Ok..Ok…we are back. Took a little time off from the blog while we were in St. Louis. Arrived in early August and visited with family and prior co-workers, saw our doctors and had dinner with several friends.


We also got to see our other new great neice, Layla, for the first time. What a beauty!


Layla with me.


Layla much happier with Mom.

Our 4+ weeks flew by and before we knew it we were on our way to Goodfield IL for a job. We have been here for 2 weeks and are about ready to wrap it up and head back to St. Louis again for another 2 weeks this time at Babler State Park.

It’s a great time of year to be at this park which is heavily wooded with autumn changing colors.

While staying at the Yogi Bear Jellystone campground in Goodfield a cute RV pulled in decked out with Coca-Cola and Polar Bear signature logos.

The couple are from Canada and were on their way to an auction of Coca Cola memorabilia at the Schmidt Museum in Kentucky. He worked for Coca Cola for 30+ years. It was refreshing to meet someone who has retired from corporate America still feeling good about their experiences.


Cute..cute...cute. Even their propane tank has the logo on it.
Unit a little too small for me to spend much time in it but I
guess it works for them.


They are wearing Coca-Cola clothing and apparently their entire home is decorated in mid - late Coca-Cola decor.

Not much time for siteseeing when we are working but we did take an evening off to see The Lester Family perform at the Evangelical United Methodist Church in Washington IL. We really like southern Gospel and are always watching for Gospel Music events wherever we are. Many groups tend to visit various churches in the more rural area. We saw The Needham Family in Okeechobee FL, which turned out to be one of the highlights of our stay there.

Often called “St. Louis’ First Family of Gospel Music,” The Lesters, from St. Louis, MO, have been sharing the Word through song for four generations. With more than an 80 year history and numerous albums behind them, the group now consists of 3rd and
4th generation Lesters.


Brian Lester, (in the blue sweater) is the manager & lead
singer. His sister, Ginger, (at the piano) sings Alto and
arranges their music. To the left of Brian is Jonathon Lester
his son and in the back is Brians nephew and Gingers son, Evan
on drums. Ginger's husband works behind the scenes as their
sound technician.

I'm still trying to coordinate a stay near a Gaither concert but to date have not been successful.

Haven’t been touring much lately. One of our last tours I never blog was our visit to the Coon Dog Cemetery near Red Bay Alabama.

We looked for it when we were there in April but drove and drove down Coon Dog Cemetery Road but never found it. It seems we gave up too early and didn't drive down the road far enough. So this time I was determined, even with Ron moaning and groaning again, about driving further and further into "Deliverance" territory. But we are both glad we were persistent.

It is a very unique site. In a small, grassy meadow, deep in the woods was a popular hunting camp where coon hunters from miles around gathered to plot their hunting strategies, tell tales, and compare their beloved companions. It all began when Key Underwood lost his 15 year companion -"Troop" and went searching for a suitable, meaningful spot for his burial. He knew there was no place in the world Troop loved more then that camp...thus the creation of Coon Dog Cemetery. He wrapped Troop in a cotton sack, buried him 3 feet down and marked the grave with a rock from a nearby old chimney. On the rock with a hammer and screwdriver he chiseled Troop's name and date. It is the only cemetery of its kind in the world and is eternal home to over 185 coon dogs from across the USA. It is mentioned in the movie "Sweet Home Alabama with Reese Witherspoon. And who said there was nothing to do in Red Bay Alabama?


Coon Dog Cemetary


Some stones are as nice as people headstones...


Some hunters have buried several beloved companions....



Apparently you can design the grave site anyway you want....



Some are very creative....


And others are very simple....straight from the heart!

We are hoping we find the time when back in St. Louis to play tourist….yes….even though it is our home town there are a few places we want to visit.

Hope all is well!