2000 Miles (MA to TX)

November 1 – 23, 2019

We’ve been taking our time traveling from Massachusetts to Texas. We usually rush down to avoid the cold weather, but it seems to be following us, so we decided to “meander” and make several stops along the way to visit friends, check off another National Park, get our RV fixed, listen to Blues, enjoy a spa bath, and visit Circus City. It’s been fun! Join us as we begin another winter journey.

First stop, Pennsylvania

It’s always fun to visit with Cindy and Howard along our way! We gathered with Nichole, Jonathan, Leo, and Nina to enjoy a delicious pasta and meatball dinner together. Great friends and good food is nourishment for the soul!

• 

• 

• 

Smoky Mountain National Park – Checked Off

Early November allowed us to enjoy some Fall colors in the Great Smoky Mountains. We stayed at Douglas Tailwater campground in Kodak, TN which is a beautiful spot along the French Broad River near the Douglas Dam. With only one day in the park, we saw a tiny section but enjoyed hiking to Laurel Falls. I was excited to find Gentiana clausa still blooming along the trail. Got our park stamp in our Parks Passport but definitely want to return another time to see more.

• 

• 

• 

• 

RV Repair Time

Our Tiffin motorhome was in need of a few minor repairs so we stopped in Red Bay, AL to get on the list. It’s first-come first-serve and with 25 others before us we knew we would be waiting a couple of weeks. We camped about 10 minutes away in Belmont, Mississippi and got to add another state on our sticker map! A couple of nights were in the 20’s and our plumbing pipes froze even though we had heat lamps in our bay. The next morning we woke to frosty windows. Still not far enough south!

There’s not many things to do in the area but we visited the Tishomingo State Park (a couple times) to see the swinging bridge that was built by the CCC (Civilian Conservation Corps) and play disc golf. We visited Tupelo, Red Bay, and Belmont and rented many, many Red Box movies. Our favorites were: Good Boys, Hobbs & Shaw, The Peanut Butter Falcon, The Farewell, and Stuber.

• 

• 

• 

• 

A new discovery in the area was Dismals Canyon which is a National Natural Landmark.  It was a magical walk through rocky crevices and along the stream. The path loops across wooden bridges, leads to waterfalls, and directs you through passages and caverns. At the end of the canyon, one Canadian Hemlock (Tsuga canadensis) called the Champion Tree, measures 138 feet tall with a circumference of 8’9″. At 360 years old, it is the largest of its species in Alabama and perhaps one of the largest in the world. Dismals Canyon also features the presence of Dismalites (scientific name: Orfelia fultoni), which are bioluminescent species of flies or glow worms. They live among moss and rock cavities, as well as in wet sandstone caves. Mostly present during warmer weather, we weren’t able to experience their glowing presence, but thoroughly enjoyed the rock formations, mosses, flora, and waterfalls along the way. So if you are ever in the Northwest area of Alabama, definitely check out Dismals Canyon.

• 

• 

• 

• 

Tiffin finally called us and in two days we got all of our RV repairs fixed. Chris and Jerry, the Tiffin technicians, were great and very knowledgeable. It’s great to have our window shades, stove ignition, ceiling fan, and bedroom heat working again.

Memphis, TN

Continuing our travels southwest, making a stop at one of our favorite campgrounds, Tom Sawyer’s Mississippi River Park. Just west of Memphis and on the great Mississippi, we watched the long barges pass like rush-hour traffic. An evening out on Beale Street was entertaining with dinner and music at Blues City Cafe. Catfish and ribs for me and seafood gumbo for Bob. With the night still young, we continued down the street and stopped at the Tap Room to listen to another band. They were more upbeat and entertaining! Each band member was amazing but the harmonica player just blew our minds. The next day we visited the Memphis Brooks Museum of Art which has a nice collection of photography, sculpture, paintings, and ceramics.

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

Hot Springs, AR

Last July we went to Hot Springs National Park with our friends Marta and Isabel. We explored the area but did not experience the spa’s in the historical buildings downtown. This time I splurged and enjoyed a long mineral water soak at the Quapaw Baths. Loved the peaceful time and healing sea-salt bath. Highly recommend!

• 

• 

Hugo, OK

We camped on Hugo Lake at KIAMICHI PARK which is a beautiful COE (US Army Corps of Engineers) and a popular fishing spot. The town of Hugo is known as “Circus City” since it serves as a winter haven for circus companies such as Kelly-Miller Bros., Culpepper & Merriweather, and Carson & Barnes Circus. Hugo is home to the Endangered Ark Foundation, which operates a retirement home and breeding ground for the second largest Asian elephant herd in the United States. We visited Mount Olivet Cemetery to check out Showmen’s Rest which is an area dedicated to circus performers and workers. For more circus history and details, check out this blog: https://blogs.loc.gov/folklife/2018/12/everybody-works-documenting-circus-life-in-hugo-oklahoma/

• 

• 

• 

• 

Our last stop in Hugo was the Historic Frisco Depot Museum. Norman Pence, the museum manager gave us a personal tour showing us collections of local historical artifacts including a miniature railroad, mini five-ring circus, aa section of a SW Bell switching center and an antique whiskey still. A section of the museum includes a fully restored “Harvey House Restaurant” with preserved Harvey Girl quarters on the second floor. The Harvey Girls were pioneering women who worked as waitresses at Fred Harvey’s restaurants along the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railway from the 1880s through the 1950s. We first learned of the Harvey Girls while visiting the El Tovar and Bright Angel lodges on the south rim of the Grand Canyon. Fascinating history throughout this beautiful country!

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

We wrapped up our day with another Red Box movie, “Blinded by the Light.” A must see for Springsteen fans!

Next stop … Texas! Fingers crossed for warmer weather.