Memory Lane, Ottumwa, Iowa

                                    Thursday 7/12/2013

From Columbia, MO., we drove to Ottumwa, IA, the city of bridges.

We had reservations at the Valley Village Mobile Home Community for three nights.

The park is located on the west edges of the city.

We had full hook ups for $15 a day. The park was very quiet for the three nights we stayed there.

After we settled in, we took a drive around the town that I grew up in. First we drove to  the Hotel Ottumwa, so I could  show Joe where the class reunion was going to be held.

Across the street from the hotel, is a parking lot.

All the buildings in this area were torn down to building the parking ramp, except for the famous Canteen.

The Canteen was saved by the city, because it is a landmark and well loved place for Ottumwans, and it wouldn't be the same if it were gone. Neiswangers Restaurant use to be located next to the Canteen, but it was torn down. My first job as a waitress at age 16 was at Nieswangers.

While we were in Ottumwa, Joe and I made a stop for lunch one afternoon at the Canteen.

The Canteen was founded in 1936.

It is a very small place, and when we arrive, we had to wait 20 minutes to get a seat. There were several class members eating, or waiting to eat the day we went. We each got a maid rite, and shared a chocolate shake.

From the Hotel Ottumwa, we could see the Ottumwa High School where I graduated from in 1973.

Front steps into Ottumwa High School

Our next stop was to get pictures of the apartment building that my mom's mom and dad owned, and where I spent all my Christmas's, and enjoyed root beer floats made by my Grandma Linnie.

Next we drove by the house that I lived in for 10 years with my first husband my girls first home. Their dad still lives here.

We drove past the Ottumwa Campground where we originally were going to stay, but their website said the sites were only big enough for a 36 ft RV. After driving around, we found several sites that were plenty big for us at 41 feet. The campground only has water and electric, which was another reason we decided to stay at Valley Village.

Next we drove past the apartment complex on Green St., that my mom owned before she moved to Cedar Rapids. My grandpa Floyd also lived in one of the apartments, after my grandma Linny died. It use to look so much nicer when my mom owned it.

I took a picture of the lot next to the apartment complex, because when she sold it, this land was suppose to have been sold with it, but somehow it didn't, and my mom has been paying taxes on it for over 20 years. The neighbor on the other side has show some interest in it and she is trying to give it away so she won't have to pay taxes on it anymore. I took this picture, so she could see how well it was being maintained.

Just up the street on Green St., I took a picture of this home, because my mother lived here from grade school to high school, and I knew she would want to see pictures of it too.

Next we drove past the house where I lived while in grade school, and junior high.

Our last drive by, was the home where my sisters and I lived during our high school years.

The house never had a circle drive when we lived there, and it was green instead of blue The carport was also turned into a garage after we left. We also drove past some of my friends old homes in this neighborhood, before we headed back to our Nest in Valley Village Mobile Home community.

We are still in Cedar Rapids, IA. My comnputer is at the comnputer Dr's office getting rid of viruses, so I haven't done much blogging lately. I am using Joe's computer tonight,  but  I don't like it much, because it jumps around too much.

Cottonwoods RV Park, Columbia, Missouri

Wednesday 7/10/2013

We left Branson and took Hwy. 65 north toward Springfield, MO. The roller
coaster ride continued.

In Springfield we turn east on I-44 and found a rest stop shortly thereafter.

It was a very big & nice rest stop.

Each picnic pavilion had a theme.  These are just a few of the pavilions- Doug's Diner,

Floyd's Barber Shop,

Larry's Motel 66,

There were about 13 theme picnic pavilions in the rest stop. Kids would have a great time here.

After about 40 miles on I-44, we turned onto a Hwy. 5 toward Osage Beach.

Wish we had had time to stop at Osage Beach, but we didn't so we drove straight threw it!

Joe and I spent a week here once about 21 years ago, before we got married.

 Hwy. 5, took us though Jefferson City, the state capitol of Missouri.

We cross the Missouri River, and on north to Columbia, Mo.

Just north of Columbia, we made our night stop at the Cottonwoods RV Park, which is about 1/4 of a miles off the Hwy. 5.

A Nice Place For Nice People.

As we pulled in around 4 PM, there was already a line at the check in.

The registration building also hold an Antique Shop,Gift Shop, and General Store.

After getting settled, we walked around the park. There is a small clean outdoor pool. It was in the 90's, so lots of people were enjoying it.

Next to the pool was a very nice playground.

On the other side of the pool is a large pavilion.

This park is kept very well manicured.

We came in through Good Sam's which gave us a 10% discount for a rate of  $34 a night. ( Higher than we like to pay, but it was for just one night and it was conveniently located).

By 6 PM the front row of pull through sites were completely filled up. Note the cute little fire pots at each site.

Table Rock Lake, Missouri

Tuesday 7/9/2013

Every time we drove from Branson West to Branson, we went past this Resort Community.

We decided to stop at it on the last day we were in the area, because it had nice views of Table Rock Lake,

and the homes in the community looked strange from the road.

All these homes after a closer look, looked abandon. We decided this community probably started in 2008 and then the crash hit, causing the company to go bankrupt.

Next we drove to the Indian Point Marina.

Joe and I would like to be Blessed with a pontoon boat like this someday, when we find our lake view home.

We were so impressed with the clarity of Table Rock Lake's water.

A view from a Indian Point condominium complex.

A view from Hwy. 265 of Table Rock Lake.

We found a peninsula park area on the north side of the Table Rock Dam to get out and get more views.

From the peninsula was a small dam. (This is not the main Table Rock Dam). Note the very blue water color.

View of  Chateau On The Lake Resort Hotel.

We crossed the Table Rock Dam and found the Dewey Short Visitor Center.

We had Mallery with us, so we took turns going inside. After I got back from inside, I met Joe in the back and took pictures while he went inside. The Table Rock Dam is  6,423 feet, and controls the White River.

Table Rock Lake has a surface area of 43,100 acres.

Inside the visitor center, I took some pictures of the lake and the dam location.

This picture show the location of the town of  Branson  to Table Rock Lake.

Lake Taneycomo flows from Table Rock Dam to the east.

Table Rock Lake is in southwest Missouri, as well as in the northwest of Arkansas. East of Table Rock Lake is Bull Shoals Lake that lies on the border of Missouri and Arkansas.

Further south of Bull Shoals Lake is Greers Ferry Lake, where we looked at some lake view properties.

We left the visitor center and followed Hwy 165 to the Scenic Overlook.

View of Taneycomo Lake toward the dam.

View looking east up Taneycomo Lake.

Close up of the previous picture, with Branson neighborhoods along the Taneycomo Lake.

On our way home we stopped at the Branson View Campground.

This campground had just reopened under new management and sits along Hwy. 265.

The campground had three viewing pavilions along a bluff,

with great views of Branson to the east.

I am sure the night light views of the city were spectacular.

I never showed a picture of Joe's meteorite that he purchase for $10 in Eureka Springs, AR.. I forgot to take  picture of it until later after we left Arkansas.

Not too many people can say they have a meteorite!

On another note, our little Mallery will sit in front of her bowls and bark if I forget to feed her. Joe thought this was a cute picture, so he took this picture.
We are still in Cedar Rapids, IA for another week.