Plan B

Plan A was to be a slow and leisurely drive up north from Florida. After all it is still to cold to be in Minnesota in March. So slowly we travelled. 2 nights in Cedar Key, Florida. 3 nights near Pensacola, Florida. 2 nights near Meridian, Mississippi.

Then a sense of urgency was called for. That sense of urgency is because of grand-baby one is due any day now. So the navigator planned a course that would get us to about a day away if grand-baby one decided to come early. Remember that it is March still and it is cold in Minnesota. Campgrounds there don't open until May 1st so we would be in Lisa's mother's driveway for a month at least. So we made it to the Quad Cities and are hunkered down in a KOA that happens to be open. Not our favorite kind of campground but it is the only thing open. We got here before a winter storm hit the area but the temps are supposed to stay above freezing. We hope.

There's something wrong with this picture.

Let me back up a little bit. After our secret location in Florida, we made a short jaunt north to Clarkco State Park in MS. It was a nice park and very empty during the week. We had a nice site on the water. It was called a premium site because of the view and it was only 24 a night with full hookups. The regular sites where only 20 a night. Great deal.

Site 37 with a great view.

The pad was a little short so we really hung over the end.

Lake view

Dusk

After 2 relaxing nights, our plan was to go to Vicksburg MS. There they have the Vicksburg National Military Park. Now if you are easily offended, stop reading now.

Vicksburg was a city on the Mississippi River that was vital to both sides of the Civil War. Nearly 100 thousand troops faced each other for over 40 days of fighting. Over 20,000 lost their lives. It is a very somber sight for both sides of the war. This is similar to Gettysburg if you have ever been there and if not, I would recommend both places before the creampuffs change history and tear them down. Personally I was not offended. I was in awe of the whole place.

Missouri Monument

Minnesota Monument

Union Cannons

Ready, Aim, FIRE!

Illinois Monument

Wisconsin Monument.

Statue at the Wisconsin Monument

Confederate Cannon

The monuments of the north are larger than the south's due to the economics after the war. Both sides recognized the importance of saving this history because of the sacrifices made by both sides.

USS Cairo

Inside of the Cairo

The USS Cairo was a union ironclad ship that was used to bombard Vicksburg from the Mississippi River. It was sunk during the war and they have raised it and rebuilt parts of it for the museum.

After our visit there we got hungry. We wanted local so we found the Gumbo Pot. It was delicious.

Deep fried shrimp

Shrimp and Grits

So Plan B was in effect. One night in Vicksburg and then we headed north to Sikeston, Missouri. We just stayed the night and moved on up to our current secret location. We got here before a winter storm hit the area. Now we are covered in snow and it has been snowing all day. Which brings us back to the beginning. 

We don't normally stay at a KOA for many reasons. Mainly the price. I don't know how they can justify the prices that they charge. If we did stay at one we would ask for a military discount which saves a little, but this one doesn't offer that and I don't know if all KOA's have gotten rid of that discount. So we won't stay at KOA's if they don't offer that any more. I wonder about their price here. Is it because they are the only ones open now. $46 a night is expensive. We got to our site and then we were informed that the water was off due to the low temps. So we then had to go back and fill up. I think they should have told us before we got to the site. Also our fire pit.

Look at all the trash in our firepit. And yes, that is a diaper in there. They will not get a good review from us.

Now we are in a holding pattern for grand-baby one to arrive and waiting for some warmer temps up north. 

Stay tuned for the next chapter of "Dorks on Parade".