Broken Wheel RV Park W.Virginia 3/28

Hi Y'All, sometimes the best plans,turn out not sooo great! That was the case today.We figured taking a slight detour(extra miles) would show us some beautiful vista's and also visit Loretta Lynn's homestead located in Butcha Hollah just off the Rte 23 ,called the Country Music Road,which were birth places of other country music stars including Ricky Skaggs. When we arrived at the turnoff the road wasn't fit for an RV,so we moved on. Wed. 3/27, we traveled across southeast KY and finally south on Rte 421 which took us to 3300' with many switch backs and hairpin turns, narrow road and meeting many 5 axle - tractor, trailer dumps, carrying coal. Finally made it to our campsite in Harlan - hour later than planned - Carl having forgot about leaving Central Time and going back to Eastern time . Thursday 3/28 , we drove Rte 119, that on the map looked like a straight line, but didn't show the ups and downs !!! Another hair raising ride to 2700 " , with hairpin turns that had to be taken at less than 15 mph or you would add more damage to the already torn & broken guard rails . Coming down the grades were 10 to 8 %, and we came down in 1st with the engine whining - Ursula did an excellent job pulling us up and bring us back down - you can see the expression on Rachel's face as we reached the top as she was eating the "ginger snaps ". Came across many coal mines, coal trains, coal trucks, and coal piles alongside the road. Some of the road cuts thru the mountains had many benches when originally blasted out - some good planning and many pounds of explosives ! There were lots of pictures we wanted to take but no places to stop-no shoulders.One
interesting observation is the cemeteries.Because of the steep hillsides the headstones are not vertical but look like there set back into the earth. How in the world do they carry the caskets up these hills? On route 23 we came across a neighborhood that had been recently wiped out by tornado,a lot of destruction.

Cave City RV Park -Cave City Kentucky 3/25

Coming from Nashville,stopped at Kentucky Welcoming Center we were encouraged to stop at the Mammoth Cave National Park. That afternoon after setting up camp we drove to National Park and were able purchase tickets for the Historic Tour. The Caves were discovered over 10,000 yrs ago by Paleo Indians . From 4000 to 2000 years ago Early Wood Land Indians explored and mined minerals from Mammoth Caves.Cave exploration ceased,and not resumed until the cave was rediscovered in 1798 by European -American settlers. The cave served as a mine for Salt Peter,key to manufacture of gun powder. This was a 2 mile-2 hour tour entering through the natural opening entrance.The elevation change of 300feet,440 stairs including 155 at Mammoth dome which was the way out. People were asked to be vigilant about their personal health issues,for once inside the caves rescue would be greatly delayed.Some of the area's visited included-Rotunda(Nitrate Mine Works) Bottomless Pit,Giant Coffin,Batman's misery,"The Tower",Mammoth Dome to name only a few. If your ever in the area,highly recommended to stop in. We wished we had more time. We should also say the temp in Caves is 55 year round,the habitat living in Caves are eyeless ,with no coloring pigments -having adapted to complete darkness. Campground very well laid out.

Mammoth Caves National Park-3/26

Looking down from entrance way.





Monday 3/26 at 9;00 am we tried to get tickets for the Snowball tour,3 hours ,2 miles and limited to 38 persons,but were sold out. We purchased tickets for New Entrance Tour-2 hours 3/4 miles into cave ,with group totaling 60 people including small children. This included 500 stairs,280 of this on the initial descent. Elevation change = 250 feet.Tour included frozen Niagara section and a portion of the Grand avenue-included dramatic series of domes,and pits,typical large trunk passage ways and a short journey trip stone formations.As in all the cave tours,walk ways and stairs,and handrails are all stainless steel having replaced the wooden ones of the early 1900's.

More pictures of Mammoth Cave National Park 3/26

Silver Dollah sez--Please don't bury us Here!!

