Sleeping in Peace Among Trucks

Although the trucks idled and moved in and out all night, we slept soundly for 9 hours.  This whole trip we have heard stories from other RVer’s about their RV beds:  too small, too many gaps and ridges, and too hard to set up and take down. Many carry a foam pad to make the RV bed more comfortable. They complain that they wrestle with sleeping bags because the bed can’t be made up with sheets.  Some stay in motels for a good night’s sleep.  We appreciate that our Advanced RV bed converts from a sofa bed to a queen size-plus with the press of a button; it is perfectly comfortable with just a king size fitted sheet– no extra padding needed – and a down duvet; and the coach is sound and light proof.  As Mike likes to joke, I would choose to move to a hotel only if it was 5-star and free!  At the McDonald’s at the rest stop, we eat our first Egg McMuffins in years. I drive for the first 3 hours while Mike does emails and phone calls.  For a break we walk around the campus of the University of Missouri at Rolla.  On through St. Louis we drive, picking up I-70 east into Illinois.  About 60 miles past St. Louis, at 7:30PM, we pull into the Okaw Valley Campground.  Immediately, we recognize that this must be a former KOA, but the A-frame office needs paint and the whole place has slipped into near ruin.  Old, dilapidated permanent campers ring the pretty lake.  But, the young woman who checks us in is welcoming and the bathrooms are clean and bright.  We walk through the campground and around the lake and Mike talks about what he would do to bring this place back.  We hope the young couple running it now can do it.   We microwave the last of the soup from home, read a bit and go to bed.