Nashville, The Grand Old Opry, and then Goodbye

We decided to hit the road early yesterday as we continued our trip east across Tennessee. The main reason for the early start was to minimize any chance we would have to drive in any thunderstorms that might be lingering on. Nevertheless - a 6 AM start was pretty early!

Before I continue - here are a couple pictures we managed to get of the Mississippi River barge traffic we took in between thunderstorms over the previous few days.

Our drive to Nashville was uneventful. We had a lot of commuter traffic around Memphis - but other than that first hour - not a bad driving day. 

Since we left so early - we arrived here in Nashville before noon. We certainly could have kept going for the next hundred miles to Crossville. But Nashville has the Grand Old Opry.

Peggy and I have been through Nashville several times over the past 10 years and have been to the Opry a few times before ... and always had a good time. The setting is nice, the price is high but not too bad for what you get - and the entertainment value is outstanding. I was able to purchase our tickets as I checked in to the RV park yesterday for the evening performance. The only tickets available were in the balcony but we went with them anyway - afterall how many opportunities do we get?

Last night's performers included Martina McBride, Craig Morgan, Phil Vassar, Bill Anderson, Pam Tillis and a great Blue Grass Band - Dailey and Vincent. I think I have to agree with my sister Marcie who has been here in the past and sat in the balcony - the sound is a bit "muffled" up there -- but we had a fun time anyway! They certainly had some talented performers!! It is pretty hard to get a decent picture from way up there in the balcony ... but this picture of Martina is for my BIL Don.

The last time we were at the Opry was just before the big flood. No - not the one involving Noah ... but the one where the Cumberland River rose and flooded this whole area of Nashville - including the Grand Old Opry. It's hard to believe this building was flooded to a level of 4 feet over the stage. They did a great job recovering from what must have been a real mess!

My spoiled wife figures that dinner out last night and a fantastic live music show wasn't enough - she wants a Cracker Barrel breakfast too!

So I better get ready to go.

And then it's off to Crossville - See ya soon D&J!

For bonus points to my readers --- What famous country song is sorta like today's blog title -- and who made it famous?

Watching The Weather - Again

As you know, we hunkered down in West Memphis yesterday to let the thunderstorms pass over and around us. Our strategy was mostly successful as we missed the afternoon deadly tornados that broke out to our west and moved north. We did get a lot of rain and wind throughout the afternoon and evening - and we spent waay too much time watching the Weather Channel. Things were serious enough that we prepared a couple of "go bags" with the essentials we figured we needed to take if/when we figured it was time to "run."

So ... just what do you do if you are living in a RV when you find out that your area is now under a tornado warning and told to "seek shelter immediately." If you are staying in a commercial RV Park I think the "normal" answer would be to go to the Bath House or other "substantial" structure until the threat passes. But what if you are staying in a place without such a structure nearby (Here at Tom Sawyer there is a very small two story structure with bathrooms in the lower level that might suffice - but I know that all the residents in this Park couldn't fit in there!)? My plan was to get in the Vue and run. But then the question is "run where?" Based on my experience with this storm I doubt I would be given enough warning to be able to run far enough fast enough ... but I'd sure give it a try!

We were under a tornado watch all through the night and slept with our Weather Alert Radio near the bedside. It did alarm around 2 AM - just to tell us that the tornado watch had been extended from 4 AM to 8 AM -- but that was it until just after 6 AM.

We were suddenly awoken at 6 AM when the rain starting falling in buckets and the wind starting rocking Winne! Shortly thereafter the radio alarmed to tell us that our area was under a "Severe Thunderstorm Warning" ... Thanks ... I kinda knew that!

Fortunately that line of storms moved through rather quickly and things quieted down about an hour later.

So here we sit ... one more day ... watching the weather.

Do We Stay ... Or Do We Go?

We arrived in West Memphis, AR yesterday around 2 PM and promptly got set up here at Tom Sawyer's RV Park on the banks of the Mississippi River. It was a very nice sunny day with a high in the low 80s.

Unfortunately the forecast for this area - and most of the south - was for rain and thunderstorms for Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday. So now the question comes up. Do we try and outrun the storm front by continuing east? ... or do we hunker down and let the storm(s) pass over us? We had sorta already planned a "Zero miles" day today ... but should we change that and continue on east? If we continue on to our next stop in Nashville the line of storms will catch us eventually!

