After a good night's sleep and a relaxing breakfast we left Ashtabula around 10:00 am. The sun was shining and it was good driving. We were surprised how much more the tolls are on I-90 when you are towing a fifth wheel - but it still beats trying to cross at Detroit/Windsor and the 401 Hwy.
Crossing the border was without delay - although I was asked for the truck registration. Guess when you have a newer vehicle they want to check if you bought it in Canada. They were also asking if we had mace, pepper spray, knives or guns - don't know what they were looking for.
We rolled into our driveway at 8pm. So this adventure is now complete. Stay tuned for the next installment. For now we will spend Easter with the family - who are arriving Saturday for an early turkey dinner.
Jane & Paul.
Friday, April 10, 2009
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
Ashtabula, Ohio
We left Nashville around eight this morning. Had a nice sunny dry day for driving, so we booted it 586 miles north through Kentucky, and Ohio. When we saw the reminants of snow south of Cleveland we decided to drain the hot water tank and pump antifreeze into the plumbing system. So do we think it is getting cold??????? Most of the campgrounds in this area are closed anyways.
We are spending the night in a comfort inn here in Ashtabula. From here Ottawa is a short drive, so we will be home Thursday evening.
Jane & Paul.
We are spending the night in a comfort inn here in Ashtabula. From here Ottawa is a short drive, so we will be home Thursday evening.
Jane & Paul.
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
Grand Ole Opry
Despite the predictions, the snow missed Nashville and the sun came out although it stayed cold – it barely hit 50 degrees. We started the morning at Camping World where Paul picked up some trailer toys. Camping world is strategically placed next to the Grand Old Opry – so how could we not stop.
We then moved on to the Opry Mills – at the Apple Barn where we tried their fried apple pie, apple fritters and apple donuts which sure beat out Tim Horton’s. We then toured the Grand Ole Opry museum; it was fascinating to learn the history of the Opry and see the memorabilia of the members of the Opry.
Our next stop was the Gaylord Opryland Hotel. It was fun to tour since it is the sister hotel to the Gaylord Palms Hotel in Orlando where Paul attended a conference in July 2002 and where we celebrated our 30th anniversary. Since Bell wasn’t covering the bill for the hotel this time, we returned to the Nashville Country RV park to spend the night in the Kralik-mobile.
We ate supper at the Loveless Café (formerly the Loveless Café and Motel) in West Nashville. This down home southern café serving chicken, biscuits, fried okra, fried catfish and pulled pork is written up as one of the 1000 places to see before you die. As we rolled out of the restaurant, we realized that too many more of these cholesterol-laden meals will mean we won’t get to see the rest of the 999 places listed in the book. Oh well, we will both be back on the Weight Watchers Wagon before long.
Jane & Paul
See pics at http://picasaweb.google.com/pjkralik/Opry
We then moved on to the Opry Mills – at the Apple Barn where we tried their fried apple pie, apple fritters and apple donuts which sure beat out Tim Horton’s. We then toured the Grand Ole Opry museum; it was fascinating to learn the history of the Opry and see the memorabilia of the members of the Opry.
Our next stop was the Gaylord Opryland Hotel. It was fun to tour since it is the sister hotel to the Gaylord Palms Hotel in Orlando where Paul attended a conference in July 2002 and where we celebrated our 30th anniversary. Since Bell wasn’t covering the bill for the hotel this time, we returned to the Nashville Country RV park to spend the night in the Kralik-mobile.
We ate supper at the Loveless Café (formerly the Loveless Café and Motel) in West Nashville. This down home southern café serving chicken, biscuits, fried okra, fried catfish and pulled pork is written up as one of the 1000 places to see before you die. As we rolled out of the restaurant, we realized that too many more of these cholesterol-laden meals will mean we won’t get to see the rest of the 999 places listed in the book. Oh well, we will both be back on the Weight Watchers Wagon before long.
Jane & Paul
See pics at http://picasaweb.google.com/pjkralik/Opry
Monday, April 6, 2009
Nashville, TN
This morning before we left Tupelo, we went to Elvis Presley Drive and toured the house where Elvis was born. The gift shop is loaded with Elvis memorabilia (or junk) including an Elvis lawn chair.
We completed all 444 miles of the Natchez Trace - a really interesting and peaceful drive - except for the numerous wild turkeys that kept crossing the road in front of the truck. Almost had one for the freezer. As we got further north on the trace, Jane found it harder to take pictures with the windshield wipers going full blast.
Our next stop for the night is the Nashville Country RV Park - can understand the country part of the name - this place is north of the city and in the country....LOL If you are not a Passport Aamerica member, then find a place closer to the grand ole opry. If you are a PA member and decide to stay, don't plan to wash your rig. There is a $10 charge and you will need a permit before you can start washing. Fortunately the rain washed our rig for us.
We managed to set up in the rain, then we quickly changed and headed over to the Texas Troubadour Theatre - for a tribute to the King. Yes this is definitely Elvis country. The show was super and well worth the drive.
Since the rain is going to turn to snow tonight - we are not leaving tomorrow. We will explore the Grand ole opry tomorrow and do some touring - we'll see if I need the 4x4 tomorrow! Our plan is to leave early Wednesday since sun is forecasted.
Jane & Paul.
See our pictures - http://picasaweb.google.com/pjkralik/Nashville
We completed all 444 miles of the Natchez Trace - a really interesting and peaceful drive - except for the numerous wild turkeys that kept crossing the road in front of the truck. Almost had one for the freezer. As we got further north on the trace, Jane found it harder to take pictures with the windshield wipers going full blast.
