Day 61–Driving Day and Another Rest Area for Us in Maryland!!!

Not much to tell except that we  slept super well last night. Went to bed at 9 pm, woke around 4 am then back to sleep until 7:30 am. I guess we both needed the sleep.

We were hoping that there would be at least one CG open on this leg of the journey but it was not to be. We planned on sleeping in a rest area on at least one night of our journey home but not all of our journey home. Our holding tanks were getting full, fresh water low and patience running thin. Ron professes to like to boon dock, but not so much anymore. Especially since we can’t open the slides in a rest area.

We stopped for lunch in a rest area in West Virginia and were pleasantly surprised to find they had a dump station with a fresh water supply. We were able to dump our holding tanks and replenish our fresh water, Yeah!!!! That is the good news – the bad – still no CG to set up in.

So after traveling over the mountains of West Virginia,  and seeing some dreaded snow,  we settled in for the night in another rest area on I-68 in Maryland.

This rest area does not allow trucks so we have been alone since arriving. Not sure if I am going to like this but there is no where else to go.

Day 60–Indian Caverns, Corydon, IN, Rest Area in Kentucky

The rest area in Indiana was very quiet but for some reason neither Ron or I slept well so we were both up very early. It was very cold last night so our furnace went on constantly. We have been spoiled with our heat pumps that run very quietly but it got too cold for them so the furnace went on and is quite loud.

We  stopped for fuel, Propane and breakfast at the Flying J on our way to the Indiana Caverns. I called to make sure they had parking for our  RV and luckily they did. The road into the the caverns was very, very narrow. There was no possible way for a another vehicle to pass with the MH in the road. Thankfully no one came the other way.

The  Indiana Caverns are the nation's newest show cave. As part of the Binkley Cave System, it is Indiana’s largest cave system and the  11th longest cave in the U.S. at 37 + miles long.  The cave has been open to the public for just under one year.

When I saw it in the Indiana visitors publication it never mentioned climbing up or down stairs but emphasized the boat ride through the cave. I checked on line and either it was not mentioned or I missed that little fact. At any rate, the tour not only included a boat tour but also stairs and ramps that went down 110 feet which also meant  climbing back up 110 feet!!! We were there so it was game on for me.

Inside the cave we saw the usual cave stuff but also a 36 foot waterfall:

                                   

Ancient Ice Age Bones:

Cool Rock Formations:

       

Down 110 feet we boarded a catamaran and headed deeper into the cave. At times we had to duck our heads to get through but it was quite a lot of fun.

 

The entire tour took about one hour and twenty minutes. It was different  then any other caves we have been in and our guide was excellent. The trek back up all those stairs was challenging but doable.

 

Back at the top we stopped to share a picture with the what ever it was in the lobby. LOL

 

    

                                                   

It was time to move on and Ron felt like driving so off we went.  I looked again  for a campground but to no avail so once again we would be spending time in a rest area. We were both bummed out because we thought for sure something would be open but no such luck. Around  7 pm and after a very busy day we settled in for the night at an I-64 rest area.

Day 59–Leaving Clinton, Missouri–Rest Area–Indiana Welcome Center

We left Clinton around 9 am this  morning hoping to put some miles behind and especially for me to get out of tornado alley!

It was a long day and after  just under 400 miles of driving we pulled into the Indiana Welcome Center. There were no CG’s available on I-64 so we opted to spend the night at the welcome center.

After careful research we discovered that we might like to take in  a cave that involves a boat ride. I can do that!!!!

Nothing much else to tell for today.

Day 58–Cozy Corner RV Park, Visit to My Brother, Clinton, Missouri

Although we did not get any more storms last night I had a difficult time sleeping. I guess just knowing we were on a tornado watch kept me awake.

This morning while walking Jewel Ron ran into yet another closed down motel behind the  RV park. That seems to be what we have seen all along the old Route 66. From what we have read Route 66 was once a bustling thoroughfare that is now just a memory.

He checked out the brick house that we were told we could also use as a shelter if necessary but couldn’t get to it. So much for that option in an emergency!!

                                                                

The good news is the the skies are clear this morning – the bad – It is COLD!!! We are back to wearing our winter coats. The temps here change so dramatically hence the turbulence that leads to the frequent tornado action around here.

We arrived in Clinton around 1 PM at the Cozy Corner CG. We have stayed here before and they do have a tornado shelter.

                                                  

Then we stopped in to see my brother and his wife. After walking into his house I was shocked to see how bad he looked. My brother is generally clean shaven and clean in general but he looked like he hadn’t seen a razor, barber or shower in six months.  The house was worse then usual and when Rose came out of her bedroom, once again I almost fell over. She didn’t look any better. The nurse in me wanted to take them and spiff them up, hopefully making them feel better but I had to resist.

