If the freedom of speech is taken awaythen dumb and silent we may be led, like sheep to the slaughter. -George Washington
January 10, 2021
Like others who are fed up with having their right to free speech censored and suppressed by certain social media behemoths, I will be off Facebook by the end of the month. If it weren’t for the Gratitude 365 group page, it would be sooner, but I have to be sure that the new website is up and running smoothly before I cut the ties for good. It should be tweaked and ready to go in a week.
I’ll still blog on Midwest Gypsy at least once a month, and probably more since I won’t be spending time on social media. To satisfy my need and desire to stay connected with friends and family, I’ve vowed to go old-school—that is, make phone calls. There will definitely be a silver lining to this change.
I’m sure I’ll miss scrolling through my feed and reading what’s new, but then again maybe not, considering a very small percentage of my Facebook “friends” actually show up there. So good-bye for now…I wish you all peace, love, and harmony this year. Stay healthy, be safe, and remember to wash your hands. ☺️
If it weren’t for the last minute, nothing would get done. –Rita Mae Brown, author
December 31, 2020
Typically I look forward to writing a monthly update to my online journal, but I’ve really been dragging my feet on this one. I’ll chalk up my reluctance to a general feeling of melancholy. I think 2020 is getting to me, and I’m ready for this one to end.
At least Dave and I are back in Texas where the weather has been wonderful for the most part. It’s always good to return to Bandera, a place we’ve become very fond of for a variety of reasons: the rugged beauty of the area, the town’s uniqueness, the warmth and welcoming spirit of the locals, and especially the people at this RV park. With very few exceptions, the same snowbirds return here year after year, and we’ve made a lot of friends. It feels like home.
Feeling a part of the community inspires the desire to ‘give back,’ and we were anxious to return to delivering Meals on Wheels, which we do every Friday. I am so grateful to my friend Priscilla for getting me involved with Silver Sage a couple of years ago. It’s been one of the most gratifying experiences I’ve ever had the opportunity to be a part of. It opened my eyes to what goes on behind the scenes of this massive endeavor—from coordinating the clients, routes, and drivers to all the work that goes into preparing and packaging the hundreds of meals that are distributed daily. It is impressive.
On most other days we spend an hour or two ‘keeping America beautiful,’ that is, picking up litter. It’s something that gets us out of the RV and moving. We take the pups with us, so they’re getting exercise, too. It’s a task we enjoy and find quite fulfilling, yet there is so much litter everywhere, which is downright disgusting and uncalled for. But I guess if there weren’t so many inconsiderate people, we wouldn’t have much to collect.
Our son lives a couple hours away and since we spend a few months here every year anyway, we decided to claim Texas as our legal residence. So, this month has been spent making address changes, getting vehicle inspections and registrations, and going to doctor and dentist appointments. Even the pups have been to the vet for their check-ups. The only thing remaining is getting Texas drivers licenses; we have an appointment on January 6 to do that.
We found out a couple of weeks ago that our application for a workamping gig in Missouri next year was accepted. And the following day we received a phone call confirming one in Kentucky the year after that! In 2021 we’ll be working at the visitors center at Table Rock Lake in Branson for three months, beginning March 1st. That means we have to leave Bandera in late February and head north, arriving in the Ozark mountains while it’s still technically winter. While neither of us are looking forward to that, it ought to add to the “adventure” aspect of it…and stories to be told. That’s why we do what we do, after all. Then in 2022 we’ll be volunteering at Wolf Creek National Fish Hatchery in Jamestown. God willing, of course.
The truth is that that could all change in a heartbeat, and if this year has taught me anything at all, it’s that Now is all we have. These days, I make more of an effort to stay connected with loved ones. I try hard not to let petty things bother me. I spend time outdoors as much as possible. To those I can hug, I do so for longer. And I express gratitude freely to everyone who adds something to my existence. I guess this is what living wholeheartedly means. It feels good! This pandemic isn’t going to last forever, but I hope all the positive things that have come from it do. Happy New Year everyone! I wish you all the best of everything in 2021. Be safe, be well, and keep washing those hands!❤️
All my life I’ve always come back to one thing, my need to feel free and the need to feel the breeze. The ride provides the freedom this gypsy needs, where every road is another blessed memory, a new experience to carry inside my journey. A sense of belonging to a familiar tribe—a brotherhood that goes beyond a bloodline. –Jess “Chief” Brynjulson, “Highway Writings”
November 21, 2020
We’re back in Bandera, Texas, after being away for nearly six months—171 days to be exact. Twenty-eight of those days were spent on the road, where we covered 3,575 miles through nine states, burning nearly 447 gallons of diesel. That translates into roughly 8 miles per gallon (mpg), not at all economical, but keep in mind we’re lugging around all of our worldly belongings in a rig that weighs about 35,000 pounds. I used to calculate our mpg every single time we fueled up, but it got kind of discouraging, so I quit doing that.
