10, 1980 Thorncrown Chapel opened. Since then people from all over the world have visited the little chapel in the woods. It has won many metals and design awards and listed as the 4th on the list of top building of the 20th century. It is a 48 feet tall wooden structure with 425 windows and over 6,000 square feet of glass. It can be rented for weddingd or special occasions and runs totally on private donations.

Eureka Springs is known as the City of Water. 50 landmark Springs drew health seekers to town before the turn of the 20th century . It is filled with European style houses with lots of gingerbread decoration, many call it “The Little Switzerland“ with many of the houses on the National Register of Historic Places .
Eureka Springs has operated a mule drawn street car system since 1891. 7 years later the mules were retired and electric motors were installed to run on overhead wires. 1920’s was the rise of the automobile and in 1923 the wires and tracks were buried under concrete. In 1978 they started the gas powered trolley system upgrading it with 24 trolley buses. In 1984 they started following all the historic routes with a jump on jump off service on a daily basis with 130 possible stops . We road the entire historic district then got off at the top of the old shopping district and walk for hours enjoying shops, lunch and music, as the Blues Music Festival was going on for the weekend. It was good music and fun people watching. We caught a ride back to our van at the Trolley station that mafe a had good parking spot for us. Arriving back at the campsite we drove down to the marina to look at the lake. Our campground is located on Beaver Lake. The same lake we camped on at Bentonville. It is 23,000 acres and runs from Bentonville all the way to Eureka Springs 32 miles away. We were surprised that we actually camped on the same lake so far apart!

06/03/2025

May 30
We left our campground and drove into Rogers to go to the Daisy Gun museum. It was originally started in 1882 as the Plymouth Iron Windmill Company. In 1888 after the board nearly closed the plant, Clarence Hamilton, a board member brought in the prototype of an all metal air gun. By 1890 they were make nearly 50,000 gun per year. In 1895 they quit making windmills and changed its name to Daisy Manufacturing Company. And they say the Rest is History! I found all that history interesting since my father was a 3 generation water well drilling and repair man and put up and repaired windmills on many Nebraska farms. The company is now 139 years old, producing goods from the 17th century to present day 20th. In 1958 they moved their gun production operation to Rogers Arkansas to be more centrally located. The museum was initially in the plant but has been relocated to Main Street of Roger in an old pharmacy building.
The museum takes you through the many changes of air guns and of course the history of the famous Red Rider BB Gun, even The Christmas Story has a prominent corner there.
We did not know that Daisy was instrumental in training of the military both in the past and still for men and women entering the military who have never fired a gun before. They made a machine gun that could be mounted on a plane that the pilots in training could use for target practice. At a rate of 500 BBs per minute more than 3 billion 200 million BBs were used in the aerial training.
Do you remember watching Cheyenne, Roy Rogers, and Davy Crocket? Well you were watching Daisy guns in action. Argo Ojala was a quick draw artist who taught all those TV cowboys to fast draw and shoot. Even Annette Funicello and Disney got in on the Daisy outfits and guns. The most unusual gun was the one used by veterinarians to vaccinate animals. We had no idea Daisy was involved in so many different uses. Tom can’t wait to try out his new Daisy purchase.
Even the bathroom was equipped with a Daisy rifle and pistol, Odie thought that was so cool!

05/30/2025

Catfish Joe's dinner and Beaver Lake.

05/30/2025

May 29
We woke up thinking there would be rain most of the day. None this morning we filled our fresh water tank and put away all the outdoors items and had a simple breakfast of cranberry scones and Tom had cereal and I opted for fruit and chocolate hummus with my sconce. We drove into the Walmart Museum and the first store the 5 & dime before Walmart began. The museum was really quite interesting and really gave you a good perspective of the entire history of the cooperation. Sam and Helen Walton started the first store in the 50’s and Walmart was not born until 1962. They had 3 boys and 1 daughter who all carry on some part of the Walton entire. I know many people are not fans of the Walmart stores but when you look at the town of Bentonville and see the philanthropy that has taken place by this family it is amazing. Museums, restoration of historic buildings, gardens throughout the area and major money and donations of good to families in need as well as storm damaged cities throughout the United States.

