On the Road to Albuquerque - Day 2

Overnight: West Memphis, Arkansas
This morning we awoke rested and relieved that our RV troubles were over and we were on our way. We left the campground at 9 AM. We headed back toward I-20, but Dave's navigator threw him a curve and we ended up taking a scenic route through old-town Cropwell. When I finally realized my boo-boo, we headed back to I-20.

From I-20, we headed northwest on US 78. It takes a little detour through town, but then quickly turns into a brand new section of freeway called "Future I-22 Connector." It is essentially deserted except for truckers with lots of cops pulling them over and handing out roadway suveniors.

We saw several mining areas for coal and several trains below us loaded with cars filled to the brim with coal.

We stopped at a gas station and had a lucious concotion of corn dogs and chicken (well, not together--Dave had one and I had the other!). Back on the road with about 2 hours to get to Memphis, TN.

Received a phone call from Dave's sister that his mother probably won't make it more than a day or two, and we won't be there by then. But, we are continuing onward so that we can at least be there with his sister.

We arrived at Tom Sawyer's RV Park (www.tomsawyersrvpark.com)in West Memphis, Arkansas, at about 3:30 PM. It's right on the Mississippi River. (Note: In the above canned photo, we are parked on the front row, third space in from the right.) We were told when we checked in that they are expecting their winter flooding in about 6 days. The river rises up into the campground and they are getting everyone ready to leave. Also, told that we were having snow tonight.

We got set up quickly. Again, we decided not to unhook. Tonight, Dave didn't even hook up the sewer line as it's just one more thing to deal with. So, Dave hooked up the water, plugged in the electric, turned on the gas, put down the back stabilizers, and I sent out for pizza to be delivered to our trailer. What a life!! Camping and not even cooking--just can't beat that for leisure.

We took a walk down to the river's edge (only about 50 ft). Really a nice spot. The campsites are level and spacious, and they have large cement pads with picnic tables. The WiFi is right next to us on top of the shower house that also has a free washing machine area.

As we were enjoying our dinner, heard the news that the winter storm is getting worse. We are now expecting to have 3 inches or so of snow.

Dave decided to use the PC and realized that he's using it on battery, even though it's plugged in. Humm. What now?? We then began to check the plugs and realized none were working, nor was the microwave, and the TV was beginning to make a "pop" sound. After yesterday, we're getting a bit nervous. So, we decided that we'd better put the slide-out back in because the temperature is really dropping and certainly, Dave doesn't want to be outside with a hand-crank to get it back in. As I am holding the button to bring it back in, it moves slower and slower and slower. Finally, it's in, but now, nothing is working in the trailer. Lights are even dim. Heater won't heat--burr. So, I called the office and they sent someone out to see what might be the problem. If it turned out to be our trailer, we would have to break camp and get to a motel because the temperature is now down in the 40s.

Well, it was a huge relief to realize it was operator error. Seems there was a switch in the electric connector outside that needed to be flipped. Phew! What you learn by going from camp to camp is amazing. One camp has the swith on, another doesn't have a switch, and the next has it turned off.

We decided it was a good thing to leave the slide-out in because we have no idea how much snow we might get on top of the unit tonight. As it is now, all Dave has to do is unhook the water and electric, and we are ready to roll. I say, "Dave has to..." because I conveniently forgot my coat in Atlanta. Soooo sad! Heee Heee.

I'm happy here as I was able to watch American Idol tonight. There ARE priorities, ya know.

When we look outside, we see lots of tugs going up and down the river pushing barges. We have also seen several strings of larger barges. We look forward to a white-river experience in the morning!!