Saturday, June 28, 2008

Still At Springhill COE Park

Yesterday morning Roger and Brenda packed up to head home - about 30 miles from here in Oklahoma. They have a lot to do to get ready to head west in just over a week. We really enjoyed having them camped across the road from us for several days. We are meeting them for dinner tonight at a AYCE catfish restaurant - yummy - I'm hungry now!

I have posted a few pictures of the campground at http://picasaweb.google.com/SchultzTravelPhotos

Today we have some shopping to do and of course dinner tonight with Brenda & Roger. Tomorrow we will get ready for our move on Monday, hopefully to Shawnee to the Grand Casino there - would you believe - electric/water hookup parking for RV's for FREE! Hope to stay there a week, otherwise, we'll be at Tinker AFB FamCamp in Oklahoma City.

A week from Monday we will meet up with Roger & Brenda again and follow them to New Mexico. We will be going deep into the mountains and since this will be a first with the Gray Ghost, it will be nice going with someone who has the experience. They have done it many years in their Zephyr.

Don't know if I'll have internet next week, just have to wait and see...If not, have a Happy July 4th.

Wednesday, June 25, 2008

Ft. Smith, AR and More

Monday afternoon we arrived at Springhill COE in Barling, AR, just outside of Ft. Smith, AR. Our site is right on the river and there is occasional barge traffic. I haven't taken pictures yet, but will. You can see the river from our site, but there are a lot of trees, so it's not a full view. This is a really nice COE park. The "B" loop which we are on is 50 amp and water. The other loop is 30 amp and water. Those sites are actually closer to water, but not the river, but more of a small bay area off the river.

When we arrived we were greeted by friends, Brenda & Roger Cyrus. We first met them when visiting our son in New Iberia, LA several years ago. It's really great catching up with friends you meet on the road!

Since they are originally from this area, on Tuesday they where our tour guides and took us up in the mountains north of here. It was a really nice ride with lots of pretty views and scenery.

We passed the new dam (forget the name) then went on to Devil's Den State Park. This park is very nice with a really nice campground, swimming pool, waterfalls, fishing etc. I just wouldn't take my motorhome in the way we went - very narrow road with lots of hairpin turns. Roger said that there is another way in for larger campers.

From there we did some back country dirt road riding, but saw no wildlife. I think it was a little late in the day. Our next stop was at Natural Dam. Very interesting as the dam was nature made even though it looks man made. Made a nice little waterfall that was very scenic.

Seeing that it was getting close to lunch time, we headed back toward Ft. Smith and found a BBQ place to stop for a sandwich. I had the pulled pork and it was delicious. Roger had the same thing and Brenda and Dean had tamale's - can you believe it at a BBQ place!

After lunch they took us to the site of Fort Smith. Most of the original fort is now gone and is close by the river. The Visitor Center is housed in the second fort area in the old building that was the barracks, courthouse and jail. This is where we went. It was just to hot to do much outside walking - temperatures where in the 90's. There is a lot of history in Fort Smith and I'm not going to cover everything I learned here. Just some of the more interesting facts:

...The Second Fort Smith was established for political & economic reasons shortly after Arkansas became a state.

...It initially served primarily as a commissary storehouse for troops stationed farther west, for the transcontinental railroad survey parties, the '49ers heading for California's gold rush and soldiers fighting in the U.S. Mexican War.

...It was transformed in 1872 into a Federal Court using one room as a courtroom and other rooms as offices for the clerk, U. S. Marshal and U. S. Commissioner. The basement became a primitive jail.

...Judge Parker (The Hanging Judge) presided over the court from 1875 to 1889. During this time he heard more than 13,000 cases, of which more than 12,000 were criminal in nature. Of these, 344 involved the capital offenses of rape and murder, for which United States law demanded the death penalty upon conviction.

...160 convicts where sentenced to hang. Only 79 were actually hanged. Only a few critics ever noticed the tremendous case load or the savage nature of the crimes committed by those sentenced to hang.

...This was one of the major outposts for the U. S. Marshals.

The museum is very interesting and quite worth a visit if your in the area.

Later in the evening we had a cookout with hamburgers, sausage, baked beans, and macaroni salad. Then we sat around and chatted until we decided it was time to go in, cool off, clean up, and go to bed.

