Monday to Illinois

On Monday morning, we left Des Moines area of Iowa, heading toward Dubuque.

On our way north on I-35, traffic slowed -- the cause was a windmill blade that had stopped by the side of the road -- we couldn't figure out why they had stopped. Boy is that thing long!

We were heading to Dubuque because the captains chairs in Gracie are wearing pretty badly. We had read on owner's groups that there was a shop in Dubuque that could provide covers for them...

Flaking headrest

Flaking edge of seat

Flaking (nearly bare) armrest

It turns out, from what I have read, that FlexSteel, a reputable furniture manufacturer, made a lot of RV furniture. For whatever reason (aka, "follow the money", I'm sure!), about 10 years ago, the RV manufacturers directed FlexSteel to use an "Ultralux Leather" vinyl covering for their RV furniture. Newmar definitely did this, and I understand that other RV manufacturers did also. Some of the covers broke down very quickly, and people were able to get them addressed under manufacturers warranties. Gracie's chairs are just now getting to look pretty rough, as you see above.

If the corrections would not be done by the coach manufacturer, RV owners looked to FlexSteel to make the corrections. Ultimately, FlexSteel exited the RV furniture business.

One of their RV furniture employees, Lisa Bauer, saw an opportunity. She started Bauer Upholstery, specializing in replacing and re-upholstering RV FlexSteel furniture. https://bauerrvupholstery.com/about/

I had communicated with her by email, and had gotten the information I needed on the price and process, but we were concerned about selecting the fabric without seeing it ourselves (colors on computer monitors do not communicate well). So, we decided to stop by their shop in Dubuque on our way to Illinois.

We brought the sample pieces to Gracie and Miss Kitty concurred on slightly darker brown color (the one under her nose).

Continuing east from Dubuque, we crossed the Mississippi River...

... looking upriver...

... Entering Illinois!

We drove US 20 east across Illinois -- some beautiful views, but wow! the road surface was really rough in a lot of places!

We arrived at Big Rock Campground late in the afternoon on Monday, one of the Kane County Forest Preserve campgrounds. We are looking forward to seeing family and friends while here!