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September ’26
  • Plata Panacea
  • Plata Panacea

September ’26

An Airstream rally, camping near Lake Monroe, my 45th class reunion, family and meeting our second grandson! Read more
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  • Trip start
    September 17, 2026
    Plata PanaceaSeptember ’26Plata Panacea

    Carlyle Lake

    September 20 in the United States ☁️ 34 °C

    Illinois' Lincoln Land Airstream Club met at Carlyle Lake for 4 days. We had a nice time and we made some nice new friends. It was blazing hot so we stayed inside quite a bit. BUT we still managed to picnic and play trivia games under the big beautiful trees near Illinois' largest manmade lake.

    We toured the Corp of Engineer's dam, learning how they operate the massive water gates which control the flow of the Kaskaskia river. Then we toured an area bakery in New Baden. The Worn Whisk Bakery, formerly Berkemann's Baker's Dozen is one of the last area bakeries where they make everything from scratch! Breads, cookies, cakes, you know... all the really good stuff! I didn't expect to enjoy the bakery tour as much as I did but they had four huge floor mixers and a nearly 70 year old oven which is still turning out their products by the thousands! No AI. No robots. Just real people making real baked goods serving their local community one bite at a time :)

    The best part of the weekend was not even part of the Airstream rally. A couple of our friends from the Oregon Trail caravan were in St. Louis! So we jumped at the chance to join Juan and Jovie for his signature paella. Hugs were shared along with plenty of laughs and maybe a bit of wine :)

    Next: We're packing up and headed to another Corp of Engineer's campground: Hardin Ridge near Bloomington Indiana.    Read more

  • Plata PanaceaSeptember ’26Plata Panacea

    Hardin Ridge | Hoosier National Forest

    Sep 21–25 in the United States ☁️ 31 °C

    We left the sweltering heat in Carlyle Lake and were treated to absolutely perfect early fall weather in Southern Indiana. Love the high temps in the 70s which leads to perfectly cool campfire weather! We'd never been to Hardin Ridge but the camp sites are nice and large and secluded from each other. It feels more like we're in a remote site out west, maybe on a mountain side. Combine that with a nearly empty campground and it ranks as one of my favorite camp sites of the year! Oh and by the way it's early but the sassafras trees are turning red... autumn's earliest colors!

    One of the reasons we're in Indiana this week is to be near my hometown of Mitchell, Indiana. Mitchell is known for a few things and hosts a persimmon festival every fall. We found a few persimmon trees while we were walking the dogs through the various camp loops. We resisted the temptation to collect a bucket of them for some tasty treats simply because they are so messy and we'll have plenty of opportunities to have a slice of persimmon pudding or ice cream down at the festival this weekend!

    Susan & Charlie took us to Nashville, Indiana for dinner tonight. We had to tour the Brown County State Park and scope out our favorite campsites there for future trips!    Read more

  • Plata PanaceaSeptember ’26Plata Panacea

    The Elkins Farm

    September 25 in the United States ☀️ 22 °C

    Well… not really a farm… but whenever we need a parking spot close to our parents, Jackie’s sister Susan (and husband Charlie) always welcome us to their place. We have to park carefully and close to their (brand new) camper but with power and water it’s always mighty convenient and comfortable to park and hang out at the Elkins Farm :)Read more

    Trip end
    September 20, 2026