Up and out by 8:30 we drove towards Indianapolis where we stopped to fill our 30# propane tank. Propane powers our refrigerator, stove, water heater, van heat, and generator when needed. One fill generally lasts us a month on the road. Camping World discounts propane by 25% on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, so that is when we look for those stores.

We looked at reviews of State Parks in Illinois and they didn’t sound well maintained. Listening to a story on NPR about how it had been two years since Illinois had passed a state budget connected the dots. Being members of Harvest Hosts*, we looked for a spot in Illinois. Beth called Kickapoo Creek Winery yesterday, and they said we would be welcome to come stay on their property.

Crossing into the central time zone, we pulled into Kickapoo at 2:30, seven hours after setting out. This left plenty of time to relax and do some wine tasting before they closed up shop for the night at six. The tasting room was uncrowded and laid-back. There was no pressure to purchase anything, but we did buy a couple of bottles of wine to share with Beth’s sisters. It was a sweet wine Beth liked and it was named “Dave,” which is her father’s name. We don’t have to tell her sisters that it is also the name of the winery’s owner.

Parking beside the barn, as directed, one of the long-time workers offered us an extension cord. At 89 degrees in full sun it was very welcome. We fixed dinner in comfort, then settled in to watch the sunset. There were a few nice colors, then the sky to the west turned into a wall of black cloud.  I unplugged the power and shortly thereafter we rocked and rolled for a couple of hours as the wind and rain buffeted the van.  In retrospect, I should have reoriented us so the wind hit the front of the van rather than presenting our tall, flat, broadside.  No damage was done and the night was quiet once mother nature finished with her fireworks. We appreciate the kindness of the staff here and would stop again, maybe planning for an evening where they are serving dinner.