Family Time in Keosauqua and a Day in Bentonsport

We left Waterloo and headed south. Our destination was in southern Iowa and so after a short drive, (169 miles), we arrived at Lacey Keosauqua State Park. The timing was perfect and we just managed to get our favorite campsite. The leaves were less vivid then usual but it was still beautiful as we hurriedly set up camp.

This was the last day of the Fall Foliage Festival, held in the Villages of Van Buren County and Renita's sister and brother in law had a booth set up in the fire station. The small town was so busy that we had to park three blocks away from main street. One reason was that the town was also hosting an antique car show and we later learned that there were over one hundred entries!

After the hugs we talked of our travels and shared stories of rocks and shows, (Roy also does lapidary and make jewelry), Taking a stroll through all the displays we saw a few others who made their own jewelry but none that did their own lapidary, (no surprise there).
Returning we helped them carry their displays to the car and then had a carry out picnic at our campsite. I opted for another tenderloin while Renita had a burger, I do think she was tenderloined out.

The next day Pam picked us up in her car and we traveled to Bentonsport, Iowa. There they are members of an artists coop. In the coop we especially loved the display of Douglas Adam's wire trees. We have never seen anyting like them and purchased one last year for Matt and Patty.

Walking around town I took images of the historic bridge. A cold north wind was blowing as I headed down to the waters edge to look for coral fossils. Finding none I climbed up the bank, slipped on the leaves and fell face first in the dirt bank.
Luckily the camera took the brunt of the fall and even luckier neither the camera or I were injured. I should know better than to walk and gawk at the same time as I also tripped earlier this summer while wade fishing and fell face first into the Greys River.
One of my favorite shops in Bentonsport is the iron foundry and pottery shop and I actually purchased a forged iron poker. It will be perfect for the occasional campfire and should acquire a nice rust patina this winter on the Gulf Coast.
Back at Pam and Roy's house Roy showed me some of his new rock acquisitions  and lapidary equipment. He's been taking a silversmith class and he demonstrated some basic silversmith techniques. Now I know a little bit about how to start using some of the equipment we bought at the estate sale last fall!
They also showed off their new motor home! They have upgraded their traveling with a 2001 National Caribbean Diesel Pusher! Time flew as always, and the next day we said our goodbyes and continued our drive to Florida. Our next stop is going to be a brief one in Nashville, Tennessee. Clear skies