Here we go again.

After several months of planning and finishing up health care issues, we are enjoying our freedom and adventures.  I am now more than 2 months post total hip surgery, my second one.  I went for a walk today for the joy of walking, and was pain free, could walk for about a block at a good clip, had no hip pain, my back slowed me down a little, but my knees were not an issue.  I think maybe eventually I can walk as far as I want to without all that pain.  Unbelievable. 

We spent 3 days at my cousins house in Endicott Ne.  She is doing quite well, although cares for her lung congestion (probably emphysema) almost full time.  She is cheerful, and as energetic as her “wind” will let her be.  It was good to see her free of pain too, as she had her hip done about a year ago.  She walks well.  We suffered the infestation of gnats while there, a typical Nebraska scourge.  I must be very allergic to them, and one shoulder and arm is covered in itchy welts.  Other than that the weather was lovely, it poured rain a couple of times, and they have had enough of that.  Things have greened up again like it was spring.  Prior to her place, we spent 3 days at a Colorado Chapter of Escapees rally in Strasberg, Co, about 45 min from home, but next to the RR track.  The same nuisance was present in Endicott.  Felt like we were in another KOA campground as that is typical – freeway on one side and RR on the other.

Tonight and for 2 more we are in Arbela Mo, a town that really doesn’t exist, but it is on the map.  US136 brought us here directly from Fairbury Ne.  It is really a little used US highway, but lots of construction and rebuilding going on.  We got into fresh oil again, as we did on the way to Fairbury.  Yuk.  Our tow car just gets covered in the stuff, top and bottom, so when we start it up, it smokes like something is burning up.  But it seems to be the oil on the bottom of the car smoking  as it burns off.  Stinks too.  Of course David loves spending a whole day scrubbing it off.  HMMMMMMMM.  Anyhow, Arbela Mo is the address of the camp ground known as the Catfish Cafe and Campground.  We got here Sun in time to go eat our fill of catfish, which was delicious.  They had a full buffet to go with it, and whole catfish-deep fried of course- but also some baked filets.  The campground is huge, mostly permanents, but nice, no RR track, and the highway noise is not noticeable.  Not much around except dying small towns, although we found a Pizza Hut tonight to feed our frustration over the amount of work needed to keep the Jeep clean.  We have had an issue with Dish TV since leaving home getting the network stations off the satellite.  We have always gotten Denver Stations, but no more.  At least now we can get network local stations if we call and check in every time we move.  At least that is what they tell us.  We shall see if it takes an act of Congress to do that next stop.  Not sure what changed to change the programming available to us. 

I look forward to spending my birthday with my brother and wife and their son and family in Indianapolis after a couple of days in Champagne-Urbana Ill at a favorite campground there.  We found out the hard way the width needed to pass safely with the coach is 8’6” .  We crossed a bridge over the Mo river under recovery act reconstruction.  Probably shouldn’t have tried it, but thanks to David’s skillful steady hand at the wheel, we made it across without a scratch or bump.  It was tense.  Hopefully won’t have to do that again. 

We are cozy and comfortable in the new coach.  We learned some more about boondocking in Endicott, so know we can do that comfortably.  I still haven’t learned to include pictures.  Sorry.  Thanks for plowing through, and know I would love to hear from you and your adventures.