Left the campground this am after partaking of the 10 star bathrooms at the campground - it was OK, but not 10 stars in my book! But shower and hair washing always improve the day! It's another beautiful day of sun and wind so towels dried outside while we unhooked the RV from site (water and electric only - get to wait a little longer til we "dump the sewer tanks", oh, joy!). We got on the road at 11:45 am, with Sam (our GPS) leading us on an unplanned route - turned out to be a 4 lane divided highway that totally avoided Kansas City - yeah! We were also very excited to find gas on this nearly deserted road for $1.86/gal! However there were caution signs saying "planting season, beware of agricultural equipment" which I imagined to be tractors, etc - I did not imagine the huge combines bigger than cement mixers moving @ 50mph, and when I attempted to pass one, it dropped a barrel-size bucket into the road between us - fortunately it did not hit me, but screams were heard! After that scare we found solitude @ quiet little Long Branch State Park - several creeks dammed to form a long beautiful lake in northern Missouri (where the park facilities are all free!). I met a helpful park ranger who was running the office and the tractor/mower, stopping long enough to advise me on picnic areas and say that she wanted to stow away in our RV to join in our adventure! Later I thought I should have taken Dorothy of Oz's lead and started collecting people who could be a help on the trip - like a forest ranger!! But we did have a great lunch at the marina and let Sara run free awhile since the beaches were deserted. The sandy beach was inviting, but Linda said the water was very cold. The wind was strong so the next 3 hours were a tough drive requiring a death grip on the steering wheel! When we changed direction from west to north, the wind eased up, and driving was much easier as we cruised into Iowa. Again boondocking (camping free without hookups at our new best friend, Walmart!) at the double bonus Walmart/Sam's/gas for $1.90/gal right in our yard!! Can you believe 2 fill ups in the same day, altho that's filling up at 1/2 tank - we seem to be ranging 7-8 mpg, but I'm told once the RV is broken in, that may improve - we can only hope! While at the Sam's gas pump, the attendant approached me and mentioned he had just returned from Georgia, visiting a "little town called...Blairsville" - small world! So we had a long chat about his brother-in-law dying from pancreatic cancer in Blairsville, and then getting the recommendation for the best parking space in the Sam's parking lot, and being reassured that "security is top notch here" - some concerns I never thought of! By midnight, we have 4 other RV's, 4 18 wheelers, a few vans, a U-haul truck, and one apparent homeless man who seemed to be sleeping in his car in his security uniform, sadly. I can't see how many others camping down at Walmart lot, but you wouldn't believe the activity in these parking lots! But made it easy to run in for dinner additions to our wild rice soup, asparagus, and multi-grain buns. Doing our homework for the approaching stay in Badlands and Rushmore since we really haven't planned ahead - need to figure out what we're doing here! Also, having a bit of sewer odor, need to call Donnie for RV support and advice - yuck!! Tomorrow's priority is campground with dumping station!