Saturday 12/18/21 Memphis, TN to Shelbyville, TN

Up at 6:30a, on the road at 7:15 am, just as it started to drip. So off we went “on the road again”.  

One unscheduled stop was at the Shiloh NMP (National Military Park) in Shiloh, TN.  It was quite educational and emotional, 23,500 casualties in two days, and where the rain caught up to us.  Freedom is not free. 

Had an excellent catfish and hush puppies lunch near the NMP at a restaurant on the Tennessee River basically where Grant landed his army to commence the battle. The restaurant, called the Catfish Hotel, (but no hotel), was recommended by one of the rangers. Award winning establishment since 1938.  Very neat and rustic inside.   I saved room room for the house lemon desert pie but that was a bit disappointing.  Catfish made great tacos later that night.

Catfish  and hushpuppies.

Still overcast and light rain pretty much all day.  Just wanted to show our set up by the restaurant facing the Tennessee river in the background.  Campsite for Grant's HQ.

Along the roadside we would see these signs about the Trail of Tears.   This reminded me of the Mission Bells we see in California where the Missions have been built by the Spaniards as they traversed the State trying to convert and take over the natives.  Well something similar occurred to the American Indians (several tribes) that were displaced (forcibly relocated from Georgia/Florida) and pushed away from their original homes/lands to Oklahoma, then displaced again by the Oklahoma Land Rush (Sooners). Not a good time for America.  

Stopped at the Jack Daniels Distillery in Lynchburg, TN to dry out 🤷🏼‍♂️😳 … That was quite educational and a beautiful establishment.  We both did some whiskey tastings and they even now make some sweet tasting whiskey that I liked enough to buy 2 bottles!!!  I came to know 😀😍 Apple and Honey whiskies.  They were 2 different styles but sweet.  I could not believe this!  Eldon went for the 127 proof 80% Rye whisky. Bottles of each were purchased. 

We headed out to our next HH campsite at Crossing Creeks Ranch for the night. We stocked up on beef and chicken, all grown there on grass and bug fed. We will be eating good in Columbus.  Got down into the 30's tonight, need to hit the road early again or freeze.

Friday 12/17/21 Fayetteville, AR to Memphis, TN

Rain, thunder & lightning awoken Moreno.  Had a bad morning, gave him a Xanax pill and seems to have helped.  So did the smell of the frittata that Tami made us for breakfast. It was yummy!!!  Loading the car in the pouring rain was tremendous fun, thanks Bob for the help.

Eldon drove the first part today.  Did great in the rain even when the intensity exceeded the wiper speed.  I drove into Memphis (no rain).

Thunder turns Moreno into a lap dog.

We were heading south to avoid the major part of the storm path, but it sure poured for an hour or more getting there.

Mississippi  River at Memphis.  Welcome to Tennessee.

 Bought bbq food (average) to bring to Alto and eat in the parking lot of our current HH site (Arrow Creative).  It's a huge building dedicated to local artists to sell and create their art.  Nice staff, adequate space but noisy (trains every hour and FedEx planes every 30 seconds - or seemed like it anyway).  They were having an artist pop-up in the morning and rain was expected to start at 8 am so we decided to hit the road early tomorrow and avoid both. 

In case there was a little slippage off the bones.

Ice crystals around the moon.

FedEx planes stacked up for landing at Memphis.  We are the blue dot.  This was typical for what felt like hours.

They were having an artist pop-up in the morning and rain was expected to start at 8 am so we decided to hit the road early tomorrow and avoid both. 

 Thursday 12/16/21 Oklahoma City, OK to Fayetteville, AR

Up at 7:15am and on the road at 8:30am.  We had a crisp 41 degrees for Eldon and Moreno's walk.  I get to stay and make the bed and prepare Moreno's breakfast while they walk.  We had been having strong winds since about 3am and we got out of that campsite trying not to be flown away.

Despite the cold and windy weather we managed to shower in their campground.  Then we hit the road and the wind persisted most of the day.  

Along the way we spotted a town that is famous for their mural paintings and brick made roads.  Davenport, OK.   We detoured into this town and was rewarded with these unique murals.  

We skirted around Tulsa, OK and at about 11:30 am spotted a road vendor selling tamales of all things!  We stopped and bought a dozen mixed chicken and beef.  Immediately had one each as they were still warm and moist.  Very tasty.  We froze the ones we did not eat for future meals.  

