2019/06/30 - Sunday - Vacation - Day 10 - Library and Stocking Up

We got up late - today is a relaxing day.

We got moving almost lunch time.  First stop was The Joint - but a different one closer to our main attraction.  While I was getting worked on, the rest went into GNC to get a few items.

Next stop was lunch.  The first location had a long line, so we found another location - Parish Foods & Goods.

We spent about an hour and half at the Jimmy Carter Presidential Library & Museum.

We then took a drive and drove around the Stone Mountain Park.

One the way back home we made several stops. Whole food, then Wal-Mart, the Amazon Locker and then finally McDonald's

Back the RV of course we had to put all the items away and relax.

2019/06/29 - Saturday - Vacation - Day 09 - Exploration and Dinner Again

We got up late.  C.M. watch has not changed to ET and she thought it was strange that I would get up so early...

Our first stop was at The Joint, but the chiropractor on duty did not adjust me like the one during the week.  So I don't feel like he was much help.

We went to a different place for lunch this time, we first stopped at Jerusalem Bakery and Market but did not like the menu, so we headed over to Cracker Barrel but that line was long (a lot of people setting outside), so we headed over to Marlow's Tavern.  J.M, E.M, and Mom M went in, while C.M., A.M., and Mom D went next door to Kohl's to return a package and get something else before coming over for lunch...

Our next stop was at the Dr Martin Luther King Jr National Historic Site.  Amanda got her Jr Ranger program booklet and was able to complete it.

Now it was time for diner with our good friends, we stopped by the convention center and our friends joined us.  We headed over to Scalini's Italian Restaurant for good food and company!

We parted ways and headed back to camp to relax.  C.M. and I worked on the new mifi and the technology cupboard (just a little cleaning up)

2019/06/28 - Friday - Vacation - Day 08 - Exploration and Dinner

C.M. and I got up in time to do an activity on RoK. 

The first place we went was to The Joint to get my back tweaked again.  Then we headed over for lunch at J. Christopher's breakfast and lunch place.

We headed over to the Chattahoochee River National Recreational Area and A.M. got the Jr Ranger booklet.  They wanted a lot done in the book so she has not completed today.

We drove around and visited other areas of the river for a couple of hours.

We finally headed to the NSDC and got a few things and visited.  Finally our close friends L&F G made it and we visited for awhile.  We headed out for dinner.  We had a very good expensive dinner at Stone River Legendary Steaks.  Our friends headed back to dance while we headed to get some items from the Amazon locker and then back to the RV.

2019/06/27 - Thursday - Vacation - Day 07 - Battlefield and New Arrival

We got going very late compared to any other time.

We stopped at "The Joint Chiropractic" to see it can help me out with my pain.

Well now it is time for lunch.

We went and toured around at the Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park.  Amanda was able to complete the Jr Ranger booklet and got a nice packet of items.  We drove around some more and even found a 'dirt' road that had some major potholes.

Next stop was to go pick up Mom D and C.M., so we will now have 6 people touring around.  It is so cool that we have the complete family and both moms!

We stopped at the convention center to pick up our badges and get the lay of the facilities.  Of course we paid for A.M and E.M. registration.

With my back pain I don't think we will be doing much dancing... Not very happy about that but not much I can do but try to get better...

On the way to get dinner, we stopped at Bed, Bath and Beyond, then stopped at an auto parts place, but they did not have the fuse we needed.

We had dinner at one of the location where Triple D visited and it was good.

Next stop was to pickup the amazon package from an Amazon drop box location.  On the way back Mom D started to not feel good.

Back at the RV trying to get everything situated for a family of 6 and getting ready for tomorrow.

2019/06/26 - Wednesday - Vacation - Day 06 - We Made It Here

We got going a little late, but that is ok, we knew this was going to be a short day.

We stopped at the visitor center so A.M. could turn in her Jr Ranger booklet.


We stopped at a Love's Travel Stop and had lunch

We drove through some rain and seen some lighting. 

