Days 47-51 Sundermeier RV Park, St. Charles, MO

May 18-May 21

Days 47-50

We rolled into Topeka late Monday afternoon under heavy gray skies. The Deer Creek Valley RV Park was one of the nicest parks we’ve stayed in on this trip. It had beautifully spacious pull through pads, complete with a manicured lawn at our site, a pet play area and a large outdoor pool. Unfortunately it rained the entire time, so we couldn’t take advantage of any of it. Topeka looked like a great city too. We were disappointed. Even the Evil Knievel museum was closed on a Monday. It was our first stop that we didn’t get out to explore. In the morning we were off to St. Charles, Missouri to visit family.

We arrived at the Sundermeier RV Park in St. Charles around 3pm on Tuesday. The park was in a great location. Right next to the 240 mile long Katy Trail, that ran alongside the Missouri River, and 1.5 miles outside of historic St. Charles. We were looking forward to riding the bikes into town, on the Katy trail, to meet Lynn and Jeff for dinner at Tony’s on Main, but it was still raining. So we drove in.

When we got to the restaurant I was happy to see that my nephews Travis and Lane also joined us for dinner and we finally got to meet Jeff’s better half, Rochelle. We all had a wonderful time catching up and enjoying a great meal together. Jeff shared his ongoing recovery from his horrific fall from a tree blind that shattered his ankle and almost caused an amputation. It was so awesome to see him walking with just the assistance of a cane with a full recovery in sight. And Rochelle was excited that her late nights of accounting had come to a close as tax season had finally ended. Lane was looking forward to his High School graduation and Travis was enjoying working outdoors for a Concrete company. We even got to be a part of a very special moment for Lynn, when her 17 year old son, Lane surprised his mom with a beautiful pearl and diamond necklace for her birthday. Tears beautifully flowed for that making memories moment for sure! It was so touching to witness. By the end of the evening, plans were made to meet at Jeff’s home for a family get together and dinner the following night. Lynn, Dan, Rich and I would meet in St. Charles for lunch and walk through town to check out the shops.

The rain finally stopped Wednesday morning, so we hopped on the bikes and rode the Katy Trail into St. Charles to meet Dan and Lynn on the outdoor patio at Bradden’s for lunch. We enjoyed great conversation and walking through the shops downtown. St. Charles was one of the quaintest and most historic (circa 1770s) towns we’ve explored on this trip. Many of the early 1800s buildings have been restored with unique boutiques, restaurants and business setting up shop inside. History is alive with the larger than life, 15 foot monument of Lewis and Clark and their dog Seaman at the town’s riverfront at Frontier Park. It was in St. Charles that these 2 brave men gathered their supplies and embarked on their expedition of the Louisiana Purchase. On Main Street, there was also a bronze statue of the famed explorer Daniel Boone, who blazed a trail through the Appalachian Mountains and settled in St. Charles in his later years. We are definitely looking forward to coming back and spending more time exploring this great little town.

We all met at Jeff’s later that evening for a home cooked meal of pulled pork. Dan’s 14 year old son Mason, joined us as well. We were so surprised to see how tall he had grown since last seeing him in February of 2019. Dan, Lynn and Mason headed out early because they were leaving for Branson in the morning to celebrate Lynn’s birthday, watch Mason’s baseball tournament and to enjoy some boating. After dinner, Rochelle and Travis brought out the family albums and we had a lot of laughs, mostly at Jeff’s expense, walking down memory lane with his mullet haircuts, cropped t-shirts and cutoff jeans. We got to see some photos of my birth father and his brother over the years as well. It was fun trying to look for the family resemblance. Jeff and Rochelle really enjoyed seeing their 2001 Alaskan trip photos taken with his dad. It was a trip filled with great adventures and memories for them. They also shared a lot pictures of a young, adorable Lynn, as well and a few from their times out west visiting with Belinda and Dennis. Of course I had to take a few pictures of the photos for keepsake since I missed a lot of years in there!

Thursday was our last day in St. Charles. Lynn had suggested we try Castlewood State Park for some mountain biking. She said we would love it and she was right! It felt just like mountain biking at home. Lots of trees and roots to negotiate, along with the biting mosquitos and humidity. There was an added bonus of lots of mud too! We were so glad to have been able to get some exercise in and explore a little of St. Louis. When we got back to the campground we were looking forward to a final visit from a very special person, Lyda Davis. She is the step-daughter to my birth mother and now my sister for life! From the moment we met, back in October 2018, we just hit it off! We clicked. We had so much fun sharing stories and just laughing until our sides hurt. This visit was no different. From the moment she arrived, we simply had a wonderful time together talking, sharing our life’s stories and laughing uncontrollably. Lyda shared a few more stories about my mom and her family, along with the marriage her dad shared with Cindy. We imagined how much fun it would have been growing up together, getting into trouble and having each other’s backs. She truly is a very special woman. I couldn’t help but feel so incredibly blessed to not only have 3 amazing half-siblings, but to also have such a special connection with someone I would have never known, if I hadn’t sent out that first text. To this day, it overwhelms me that someone who I’m not even related to feels I’m special enough to not only visit, but to call family. I only wish Cindy (my birth mother) could have been here to see and know that it all worked out and although her decision was a difficult one, much love and joy still came from it. Needless to say, tears of overwhelming appreciation and love were spilled as she was leaving. And thanks to the new St. Louis Cardinal’s hats that she gifted us, we are now Card’s fans too! Well at least I amJ. I love and miss you all and look forward to making more wonderful memories together!