Trip #116 (47): Florida Plus 8 more states: TX, OK, TN, AR, GA SC, MS, AL, FL
DEPARTED Oct. 30, 2021
To Florida via new territory
TX. OK. MS. GA. AL. AR. FL. SC.
Sat., Oct. 30, 2021
Left the most beautiful Santa Fe weather before 9am. a miracle. Drove all day to Amarillo TX. Nice weather there too. Nothing but semis up and down both sides of I-40, so the supply chain is trying to catch up. Stopped at Big Texan Steakhouse for early dinner, the place where if you can finish a 72 oz steak i think within an hour it is free. No one was trying while we were there. Not the greatest, but glad to finally have seen the place… huge btw. Camped another hour east at McClellan State Park north of the highway on a small lake. in the middle of nowhere. not too bad, not crowded and fine for one night. 34 degrees in the am. Was a beautiful 68 most of the day.
Sun, Oct. 31
Drove again on I-40 with all the semis, driving all day to the next destination to make distance closer to our first official stop, the Crystal Bridges Museum in AR. Was pleasantly surprised at Oklahoma, things got greener than Texas, but then we are "east of San Antonio", which is our benchmark of east vs. west. Went north of Oklahoma City to avoid traffic and went to Keystone State Park for one night. They don't take walk-ins, so we had to reserve the site in the parking lot before taking Lakeside spot #42. Nice and large park, great for boaters, but here for just one night. Not as cold in the am, maybe 45.
Mon, Nov. 1
Tried to get an early start for the 3 hour drive to Bentonville, AR for the museum but that never seems to happen. It is cool and drizzly raining, not more sun! got the gray schmutz overhead. Drove through Tulsa which thankfully wasn't that busy traffic-wise, so no problems. The gray skies and light rain would continue into the night but kept the temps down to 46 most of the day, cold and wet. Got to the museum about noon. Thought it would take a while, but really in 2 hours we were done so signed up for the FLW house tour at 2pm. I knew there was no art glass in the home they moved to this site but wanted to see it anyway; but wow, was really unimpressed with this "usonian" 1954 Frank design (Bachman-Wilson House, New Jersey). Concrete block walls and some wood shelves… best part was the wide open glass walls opening to the woods and water; other than that I was terribly unimpressed. It all came crashing to an end when we went down the 2-foot wide hallway to a tiny bedroom; that's it, claustrophobia, prison walls, I am OUT! I think Mr. Wright hated his clients or something. On the way out told the guy it was horrible and he agreed! Before we went another hour on a curvy, narrow Ozark highway to get to Leatherwood City Park CG near Eureka Springs, we drove through little downtown brick -buildings Bentonville. Would have liked to walked it, but it is raining, and we have the trailer, so no go. Went to a Walmart Supercenter nearby, expecting a showcase of a store, but nah, like all the others. With cold wet weather and tree fall leaves half gone, kind of a weird place but we have full hookups, got it set up and turned on the heat. No chance of a Dish signal with the trees, but there is a phone signal and it finally got me to start this blog.
Tues, Nov. 2
Eureka Springs day, expecting more showers.
Walked around town town,
cold and drizzly. Nice shops tho. But so dreary... Looks like November. Went to an historic hotel up on a hill for a lobby tour.
Wed. Nov. 3
Memphis, TN Graceland time. Area not too bad*, (*editor’s note: after we left heard there was a shooting at the gas station down the block) wasn't sure what to expect after reading the CG reviews. But CG was right next to the entrance, and across from Graceland, so an easy walk. Got takeout BBQ from down the street at (name? they say E went there) with pink piggy airstream out front.
Thurs, Nov. 4
This is the day to tour Graceland. Place is set up like Disney. Cool and weird at the same time, all this fuss about one guy with a 20 year career. The new center, opened in 2017, showcases tons and tons of his outfits and cars and boats as well as other stars outfits. The place was amazing nonetheless, well worth the visit. So many artifacts, down to receipts for the stained glass.
Friday, Nov. 5
Huntsville AL arrival.
