Going Back Before We Can Go Forward. . .

Yea!! A new month. There are only two more weeks until school starts. I always feel like summer cruises by too fast, but this year it is especially true. I came home from vacation and my flowers and the garden had tripled in size. It's amazing what can happen in 17 days, but first, I need to return to the St. Louis area and finish up the trip:


This was Randy's condo that we crashed in Farmington, MO. It was pretty posh - still smelled brand new.



Randy had a total of 4 - 1 bedroom units. More than ample for his family. Katie was living in this unit, and graciously moved out for the night so we could have a place to stay. Thanks Katie!!

Here we are the morning of July 22nd. Getting ready to load that van up for the very last time.


There were a couple of sites to see near the condo, so we visited them before heading north to the airport. First to the town of Pilot Knob. In 1864, this valley was the scene of one of the largest and most hard-fought Civil War battles waged on the state of Missouri's soil - the Battle of Pilot Knob.


The mound of soil in the background is all that is left of Fort Davidson. There was a nice *free* visitor's center there, it was interesting to learn more about the Civil War.


A couple miles away was another fun place, Elephant Rocks State Park.


One of the most curious geologic formations in Missouri is found at Elephant Rocks State Park. Giant boulders of 1.5 billion-year-old granite stand end-to-end like a train of circus elephants. Many of the elephant rocks lie within the seven-acre Elephant Rocks Natural Area. There was a one mile paved trail that looped around the park. Kimball, Cheryl and I walked the trail and got up close & personal to the rocks:




Last stop before St Louis:

Bob Evans- Festus, MO

The flight home - This was cool. I always wish I had a map on my lap when I fly, but this is even better. Are you listening Southwest??


That's the end of the Trip!!! Thanks for coming along!

And now a shameless plug - but it's free for you if you wish to take advantage...
Remember this picture from last spring?


Well. . . . this is what the tree looks like now:






My apricot tree is so loaded this year that the branches are breaking. (There was a wind storm that blew thru last weekend, and I think that may have also contributed) Anyway, the apricots are reaching their peak ripeness, and if you want some, PLEASE come on over. They are not as big as they have been in years past, I don't know why. But they are about the size of apricots you would buy in the store, and they are very yummy, and good for you. Hope to see you all with a container.