So do we go or do we stay? If you travel the highways and byways of America long enough you will be faced with this dilemma sooner or later and probably more than once. We decided to stay.

The rain started a couple of hours ago around 10 AM and the thunder and lightning have been steadily increasing. It looks like we have another hour or so of nasty weather before this lets up for awhile. 

What do RVers do when nasty weather hits? Same as everybody else I suppose ... stay inside, watch it all happen, and hope the really bad stuff goes somewhere else! We just get to hear the rain and thunder a little louder than most.

It looks like this weather pattern will be with us for awhile so when we leave depends on when the weather leaves. Could be tomorrow but I sorta doubt it. Perhaps Tuesday. Maybe Wednesday? It's a good thing we are really in no hurry to get to our next stops along the way home. Nevertheless - I do dislike having my plans put on hold by mother nature. I don't plan on doing anything foolish ... but it doesn't mean I have to like it!

So with not much else to do today - I thought I would provide you all some of Mikee's useless travel statistics.

Miles Traveled To Date (2014):   6,385 Miles

I figure we have about 1,800 miles to go before we reach home so the final tally ought to be around 8,200 miles ... right around our record for one trip!

Different Sleeping Spots (2014): 25
Sleeping Spots we haven't seen before: 14

It's always interesting to visit new places!

Average Fuel Price (2014): $3.35

The average heading west was about $3.25 so you can see that the fuel prices have definitely gone up since we left Maine!

Different States Visited (2014): 21

I figure we will visit another 3 different states before we get home (Kentucky, Indiana, Ohio).

...............................................................................................
OK ... so what do I do now to keep me occupied?

Texas Wildflowers

After a couple of days of driving through the beautiful countryside of eastern Texas we find ourselves this evening in Arkadelphia, Arkansas.

I wonder why Arkansas has cities/towns with weird names like "Arkadelphia" and "Texarkana." Do you suppose some people were really confused back in the day when they were naming places?!

Anyway ... we have been treated to some really great views of all the Texas wildflowers in bloom these last few days. The bluebonnets are out in force as are the Texas paintbrush and whatever those pink, purple, and white ones are. It was kinda hard to take pictures of all the great flower displays as we drove down the road - and pictures don't do justice to the splendor anyway -- but we did snap a few at a roadside picnic area.

Like I said -- the pictures just don't do justice to the pretty countryside.

We haven't driven three days in a row on our return trip yet - but tomorrow we will. We plan on heading to the Mississippi River tomorrow and staying at Tom Sawyer's RV Park in West Memphis. The only thing "special" about Tom Sawyer's is that it is right on the banks of the river and we can watch and listen to the barge traffic all day and night.

Then I think it will be time once again for a "Zero" day.

Tourist Day - San Antonio

As advertised - we left Kerrville, TX on Monday and made the 60 mile drive southeast to San Antonio and then a bit northeast along I-35 to here in New Braunfels, TX. We chose New Braunfels to be a bit closer to San Antonio and since it was sorta on-the-way towards where we are heading. We chose the Hill Country Cottage and RV Resort for our stay because it accepts our Passport America Club membership so we can stay here for 1/2 price! We got a nice spot here at Hill Country to enjoy the 90 degree weather.

We pretty much just enjoyed the rest of the day after arriving here on Monday and enjoyed it so much that we chose to accomplish a "Zero" day on Tuesday. Peggy was looking forward to a day she could lounge in her Jammies all morning ... and I kinda liked the idea myself -- so we pretty much just goofed off all day. We did get out for a short while to go visit Coopers Old Time Pit Bar-B-Que for linner. Now I know what your thinking - What? Mikee went out to yet another BBBQ joint? Well Yes I Did! But it wasn't my fault. Back a few year ago when we visited this area - and more specifically when we visited Bill's BBQ up in Kerrville ... one of my RV buddies - Jim Meacham - mentioned that they had recently visited Coopers and thought it was the "best!" Well now ... I couldn't let that just lie there without checking it out for myself - now could I?

