Route 66

Here is the old Route 66. We took it to and from the RV park. The Conoco station was quite charming.

I'm sorta "getting it" about all the kitch on Route 66. Since there is nothing much but miles and miles of wide open spaces, the road entertainment is at least a monotony breaker.

So, I'll share some of them with you. I include my latest licence plates as well.

I like the way they do bridges in New Mexico. Some have quite beautiful murals (that are hard to photograph as we fly by.)



World's largest cross. The stations (of the cross) are at the base.

Here's what time it is. We are getting somewhat confused and anticipate more confusion. I change my watch when we see these signs, but the computer has Central time, the wall clock has Mountain time since Marcia reset it, my bedside clock has Eastern Daylight savings time, I think, and the car ran out of time when we ran the battery down and had to find the right code to reset everything. We should head out for Arizona tomorrow. They don't spring forward or fall back, so I think we won't even try to adjust As long as we have no appointments to keep, we'll just keep our own time and move back another hour when we get to Pacific time.

There are things about the west that make me feel like a stranger in a strange land. Seeing long distances is one of them. Yesterday, we were driving around Albuquerque and there was this mountain right in front of us. A nearly naked mountain as well. There is very little grass, and one can imagine that those who have grass must tend to it nearly constantly. Most places have gravel where one might expect grass. Stella is very confused, and the little gravel is unpleasant for her to walk on, but thats where the scrubby little trees are planted and where the dog smells are, so she's gotta go there. I'm telling her that we are on the surface of the moon.

The silver "plant" is decorative-perhaps Alba-quirky.

I met a dog, yesterday, who had burned her feet on the hot asphalt. Having done that myself in the course of my life, I would like to spare Stella the experience. Marcia is checking at Pet Smart for some Southwest sneakers for her paws. Yesterday, I took her out of the RV as soon as we arrived at the KOA, not even thinking it was high noon (or within 2 hours of noon-who knows really). I am really unaccostomed to the earth giving off so much heat.

The other strange thing is about sweating. It doesn't happen outdoors, but when one comes inside. I am thinking that the world has turned into a clothes dryer. The bathroom rug didn't get quite dry in the dryer, so I just draped it over the car seat, and soon it was dry. We bring very thin used beachtowells so they will dry fast after we use them. Not a problem to use big plush here.


DOXSUND


GOOSE



FATBOY stayed at the KOA last night.



4SHOWW

We did not win the 27mil powerball on Saturday, so Marcia is out buying new tickets.



Apparently there was quite a bit of drama going on in the RV park before we arrived. A man in his 80's came to pick up his RV from storage. He was pulling out when he blacked out and the RV kept on ploughing through the park. Luckily, no one was hurt, including the driver. The RV flattened one side of a picnic table, crumbled a metal fire pit, damaged another RV, smashed two wooden poles to splinters, pulled down about 50ft of chain link fence and went down a 3 ft embankment, crumpled the aluminum carport on the apartment complex next door, and smashed into a pick up truck. Lucky these obstacles were in the path, or it would have smashed into someone's apartment.

When we were learning to drive the Cronemobile, Ralph told us that cars would generally not be competition for us, but to defer to the semi. I see what he means. There are lots of horses in these things (not to mention weighty stuff), and those horses don't like to stop once they get going.

The driver was taken to hospital to determine if he had had a stroke or heart attack, or whatever else. There was a woman walking her dogs, a daschund and a jack russel. They were leashed together, and got away from her. As of last night, they had not been found. Several campers extended their stay to help her look for them, and I was told there was a TV news report about it to assist in finding the dogs.

It is, of course, hotter than blue blazes during the day, and windy at night. We are expecting 40-45mph winds tonight. We have somehow lost our TV satellite reception, and with high winds, we close up the internet satellite at night. We do get good local reception on TV.

We are pleased to report that we are well, we have found Whole Foods, we are cool, and the Cronemobile is once again water tight thanks to the skilled service at Meyers RV. We'll head for Flagstaf tomorrow.

Oklahoma was OK!

It was a beautiful sunny day and we found several things to entertain us along the way. The yellow wildflowers were very cheerful.

Who knew Oklahoma is celebrating it's bicentenial???We had heard that the water level was high. The lakes are quite full, but the rivers have receeded.

Oklahoma City.

Oil wells.The land starts to look unfamiliar to us.
Sometimes we thought about people we know from Oklahoma-like Woody Guthrie.

I love those windmill farms. Also love those old/new juxtapositions.
This one is still
working.

Still, it's a long way, and one entertains herself as one can. I've started a collection of licence plates. Just in case you cannot read them, the Mustang says, "1HTPONY", and the truck says, "SUCCED".

I'm also thinking of starting a collection of border towns. Too bad I missed Florala.