Moe is doing better after his partial foot amputation and his pain is  much less now. Rose is still suffering ill effects from her bilateral hip replacement  times  two.

Despite all the medical issues they were both in good spirits. They are down to three dogs from seven and all three dogs love my brother. He has had the little dog Prancer for 17 years. The two little black dogs are seven months old and not socialized at all. They are beautiful but  are very shy and have never been outside. Yes, that it what I  said – no imagination needed.

 

                              

We stayed for about four hours and bought dinner for all of us. It was a nice, although somewhat sad visit for me. My brother and sister-in-law are in such bad physical health that it amazes me. My brother continues to smoke and both eat whatever they want despite both being insulin dependent diabetics.  I guess I can’t help everybody – although I would like to try. They are both in their early 70’s but look closer to 90. Back at the CG I was still in a state of shock over our visit but soon realized there was nothing I could say or do for them that was going to change anything.

It continues to get cold here and we now have come to the realization the fun part of our trip is over. We have  1400 miles of cold to travel so will be moving on tomorrow.

Day 57–Beagle Bay RV Haven & Campground, Sarcoxie, Missouri

Once again, the winds were so brutal we had to close the bedroom slide again just to get a little sleep. Jewel was so spooked she  came to bed with us. As we were getting ready to leave this morning, the man from the RV next to us came over to talk to Ronnie. He couldn’t believe we were leaving with the winds so bad. He planned on spending another day at the CG to see if the winds would calm or stop. He had heard it would be worse today, but we didn’t, so Ron felt we could move on safely.

On the road it was windy but not as bad as yesterday. At least the sun is shining and it is much warmer – in the high 70’s. The weather here  changes rapidly making it  a prime area for  nasty events – events I shall not mention.

 

Ron was in a driving mood again  and the sun was shining , the wind not as bad as yesterday so it made for a better ride/drive. Around 4:30 pm we arrived at the Missouri Visitor Center. Black clouds were moving in and it began to rain. Inside the center the TV was announcing a tornado watch for the area. Oh GREAT!!! My biggest fear realized – dam tornado watches and warnings in almost the entire state. So much for changing our route to visit my brother.

The woman at the visitor center warned us to be careful because the weather could get really ugly quickly and we should be very aware at all times.  Comforting!!!! Ron wanted to stay in the parking lot for the night but I quickly vetoed that.

It was pouring when we walked back to the MH so we were in a hurry to get in. Ron had grabbed the keys from the ignition that did not have the door key on it. He had taken the door key off so that he did not have to carry  the set when we took our day trips - so no key to get in and all the windows were locked!!!!! So there we stood in the rain, thunder and lightening looking at each other. Oh MY!!!  You see we actually have another entrance door on the drivers side that we never use so don’t think about. Luckily, Ron did think about that and had the key to that door. Yeah!!! We were in and out of the storm. Did I say something about we needed to be supervised!!!LOL

I had found a place that looked quite nice in the brochure about 20 miles down the road. Ron reluctantly agreed, so off we went. The skies continued to grow darker and wind was whipping. It was raining and the lighting pretty intense. We were both watching the skies for that dreaded funnel cloud!!!

At the CG we duly noted that it was not the Haven it was promoted as but just another run down CG in the area. On the bright side, the skies were clearing so I foolishly thought we were in the clear.

The couple that greeted us had the TV on in the office and low and behold we were under a tornado watch!!!!! After some discussion about warning sirens and where to go for cover we were assigned our space. Oh Goody, just where we want to be - in tornado alley under a tornado watch in a MH in a run down CG with a laundry room for cover. You just can’t make this stuff up. The man told us that I- 44, the route we are now on is the known corridor for tornadoes!!!! Yeah!!! Did I mention we are right outside of Joplin, the town that was wiped out in 2011. by an F-5 tornado!!!!!

He told us not to worry  that we would here the warning sirens and he would ride through the GC honking his horn to let us know it was time for cover!!! Again –Yeah!!! The laundry room was too our left with a lovely large propane tank against the outside wall. Sooooo – if the tornado doesn’t get you, the exploding propane tank will. 

OK – back to trying to think normally. I made dinner and Ron took Jewel for a walk. He met a lovely much older woman who was hooking-up  her tow car. Apparently she is on husband # 3 (first two died of cancer) who had a stoke and a recent fall so she drives the MH and everything else that goes along with traveling in a MH.

