Day 135 & 136 of 166 Days of RV Adventures in the Summer of 2026

Friday September 18th was day 135 it also is the day that Yankee staff arrives at the campground, before our rally or caravans begin. So, it is our early day in Branson. Since we are moving today, I did not walk. But as we were packing up I met one of the free range chickens at the RiverTime Campground in Van Buren. 

RiverTime photo

It is a family-owned and operated campground established by lifelong Ozarks residents known as the Sutherlands. Too bad, we have to be in Branson today, because this park is "famous" for their Friday night jams!

We departed RiverTime RV and got back on Hwy 60. We have been on Hwy 60 for miles yesterday and today. 

Historical accounts attribute the early development of the area to pioneers like John Goldsberry and John Campbell. Goldsberry owned an early general store and is widely credited with formally naming the settlement "Mountain View" due to its panoramic, elevated vistas. It grew from a remote Ozark trading hub into a booming railroad town. 

I saw unique metal horses on display in Mountain View, MO. I learned it is the "Scrap Metal Horse Herd", a permanent local landmark that is a major point of interest for visitors during the annual Pioneer Days festival. The display consists of eight life-sized horse sculptures welded entirely from discarded scrap metal, including 55-gallon drums, chains, and antique tractor parts. 

This unique folk-art herd grazes on the lawn of Simmons Bank, located at the corner of US Highway 60 and Elm Street. One of the welded horses is specially crafted in a kneeling position so that festival-goers and tourists can easily climb up to take photos

Today, that history is celebrated every autumn during the Pioneer Days Festival, an event that has preserved local culture for nearly four decades. The festival transforms downtown Mountain View—particularly around Oak Street and the Gazebo Main Stage—into a living history display meant to let residents step back into the "good ol' days" of the Ozarks.

I saw this sign on the back of a box truck. I have never read that verse before. It really hit me. I wish I knew the business that owned the truck. I did some research on what the meaning of "Clothed with strength and dignity" refers to rather than focusing on temporary outward adornments or societal trends, her true garments are moral fortitude, spiritual resilience, and honor. This inner strength originates from her trust in God, establishing a quiet, unshakable worth that commands respect. The portion "She can laugh at the days to come" is not a laugh of mockery or carelessness. Instead, it represents a profound, calm confidence and freedom from anxiety regarding the future. In other translations, such as the New Living Translation, it is rendered as "she laughs without fear of the future," emphasizing that because her foundation is secure, she faces life's unknowns, trials, and global uncertainties with courageous peace.

Amish horse-drawn buggies and wagons frequently share Hwy 60 near the Seymour, Missouri Amish community. Seymour is home to the largest Amish settlement in the state and one of the largest Conservative Swiss Amish communities in the US. This community was founded in 1968 as a daughter settlement to Berne, Indiana. There are over 4,000 residents across nearly 24 church districts. The community maintains a highly conservative lifestyle, which includes a complete lack of indoor plumbing, no chrome or rubber tires on farm equipment, and restrictive rules regarding technology. They are distinct from standard Pennsylvania Dutch-speaking Old Order communities, the Seymour population consists of Conservative Swiss Amish who speak a unique German dialect. The most common last names in this community include Schwartz, Hilty, Graber, Lengacher, and Wickey.

As we turned south on US 65 towards Branson, we started to see signs for some of the shows we will see with our American Mountain Music caravanners in Branson. I took these pictures and used them as teasers for our guests coming in! I will share the billboards, but I will tell you about the shows when we actually go to see them!

We spotted this awesome cross off US 65 south. It is a massive 218 foot tall, the tallest in North America.  Additionally, it is the world’s largest walk-through cross and currently one of two crosses in America requiring FAA obstruction lighting at the top to ensure aircraft visibility.  This cross can be seen for miles around. The eight vertical teardrops represent "new beginnings," The five horizontal teardrops represent "grace".  When you put them together, it represents a "graceful new beginning" when we meet Christ. It truly is an awe-inspiring sight to see. Facts about the cross, it weighs 450,000 pounds, and the foundation weighs 1.5 million pounds.

