Bottom line: We are safe and sound in Murfreesboro,
Arkansas. But for a time I wasn’t sure we would get there today. So I’m going
to start today’s blog post near the end of the trip and we’ll go back and wrap
up the earlier parts of the day after.
|
A cotton field in North Arkansas |
We frequently use OnStar to help us get to our next
destination. Ninety-nine percent of the time it is flawless and we arrive in
good order. Everything went well today, including some strange directions that
led us off I-40 when it looked like a bad idea, but the OnStar directions led
us around a major construction project that likely would have delayed us for
some time.
So when we got to within the last five miles of the journey
the OnStar directions told me to turn left on Stevens Street, go 1.7 miles and
then turn on Washington Street, which was where Murfreesboro RV Park, our final
destination was located.
As we approached Stevens Street it looked like a narrow,
barely paved, farm road, but I turned down the road with my 33-foot trailer
right behind me. The further we drove down the road the narrower it got until
about a mile in we saw a sign: “Dead End – No Turn Around.” Not exactly what I
wanted to see.
|
Our new campsite |
It was déjà vu all over again as I remembered a similar incident - on a much wider street – in San Leon, Texas
last winter. That time I had to back the trailer nearly ¼-mile, but this time I
was already a mile down this road.
So I began backing up and noticed a nice house with a big
circular driveway and no one home. So I went for it and successfully got the
trailer turned in the opposite direction and back on the main road where we contacted
both the RV Park and OnStar for better directions.
With that scare out of the way we arrived at the park and
were warmly greeted by Alberta who assigned us Space 4, which turned out to be
a very nice spot with a view out the back. Over the last five years I’ve gained
a lot of confidence backing this big boat and so it doesn’t unnerve me anymore
when I have to maneuver the trailer into a back in spot.
|
The park office and shower house |
The park is small, but neat, there are only 14 spaces, but
they are wide and well maintained. And with our arrival and a pop up camper a
few minutes behind us, totally full.
OK, so let’s start at the beginning. We arose early at
Grizzly’s RV Park, packed the trailer and made it road worthy (especially
remembering to lower the four foot antenna on the roof) and started our next
leg of the journey.
We had a slow but steady climb from Blytheville to West
Memphis, which put our gas consumption on the “whirlpool” setting. OK, it
wasn’t quite that bad, but we only averaged about 8 mph instead of our usual
10-11 mpg when we are pulling the trailer. Fortunately, gas prices here are
just over $3 a gallon, which is still too high, but better than at home.
|
Our rolling rest stop |
At one point we passed a motel with a name “Z Motel” that we
couldn’t decide if it was cute or stupid. You get to decide.
Most of the day was on Interstates, but the last 45 miles
was on a two lane, winding road through the back country of Arkansas, including
a neck whipping passage of Antoine, population 156. We decided that the line at
the polling place tomorrow would not likely be very long.
Also twice today we used our rolling rest stop for a call of
nature that just couldn’t wait. We’ve done it rarely before, but it’s always
nice to know that in addition to being a 33-foot suitcase, the trailer can
serve as a mobile outhouse when needed.
|
Downtown Murfreesboro |
We also passed a number of lumber yards and unfortunately
were passed by a number of large, quick moving lumber trucks on the narrow
road. Mostly they took their half out of the middle, which made it a little
unnerving at times.
One thing we don’t have here at Murfreesboro RV Park is
television. Without satellite, there is basically one very fuzzy station we can
get and so far they have been replaying high school football games. So election
day, for us, will be completely quiet, kind of a refreshing break we think.
The park does offer free DVDs to watch and we may take
advantage of that tomorrow night.
We do have Internet – Free Internet – which so far has been
working fairly well. In the past we have found that free Internet is pretty
much worth what you pay for it, but we are keeping our fingers crossed.
|
We're getting a second color tour down south |
So with the trailer leveled, the water and sewer hooked up
we decided to head back to the cute little town of Murfreesboro that we passed
through after our adventure on Stevens Street.
We did a little window shopping at the local stores and
found everyone very friendly and helpful even if they all sound just a little
bit like President Clinton.
As you can probably imagine, the Arkansas Razorbacks are the
big story around here and when a man spotted my Michigan State sweatshirt we
both began talking about our common bond – John L. Smith, the current Arkansas
coach and the former Michigan State coach.
“I think John L. Smith is cramming two seasons into one,”
the man told me. “His first season and his last one.” I told him I felt his pain as John L. hadn’t
done much for MSU either.
|
Joan liked this dragon at a motel |
A number of local folks recommended we eat at a local
Mexican restaurant – Los Agaves – and they were not wrong. We really enjoyed
our fajitas.
One little fact we weren’t aware of when we came here is
that we are camping in a dry county. So Joan, who really enjoys a glass of wine
with dinner, had to settle for Diet Coke. The manager of the RV park told us
that you could drive to Arkadelphia – which is about 40 miles away – to buy
liquor.
Tomorrow the park manager is going to loan us some diamond
collecting equipment so we won’t have to rent or buy screens, hand shovels or
other tools when we go the Crater of the Diamonds Park to seek our fortune in
diamonds.
Now a little confession: This version is the second version
of today’s story. The first one, which was Pulitzer quality, somehow evaporated
into Cyberspace when I hit the wrong button. So I’ve tried to recreate the
masterpiece that I wrote earlier tonight here, but I fear it has fallen quite
short.
If I remember any of the wonderful gems I previously wrote I
will return and add them here at a later time.
|
Dinner at Los Agaves |
Mileage out: 30107
Time out: 8:25 a.m.
Mileage in: 30406
Time in: 2:45 p.m.