Troubles Come in Threes!

While stopped for lunch in Greenville, our step cover failed to retract giving us access to the exit steps. Bill climbed out over the step cover and discovered that a nut had come loose and disappeared so we headed into Arkansas seeking and finding a hardware store and repaired the step cover. Our right passender rear view mirror and been vibrating and Bill checked it our only to discover that it had broken its holding clips. Our side mirror has three sections and it was our middle one that was loose and is now attached with Gorilla Tape! After the two repairs were made Bill drove the coach around a building and yes, he failed to clear the corner and tore out about a six foot section of the roof side. This time the repair was duck tape and more Gorilla Tape and it doesn't look too bad and hopefully the tape will stay on and keep the water out until we get it repaired. This nice black guy helped toss us supplies and caught the broken pieces of fiberglass for the dumpster. He kept us smiling when we didn't feel too happy! Guess we entertained all the building residents and they all had to tour the coach. This will give them something to talk about in Lake Village, Arkansas this week!

After the repairs we headed on to Hot Springs, Arkansas and managed to stop and stay at the Elks Lodge. Fortunately for us they were having a chicken dinner and free drinks for first time visitors - we enjoyed both and after a good night's sleep tonight we will be off to explore Hot Springs tomorrow and perhaps a bath in the Springs and a needed message! :)

Oregon Bound!

We departed Big Canoe on Monday, July 5th and headed to Hoover RV Park in Alabama where we could empty the water tank and reload with fresh water, dump the grey and black tanks, fuel up, shop at Publix Grocery and Costco!
Tuesday we headed over to visit with Sonny and Sally Richardson in Starkville, Mississippi and enjoyed being with them and touring Mississippi State Campus - especially since Jordan will be starting there later this summer.
This morning we headed across the Mississippi River on the Route 82 Bridge at Greenville and this narrow bridge will be shut down and dismantled starting later this month when this very pretty multilaned bridge officially opens and is dedicated on July 28. This is the first new bridge spaning the Mississippi in many years and it looks beautiful.

Big Tex

It didn't look as if Big Tex loaded on the past page. Perhaps he feels he needs a page of his own!

Tightwaad Air Ranch

We arrived at Tightwaad Air Ranch mid afternoon on Sunday and enjoyed the trip with a lot less wind!

Monday we had a fun time exploring the local area with Judy and Ed and then introduced them to Geocaching. This plaque was recently set up to commerate yjr Chisholm Trail and the Bufferfield Stage Routes.

This spring they have three new calves and of course "Big Tex" is King of the Ranch!
Two new litters of kittens have arrived and the mamas still have them hidden.

Ed Morrison has been a friend of Gramps since they were in high school and also at the University of Rochester. He was one of our ushers at our wedding - now almost 51 years ago. It is such fun to see "old" friends.

Friday and Saturday

Friday morning we departed A;buquerque and headed directly to Amarillo via I-40. As the day advanced, we had increasing winds as the big storm center affected the high plains. We were in the campground before 3 pm and Wilt and Barbara Greenwood camped next to us. Barbara cooked supper for the four of us and then we had fun playing the game Password which was new to us. and the coaches rocked with the high winds all night.
Saturday morning we headed to Crowell, Texas with a good tail wind on route 287. Barbara and Wilt stayed in Amarillo since they would have heavy side winds. We arrived at the Longhorn RV and Steak House and we were the only paying RV guests. The restaurant looked pretty deserted but come dinner time the parking lot filled up and so did the restaurant. Our dinner there was outstanding and we could cut our steaks with our forks.

Museum of Nuclear History Monday

We spent a few hours today at the Museaum of Nuclear History and these are models of the two necular bombs dropped over Japan. I wondered where the fuse was since my Dad worked on it and they were produced at Picatinney Arsenel if my memory is correct.

I also wondered about Uncle Jack and his telling us he worked on the Manhatten Project. We still wonder if he did or didn't.

Tonight we had happy hour at the Elks Club parking lot outside our coaches and then headed to Papadeaux Restaurant with three other couples for dinner - was good food. Loved the spicyness but was almost too spicy for Bill.

Tomorrow the convention actually starts although there were a few activities today.

Staying at the Elks Club

This area of Albuquerque is called Nobs Hill and one of our friends have changed it to Snob Hill because we have such a great location and plan on staying here for the whole rally! Tonight we have 3 motorhomes here and we are the second one over. We have 30 amp electricity and water and a dump about 2 miles away.

This view is great and especially so at night.