Ron looks at me and tells me it is time for me too be a BIG girl and get with the program. Yeah, Right!!! I must admit I should at least learn to drive the dam thing but since I hate to drive anyway I’d be more of a hindrance then a help.

After dinner a storm rolled in with intense thunder, lighting and rain that  on the roof sounding like  hailed. Ron looked at me as if to say – what have you gotten us into. We’re feeling like we really want to be back in our living room out of harms way.

 

Jewel was a mess with the storm and was shaking like  an earthquake. Finally the storm passed and Jewel calmed down. We are still under a a tornado watch until midnight. The good news, I think,  is the wind has stopped completely.

Day 56–Hargus RV Park, Clinton, Oklahoma

 

The winds were so bad last night that the cover over the bedroom slide was banging so hard that we had to close the slide in order to get any sleep. We left the CG around 10:30 am heading into what we didn’t realize was a miserable rain and windstorm. On the bright side, because of the rain there were no dust storms to render I-40 impassable.

The wind was holding at a pretty consistent 25 MPH with wind gusts that would cause some concern when the MH was being pushed across the road. Ron was in a constant battle to keep the MH steady and was driving at no more then 60 MPH and less at times. It was very cold (48 degrees) and for the first time we were wearing jackets in the MH.

Driving and battling the wind  was very tiring for him so I began looking for a CG around 3 pm. I did find one just off the highway. Ron was not convinced that we should stop because we had only traveled around 177 miles. What really convinced him was the tractor –trailer on its side over the embankment. Did I mention the wind and wind gusts were getting worse?????

Hargus RV Park was easy on and off of I-40. It had a really bad Wi-fi connection and cable TV was so fuzzy you really couldn’t watch the TV and at full price we expected something better. They had no available pull- through sites so we had to disconnect the car.

The young lady recommended that since we had to disconnect the car we should try out the local Chinese Restaurant. She promoted it as being the “BEST” Chinese food ever!!!! I did some research and all the reviews were excellent so off we went.

We were once again on a section of Historic Route 66 so were not surprised to see that the restaurant was once a part of a motel that is now boarded up and  shut down.

The restaurant was packed and there were many people picking up take-out so we had high hopes.

The food was OK and very bland so we were a little bit disappointed. Traveling around the country we have come to realize that New England has  really got great food!!!

Back at the CG we prepared ourselves for another night of high winds and a rocking coach. We will be heading to Clinton, Missouri to see my brother. He had a partial foot amputation two days ago and is feeling very depressed. Our original plan was to head home on a more southerly route but now will head up to Missouri. Hopefully,  we will not run into the type of weather I fear the most – tornados. They do live in tornado alley so I am a little apprehensive but we will go to see him anyway.

Day 55–Wonderland RV Park, Cadillac Ranch, Jack Sisemore RV Museum

 

It was very quiet at the Kiva RV Park – Thank You Very Much. After hearing bout the guy next door we weren’t sure if we were back in the wild west and were going hear or see a shoot-out! LOL

After yesterday’s record 408 mile drive, today is only a little over 100 miles. Our plan is to stop at the Cadillac Ranch and the Jack Sisemore RV Museum. On the web site they recommended their CG with an easy on – easy off highway access. Well, if you call going around Robin Hood’s barn easy on and off then I guess it was. But our interpretation was that driving through downtown Amarillo was not easy on and off the highway.

We finally found the place but since there were no really good signs leading the way into the park we ended up coming in the out gate!! We pulled into a site across from the office and went in. The woman was very nice and allowed us to stay in the site we were in, albeit we were parked going the wrong way. Sometimes we can’t be left to our own devices. LOL

After a light lunch we headed out to the Museum. Did I mention that the highway system here in Texas is quite different then at home. There is the main highway then one-way access roads that run parallel to the highway. So now we are looking for the Museum heading the wrong way on the access road on the opposite side of the highway from where we need to be. Then they have these lovely left hand turns with three options. OK then, which one do we want. Once you get to the three options there are no signs so if not familiar  with the area you end up where you do NOT want to be. After some thought we figured it out and finally got to our destination. And to think we travel around this country without a chaperone!

The museum is behind Jack Sisemore RV Sales and is his own private collection of vintage RV’s.

LINK:

http://www.rvmuseum.net/

  

                                   

                                     

                              

Ron loves that bus!!!!

The Itasca has only 6000 original miles on it and the interior is like brand new.

It was a small museum so we were in and out in about 30 minutes. After a quick stop at Wal Mart for some staples we headed out to the Cadillac Ranch to take some pictures. Not sure if I mentioned this but the winds have picked up considerably and are non-stop. They call them the “Spring Winds” and I guess can be pretty brutal. So brutal, they kick up severe dust storms that can result in I-40 being shut down.