Wednesday morning Roger wasn't feeling well, actually it started yesterday, so Brenda, Dean and I headed to the casino for lunch buffet and a little slot playing. Don't ask how we did - that way I won't have to tell a lie - LOL!

I'll be posting pictures at http://picasaweb.google.com/SchultzTravelPhotos if you care to take a look.

We will be here until Monday morning and not sure what else we will do, if anything. Probably just relax and catch up on laundry and cleaning. But you never know, so check back often.......

Monday, June 23, 2008

A Good Time in Cabot, AR

Dean and I had a wonderful time visiting with my cousin and her family, here in Cabot, AR. We had a great time talking, catching up and eating. Patty certainly fed us well. I especially liked the Cookies & Cream ice cream - lol.

Yesterday afternoon was spent watching the NASCAR race which Patty, her sister Becky and her mom Sherrill are into big time. They spend most of the NASCAR races on the phone with each other during the race, cheering, complaining about the drivers and deciding where they are going to stick the pin in their voodoo cars - yes, not voodoo dolls, but cars! Just to funny.

I can't believe it's time for us to leave, but I'll try not to wait six years to come back.

So long, Patty, David, Hannah & Matthew!

Pictures can be viewed at: http://picasaweb.google.com/SchultzTravelPhotos

Friday, June 20, 2008

Little Rock - ummm Make That Cabot, AR Bound

Wednesday morning we left Canton, MS heading north toward Memphis. Since we were not due at my cousins until Thursday, we decided to split the mileage and ended up staying just south of Memphis for the night. A great day - no problems! The RV Park, Audubon RV Park was a really nice place with everything paved except for a large grassy area between each spot. I was surprised how empty the park was. Guess what I'm hearing about RV'ers not being on the road this year is true. Sorry, didn't take any pictures there -- still to stressed out!

Thursday morning we said another prayer and began our way to Cabot, AR. where my cousin Patty along with her hubby David and two kids, Hannah and Matthew, live. The darn warning light came on again, for about 10 seconds, about a mile from the campground. I think I'll be spending the rest of my life in a stress mode if this keeps up. Anyway, we kept on going, through Memphis to I-40 west. Yea, we are finally heading true west now.

The drive to Patty's was uneventful except for the highway. I thought that Louisiana had some bad interstate, well let me tell you, Arkansas is sure trying hard to pass them in that category! Remember the name Prairie County - it has to be the worst interstate in the country, at least the first half of the way through that county. We bounced so hard that the front driver side sun shade fell down. Just stripped them molly screws right out! Thank goodness that it didn't block Dean's view of the highway, and that we were going west, not east. That sure is a big windshield that lets in a lot of light without that sun shade.

Arriving at Patty's with the air horn blowing (that was for Matthew, he's eight) we access the driveway situation after our hello hugs etc. Of course my dear sweet cousin had emailed me that her driveway had "just a little slope". Yep, just a little slope - ha!

I'm loading pictures that show the Grey Ghost set up. The first night it was sleep with one eye open, just waiting for the earthquake to come to us.

We have been having a good time, catching up with each others lives and those of our families. A lot sure happens in six years! Now that the weekend is here, her hubby will be home as well and Dean will have someone to "bud" around with. I've also been informed that Sunday is race day - NASCAR that is, so we will be gathered around the TV's to watch that.

From here we are heading to Ft. Smith, AR. to a COE park for a week. We have some RV'ing friends that we haven't seen in over a year that will be there as well. Guess I'll catch up with y'all there!

Pictures available for viewing at: http://picasaweb.google.com/SchultzTravelPhotos

Great Weekend - Now Back To The Problem

Monday morning we broke camp around 7 am heading to Richland, MS to the Cummins Engine Service Center. At least we were praying that we would make it there.

We actually got to Hwy 49 north and up the road about 10 miles before the acceleration problem began. I sure was hoping that it wouldn't start, but no such luck. In spite of not being able to accelerate to more than 35 -40 mph we really made good time and pulled into the Service Center around 10:30 am. I guess it was all the down hill speed that helped us.

I went into the office and a very nice lady said she had been waiting for us. She told Dean where he was to park the Bus and started writing up our work order. After about 5 min. she said that the technician had just clocked in and would meet us at the Bus. He showed us what bay to bring it to and thus began our next adventure!