For about a week after leaving our workamping job, we meandered near the Virginia/North Carolina border, biding our time until heading to Nashville where we were to meet up with our daughter and grandkids. There we saw a different scenic stretch of the Blue Ridge Parkway, and while we were disappointed that the fall colors had already faded, we were enchanted by the number of enormous rhododendrons lining the roadway for miles on end. Even though they won’t bloom for several months, it was easy to imagine how colorful and vibrant they’ll be come spring.
From atop the Parkway we could see a surprising number of Christmas tree farms, filled with row after row of trees of varying heights, from tiny to towering and everything in between. What was most unexpected, though, were all the private properties that appeared to lie right alongside the Parkway, as evidenced by driveways and mailboxes. It seemed awkward for them to be there—almost an intrusion to the otherwise idyllic scenery.
We stayed at a couple of Harvest Hosts along the way: a not-yet-up-and-running winery and a century farm, which is to say that it’s been continuously maintained by the same family for more than 100 years. What I love most about these places is the people we meet, talking with them and learning something about their passions. It’s nice to meet other dreamers. It also takes us along roads less traveled, to places we would not have passed otherwise.
We had to spend a week in Arkansas so that Dave and his brother could take care of some family business. Usually we stay in either Little Rock or Hot Springs, but since I was going to be left on my own, I looked for a small town alternative where I’d feel safe and could get around easily. In an unfamiliar city, I get so flustered having a line of cars behind me while I’m trying to follow the GPS directions to someplace I need to go but have never been, like a grocery store.
El Dorado (population 18,000) had it all. A good grocery store (Brookshire’s), a quaint, yet bustling, downtown square, and the South Arkansas Arboretum, where I walked the pups everyday.
Most impressive was learning about “The Eldorado Promise,” an initiative funded by the Murphy Oil Corporation, wherein any graduate from the El Dorado School District is eligible for a scholarship that covers tuition and mandatory fees to any U.S. college/university of his or her choice. The scholarship is renewable for five years, as long as the student maintains at least a 2.0 grade point average. To date, The Promise has helped more than 2,600 students. The positive impact this must have on individual students, their families and the community as a whole must be phenomenal!
While in Arkansas, I had a lot of time to think, and I decided I’d take a more proactive role in driving Felix. Up until now, Dave’s done all the driving and I’ve done all the planning and navigating, but because we’re going to be getting Texas drivers licenses, I have to be able to drive Felix because Texas is one of seven states that require a non-commercial Class B license for motorhomes weighing more than 26,000 pounds.
Have you ever heard the commercial for Trane HVAC? It ends with, “It’s hard to stop a Trane (train).” Well, it’s the same with Felix. It’s heavy and doesn’t come to a stop nearly as fast as passenger vehicles do. That, and speeding semi’s, have been showstoppers for me. But that thinking had to stop if I am to get a driver’s license here.
Perhaps not so coincidentally, last week I decided to take something called the 10-Day Miracle Challenge, with being able to drive Felix as my goal. But instead of 10 days, I needed my miracle to manifest in six, because we were leaving El Dorado on Tuesday. I’ve always been impatient.
I did everything the Challenge required, plus got a couple of signs from Home Depot to warn other drivers that I’d most likely be going under the speed limit. You can’t be too careful.
Well, it worked. Boy, did it work! I drove all the way from El Dorado to just east of Dallas on Tuesday (236 miles), and from there to Bandera on Wednesday (346 miles). Now, I’m not a religious person, but this is a testimonial to the prayer and the power of God, because I prayed. All. The. Way. Through Dallas. Through Austin. Through lots of construction.