Another late arrival but we got in a walk thru the space camp area. Earlier
along the way we went thru a town called Corinth which had a civil war
battlefield which was part of the Shiloh battlefield. Stopped in on a whim and
thoroughly enjoyed the whole place. Great info.
Sat, Nov. 6
Huntsville AL - Bill
toured rocket museum I rode bike (uphill) to botanical garden but only did gift
shop. Felt weird today. Later we drove to downtown, got a walking tour booklet
of old homes, saw some and toured the Harrison Bros Hardware, historic old
place like Viddlers, later found a JoAnns and back early. Ate in. The park near the campground where this was was setting up for the drive thru light show, so that was a weird thing to see upclose. Also many space camp areas we rode our bikes around.
Sunday, Nov. 7
First time this happened: Getting ready to depart, bill took off the wheel locks and after stepping on the step, the trailer rolled off the lifts, dragging the foot about a foot, making an awful sound as I was taking a pee. What is happening!? i screamed. Lesson learned: chalks and wheel locks come off LAST. Georgia drive today. Took a lot of treed, curvy back roads. Stayed the night at Fort Yargo park, just one night. On a lake, arrived about 4pm and had a good steak dinner after picking up a yummy steak at Publix! so good to see that bright store again.
Monday Nov. 8
Charleston, SC. Seemed to have taken the LONG way letting the truck GPS pick the route (by way of Greenville to the north), but Bill enjoyed a high speed highway
After all that slow
driving north of Atlanta yesterday. Again, arrived about 4pm, set up in a very
shady spot without sewer #42 at James Island County Park. They have set up
their christmas festival of lights so getting in and out is going to take some
time. Went to Martin's BBQ for dinner, then to…. PUBLIX, then back, where the
cult of yoga was having a night of it under the stars. ok then. Nice big park tho, enjoyed their expansive bike trails. Getting used to soggy humid air once again.
RETURNING: STILL traveling Dec. 3, 2021... writing this in Vicksburg, MS. Unusually warm winter.
After Huntsville Sunday, Nov 7- Winder, GA Fort Yargo SP After a winding, tight country road that got busier after we got north of Atlanta, found our first Publix. Arrive to camp late in the day, get in a quick walk in cooked our best meal yet with our publix steak. Our campsite was on the lake, but didn't get to enjoy it for very long.
Monday, Nov 8- Charleston SC, James Island County Park Left Fort Yargo and had to drive on oiled surface that gave us no warning and get covered with oil splatter. Drove in Monday morning traffic a very, very long drive after going the wrong way and had to backtrack for whatever reason maybe the truck GPS, and ended up going all the way north to Greenville to get to Charleston. But it was all Interstate, so maybe better than all the crisscrossing back roads. It was nice weather, sunny and arrived maybe about 3 o'clock finding our way through the winding roads to get to our park. This Charleston area is all lowlands with canal after canal of smelly mangrove water, and was on James Island so we had to drive through a residential area a tight tree lane residential area to find our camp at the County Park. The roads were wet and we would find out the next day that it was because of the King Tide and of course global warming is making Charleston disappear ha ha. Our camp is undergoing early decorations for their festival of lights so we get a preview of what was to come. Tuesday Nov 9 Beautiful day to go to old revolutionary war Charleston area, walked around various neighborhoods don't know where we're going, hit the market Street and had lunch and a little French place near where we parked. Wednesday Nov 10 Took this day to sightsee and visit Fort Moultrie on Sullivans Island. We did not tour Fort Sumter because a ferry and water was involved but we could see the fort from fort, heard from the waiter in the restaurant that Bill Murray lives on Sullivans Island so we went drove along the beautiful beachfront home's popping wait to see him out front gardening but we did not., great place next time stay there. Mansions on the water in a nice little neighborhood. Also drove to Mount Pleasant which smelled like a pile of shit and sewer and mangroves. Toured the small home of Pinckney because it was a national site and I could get a stamp. Wasn't much of a mansion but he used to own slaves and planted here and elsewhere growing rice. We had to be back in the park by 6:30 because it was opening night of the festival of lights and the road will be closed for a fun run. So we stuck around and walked the park to see all the lights and get in several bike rides as well as it had good trails.
