Today I got to take my new SUV on a road trip, and I'm staying at a place called the Shrine Hotel--a Catholic hotel for "Our Lady of the Snows" monument. Very interesting--a nice place that actually has wireless! So I'm taking advantage of a chance to write my blog, which normally I don't get to do on the road. On top of that, I may actually get some writing done while I'm here--it's a very peaceful place...

I spent today exploring the small town of Belleville's antique shops. They didn't have much to offer, even the mall I managed to find not far from here. Tomorrow I'm going to a local flea market, and may also visit another little town not too far away... I'm actually enjoying exploring St. Clair County--my Penn relatives who wound up in Cedar Hill, Texas are from this area. So it's kind of neat to see the place they came from, though I'm not certain what town they lived in. I brought my geneaology book though, and maybe I can figure that out!

In the meantime, it's been a long day and I'm rather tired. I have to say I LOVE my new vehicle though. The seat are fabulous--my back didn't hurt at all today, and it drives great and has a wonderful stereo system--who could ask for anything more?!!! Anyway, signing off for tonight...If I DO get my pages done, I'll log them in tomorrow!!