Our campsite was a 2 mile walk to Bath House Row. We decided last night that we would hike the trail to get to the Bath Houses. We started out a little after 7 on our hike. All I can say is that I am very proud of us. I know that 4 months ago I would never have been able to do this hike. It was rated a moderate trail and had some pretty significant rises. I definetly got my heart rate up and kept reminding myself that I could do it. When we finally were close to town we were walking down a pretty steep incline. I spent a lot of time looking at where I was putting my feet. I could just picture myself falling forward and rolling down the trail. I don’t think the healing waters of the bath house would have been able to help me if that happened.

When we got to the bath house I wasn’t sure what I was getting myself into. Being hot is not my favorite thing. Jay and I went off to our separate floors. I had a pretty long wait before I was taken back to the treatment rooms. (We were warned it would be a wait even though we got there right after they opened at 8.)It is interesting to sit wrapped in a sheet with a bunch of other ladies. I also could not have my phone or watch so I didn’t even know what time it was or how long I was waiting. When I was called back I was taken to a tub with very hot spring water for my whirlpool bath. I was in the bath for 30 minutes. I read later on a paper on the wall that it was suppose to be a max of 20 minutes. Needless to say I was very hot and a little dizzy when the attendant came to get me out. The rest of the treatment- hot towels, sitz bath and steam were fine. The best part was the cold towel for my face. I am glad I did it but am not sure I would do it again.

Overall, I am very proud of this morning. Completed a good hike and stepped out of my comfort zone with the bath.

Today was one of those days that felt bigger than the miles we traveled.

We woke up in Memphis with one simple mission: pay our respects to a piece of American history.

We cranked up our Elvis Playlist and we were bound for Graceland.

Fun fact: in the US, the White House is the only home with more annual visitors. Not sure what that says, but is says something about America.

With an $85 admission ticket,  Graceland may not have fit the budget for the full tour this time, but that didn’t matter. We walked the grounds, took in the atmosphere, picked up the obligatory t-shirt, and stood outside the famous gates where millions of fans have gathered over the years and left their mark. TCB baby, TCB!

Sometimes you don’t have to go inside to appreciate the story. Only a little sad to not see the Jungle Room up close. It was still a fantastic stop. We walked over a mile which was nice since I recorded about 321 steps yesterday with all the car time.

From there, we traded rock and roll for the mighty Mississippi and some more walking.

A short 15 minute drive brought us to West Memphis Delta Park, where we stretched our legs and did something we’ve never known we wanted to do. Walk across the Mississippi River and back again.

Standing above that broad ribbon of water, watching a barge work their way along, it was easy to appreciate just how much of America’s history and commerce has flowed through this place.

We were talking about it after, just imagining Settlers merrily making their way inland, and, BAM,  you hit that river. What a majestic barrier. Today we crossed three times. By RV and there and back on foot. We got our steps in today!

Of course, you can’t leave Memphis without barbecue.

We skipped the polished tourist spots and found exactly what we were hoping for: a little hole-in-the-wall serving up classic Memphis BBQ and Mexican Food. To say it was a dump, insults every dump, everywhere. I told Susan when we got back in the RV, “This will be the best meat ever or we may die of food poisoning.” It was awesome. Susan just had another portion of our 1 pound sandwich for dinner.  My favorite part was the rubber hose, old school pneumatic Bell. Like they used to have at gas stations. People would pull up and that classic “DING DING”. So cool. We stopped at the Arkansas Welcome Rest Stop for our picnic.

Hole in the wall for the win.

With full stomachs, we pointed the RV west and settled into an easy drive on I 40 toward Arkansas. The weather could not have been better, and the miles rolled by effortlessly until GPS perfectly routed us around an accident and we arrived at Gulpha Gorge Campground in Hot Springs National Park in good time.

Tomorrow we’ll explore the park itself and check off National Park number two of ten on this summer adventure.

The road report remains encouraging:

– Tire repair: Still holding air.
– All RV systems: GO.
– Driving weather: Perfect.
– Fuel economy: Up to 11.8 MPG.
– Distance from home: 1,116 miles.

Every day out here seems to find its own rhythm. Today was about music, rivers, barbecue, and the simple joy of watching the country unfold one mile at a time through the windshield.

Tomorrow is another adventure.

Is a mammal.

