We were supposed to fly out of Springfield at 6:00am on the 14th, but due to what turned out to be smoke from an overheated exhaust fan in a ladies' restroom somewhere in Elgin, IL, our flight was cancelled and we were automatically rescheduled to leave at 12:20pm on the 15th. Not only were we rescheduled. but instead of flying from Chicago to Phoenix, we were flying from Chicago to Los Angeles to Phoenix! We had a scheduled one-hour layover in Chicago, but after a one-our traffic control delay in leaving Springfield, it was obvious that we weren't going to make our connection to LAX, so we were switched to an American Airlines flight leaving Chicago for LAX at 7:45pm!
When we got to Chicago, O'hare was a zoo, but we managed to find an American Airlines ticketing agent and asked to be put on stand-by for a Chicago to Phoenix flight leaving at 2:40pm. We got lucky and got on that flight. There were probably a dozen empty seats. Evidently, other people had trouble making their connections, too.
Anyway, we landed in Phoenix at 6:10pm and our friends, Susan and Lou picked us up shortly thereafter. We stopped for dinner on our way to their house and spent a few hours relaxing before hitting the sack. I woke up Friday morning in the same position I was in when I fell asleep. I think I was in a stress-induced coma all night!
Friday, we woke up early (body clock still on Illinois time) and had a leisurely breakfast before Lou and I ran some errands which included visits to Home Depot and Lowe's. Then the four of us walked across the street to the Farmer's Market and the grocery store to pick up a few things.
By noon, it was in the low 90s (but it's dry heat) when we met my cousin Ron (known to the family as Dink) and his wife Pat at Bink's Cafe for lunch and a long overdue visit. Dink and Pat live about 15 minutes from Susan and Lou.
After saying so-long to Dink and Pat, we returned "home" and got into the pool. I took an unintended nap on one of the pool floats. Good thing I had applied sunscreen! We enjoyed a light fish dinner by the pool followed (and preceded) by cocktails before going to bed.
So, that brings you up to date. More later.
We left Clifty Falls on Sunday morning for the short 77 mile drive to Brown County State Park. It was a beautiful day. There were 24 camping units there by the time they all arrived.
Friday brought some scattered showers, but not enough to dampen our spirits, especially when we went to Big Woods Brew Pub for pizza and some of their great "Busted Knuckle" beer.
Saturday evening was the potluck and a BIG campfire. Some pretty heavy rain came through in the wee hours of Sunday morning, but we were able to break camp under sunny skies.
We're headed to Carefree, AZ and San Clemente, CA (sans camper) next week, so stay tuned!
We arrived at Clifty Falls State Park late Sunday afternoon and got set up and relaxed after the long drive of 309 miles. Monday, we rode with Joe & Loretta to explore the parks roads. When we got back to camp, Jake and Anne were there.
Monday afternoon, Joe and Loretta rode with us to Hanover College to take in the view of the Ohio River from "The Point." Then we went into Madison to pick up a few supplies.
Tuesday, we did a little hiking with Jake and Anne, then went into town to get fill up with gas and grab some beer.
Wednesday morning, we took our time breaking camp and heading for the combination May in Brown County Campout and Gathering of Aframes in Brown County State Park. We stopped in Knawbone, just east of Nashville, IN, at a little restaurant famous for their tenderloin sandwiches before going to the park and meeting up with old and new friends.