It hadn’t been 24 hours since the time we arrived when somebody asked me where we’re going to go next, even though that won’t be until the spring. Is our nomadic passion that obvious? Actually, I have been giving that some thought…there have been some interesting workamping opportunities I’ve been researching. Also, we’ve put a deposit down on a 27-day Great Lakes RV tour beginning mid-July, which we’re hoping Covid doesn’t interfere with. Meanwhile, we’ve taken on a Meals-on-Wheels route here and besides that, just enjoy being in Bandera. It’s a great place to spend the winter!
Until next time, stay well, keep smiling, and wash your hands! 😷
Life should not be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well-preserved body,but rather to skid in broadside in a cloud of smoke, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming, “WOW! What a ride!!” – Hunter S. Thompson
October 27, 2020
Our time in Virginia is quickly winding down and we’ll be pulling out of the campground at Sherando Lake this coming Friday. Eleven weeks have gone by fast, and volunteering here has been one of most rewarding experiences Dave and I have ever had. With mountains on both sides—the Appalachians to the west and the Blue Ridge Mountains to the east—the location could not have been more heavenly. The scenery—particularly the fall foliage—has been stunning, and the views from the overlooks along the Blue Ridge Parkway have been spectacular. Seeing Virginia in the rear view mirror is not something I’m looking forward to, but if all the fallen leaves are any indication, winter is right around the corner and that’s our cue to head south.
Our departure has come at the right time, because we’ve had an infestation of Asian lady beetles for nearly two weeks. And if there’s one thing I’ve learned about living in the woods, it’s that there’s never just a few pests…there’s always a massive amount, whether they be chiggers, or mice, or beetles.
We’ve killed hundreds and hundreds of these things. At first we thought they were ladybugs, which was a clever disguise—until we learned that they bite! Then I discovered I was allergic, evidenced by splotchy, red welts that itched like crazy. Being attracted to light-colored things, the obnoxious little buggers swarmed all over the RV and then made their way inside through any opening they could, like the seals around our slides. They were everywhere: on the windows, on the ceiling, on the dashboard, on the walls…one night I was awakened out of a deep sleep when one got in my ear!! And to make matters worse, they urinate something that smells absolutely obnoxious when gathered up. Ugh.
In an effort to keep them from coming inside, Dave sprayed insecticide all over Felix and we brought in the slides like we do when we travel. That makes our living area very limited and extremely tight, but it has effectively cut down their numbers, so it’s been worth stumbling over one another and the dogs to get from one place to another.
When we first knew we’d be coming this way, I dreamed of driving all 500 miles of the Blue Ridge Parkway. The more I researched it though, I realized we could not do it in Felix. Besides being 2-lane all the way, driving this large of a rig up and down the steep inclines, around the sharp curves, and through the tunnels would be a 10 on the pucker factor.
Instead, I assumed we’d make reservations for a couple of campgrounds along the way south, unload the car, and explore that way. But, between being the busiest time of the year (because of fall foliage) and the fact that camper sales went through the roof as a result of Covid and there are campers galore, finding campgrounds with availability has been impossible. It’s on to Plan B—which hasn’t been figured out yet.
Other than driving Felix from Hopkinsville to Bowling Green when we first got her a couple of years ago, I haven’t driven since. I’ve felt intimidated, especially when we’re towing the car trailer and the overall length is 60’. It occurred to me that I have become much too comfortable being the navigator and leaving the driving to Dave; it was about time that I get over my fear. So, I made the decision to drive, not all the time, but sometimes. After all, I once had a CDL, so there had a time I had been capable of driving a big rig.
I reviewed information about the controls in the owners manual, watched a few YouTube videos, and felt my confidence returning. We had made appointment for last Friday to take Felix to Staunton (30 miles away) to have new valve stems put on the inside dually tires, and I decided that was as good a time as any to practice.
It was slow-going through the winding roads here in the campground and somewhat nerve-wracking on the narrow, 2-lane shoulder-less road leading to a nearby town where I turned it over to Dave, but we made it without incident. I felt good and, in retrospect, probably should’ve continued the whole way to Staunton. Next time I will.
Afterwards Dave commented that he was surprised that I wanted to drive through the campground. It’s almost three miles from our campsite through the park to the main road, and the park road is extremely narrow with several tight curves. I guess that’s how I had to prove to myself that I could do it. It reminded me of when I took a sewing class and decided that my very first project would be a pleated skirt, made with plaid material. I guess I figured that if that turned out alright, I could sew anything. 🤪 Though not 100% foolproof, the attitude of “what the worst that could happen?” has been the springboard to a number of adventures I probably wouldn’t have had otherwise, and I wouldn’t change a thing.