Gas as close to our destination at a Pilot.

We made it to the camp ground and setup camp at about 5:30.

We went to Verizon to replace our mifi that had the batteries expanded.  And stopped at Bed Bath to get a seat cushion for me to see it would help - so far it has not.  I am still hurt a lot!.

Back at the RV, A.M. made dinner and Mom M and I started laundry, I could not sit there any longer and went back to the RV and Mom M finished it.

2019/06/25 - Tuesday - Vacation - Day 05 - Oops - Natches Trace Parkway

So we did sleep in a little bit.  We did not leave until almost 10:00.  Waze had me head out a gate that was not open, so we had to drive around a block to head out towards the main gate.

I made a incorrect turn/exit, but before getting off and back on heading in the correct direction, we stopped at a truck parking area to have lunch.

Before crossing into Memphis we passed a MAJOR car fire (it was totally engulfed!), we could feel the heat as we passed by.

Before stopping for the day we stopped at a Pilot to get the necessary gas...

We stopped for the night early so we could do some exploring.  Once we setup camp we headed out to the Natchez Trace Parkway Visitor Center so A.M. can get her JR Ranger book.  We will have to go back tomorrow and turn it in so she can get her badge.  We did explored the area for the next three hours.

Back in town (Tupelo) we had dinner at Mugshots, very good food and service (even with trivia night happening)

I know this is a reoccurring issues, but I really hate having this back pain.  I am not able to go exploring/walking like I did in the past and this is very frustrating!

Back at the RV we relaxed and headed off to bed.

2019/06/24 - Monday - Vacation - Day 04 - Fort - No Availablity

We got going at about 9:00.

First stop was really quick.  Just down the street - gas stop at Flying J.  The pump was not being nice and I had to go into the store to get the pump started.

Next stop was at a Pilot.  After filling up I drove around to the truck parking area to eat lunch.

On our way to Fort Smith National Historic Site we went through some of the flood damaged area on the Oklahoma side of the river.

We did our exploring at the fort and A.M. got her 84th Junior Ranger badge.  I did far less walking then I wanted because of my back pain.  A.M. did go walking around a little more to get more pictures.

As we were leaving the fort area we came across a train/trolley museum.  The big steam locomotive had the front light on - it was a great way to get attention.

On our way to for our night stop and big rig went from the fast lane straight across my lane on to the exit ramp.  I thought I was going to have a new hood ornament.  And with the ABS light being on, I lock up my tires and when I looked in the mirrors I could see smoke.  I thought for sure somebody would hit me from behind.

Well about an hour latter I had somebody come down the on ramp and got very mad at me because did not see the towed van behind me until he almost hit it... (he served very hard to not hit the van).

We pulled in to the Little Rock KOA and they had no available spots for us for the one night.  They suggested another location so off we go.  As we were getting close to the next location there was a road closed sign.  I thought I was in big trouble.  but a gravel parking lot was just barely big enough so I could turn around.  A.M. made some more phone calls but we were striking out. 

Our next stop was a Pilot and determine what is our next option.

We noticed on the way to the Pilot there is an Air Force base near by.  So E.M. suggested that we do the Family Camp on base and off we go.

Once on base the signs and the instruction that E.M. got we were able to find the camp location.  We drove through camp and we got the very last spot.

With the van unloaded, we drove back into town to get dinner

Back at the RV we relaxed and tonight we will sleep in an hour longer because tomorrow is a much short drive.

2019/06/23 - Sunday - Vacation - Day 03 - Travel - Tire - Cross - Dinner

We got moving a little before 9 so a good start for the day.  I first stop was just down the street at a Pilot to get the necessary gas for the RV. 

As a  big rig passed one of the back passenger tire exploded - for a brief second I thought it was one of mine, but knock on wood, I was good and it was the big rigs tire.

Next stop was gas again and to get a quick bite to eat for lunch.  All morning my back is not treating me good, hurting is not fun!