We crossed into AR at Siloam Springs on US412 around 12:5pm and rolled into Bob and Tam Stassen's mansion home in Fayetteville at 4pm.  The house is very spacious with big rooms instead of a lot of small rooms.  Bob grilled a tri-tip which was tasty and some yummy baked potato wedges and a tomato and cheese salad that filled us up.  They are both into good wines so Eldon was very happy.  I took advantage of the cooking time to do a load of laundry.  Thanks for letting us use your appliances.  We also appreciate the bed and breakfast service you provided.  It was great to see you and catch up.  Here are a few photos for the memory files.

Forgot to mention that we came upon a winery just outside of Stassen's home.  They actually frequent the place a lot.  We enjoyed their wines and Moreno had the staff letting them pet him.  His usual self.

Well, we continue tomorrow in the rain with it forecast to start early and  be quite intense.  If we were smart we would stay here longer and let it pass, but we have a schedule and places to go and people to see, so we will push through it with Eldon doing most of the driving.  So long for now.  I am trying to catch up but by the end of the day/night I fade.  Eldon and Moreno are already sleeping and snoring.  I will too soon!  Thanks for viewing and reading.  

 Wednesday 12/15/21 Amarillo, TX to Oklahoma City, OK

Traveling across Texas on the way to Oklahoma City was quite an experience.  We woke to the trailer rocking (not our doing) due to 0+ MPG winds and an amazing amount of trash blowing our way from the truck stop just across the fence.  It's like the old west movies with high winds and lots of dust blowing us around.  I can't imagine doing that in a wagon train.  Those were the days when men were men and women were the bosses!  I'm glad we were sheltered by our car.  And instead of a covered wagon we had the Alto trailer.  Of course, we also had 200 miles to drive due east, perfectly perpendicular to the wind, making it an exceptionally fun and gut-wrenching journey at 75 MPH (and 7 MPG).

Since we were pretty much following I-40 East and we had some spare time we opted to go along the Historic Route 66 as well for a change of pace and scenery.  Eldon noticed a sign for the National Route 66 and Transportation Museum in Elk City, OK.  So we went there (abrupt left exit from the right lane).  It was just too bad that we really didn't have time me to see all the exhibits and building.  One educational note we found out is that Route 66 goes from Chicago, Illinois to Santa Monica, California.  In order for the Governor of Elk City, OK to name the museum "National..." it had to petition to all 9 Governors of the states that Route 66 passes to allow the museum that designation.  They all did.  

Of course we had to eat lunch so we noticed this funky looking drive through burger place and ordered a cheeseburger, etc.  They also gave me a sample of their "frozen custard" which was just like a regular, yummy ice cream.  And of course Eldon was annoyed since it took at least 5 minutes to get the burger.

We had to continue our windy drive to our next Harvest Host camping site in Oklahoma City, OK.  It was called Roughtail Brewing Company and Eldon was able to catch up on his work and did an hour long Zoom meeting as well.  Full disclosure - he did report his location and show his beer.  Yannick was really in charge of the meeting, but he was in a bar in El Salvador so just another ECI day.   Moreno and I went for a long walk since it was 75 degrees out.  Still windy I might add.  I think Eldon enjoyed quite a variety of brews there.  "Yes" he did.

Moreno also got some treats there.  They LOVE dogs and they even make their own version of dog treats from their residual grain after the beer is made.  I bought him a bag.  I ended up trying to work on the OPB, which you can see by the photo that Eldon took of us concentrating.  Moreno tries to help me.  

By this time I was pretty beat.  I still struggle trying to figure out how to say things and what photos to add and which to leave out.  I have to work on shortening things.  Or maybe not.  Comments?

 Tuesday 12/14/21, Winslow, AZ to Amarillo TX

 

We got up early again and it was a beautiful brisk (48 degree) morning.  So far we have had great weather (well except for the headwinds) and certainly better than all the rain that is happening at OPH.  Our trailer heater is working great and the weather outside has not been too bad.  No snow nor ice on the roads so far and hope it stays that way.  We have seen the snow on the side of the roads in some areas.  

 

Tonight we splurged and had some steaks (bring your teeth) at The Big Texan Steakhouse in Amarillo.  It’s a place that would be perfect in Las Vegas.  OMG!  The place is very close to our campsite which is not as nice as last night’s in Winslow.  We did not have to cook and brought home some left overs that we can prepare tomorrow in Oklahoma City, OK.  

A little background info to share.  Here is Nida helping me get Sam on the Alto so he can share the experience too.  It's a decal of a photo of Sam who is at home.   Thanks Nida for your help.

