Halloween in Texas

We’ve been in Terrell, Texas for a week and a half – enjoying the free WiFi connection Bluebonnet Ridge RV Park offers their guests. Although, I’ve mainly used it to download updates for Windows and other programs. The laptop drive went bad so I replaced it and started from scratch. Dallas has Fry’s and Microcenter stores in addition to CompUSA and all the other geek shops I frequent. We definitely have to settle somewhere near those stores. We won’t be settling in Texas though. It just doesn’t appeal to me for many reasons but I don’t want to upset any Texans, so I’ll leave it at that. It has been interesting to experience Texas though, just like all the places we’ve been.

On Friday we went to Screams, an incredible Halloween theme park. It was really fun. The best part was watching Gera scream and jump out of her skin every time one of the actors turned from a statue to a gruesome moving figure! She laughed after each fright but her heart was racing. Ed did well. A couple actors had loud chainsaws (with no chains of course) and they freaked Ed out a bit but he had a blast. The place was packed with people and it was a real mass-party atmosphere.

Today is Halloween and we have a couple things lined up for Ed, then Monday we’ll be on the road again, heading toward New Mexico.

I saw Britney Spears

We spent the day in Hot Springs, Arkansas yesterday. After winding up the mountain roads the night before and boondocking at the Walmart, we toured the town. We walked a long distance to a place called, "Tiny Town" - which was a neat display of creative ingenuity. On the way there, I made eye contact with a very familiar looking petite blonde who was walking the other way with a tall, thin guy. Her sunglasses prevented me from being sure it was her, so I watched her walk away and immediately recognized a much photographed, unique rear end. It was Britney Spears! My mind didn't wrap around all this soon enough to say anything to her but I asked Gera where Britney was from. She knew it was Louisiana, so we were in a resort town practically in her back yard. Gera doubted she would just be strolling down the road in the middle of the day. However, I found a report that Britney announced this week she would be taking time off to relax. I also saw a news story about her flying to Fiji for a honeymoon but I’m convinced this was a press ploy to keep them off her back. You heard it here first!

A cheesy photo-op spot.

Elvis and his family are buried in the "Meditation Area" behind the mansion.

Elvis' racketball room has been converted to somewhat of a shrine. These are only some of the record awards and outfits on display during the Graceland tour.

Fred requested a picture of the cotton fields in Mississippi. These surrounded the casinos for miles.

Incoming!

We awoke this morning to the sound of air raid sirens! A tornado had touched down in a nearby town and was headed our way. We quickly moved inside the Walmart here in Little Rock and were herded by the staff into the center of the building, away from all glass. We got the “all clear” less than 45 minutes later and left Walmart with some groceries awhile after that only to see bright clear blue sky. Running from deadly weather seems to be the theme of this journey!

A couple days ago, we toured Graceland in Memphis. It was a very interesting experience. Hard to believe Elvis accomplished all he did in 42 years. The number of gold and platinum records on the walls was staggering. We’re off to Hot Springs next.

Doing better

Things are better now that the rain has let up some. We had a good night. Ed got to spend a few hours at a place called Kid’s Quest near the Grande Casino while Gera and I gambled. He had a great time and enjoyed freedom from us for awhile. We dumped about $80 into the Grand’s coffers but had a few hours of fun. Gera particularly liked the video poker. I just kept trying to rack up bonus points on the comp card. Not sure what they are good for but, since the Grande is a Bally’s property, we’ll be able to use them in other parts of the country. It looks like rain is coming back this way, so I’m glad we’re heading out on Sunday. We’ll see what else we can squeeze in before then though.

The tow dolly fit when we turned it around. It dropped off the back at first. Nate is watching.

Sonny, winching the RV onto his flatbed.

Don’t go near the water.

We’re right next to the Mississippi river and I feel terrible. I’ve had the same FM and CF symptoms I experienced back in Florida. So, living near the water is not an option for me. It’s looking more and more like the high desert is the place to be.

