August 15th THE GROTTO
Packed up in just under two hours. Joe was talking to a lady who also has an Imagine but a 2020 model. She said he saw his post in the Imagine Facebook Group about the water dripping near the 12v. She said that she has the same problem but she didn't notice since it was leaking under her belly box. Still no answer as to why this happens lol.
The cats did so much better today!!!! I think they prefer driving in the midwest and the east. The elevation and wind must have really messed with them when we were driving around out west. I don't know what else it could be lol.
The drive was nice and easy. Not too windy and all flat ground.
I FINALLY GOT TO SEE THE GROTTO!
There's a campground at the Shrine of the Grotto of the Redemption and it's just a basic one. Electric hookup, central water and sewer is available by the bathrooms/showers. There's two camping areas, on e in front and the one we are in, behind the Grotto. The one in the front didn't have as much shade and is further away from the bathrooms and stuff. So we opted for the one in the back next to the bathrooms. Lots of shade back here as well. Only two other campers and the place is peaceful. I actually like this campground for how minimal it is lol.
The Grotto is open 24/7 but the gift shop closes at 6pm. The lady that was taking care of us was so nice. We enjoyed talking to her. There's a church here as well. This is all based on Jesus. I'm not religious but really wanted to come here because of the gemstones, fossils, petrified wood, and corals. I also think it's very neat that a guy dedicated his life to building this place. He spent 42 years of his own life doing so. The place is absolutely stunning. What a treat that the people who live here have this in their backyard. It's considered the 8th wonder of the world, and I agree. Father Paul Dobberstein of Rosenfeld, Germany is the creator of this vision. He was ordained in 1897 and began construction in 1912. The reasoning behind the Grotto is because Paul became critically ill with pneumonia and promised to build a shrine to the Virgin Mary if she helped him recover. So that's when he began stockpiling rocks and precious stones and creating this magnificent place. We walked around it twice and were in complete awe. We are going to walk it again tonight when it's all lit up. I can't say enough good things about this place. It is just so beautiful.
There's an older lady here staying in her van that has a little pop up tent that she set up in the back. Similar to the tent ones you see on pickup trucks. She was taking pictures of her set-up. I just thought it was really cute. We each came up with a story for her, Joe's- her husband is in the hospital for some unknown reason and cannot join her in the travels they wanted to embark on together. So she is traveling for them and taking pictures and sending them to him along the way.
Mine- She's wanted to travel by herself for a really long time and never thought she could do it. Now that traveling is more accepted and easier to do, she decided to bite the bullet and do it. Recently divorced and having the time of her life. Taking pictures and realizing how strong she is. All while visiting friends along the way on her journey lol.
I was finally able to get ahold of the lady for the campground in Illinois and we are officially all setup to make it home August 22nd. Tomorrow we leave here and go to a State Park in Iowa. Another stay with just electric but that's all we need. Especially with another heat wave coming.
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