Week 263 - Road Trip - 08-28-2011

Return to the "Garden of the Elks"

With one week to go before the Mothership gets a new engine, we decided to take a road trip to the "Garden of the Elks". In 2007, we spent our 33rd wedding anniversary at the Cape Girardeau, Missouri, Elks. It is probably as close to heaven as you can get, camped on a private lake, alone for five days.

We put our future paths on the travelogues so that friends and family might meet up with us. While in Kentucky we got an email from our friends, Lauren and Jeanette. We met them in August 2008 in Westminster, Colorado at the Elks. We were backing in our space, in the dark and a man came running out to help us. That was Lauren and the beginning of a great friendship. The next morning we met Jeanette and chatted a bit before we left. We met them again a week later in Colorado Springs, then in Pueblo, CO and two months later we stayed a couple days at their place in Yuma. They emailed us from Center City, Kentucky and it turned out to be on our path to Cape Girardeau. Here they are with their “scooter”, a Honda Gold Wing.

On the way to the Garden, we passed through Ware, Illinois. We can hear it now.

"Where are you from?"
"Ware"
"Where?"
"Yes, Ware"
"I am asking you where you are from".
"Ware"
"Yes, where?"
"Ware"
"Oh, just forget it"

We arrive at the entrance to the Garden and pass through the card-keyed gate.

Ah, home again!

The very nice lodge with very nice people is on the hill overlooking the lake. From the lodge you cannot see our Garden, it is totally private and gated and once again, we had the Garden to ourselves. Wheeeeee!

As usual Ellen got some terrific photos from her kayak.

Experimenting with lighting is all important to a photographer. These two sunset shots were taken 15 minutes apart, both producing outstanding images.

Again, the morning lighting produces great contrasts within a few minutes.

There were a few Blue Herons prancing around the lake.

After leaving the Garden, we headed off toward Nashville, Tennessee. This bridge is from Cairo, Illinois crossing the Ohio River into Kentucky. The coal barge is heading south, just a couple of miles to where the Ohio meets the Mississippi River.

Back to Nashville and who do we meet? Lauren and Jeanette. This might not have happen without the miracle of emailing.

Nothing says Nashville, like the Grand Ole Opry. The four of us took a bike trip to the big house.

As we had seen the Opry on our last visit, this time we headed to Broadway in downtown Nashville.

This street is loaded with restaurants with almost every one having live entertainment.

Heading from Nashville back to Louisville, we passed by Mammoth Cave National Park. We are told the caverns are spectacular. But, there were no self-guided tours and we just didn't feel like be herded through today. So, we passed. That is one of the nice things about full time travel. You can always see it "next time".

Back in Louisville we re-visited the Elks, lodge number 8. We have stayed at 78 different Elk's Lodge and everyone is always friendly.

But these folks went the extra mile. When we entered the lodge, everyone inside introduced themselves to us. And, when any new member came into the lodge, they made sure that member met us. By the time we left the lodge, everyone knew our story and were sympathetic. No more so than "Duck" (Don's nickname). Duck thought it just wrong that we should pay for lodging during the engine rebuild, as he had room for us to stay at his house or on his yacht. We accepted his offer.

The Duck Meister will be our home for the next two weeks. The Elks motto is "Elks Care, Elks Share" and this is great evidence that they practice what they preach. Thank you Duck, for your amazing hospitality.

Arrrr Matey, until our next voyage. Love, Pete and Ellen

Photos from Aug 2011