Little Rock to Elk City

We're up and ready to go, but there is some serious rain falling at the moment, so we'll take our time and see if it clears off. What we're not facing is Hurricane Sandy on the east coast, or snow and cold temperatures up north.

Destination today, Elk City TX. Here's the route.

Holiday Inn Express was a good choice for this night. Lots of little extras, and a great shower head. Coupons paid off again as our rate dropped from $120 to $74 with the coupon. They certainly take hot breakfast serious, best so far by a country mile.

A couple of notes regarding yesterday. About 50 miles before Memphis we saw our first cotton fields, a sure sign that we're in the south. On the west side of Memphis we crossed the Mississippi River, and you can't help thinking of the history connected with this river.

Highway work took us off the Interstate for an hour or so, we took an alternate route that ran parallel to I-40. What we got was a small glimpse at rural Arkansas.

Hazen AR - Parking two hour maximum

Trade in little towns is mostly dried up and abandoned. Very sad. Still, someone is always doing business and we ran into acres of rice farms. Rice farms in the American south? I'm going to have to Google rice farms.

Over the last few years I've passed through this area many times, and in the early years I was often found chugging along on the secondary roads, but no more, like everyone I'm seeing America from the Interstates at 65 mph.  If only for an hour or so, it was good to be doing the back roads again, even though The Coach was feeling all the bumps.

There was a sign in the service station where I stopped for gas looking for staff, including managers. They were offering $7.15 an hour.

Knoxville TN - Little Rock AR

Florida and the entire east coast is facing a major hurricane, the weather network is all about that. In our area it looks like warm temperatures, and we'll see about winds as we get going.

We're still 1,800 miles from destination, and 500 miles today will certainly put a hole in that. We're hoping for Little Rock, but will settle for anything west of Memphis. Here's our route.

The Fairfield Marriott turned out to be just fine, and we saved a bundle ($64 before taxes) by bringing along our coupon book, which we picked up at the last comfort centre along I-81. We had many choices, but settled here because it was steps from Cracker Barrel. Hotels put limits on how many rooms go to coupon clippers, but the front desk told me at this time of year they'll take all they can get. Fair exchange is no robbery.

We had considered camping back in Bristol, but we checked KOA rates and changed our mind. Overnight, with power and water was $50 (our hotel with breakfast $64). With dinner out just $20, you see the appeal of camping at the Fairfield.

Off to breakfast and an early start today. Well rested, ready to go.

Downwind Day One

Lakeside in Chambersburg, PA at Camp LaQUINTA.

Reflections of The Coach in Lac LaQuinta

Found other campers in same park, haven't met them so far.

Did notice other campers at Walmart on the parking lot, but didn't meet them either, and decided this really wasn't where we wanted to be tonight. Looked for dinner in Walmart, but Judy didn't like the idea of macaroni and cheese with hot chicken wings.

Travel Tip: No booze at Walmart in PA.

Currently enjoying refreshing drink before heading out for camper's dinner.

For those who follow in our footsteps. Leave Kingston around 6:30 am. Turn right at Thousand Island Bridge crossing. Follow I-81 to Chambersburg PA (exit 16). This should take about nine hours. Arrived in time to search out fine wine and vodka source, and then settled in. No maps or GPS necessary, watch the highway signs, do not leave Hwy 81.

Weather was warm and wet.

Judy is getting the hang of camping on the road in the Roadtrek. She is currently looking forward to our campfire at the Long Horn. This changed when Long Horn was not open for business. Fuddruckers was the next best thing.

Gas today:  about $100 ($3.74 a gal). Here's the route.

Room: $69 with a coupon.

Travel Tip: Always check at rest stops for discount books. This LaQUINTA is a new hotel, it's beautiful and worth every penny.

The guy behind me without the coupon paid $89. Save where you can campers (lesson for today).

Final Update: Steak House was not open for the public yet. So, we went to Fuddruckers. This was a good choice, since campers always look for way to keep costs low. Dinner was excellent, walked home to campsite. Cost of dinner $20.

Note: when we returned from dinner out and campfire, hotel was full.  Travel Tip: Don't wait too long to settle in for the night.