Cooper's motto is "It's all about the meat" and you can smell their commitment to that motto as soon as you enter the place! Both Peggy and I opted for the Baby Back Rib Special that included about a 1/4 pound of ribs, choice of potato salad or cole slaw, a drink and also included all the beans, pickles, onions, and jalapenos you could eat! As for which place is "best" - Bill's or Cooper's? I gotta tell you that the ribs were outstanding - but I must reserve judgement until I sample more of their meats. Another visit to the area will be required!

Today was tourist day. But before I can go into detail about our day I need to provide some perspective. Apparently the week after Easter is "Fiesta" week in San Antonio - complete with parades, street vendors, bands - and lots of people!!!

So we started our day by driving downtown amongst all the Fiesta traffic and parked in our usual spot at the Rivercenter shopping mall parking garage. After a short walk, viewing all the preparations (closed off streets, viewing stands, police barricades) being made for Friday's big Battle of Flowers Parade, we found our way to the Alamo and boarded the trolley for a short drive through town to San Antonio's HemisFair Park. 

Back in 1968 San Antonio hosted a World's Fair and some of the infrastructure from that time remains here at the HemisFair Park ... including the Tower of the America's.

The Tower is a 600 something foot tower with a rotating restaurant and observation deck at top - topped by a 150 or so foot communication tower on top of that. 

So ... we made our way over to the tower, enjoyed a 4D ride/movie detailing all the stuff available in Texas - and then rode the elevator up to the observation deck. You certainly do get a gorgeous view of the city from that vantage point - and the wind at that altitude kept the 90 degree temps quite comfortable!

After completing the elevator ride back down - and a sorta long walk over to the 'Riverwalk" - we were ready for a leisurely ride on one of the tour boats along the several mile route on the San Antonio River. We have visited the Riverwalk area several times and it remains one of our favorite spots to take a walk - take a boat ride - and have lunch ... so we did all of that.

The boat ride was fun

The walk was long enough

and the Margarita, Chips, and Salsa were wonderful as always at the "Original" restaurant on the Riverwalk.

After a long day of playing tourist -- we made our way back to the Rivercenter - found the car - and survived the traffic all the way back to New Braunfels! Whew - I'm tired!

Enough of that touristy stuff - it's time to hit the road again tomorrow and continue our trip. Our next significant stop on the way is planned to be Crossville, TN. We are looking forward to seeing our friends Darrell and Judy in their new home in TN - but I'm sure there will be a few side trips along they way.

See ya next time San Antonio! 

Hill Country

Happy Easter. Wherever you might be and however you are celebrating I hope you all are having a great day!

Peggy and I made the drive from Fort Stockton in west Texas along I-10 to here in Kerrville, TX yesterday. Once again - the drive was dead into the wind. Except for dealing with the wind, the drive was uneventful and we arrived here around 3 PM Central Time and got parked right next to the Guadalupe River here at "By The River RV Park."

Kerrville is a decent size town about 60 miles northwest from San Antonio, TX and is home to my favorite BBQ joint of all time -- Bill's BBQ. It just so happens that Bill's is right up the road from "By The River" so guess where we went to dinner! You know how sometimes when you really like a place and then you go back several years later and it's just not the same? Well that's just not so for Bill's! Peggy went for the Brisket and Chicken while Mikee had the Turkey and Ribs.

That meat is sooo good and flavorful! In fact it was so good we had to buy a pound of their pulled pork on our way out to have for lunches over the next couple of days. 

By The River is also just down the street from CityWest Church so we had only a short drive to attend Easter service this morning. After church we came home, had some of that pulled pork, had a fun Skype session with Stacy, Taylor and Kaj - and then worked on a few mundane chores while watching it rain/drizzle. That's right folks ... it actually rained here in the hill country! I really noticed the change in scenery and weather as we drove from Fort Stockton to here yesterday. Fort Stockton is still in what I would call high desert with few trees, little grass, and mostly scrub brush for vegetation. But Kerrville is definitely "hill country" with rolling hills, grassy grazing land with plenty of decent size trees.

And guess what else ... "Humidity!" That wind from the gulf is bringing plenty of moisture with it and it feels really strange after being in that dry desert air for the past 5 or so weeks!

