Sikeston, Missouri

Saturday, Oct. 6
While driving to our next campground, we stopped in the town of Chester, Illinois. Can you guess what this town is known for?


Popeye


Bruto


Wimpy


Olive Oyl, Swee'Pea, Jeep

Yes, you guessed it, Popeye, in town, they have statues at different places of different characters that played with Popeye. They have 8 statues now and are planning a new one for they next 8 years. Popeye, himself is made of bronze, which is hard to see and the rest are made from granite. The creator of Popeye, was from Chester and helped run an Opera House until his characters took off. There is a shop called Spinach Can Collectibles and Popeye Museum in the old Opera House. The people that own this shop are originally from Memphis and have quite a collection, she told us she has 5,000 more things to put out but doesn't have the room.










We were told not to drive into town, but we're glad we did. Our leader said the next time they will go into town and check it out.

After we left town, we decided to stop at a rest area to see the Mississippi River and have a little lunch. This area you can really see how low the river is.



After getting to the campground and getting set up, one of the other couples asked if we wanted to go on a tour of a cotton gin. There was about 12 of us that had gone, what a site to see.


Cotton field


Cotton plant


Cotton bale


Feeding the cotton fluffer


Separating cotton and seeds


Cotton, cleaned, separated and baled


Shed of seeds, after separated from cotton

After our tour we went to China Buffet for dinner, almost all of us showed up for dinner. The food was really good, the place reminded us of Jumbo Buffet in Harrisburg.

Today, Sunday, we took a drive about 30 miles away, to Big Oak Tree State Park. They have a boardwalk, which was to be .7 miles, we walked and walked until we were tired and turned around, never did make it to the end. About the time we decided to turn around we started to see cypress knots, I guess we should of kept walking, but didn't. We drove to the lake that was there, but didn't see any water, just weeds.

Had our last drivers meeting, then we went to Lambert's Cafe, home of the throwed rolls. At the campground you go to the office ask for a shuttle, a guy comes picks you up, takes to the restaurant, and seats you, without the wait, which is very long, nothing Iike butting in line. You order from a menu, a guy goes around and throws rolls to whoever wants them, you also have unlimited sorghum molasses, apple butter, fried potatoes & onions, macaroni & tomatoes, black eyed peas, and fried okra. Food is very good and plenty of it, and everyone walks out with a doggy bag.








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