I'm not going to go into great detail, but the first thing that was done was to put the computer on it. Guess what - it showed no problems!!! Grrrr - their computer must be like mine and have a mind all it's own. The tech worked on the engine until about 3 pm and informed us that we would have to overnight. We also had been told in Meridian that there was a leak in the exhaust manifold gasket and that was what he, the tech, had been working on. Unfortunately one of the bolts broke off and they thought they would have to get a welder to get it out.

Meanwhile, we secured a double queen at the Hampton Inn. Now, Hampton Inn has always been my favorite motel to stay at and when I saw the beds (a queen all to myself) I said a quick thank you prayer for having to stay overnight. I was at least getting a good nights sleep that night - guaranteed (and I did). As a side note, the next time, if there is one, I'll remember to ask for a room with a jacuzzi tub.

OK, so I got side tracked - sorry. The tech worked on the Bus until 6:30 pm and then the shop closed for the day. The next morning we were there at 7 am along with our tech. Around 10 am Dean and the tech took it for a test drive and Dean came back saying it was running good. We paid the bill, hooked up the Jeep and headed north for I-59. Guess we maybe got about 3 miles from the Service Center and wala - the turn engine light came on along with a obnoxious buzzer and it quit accelerating. After the light went out (about 15 seconds) we looked for the first place to turn around and back to the Service Center we went. OK, so back to the computer and this time it shows a "acceleration error". The tech says he needs to calibrate the accelerator. 30 minutes later, we're off again and make it to I-59 and north Jackson, MS before the buzzer and light take off again. This time we are in the center lane of 5 lanes of heavy traffic and no acceleration. Dang, I really thought we would get rear ended, but God was watching down on us and we make it to the side of the road. The light and buzzer finally quit and yes, you've got it, back to the Service Center again!

Several hours later, after our tech and another "computer savvy" tech work on the Bus we are off for another test drive, this time the computer tech is driving and the other tech is holding the computer, watching for any sign of trouble. Well, this was a good test drive, at least 40 miles round trip. No problems.

We left the shop for the third time (it's the charm you know) and decided to only go as far as Canton, MS, about 30 miles north of Jackson, to stop for the night. We made it, but where on pins and needles all the way.

While we were in the shop, we had the engine oil changed since it was discovered that it had not been done at Lazydays. We also decided to have them go ahead and service the generator as well since we didn't have anything that said when it had been done last. As I mentioned in a previous post, both of these items where supposed to have been done at Lazydays prior to our picking up the Bus. It is very obvious that they where not accomplished even though we were lead to believe that they were.

After I calm down and relax and feel comfortable going down the highway again, Lazydays will be hearing from me. I'm not really blaming the salesman, but more our service technician, who by the way, is no longer working at Lazydays. I wonder why? Maybe because he got caught in his lies? Anyway, I will be calling to speak to the General Manager of the company. He will hear what happened and that I cannot in good conscious give any recommendations for anyone to do business with them.

I'm not sure if I mentioned it before, but I submitted a claim for 50% of the cost of some repairs we had done prior to us getting on the road. This was an agreement that we had with Lazydays since we would not be able to bring the Bus back to them to have repairs done. I had a call from our "new" service technician saying he had the bill in front of him and was sending it on for payment. They in fact did reimburse us 50% of the whole bill which included items that I had not mentioned to them because they came up after our "30 day warranty". This included us replacing the front A/C unit instead of having it repaired. Anyway, this kind of puts me in a love/hate relationship with them, but, I still can't get passed being lied to!!! No amount of reimbursement would have mattered if we had broke down in traffic and been rear ended.

Trust me, I've not really gone into great detail - it would be a 50 page book! The message is Buyer Beware - Don't believe what you are told, ask for proof!!! We didn't.

I just pray now when we start out, that we will not have any problems like this again.

The Picnic

Last Saturday was a day that I've been looking forward to for quite awhile. We were parked at Flint Creek Waterpark Campground in Wiggins, MS. and for the time being all was well with the world. You could hear the birds chirping, watch the squirrels playing, and the sky was a beautiful blue with white puffy little clouds. Today was the day of the picnic with Dean's children who are also mine now. Because of the circumstances of the past eight months, we haven't seen several of them and that time had finally arrived when we could spend some time together - even if it was just hours.