We are leaving Kerrville tomorrow but we are not traveling far. We are going to New Braunfels (just northeast of San Antonio) - about 90 miles away for a few more days before leaving the "hill country."

The weather looks to be warming back into the high 80s to 90 over the next several days. I wonder if I'll by longing for those dry days in the desert soon?

I reckon we will just have to wait and see.

The Great State of Texas

Another couple of days have gone by and these Maineiacs have continued along our return path.

Yesterday we drove about 90 miles from Deming NM, through Las Cruces, NM and on to Anthony, NM -- just across the Texas border from El Paso, TX. We stopped here near El Paso mainly to visit some family friends (Mikees family) Reed and Sandy Kimzy who live here. We met Sandy and Reed for an afternoon dinner at a small little restaurant named Chope's in the small town of La Mesa, NM. Chope's has been around for years and years - and Sandy and Reed have been weekly regulars for some 25 years. The food was certainly authentic and very inexpensive. If you ever happen through here and enjoy outstanding and authentic Mexican Food - you gotta find your way to Chope's!

We continued on into West Texas today driving along I-10 for about 250 miles to Fort Stockton where we are taking a break for the evening before continuing on tomorrow. Tomorrow I plan on stopping in Kerrville, TX - about 60 miles northwest of San Antonio. where will spend a couple of days. Reason #1 - to sample some more BBQ at Bill's ... and Reason #2 - to sit still for Easter Day.

I mentioned in a previous post that we visited the Los Luna Mimbres Museum in Deming the other day. I did take a few pictures inside ... of some quilts that I thought my sisters might enjoy .. so here you go ...

and then there was our stop at the Rest Area just west of Las Cruces the other day. As you can see if you blow up the picture below ... I failed to keep track of my "children" and Miss Peggy wandered out into the desert. Fortunately she found her way back and we continued on our way.

See ya next time from somewhere else in Texas.

More Potpourri

First .. an update on the location of the Maineiacs In Motion. We left Tucson around 9:30 or so yesterday morning and spent the morning and a bit of the afternoon traveling east on I-10 through southern Arizona and New Mexico. It seemed we drove uphill and into the wind all day as we climbed from about 2,000 feet to about 4,500 feet here in Deming, New Mexico. And what's with the wind coming from the east? I'm supposed to get a tailwind when going back home! I need to get some days in the 8 mpg range to cancel out those 6 mpg days!

We have now traveled over 5,000 miles on this trip and Winne continues to perform well. Of course bad things can happen at any time ... but so far ... so good. 

New Tow Bar

The new Blue Ox Aladdin Tow Bar is working just like it's supposed to. Besides the fact that I just feel better having the new one - I have noticed that when being towed - the Vue wanders side to side a lot less than it was before installing the new one. That has to be better for tire wear on the Vue I suspect.

Gasoline Prices

It seems that whenever I'm filling Winne up with gas someone says to me - something like -- "Wow - that thing must suck a lot of gas." Well ... it does! When making a coast-to-coast trip like this one in a motorhome - the price of fuel can have a significant effect on the overall cost of the trip. The distance traveled varies a bit depending on the route one takes but averages out to around 7,000 miles. Since Winne averages around 7 mpg for a trip like this that means I need to budget for about 1,000 gallons. Since 2005 we have made this trip almost annually and the average price of fuel has varied all over the place -- from about $2.50 a gallon to a worst case average of about $3.80 a gallon. That variance can change the cost of fuel for the trip from $2,500 to $3,800 or a difference of about $1,300. The last several years the average price has stayed relatively constant at about $3.50 per gallon. I look at it on a cost per mile basis and as long I can keep it below $0.50 per mile - I'm satisfied. Not happy - just satisfied. This is one of those cases where "It is what it is!"

Finding Fun and Interesting Stuff

The more we travel this country the more I become convinced that you can find fun and interesting stuff just about anywhere. When I first traveled through through southern New Mexico and stopped here in Deming I was surprised to find that Columbus, NM - the site of the infamous Pancho Villa raid into the United States in the early 1900s - was only about 30 miles away. We had a really fun visit to Pancho Villa State Park on that trip and learned a lot.

