Heading out next week

Next week we are heading out north. I've always wanted to go to Hot Spring, Arkansas, we would pass it by on our way to Indiana.  So the first stop is the Diamond Mine in Murfreesboro.  I figure a day or two there, sounds pretty neat spot to visit.  Though the searching sounds really messy, but tha's ok.

Then off to the Hot Springs area, I see there are lots of RV parks there.  Going to one with full hookups and a lake so narrows it some.  Want to fish.  I called Enterprise and they said they will come and get you from most RV parks here and bring you in to sign up for a vehicle then you pick it up apparently at the airport.  So need to verify which parks before I rent one up there.  I'm thinking of 3 or 4 days in that area.  Then we will head out for southern Indiana.  To the Sullivan area to visit my MIL for a few days and check on my little farm, the farmer wants to see me and do some work there.  WIll likely be around there till the 25th then if all goes well head out further north.  Haven't looked closely yet beyond that point.

I decided to leave 14 year old kitty at home, decided it might be to tramatic for her.  My tenant at our house, next door, is going to care for her, the dog, and my chickens and watch over things for me. Or rather his visiting sister is.  She needs some money so I can save , yet pay her for helping, its a win, win for both of us.  So probably next Wednesday heading out.  Got to go down by Austin to get Sue Anne from camp tomorrow, so about 6 hours of driving ther and back, I will be pooped

   
You know how you have one of those hunches something bad is going to happen. I wouldn't leave yesterday because it was the 13th and my premonition hit.  So it was going pretty smoothly today, we were packed ready to go.  Went up and dumped the tanks as I'm trying to clean the sensors on my black water tank.  All done.

Tenant comes out and talks to me about a couple of things.  I tell her by then she comes after me telling me to stop, I thought man I'm backing into something so pulled up slightly at and angle. I heard a branch hit the front passenger corner of the motorhome, so backed up a bit.  Smash.  The end of the limb I had asked Tom to cut punctured the top of the passenger windshield.  I opened the window to see what she wanted, she just wanted to know the size of the filter for her furnace.  &*^^$%#@#^%^(*_))_{ I was boiling mad, but I just knew something was going to happen.  I went and parked at an empty lot and looked it over and calmed down.  Checked with a local glass company she said if I get it they would install it.  I'm sitting trying to decide what to do, called an RV place will take from a week to more to get the windshield.  I was determined I was not going back home its to hard to get away for me.  So I called Winnebago Industries.  I talked to a guy named Bernie, he got my serial number and said I can get it for you in 2 to 3 days.  Well I'm going north anyway and they are in Forest City, Iowa, so I said ok Forest City here we come. And yes it was going to be through Arkansas, but so what I can go through there later.,  He said its rally time now and we have 650 RV's here that they work on and will have to see how we can do that.  I said well if you can't install it can an independent do it.  He said come on and we will see what we can do.  I says, Bernie I've heard Winnebago service is really good so here is our test!

Went to Auto Zone and bought a roll of duct tape.  Thankfully it didn't puncture the coach or tear up the trim, missed the clearance light just went through the very top of the glass.  I duct taped that sucker good on both sides.  The crack went about halfway down at an angle in a place and has not spread, of course it will. I hit some fair bumps and just going over bridges is rough.  Sue Anne set at the table until I felt comfortable it would be ok.  Now if we get a lot of rain or wind or anything you never know, just have to pay attention. 

Hubby was not thrilled, I said well dear its done and I'm already sick over it but there is no point in crying and moaning over it.  It's the dangedest thing but now its done its like I'm relieved, I just knew something was going to happen and I'm thankful it was nothing worse or anyone getting hurt.  The new safety glass hangs together pretty good anyway and I think it will.

I'm going to check with our insurance but we have a thousand deductible so not sure it will be worth the pain in the premiums.  But this will most likely effect me going on another trip this year as I was planning on Europe or China.