Entering Branson there is the traditional "I Branson" sign. Positioned directly outside the front of the I Love Branson Visitors Center facility as a popular photo and selfie landmark for incoming tourists. Beware, while it serves as a greeting and information stop providing area maps and show guides... There may be a 50 minute presentation involved, as it is on property of Capital Vacations' Stormy Village timeshare resort.

The Branson Veterans Memorial Garden was founded in 2008 by the late Ben Kinel, a Marine veteran and Master Gardener. Driven by a passion to honor his fellow service members, Kinel was inspired to transform a neglected, weed-filled hillside at the busy intersection of 76 Country Boulevard and Roark Valley Road—often called "The Gateway to Branson"—into a place of beauty and reflection. 

In mid-2026, the garden added another historical layer by permanently installing Branson's original Historic Adoration Star. Originally built for a 1949 nativity scene across Lake Taneycomo and later restored after tornado damage, the 9-foot illuminated star was relocated to the garden in partnership with the Branson Christmas Coalition. Today, it shines year-round as a permanent landmark honoring veterans while serving as a beacon to guide tourists into the serene, free-to-visit community space.

We arrived at the Branson KOA. Charlie and I got the same site we have had for years now, when we have done this tour. It's a back in spot on the end of the community building with trees and a steep drop behind us. But, we love it! 

After we got set up, we had a few contacts to make and then Charlie got his steak burger at Uptown Cafe. He has patiently been waiting for it! The thing about Uptown Cafe is that while you eat they have free entertainment, from local artists that play at various theaters in the area.

Today, we enjoyed the music of Kelly Bryant. She is a well-known local performer and one of the world-famous "Singing Servers" at Mel's Hard Luck Diner in Branson. She has been a staple of the Branson entertainment scene since childhood, captivating audiences with her powerful vocals. She frequently performs southern gospel, country, and inspirational songs. Popular covers include "God On The Mountain" and Shania Twain tracks. She also performs original music, such as "Jesus Stays The Same," a song written by her father. Beyond the diner, she has been featured as a special guest star on the Branson Country USA TV and radio show, recorded live at the Grand Country Music Hall in Branson, as well as her spots at Uptown Cafe. Over the years, she has recorded independent music, including a gospel/country collection titled Truly Blessed and a holiday album called Christmas Memories.

Day 136 was Saturday September 19th our last day to prepare for the caravanners. I did get a walk in with Becky, before we started our day's work!

But many are arriving early, a couple were here yesterday and a few more are arriving today. We prepared our backpacks, travel logs and gifts. We decided on our dinner options for our welcome dinner and finished up a few last minute items.

We got a hold of the caravanners that are in the park already and we all went to an early dinner at Pasghetti’s Italian Restaurant. It was opened in 2015 by local restaurateur Nolan Fogle and his family. Known as much for its over-the-top visual elements as its food, the restaurant was intentionally designed to operate both as a family dining destination and an immersive roadside attraction along Branson's famous Highway 76 strip. 

The playful name "Pasghetti's" was inspired by a young family member who struggled to pronounce the word "spaghetti," a charming anecdote that the owners knew would resonate with visitors. The interior was laid out into seven uniquely themed dining rooms meant to transport guests back to 1920s New York City. These areas include a "Little Italy" street scene complete with sit-in trolley cars, a "Mobster" room featuring artwork of Al Capone and John Dillinger, and a speakeasy. To add to the amusement park atmosphere, the restaurant was built with a fully functioning indoor Ferris wheel and a large kids' arcade game room. Its exterior features a massive, eye-catching exhibit consisting of the world's largest fork piercing a casual 15-foot meatball, which actually serves as the tunnel entryway for guests. 

We all enjoyed our meals with leftovers to bring home. I have to admit, the portions were large, but so was the bill!

Tomorrow our 15-day American Mountain Music tour begins!