Today we decided to visit the local "Deming Luna Mimbres Museum." The museum is huge, varied, and free (they do accept donations). From the title of the museum you would think it was full of ancient American Indian stuff ... and it is. But there is waay more. Antiques of all kinds, a huge gem collection, whiskey bottle collection, quilts, fire trucks, cameras, and more and more and more. The folks of Deming and their local historical society have done a great job in preserving their local history. I highly recommend a visit. But plan on spending some time -- it will take you awhile to see it all! 

The Internet and Being an RVer

Back when we made our first coast-to-coast trip in 2005 I was sorta still doing some "consulting" work and needed to check my email periodically to keep up. In those days both Peggy and I had a cell phone - but neither phone could connect to the internet so we relied on the Wireless or DSL connections I could sometimes get in the RV Parks where we would stay. In those days I would say that about half of the parks where we stayed had some sort of internet connection available and the connection was marginally good at about half of those. 

Over the years since then a lot has changed. Nowadays most all RV Parks have WIFI available and it works better than it used to -- although RV Park WIFI remains an on again - off again situation.  

About 4 or so years ago we started relying on a cell phone based modem to access the internet. This was more reliable than hoping that the campground would have a connection- and was pretty darn impressive when 3G speeds became the norm across the country - even if I had to use an extra amplifier and an external antenna in some locations. 

These last few cross country trips we have made we have pretty much relied solely on our cell phones for internet access. Our relatively new Samsung smart phones have a "hotspot" feature that allows our other "gadgets" (ipad, android tablet, laptops) to access the internet through our phones - and our phones generally have been able to access the internet at 4G speeds. We have found a few dead spots along the way ... but not many!

So .... while we all have times when technology provides great frustration ... having access to the internet .... pretty much 24/7 ... almost anywhere in the country ... has really improved our ability to enjoy RVing.

• Receive and pay our bills - no problem
• Keep up with the kids and grandkids - easy peasey ... including video calls!
• Maintain a social connection to our "back home" and RV friends - simple as Facebook, Twitter, or whatever ...

All this -- and we barely know how to operate all this stuff!

Tucson

Yesterday we followed the plan and made the 250ish mile drive from Yuma to Tucson. The trip was relatively uneventful - well except for that slight delay back in Yuma when I had to explain to the motorcycle cop why I decided to ignore a yellowish/red light ... and then there was the slight delay a few miles outside Yuma while the Border Patrol profiled each east bound vehicle checking for illegal immigrants and drugs. Once they saw Winne's Maine plates they waved us through. Must be no criminals from Maine (except for those running red lights).

We arrived here at Justin's Diamond J RV Park around 3 PM and found us a nice spot to relax for a couple of days. Justin's is about 10 miles west of the city of Tucson and is out in the Sonoran Desert. It's not just near the desert - it's "in" the desert. As you can see 

all you need to do is leave your site and take a few steps and you are among the cacti. We are seeing a lot of flowering cacti this trip ... 

Flowering Saguaro, 

Flowing Pickly Pear,

Flowering Ocotillo,

Flowering Cholla

Peggy and I have been coming to Tucson since around the year 2000. Back before we were RVing - and I was still working - I came to a work related conference here for several years in a row in late February/Early March. It was a great way to get away from Maine in the winter, party with some work friends, play a lot of golf on some gorgeous courses -- and even attend the conference a few times. Of course the golf was work related at all times! 

Since we have been here several times - we kinda know where things are and we definitely have our favorite places to visit ... and our favorite places to eat. After attending church this morning we drove into Tucson to do a little shopping and then had a late lunch/early dinner at our favorite Mexican Restaurant - El Chorro Cafe. There are 3 El Chorro's in Tucson these days but we went to the original location downtown. I am a big Mexican food fan and El Chorro Cafe is one of my favorites. Peggy opted for the shrimp enchiladas while I went for the Poblano Pepper stuffed with cheese and carnitas and then fried Rellano style. Yum-Yum.

We plan on spending another day here in Tucson tomorrow. We need to accomplish some grocery shopping and a few other chores ... and then we plan on having dinner at my all time favorite Tucson Eatery ... Daisy Mae's Steakhouse. Get the ribs or go for the fillet cooked over an outdoor mesquite wood fire --- absolutely wonderful!

