April 16, 2022

Temperature 56 Degrees, Rain, Gusting Wind, Cold

Let The Sightseeing Begin!

We knew that today, for us, was going to be a long day. All total it would be about a six hour drive. So we were up early and ready to roll. However, as it worked out we were able to break the trip up into two three hour drives.

So, this morning we awoke to the sound of rain. Not a great start to a long day. However, the road we started out on was in great shape and there was next to no traffic. I’ll tell you what if, and I know it will never happen, if I lived in this state I would definitely want a Corvette. My goodness, the speed limit even on back county roads is a minimum of 70 mph. And I believe that for most residents of this state is only a suggestion.

OK, as I said we were able to break our day up into two three hour drives. The first break was for fuel. This time we found a great truck stop. The fuel lanes in the back and the plaza overall was in great condition. The price was under $5 dollars which was great. Especially, since we soon were to discover the price further north is also north of $5.

It was now just short of noon time and the rain was a distant memory. In it’s place came the winds. Strong, gusting winds from the northeast. Guess what? We were headed due north at this point in the trip. So much for good fuel mileage

Some have asked about this little guy.

Unfortunately, our Proton is not a traveler. When we’re on the road he is all over the rig and of course Ms. Barbara as well. Up on the seat with her. Then down. Then behind my seat. He just doesn’t settle down, not even for a minute. Then, when we get to where we are going he just collapses. He won’t eat rather he just curls up on the couch and sleeps the sleep of death. Maybe by the time we get home he will get the hang of this whole nomad thing.

Fuel stop and lunch now finished we headed north to our new home in Oklahoma City.

In due time we arrived at our new home. This place is huge. It is also well kept and immaculate. When we rolled through the front gate we were met by our hostess who completed our paperwork at our rig and then escorted us to our site.

We have a concrete pad that is of adequate width and the spacing between sites is not bad. However, we are on a hill and as you can see we are anything but level side to side. The jacks, though, quickly took care of the situation. Well, the utilities are all hooked up, the slides are out, the Dish antenna is up and was able to find all three satellites. Guess what? I’m going inside and collapse. I’ve had enough driving for the last four days. It’s such a wonderful though knowing that we don’t have to get up and move again tomorrow. Yipee!

Life on The Road of Retirement is good. Tomorrow we’ll take it easy. We’ll do some house keeping and get Elvira sparkling clean. Then we’ll gear up for some serious sightseeing the remainder of the week. But first we need to dig out our winter gear. We knew it might get a bit chilly along the way but I’m sorry it is just darn cold. Oh well, we’ll make it through.

Thanks again for stopping by today  It’s always great to be able to share our story with others. Comments? Feel free to share them with me. And always remember, cherish each day that God gives you and live it to the fullest.

Our continuing mission remains the same: to explore as many new states as possible, to seek out new acquaintances and make new friends, to boldly go where we have not been before

April 14, 2022

Temperature 75 Degrees, Overcast, Rain Showers

Hop Three of Three

1,240 miles since we left home. Only another 6,000 give or take a mile to go!

Today is the last of our three overnight stops. Tomorrow we move to Oklahoma where we will stay stationary for six to seven days. Believe me, I’m ready for it.

We left about 30 minutes later than we had planned to this morning because we both were moving sort of slow. No matter, the trip was a short one of only about four hours.

Our first stop was for fuel. It was one of the only truck stops we found in this immediate area. Let me just say, never again. The place was a mess. Huge potholes in the road coming in and throughout the fueling area. Spilled diesel on the ground. It was evident that no one really cared about the place. Ms. Barbara went in to pay and said the inside was the same as the outside, neglected, old and outdated. Ah well, sometimes you have no choice you have to take what you can.

Within an hour we entered our second state on this trip. Originally, we had intended to spend some time sightseeing in the Houston area. But, for personal reasons we both decided we would rather not spend anymore time than necessary in Texas. An overnight stop would be more than enough.

That overnight stop is at Mount Pleasant KOA Journey in Mount Pleasant, TX. Now, up until this park I’ve done a good job at picking parks that are relatively easy to get to, and to get in and out of. I sort of missed the mark with this one. It is in the heart of the town of Mount Pleasant. While not impossible to get to, it was a bit more challenging. It just meant in the words of a good friend of mine you need to go slow and steady and you’ll get there.

This is our home for tonight. Overall, the park is really nice and appears to be well taken care. Elvira is sitting on a level concrete pad and there is enough room for both her and our car. As you can see, there is not a whole lot of room between sites. No matter since this is only an overnight stop. Other sites in the park – I believe they call them premium – are more spaced out. We’ll be up and out early tomorrow since we have about a five hour drive to Oklahoma City.

We’re definitely rolling up the miles on The Road of Retirement. Which was our intent all along. Moreover, we’re loving every minute of every mile.

