4 May 2026 - Reconnected with High School Classmate Monte Billman

 

Our RV travels started in 2013 when we bought our first fifth wheel trailer.  I was still working so we traveled when we were able, usually shorter weekend trips.  We were thinking retirement and wanted to see if RV travel was going to work for us in the long term.  We both enjoyed the lifestyle and so in 2016 life after retirement brought six month long trips all over the Country, typically from April-October.  Our schedule and route varied each year, but we typically had a goal each season and we mixed it up to maximize the experience.  

While planning our routes each year we always tried to reconnect with friends, relatives and military comrades as much as possible.  Our friends, classmates and relatives have scattered like the wind over the years.  I was fortunate to have served with so many military folks over my 42+ years of service, from coast to coast.  As we develop our routes we try to see who might be close to our path and see if we can connect with them.  That happened most recently with a high school classmate and friend, Monte Billman.     

I met Monte when I moved to Cedar Falls IA after my freshman year of high school in DeWitt IA.  .  That was a tough move for me at that age because most of the students in the class had known each other for a long time.  I was the "new kid on the block".  Fortunately I integrated in quickly, starting with the football team that fall which is likely when I first met Monte.  

 

We continued our friendship throughout high school and after.  As I mentioned last night, Monte was one of my groomsmen and his then-bride Sandy was one of Doreen's brides maids. 

 As time went on we got busy with our careers and families, and  kind of lost contact.  But then we reconnected a year or so ago and this trip worked out well to get back together.  Monte suggested we drive south from Hannibal and he would drive north to meet in Bowling Green MO.  

Bowling Green was established in 1819 and it was named after Bowling Green Kentucky.  It has served as the county seat of Pike County since 1823. The town’s growth was originally fueled by a large natural spring and its position along the pioneer Salt River Trail, later becoming a regional hub with the arrival of the Chicago and Alton Railroad in 1871.  Today Bowling Green is noted for it's Northeast Correctional Center, agricultural and retail trade and some manufacturing.

We met Monte and his spouse Claudia at the Southside Bar and Grill across from the south side of the square.  Our server was patient with us as we talked and talked delaying ordering our food!  We had a lot of lost time to catch up with.  They live in the country and own several horses.  Monte has been in the food industry his entire adult life and does some catering now.  Since I was involved with researching classmates for our 50th high school class reunion, I pulled up the booklet on my phone and we talked about those classmates we have lost and others we have kept in contact with.  

We had a great time reconnecting with Monte and meeting Claudia today.  We hope to continue seeing them in the months and years to come.  Cedar Falls IA where we graduated high school hosts an annual celebration called "Sturgis Falls Days" and many former residents travel back for the weekend events.  We are planning to pull our camper up there this summer and several of our high school friends also planning to be there, including Bill Allen, Patty McDermott Kuehl, Elaine Burkhart Dubray abd Sheri Wehner Dekarske, plus those who still live in the Cedar Falls/Waterloo area.

Tomorrow we pull chocks and move to Springfield IL for four nights. It will be a short trip, just 114 miles. Lincoln and Route 66 are on the radar there. 

Next report from the Double J Campground just south of Springfield in Chatham IL.