Frozen Niagara Falls


The Drape





Tourist Don't Touch-Park put up stainless steel fences

Cooter's Place--Nashville Tennessee 3/23/2012

Hey you guys- Remember the Dukes of Hazzard TV show??? In the same shopping mall as Willy Nelson's General Store is "Cooter's" Museum and of course we just had to stop in. Carl looking for Daisy Mae ,but only found her short short shorts! The "good ole boys' were off being chased on foot by the sheriff Rosco , leaving their car behind for Rachel . This is a great town, but you need more than a couple of days, and long nights if going into downtown Nashville - we move on .

Two Rivers RV Park Nashville Tenn 3-22-23-24

A short distance to the Tennessee boarder from Alabama(150 miles) . This is an area that was seriously flooded in May of 2010 from the Cumberland River . The stage of the Grand Ole Opry was 4 feet underwater ,and the Opry Mills shopping center is still undergoing renovations.We spent most of the afternoon sightseeing and we also obtained tickets for the Friday night Grand Ole Opry show.Saturday,we toured the down town area of Nashville,2nd Ave,Broadway,and the Ryman Auditorium. This is known as the "Mother Church of Country Music, the birth place of Bluegrass and home of the Grand Ole Opry from 1943 - 1974. A birthday celebration at Jack Daniels Restaurant within the Opry Land Resort - all under a glass roof , with fountains,and gardens .

Pictures leaving Biloxi Miss. 3-19/3-20

Carl standing at water line inside resturant ;Katrina 2005




Sand from dredge waiting to be spread onto beach


Sunset Cajun RV Park Biloxi Mississippi 3-19-2012

Cajun RV Park -3-18-19

On Sunday we walked the beach,then came back to camp,took truck to downtown area and walked to Hard Rock Casino and Lighthouse,which was closed . Monday took our bikes and went back alone beach street ,early enough to enable us to climb the 57 steps inside the Lighthouse .The hours are only between 9-930 because of the cast iron shell gets soo hot as to be a health hazard.Continuing on our bikes we toured the Historical parts of downtown that were heavily damaged and now restored or torn down. Took a coffee break at Mary Mahoney's French Restaurant and had pecan pie with a cup of coffee. When we returned to camp site we had been gone for 4 hours. Tired,cleaned up and planned to have supper at highly recommended -renovated Half Shell Oyster House and Bar. Yes, Carl had more Oysters..Yummm.
On Tuesday leaving Cajun RV winds had picked up and was blowing the sand from the man-made beach across Route 90. Reminding us of the blowing and drifting snow back in Maine. They dredge off the edge of beach pumping sand back on to the beach and then front end loaders leavel it off. Front end loaders also used on the streets with their buckets down and scooping up the sand drifts from the road ways.Then load into dump trucks ,like snow removal in Maine,and dump back onto the beach,to be blown away again. We have no paint left on left sides of truck or trailer as result of sand blasting.

Pictures for Cajun RV Park-Mississippi

Cajun RV Park

Saturday afternoon (3/17) arrived in Biloxi Miss. , traveled the length of Rte 90 (Beach St. ) thru downtown to get to our campsite - very crowded, side by side & back to back ! We lucked out getting a drive thru site, even though it is located at the campground entrance - 4 lanes of traffic, BUT right across from the beach - 27 miles ! We set up the trailer, and Rachel went to church. We took a walk after suppa along the beach to Treasure Bay Casino and back - didn't go in ! Sunday 3/18, breakfast & then walked 4 miles on the beach. Back to the trailer to clean up, read a little about the area & what we wanted to see. Hurricane Katrina was in 2005, and the scars are easily seen . Buildings missing from across the street and so from the campground we have a beach view! Buildings shown in the pictures are new, water was 20' up the light house , and the "visiting center" building was collapsed , by wind and water . The trees that were damaged , were saved, trimed, and then carved into birds, dolphins, whales, eagles etc.... Walked around uptown to the Hard Rock Casino and did some shopping - back to trailer to shower and suppa . Evening stroll down the street, wonderful summer night air and clear sky, and now working on the blog

Facts on Dauphin Island- not mentioned on blog

Fishing is the major recreation of this town,so much that it hosts 10 annual fishing rodeos. We might start taking up fishing(well maybe not)but we certainly did miss our kayaks.If we return,they will be among the stuff we pack.
The other is what we discovered (on Google) about the Goat trees.They are ancient oak trees with limbs reaching out as far as 50 feet from the trunk and almost parallel to the ground. According to legend ,these trees served as shelter for the island 's wild goats that climbed the trees at night so they could rest protected from roaming alligators. We had asked about them but that person didn't know why they were called Goat trees. So go to Google and get the facts!!!