Life is certainly interesting. So, even though we don’t know where we’re going, I’ll keep you posted on where we end up. Until then, be well and keep smiling…and remember to wash your hands! 😷
After nearly six weeks of going without any internet at all, our problem seems to have been finally solved once and for all. Thanks to Nomad Internet—the name is perfect for us—we finally are connected to the outside world in every way…to include text messaging AND phone! I could never attempt to explain its details (that’s a Dave-thing) but believe me, it is absolute magic. Deep in the heart of the George Washington National Forest, we can surf the internet, make and receive phone calls, Zoom, watch TV, download books, stream videos, and listen to music—everything we’ve been unable to do since we arrived here on August 13th.
Up until now, our connectivity to the outside world has been extremely minimal and, at best, unreliable. I’d given up on even attempting to do anything internet-related while we were at home in the RV. I would only be able to check email and Facebook and make phone calls when we drove to Waynesboro (12 miles away), which was no more than twice a week.
I’d reached the point of acceptance after the first couple of weeks, probably because I’m about as technically-UNinclined as they come and am old enough to remember when there was life-before-internet. Poor Dave, though. Having been a computer systems engineer before retiring, he just could not/would not accept that a solution didn’t exist somewhere. After all, men had been sent to the moon and come back, for heaven’s sake! His discontentment with not having internet was such that he even went kayaking with me (once).
He recalled reading about a certain router in one of the RV newsletters we subscribe to and thus learned about Nomad. After our experience with the AT&T router though (it worked, but the cost was prohibitive), he was more than just a little leery and his expectations were low. Out of absolutely any other options, ordering the Nomad router was truly a last ditch effort.
But HOLY MOLY, it arrived yesterday, and it works GREAT! And it’s fast, too!
After weeks of seeing how frustrated not having internet made him, Dave is as happy as a clam now! If you’re interested in the particulars, I know he’d love to tell you all about it. His email is dave@lemonadefromlemons.com, and now that he’s able, he’ll be on the computer a lot. (I give him a hard time for being on Facebook, but to be fair, he still maintains our daughter’s company webpage and Twitter and Instagram accounts and needs to update them all several times weekly.)
While it seems like we just got here, we’re already at the midway point of our stay in Virginia. I can’t believe how fast time is flying, but as Andy Rooney said, “I’ve learned that life is like a roll of toilet paper. The closer it gets to the end, the faster it goes.”
Until next time, be well and be happy. And remember to wash your hands!😷
It’s been almost four weeks since Dave and I arrived in Virginia and began workamping at Sherando Lake Recreational Area, located in the George Washington National Forest. We JUST got internet yesterday, so now I can resume writing. I had to put my blogging on hold when I discovered that I wasn’t able to ‘save’ as I went along and experienced losing everything I’d written. That only had to happen once for me to learn that lesson.
Not being connected to the outside world was very frustrating to say the least, but after a couple of weeks I finally accepted the fact that we are in the middle of a forest and that’s just the way it was. Not having the ability to readily get online, make a phone, or watch TV was my motivation to get back into reading, and the Kindle my daughter and grandkids recently gave me for my birthday was my lifeline to sanity. Most of the books I read are murder mysteries, mostly involving one spouse doing away with the other, and Dave voiced his concern on more than one occasion. I don’t know why. 🤷🏻♀️
Here at Sherando Lake we are two of approximately a dozen volunteers who do most everything it takes to keep things running smoothly, from checking in campers, to maintaining the campsites and bathhouses, to picking up litter, to cutting grass and splitting firewood. Last night we had a potluck dinner and got to meet all the other volunteers and it’s a motley group of volunteers indeed: mostly couples, a few singles, experienced RVers, some newbies, all retired. We’re right where we belong.
Because of Covid-19, Sherando Lake is only partially open to the public and camping is allowed in just two of the four areas (which a lot of people are not happy about.) Our job is to support the camp hosts in Loops A and C by doing their job a couple of days a week so that they can have some time off. Specifically, we clean bathrooms and when a campsite is vacated, we get it ready for the next batch of campers by emptying the fire ring of ashes, picking up any litter, and raking smooth the gravel in a Zen-like manner, back and forth and back and forth over the whole site so that the rake-lines leave a very serene imprint. If I was a camper, I would be impressed. It definitely appeals to my OCD.
