Hunkering down in Bloomington IL

A drawback to traveling in the mid-West in Spring-time is the unpredictable and sometimes hazardous weather. Today (Thursday), we were planning to be on the road again, heading north towards Madison, WI. But the wind started howling this a.m. When we looked at the weather reports for everywhere we might drive in one day, there was a forecast for wind, rain, hail, and possibly tornados. So while we might not be totally “safe” sitting here in this little campground, it is easier than being on the road fighting the elements.

Another potential hazard of life on the road is the quality of water and electricity. When I went to sign up for two more nights, I noticed a sign in the window not to drink the local water, it could be contaminated with E-Coli. Fortunately we learned years ago not to drink the local water unless we learned it was ok. Instead, we buy large quantities of bottled water (usually from Sam Walton!) and use that for drinking, coffee, etc.

Yesterday, our lights seemed dim. Then we noticed our refrigerator telling us that the electric power source was marginal. I have switched the refrigerator over to LP gas until we can get to a new site.

Yesterday (Wednesday) we toured down-town Bloomington and Normal, IL. Bloomington is the home of State Farm Insurance. There are two colleges in town – Illinois State Univ. and Illinois Wesleyan Univ. Bloomington is also the home of Adlai Stevenson (Vice Pres under Grover Cleveland) and his son Adlai Stevenson II, presidential contender in the 50’s, losing twice to Eisenhower.

As I mentioned in my previous blog, this area is mostly farms, raising mostly corn. When you drive around, that’s pretty much what you see – rolling hills and young corn plants blowing in the brisk breeze. Then you cross an overpass – and what do you see but acres and acres of automobiles (home of Mitsubishi Motors North America).

Then to the west is Peoria, home of Caterpillar, Inc. and the Illinois River taking American industrial products from Lake Michigan and point’s north down-stream to the Mississippi and on to the Gulf. This area truly feels like the heart-land of America. I see why people live here. But the weather, that’s something else – and it’s not even the cold of winter nor the heat of summer!

Good thing we're not in a big hurry. I think we'll sit this one out and see how things are in a couple of days! Margaret will post some thoughts later today.