bama_ed
It's kind of fun to do the impossible-Walt Disney
- Joined
- Sep 23, 2004
Let's kick off my trip report.
This trip was planned immediately when I retired from work in July of 2020. DW had retired the previous January so we would be free to take that long trip out (two weeks). With the pandemic and all it was a little late in the season to plan something immediate so I aimed for THIS summer to make a swing out west. With a goal of 500 miles per day (approx) max towing distance and commitments at home, a two week trip developed that was 3 days driving each way and 8 days of "stuff" at three locations in southern Colorado and northern New Mexico. We had been home from the Pigeon Forge DISMeet for a week before we set off again.
Friday June 18, 2021
We went through the morning routine of moving cars, getting the camper hitched and onto the street, and buttoning up the house.
Our travel path was from Tuscaloosa to Memphis on I22 then pick up I40 through Little Rock, Oklahoma City, Amarillo, and into New Mexico. The 500 mile goal meant that Fort Smith, AR (at the OK state line) was too far and Little Rock, AR not far enough. But I found a CoE campground in-between called Aux Arc in Ozark, AR along I40 for $20 a night that fit the bill. It sits along the Arkansas River just above a dam. With the Aliner I can stay hitched over night, I just back in, pop the roof, lower the rear jacks, and plug into shore power. So the drive out starting at 715am was uneventful.
Until we got to Memphis.
The situation in Memphis was this: there are two interstate bridges across the Mississippi River in Memphis, one for I40 (east-west) and one for I55 (north-south). The closest next bridge to the south is over 50 miles away. The closest next bridge to the north is over 70 miles away. So a lot of traffic (particularly semi-trucks) run over those bridges. But the I40 bridge is closed for repairs/maintenance so all that traffic has to use the I55 bridge. And in Memphis I55 had lanes closed as well. You folks who tow know that it's tougher to accelerate, brake, and switch lanes in tight traffic (and I'm only 37 feet tv+camper). It took an extra 30 minutes and several near misses before we made it across. It was harrowing.
But we eventually did make it across.
The rest of the drive that day was uneventful. Got to Ozark, AR around 330pm and into the site (I had picked next to the river under the tall pines and close to the restrooms) B25 easily.
DW liked the site because of the Canadian geese that were nearby on the river and shore. I liked the site for the shade, the view, and the train tracks on the far side of the river that had two trains go by that evening. It had been a warm, humid day. I had cooked some hamburgers before we left and thrown them in the cooler so those were easy to put on a bun with cheese and condiments for a quick dinner.
An uneventful day (other than Memphis) and DW was in a good mood. I call that a WIN for the first day of vacation. Tomorrow, though, would have an "event".
Bama Ed
This trip was planned immediately when I retired from work in July of 2020. DW had retired the previous January so we would be free to take that long trip out (two weeks). With the pandemic and all it was a little late in the season to plan something immediate so I aimed for THIS summer to make a swing out west. With a goal of 500 miles per day (approx) max towing distance and commitments at home, a two week trip developed that was 3 days driving each way and 8 days of "stuff" at three locations in southern Colorado and northern New Mexico. We had been home from the Pigeon Forge DISMeet for a week before we set off again.
Friday June 18, 2021
We went through the morning routine of moving cars, getting the camper hitched and onto the street, and buttoning up the house.
Our travel path was from Tuscaloosa to Memphis on I22 then pick up I40 through Little Rock, Oklahoma City, Amarillo, and into New Mexico. The 500 mile goal meant that Fort Smith, AR (at the OK state line) was too far and Little Rock, AR not far enough. But I found a CoE campground in-between called Aux Arc in Ozark, AR along I40 for $20 a night that fit the bill. It sits along the Arkansas River just above a dam. With the Aliner I can stay hitched over night, I just back in, pop the roof, lower the rear jacks, and plug into shore power. So the drive out starting at 715am was uneventful.
Until we got to Memphis.
The situation in Memphis was this: there are two interstate bridges across the Mississippi River in Memphis, one for I40 (east-west) and one for I55 (north-south). The closest next bridge to the south is over 50 miles away. The closest next bridge to the north is over 70 miles away. So a lot of traffic (particularly semi-trucks) run over those bridges. But the I40 bridge is closed for repairs/maintenance so all that traffic has to use the I55 bridge. And in Memphis I55 had lanes closed as well. You folks who tow know that it's tougher to accelerate, brake, and switch lanes in tight traffic (and I'm only 37 feet tv+camper). It took an extra 30 minutes and several near misses before we made it across. It was harrowing.
But we eventually did make it across.
The rest of the drive that day was uneventful. Got to Ozark, AR around 330pm and into the site (I had picked next to the river under the tall pines and close to the restrooms) B25 easily.
DW liked the site because of the Canadian geese that were nearby on the river and shore. I liked the site for the shade, the view, and the train tracks on the far side of the river that had two trains go by that evening. It had been a warm, humid day. I had cooked some hamburgers before we left and thrown them in the cooler so those were easy to put on a bun with cheese and condiments for a quick dinner.
An uneventful day (other than Memphis) and DW was in a good mood. I call that a WIN for the first day of vacation. Tomorrow, though, would have an "event".
Bama Ed
So we got set up with one lonely tree nearby. It was hot and breezy (it's the plains) but a nice spot to overnight.
)
. So let's go back by the railroad bridge and the Chama river to wait for the C&T to come by.
