Did you ever have the experience of having a large black bumblebee hover ( like a helicopter about to attack) about arm’s length in front of you at eye level and look you in the eye? Then fly around you and do it again and again? Well I did! 😬 And it was obvious to me that this bee was trying to communicate something to me. Most likely, get out of here!!

It took place on the side of my RV by my slides while I was trying to get ready to leave this morning. I had to work there but I did not want to get stung! So I finally got my straw, witch’s broom out. And then it was like we were playing a game! I would swing at it and it would dodge to the side, I would swing again it would dodge to the other side and still hover and look at me! I didn’t want to kill it but I didn’t want to get stung either. then it would fly in circles around and over me, go away for a little while and come back again out of nowhere!! Finally I was able to knock it away. I got some things done and it must have signaled for reinforcements because then a long-legged wasp showed up!! That was not as tenacious as the bee and I swung at that and connected and it took off. Then I got out my wasp spray from the car that I’ve been carrying in there for about 2 years. 🙄 It was more liquid than spray, but I sprayed it around where I was working and that helped.
Obviously, during the time I was parked there, they must have begun to build a hive. I couldn’t see anything, anywhere but that’s what I’m assuming. I was able to get everything taken care of without any more incidents. Both the bee and wasp were okay as they did come back. 😂 It really could have stung me at any time and it didn’t. 😏

Then I noticed the campers across from me that had been there as long as I have. They were both swinging and moving warily around their camper! I walked over there with the spray, and yep, they were having bee issues as well. But interestingly, he didn’t want to spray. He didn’t think they had a hive started yet. They were pulling out tomorrow so it would probably be okay. Definitely a nature lover. ☺️ He and his wife were probably in their forties and had come for a week vacation from Memphis Tennessee. We had a good, 10 minute talk and then wished each other happy trails.

I had planned out my trip ahead of time and decided to head down to highway 40 instead of zigzag across all the country roads. Of course I had to ignore my GPS repeatedly as she tried to turn me on to these god-awful roads!!😂

On hwy 40 I ran into traffic backups because of an accident, unbelievable bumpy sections that I had to slow down to 45 and put my emergency flashers on it was so bad, and then nice smooth sections that were just a dream to drive on!

Missouri state parks are free. You only pay a fee if you are camping. The campsite is at the very end of the road in the park. The Mississippi River is my backyard, literally. I can hear and watch the barges go up and down the river. Unfortunately there is also a railroad track between the campground and the river!! The train goes by at a decent speed, but there must be intersections nearby as it has to keep blowing its horn 🤪 Thank goodness they’re nowhere near as long as the ones in Oshkosh!! Last night one went through at 9:30 p.m. and then at 2:30 in the morning. It only blew its whistle a couple times then, thank goodness. I talked to Ken, the host here and he said last night was unusual. Usually five or more go through at night!!! 😵 This will be interesting! Since covid, he said the number of trains going by has really gone down. They would have up to 50 a day!!! Otherwise the camping site is nice and quiet, peaceful. And probably only about 20 sites if that. Most are empty although they have reserve signs on them 🤔

After I spent time maneuvering and getting the RV situated where I wanted it, I discovered I didn’t have any water to hook up to. 😵Apparently the sites that were open when I reserved only had electricity. So I had to bring my Jack’s back up and my chocks and pull back out to the dump station. So while I was there I dumped my tanks and filled up with fresh water. And then began maneuvering back into my site all over again. Actually, since I have it down pretty well where I want to put it and how to get it there, I spend more time maneuvering than I need to. It’s kind of fun. 😏

Ponderings🤔

Since this was a nearly 3 hour drive today, I had time to think random thoughts. I realize that the last couple weeks, I have felt a lot more relaxed with my traveling and a lot more relaxed with setting up in my campsites etc. And I was thinking about that. What changed?

So my cognitive reasoning is trying to identify my physical emotions. And since I’m a visual person, I visualize myself on this huge map of the United States, heading towards Wisconsin. And I think there’s the relaxation because I am heading to security, family, and what I know. Even if something comes up, I’m not that far from home.

When I’m traveling away from home, it really is going into the unknown. and further and further into the unknown and away from security and family.

I think I have a better interpretation of why I go south for the winter. it’s not that “I want to leave and travel away,” but rather it’s ” I cannot stay.”. The lack of sun is the prime motivator. The lack of snow and ice and cold, is the second motivator. And that is because I can continue to walk, bike, sit outside, visit with people outside etc through all the winter months which I can’t do in Wisconsin. I believe it’s healthier for me.

So, I don’t know if the RV will be making any trips with me to the South this coming winter… But I’m sure going to try to be heading South in some shape or form myself. We shall see!

I just wanted to share that. 🤗