Around 8 am we drove over to the picnic area and found Krystal and her daughter Cara, along with Cara's hubby BJ and the two kids. Eventually the rest of the clan arrived and the party began. Krystal had actually planned a surprise birthday party for her step-father Dick who turned, hmmm, should I tell? Heck yes - 79! I say it because he's a young 79. It also was a going away party for Scott (one of the grand kids) who was moving to an Atlanta suburb the next morning. His wife, Michelle, was already there.

Anyway, we had a great time and I'll let the pictures do the rest of the talking. It was a great day until thunderstorms rolled in around 4 pm. By then we had packed everything up and where ready to say farewell to all till the next time.

Sunday Dean and I just lazed around except for going to the Sawmill Restaurant on Hwy 49 just south of Wiggins. The food was really good and there was a great selection on the buffet. I recommend it if you ever get that direction.

Pictures are at http://picasaweb.google.com/SchultzTravelPhotos

Wednesday, June 18, 2008

Trying To Catch Up - AGAIN!!!

Just when you think - ahhh, everything is going good and life is great the bottom falls out. Well, that happened to us last Thursday after we left Montgomery, AL heading for Flint Creek Waterpark in Wiggins, MS.


We had gone maybe about 110 miles when the accelerator quit accelerating! We could go about 35mph up hill and coast down hill so we slowly made our way to Meridian to a "diesel shop" that was recommended by the Freightliner dealer there (they where to busy to take us).


The people at the shop where great - took us in right away. The tech figured it might be the fuel or air filters so proceeded to change them only to find out that one of the fuel filters wasn't available in the area and wouldn't come in till the next morning. We spent the night on their parking lot with some electric graciously provided by them.


The next morning around 10 am the filter was installed and we took the Bus for a test drive up and down several hills on the highway and it ran fine. We hooked up the Jeep and off we went, a day late, to Wiggins.


We got on I-59 heading south and where about 20 miles out of Meridian and wham! It started again. We made the decision to keep going, hoping that we would at least make Hattiesburg, but hoping that we could hobble to Wiggins. Well, we did make it to Flint Creek mid-afternoon on Friday. That was after a lot of up hill at 35mph and down hill at 60mph - thank God for the down hills so we could make the uphills!


I need to add here that Lazydays RV Center in Florida is currently on my s**t list! The engine and generator where supposed to be serviced before we drove the Bus off their lot - it is now obvious that it wasn't. More on this later.


Saturday was our picnic with Dean's kids so my next post will be about that day. The fun ain't over yet though - check back!!!

Friday, June 06, 2008

Montgomery, AL.



Leaving Rainbow Plantation at last!

We arrived in Montgomery this past Monday and will be here until the 12th. I had a long list of things that we needed to take care of while here and this week we got most of them done. We also spent time with our granddaughter Morgan. She is growing so fast. She just turned 11 in May but sometimes you would think she was much older. But on the other hand, there are times when I still see the little girl in her. She is just so sweet, but then she is my granddaughter and I could be accused of being prejudice. We said goodbye to her last night as she had to go back to her Mother's to get ready for a camp next week. She does have a softball game tonight and tomorrow night so we may see her there although because of a hurt ankle, she will not be playing. Later this summer she is going to cheerleader camp, which when you listen to her that is what she really want to do - be a cheerleader. I'm hoping that my son will send some pictures of her doing cheers - if so, I'll post them here.

Morgan and Hops - Hops will be traveling with us this Summer and Fall since Morgan cannot. Watch for pictures of where he will show up.

We are going to a flea market tomorrow in Santuck (not sure of the spelling). It start around 6 am, but that's a little early for me so we are going around 7 am. From what I've been told, it closes about 11 am as it's outdoors and gets hot and the crowd leaves by then. I'll try to remember to take my camera - I've gotten out of the habit of having it with me at all times and need to get back to remembering.

This weekend we are meeting up with the couple who purchased our Mobile Suite from Lazydays to give them a few items that we had taken out and stored. From the emails I've received, they are very happy with it. I'm glad for them. We certainly enjoyed it while we had it and there are times that I wonder if we did make the right move to a motorhome.

Next week we will spend time getting ready to move on Thursday to Flint Creek Park in Wiggins, MS. Dean's four kids, Terry, Tim, Robin & Krystal along with spouses will be there along with Dean's ex-wife and her hubby. Not to worry, we are friends. We will be having a picnic together on Saturday. We are really looking forward to spending time with the kids!

See ya down the road........