Day 133 & 134 of 166 Days of RV Adventures in the Summer of 2026

Becky and I took a morning walk on day 133, Wednesday September 16th. God started our day, just as he ended it yesterday with a beautiful sunrise! We headed out from Evansville Indiana heading towards Illinois.

Mount Vernon, Indiana is most famous for housing the Ports of Indiana-Mount Vernon, which is the 8th largest inland port in the United States and handles more cargo than any other port in the state. It is also recognized as the westernmost city in Indiana. The Mount Vernon Downtown Historic District features beautifully preserved 19th-century architecture, including the Posey County Courthouse Square, the 1893 City Hall, and a historic Carnegie library.

The Wabash River flood plain spans a massive 33,000 square mile drainage area, encompassing roughly two-thirds agricultural land across Indiana and Illinois. Because the Wabash is completely free-flowing, it relies entirely on natural flood plains, levees, and dikes rather than commercial lock-and-dam navigation systems to manage excessive overflows.

The Wabash River is a 500-mile-long river in the Midwestern US that serves as the official state river of Indiana. It is the largest northern tributary of the Ohio River. Notably, it contains the longest stretch of free-flowing river east of the Mississippi River, running undammed for 411 miles from Huntington, Indiana, down to its mouth. The name "Wabash" is an English adaptation of the French spelling "Ouabache". French explorers adapted it from the Miami-Illinois Native American word waapaahšiiki, which means "water over white stones" or "shining white," referring to the limestone riverbed visible through the once-pristine waters. From the mid-1600s through the 1800s, the river operated as a vital fur-trading route connecting French Canada and the Great Lakes to the Mississippi River.

The Illinois portion of the Ohio River Scenic Byway spans 188 miles across the rolling hills, lush forests, and historic river towns of Southern Illinois. Part of a larger 943-mile tri-state route, this scenic drive primarily traces the banks of the Ohio River, offering near-continuous water views, profound pioneer and Civil War history, and access to the striking geology of the Shawnee National Forest.

The Wabash River forms the border between the states of Indiana and Illinois along its lower southern course. IN-62 becomes IL-141 across the Wabash River floodplain to the Illinois state line, where the route continues as the national byway.

We saw this big guy! The Big John grocery statue stands 28-to-30-foot-tall. The figures were originally conceived in 1967 by midwestern grocers Bob Martin and Frank Bayley. They commissioned the General Sign Company to manufacture the giants to draw eyes to their stores across Southern Illinois, Kentucky, and Tennessee. Designed by local musician and artist Jimmy Boyd, the character was inspired by Jimmy Dean’s famous 1961 country hit song, "Big Bad John". Constructed of steel-reinforced fiberglass and weighing upwards of 1,500 to 6,000 pounds, these giants belong to the same mid-century American roadside marketing tradition as the iconic "Muffler Men"

Carrier Mills is a historic village, known historically as an early rail boomtown, a lumber center, and a major coal-mining community. Originally known as Morrilsville or Carrier's Mills, the town was officially named after George Washington "Uncle Wash" Carrier, who spurred its founding by establishing profitable, steam-powered saw and grist mills along the nearby Saline River. In its early years, Cypress logging fueled the community, providing lumber for the Cairo and Vincennes Railroad. Following the lumber boom, coal mining came to dominate the local economy. Over 100 private and public coal mines operated around the area. However, the gradual shuttering of the local coal industry through the late 1990s caused a significant shift, with the town losing roughly 44% of its peak 1920s population.

We arrived at our Harvest Host for the night, Clad & Cordon Vineyard. We are meeting up with Tim & Debbie here and our caravan of 2 becomes a caravan of 3! We arrived within 30-minutes of each other. After we all got set up, some of us headed to Metropolis, Illinois. 