Initially, I wasn’t excited to learn that our job would be cleaning bathrooms, but I quickly found out that my negative attitude was unfounded. Having had a mother whose mantra was “Cleanliness is next to godliness,” I certainly didn’t think I was above cleaning, but I did pre-judge the job as “being disgusting.” In reality, it really isn’t. Because the bathrooms are thoroughly cleaned daily, they’re easy to maintain and it really helps that the campers themselves keep them that way for the most part.
What really helps keep us motivated is that the campers truly appreciate the work the volunteers do. We are graciously thanked often, as in every day, and that really goes a long way. One young mom even told us, somewhat embarrassingly, that her 8-year-old son— who normally resists having to use public restrooms—excitedly commented after using the one here, “Mama! The bathroom here is cleaner than the one at home!”
In exchange for volunteering 20 hours a week, we have a good-size campsite, complete with picnic table, fire ring, and all utilities (electric, water and sewer). While all the other volunteers’ campsites are either in the same area as the campers or in “Volunteer Village,’ our spot is relatively secluded, nestled in the group camping area, which isn’t open to the public. It couldn’t be more perfect: it’s quiet and peaceful, and we have more than enough room for our “stuff” (the grill, the smoker, lawn chairs, Dave’s scooter, my bicycle etc.) There’s even a parking area nearby for the car trailer. Another perk is that we are welcome to use the laundry facility for free, which includes a extra large-capacity washer, perfect for blankets, comforters, and throw rugs. I found that very exciting!
We have our mail sent to a post office about 12 miles away in care of ‘General Delivery’, which is how we got it when we lived on a boat more than 40 years ago. We were surprised and very relieved that the post office still offers this service, and that’s a good thing. Otherwise, I don’t know how Dave could continue supporting Amazon.
Weather-wise, it’s been delightful. Temperatures at night are generally in the low 60’s and daytime highs are in the high 70’s. Our hummingbird feeder is seeing a lot of activity, but I wonder when their migration south will begin, given that the leaves on the trees are already changing color. It rains more than we expected.
Our time here is going to fly by fast, as time always does, so we’re hoping to take in as much of the local area as possible before we leave November 1st. Shenandoah National Park, the Blue Ridge Parkway and Skyline Drive are just minutes away, and we feel very blessed to be here, especially at this time of year. Several history-rich cities are within an hour’s drive—Lexington, Charlottesville, and Staunton—as well as several Civil War battlefields. There’s almost too much to see and do on our days off.
That’s about it for now. I’m sure there’ll be more adventures to write about in the weeks ahead, so I’ll be sure to keep you posted. Thanks for accompanying us vicariously on our journey…we love having you along! Be healthy, stay well, and remember to wash your hands. 😷
It took four days for us to travel the 655 miles from Grand Rivers, Kentucky to where we’re going to be for the next 10 weeks, Sherando Lake Recreation Area in Virginia. Our stopovers were in Baxter, Tennessee (where we stayed at Delmonaco Winery, a Harvest Host), a campground near the international speedway in Bristol, Tennessee, and another Harvest Host in Draper, Virginia. Since stays at Harvest Hosts (HH) are free, we spent just $22 for the overnight in Bristol.
Both HH’s were secluded, peaceful, and had enough room to maneuver Felix and the car hauler. We stayed at an agri-tourism farm in Draper whose owner had hand-laid a rock labyrinth, which I couldn’t resist walking. I also couldn’t pass up the New River Trail—Virginia’s longest (57 miles) and most narrow (80-ft right of ways) state park. In reality it’s actually a bicycle trail whose bed is comprised of an old, abandoned railroad running alongside the New River. The trail is shaded by trees on each side and makes the ride a pleasant one, even on the days when temps were on the warm side, as they were on Tuesday.
The shape of Virginia is kind of like a triangle, and my best estimate of where we are is in the western half, midway—if that makes any sense. On an atlas we are near the confluence of interstates 81 and 64. Technically, we are in the George Washington National Forest, bordered by the Shenandoah Mountains to the west and the Blue Ridge Mountains to the east. This is a huge slice of heaven!