So we only made it to the Mansfield, Texas area as we left late.  But that's ok, we found a very nice RV park.  I told the guy that took us to the site about Sue Anne before he met her and he let her steer the golf cart and teased her all the way.  She had fun with him, just a super nice guy.  He helped us hook up and spotted my slides and stuff.  There are so many nice people out there. It's the Texas RV Ranch, I would recommend it. It is off 287 at Loan Star Ranch Road.

So all is well that ends well.  But we are both pooped it was so hot out we had to run the generator and truck AC too.  I turned it off for awhile and it got hot in the back before we stopped.  We talked about going to the pool and decided dinner and shower was better.  Nothing much, bologna and salad for Sue Anne and microwaved hot dogs and salad for me.  We had Lean Cuisine for lunch.  We did check with Love's Truck Stop and if we hadn't found a place we could have dry camped there.  It helps to have the computer to look up the RV campgrounds.  I forgot to get the modem so we could both use it.  This campground has free WiFi but we couldn't get it to work on either computer, signal to weak.  Soon as I get off this one, she can use it.

We haven't even had the TV's on tonight, just Willies Place on Sirius Radio, Sue Anne said I like that music, good because I love it.  May read a bit if I can stay awake, been a long day She is waiting to use my computer and keeps falling asleepl.

Sure glad no one got hurt.  Ya know anything can happen.  You can hit something or something can hit you.  My husband and I were driving merrily along in Canada heading towards Edmonton which a chicken hawk flew up out of the ditch, lifted right up and into our driver's front window.  It shattered and left small shards of glass all over the front dash and some on my husband; but the window held.  It took 2 weeks to get the windshield through customs and up to us.  Ya never know.

Marsha~

We ended up north of Topeka tonight at Mayetta, Kansas.  The Prairie tribe of the Potowatamis have a casino here.  Sue Anne likes to go to them and we had passed several by so when I saw there was one up here, we diverted to here.  They have a really nice RV park too. So we gambled a bit, had a great dinner, and went back to the motorhome.  I was going to hook up cable, or checking to see, I beleive they had it. I opened the box to look, and looked like something moved. I looked closer and there was a large hornets nest in the top.  It was about dusk so thankfully they didn't attack me.  I'm allergic and would have been in big trouble if all those had stung me.  I got cellulitus on an arm from just one sting, had to take antibiotics, and prednisone for that, so I averted disaster there. Gosh more motorhomes and RV's are coming in out here at almost 1AM.  Was talking to hubby and heard this racket, the one truck was really loud.  Then a beauty of a motorhome came in a Forest River, it sure is a pretty thing.  This park is well lit, clean, nice sites, picinic tables, bath house and everything. It's not even a third full.  Honor system at night, get an envelope, put money in and mark your site. I think that is security going around now in a golf cart type of thing.

Sue Anne is dead to the world, this is wearing her out which is good for her.

What a beautiful littlet town Clear Lake Iowa is. I'ts one of those picture postcard towns of middle America you envision.  Kids out playing, people bike riding seems to have a lot of bike trails.  We had lunch after grocery shopping, of all things Sue Anne wants to go to a mall, yuck, but ok.  Then we are going by the winnebago factory to see where it is, we are about 25 miles away.  I tried the state park near it but you had to reserve a place more then 2 days before going there.  So we found space at Oakwood RV Park, its very pretty and the hosts are nice.

And the day turned beautiful after the storm last night upper 70's today, what a relie.

We came over to see where the Winnebago Factory is and found some people in the visitors center.  We were going to stay there tonight, had electric only.  But the lady directed us 5 minutes away to Pammel Park to get water.  Then I had that opportunity, but when I went to fill up with water, this little park beckoned me.  We are under a big willow tree and behind us is a stream with a small waterfall.  Just much more inviting then gravel and asphalt.  So here we are tonight.

