Our 2nd annual trip to Mark Twain State Park

We just returned from our 2nd annual camping trip to Mark Twain State park campground with our friends Terry and Debby. 

The trees were absolutely beautiful!!

I will let the next few pictures do the talking!

This is SAD.  The water level is so low.  The concrete boat ramp ended way before the water. 

The guys went to squirrel hunt. Turkey hunting was on their list too, but they never got a shot.

We were just across the road from Terry and Debby, I think it was lot 63 and 64, Puma area. They surprised us showing up in a new to them Geo Pro 15 RV. To say I'm on a mission to find a matching one is an understatement. After all our Casita is 23 years old, and we've had it for 13 years. I think it's served us well.

Every night this was how we passed our evening.

We took turns making lunches and dinner. This night grilled burgers were on the menu.

Cabins are available to rent too. Just the bare necessities, no running water, just electricity. 

The dry lakebed. 

On Wednesday morning, Debby and I went to Monroe City to the Ben Franklin.  Fabric! Yes, we both bought things. I found 3 Christmas gifts. We also visited 3 other antique shops but left there empty handed. At the Sheltered workshop resell it shop; we bought found a few bargains. 

Thursday Debby and I went to Perry Mo.  I can't remember the name of this antique shop, but it should have been labeled a MUSEUM.

Pictures don't do it justice. Take a look.

Yes, that is a casket up on  the top shelf!

This was another shop. Their Halloween window was fantastic. Although one of us was freaked out, and it wasn't me. Those pictures change faces from nice, to horror!

Tesony pictures, he said they were from Amazon. 

We stopped in Hickman IGA in Perry. This used to be owned by my distance cousin. Him and I had the same Great Grandfather. 

On Friday we girls made a quick trip to New London, Mo to New London's Old School Marketplace. No one told us it would take hours to go through it! 

Debby saw this possum belly cabinet and she almost didn't leave it behind.

Another great trip is in the books. Hopefully by next year, I'll talk the blacksmith into a new camper!!!

Dick's Mill

Today we went to see Dick’s Mill, located in Cooper County, Missouri. It is soon to be disassembled and moved to the Missouri River Valley Steam Engine Association ground near Boonville, Missouri.

To learn more about the Mill, follow their Facebook page, Dick’s Mill Restoration Project.

Donations for the project can be sent to Bob Painter, 12226 Hwy. 5, Boonville, Mo. 65233

The mill built in 1868 was restored partially in the late 70’s and 80’s. 

This photo shows one of the canvas belts with the riveted metal cups that operate inside the wooden elevators.  Some of these belts are made of leather.  Imagine each of these cups carrying a small handful of flour or grain to the next piece of equipment.  Simple, but it worked!

Looking down into the basement.

Of course, living in a timber frame, it always pleases me to look at other timber frame structures.

48-inch millstone

Donations were accepted, lunch was hot dogs , chili, pumpkin pies, chocolate chip cookies, lemonade, and apple cider.

Club members had several small engines running, sharpened blades or grinding corn.  

Our friends Jim and Deanna came to see the mill. We enjoyed visiting and eat together. The sunshine was warm, it was a beautiful fall day in the country.

Bernie visits with Nancy Martin, her late husband along with Paul and Becky Bloch restored the mill. Nancy and Bernie worked together at Missouri Farm Bureau in the late 70’s.

In fact, Bernie still has their business card!

Bob Painter who is manning this project, drew quite a crowd inside. Hearing him tell the history or the use of the different pieces was so interesting. 

One very LARGE beam.

Yes, there were skeletons in the basement!