Isn't there a Bible quote about pride coming before a great fall???? We heard that his ratings were the same as Richard Nixon just before he left office. Wonder if W can outdo Dick? Could he possibly allienate 90+% of the populace???

We opted for a park that is not in the Big Rig book, so we expected "no frills". First we drove the old route 66 to get here. The old route 66 has fond memories for Marcia, and probably lots of other people. Other than the nostalgia, we found it to be really "no frills". Eventually, we reached our park. It too has seen better days, but we have lots of open space and 50amp service. This is good, as it is hot and we need both ACs. It is open, so the satellite is working well. No rain expected.

We are hearing that 7-7-07 is a really lucky day, so Shamrock seems a fitting place. I also bought a Powerball ticket!!!

KG

Memphis, Arkansas, and Oklahoma

Though Stella made a splash here, it was time to bid goodby to the Canada Geese who have taken up permanent residence at Tom Sawyers and get on the road again.

Morning was easy driving right through Little Rock. Some rain in the afternoon and we slid into our site at the KOA in Sallisaw, Oklahoma. Apparently Sallisaw is the end of the Trail of Tears, but we didn't have much time to go to the little museums. We restocked the larder at Marvins Grocery, grabbed dinner at the local country cookin cafe buffet, and had time to jump in the pool before the sky turned dark and threatening. We were setting up inside clothes lines when the storm hit. There were serious winds and hard rain.

The sattelite couldn't find it's bearings, but worse, the Cronemobile sprang a leak on the passenger side above the window-right where I sit to blog. I had to evacuate the comupter and maps. Guess we will make a stop at the Fleetwood dealership in Albuquerque. Looks like sunny skies today and a lot of Oklahoma to see.

KG

Late lunch in Memphis

We both had had trouble sleeping last night. Maybe it was the fireworks over the Mississippi or just driving fatigue but we were tired this morning. Another day by the side of big muddy was in order to recover and rest.

Late afternoon found us both very hungry. We went off in search of BBQ at Ray's World Famous BBQ here in West Memphis. Based on the address listed on the internet we drove around to Missouri St to find nothing but a demolished bulilding. So much for current address info. Another call to the restaurant got us some directions to the service road out by the interstate. Well, there are several service roads out there by two interstates and it takes yet another call to find the correct road. We arrive, take a look and decide to bag it and head to Memphis for their BBQ.

We pop into the TN Welcome Center, Exit 1, I-40 for a map and directions. I cased the Center's attendants for someone who looks and feels like they could suggest good BBQ. I focused on my target-"large woman who knows BBQ like myself" and she asks "Wet or Dry?" in her low voice. I respond that I could do both. She replys "Then I'll send you where you can get both. Here's Neely's" as she highlights the way in pink on the small map. We are off for some lunch in a flash.

The drive up to Jefferson St takes just a few minutes and we arrive to a mostly empty parking lot. Are they open? It is afterall 2:45 pm and we are the really late lunch type. They are open and offer us a simple straightforward menu. Beef, pork, turkey, ribs, sides and all the etceteras. We opt for it all by choosing the Sampler Platter with a side of their famous BBQ spaghetti.

While we waited I remembered the feature on Neely's that was done by Jamie and Bobby Deen on their Food Network Show “Road Tasted” last year. Before that their mama Paula visited Neely’s in Memphis during her appearance at the Mid-South Fair. This year Paula Deen invited Memphis restaurateur of the year, Patrick Neely, co-owner of Neely’s Bar-B-Que and his family to her show, “Paula’s Party” to cook their favorite barbecue recipes during June of this year. It's all in the family they say.

Our lunch was a heaping platter of ribs, pulled pork, turkey, and beef brisket. Some dry, some wet just as the lady at the Welcome Center said. Sauce was terrific but the brisket didn't need anything as it was tender and smoked to perfection. Coleslaw and beans were excellent as well and the spaghetti... well just imagine some of that lovely pork chopped into BBQ sauce and poured over tender spaghetti. This sauce was a little more spicy than the regular sauce but had just the right kick for coating the pasta. There was more food than we could eat so we have BBQ sandwiches for later. We should sleep better tonight!

Now we can mark off another BBQ icon found during our travels. Check them out at http://www.neelysbbq.com/home.htm

Big Muddy on the 4th of July

Most of the day was spent in putting Mississippi behind us. From the RV, we could see some Wall-Mart gas for $2.68, but by the time we could see it, we were past the exit. Jackson's gas was in the $2.75-$2.85 range. We ended up getting enough of the $285 gas to get us further along the road where we found $2.75 gas. Once again, the Cronemobile just gulped it down. When we get to California, we have incentive to park and sit. I was a bit nostalgic for last summer in Canada where there was one government set price. Of course, it was about $5 per gallon, so my nostalgia quickly passed.