There is no cell service here, so communication will be a challenge. I think there’s a phone number we can give our kids in case they need to contact us. Otherwise, we are incommunicado. I can’t help but think that the month we spent in Arkansas was preparing me for this. At least there we had internet and Direct TV. Here we have nothing except Mother Nature. But given the way things are in our country, I believe that is quite a blessing.
There are only 65 campsites here at Sherando, but because of Covid-19, only half of them are available for reservation. We are parked at the far end in the group camping area with two other camp hosts, but the camping area itself is closed, so it’ll be real quiet. We’re not sure of what our duties will be since our supervisor was off yesterday and today, so we’ll just explore the area and try to familiarize ourselves with what’s around.
We’ve been warned that black bears are regular visitors, evidenced by the metal food storage lockers at every campsite. And here I was fearful of the skunks and mice at Hillman Ferry last year! The city-girl in me sure has been challenged by the lifestyle we’ve chosen, but I’ve got to say, I have learned a lot.
I have a feeling that this experience will be giving me lots of fodder to write about, so I will keep you posted. Sometimes I wonder “Why are we doing this?” but I’ve known from the get-go that Dave and I weren’t meant to have normal lives. One thing’s for sure…life is not boring. Until next time, be healthy, stay safe, and wash your hands. 😷
After a month-long hiatus in western Kentucky that gave us the opportunity to see family and friends, as well as for Dave to take care of a few RV-related honey-do’s, we hit the road this morning, bound for our workamping job in Virginia. It’s near the northern tip of the Blue Ridge Mountains, not far from the cities of Staunton and Waynesboro. Neither of us have ever been, so to say we’re excited is putting it mildly.
My good friend Carol, who lives in Virginia, has bragged for years about the beauty of the Blue Ridge Mountains, so when I spotted an ad for workamping positions available not far from where she lives, I submitted our application right away. The campground we’re assigned to, Sherando Lake Recreation Area, is managed by the U.S. Forest Service, so our experience at Land Between the Lakes last year was a plus, as was a personal recommendation from our boss at Hilman Ferry campground. Except for the fact that they won’t be strenuous, I have no idea what our duties will be once we get there. In exchange, we’ll be given a free campsite. It’s a win-win.
We try to limit the miles traveled in a day to 200, though we could do nearly twice that if we had to. Our average speed is 50 mph, so going 200 miles equates to about four hours driving time. We generally like to leave by 9 a.m. and be at our destination by 1:00 in the afternoon, leaving plenty of time to explore.
Our first stop on this trip was a Harvest Host: DelMonaco Winery in Baxter, Tennessee, about an hour east of Nashville. Not all Harvest Hosts can accommodate our big rig, but this one could and the reviews regarding parking ensured ease of getting in and more importantly, getting out.
We are parked in a large, fairly level gravel parking lot adjacent to the main building. Along Felix’s port side is a convenient, well-maintained grassy area that’s perfect for walking the pups. We have plenty of room to extend our slides, and we’re far enough away from the tasting room/restaurant/event center that running our generator doesn’t disturb anyone. The location is close to the highway, but far enough away that it’s safe and secure. That’s important because the pups get me up before sunrise for their early morning walk.
While walking around outside shortly after our arrival, two friendly ladies who were apparently connected somehow with the restaurant engaged me in polite conversation. I soon learned that one was the owner and the other, her mom. Ashley and Teresa were delightful to talk with and conversation flowed easily. The winery has been here for a dozen years, they said, but Toast, the restaurant, just opened when Covid-19 hit. Already though, I read the online reviews and they were glowing. Dave and I had already planned to eat there, so I told them we’d be up shortly.
They greeted us warmly when we got there and Teresa seated us outside on the patio overlooking the concord vineyard. Since it was Sangria Sunday, Dave decided to try one. We both love seafood and each ordered the Gulf Coast Omelette, filled with shrimp and scallops and a decadent crab and crawfish sauce. That’s the deal with staying at a Harvest Hosts: free overnight stay in exchange for patronizing the host. We ate like kings for less than the cost of a campground site. And we supported a small business. Another win-win.
Tomorrow our destination is a Passport America campground in Bristol, Tennessee. The stem on one of our rear tires needs attention, so we’re thinking that there ought to be a plethora of tire shops in the same city as the Bristol Motor Speedway, and hopefully one of them can do the job. Not knowing what to expect at any given destination is part and parcel of RVing and though it might make some people uncomfortable, we’ve been lucky meeting the right people at the right time. It certainly adds lagniappe to the journey!
