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| A barge at dawn |
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| Sunrise on the Mississippi |
Sunday, February 3, 2013
On Our Way to Natchez, MS
I woke up this morning at 5:00. Sam had to go pee and the arthritis in my elbows and hands isn't good right now. But the good thing is, the dawn was just starting to lighten. Sam and I went outside, it was slightly warm, about 47, and the lights of Memphis were in the distance. As I looked to the right, there was a huge barge silently moving down the river with it's tug. Where it covered the river, it was just black everywhere. These barges are huge and so quiet. The water in the river is moving so fast. When we first checked into the campground, a man who works there instantly took to Sam and she to him. He played with her a bit and told us to never let Sam get near the river, that it was too powerful and dangerous, even for a good swimming dog. So naturally, the whole time we were there, I worried she would get loose and go down there, but she never did, thank goodness. Hal estimates the river was 600-900 feet wide where we camped.
All of our laundry is done and put away, I cleaned drawers in the trail and I've finally finished getting just the right size containers for all the storage areas. We're all stocked up with food, at least enough to get us to the amazing food of New Orleans.
New Orleans has always been one of our very favorite cities, and I've been wondering how it will be with so many people, many of whom will be drunk, I'm sure. Patricia has never been to NO, and I want to show her this incredible city, but I fear it might be very different at this time of year. With the Super Bowl there, we understand a lot of people are staying for both. Glad we aren't trying to get a hotel room! After Natchez, we will head down to St. Martinville, LA for two days as we wait for some of the Super Bowl crowd to depart. This is also one of my favorite places, right on the Bayou Tesh. We're staying at a place called Catfish Haven RV Park. Should be another adventure for sure! I plan to fish for catfish and eat them too.
Every day when I fall asleep I remind myself how fortunate we are to be able to travel in this wonderful trailer with great friends to amazing places when some people don't even have a roof over their heads for the night. I guess the only things I can do about that is to contribute appropriately, volunteer and be extremely mindful of all the blessings we have been given in this life - our immediate and extended family including Ryan and Jeff, our health, our friends, our dog Sam, our Airstream - the list is endless.
All of our laundry is done and put away, I cleaned drawers in the trail and I've finally finished getting just the right size containers for all the storage areas. We're all stocked up with food, at least enough to get us to the amazing food of New Orleans.
New Orleans has always been one of our very favorite cities, and I've been wondering how it will be with so many people, many of whom will be drunk, I'm sure. Patricia has never been to NO, and I want to show her this incredible city, but I fear it might be very different at this time of year. With the Super Bowl there, we understand a lot of people are staying for both. Glad we aren't trying to get a hotel room! After Natchez, we will head down to St. Martinville, LA for two days as we wait for some of the Super Bowl crowd to depart. This is also one of my favorite places, right on the Bayou Tesh. We're staying at a place called Catfish Haven RV Park. Should be another adventure for sure! I plan to fish for catfish and eat them too.
Every day when I fall asleep I remind myself how fortunate we are to be able to travel in this wonderful trailer with great friends to amazing places when some people don't even have a roof over their heads for the night. I guess the only things I can do about that is to contribute appropriately, volunteer and be extremely mindful of all the blessings we have been given in this life - our immediate and extended family including Ryan and Jeff, our health, our friends, our dog Sam, our Airstream - the list is endless.
Saturday, February 2, 2013
Memphis
February 2nd
We are nearing the end of our two night stay in Memphis. Once again, an amazing campground. This one, Tom Sawyer's RV park in West Memphis, is located right on the banks of the Mississippi River. It is still cold, it freezes at night, but the days are sunny and warm. Yesterday afternoon, all four of us went to watch the ducks go upstairs at the Peabody hotel. We had drinks in the lobby first, and just near 5 pm the duckmaster leads them out of the fountain and into the elevator to go up to their suite. Those of you who have not seen this either here or Little Rock or Orlando probably think this sounds insane. But it is quite the spectacle, the duckmaster in his red jacket and the ducks coming out of the fountain in the lobby, shaking themselves off, and heading for the elevator on a red carpet. I'll bet there were 100 people watching, at least. Then Hal and I went to hear music on Beale Street. It is a great spot for blues. Last night, there was some sort of big contest and there were incredible crowds everywhere. We went to our favorite place, Rum Boogie, and it was packed and 7/8 of them smoked - inside. It was really bad. I worry most for the health of the servers and bartenders. When we left, and it was early in spite of the great music groups, we just stunk of cigarette smoke. We left our coats in the back of the truck and as many other of our clothes as we could. This morning, I got up early and did laundry, it was really bad.