LINK to Cadillac Ranch:

http://www.roadsideamerica.com/story/2220

The Cadillac's had once been painted pink but now have graffiti all over them. People bring in cans of spray paint and have at it. There is a dumpster outside of the ranch but people just throw the empty cans on the ground. There must have been thousands of cans rolling around the field. Cannot and will never understand why people are such slobs and have no respect for other peoples’ property.

The wind was relentless and it was getting very cold. The woman at the CG recommended a local Mexican Restaurant to us so we decided to stop for dinner on the way home. The  food, prices and margaritas were great!

Back at the CG we settled in for the night. The wind intensified and the MH was rocking like we were on a boat. Not sure where we will end up on Wednesday, because again we have no plans. Only time will tell.

Day 54–Travel Day–Kiva RV Park, Tucumcari, New Mexico

 

We have no definitive plans for today except driving. As I said before Ron did a lot of research and was unable to find anything for us to do in New Mexico except hiking. We have been to New Mexico before and had covered it quite extensively.

Ron was in a driving mood, the weather was great and traffic  light so we were on the road for a very long time – in fact- for 408 miles. That had been an all time record for this trip.

As we all know Ron likes to get CG bargains so he researched the Passport America and found to CG’s in Tucumcari on the old Route 66. They were side by side – Kiva RV Park -  had great reviews – nice people, really friendly, yada, yada !!! The other, Cactus RV Park,  not so much, cranky, unfriendly with a lot of rules.

We have been traveling quite a bit along and on the old route 66 – not so much by design but by chance. It has been amazing to see how many of the towns along Historic 66 have turned into literal ghost towns with remnants of what used to be still visible.

Anyway, we pulled up to the Kiva RV Park and were somewhat taken aback by the place. Although the old buildings and motel appeared to have been recently painted Ron was hesitant to pull in. It looked like there was no where to park, turn around or anything for that matter. It was do or die so we pulled in and at first thought we should just pull out. Although the buildings had a fresh coat of paint they were definitely in the troughs of dying and the people milling about looked the same!!!

We looked at each other and because all of the other CGs we passed in the area looked similar we got out to get a true feel for the place and not rely just on our first impression. We’ve stayed in worse places and did not have any problems.

As we walked around the MH we were greeted by a really friendly, albeit unkempt, man who was one of the proprietors of the property. He was quite scruffy and dirty but was wearing a security hat and was very congenially. He asked us if we would like to stay  - maybe more then one night  perhaps 2 days , a week or a month. After we  cordially declined he assured us he had several people staying for extended stays. He also told us he was 24 hour security and we could contact him at anytime in the security  MH he lived in on property.

Then, into the office came Tom, the man who would be escorting us to our site. He was also very friendly and quite entertaining. He escorted us to our site on a Vespa. Thank goodness, because the circuitous way he took us we would have never found it.

Once at the site, he began chatting with us and  was absolutely animated and had us laughing through his entire diatribe about his Cactus RV Park neighbor. The relationship is like the Hatfield's and McCoy's with a constant battle for RVers and the like. Tom told us that the owner of Cactus RV ran over one of Kiva’s customers because he was walking his dog on the other man’s property. They had to call the police and the owner of Cactus was arrested. Another time the Cactus owner shot at one of his own customers’ for taking a towel out of his hotel!!!!! HMMMMM!!!! I guess we made the right decision to stay at Kiva’s with the friendly guys! LOL However, since our site was clearly only about 100 feet from Cactus , we didn’t get a warm and fuzzy feeling being so close to Cactus.

Tom is the artistic one in the group and is trying to revive some of the Route 66 history so has the place done up in style.

                            

Tom, we assumed, is also painting a mural that is quite good.

 

Tom told us that they have their own radio station, (98.7 – one degree above normal as Tom stated) without commercials, and a web site that more then explains their relationship with the Cactus people. Some very interesting reading. Tom had just finished 6 months of chemo for throat cancer so felt he had nothing to lose and let loose on his web site about his Cactus neighbors!!!!!

LINKS:

www.kivarvpark.com

www.cactusrvpark.com

RT 66

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/U.S._Route_66

Again, we took our chances and got to meet some very nice, quirky people who are working at making an honest living in a very depressed area of the country.

In the evening the the park was lit up like a Christmas tree with flashing lights every where. We did see our 24-hour security person checking out the grounds on his tike bike,  so felt very safe!!!!

Tomorrow we will be heading for Amarillo, Texas. Ron has found a couple of things for us to do there, so looking forward to another  new adventure.