Next stop was at "Cross of our Lord Jesus Christ Ministries" in Groom TX.  Amanda took some photos.  I was able to walk around for a little bit before the pain in my back was to great. 

As we were approaching our night stop, we kept checking the weather because the clouds look darker and darker.

We setup camp quickly and then we headed out to get a few things.  First stop was at a Petco to get a thunder shirt for Turquoise (which does help keep him calm when it rains (the noise in the RV is to much for him)). 

We tried out a new restaurant called Cheddar's Scratch Kitchen.  The price is good, the food is good. but if you have any allergies, make sure the manager knows.  I had to get a new stake because it had pepper spice in the rub. But they were falling all over themselves to make sure thing were good.  I will for sure go back to them.

After dinner, we stopped at Wal-Mart, Gas for the van, and CVS.

Back at the RV, put tape on the finder of the tow dolly so I don't loose the driver side tail light.

A busy late night.

2019/06/22 - Saturday - Vacation - Day 02 - Travel - Traffic

We got going at 9, but first thing was to stop and wait for the office to open at 9 and pay our bill.

A little before our next stop, the XM radio stopped working.

Next stop was at a Flying J's.  And they did not have the fuse that we need to fix the radio. I also had to tighten the battery connection, the instrument cluster was doing funky things...

We did stop just after the boarder to have lunch at the rest area.

Waze did route me around a major construction slowdown which shaved off about 15 minutes of delay time.

The generator is not staying running.

At our next stop for gas at Flying J's I added more oil to top it off generator, but that did not work.

We made it to Santa Rosa for the night a little after 7 (local time).  The camp site has only water and electric.  We unloaded the van and headed out for diner.  Driving my back does not hurt to badly but during dinner I have a really hard time sitting and not have my back hurt.

Back at the RV A,E,&J played our team game (RoC) and we won big time!

2019/06/21 - Friday - Vacation - Day 01 - First Day of Travel!

Getting things ready to leave, packing the last minute items into the RV.  And then trying to make sure all the vehicles will fit in the driveway (E.M. car, Graphite, Blue, and the Prius...)

We got moving a little after 9.  First stop was at Costco to get the Tow Dolly tires up to pressure.

Next stop was at Flying J's for the necessary fuel stop in Barstow.  And it is lunch time, so I went ahead and agreed to In-N-Out.  They have room for RV/Bus parking.   When we walked in there was a very long line for picking up and ordering.  Once we got ours we went out to the RV to eat it.

By back pain is not doing good.  Driving I am not having problems, but when we get out and walk around it hurts a lot.

Next stop was at Flying J's in Kingman.

After leaving I should have done what Waze suggestion - take route 66.  Because I didn't do it and got back onto the I-40, there was a very bad accident that delayed us almost 45 minutes.

We pulled off just after Williams at a KOA but they had no available spot, we got back on the road again.  Amanda made several more phone calls and found a place (Black Bart's RV Park) on the east side of Flagstaff.  We got in a little after 8:00 and finally found a campsite that would work.

Unload the van and then head out for dinner to Texas Roadhouse

The cats are doing ok somewhat.  Tiger and Amber are not happy with each other.  Amber will hiss then Tiger would hiss back.  At least Tiger and Pearl can walk by each other without a major ordeal. 

2019/06/20 - Thursday - Getting ready to go

Well, getting everything done did not happen. But what did get done I am very happy about.

Things we got done.
- Two new tires for the front.
- Oils changed (engine and tranny)
- Got CB working
- Replaced the trailer break controller
- Replaced the ABS sensor
- Put in an power cord so it can feed the power at the couch

Thanks to D.M. for getting several of these things done!

I did make a decision not bring the bikes, so removed the bike rack.

So we are not leaving today, we will leave in the morning.

2019/06/13 - Thursday - Brush off the Cobwebs

Well preparation are happening and we are excited for this year vacation.  Doing this post to brush off the cobwebs and making sure things are still working in the blogger world.

Getting the RV ready is not done yet.  Still need to put away all the laundry.