It has cooled down so nicely I opened all the windows.  I'm cooking fried corn, steak, and a cheeseburger.  Would you believe Sue doesn't like steak.  The only thing I forgot of course was steak sauce. Everybody here is sealed in, guess they think its hot, while we think only 82 is heaven.

In case you are not aware of it, Clear Lake is where Buddy Holly, The Big Bopper and Ritchie  Valens where killed in a plane crash in 1959.

Jim Johnson said:

In case you are not aware of it, Clear Lake is where Buddy Holly, The Big Bopper and Ritchie  Valens where killed in a plane crash in 1959.

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Has it really been that long ago, Jim? I remember it well. I had just been discharged from the Army and was on my way home to Kansas City. Time flys!

R

We are having a great time at MIL's.  Things didn't work out quite like we wanted butall is well.  We have had wonderful  Indiana sweet corn, cantaloupe, watermelon, tomatoes.  Run around a bit, likely heading out Wed, we shall see, gone 2 weeks Wed, may get back next Wed, 3 weeks.  The heat has just been brutal everywhere we have been, they are talking 65 here tonight, may try to wash motorhome in the morning before starting out, Wed.

But I'm worried about kitty, friends taking care of her at our house says she is eating and drinking less.  She won't have anything to do with her.  I think she is grieving, we may have to take her yet, poor little thing.

Still out there, we are in Lincoln State Park east of Evansville, Indiana. Going to Santa Claus land tomorrow to take DD.  The weather is still hot and muggy, hope tomorrow isn't a horribly hot day. Wanted to stay at Lake Rudolph campground, but it was booked up solid.  This is the only other park around I dread tomorrow there with so many people.

Sue Anne and I are really having a hard time. I'm heading s l o w l y toward home.  Neither of us wants to go.  The lawns are high, kitty missing us, rents coming in some minor bills to pay, I keep Mastercard paid while on the road.  The AT&T air card is pretty good.  Hope I haven't ran up roaming charges if I have it would be a ton of money I'm sure.  I checked with customer service to make sure its the flat $60 a month.  I keep worrying about it even though they said I don't get hit with that.  Will find out when I get home.  Tried to check on my bill on the net and can't get in it.  Lots of work to do, but we don't want to have to end our trip.  I see why you guys love this.  We really don't plan anything, just decide on a direction.  Hubby said take some lesser roads through Arkansas and we probably will but I don't want to get on any scarey ones

We are going to fish in this little lake, or I guess its little this evening.  Supposed to be bluegill, sunfish, crappie, catfish.  I hope Sue Anne is able to catch something.  They have a walking path and seats along it to fish from. 

It sounds like you folks are having a great trip.  We hosted Turkey Run State Park a couple of years ago.  Last year we spent a few days at the state park just outside of Clear Lake.  Lots of families there on the week ends.

It's been years since I've been to Turkey Run, think I was a kid. 

The hosts at this campground don't live far away.  He is retired and they work here from April to November, their home isn't far away.  It's nice and clean, well kept.  They are doing a good job.

We just fed a bunch of geese out the motorhome door.  And their is a martin box near by.  They have a block of salt by the site where we were last night, he said deer come up but none did, probably our noise.

One thing about having no tow car is I cook in!  Kind of a necessity but I don't mind.  It's not huge quantities for Sue Anne and I.

We like the internet and Sirius radio more then anything, haven't even watched much TV.

Nothing against tent camping, but some folks with their kids, think they are boys are camping not far away.  I think I like my AC and comfort a bit to much for that.  But I think they are having a good time.

geodrake said:

We hosted Turkey Run State Park a couple of years ago.

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I am going to be a good boy and not make the obvious wise crack.

Thanks Tom!  I know you owe me.

