Day 3 Geneva, IL

When I saw the door to Geneva Public Library and there was this neat little sign - Free Wi-Fi, it warmed my heart. First chance I've had in the last two days to use Wi-Fi, mostly because I've been in the boonies.

Yesterday I left Dixon, IL and headed for Geneva, IL but knew I was not going to get there in time to locate a good camping site, so stopped in Big Rock, population 750. In a town that size everyone knows what everyone else drives and all their neighbors. But I had a nice walk around the 4 square blocks of residential area, and ate supper in a shady spot. Then drove a circle around town, found an old barn sitting back from the road completely screened from the road by acres and acres of 8 ft. tall corn. Pulled in and looked around. Startled two beautiful owls out of the barn. Their wingspread as they flew 12 ft. above me was just beautiful. I had not planned on a "cold camp" last night, but had absolutely no problems - except for the possibility that, try as hard as I could to limit what I brought, I still have too much "stuff". I have a feeling some of it is going to be jettisoned if I can't figure out a better storage system. I have a new appreciation for people who have to live out of their cars.

Downtown Geneva, as advertised, is a lovely historic area of little boutiques and shops. First thing I saw when I turned the corner on Main St. was Starbucks Coffee. I wished I had waited to get my morning coffee here - the coffee I got in Big Rock was like dishwater! To use Barry's comment, "a little thicker, please."

As lovely as downtown is, the county government buildings are scattered all over to east, south and west. I spent the whole morning with no results. Even the library, my usual savior, does not have what I need. I am going to try the Historical Society and if that does not have anything, will head for Milton, Wisconsin. I can camp there without problem over the weekend and the weather report says it will be in the 90s.

Day 2 - August 6

Just a quick note. Had a lot of driving yesterday, my first day out. Left home at 7 a.m. Got to Fred and Linda Bellinger's in Indianapolis about 9:30, visited and had lunch with them, then on to Aunt Dora's in Princeton, IL. Had a little problem with my GPS, it dumped me off route about 15 miles from her and insisted "you have reached your destination" while I was looking out over lush green fields of alfalfa and not a single apt. house in sight. A couple phone calls to Aunt Dora (Joy was there at the time) and I arrived without further trouble, a little late, but just in time for supper (I had forgotten about the time change - gave me a whole hours' leeway). Had a good visit with Dora; she is doing remarkably well considering all she has been through.

Left her place this morning when her therapist came for her 9 a.m. appt. and traveled to Dixon, IL where I am now. All my preparations were for naught. The Historical Society had a sign on the door saying they were open T and Th 9-3, but it was locked up tight and no one responded to my phone message. The Genealogical Society was closed on Thursdays! So, drop back and punt. I went to the county clerk's office where I was informed if I wanted a copy of a death certificate it would cost me $30! No way. So found the library and after an hour or so, located just what I was looking for and am blogging as I am about to leave here and go to the Amboy cemetery. Next stop Geneva. IL

Beautiful sunny day. Lovely lush green countryside and I am having fun. Love