We’ve been at the casino campground three days and the only gambling we’ve done is on a lottery ticket. I won $5 on a $1 ticket though, so at least I’m ahead. We’re hoping to squeeze in some slots or something today but we want Ed to have fun too. Yesterday we ran errands in Memphis since there is nothing but cotton fields for miles once you leave the casinos. I bought some parts for the generator, at a wholesaler no less – woohoo! It’s very hard to be my normal deal hunting self. Ordering things from the Internet is iffy while we’re on the move and buying bulk of anything is not an option. We did get mail forwarding set up with American Homebase this week. I’m looking forward to receiving mail again soon.

I guess the excitement and novelty of RVing is wearing off. Either that or the way I feel is just getting to me. I’m having trouble seeing beyond the headaches to the fun. We had heavy rain this week and the roof leaked in the bathroom. I bought some silicone sealant but don’t look forward to crawling around on the roof trying to find the cracks. Also, the ants are unstoppable! We’ve sprayed enough ant chemical to put us into a coma and still they keep coming. We picked up groceries last night and double bagged everything that isn’t frozen in ziplock storage bags. Hopefully, the weather will be better the rest of this week so we don’t have to spend as much time inside the RV fraying each others nerves. With my adrenal glands shot, I have no patience and Ed loves to push my buttons when he’s unhappy. I know I’ve been a bear to live with since getting sick. Unfortunately, it’s only harder to live with me in confined quarters. I just thank God we didn’t buy one of those really tiny Class C RVs we thought about!

1000 miles and still going

We breached the 1000 mile mark for this journey and that doesn’t count all the local traveling we’ve done in the Honda when camped. Today we’re in an RV park connected to the Hollywood Casino. It’s a great place and only $10 a night! The cleanliness and services exceed campgrounds that cost nearly $30 a night. Several of the nearby casinos also have great food deals like a $2.99 all you can eat breakfast buffet. So, if we gamble a couple hundred bucks away this week, we’ll be about even with what we would have spent elsewhere.

After boondocking a couple nights in different areas of Mississippi, it’s nice to have full hook-ups again. The generator is acting up so I have to go over everything this week. I may end up calling a mobile RV repair guy I found advertising on a flyer here. Maybe I can barter computer repairs or eBay training. We were hoping to find a few collectible stores that might be candidates for our eBay brokerage services but the casinos are in the middle of miles and miles of farm land. We’ll have to hit Memphis for that instead.

While in Memphis today, I had the old fatigue wash over me. The only thing unusual I noticed in that area was an inordinate number of massive electrical towers. I don’t know if that contributes to CF but we did have a power station near us in Satellite Beach. I’ll keep my eye on the power lines as we travel. So far, I’ve felt best in Georgia and Alabama. Mississippi seems to have pollution problems. Gera and Ed’s allergies were acting up in Tupelo and Olive Branch but so far, so good here in Tunica.

Stuck in Alabama

A planned week in Alabama to get organized has turned into a week and a half. We were all packed up and ready to roll out to Tennessee on Monday but the RV wouldn’t start. I spent a day and a half checking out everything I could myself (batteries, fuses, wires, etc.) then today had Good Sam send a flatbed. It was the entertainment for the day at the McCalla RV Park! We’re “camping” in the parking lot of the RV repair shop now. Of course once the RV was here, it started right up! Bouncing down the highway on a flatbed must have shifted the dead spot in the starter. The shop is going to finish fixing it up tomorrow and hopefully we’ll be on our way. We’re having them go over other things since we’re here. For some reason, the hot water heater isn’t working tonight, so I’ll put that on the list of things to check.

It’s been a nice stay in Alabama. The people are very friendly and my health has been good in this mountain air. We didn’t originally plan to spend any time in this state but I’m glad the winds of hurricane Jeanne blew us here. Next, we’re heading to Memphis. In my best Elvis impression, “Uh, thank you very much.”

Ed & Chris, Grinin' & Spinin'

Gera on the Ferris Wheel

Ed & Gera