Thanks again for stopping by today  It’s always great to be able to share our story with others. Comments? Feel free to share them with me. And always remember, cherish each day that God gives you and live it to the fullest.

Our continuing mission remains the same: to explore as many new states as possible, to seek out new acquaintances and make new friends, to boldly go where we have not been before

April 14, 2022

Temperature 79 Degrees, Abundant Sunshine

Hop Two of Three

Oh did it rain last night. And the thunder. At least that’s what Ms. Barbara told me. I was up for maybe the first 30 minutes and then slept through the rest of it. I guess I was tired.

Today was a whole different story. We awoke to moderate temperatures and abundant sunshine. So with only the electric to disconnect, slides to bring in, and jacks to raise we were soon on our way. We initially hit a bit of traffic but nothing too terrible. The roads were a mix of good and bad. We also had some construction zones to contend with – you know the ones with the barriers right up against the white line on the right. And of course trucks continue to zip by you on the left. I just hold my breath and give a silent prayer of thanks when they end.

One of the new toys I installed before I left home was a dash camera. I’m finding it very helpful to have a record of the journey as well as video’s of the various RV parks we’ve been in. Regarding the journey, today we were completely run off the road by some clown in a rented RV who was blazing down the road weaving from lane to lane. At the last second I caught him out of the corner of my eye and was able to get to the shoulder in time. Otherwise, this trip would have come to a really early end.

So where are we?

The road home, meaning the road from the entrance into the park. This is another really nice RV Park. Well kept, great roads, evidence everywhere that it is well taken care of. The park is packed but my guess is by the amount of auto traffic that came in between 4 and 5 pm, the majority of those here are full time residents.

This is our home for tonight. We have a pull through with a great gravel base that is reasonably level. They had the same rain here last night as we did so the area around the site is a bit soggy. It’s sort of like walking on a wet sponge.

We got in early enough so I hooked up the water so we could do some cleaning inside as well as take showers ourselves. Ah, that shower really felt good.

The Good News is the bad weather now appears east of us. So, from this point on we’re expecting sunny skies but probably some colder temperatures. That’s why we brought our winter duds. We figured at some in time in the early going we were going to need them.

Tomorrow we head to Texas and then to Oklahoma. Mile by mile every state is possible.

April 13, 2022

Temperature 71 Degrees, Overcast, Strong Wind Gusts

Hop One of Three

We’re a day behind schedule. Did I say schedule? I’ve decided to throw it out the window and just roll with the punches. No sense getting uptight about what we can’t control.

We stayed an extra day in Summerdale to hopefully escape the worse of the weather to the west as well as to have our Dish antenna fixed. I must say it sort of worked. Oh, the Dish is working perfectly. But we’re not out of the woods yet in terms of the weather. More about that in a minute.

Today was the first of three overnight hops as we move toward Oklahoma City. That’s where the real sightseeing will begin. From that point on we have all kinds of wonderful excursions planned.

Today’s trip was a mixed bag. We left Alabama under overcast skies and moderate temperatures. Route 10 is a decent road and traffic was light for the first part of the trip.

We rolled into Mississippi and shortly thereafter traffic came to a complete halt. The highway was completely shut down due to an accident some six miles down the road. Thankfully, the highway was reopened within about forty five minutes and we were rolling again.

The next state was Louisiana. The only issue we had to deal with now were the wind gusts. Thankfully, they were coming from the back left corner so though we got pushed around a bit at times it was not a real problem.

Oh, and the good news. The price of fuel is beginning to come down. OK, it’s not back to nor will it ever be what it was a year ago but it is now under $5 in a lot of places. You just have to look for it.

In due time we were at our new home for the night. Again, this is just the first of three overnight stops. The first impression when pulling in was that this was a park that was lovingly cared for. And that impression carries over as you drive to your site.

Here is our new home for the night. It’s a level concrete pad more than long enough for Elvira and our car. We have 50 amp electric and that is all that we have hooked up.

So now we sit and wait. Remember our plan to outrun the weather? It sort of worked. Originally, the weather forecast was calling for severe thunderstorms, maybe a tornado or two and possible hail in this area. Now, the weather forecast is just calling for lots, and lots, and lots of rain tonight. With maybe a thunderstorm or two thrown in. Not the best but a whole lot better than first forecast. And from here on it only gets better.

That was our day on The Road of Retirement. Not a bad day at all. We’re looking forward to more of the same as we journey on. I’ve said it before and will continue to say it we are two of the most blessed people on the face of the earth.

Thanks again for stopping by today  It’s always great to be able to share our story with others. Comments? Feel free to share them with me. And always remember, cherish each day that God gives you and live it to the fullest.

Our continuing mission remains the same: to explore as many new states as possible, to seek out new acquaintances and make new friends, to boldly go where we have not been before