Drove to Memphis TN and on the way passed many fields of cotton, rice and soya beans. Terry even picked some cotton for me from one of the fields. It was a pleasant drive once we left the I 40. We’re also slowly getting used to people saying y’all and talkin’ funny.
We stayed at the Elvis Presley Blvd RV Park just 2 ½ blocks down from Graceland. Quite a dump especially the neighbourhood. We walked down to look at the outside of Graceland and the grounds that you could see from the street. I couldn’t imagine paying anything to go inside as it’s never been something we’ve wanted to see but you can’t go to Memphis without at least looking at it. As we were crossing the street to go to the wall, an old wreck of a car came out of the gates with a bunch of guys that looked like hoodlums. Generally, all the people we passed walking there were similar looking. There was though, a crazy striped black and white hummer limo full of teenage girls on a birthday party ride and the driver spoke to us for a few minutes and let me take a picture inside of the vehicle. It was kinda neat.
Saturday we drove to the Crater of Diamonds State Park near Murfreesboro Arkansas. We stayed there two nights as I wanted to try our luck looking for diamonds. It’s a neat park with a huge plowed field (37 1/2 acres) that you can sift through the dirt looking for diamonds (and actually keep) and other semi precious stones such as amethyst, garnets, jasper, agate and quartz. There were dozens of people all over the place, families and lots of serious diggers. You can either dry sift or they have covered sluicing sheds where they had bins of water where you could sluice your screens similar to panning for gold. You then take any findings into the office for identification. All I got was an agate which I kept. It was fun but very hot dirty work. I then did laundry and we went shopping nearby.
Monday we drove to Shallow Creek RV park near Gladewater, TX. Probably one of the best RV sites we had ever had. Only $16.50 with our PA discount too. Too bad we had decided to stay only one night. On the way there we passed acres and acres of camping type trailers that were parked in a compound for FEMA Emergency Housing near Hope, AK. We would have thought they would have been used in Galveston, Texas after hurricane Ike.
Saturday we drove to the Crater of Diamonds State Park near Murfreesboro Arkansas. We stayed there two nights as I wanted to try our luck looking for diamonds. It’s a neat park with a huge plowed field (37 1/2 acres) that you can sift through the dirt looking for diamonds (and actually keep) and other semi precious stones such as amethyst, garnets, jasper, agate and quartz. There were dozens of people all over the place, families and lots of serious diggers. You can either dry sift or they have covered sluicing sheds where they had bins of water where you could sluice your screens similar to panning for gold. You then take any findings into the office for identification. All I got was an agate which I kept. It was fun but very hot dirty work. I then did laundry and we went shopping nearby.
Monday we drove to Shallow Creek RV park near Gladewater, TX. Probably one of the best RV sites we had ever had. Only $16.50 with our PA discount too. Too bad we had decided to stay only one night. On the way there we passed acres and acres of camping type trailers that were parked in a compound for FEMA Emergency Housing near Hope, AK. We would have thought they would have been used in Galveston, Texas after hurricane Ike.
Tuesday
We decided that we did have time to go to San Antonio so started to head south. On the way there we just about got run off the road by a stupid old man in a very long motohome pulling another long trailer that said "Catastrophe Response Unit" passing us on a narrow two lane highway. We had a semi right in front of us and lots of traffic heading our way. This idiot passed us and then cut right in front of us and then took off again like a bat out of hell. We hoped that would be the last we saw of him. Crazy!
Because our rig and truck desperately needed washing and waxing we decided to stay at a State park as they aren’t very busy right now and they usually don’t worry about what people do there re washing vehicles. We went to Huntsville State Park about one hour north of Houston. It was gorgeous. We parked right by a small lake that supposedly had alligators in it. We only saw turtles and egrets which was just as well. As we were sitting outside the first night enjoying the sunset, Terry mentioned that the only thing needed now was an armadillo walking past and guess what? One did, but too late for a picture. We couldn’t believe our eyes. A short while later while I was looking for him with my camera, I heard a scuttling in the leaves and turned and damned if he wasn’t there again. I quickly turned the camera on and snapped a photo but at that time he decided to scuttle into the waters edge and I only caught the tail end of him. Blurred too.
Wednesday we slept late due to the absolute peace and quiet of the place. We then got to work and I washed the truck and Terry got to work on the RV. Whew, what a job! We took a break late afternoon and went and did a bit of shopping. When we got back we tidied up and then had a drink. While we were doing this a large motorhome pulled up and the driver started talking to the park ranger who just happened to be driving by. They talked for about an hour while neither of them turned off their motors. Made us wonder what the hell was going on. Eventually, the ranger left and the guy parked his unit right next to our spot. About an hour later, the jerk started his generator. Why, we couldn’t figure out as we had 30 amp power. I thought this was ridiculous so went over to ask what was his problem. He stated that he was having a medical emergency and that he had called “someone”. I asked if he had called an ambulance and he said no. I said well, if you need help we’re right next door. I still didn’t get what the reason was for the generator but figured it was for some medical equipment but wondered why he would head for a state park instead of a more populated area. A while later, when no one had come yet, Terry went over. It turned out it was the same yahoo that tried to run us off the road! While Terry was trying to talk to him a policeman showed up and took over. After much discussion, the cop called an ambulance and they arrived. The twit who was having heart problems would not go with them and after a couple of hours of discussion, etc. he unhooked his utilities and took off supposedly for a rest stop. The guy was a complete lou lou and I still can’t figure out why the cop would let him drive but they did. I sure was glad we weren't on the road that night. After that it was peace and quiet again.
