Musings from the Road

Dear Readers,

I just figured out how to do this blog, so bear with me.  I will be posting probably every week or so as time permits so be sure to check it out every now and then and I will try my best not to be too boring.

March 30

Still in Memphis.  Forgot to say that one of the unique things about the Graceland campground was that you can call a local BBQ trestaurant that they recommend and a chauffeured pink caddy limo comes and picks you up and returns you to the campground after your dinner.  So, every evening between 5:00 and 9:00 the limo is seen zipping around the campground picking up and discharging dining campers.  Cool.

Hung out for 2 days with a real nice couple from Colorado.  They're on their way back home after picking up their brand new Montana 5th wheel from the factory in Michigan.  Hope to keep in touch.  Maybe we'll run into them again on the road.

It sure is an interesting experience getting used to all the things that have to be remembered as one prepares to head out each day.  For instance, when we got to Falls Lake from Emerald Isle, there was a surprise waiting for us on the floor of the camper - a package of defrosted Spanish mackeral.  We had stuffed the freezer (which is on the small side) and THOUGHT it was closed.  Well, it was closed, but apparently not locked.  Lucky only one package fell out.  So now we listen for that little "click" that tells us that the lock is engaged.

We've discovered a lead under the sink.  Our son-in-law said the sink is not properly attached to the countertop.  No big deal, but limits what I can store under the sink.  When we settle somewhere for a couple days, we'll have it looked at by Camping World.

Later in the week - so far, Arkansas is flat, FLAT.  Nice farmland.

April 1

So far, no April Fool surprises.  Stayed last nite on the Arkansas river in a tiny town called Mulberry.  Were one of five campers in a Public Corps campground - no water or sewer - just electric - but only $16.  Watched a DVD (thanks, Rich & Sue) since we were so far out in the boonies there was no TV reception.  85 degrees and a little humid.  Don't know if this is normal for Arkansas in March. 

Odd to see fields planted in some type of crop with an oil well or pump smack dab in the middle.

Now headed to Oklahoma and it is 94 degrees with a wind that would blow away anything that wasn't nailed down.  No litter along the highway - probably got blown down to Mexico.  I can now see ow the dust bowl in the 1930's happened.

Got to see a forest of giant windmills in the western part of OK.  Making good use of this stiff breeze.  They look rather majestic.

April 2

Stayed last night in Clinton, OK and now nearing Texas.  A gazillion more windmills and pretty farmland.  Stopped at the Route 66 museum in Elk City.  They also had a transportation museum, old town museum, farm and ranch museum and a blacksmith exhibit.  All for $4 for each of us.  Such a deal!  We spent about 2 hours there and had a picnic on a park bench next to a fountain, pond and trees.  Drove along old Route 66 (business 40 here) just to say we did it and saw some old hoels and neon signs.  Elk City was a neat old town with a thriving downtown.  Glad we stopped.

After gazing at miles and miles of open, empty prairie, I can only imagine the thoughts of the pioneer women arriving after their menfolk dragged them here to claim their 40 acres and a mule.  Living in a sod house, dealing with the threat of scalping and the wind and the loneliness.  Bet more than one wanted to run home to Mama.  Bet more than one DID.

Found out at a rest stop that all these windmills are "wind farms" whose major crop is energy.  Texas has over 1,300 wind farms.  Texas also has the prettiest and fanciest rest stops I have ever seen - granite, tile, wow!  Have to remember I'm not in NC anymore.  Took the dog for a walk at a rest stop and headed for shrubs on the side but saw a sign saying stay out of tall grass and rocks because of rattlesnakes.  Glad I saw the sign.

Fuzzy Butts Liquor Store??????  Only in Amarillo.  You see some really funny billboards along the way.

April 3

Chilly last night!  Cold and windy.  Some change from 90 degrees in Memphis.  Went to the Great Plains Panhandle Museum which is affiliated with Texas A&M Univ. in Canyon, TX.  A small gem - very worthwhile.

Drove into Palo Duro Canyon which is the second deepest canyon in the US.  Glad we didn't plan on camping in the canyon last nite as it was a steep grade road with some tight switchbacks.  Dan is good, but let's not push it.

April 5

Arrived in Albequerque New Mexico.  Saw the beautiful snow-capped mountains in the distance as we got close.  What a surprise when we got there that there was snow on the ground too and it was 42 degrees.  Had to turn on the heat for the first time and we really are appreciating having an electric fireplace first thing in the morning and in the evenings.

Love that the interstates and interchanges in NM are stained rusty red to blend with the landscape.  Some are rust and turquoise and some are decorated with tile.  Not quite as nice as our beautiful flowers in NC but better than just gray concrete.

Got to see hot air balloons go up early in the mornings - with the backdrop of the mountains it is quite a sight.  Must be breathtaking to attend the annual hot air balloon festival in October.

There is a Camping World in Albuquerque not far from the campground so we got up bright and early to drop off the camper to get the sink fixed.  Several hours and $$$$$ later, they  pronounced it all better.

The campground we're in now is sparkling.  Finally got a chance to do laundry.  Thought I wouldn't like not having my own washerdryer but it is nice to take 3 machines and get everything done at once.  One also meets some neat people.  Met one fellow doing his wash and within a few minutes I knew his life history - where he was from, how many kids, how long married, how his son took over his business, etc., etc.  Dan had to come rescue me!!

More later,