ROADSIDE STOPS FROM MURFREESBORO, TN TO BUCKEYE, AZ

ROADSIDE STOPS FROM MURFREESBORO, TN TO BUCKEYE, AZ

26 Dec – 6 Jan

I wanted to try something different this trip and blog about the places we stop along the way. The way a Full-Time RVer travels from one place to the next is done differently than the "normal person" in their everyday travels. With so many people speeding trying to get somewhere as fast as they can, there is no time for them to stop and smell the roses to take in the history or beauty that's right in from of them in their everyday commutes. Don't get me wrong, some RVer travel that way too and every RVer has their own way of traveling. However, in our case most of the time we don't have a set time we have to be somewhere. We travel to see and do thing along the way. I just want to show that if you take that extra mile and get off the beating path you can find that hidden gem that so many people never get to see. 

First and foremost is planning. It's hard to find something that others have not found yet or that is not a big (pricey) tourist spot, but still have its own value. We stop at State line visitor center and grab flyers & travel books, watching a lot of Full Time RVer YouTube videos, reading a lot of RVers blogs and listing to stories from other RVer on where they went. When something catches our attention I write it down and when we are in that area I have it on my to do list. Currently our must are baseball stadiums, National Parks and Capitol Building.  It might seem a little weird, but lately we also have been visiting famous people grave sites. We have seen Ty Cobb, Bruce and Brandon Lee, Jimi Hendrix, Kurt Cobain (park were some of his ashes were laid in the river) just to name a few. Sometimes when we see Historical Markers we just pull off the side of the road to read them and see what took place.

This trip was no different than the others we took, except that the weather is colder along with Christmas and New Year’s Holidays where most attractions are closed. We’re still bound to see something new. 

BASEBALL STADIUM

We had three more Minor League Stadiums on our list, but when I called to see their hours they were closed Dec 24 - Jan 2. Bad news no ball parks this trip. I’ll have to get them the next time around.

However, we did find some places that were open between Christmas and New Year’s. The next eleven days and 1,979 miles these are the places we visited and things we did.

FRIENDS
First we stopped to meet friends in Texas for the New Year before driving the rest of the way to Arizona. These are the place we stopped.

NATIONAL PARK

To read about our three day stay at Hot Springs NP, Little Rock Central High School NHS and Arkansas Capitol Building  CLICKHERE.

HUNT FOR DIAMONDS

I always wondered why Arkansas had a diamond on the license plate; well this place has answered my question why? Crater of Diamonds State Park in Mufreesboro, AR. Parking spaces is big enough for RV. They also have a campground, but we only stayed a few hours before getting back on the road. Fee was $8 a person on 37 acres you can search for diamonds. Since 1972 visitors have found over 30,000 diamonds. I keep talking about finding that hidden gem; this is the perfect place then any to at least try. Whatever we found we could keep. When we return to the visitor center we got a free appraisal to see if we “found that hidden gem”. Sadly, we only left with a bag full of rocks.

ROAD SITE MARKER

Just ten miles off of I-20 on a rural road just outside of Gibsland, LA with no one in sight for miles is the site where Bonnie and Clyde were ambushed and killed by law enforcement on 23 May 1934. All that remains as a reminder are two markers. One made from stone that is rattled with bullet hole giving the sight & date of the ambush and a brass maker dedicated to the law men who shot and killed them.

MILITARY BASE

One of my favorite bases I have come a cross since Full Timing is Fort Bliss Army Base in El Paso, TX, about 25 miles from the New Mexico State line (I 10 to US 54). We drove on base with the RV and had no issues. One of the few bases that I have seen that got it right with FreedomCrossing . Everything that a military personal would ask for and they have it here. Freedom Crossing looks like a small city were personnel don’t even have to leave the base to get what they can off base. There is even a FAMCAMP 3 miles down the road on the other side of the base. If you are active, retired or DoD you must stop if not to just take a look.  One of the most dangerous cities in the world Juarez, Mexico border crossing is only a few miles a ways where you can see the border wall and city from I 10.

SNOWBIRD HOME

Only a few hours out from our final destination just outside of Phoenix, AZ I was following behind a big rig and saw him pass over a shredded tier, I swerved to miss the first piece, but hit the bigger second piece with the back wheel of the tow dolly. First the good news there was no damages to the RV or car. However, the dolly took the bulk of the damage as the tire broke the dolly tire cover in half. I pulled over at a rest stop and the tire cover was not hitting the tire so there was no worry of blowing a tire. The piece looks easy to replace all I will have to do is find or order the part before we hit the road in April.

I-10 and I-17 interchange in Phoenix at 4:00pm is the worst. Driving like a turtle and cars cutting in front of us at the last second almost getting hit. It was so bad our sink covers flew off hitting the back of Hiromi's seat. Lesson Learn: Next time I will take I-8 and go around. It might take longer, but not as much traffic and I would still have my dolly tire cover.

We have arrived at our new home for the next four months at Leaf Verde in Buckeye, AZ. This marks our third season here where we were welcomed from friends we have made in the past and hopefully make new ones when we leave.

I did a review of this park in 2013, the park is under new management, but very little have changed. If interested in seeing the review CLICK HERE.

HOT SPRINGS NATIONAL PARK

HOT SPRINGS NATIONAL PARK & LITTLE ROCK, AR

27-29 Dec

Have you ever found a place that you loved so much, that every time you are close you can hear it calling your name and have to stop? Well, Hot Springs National Park is one of those places for us. Any time we are on I40 in Arkansas we take a few days to rest and relax in this location. This was our fourth time visiting this town and third time going to the bath house (first time closed). Even during the Holidays the Quapaw Bath House & Spa was open. Only an hour away we took a day trip to Little Rock to see some history.