Our next stop for the night is the Nashville Country RV Park - can understand the country part of the name - this place is north of the city and in the country....LOL If you are not a Passport Aamerica member, then find a place closer to the grand ole opry. If you are a PA member and decide to stay, don't plan to wash your rig. There is a $10 charge and you will need a permit before you can start washing. Fortunately the rain washed our rig for us.
We managed to set up in the rain, then we quickly changed and headed over to the Texas Troubadour Theatre - for a tribute to the King. Yes this is definitely Elvis country. The show was super and well worth the drive.
Since the rain is going to turn to snow tonight - we are not leaving tomorrow. We will explore the Grand ole opry tomorrow and do some touring - we'll see if I need the 4x4 tomorrow! Our plan is to leave early Wednesday since sun is forecasted.
Jane & Paul.
See our pictures - http://picasaweb.google.com/pjkralik/Nashville
Sunday, April 5, 2009
Tupelo, Mississippi - 8:30 pm
There is not a lot to see in Marksville, LA except the casino so we enjoyed our last of sun and even tried the unheated pool. We found several Catholic churches and attended the one which has a priest who has sideburns like Elvis Presley. This morning we said goodbye to our friends who are all staying a few more days in Marksville, LA and headed north on the Natchez Trace. It was a lovely drive in the sunshine with the trees and lilacs in bloom. We saw several deer and even tried to catch supper – the wild turkeys which ran across the road. We didn’t take time to stop at all the historical markers because we wanted to get to Tupelo, Mississippi – birthplace of Elvis Presley before dark. We are camped for the night at the Campground at Barnes Crossing – a nice private campground with full hookups, wifi that works well and cable TV.
We have been watching the weather and are not sure how far we want to drive tomorrow because they are forecasting snow in Tennessee and points north and east. There were also tornado warnings in Tennessee so our choices are somewhat limited. We may decide to tour Nashville and wait until the snow moves farther east.
See our pictures - http://picasaweb.google.com/pjkralik/Natchez
We have been watching the weather and are not sure how far we want to drive tomorrow because they are forecasting snow in Tennessee and points north and east. There were also tornado warnings in Tennessee so our choices are somewhat limited. We may decide to tour Nashville and wait until the snow moves farther east.
See our pictures - http://picasaweb.google.com/pjkralik/Natchez
Saturday, April 4, 2009
Marksville, Lousinana
Left Pioneer Village on Friday morning at 7:00 am. After 500+ miles of driving we arrived at Marksville around 5:30pm. Marksville is located in the northern portion of LA - about 27 miles off the Interstate highway. We really started to wonder if this place really existed - but when we arrived - what a beautiful campground. Pics will follow later.
When we drove into the row for our campsite, we ran into John & Lori (Titanium friends) we had met at Disney in November. They were sitting having a glass of wine, so we unhooked the RV and joined them. Then we went into the adjoining Casino for the Seafood Buffet. What a feast of King Crab legs, shrimp, gumbo, etc (no buckets of crawfish). What a way to end a hard day on the road.
We'll see what adventures await today as we explore the surroundings.
Paul & Jane
See our pictures: http://picasaweb.google.com/pjkralik/Marksville
When we drove into the row for our campsite, we ran into John & Lori (Titanium friends) we had met at Disney in November. They were sitting having a glass of wine, so we unhooked the RV and joined them. Then we went into the adjoining Casino for the Seafood Buffet. What a feast of King Crab legs, shrimp, gumbo, etc (no buckets of crawfish). What a way to end a hard day on the road.
We'll see what adventures await today as we explore the surroundings.
Paul & Jane
See our pictures: http://picasaweb.google.com/pjkralik/Marksville
Thursday, April 2, 2009
Thursday April 2nd - 9:00pm
Just an update on our progress.
We have spent the last two days on Mustang Island (Near Corpus Christi) , The RV park is right on the beach, so today was a perfect sun day, but really windy - with gusts up to 45 mph. We were surprised to see 5 RV's from Quebec and Ontario parked on the beach - it will take them until June to get all the sand out of their rigs. We enjoyed meeting our friends Greg, Linda, Jeannine & Leo from Fun N Sun here and had a few good laughs.
Tomorrow morning (Friday) we are leaving early and heading up to Marksville Lousianna - about ten hours drive from here. It will be a long day of driving, but we will then spend two nights at the Paragon Casino RV park to recooup.
On Sunday we are planning to start heading north via the Natchez trail. Not sure if we get wifi at Marksville, so you might not get any progress emails for a few days. Once we leave Marksville we are 3 to 4 days from home.
So Wednesday looks like a probable arrival time. Will keep you posted as we move up north.
Paul.
See our pictures: http://picasaweb.google.com/pjkralik/Mustang
We have spent the last two days on Mustang Island (Near Corpus Christi) , The RV park is right on the beach, so today was a perfect sun day, but really windy - with gusts up to 45 mph. We were surprised to see 5 RV's from Quebec and Ontario parked on the beach - it will take them until June to get all the sand out of their rigs. We enjoyed meeting our friends Greg, Linda, Jeannine & Leo from Fun N Sun here and had a few good laughs.
Tomorrow morning (Friday) we are leaving early and heading up to Marksville Lousianna - about ten hours drive from here. It will be a long day of driving, but we will then spend two nights at the Paragon Casino RV park to recooup.
On Sunday we are planning to start heading north via the Natchez trail. Not sure if we get wifi at Marksville, so you might not get any progress emails for a few days. Once we leave Marksville we are 3 to 4 days from home.
So Wednesday looks like a probable arrival time. Will keep you posted as we move up north.
Paul.
See our pictures: http://picasaweb.google.com/pjkralik/Mustang
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)