The next day was hot and very still. Terry wanted to finished the trailer and get some wax on it. I did all the truck windows and then wanted to get some sewing done. I’m quilting a baby quilt for Shauna’s new baby and I made six doubled receiving blankets also. I’ve finished a sweater and am also busy knitting a baby bunting bag too. Lots of fun but sometimes find it’s hard to find the time. I want to get all this mailed prior to leaving the states.
Friday we are headed for San Antonio, TX. I had booked ahead for 3 nights and also made an appointment for the RV to get a safety check at Beaudry RV in Tucson for Oct. 22nd. We passed a lot of Texas size ranches and pretty countryside. Just after lunch we started to come across tents set up for antique sales. First one, then another and then holey cow! There were hundreds and then thousands! We drove on further and there were miles of them. It made Quartzite look like a small garage sale. We have never seen anything like it. It would take you a month everyday to see it all. This was all between Heritage and Warrenton TX on Hwy 237. It was really something to see. They had cow hides, Persian rugs, western wear, jugs, bedsteads, windows, china, cowbells, you name it. Everything! It took us about 20 minutes to drive past it all. Well, worth the holdup though.
We decided that we did have time to go to San Antonio so started to head south. On the way there we just about got run off the road by a stupid old man in a very long motohome pulling another long trailer that said "Catastrophe Response Unit" passing us on a narrow two lane highway. We had a semi right in front of us and lots of traffic heading our way. This idiot passed us and then cut right in front of us and then took off again like a bat out of hell. We hoped that would be the last we saw of him. Crazy!
Because our rig and truck desperately needed washing and waxing we decided to stay at a State park as they aren’t very busy right now and they usually don’t worry about what people do there re washing vehicles. We went to Huntsville State Park about one hour north of Houston. It was gorgeous. We parked right by a small lake that supposedly had alligators in it. We only saw turtles and egrets which was just as well. As we were sitting outside the first night enjoying the sunset, Terry mentioned that the only thing needed now was an armadillo walking past and guess what? One did, but too late for a picture. We couldn’t believe our eyes. A short while later while I was looking for him with my camera, I heard a scuttling in the leaves and turned and damned if he wasn’t there again. I quickly turned the camera on and snapped a photo but at that time he decided to scuttle into the waters edge and I only caught the tail end of him. Blurred too.
Wednesday we slept late due to the absolute peace and quiet of the place. We then got to work and I washed the truck and Terry got to work on the RV. Whew, what a job! We took a break late afternoon and went and did a bit of shopping. When we got back we tidied up and then had a drink. While we were doing this a large motorhome pulled up and the driver started talking to the park ranger who just happened to be driving by. They talked for about an hour while neither of them turned off their motors. Made us wonder what the hell was going on. Eventually, the ranger left and the guy parked his unit right next to our spot. About an hour later, the jerk started his generator. Why, we couldn’t figure out as we had 30 amp power. I thought this was ridiculous so went over to ask what was his problem. He stated that he was having a medical emergency and that he had called “someone”. I asked if he had called an ambulance and he said no. I said well, if you need help we’re right next door. I still didn’t get what the reason was for the generator but figured it was for some medical equipment but wondered why he would head for a state park instead of a more populated area. A while later, when no one had come yet, Terry went over. It turned out it was the same yahoo that tried to run us off the road! While Terry was trying to talk to him a policeman showed up and took over. After much discussion, the cop called an ambulance and they arrived. The twit who was having heart problems would not go with them and after a couple of hours of discussion, etc. he unhooked his utilities and took off supposedly for a rest stop. The guy was a complete lou lou and I still can’t figure out why the cop would let him drive but they did. I sure was glad we weren't on the road that night. After that it was peace and quiet again.
The next day was hot and very still. Terry wanted to finished the trailer and get some wax on it. I did all the truck windows and then wanted to get some sewing done. I’m quilting a baby quilt for Shauna’s new baby and I made six doubled receiving blankets also. I’ve finished a sweater and am also busy knitting a baby bunting bag too. Lots of fun but sometimes find it’s hard to find the time. I want to get all this mailed prior to leaving the states.
Friday we are headed for San Antonio, TX. I had booked ahead for 3 nights and also made an appointment for the RV to get a safety check at Beaudry RV in Tucson for Oct. 22nd. We passed a lot of Texas size ranches and pretty countryside. Just after lunch we started to come across tents set up for antique sales. First one, then another and then holey cow! There were hundreds and then thousands! We drove on further and there were miles of them. It made Quartzite look like a small garage sale. We have never seen anything like it. It would take you a month everyday to see it all. This was all between Heritage and Warrenton TX on Hwy 237. It was really something to see. They had cow hides, Persian rugs, western wear, jugs, bedsteads, windows, china, cowbells, you name it. Everything! It took us about 20 minutes to drive past it all. Well, worth the holdup though.
We arrived at the Braunig Lake RV Resort around supper time and set up in 38 C weather. Hot and sticky. Thank God for airconditioning. Tomorrow we hit the Alamo.
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