Thursday, Nov 11- Savanna, GA. Skidaway Park Located in the Landings development. Got a lot of biking in the area. Plus they had a nice little Publix The first night we went to a Mexican restaurant for dinner, Tequila Town. The place looks dark but it was packed and we had to wait for a table.
Friday, Nov 12 Decided to take the Savannah bus tour and glad we did it was very informative and it was a hop on hop off trolley. We didn't do a lot of hopping but it definitely came in handy. Famous characters jump on board and give some history which made it fun on the open air trolley bus. Had lunch at a small Greek place on the river front and walk down, past and Paula Deen's place but didn't get Byrds cookies.
Saturday, Nov 13 Today we drove to the mall, and a Bass Outlet for more fleece jeans, and tried to find the bird cookie factory but gave up. On this trip we ordered the new map for the truck which will be sent to Florida. Came back and took a nice long bike ride toward the landings on their nature trail. Later went to the cute little Publix and got stuff for dinner.
Sunday, Nov 14- Ormond Beach, FL Tamoka State Park Today we drove from Savanna to Ormond Beach. Robin and John are driving up to join us for a camp dinner. Good time, too much wine never saw much of the park and we left in the morning to head to Pompano.
Monday, Nov. 15-28- Pompano Beach I 95 drive down to Pompano Parked on 7th Street and went to La Bamba. French knots, b & p dinners, never played kibbie, cooked a lot Vic did anyway, Hot Dog Heaven, so much traffic in unrecognizable Lauderdale, saw our WM house, so depressing, they took out our front oak and put in purple shiny roak! Bike ride to beach, sealed swing, saw roaches, got bitten, enjoyed dog park and Rosie and lots of Simba, made dad move too much, put out Xmas deer, Becs for Thanksgiving, Bill bday, went to Bonnet House with McD's, ate an entire cream puff, many cookies... went to Costco, ate at Bonefish Grill, Zona Fresca, and a Thai place, tried to touch bootsy.
Monday, Nov 29- St. Petersburg at Fort DeSoto Park Left for trip back, taking harrowing drive to 595 on a Monday morning. Nice day. Probably some of the scariest drivers we've come across were in South Florida. Quick drive over to Saint Pete Beach for two nights at De Soto Park, our first evening to be catered by Roo Grilli and his frozen ribeyes, etc and smoky barb the bartender and her wooden drink smoker. I'm sure we were the loudest group in the park but we had a good time. Bill set up his new garbage picked canopy, which needs a new leg. Still cheaper than a new one.
Tuesday, Nov 30 Somehow managed to get out for a bike ride before heading to the Museum of the American Arts & craft movement, which was awesome. First we drove to downtown Saint Pete and had a Cuban sandwich at Bodega. Then I had the entire afternoon at the museum and used every minute for the Roycroft and other exhibits. Took a drive afterwards to see Mary's old house, and then the beach, and then went to the Grilli home to see the old Homestead and meet the new greyhound Jackie! Went to Treasure Island to VIP mexican for dinner (The waiter dumped Bill's margarita on him, the place was packed and we walked through the kitchen) (and Lou kept talking to the porcelain little girl next to us) and then walked over to see the sand sculptures. Great day and time to get moving home....
Wednesday, Dec 1 Sparks, GA Reed Bingham SP Today we will visit Chris and Donna's new place in Bell Florida. Went up I 75 and headed west on 27 a little bit early but got to see some land other than the interstate. Visited for about an hour and got to see the 5 acre estate and how much they've already got done already since November 11, good for them. Secured a parking spot for the next visit yay might actually do that. Back on the road and made it all the way up past Valdosta to Reed Bingham State Park another place we arrive late in the day and never saw much of the park but apparently there was a lake there.