We anticipate being at our destination on Wednesday and so I’ll keep you posted on our whereabouts like I have since we left Bandera, Texas. That was 1,259 miles ago! Until then, be well, stay safe, and remember to wash your hands!😷 Love, Maria
After 34 very long days of waiting in Podunk, Arkansas for the work to be completed on Felix-our-RV, we finally picked it up on the 6th of July. Surprisingly, even though I whined a lot about being in an itty bitty, teeny-tiny town, it actually got easier as time went on. And on.
I couldn’t really complain and, in fact, had a lot to be grateful for. Where we stayed—Dave’s late grandparents’ house—didn’t cost us a dime. The yard was fenced in, so the pups could be let out anytime instead of having to be taken out on a leash—even at o’dark:30, which was often the case. And there was good wi-fi, so the outside world was within easy reach. That proved to be the real lifesaver for a myriad of reasons.
Since it had taken so long for all the work on Felix to be done, there was doubt as to whether or not it had been plugged into electricity all that time. I knew for sure that the one plant we had would be dead for lack of water, but what I feared most was what I’d find in the refrigerator and the freezer. I was prepared for the worst but, lo and behold, when I opened both doors everything was absolutely fine, save for a Tupperware container of salad that had liquified. I was so thankful that we didn’t lose a refrigerator full of food and especially that we didn’t come back to a stinky, moldy mess. All in all, Felix was in good shape, and we made plans to leave Dallas the next day.
We spent the next five days making our way to our destination: Grand Rivers, Kentucky. Typically we’d take I-30 east out of Dallas and then I-40 through Arkansas, but I was ready to try something different. One of the Facebook groups I follow, RV Roads and Routes, made mention of how smooth the ride on Highway 60 was from Springfield, MO to Paducah, KY, so we decided to try it.
It took driving north from Dallas through Oklahoma to get to Hwy 60. Heading east we past not one, not two, but THREE Cummins dealerships, and that was a terrific find since we have a Cummins engine. We ended up spending three nights in Springfield having a couple of seals replaced and annual engine maintenance done, and in spite of being an unplanned stop, it turned out to be a true Godsend. When we first got Felix two years ago, we’d taken it down to Cummins in Nashville, and taking it there was such a hassle! The traffic on I-40 is non-stop and most drivers there are neither considerate nor patient. Everybody is in a hurry. Springfield was a breath of fresh air. Taking the road less traveled opened up a whole new world!
Two days before our arrival in Kentucky , our daughter called to say that she and our granddaughter had been exposed to the virus and had to be in quarantine for 14 days. That changed things up a bit, so we decided to stay for a whole month instead of the two weeks we had originally planned, just in case they got sick. Even that turned out to be serendipitous because now we had more time to visit with Kate and the kids, see friends, take care of annual medical appointments, and accomplish some honey-do’s that have been sitting on the back burner.
Kate and Maeby ended up testing negative for the virus, thank God. Once out of quarantine and anxious to get out of the house, our granddaughter spent a couple of days with us. That’s always fun.
In addition to being able to spend time with our daughter and grandkids, we were able to see my brother and sister-in-law whom we only see once or twice a year. Don’s my only sibling, and we just love Terri. They live in St. Louis and they really enjoy spending time on Kentucky Lake. While they were here, I was inspired to dig my kayak out of Felix’s basement; otherwise the idea probably would never have dawned on me. Now I get out on the water most every morning kayaking, and it’s a great way to start the day.
A little known fact about western Kentucky is that it features one of the best places to scuba dive. No kidding! Formerly a quarry, Pennyroyal Scuba Center is a spring-fed, breathtaking 22-acre diver-exclusive destination for dive training and diving adventures. With depths of up to 120 feet, divers in the unusually clear water come across schools of fish swimming in and out of numerous submerged vehicles to include a 1941 fire truck, a motorhome, a bus, a Cessna, and a van among other sunken objects. Pennyroyal Scuba Center is one of Hopkinsville’s brightest jewels, and Dave and our 14-year-old grandson Bobby spent a few days diving while we were here.