Packing up in Memphis. Waiting a few more minutes to fire up the generator, charge some things and get a quick breakfast made. Our Orion packs up very quickly once we’re ready. Awning down, slide in, shades out of the windows, stow and store everything inside, check the oil and kick the tires (hopefully the tire kick goes better than yesterday) and we’re packed. Contrasted with the other campers who shared the lot with us. They are in a trailer which has to be hooked back up and all the leveling undone, they have several slides to get back in. They have about 4 times the living space which they need because they live full-time, but in the battle of Motorhome vs. Trailer, I prefer a motorhome today.  They are famous YouTube Travellers so I guess we had a brush with fame.

https://youtube.com/@wheretheywander22?si=ZhMvbzYbPaYsfoqY

We get so many Bluebird visitors it may seem like I share more of them, but like this guy, they are just so photogenic. Not camera shy and just represent.

I think the best part of this trip will be looking at all the amazing sky lines and wonderful geography in this country. I have been taking pictures as we drive and when we stop. Here are just a few.

I’m going to Graceland, Graceland
Memphis, Tennessee
I’m going to Graceland
Poor boys and pilgrims with families
And we are going to Graceland

Day 4? Seems like it has been forever and no time at all.

We are settled at our Harvest Host just outside Memphis. A Luthern Church with a beautiful playground and a very level concrete parking lot.

Today was a slower day than yesterday. We attended church services at our Host location from last night. It was perhaps a more conservative sermon than we would prefer, but the people were lovely. We sang with them, had a donut and packed up to be on the road by noon.

One issue. We had a flat tire. It had been loosing some air overnight but holding it other times. I got out the pump to refill the tire and discovered that the valve stem extension to the tire leaked when I wiggled it.

This was seemingly good news, but where to fix it on a Sunday? This Class C camper falls into a strange space. Too big for normal “car” mechanics and too small for “truck” mechanics. It is always interesting to find places to get work done. Even a simple oil change can be a challenge.

As these things are, we happend to be in a spot with 3 or 4 truck stops and the associated shops, lube joints and truck washes.

We tried one place…they dont do tires. Tried place two, they didnt have parts that would fit and cant get parts on Sunday.

Discount Tire who put these tires on, aren’t open on Sundays.

Tried truck stop three, Travel America. After waiting for the young woman at the counter to get off the phone, I started to explain my dilemma.

Two of the techs standing there started to discuss it and one guy says, “Let me take a look.”

Well, he looks, pronounces that the valve extension looks loose.

He walks back to his toolbox and comes back with a wrench and a bottle of leak detector spray.

Five minutes later, it is fixed and he will not take a penny from me. Seemed offended that I offered.

SO, if you can stop at a TA travel plaza, do it. Reward their kindness.  What I thought was going to be a day sitting in a tire shop parking lot and spending hundreds was 10 minutes and free! Sometimes things work out.

Now, several hundred miles later and 6 hours of driving find the tire as full as we filled it in Knoxville. Seems good and fixed.

Warm but not oppressive heat today. Some off and on rain but good highway and no traffic. All in all, a good day to make a few miles. Saw the lowest gas prices of the trip but the worst of that is yet to come.

Otherwise, we made it to Memphis, tomorrow we’ll “see” Graceland. Not willing to spend the price of admission to see the Jungle Room. I “get” Elvis enough to want to cruise down “Elvis Presley Blvd. to the Graceland gates.” Not will to pay the price to see a Cadillac with Tennessee plates.

We’ll definitely honor crossing the Mississippi tomorrow, grab some BBQ, maybe cruise down Beale before making our way to Hot Springs.

Some numbers, overall mileage is down to 10.3 MPG. As measured last night, .5 gallons is the amount of fuel to run the generator for an hour. 40 is the highway we rode today. 0 is the dollars we spent fixing the tire.

Look for Susan to soon make her first blog post.

Tomorrow is another adventure!

Been a while since we highlighted a House Finch. Check this guy out.

Tennessee, Tennessee
There ain’t no place I’d rather be
Baby, won’t you carry me?
Back to Tennessee

Our first night camping. Made it from our Home base in South Carolina and rode through Pigsah National Forest where we stopped for a sandwich just past Looking Glass Falls. From there, we skirted Ashville and from Cherokee, NC started up the Newfound Gap Road. Made our first trip to over 6000 feet and saw the beautiful vistas of the most visited National Park in the US and the first of this trip.

Tonight, we are settled in at a Presbyterian Church Harvest Host in Lenoir City, TN.

Some numbers…569 miles from home…1 National Park Visited…97 degrees in Cherokee, 68 degrees at the  Kuwohi Observation Tower parking lot, highest point reached today-  6,600 feet.

Tomorrow is another adventure.

Wrapping up a family visit in SC. Uneventful, hot, visit. There were pedicures and pizza and playtime. A nice reprieve before leaving the comforts of JG’s home and hitting the road. Today we’ll pass through Great Smokies National Park and land at a Harvest Host Church in Tennessee. Airing up the tires and heading out.