Here you see Eldon finalizing things to get us on the way on Monday Morning the 13th.  An addition to my gear is this top carrier on top of the Subaru.  It really helps to store things and make more room in the car.  Of course I should reconsider how much "stuff" a person needs.

Once we hit the road we were excited about the adventure.  I am backtracking a little here and there just so you can get a feel for the trip.  For example, we drove through New Mexico but only stopped for gasoline.  After Eldon's parents retired from work they moved to Albuquerque  and I wanted to show the photo of the freeway exit to their place.  We don't think the mobile home park exists anymore tho.  You can also see  Sandia Peak in the distance in one of the photos.  At least that is still there.  The weather was beautiful.

Here are a few photos of the steakhouse in Amarillo, TX that I described above as being a sight only "normal" in Las Vegas.  You had to be there to appreciate it.  

As for the steak, ... well it was better the next day as a taco, diced very small. Sigh.  Tomorrow we head to Oklahoma City and a brewery to camp at.  Hmmm...

2021 Cross-country trip to Columbus, GA

Monday 12/13/21, OPH to Winslow AZ

Happy Holidays everyone.  Believe it or not, my One Particular Blog is not dead.  It's just been dormant.  Like our Desert Tortoise Sam that brumates (Brumation is a period of dormancy in reptiles).  Mammals hibernate, reptiles brumate.  I am going to get started with the OPB (One Particular Blog) one way or another.  Eldon and I have had some heated discussions as to how I should go about doing the Blog since it has been since July of 2018 that I last wrote.  Suffice to say that I am just doing this “my way”.  At least it is getting the ball rolling and little by little I could interject a few tidbits of what has happened since 2018. 

 

The most consistent thing in our lives has been our wonderful walks in Irvine Park with Moreno and our friends.  

This photo is of us with the park’s Christmas decorations.  We hope life has been treating you well and that you have not suffered too much with the Covid.  We have been fully vaccinated and gotten the Booster shot too.  Our immediate circle of family and friends also have done this and I think it’s very important that everyone get vaccinated.  It’s a serious Pandemic and I mean not just here in the USA but worldwide.  Not until this is under control will we be able to do a lot more fun stuff and travel further.  We miss not seeing so many people because of this.  

 

But I again procrastinated on getting ready to go on our month long, cross-country trip to visit Erick (my nephew) in Columbus, GA. This is a special trip during this time of the year because my nephew and his wife, Judith, will be having their first Christmas with their 5 month old twin girls.  Amber and Emma.  He is in the Army and stationed in Fort Benning, Georgia, and has just been promoted to Sgt. First Class. 

 

Eldon, Moreno (our dog) and I were due to have left on Tuesday the 7th in order to attend a very special wedding Anniversary (30 yrs) in Denver, CO on the 11th.

Eldon's very special geology friend, Susan, invited us and as much as we were ready to go, the weather gods had different plans in the works.  Even if we did survive (17 degrees highs and 4 degrees lows) our trailer would have frozen solid crossing through the Colorado mountains.

We finished packing and hooking up the trailer on Sunday night then we hit the road on the 13th, taking the southern route through New Mexico instead of through frozen Colorado. We now had to move really fast to try to regain some of the lost week.  Sorry to all the northern route friends we will now not be seeing.

 

We hit the road at 7:00 (well 8 after the doughnut stop), and hit the Mojave Desert headwinds that were scheduled for home later that day.  There is nothing like a 30-40 mph headwind to kill your gas mileage.  From a non-trailer 18 to 7 mpg is like a big thing, especially with Mojave gas prices over $6/gallon.  One mile, one dollar.  Yikes. 

It is also the Route 66 that is so popular in the song “Take it Easy” by the Eagles.  So our first stop HAD to be Winslow, AZ.

Monday night (12/13) we got to our first camp stop in Meteor Crater RV Park in Winslow.  That night we were looking forward to our first dinner on the road.

I had prepared Moreno’s dinner and Eldon prepared ours.  Pumpkin soup and a pasta dish.  Both were made already at home and frozen.  Our trailer has a microwave but the power turns out to be “micro”.  It took multiple attempts to get it warm enough to eat.  Eldon did a quick taste of the soup and commented that it didn’t taste as good as he first thought.  Well, there was a good reason.  He had warmed up Moreno’s pumpkin mush NOT our soup!!!!  We were laughing so much about this and figured we were too tired to eat much more than the pasta and drink some wine! 

 

So there you have it.  I think it’s a little too long for a Blog but keep in mind that I had to try to report on more than just one day of travel.  I promise to be more brief in the future and let the photos speak for themselves with little captions instead.