Metropolis, IL received its name in the late 1800’s so Metropolis, IL existed before Superman. However, in early January 1972, the Metropolis Chamber of Commerce took the initial action which led to Metropolis, IL being named the official “Home of Superman.” The Chamber of Commerce created a “Superman of Metropolis” award which could be presented to those the Chamber wanted to honor on behalf of the City. A press release on Jan. 6th, 1972 was picked up by media nationwide and in only 3 weeks, on Jan. 21, 1972, representatives from National Periodicals, city and state dignitaries as well as a very excited town gathered on a cold day as Metropolis, IL officially adopted Superman. Metropolis, IL is the “Home of Superman” over 50 years later.

Today, the entire town functions as a living tribute to the Man of Steel, featuring several iconic roadside attractions, historical sites, and entertainment options. Every June, the town hosts its massive Annual Superman Celebration, drawing comic book fans, celebrities, and pop-culture enthusiasts from around the globe. Local culture mimics the comics as well, with the town newspaper named The Planet. Standing in the center of town at Superman Square, this 15-foot bronze monument is one of the most photographed roadside attractions in the Midwest.

Tim & Debbie had to stand at the Superman and Supergirl Cut-outs!

Located right next to the statue, this world-famous Superman museum houses a massive collection of over 70,000 rare Superman artifacts, spanning 60+ years of movie props, original costumes, toys, and comic books.

On the wall of the Super Museum we found a hand painted replica of how it all started for Superman, on the cover of an Action Comic. 

Metropolis honors Noel Neill, the actress who famously portrayed Lois Lane in the 1950s television series, with her own statue at 8th and Market Street.

 

Many murals in Metropolis, too.

Sunset over the grape vines was another version of God's great works!

Thursday September 17th, was day 134. Becky and I took a walk on the road that Clad & Cordon is located on. 

Clad & Cordon Vineyard in Creal Springs, Illinois, was established by David and Lindsay Hill on the grounds of the former Bella Terra Winery, which originally operated from 2005 until it closed in 2019. The site sat abandoned before the Hill family purchased it in 2022 to blend their agricultural goals with winemaking. The Hill family has deep roots in Johnson County dating back to 1856, when their ancestor William Simpson became a recorded settler.

It is a unique name for a winery. Who is Clad and who is Cordon... the owner's name is Hill? CLAD stands for the initials of the couple's four children (Caleigh, Lacey, Alexandra, Duke), while Cordon references the traditional arms of a grapevine. Their logo features two interlocking grapevines forming 'C' shapes with four spurs each.

The family cleared 13 acres of dead vines, replanted 7 acres with new vines, redesigned outdoor entertainment areas like the pergola, and updated the tasting room. Daughters Lacey Rado and Caleigh Hill run day-to-day operations full-time, supported by viticulturist and winemaker Ryan Phelps. 

It was only an overnight stop, so we headed out and saw this unique tractor and oil related memorabilia along our route of travel.

 

The Trail of Tears through southern Illinois spanned approximately 60 miles along the Golconda-Cape Girardeau Trace (now Illinois Route 146). Detached from river routes due to ice, detachments of Cherokee walked overland entering Illinois at Golconda on the Ohio River and moving west toward Cape Girardeau, Missouri, on the Mississippi River. Thousands of Cherokee, Creek, and Chickasaw endured a brutal forced winter encampment in the freezing winter of 1838–1839. Travelers were forced to stop and camp for nearly three months because the Mississippi River was choked with ice and impassable. Bitter cold, lack of adequate shelter, and starvation claimed many lives during this ridgetop and valley layover. Those who died were buried in makeshift graves along the route, such as near Camp Ground Church in Anna and various spots within the current Trail of Tears State Forest.

The John Bridges Tavern and Store Site is a critically important historical and archaeological landmark located along Illinois Route 146 near Buncombe, Illinois. Built in the early 1830s by either John Bridges, Sr. or his son, John Bridges, Jr., this complex holds immense historical significance as a documented stopping place along the Trail of Tears. Between 1838 and 1839, thousands of Cherokee people were forcibly removed from their ancestral homelands and driven westward. Eleven different Cherokee detachments marched directly past this location. A natural spring on the Bridges property served as a vital water source for the forced travelers and their livestock. Local oral histories and archaeological excavations confirm that the Cherokee used the "Wayside Store" to purchase alcohol, food, and other crucial provisions during their grueling journey through southern Illinois.