Sam was presented Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1992 from President George H.W. Bush. This is the highest civilian honor in the United States, awarded for exceptional contributions to the country. The medal was presented during a ceremony at Walmart headquarters in Bentonville, Arkansas, instead of in Washington as usual as Sam was quite ill at the time and it was Walton's last public appearance before his death from cancer at the age of 74. He died as the richest man in the US.
Alice his daughter was instrumental in the Walton Family Foundation developing the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art in Bentonville, Arkansas. It sits on 120 acres is free to attend. Walton says her motivation for the museum was to give access to art to people who had never had it and could not afford to go to expensive museums.
There is a hologram theater that was pretty cool. It was like you were sitting in the room visiting with Sam, Odie got to be upfront and center with him. Sam prided himself in trying to make everyday good affordable for all families. When traveling we find ourselves shopping Walmart as well can usually get everything we need without needing several stops.
Sam was a good friend of Jimmy and Rosalina Carter. Jimmy and Sam loved to hunt together. The Walton Foundation has join with Dolly Parton with millions of dollars to make life better for underprivileged individuals.
The Walmart Logo has changed over the years and I have to be honest I liked the 1964 logo the best. It was fun to see the development of the business over the years until present day. After the museum we walked into many of the shops in downtown. To be honest you better have a sizable checkbook to buy much in those shops, we found them very expensive.
The Peel Museum was a prominent home in the community with 14 rooms and 2 stories.. The Peel Compton Foundation is celebrating the 150th anniversary of the Peel Museum & Botanical Garden. Built in 1875, is one of the town’s oldest structures. Samuel West Peel bought the land in 1872 for his wife so she could live in the manner that she had grown up. They raised 9 children and most of the furniture is actually family pieces. The house was bought in 1920’s by another family and after they left it sat vacant for 60 years. At one point it was slated to be torn down for a Walmart and Parking lot. The historic society convinced the Walton Foundation to keep the building and the Walton’s agreed and also paid for the renovation. In 1991 it started and 2 years later, 1993, it was opened to the public as a museum. It is a spectacular building both inside and out and shows the wealth of the past in Bentonville.

Samuel West Peel (September 13, 1831 – December 18, 1924) was an American lawyer, politician, and jurist who served as a member of the United States House of Representatives from 1883 to 1893. He died in 1924 at the age of 93.
The flower and vegetable gardens are still kept much the way his wife did while they lived there. There had been 1500 apple trees in the orchard and some still remain in the yard today. There is an old square log building on the property that is used as the museum store and also a newer building that are the restrooms and a bridal suite as many brides chose this location for their marriage venue.
On the way back to our campground it started to rain so we stopped at Catfish Joe’s, an old and famous establishment of the area and had a good old catfish dinner with traditional hush puppies popular in the south. Lots of famous celebrities have eaten there and their photos hang to prove it. Odie and Tom both thought it tasted so good!
Back at the campground we drove down by the water on the shores of Beaver Lake, 28,000 acres in the Ozark Mountains of Northwest Arkansas. A huge marina holds hundreds of boats as it is a haven for fishing and water sports.
The rain that was predicted to last most of the rain only materialized for a bit in the late afternoon making another pleasant day without extreme heat.

05/29/2025

May 28
After a great breakfast at the hotel. We headed to the Crystal Bridges Museum of Art that is a free art galley of all American artist. The art galley works were absolutely amazing. There was also a Kaws National exhibit. Kaws is, Brian Donnelly born in 1974 in New Jersey. He started spray painting buildings, billboards and freight trains. He now is so famous that he has major companies that have him use their products with his artwork so people will notice them in a totally different light. Monster Cereals, The Kimpsons, Sesame Street, Nike sneakers, Tommy Hilfiger, Calvin Klein and more. We had never heard of this young man but his art is wildly popular in video games, cartoons and the like with young people. Not our style but it was an honor to be able to see the national exhibit.
There are fabulous walking trails with flowers, sculptures and water ways that run around the enormous buildings on the property.
There is even a Frank Lloyd Wright building on the property. The property was originally commissioned by him for Gloria and Abraham Wilson and was built in 1954 near Millstone River in New Jersey. It was named Blackman - Wilson House. In 2013 the Tarantinos, who were restoring the house after major flooding and ask if Crystal Bridges would love the house and preserve it for future generations. It was documented, disassembled and moved it to Bentonville property. We could tour it free but no pictures could be taken inside. The outside was rebuilt in a beautiful setting and the workmanship was unbelievable.
After that climax we headed to our Corp of Engineers campground outside of Bentonville. Prairie Creek Campground sits along the shores of Beaver Lake in the Ozark Mountains of Northwest Arkansas. The sites are very shaded and sit a nice distance apart. 2 nights here will work great for our visits into town. We enjoyed a salmon dinner and a quiet night in the woods.

Road tripping with Babs and Tom

06/09/2025

06/08/2025

06/07/2025

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06/03/2025

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