On the Road Again to Albuquerque - Day 4

Overnight: Fort Smith, Arkansas
We awoke at about 8 AM and checked out the snow situation. Still have plenty on the ground, but with the dawn came warmth and we felt we could bring in the slide-out at about 10:30 AM without having to mop up too much water inside.

So we headed out of West Memphis, Arkansas, at 11 AM. First stop was to get gas. We stopped at a Pilot station, and a truck driver told us that I-40 West was backed up for about 12 miles. He suggested we take US 70 West. So, we did. After about 10 miles, we could see from afar peeks at the freeway, that there was no backup on I-40. So, we ventured onto the freeway. We traveled about 2 miles and then came to a screeching halt. To shorten a very long drawn out story, we ended up going 50 miles in 3 hours. We sat one place for about an hour. We even got to share Homey-Roamy's potty with some nice young lady who was as desperate as I was to use it.

To make up for the rough, late start on our driving log, we drove longer than we like to. We drove until 5:30 PM. We had planned to make it to Fort Smith area, but Dave was really tired. So, we stopped in Russellville, AR, to find a place to camp. According to The Next Exit book, there were two campgrounds at that exit. We asked a clerk at the gas station where we filled up where these campgrounds might be. We checked the first one, which seemed to be the back lot of an RV sales lot. That was not inviting, nor did it seem to be open. Our second choice was at a city-type park, which clearly stated "RV Park" on their sign. We checked all roads within the park, and not a camper was to be found. Our third choice was a better choice--regular campground. But, they were full because the nuclear power plant nearby was shut down for cleaning, so all the workers were camped there. At this point, it's nearly 6 PM. So, we decided to call ahead to the KOA in Fort Smith koa.com/where/ar/04110/ we had originally planned to camp and see if they had any spots. They did. So, we registered by phone. All papers were going to be placed at the night check-in area, so we were good to go.

We decided to first get a bite to eat at a Mexican restaurant. It's so much fun trying to find a place to park with a big rig. But, Dave's so good at driving our Homey-Roamy, it seemed effortless. After dinner, we continued onward to Alma, AR, which is just 7 miles east of Fort Smith, AR.

Arrived 7:30 PM and as the owner had said, we were all registered and papers waiting for us when we arrived.

Dave hooked up on the electric, turned on the propane, and we settled inside to work on the blog and answer emails, but we were only given 30 minutes of WiFi "free" time. What a duh! When Dave tried to send a message, I guess the 30 minutes was up because nothing would send. So, we settled for watching a wee bit of TV and then went to bed.

At 3 AM I awoke to a freezing cold trailer. We realized we were out of propane for the heater, and the temp was dropping VERY fast. We were worried about the pipes under the trailer and the water heater freezing. So, Dave and I got up to see what we could do to keep the water heater from freezing without taking the time to drain it (a royal pain). As we had just learned a few nights ago, it works automatically on electric, so we wanted to be sure that there was water in the water heater (because we had not hooked up to the water at the camp yet) and then the electric would just keep the water toasty. Out Dave goes to connect the water until we can tell the heater is full of water. When we arrived, we knew the temp was going to drop below freezing, so didn’t want the hose out there. We had again filled a bucket with water for flushing and a container to hold water for coffee in the morning. Mind you, it’s probably about 28 degrees out there at 3 AM.

We went back to bed and tried to keep warm with tons of blankets. We do not have an electric heater for emergencies, nor do we have electric blankets. Both situations we will remedy tonight during our Wal-Mart shopping spree. I don’t know about you, but when it’s cold like that, my bladder thinks it has to work overtime. So, I was up 4 more times before morning. Each time I got up, it was MUCH colder than the trip before. The potty is at the far end of the trailer. So, I was able to get good and cold before returning to bed.

It was a horrendous experience. One I hope never to repeat again because I know it was at least 21 degrees outside and 30 inside. We waited, shivering, until 8 AM when the office opened. We called to be sure we could come and get propane that early. So, bless Dave’s heart, he’s out cranking up the stabilizers. Then, he unhooked the electric and we were off to the office. We hadn’t unhitched the car when we camped, and we were not about to go to that trouble in 25 degree weather. Of course, Dave had to stand outside while both 30 lb tanks were filled. And, then he had to go inside to pay (a rather long walk). But, one good thing was that he took a parade of ducks with him to the office. He looked like the Pied Piper with 30 quakers following him to the office door. Of course, you know he really loved that.

When Dave went into the office to pay, the son of the owner started in on Dave stating telling Dave that he needed to read the signs and obey the rules. And that if I pushed driving all day and then came into "any" campground after hours, I had to pull into the spaces that have no service and not disturb the other campers, renters that obey the rules because they have full-timers that they do no want disturbed...blah blah blah, he went on and on and wouldn't let Dave speak.

Then finally Dave found a spot to say that we had called ahead and made reservations. We had talked with a lady and she took all of our information. She said she would leave our map and instructions on the bulletin board at the later-arrival registry area outside. We got in around 8 PM where we picked up the papers. And, we were really were quiet in setting up.

He said, "Oh, my brother must have thought you were someone else."

No apology just a good blessing out on a Sunday morning. Dave said he was good-to-go with that sermon for the rest of the day!

The guy did offer him a cup of coffee after the "blessing [out]"; but all Dave wanted was out of there, so he turned him down.

We quickly drove back to our spot, reconnected the electric, turned on the gas, and thawed out. We thought we might go back to bed. But, alas, by that time, we were wide awake. So, we finally got on the road about 11 AM after cleaning up, making sandwiches, and breaking camp.



We are all settled in at the Rockwell RV Park just west of Oklahoma City. This camp is just a parking lot, albeit nice. Hey, they gave me a box of candied cherries when I checked in, so no more needs to be said!



I’ll work on updating the blog tonight while Dave is sleeping. Our WiFi wasn’t all it was cracked up to be last night. We were only given 30 minutes of free time. What a duh. And, then when Dave went to send a message, I guess the 30 minutes was up because nothing would send.