Back in February, before the onset of the pandemic, we applied for and were accepted as workampers at Sherando Lake Recreational Area at the northern end of the Blue Ridge Mountains in Virginia. We were scheduled to work from mid-August through October. But the campground has yet to open this season; I keep checking the website, only to find that it’s still “temporarily closed.”
On a whim last week, I sent an email to the contact person named in the correspondence we’d received thus far and was shocked to immediately receive a response. They are not only anticipating the campground to open “soon,” but they are also expecting to see us us next month as planned! So, we’ll be off to Virginia in a couple of weeks. At least that’s the plan. But we all know how everyone’s plans have fared in 2020!
It’ll be interesting to see how the future pans out. So many things have not gone the way I thought they would, so my expectations are pretty low at this point. If being in Arkansas ad infinitum taught me anything at all, it’s that I’m not in charge of anything. Quê será será. What will be will be. And I’m ok with that.
Until next time, take care, stay safe, stay healthy. And remember, wash your hands! I’ll be sure to keep in touch.
All week long I was looking forward to Thursday because there was a better than 50/50 chance we’d hear some good news about retrieving our RV, which is in Dallas getting worked on. Still.
This is Week 4 in Smalltown, Arkansas, and I have been ready to leave for about four weeks. I was trying very hard to keep my expectations at bay, and if anyone voiced anything remotely hopeful about Felix being ready to roll today, I’d answer, “I’m from Missouri, so ‘Show Me.’”
It’s been 25 days since we delivered the rig to NIRVC (National Indoor RV Center) for routine maintenance and a couple of repair issues. We had an appointment, so what’s taking so long? I suspect it’s that they sold 50 Class A motorhomes in May—a store record—and I imagine it is a whole lot more profitable for them to prep 50 $400,000 units for delivery than to piddle around with our older rig. But I could be wrong.
Nevertheless, it’s not ready to go today, so we’re not driving to Dallas. Dave was told to call back this afternoon because “they were getting close to being done.” Again, Show Me.
Well, that news was disappointing, but it wasn’t entirely unexpected. Resigned to remaining here for who-knows-how-much longer, I passed the time by watching TV for a little bit and then went outside and FaceTimed with my granddaughter, Maeby, something we do a few times a week. She is a ray of sunshine and talking with her always lifts my spirits.
When I came back inside the house, Dave’s face said it all. There was some bad news to tell me. He had just learned that a friend of ours had died that morning from the coronavirus.
I couldn’t believe it! For some reason, I’d just been thinking about Hugh and Mary Jane earlier this week for some reason. I didn’t know why; maybe it’s because she had posted on Facebook a couple of weeks ago that they just celebrated their 6th wedding anniversary. There was a photo of them on their wedding day, she looking radiant in her wedding gown and he sporting a big, white cowboy hat, looking every bit the handsome Southern gentleman he was. They were happily retired and were just enjoying life together. Who could have ever predicted that just a couple weeks later he’d be gone?
We originally met them last March when were making our way back to Kentucky from Texas. They are also RVers and part of a network of hosts who generously offer overnight space at their property at no cost to RV travelers passing through. We stayed a couple of days at their little slice of heaven, nestled amongst the pine trees in southern Mississippi. Hugh and MJ could not have been more hospitable. You think I have a big smile? Hugh’s made mine seem small.
And then last summer, we had a serendipitous reunion at the campground where Dave and I worked. They had driven over to the Land Between the Lakes from the RV park in Eddyville that they were staying at to check out Hillman Ferry, having no idea whatsoever that that was where we were. I remember how happy it made me to see Hugh and MJ again—they were the nicest people. We had short but very sweet visit, and then they went on their way.
It angers me that the Covid-19 guidelines have all been discarded by many as though life has returned back to normal when statistics clearly prove otherwise. The war against the invisible enemy is far from over. I’m sad that it took my friend’s life when he had so much living left to do, and the thought of his grief-stricken wife breaks my heart. I’m grateful to a certain friend who called this morning to check on me. She asked me to tell her about what kind of person Hugh was, and after I told her she said, “Well, I guess God needed another angel.” Those words of comfort were exactly what I needed to hear.
There’s so much that isn’t making sense these days. Not just in my little world, but everywhere, it seems. I feel like I can’t do much more than pray, which I’m doing more and more. And I’m not even religious. But it’s the only thing I can think of to do when there’s nothing else I can do.
I’ll be sure to keep you posted on Felix. Until next time…Peace and Hugs. -Maria