The Lincoln Heritage Trail in Illinois is a historic 1,000-mile highway designation originally created to link communities with pre-presidential historical ties to Abraham Lincoln across Kentucky, Indiana, and Illinois. Conceived in 1963 by the American Petroleum Institute to promote tourism and automotive travel, the trail was officially established by the governors of the three states. In Illinois, the trail famously splits into two distinct segments to capture different areas of Lincoln's life: the Southern Branch (passing through Vandalia and Springfield) and the Eastern Branch (connecting Charleston and Decatur).

The Illinois Great River Road is a premier 550-mile National Scenic Byway and All-American Road that tracks the entire western border of Illinois along the majestic Mississippi River. Spanning all the way from the historic, unglaciated hills of Galena in the north to the river confluence at Cairo in the south, this expansive route represents the longest single-state segment of the 3,000-mile multi-state Great River Road system. It is easily navigated by following the iconic white roadside markers stamped with a green pilot's wheel logo.

Crossed the Mississippi River on the Bill Emerson Memorial Bridge. It is a striking 4,000-foot-long cable-stayed bridge that spans the Mississippi River, directly linking Cape Girardeau, Missouri, with East Cape Girardeau, Illinois. It opened in December 2003. The landmark structure carries four lanes of traffic, when there is no construction, along Missouri Routes 34 and 74 and Illinois Route 146. It replaced the aging, narrow 1928 Cape Girardeau Bridge, which was subsequently demolished in 2004.

Welcome to Missouri!

Cape Girardeau, Missouri, is located between St. Louis and Memphis along Interstate 55, situated on the banks of the Mississippi River – just above the bootheel of Missouri and between the Ozarks and Shawnee National Forest. The community’s origin reaches back to ancient Mississippian culture, with a rich history across generations and cultures into modern times. Named after a French soldier and his 1760s trading post, the city was later founded by a French-Canadian who welcomed explorers like Lewis and Clark. Incorporated in 1808 following the Louisiana Purchase, Cape Girardeau grew from a frontier trading hub into a major river port and regional center, shaped by the Civil War, transformative arrival of steamboats and railroad, agriculture, education, and expansion. 

Miner Baptist Church is lifting high the cross of Jesus. To be exact, they have constructed a 120-foot-high cross on their property, visible from Interstate Highway 55, in hopes that more people would be drawn to Christ. The cross has been the “talk of the region” and has made a difference in people's lives.

Poplar Bluff, Missouri, is widely celebrated as "The Gateway to the Ozarks." It sits at the crossroads of US 60 and US 67, physically bridging the rolling foothills of the Ozark Mountains to the north and west with the flat Mississippi embayment to the south and east. 

We got set up at RiverTime RV, rested and cooled off a bit, we are over 90 degrees again today! 

We decided to eat in the town of Van Buren, MO at Mabel's. It's named after the owner's Grandmother. It is a new restaurant in Van Buren. It was a great choice by Peter & Becky.

Charlie & Peter went to look at the dessert case, even before our meals got there! 

We all enjoyed our meals! Becky and I got the vegetable stir-fry special!

After dinner we went to the Watercress Recreation Area. Watercress Recreation Area is a beautiful, wooded riverside park located directly on the banks of the scenic Current River within the Eleven Point/Doniphan Ranger District of the Mark Twain National Forest. 

The Current River is a spring-fed river flowing from the Ozark Mountains of Missouri into northeastern Arkansas, famous for its crystal-clear water and popular floating recreation. The river levels are maintained by massive underground springs (such as Big Spring and Round Spring), which provide about 70% of its water.

We enjoyed a quiet overnight here and we headed into Branson in the morning! Stay tuned for more #TwoLaneAdventures