Thursday, Dec 2- Auburn AL Chewacla SP Got sucked in by the billboards and made Bill stop at Magnolia Plantation gas station so I can get some Lucy jams and peanuts. Took a very long and winding and sometimes hilly drive to get to Andersonville Civil War Prison. They really did put them in the middle of nowhere. Did the audio tour around the park and then toured the cemetery. The drive then to Alabama and made it as far as Auburn. Alabama and stay Chewbacca State Park #14 $36 it turned out to be full of trees and almost like a mountain but again it was just an overnighter. However Bill lucked out getting a discount and also having full hook ups plus cable plus Wi-Fi. I figure it's because of all the football clientele in a must get. Went to the Walmart and ate in that night. This is definitely a college town there was actually people under 60. Or also on the edge of the time zone with one phone adjusting in one night so we really weren't sure what time it was, whether we gained that hour or not...
Friday Dec 3- Vicksburg MS Ameristar RV Park Got an early 8:40 start because we want to get to Vicksburg in Mississippi. Had a good drive through Selma and Montgomery and Jackson. Decided to stay at the Ameristar RV campground right near the river and the casino, terrible customer service nobody answers the phone and nobody calls you back but we managed to book the site on the way in at a lunch stop. Not the greatest looking place but a good location and full hook ups we got site number 38 for $29. The woman at the desk kind of bummed me out by saying how dangerous and crappy and awful the town was so I think that affected my view, but we had no problems. Late in the day but we drove around to get the lay of the land, pretty amazing architecture from way back considering the area became a state in 1817 and buildings go back to 1830. We will do the park tomorrow. Saw the downtown but it just wasn't too appealing so we only did a drive-by and decided to stay in and it came up with that early start I was pooped but I don't know if he was. Saturday Dec 4- Tyler, TX Tyler SP Woke up to gray skies and extremely humid conditions as in 91% inside and out. This has been a very late winter and it's not here yet but I'm glad because we haven't gotten back yet. Anyway get an early start to the park and drove around for their audio tour but since we watched the film online last night didn't have to do that. This battle lasted for several months so there is too much to absorb with all the skirmishes that took place. Also got to see the Cairo Ironclad exhibit and Museum and we're able to hit the road by noon.
As I write this we are almost to Shreveport Louisiana and it's 2 o'clock, how far will we get?...Let’s go past Shreveport and on to Texas! WORST ROAD ANYWHERE!! The rough road knocked the table completely onto the floor of the trailer. IT WAS LIKE RIDING A BUCKING BRONCO. We’ve also been hit by two giant rocks, one in Louisiana one in Texas. The first left a dent on the roof of the truck the second one has yet to be determined. No damage has been detected but I find that impossible, it will show up it made my ears ring. Drove on as far as we could and made our way to Tyler Texas, at the state park. Pissed the hell out of Bill that we have to pay six bucks a head additional for park entry on top of the campground fee but seems like they all do it that way now. We are tired ate a frozen meal and went to bed early.
Sunday, Dec 5- Quanah TX Cotton Gin RV Park The plan is to drive as much as we can so we made our way from Taylor to Greenville Inn across the top of Dallas through Denton, which is exploding. By complete chance I happened to find an In-N-Out Burger along the way so that was the perfect time for lunch. Drove 380 then 287 to Childress Texas, Didn't quite make it to Amarillo. After a grocery stop we decided to go to Copper Breaks State Park 10 miles down the road only to find out the park is closed for a hunt. So came all the way back up to the highway and went five more miles down the road to the old Cotton Gin RV Park the sun is about to set and we ain't driving at night. Nice area but lots of road noise. The TV is static he so setting up the dish. The air is finally dry it was 83° today but with the dry it didn't feel so bad but 37° in the morning. Road noise gone with windows closed.
Monday, Dec 6 Santa Rosa State Park Did a short walk before dinner. Windy last night, and 55° when we went to bed but 30° when Bill got up! We found winter! And 16% humidity. As always, once you get past the San Antonio /Dallas longitude the air dries out. Cleaned up the trailer and headed home. 39 days and 5,200 miles on the truck!
RIP: Bob Dole
