Scouting our favorite spots

 

 

Covid years brought so many changes to all of us.  We are grateful we have avoided the virus... so far...  During the past two years, we have enjoyed some regional trips in our turtle van.  We chose to use the time to find outstanding camping spots that we would enjoy returning to again and again.  We found our spots on the Mississippi River.  Right on the river.  A nice afternoon's drive, and we can settle in and enjoy the river traffic, the peace and serenity, and some nice walks.  Bliss.  We've been there twice.

The turtle van slips in nearly anywhere.  What a luxury to call this our road home.

 

 

 

Traveling in the shoulder seasons brings such cozy weather.

 

I love the water.

 

 

We also found our favorite spot in Michigan's Upper Peninsula.  It's on the southern coast, right on the edge of Lake Michigan.  It's a no hook-up space, which means most of the people scattered throughout the woods are more camping people than partying people.  It's truly our kind of place.

 

A wooded site, water view, with our own path.  Bliss.  I could stay here for a long, long time.

 

The quiet, adjacent beach at the U.P. site.

 

Jerry finds this site very relaxing, too.  It's rare to have no pressing job on his mind.  

Breathe....

Our other trip during the Covid era was to the very southwest tip of Indiana.  We enjoyed exploring New Harmony, Vincennes, the George Rogers Clark National Historic Site, seeing the oil wells at work, and finding the lock at the tip-toe of the boot.  We loved our stay in the state park that sits along the Vincennes River.  The mid-May weather was so unusually hot, so we cut our trip short.  Ninety-five+ humid degrees worked against our enjoyment of the area.  And Frodo didn't like it at all.  We sat under the trees in a quiet, set-apart park for an afternoon and loved watching the river and feeling the cooler breeze.

The George Roger Clark National Historical Monument.  There are gorgeous, informative murals circling the inside walls.

 

The bridge over the Vincennes River at the historic site.

 

Either I didn't take enough photos in New Harmony or I lost them. Next time we go I will take more photos.  There are homes and buildings from the original settlement still in use.  There is a large, ultra sleek museum building which looks so at odds with the simple-living tradition of the settlement.  Today New Harmony is a sweet little town that leans toward the creative  community.  When we return, we will spend some time in the galleries and shops.  

This building in New Harmony was a special place:  The Roofless Church - A Place of Prayer for All People.