It’s our last full day in the Bevier and Macon area. We window shopped in Macon and toured the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Visitor Center. TonyG and Grace treated us to pull pork that he smoked all day long, plus side dishes and pie. We had a wonderful afternoon of chatting and telling stories.

Those darn bugs

I almost said a quiet afternoon, but the cicadas are insane at their camp. We had to almost raise our voices just to have a conversation!

Those darn trees

The tress are giving our Starlink dish a hard time. Also, we left around noon and headed out for the day. There are a lot of people and a lot of children running around everywhere. To be on the safe side, Tony packed up the Starlink so it wouldn’t be a curiosity for anyone.

Tony wanted to try the boysenberry syrup he bought at Koch’s General Store yesterday, so I made some protein waffles and we had a yummy breakfast.

We got some work done so we could spend the afternoon with our friends. For wifi we are tethering to our phones. Good thing we have cell signal!

Window shopping

We headed back to the old town section of Macon, Missouri to check out some shops we missed yesterday. The mid-century modern store has turned into more of a guitar store. The owner had quite a bit of MCM goodies, and he had probably a hundred guitars! He also had a couple of stumpf fiddles that we played with a little bit. He said Tony played them better than anyone else in the store ever had!

Then we wandered around the Ben Franklin. If you need anything to decorate your home (or camper), Ben Franklin is the place to find it. I’ve always known it as a “five and dime” and they carry all sorts of arts and craft supplies and home decor. I am unsure how many stores are left, it seems to be about a dozen across the US. Apparently, Walmart’s Sam Walton cut his retail teeth at a Ben Franklin.

Having worn ourselves out shopping, we warned Tony and Grace we were on our way.

But first, coffee

We drove through Scooters and got coffees before heading to Tony and Grace’s camp.

We sat and talked and smelled that delicious pork smoking away in the smoker! After a while we wandered over the visitor center.

The crafts go ever on and on at Ben Franklin in Macon MO

Tony felt the squares at Ben Franklin arts and crafts in Macon MO

I was amused by this happy face in the map

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Visitor Center

According to usa.gov, “The Army Corps of Engineers provides public engineering services in peace and war to strengthen national security, energize the economy, and reduce risks from disasters.” One thing I know about “the Corps” is that they build and maintain dams and waterways across the United States. And if there is a place to put a campground near those waterways, they are usually beautiful places to camp!

In Macon, The Army Corps maintains Long Branch lake. At the Visitor Center, we learned about the wildlife that lives in the area. We found that the area used to have a lot of coal mining. They have a display explaining the role the Army Corps plays in conservation and resource management. There is a Junior Ranger area for the kids to learn and have fun as well.

Tony and Grace showed us around the center. They explained some of the recent and planned modifications. They volunteered at the Visitor Center last year and this year, and expect to continue to do so.

A wildlife display at the USACE visitor center in Macon MO

Water safety and junior ranger information at USACE Visitor Center

The history of coal mining in this part of Missouri

Relax, Chat, Eat!

We went back to their camp and had beverages, chatted, and shook off the cicadas that landed all over us. Ugh those bugs!

Presently, Tony said the pork butt was ready to rest and they wrapped it up in a cooler. After a while, it was ready to eat!

Tony pulled the pork and added sauce. They put on a lovely spread with buns, salads, and so much pork! When we were stuffed, Grace loaded up a container for us to take for tomorrow. Yay!

Then came the pie. Tony had told us a few days ago about the pies at Koch’s General Store. Grace popped out with slices of turtle pie for each of us. That is a creamy pie with caramel, chocolate, and nuts on a graham cracker crust. It was delicious!

TonyG also shared with TonyB his favorite scotch whiskey from the islands, or isles.

Koch’s also had a really fantastic bee display. It is an exposed (glass-enclosed) hive with a tube to the outside so the been can come and go as normal, and we can watch the activity inside the hive. TonyG said he learned a lot from our podcast interview with the Keene beekeeper family (episode 243), as had we. We were all fascinated by the display at Koch’s.

Tony picked up some peanut butter cookies, and some boysenberry syrup so I can make protein waffles in the morning for a special treat.

Good times and good food with good friends Tony and Grace

All good things must end

We didn’t want the day to end, but end it must and we said our good byes - except maybe they’ll come by for a final hug in the morning before we pull out.

We got back to camp and sat outside for a while. Then we packed up the chairs and went inside to avoid the skeeters. There is a band playing on the patio right of the event center, and we get the benefit of hearing the music without swatting. Right now they are playing Mule Skinner Blues! One of our favorites!