After a relaxing morning of laundry and rum smoothies by Julius, we went to the Rendevous for ribs, cole slaw and beans. OMG, so good. Then back to Beale Street to listen to a little street music, now we're back in the park with the barges going by on the river. They move all night long. I will miss them tomorrow when we leave. Next stop: Natchez. We'll drive mostly on the freeways but also a little on the Natchez Trace, then head into Natchez for the Super Bowl game. Wish we had a bigger TV, maybe we'll find a cozy sports bar.
We are nearing the end of our two night stay in Memphis. Once again, an amazing campground. This one, Tom Sawyer's RV park in West Memphis, is located right on the banks of the Mississippi River. It is still cold, it freezes at night, but the days are sunny and warm. Yesterday afternoon, all four of us went to watch the ducks go upstairs at the Peabody hotel. We had drinks in the lobby first, and just near 5 pm the duckmaster leads them out of the fountain and into the elevator to go up to their suite. Those of you who have not seen this either here or Little Rock or Orlando probably think this sounds insane. But it is quite the spectacle, the duckmaster in his red jacket and the ducks coming out of the fountain in the lobby, shaking themselves off, and heading for the elevator on a red carpet. I'll bet there were 100 people watching, at least. Then Hal and I went to hear music on Beale Street. It is a great spot for blues. Last night, there was some sort of big contest and there were incredible crowds everywhere. We went to our favorite place, Rum Boogie, and it was packed and 7/8 of them smoked - inside. It was really bad. I worry most for the health of the servers and bartenders. When we left, and it was early in spite of the great music groups, we just stunk of cigarette smoke. We left our coats in the back of the truck and as many other of our clothes as we could. This morning, I got up early and did laundry, it was really bad.
After a relaxing morning of laundry and rum smoothies by Julius, we went to the Rendevous for ribs, cole slaw and beans. OMG, so good. Then back to Beale Street to listen to a little street music, now we're back in the park with the barges going by on the river. They move all night long. I will miss them tomorrow when we leave. Next stop: Natchez. We'll drive mostly on the freeways but also a little on the Natchez Trace, then head into Natchez for the Super Bowl game. Wish we had a bigger TV, maybe we'll find a cozy sports bar.
Arkansas and the cooling tower
Thursday, January 31st
Yet another great state park. This time, we camped near Russellville,
Arkansas at Lake Dardenelle State Park.
There were, once again, very few campers except us. We camped right on the lake. It was cold and crisp in the afternoon, but
sunny. Patricia and I took our dogs for
a long walk along the lake, it felt so good to stretch our legs. After a while, we took them off their leashes
and they ran through the leaves that had fallen the previous fall wildly. Lucy is getting much better at returning the ball
when it is thrown, but still likes to play keep-away. We dined on left overs which were just as
good the second time around. I’m
becoming convinced that winter camping is the way to go if you like wide open
spaces and very few neighbors. Yes, it
is cold and sometimes snowy but if you bundle up well, that’s OK.
This morning we are heading toward Memphis for a two night
stay. We’re staying at the Tom Sawyer RV
park, right on the river. While here, we
will get the truck oil changed, do laundry, wash the Airstream and truck and so
some trailer cleaning. Then, off for the
fun! Will keep you posted tomorrow
assuming we can make bail ;-)
Really making progress now
Wednesday, January 30
We’re really making progress now. Last night we stayed at another Red Rock State Park – this time the Red Rock Canyon State Park outside of Hinton, OK. It, like our other one, was an incredible place. The road down was steep and winding, but we made it up and down with no problem, really. We had the entire park to ourselves. The dogs chased their ball for a very long time with no one to tell us to keep them on their leash. The park was in a deep deep canyon.
This morning, we headed out, driving toward Arkansas. Our goal is just past Ft. Smith, AR. We’ll be staying at Lake Dardanelle, just outside of Russellville, AR. The weather is finally getting a little warmer during the day and the sun is out. We’re traveling along I-40 all the way into Memphis where we will arrive tomorrow and stay for two nights. Can’t wait to settle in for more than one might. I’ve been to Graceland before but the others haven’t so I suspect that will be on the agenda. It’s an interesting experience. We’ll also hit Beale Street and go to the Peabody to watch the ducks go in the elevator. There will also be Airstream washing and laundry, just routine stuff.
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