Remember we raved about the great cinnamon rolls at the Lighthouse Bakery. Well, we also learned that after the sun goes down on that 100 year old structure,strange things start happening
in the kitchen. Things start moving around,stuff falls off the shelves, for no apparent reason. It's been documented the building is haunted. But,the rolls are still delicious being made by a 'midnight' baker---spirit.

Dauphin Island Campground 3/13/16

Leaving this beautiful Island.

This tree is called a Goat Tree (Oak)

Left Pensacola Tuesday morning 3-13 and crossed the state line into Alabama at 10am, through Mobile including going through a tunnel under the harbor.  Heading South down Route 193, over a 3 mile long bridge and found ourselves on a wonderful sand spit that is 12 miles long. Tuesday we set up came and went out exploring on our bicycles. Wednesday morning went to Lighthouse Bakery, had there famous Pecan Cinnamon rolls and coffee, then over to the Senior Citizen Center to use the WIFI as the campground was not equipped. That afternoon rode bikes to center of town, saw signs advertising a public Fish Fried suppa (similar to bean suppas) a local fund raiser, put on by the Methodist Church. We sat with folks from MN - St. Paul area . Thursday the 15th we started the day, again at the Sr. Center, using there WiFi . The fog was burning off, so out came the bikes and we rode 14 miles to and from the West End Beach - walking the beach looking for shells, sunning, reading , and Rachel going into the water - Gulf of Mexico . That evening after getting cleaned up, we headed over to Pelican Pub & Grill for suppa, BUT after ordering beers, we asked for a menu and were told that the kitchen was closed  for renovations  & would not open until May ( they are working on “island time “ ) !!!!! Then headed for Barnacle Bills for a great seafood dinner . Friday ,16th, no fog , so boarded the ferry to go across Mobile Bay to tour the other side . There are drill rigs in the bay , some of which are active , and others which are no longer in use. Also much ship traffic to be viewed - pilot boat station for Mobile Bay, being located right across the street from our camp site.  Had lunch at Gulf Shore , Rachel did some shop looking , and we returned by same ferry , just going in the opposite direction !! Rest of afternoon was spent packing up , and going to beach for that wonderful sunshine . Will include pictures of this local beach - beautiful sand , but no “go-go” girls like Panama City Beach !! This evening while walking around campground, met another “airstreamer” , and had a good conversation . Tomorrow, we move further West , but staying alongside the Gulf so we can continue to use the beaches .

Pensecola Fla -March 10-12

In order to have WiFi we are using the Information Center .Just a few miles further West we settled down at Avalon Landing RV Park . Our site overlooked the Pensacola Bay and we could watch many of the patrons and children fish (we didn’t hang around long enough to see if anyone catch fish) The first day we scouted out the area ,and decided to climb Fort Barrancas Pensacola Lighthouse,177 steps to the top.Really gets the heart rate up!!.Next day-(rain) went to National Naval Aviation Museum-Took in 2 Imax features-One showing history of helicopters,different types and their uses , Civilian and military services. The other was the training of pilots and what makes a Blue Angel pilot. Another landmark in this area is Joe Patti’s Seafood Co. same idea as Seattle Pike’s market.Ate at the Crab House, and Carl trying local oyster - Rachel would not touch !! They were wicked good !
Still continued West to Alabama state line 22 miles.

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Panama City Beach --Pictures

She sells seashells by Carrabelle Beach on Route 98.






Where's Memere-hint--she's the only one dressed and holding two milk shakes!!!