RV Roadtrip - Fall Version

It had been almost two months since we returned home in August from our first big RV trip. The road was beckoning us to seek out some pretty fall foliage, find a college football game, and frolic with some friends. Our 11-day, early-October trip fulfilled the mission.

It felt good to be on the road again and I was inspired to post some observations about our latest adventure.

First stop, near Hattiesburg, Mississippi

I found myself not snapping as many photos this time. It was as if the newness of RV travel had worn off and I could just relax and enjoy the journey.

The autumn season meant it got dark earlier than on our summer trip, necessitating dinner inside the RV. That was not as much fun as eating outside but it's nice to be able to see your food. Plus it's a little easier than lugging everything outside and then back in again.

This time we used a special GPS navigator for RVs. It interfaces with a Good Sam app that contains our route and campground stops. Last time we used up a lot of data running map apps on our phones. We still have our road atlas but you can't zoom in on a paper map. Also, Chris seems to like verbal driving instructions -- so long as they're not from me! The GPS announces when we cross a state line, upcoming curves, and gives a warning when our speed exceeds 9 mph over the speed limit. (Heard that one a few times!)

We usually were on the road for about five hours a day. I would pack a lunch in the morning so we could have a quick picnic break at rest stops. It took me back to all the school lunches I made for the kids over the years, and now here I am back to making lunches, but for me and Chris this time.

We chuckled at how our 11-year-old golden retriever, Ginger, could barely make it up the steps to enter the RV but she had no problem jumping up on the couch or driver's seat where she is not allowed. 

When we needed to shop for some supplies, Walmart was the obvious choice with its huge parking lot that welcomes RVs. We parked far away from the store where there was plenty of room and near some other very nice looking RVs. Also parked nearby was a well-worn car which appeared to have a woman living in it. Boy did that make me feel guilty. Living in an RV is a much different situation than having to live in your car.

We traversed through nine states over eleven days:

• Texas
• Louisiana
• Mississippi
• Alabama
• Tennessee
• Kentucky
• Illinois
• Missouri
• Arkansas

Here are some highlights of each stop:

Hattiesburg, Mississippi - Okatoma Resort & RV Park - We enjoyed catching up with Chris's college roommate and his wife, Julian and Melissa, who joined us for dinner at our campsite. We were right on a lake but dogs were not allowed to swim in it due to lots of fish hooks in it. Sorry Jack and Ginger!

Decatur, Alabama - Point Mallard Campground - This place had lots of permanent residents with cool Halloween decorations displayed. We took the dogs on a nice hiking trail by a nearby golf course; they slept well that night.

Nashville, Tennessee - Two Rivers Campground - We were right up the road from Opryland where the Grand Ole Opry is now located. There were lots of hotels in the area and three RV parks: tourist city! A free shuttle bus runs from the RV park to Opryland. I'd love to come back sometime and go to a concert. We rented a car and had dinner with Lexi at The Whiskey Kitchen near Vanderbilt. So wonderful to visit with her.

Nashville

Frankfort, Kentucky - Elkhorn Campground - We got to host Lexi and Max as our guests in our RV for two nights here. We all went to the Vanderbilt football game against University of Kentucky in Lexington. Afterwards we had pizza delivered to the RV park but I had to meet the delivery guy at the entrance. He couldn't find a place on his computer screen to enter our site number. This campground was quite child-friendly with a mini-golf course and a Halloween party. We opted to build a campfire that night. Leave it to Lexi and Max to find an electrical outlet in the RV that we didn't know about. Gotta charge those phones you know!

Nashville, Tennessee - We returned to the same campground for one night. This time there was live music in the evening; of course, it's Nashville! Our next-door neighbors had Texas license plates. Turns out they were from San Antonio, with a kid living in the Houston Heights. Small world.

Cape Girardeau, Missouri - The Landing Point RV Park - We took the dogs down to the creek right behind our site, they loved it. Jack cutely dunked his face in the water, trying to catch minnows or maybe crawfish? 

 We could hear church bells tolling and playing songs -- very pleasant. Chris got a good nap in but suffered with a crick in his neck the next day.

Naptime

Camdenton, Missouri - Here we stayed with our friends Kenton and Jackie at their awesome lake cabin. We were able to park Thor in front of the house where he just fit perfectly.

The guys had a blast jet-skiing on smooth as glass water. We boated over to a restaurant for dinner one night. We visited Ha Ha Tonkin State Park on a beautiful fall day and saw springs and ruins of a castle. The weather turned cold our last night there so Kenton got to build a roaring fire in the fireplace. It was a fitting end to their enjoyable summer at the cabin. What a great time we had visiting with these guys.

Hot Springs, Arkansas - Catherine's Landing - One more stop on our way home. Paid a little more for a waterfront site which was very nice. It really felt like winter was on its way with temps in the 40s and 50s. The nice thing about the cooler weather was no bugs splattered on our giant windshield!

Near Hot Springs, Arkansas

We made it back home to hot humid Houston where fall seems to have disappeared. It was nice while it lasted.