I know what you're thinking ... Mikee plans his trips from Restaurant to Restaurant!

I'd like to say you're wrong ... but that would be sorta a lie!

3:10 To Yuma

Up until 1848 all of present day California, Nevada, Utah, and Arizona - and parts of Wyoming, Colorado, and New Mexico belonged to the sovereign nation of Mexico. That fact didn't sit well with the Manifest Destiny thinking of the leaders of America and (among other things) led to the Mexican-American war in 1846. After we invaded Mexico with our army - it was up to the politicians to decide how Mexico was going to "give" all that land to us. No need to go into all the details - but basically we forgave some debts and Mexico gave us pretty much all of the southwestern United States.

But we weren't done yet. It seems we wanted an easy route to build a southern railroad to the west coast and apparently the mountains of northern New Mexico and Arizona were just too tough for the railroad barons to deal with - so we sorta re-negotiated the deal and "purchased" what is now southern Arizona and New Mexico from the Mexicans in a deal known as the Gadsden Purchase in 1853.

This history lesson brings me to today's location for the Maineiacs In Motion - Yuma, Arizona. Yesterday morning I was programming our GPS for our trip to Casa Grande, AZ when I changed my mind ... and we headed south some more -- here to Yuma. 

So there we were back in 1853 with a brand new Territory recently "acquired" from Mexico. Now what do we do with it? It's not a state yet (and wouldn't be for another 50 or so years)! It needs some laws and we need someplace to put the bad guys. So let's build a prison ... and let's put it in Yuma since that's the best place to cross the Colorado River. And so in 1877 we built it ... and then they came. Not only would the Arizona Territorial Prison at Yuma house the bad guys of the territory -- but some of the bad gals as well -- and at the same time. These folks were found guilty of all kinds of crime. Some were murderers, some were robbers, some were adulterers (did you know you could go to prison for that in the "old" days?!), and there were even a few polygamists. There they lived - 6 in a cell for whatever time they had to serve. I'm sure you have all seen one version or the other (or perhaps both) of the movie "3:10 to Yuma" ... perhaps Hollywood gave the Yuma Territorial Prison its poor reputation?

The prison closed in about 1909 (a few years before Arizona finally became a state in 1912 - our 48th.) and during that time some 3,000 souls had the misfortune to call it home. After being closed the buildings of the prison were used for all kinds of things - including as a temporary high school. No wonder the Yuma High mascot became the "Criminal." The Yuma High Crims are still proud of their Mascot and proudly wear the black and white stripes today!

Since we were here we had to go pay a visit. So we did.

The Sally Port (Entrance) 

The Main Guard Tower

The Cell Block

A typical cell for 6 men (or women)

The "Dark Cell" where the really bad actors had to spend time. It is basically cut into rock and would indeed be very dark if/when the door was closed.

Having had our fill of prison life after an hour so we continued on our way and drove the short distance to the historic district downtown looking to see what we could see. 

The Main Street area had been closed off and vendors where in the process of setting up for some celebration this weekend - but we did find our way to Lutes Casino. Lutes isn't really a Casino -- more like a Bar, Grill, Piano Bar, Pool Hall, ... I give up ... it's hard to describe ... but it's a really fun place and the Tri Tip Quesadilla was wonderful!

We have survived another high 90 degree day here in Yuma today ... and we had a good time. 

I'm really planning on making it to Tucson tomorrow. But you all know how my plans can change!

Found Some Warm Weather!

We had a long drive (for us) yesterday from Lone Pine to here in Lake Havasu City, AZ so we hit the road relatively early heading south on US 395. As we drove we gradually left the mountains and entered the high desert of southeast California - driving in the valley area between the mountains to our east leading to Death Valley and the Sierra Nevada to our west. After about a hundred miles we reached Kramer Junction. Kramer Junction is basically a four way stop with gas stations on every corner at the intersection of US 395 and CA 58. After filling Winne with some $3.99 California Unleaded we "hung a left" on CA 58 heading to Barstow, CA where met up with I-40 once again - this time heading east!