After Mississippi all day, we pulled into Tennessee, somehow couldn't find exit 4 off I-55, and ended up going through Memphis to cross the river to our campsite in Arkansas. I managed to get a few shots of our entry. Here is the Great American Pyramid from the Cronemobile as we whizzed by. I had no idea there was a Great American Pyramid until today-apparently it is a sports stadium.

We are really enjoying our new campground directory-Big Rigs. So far they have directed us to the best campgrounds. Our current pick is called Tom Sawyer. As I type, I am looking out at the Mississippi river-we are the third row of RV's but the spaces are staggared so there is a bit of a view. Just after we pulled into our space, a big barge was headed downriver. Stella and I got to watch it as we went for a leg stretch. Stella communicates her evaluations of campgrounds by rolls in the grass. This campground got 3 rolls. She really likes it!

There is a bit of a breeze coming off the river, so it is cooling down, but our awning doesn't like it and has retreated. Nevermind, the sun is setting on our back bumper. We are told that there will be fireworks across the river, but they probably won't start till 10pm. Guess we will stay up for the show. Stella will probably retract a couple of her rolls when the fireworks start.

We are allowing the freezer to determine our dinner. Whatever falls out when we open the door gets cooked for dinner. We also had an abundance of fruit (thank you Donna and Aunt Alva), and it was going fast, so we are having a very nice 4th of July sangria with lamb. I think a pesto pasta salad will round out the meal. (It's later and Marcia did her usual kick butt job with dinner. She added savory scones and dinner was great!)

As Marcia was finishing up the meal, Stella and I watched this mega tug push 35 barges upriver.

KG

"Make Me an Angel to Fly From Montgomery...."

And so we did.... Left Dothan, flew through Montgomery, and made it to Meridian, Mississippi just as it started raining.

Before leaving Dothan, we decided to fill up both vehicles, as gas was $2.69 at Sam's Club. As I was filling up the Honda and Marcia was pulling up in the RV, the man across the pump from me told his wife to get out of the car and come look at this beautiful motor home. There may be sweeter music, but for today, this was sweet enough.

The Cronemobile drank her fill of the cheap gas, and we just smiled as we passed the $2.86 gas beyond Dothan. We had heard that the cheapest gas in the nation is in Jackson, Mississippi. Maybe we will get some of that tomorrow. I'm not sure we can beat $2.65, but I'll be delighted to if it's there. We did see this sign, but since we had a full tank, we just passed it by.

We took the historic road from Montgomery to Selma where we crossed the Alabama river. Probably these women were on their lunch hour excercise. It wasn't too hot today- in the low 80's when we were crossing the river. It was overcast with some breezes.

We chose Meridian because it has the only park nearby that is listed in our park finding bibles-Woodalls and Big Rigs. It really meets our needs. It is simple. All level sights on concrete pads with new lighthouse looking hookups-they even have a little light on the top. The Wi-Fi is free and easy to connect, and the cable TV is in the little hookup station. There is no pool, no hayride, no dance pavillion-just ample spaces and quiet. The laundry is clean and features two washers and two dryers for $1.00 each. The family who bought the land and developed it are Katrina refugees. We think they have done well.

Tomorrow we head for Jackson and perhaps Memphis beyond that. Big Muddy is coming up.

KG

Camping at Camping World

That's what we're doing. Some would find this amusing-the ultimate consumers. We at not that amused. It was not the worst of days, but we would have rather been down the road.

We are at Camping World/Emerald Coast RV in Dothan, Alabama. We pulled in about 10am, and spent the day waiting for the RV to be fixed. In addition to the stuck lock, we discovered a couple of leaks after a weekend of rain. The cable that makes the turn signals and brake lights work from the RV to the Toad (tow vehicle) was not working since Marianna (we decided to deny knowledge of this in case we were stopped by an officer of the law). All is well now.

Emerald Coast's showroom was our "lounge" today. We finally setteled into lounge chairs beside a fifth wheel and eventually even plugged in the computers. Stella was quite pleased with the whole arrangement, as she got alot of attention from us and anybody else who passed. Since the showroom pillars were decorated as palm trees, and there were fake plants with pine straw around, and of course, lots of RVs and Fifth Wheels, who could blame her for peeing on the showroom floor.

The high point of our day, besides getting the work done on the RV, is a free camping space for the night. We are set up in the parking lot of Emerald Coast/Camping World. The only downside of this is the occasional customer who tries to get in the door. Stella really hates that.

So, we have had Chinese take out, and Marcia has the satellite going so we have our "toys". Tomorrow we will head out. Knock wood!

KG