On Our Way With a clean house, towels, and sheets, we opted to spend last night in the motorhome, awakening early with excitement for the impending trip. We departed at 6:20 am, and had an uneventful trip, except for having to use the auxiliary batteries (coach batteries) to start the motorhome each time we stopped, which was about every 2 to 3 hours. We had been concerned with our motorhome weight and weighed it about an hour north of Springfield, MO (front axle = 4,240 lbs; rear axle = 9,780 lbs; total MH = 14,020 lbs, capacity is 14,050; Saturn = 2,980 lbs). We were 30 pounds under maximum! After several more hours of driving, we checked the chassis battery, and discovered 5 of the 6 cells very low of water. We filled those with distilled water, drove another 3 hours, arriving at Victorian Acres RV Park and Campground at 3:30 PM.
We unhooked the battery and loaded it into the Saturn to have it checked at Walmart.
On the way back from Walmart, we made a detour to the Lewis & Clark Interpretive Center. This was an unexpected surprise. Though the Center did not have a lot of original artifacts, the displays were well done, and informative. I have read a number of books on the Corps of Discovery Expedition, and really liked the replicas of two of the boats used by the Expedition.

Walmart found the battery to be DEAD, and we purchased a new one, quickly installed it—and surprise—it worked! I decided to fill the coach batteries with water, and it was a complete debacle, with battery acid going everywhere. We neutralized the acid as much as we could with our refrigerator baking soda, and will assess the damage in a couple of days. Also, our water pump is malfunctioning, and won’t quit running. We have very little pressure. Hopefully, filling the tank tomorrow morning will resolve this problem. Despite these setbacks, we realize how blessed we are to be able to take a trip to Alaska, and financially afford most misfortunes.
Kay’s Take Man, getting the house ready for guests was kind of like working in a lodge or hotel! Getting the RV ready for a 3-month trip was a snap! Doctor’s appointments., social security application process, filling three (3) months worth of prescriptions, dentist appointments., etc. Goodness, we sound like Old People! Hehehe! It’s incredible how our schedules manage us sometimes instead of the other way around.  Another plus was sleeping on the new mattress in the motorhome before we left the next morning. That way we could change the bed sheets in our master bedroom and also the towels. It will be a joy to come back home in the shape we left our house. Yes, we will have houseguests, but the rule of thumb is to leave the house as good as you found it! We definitely decided we need a new mattress set for our master bedroom. We love our new RV bed! Room darkening shades help also.
On Thursday, Donald had to start the RV with the auxiliary batteries. We have a ‘battery’ for the RV engine and also two batteries under the coach to power lights, etc. Luckily we can use the ‘house’ batteries to start the engine, if we need to. When we got to our destination at Nebraska City just across the border of Missouri, Nebraska & Iowa, Donald discovered that the engine battery was very low on water. They can apparently do that if not kept charged enough – driving it, etc. But he has had a battery minder/charger on it all the time we’re not rving. Anyway, good old ‘Wal-marte` checked the battery and it was not recoverable. We bought a new one, and a few other odds and ends and before we headed back to the campground we drove around the older historic area of the town. Really beautiful old buildings, courthouse, homes, and old, old trees. Three of the churches were the first of their denomination to be built in Nebraska. Lots of tradition and history there. We crashed and burned pretty quickly and settled down for the night.
Campground Victorian Acres RV Park & Campground in Nebraska City, NE. We stayed here in 2007, and there have been vast improvements. The pull-thru sites are slightly above average, but the restrooms and showers were immaculate—2nd best of all we have seen.

Other Information The Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center in Nebraska City, NE, was small by most museum standards, but very well done. Of special interest were replicas of the boats used in their expedition. Nebraska City, NE – Quaint Missouri River frontier town with several historic houses, churches, courthouse, and brick streets—well worth a stop and short tour.
The day was not without problems. We replaced the chassis battery at Nebraska City, NE, and added water to coach batteries, spilling acid everywhere.
Driving Statistics
Beginning Mileage: 9391.5
Beginning Time: 6:20 am
Ending Mileage: 9834.5
Ending Time: 3:30 PM
TOTAL MILEAGE FOR THE DAY: 443.0 (this is to be our longest leg of the entire trip)
CUMULATIVE MILEAGE: 443.0