We continued on I-40 until just after crossing into Arizona and then "hung a right" on US 95 for another 40 miles - finally landing here in Lake Havasu City, AZ - where it was 95 degrees! We pretty much just "chilled out" using Winne's AC for the rest of the day/night.

It was another sunny Arizona day today. It seems AZ is experiencing an early hot spell - even for them with temps making it to 100 degrees today and they are looking for just about the same tomorrow.

Our main reason for coming to Lake Havasu City - besides the fact that we have never been here - was to visit with an old friend of Peggy's from 25 years ago in Maine. Bill and Donna moved here many years ago after Bill retired from the Navy. Today we met Bill and Donna at a nice restaurant near London Bridge and had a nice lunch/visit. 

After lunch Bill had to go back to work and since Peggy and Donna weren't done visiting they went back to the Cox residence to finish catching up while Mikee came back to Winne to add some refrigerant to the Vue's AC system (works much better now - whew!) and take care of a few other chores.

Tomorrow we are on the road again. We will probably end up in Casa Grande for the evening - but how we get there is still a bit fuzzy.

Seeing It All - Lone Pine, CA

Whew ... for a "day off" (from driving) we sure managed to say pretty busy!

We started our sightseeing this morning by traveling over to the nearby "Interagency Visitors Center." Visitors center for what? Well ... Death Valley National Park is around 50 to 100 miles to the East, and Yosemite, Sequoia, and Kings Canyon National Parks are about 50 miles to the West, and the Alabama Hills are just a few miles West. So I guess it covered all of that ... and more. And check out these beautiful flowers just outside the door! 

The Visitors Center is a few miles south of Lone Pine ... and our next stop was several miles north. The Manzanar War Relocation Center.

Within 2 months after the start of World War II - in February 1942 - President Roosevelt signed Executive Order 9066 that authorized the relocation and/or internment of anyone who the government thought might threaten the U.S. war effort. I won't go into the whole history of Japanese immigration to America, and I won't dwell on the severe discrimination against these immigrants back in the 1800s and early 1900s ... but I think it is safe to say that most white Americans alive in 1941/1942 - and especially those who lived on the west coast - were more than happy with the Presidents Executive Order even though it resulted in rounding up with little notice just about every person of Japanese ancestry living in California, Oregon, and Washington and shipping them off to inhospitable remote places - like Manzanar, California. Although this "relocation" wasn't exactly America's finest moment - I'm glad the government has preserved this site so that it's visitors can learn what happened here ... and ponder if it might happen again?

By late 1942 Manzanar housed more than 10,000 Japanese Americans crowded into 504 barracks. Most of the Manzanar site has been preserved in its post war condition with most buildings leveled and sold for scrap. A couple of barracks have been rebuilt to show the construction and the museum and visitor center is now housed in the original camp Auditorium.

Reconstructed Barracks

Abandoned Fish Pond 

Cemetery

You really can't start to understand what happened here - unless you visit. 

Next on my agenda was LUNCH. So it was back south to Lone Pine where we found the Totem Cafe. The Totem is nothing fancy for sure - but if you ever find yourself hungry in Lone Pine I highly recommend the Ortega Swiss Burger. A great hamburger with swiss cheese and a grilled ortega pepper on top. Definitely worth the visit! 

With lunch out of the way we were off to the Alabama Hills.

The Alabama Hills are located just a few miles west of Lone Pine. If you have watched a few old western movies, and especially if you ever watched a singing cowboy movie - you have probably seen the Alabama Hills. Ever seen Humphrey Bogart's "High Sierra?" - yup shot in the Alabama Hills. 

So ... the area has history and is an awesome geographical wonder on its own. What's not to like?

And how about this nice RV Boondocking spot?

After an hour of wandering the hills we headed back to town to learn more about the Alabama Hills at the Lone Pine Film History Museum.

The Film Museum is very well done and has some neat exhibits. One of my favorites was the High Sierra '37 Plymouth. Just last Saturday I watched High Sierra with Nan and a few others in Minden and we were trying to figure out what make and model that car was. The ship as a hood ornament was the key to identifying it as a Plymouth.

And who can't resist The Lone Ranger, Roy and Dale, and Tex Ritter?

I told you it was a busy day!!

Back on the road tomorrow - destination further south and east.