If you got a new WS in a week or 10 days consider yourself fortunate... We have had a bedroom window on order for 7 weeks and it finally arrived last Thursday.  The coach has been in the shop since June 3.  It's a complex story of mix-ups and dropped balls by the insurance company, the claims agent, the windshield company, etc, etc, etc, etc.  Plus stressed glass is in short supply according to one "expert".  Then I read the story of the Winnebago window supplier that builds windows that don't fit the older coaches so I'm afraid to even answer the phone 'cus I just know they are going to say it doesn't fit...


Sometimes I just don't know which way is up.

We called on Wed, they had the windshield there for us on Friday.  We made it up on Monday and had it installed by Monday afternoon.

Same with the new tires.  Called one day from Rock Island, Illinois, got into Pekin, Illinois the next day installed and on our way.

The things we had go wrong were because of them not being replaced before hand, but no sense telling hubby I told you so, so I won't.  The air bag rubber went because of the blown tire.  But we were lucky lucky on that one.

Had a wonderful time, but will not leave kitty again.  It was late when we got in and the poor little cat was beside herself.  She rubbed on my legs, purred and purred.  When I went to bed she was in there quick.  She kneaded her paws and I think touched my face half the night. Once in awhile I would kind of wake up and she was curled up looking at me.  Poor little thing, she is still hanging on me this morning and Sue Anne.  The dog was beyond excited when he saw the motorhome pull in.  He is by the patio door now.  Even one of the chickens was up here to be petted and I had to chase her out of the motorhome.

I won't travel again in July and August, spring and fall yes but not those hot months.

We went to Hot Springs, did the Duck Boat ride, Jurassic Park miniature golf, toured one of the bath houses, was going to another and it was closed for hot weather!!  We walked down the strip went to the wax museum. 

I was wondering where we could park but the visitors center has spaces for buses and motorhomes and they said we could park long as we wanted, well not at night of course.  And there was a National Park only 2 miles away.  It had all hookups for $24, nice place.

We headed on down through 70 and 27.  Man talk about twisting and turning, wow.  Went to Murfreesboro and did the Diamond MIne gig, but way to hot.  We stayed a couple of hours, but I got Sue Anne in the shade.  I'm used to heat, but she isn't and I was afraid she would overheat.  We will go back again in cooler weather.

They had a pool and I asked her if she wanted to go, she decided I was right about the heat thing.  We had the AC on in the motorhome while we were gone.  So came back took a quick shower, changed clothes and after some lunch were ready to go.  What a way to travel, we love it.

I decided to come  on in last night, thought I could get in by 9, but it was 10:30.  I won't do that again, my night driving vision isn't real good.  If traffic had been heavier where I couldn't have used my bright lights a lot and good striping I would have been in trouble.  But I knew 59 and its a good road otherwise no way.  It's just when we decided to go home we wanted to go home.

We had a wonderful time and will do it again but probably a week or two at a time.  Also going to go in cooler weather and take the kitty.  If we need to leave her it will be in a kennel where at least there is more human contact.  My tenants did a great job caring for the pets, no complaints there, but they all missed us that's for sure.

I think we are going to try and go for a few days before hubby gets home.  Maybe Padre or Matagorda again or someplace like that.  Or even Lake Livingston. 

I have so much work to do here, sigh.  I got 3/4's of our yard mowed with the small 36 inch Kubota I have to trim with.  My big 61 inch cut has something wrong.  Going to load it up today and take in to the shop.  I need that big mower badly.

I'm thinking about having the motorhome frontend aligned.  After all the horrible roads we were on it sure wouldn't hurt.  I've just about got all the stuff washed up from the inside.  But going to unload and leave some junk here and add a few things to get what we need in it. 

When hubby gets home he has new valve brackets to put on, these look like they will work great.  We have 2 new slide awnings to put on and a new patio awning. Hope its not as hot and they go on fairly easily.

Also he will need to change all fluids and filters.  And I want him to check out the generator to just be sure its ok. Oh, and we didn't lubricate the slides so want him to do that to.  I think he is getting me an onboard air compressor to keep my airbags inflated too. Got to keep him busy!!