We stayed at the Host Springs NP Campground just a few miles from bath house row. All sites are now full hook-up at $30 a nights. I asked the camp host if they had military discount, she told me to use the senior discount. It cost us only $15 a night.

First night I was going to cook steaks on the grill, but they were still frozen. We decided to walk around bath house row to see the Christmas lights and eat at The Ohio Club. We have eaten here before and this time we planned ahead.  Ohio Club is a bar with live music with a very small kitchen. We ordered chips & dip as our entree knowing that it would take a while for our dinner to arrive. I even had a Lost Forty Forest Queen and listen to the live band before our Ohio burger arrived.

I just found an APP untappd. It allows you to log the places you visited and drinks you had. If you use this APP you can friend me (JapanX) and compare the places we have been. Being from Ohio and with The Ohio Club as my first visit it just sounds fitting.

Tourist trap alert: Don’t pay for parking, there is a three story free parking garage one block behind Central Ave.

LITTLE ROCK

Day two: Only an hour away is the Capitol of Arkansas, Little Rock. We have missed it the several times we were here before and had to take a look this time. First we stopped at Little Rock Central High School NHS. In September 1957 nine African-American teens held the line against an angry mob protesting integration in front of Little Rock Central High School. President Eisenhower ordered the US Army to escort the nine students into the school. The crisis forced the Nation to enforce civil rights in the face of massive Southern defiance. Eight of the nine students are still alive today.

Next we traveled a mile away to the other side of the highway and arrived at the State Capitol Building. There was free parking right in front. We passed security and completed our self-guided tour. We saw the House & Senate, Governor Office and took a picture with the Capitol Building in the foreground.  Capitol Building number 20.

The steaks were no longer frozen and I cooked them on the grill for dinner.

HOT SPRINGS NP

Day three: We have been to Quapaw Bath & Spa in the past, but this time they had opening for massage. When making the reservations (the day before) I told the receptionist I never done this before and asked what I need to wear, she just smiled and said a smile.  For 25 minutes we had a couple’s massage with Hiromi getting a Swish and I got a targeted (lower back). We then hit the bath spa (bathing suit required) for about an hour. Because I got a massage and that I’m retired military my bath was free. However, Hiromi’s was normal price of $20. We soaked in the four different spring water baths that had a rage of temperatures from 95F to 104F for a few hours.

Our neighbors at the National Park Campground are from Ohio, was born in Canton and studied at Kent State. What a small world! What are the chances of that ever happing again? We all went out to eat dinner at DeLuca’s Pizzeria for New York style pizza and share stories. Places they have been we want to go, and places we have been they want to go. This is one of the reason I love RVing. Some stranger you may never talk to in the “real world” and would never have known you two have so much in common would bond so quickly by only saying hello.  

                                                                            

Want to see what we did the other times we were in Hot Springs NP click on these links.

Hot Spring NP 2012 

Hot Spring NP 2013 

Hot Spring NP 2015 

RUBY FALLS, ROCK CITY, INCLINE RAILWAY AND AT&T FIELD

RUBY FALLS, ROCK CITY, INCLINE RAILWAY AND AT&T FIELD

29 Oct and 23 Dec

We had a rear extended weekend as we took Volunteer Time Off (VTO) half day with our regular time off. We tried to sleep, but just not our lucky day. We would take the hour drive to Chattanooga, TN crossing into Eastern Time Zone for the "TWO" hour drive. We purchased the package deal to see Ruby Falls, Rock City and Incline Railway. Also, added one more minor league baseball stadium.

RUBY FALLS

The only natural opening to the cave was closed in 1905 during the construction of a railway tunnel and remained hidden until 1928.  Leo Lambert made efforts to reopen the cave for tourists to visit the cave via an elevator. He discovered a small passageway about 18” high and 4’ wide. Exploring this opening he discovered the hidden waterfall. On his next rip he took his wife Ruby and told her that he would name the falls after her.

  

Driving through Tennessee from 100 miles away you will start seeing signboards advertising to visit Ruby Fall. All you have to do is follow the signboards.  Like other cave tours this one was different. There are not bats so cleaning our hiking boots were not required. There is a trail, but only one way in and out. Tour group walking in had to give way to tour group walking out by stepping to the side. For the price we paid I was a little disappointed for how long we could stay at the falls. It felt like they were pumping groups in and out at a fast pace. Maybe, because it was a weekend and the waiting lines were long when we return to the entrance. We took the elevator 1,120 feet below ground and hike about half mile in to the falls. When the whole group arrived at the 145 foot high underground waterfall the lights would turn on. We had a few minutes to see and take pictures. When we took pictures with us the flash was on and the pictures did not turn out good at all. I even tried my best editing with no luck. However, the pictures of the falls itself turn out pretty good. 

GoPro strapped to my chest and ready to go

ROCK CITY

 Next in the package deal was Rock City. Again, there were a lot of people. This time we could take our time and stay as long as we wanted. We must have spent over an hour walking around the rock and cave tunnels. The climax was at the end with Lover’s Leap waterfall over the edge of the cliff. This is also the lookout location to see out over seven US States Tennessee, Kentucky, Virginia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Georgia and Alabama.

We were both dead tired and since the ticket are good up to one year of purchase date we decide to call it the day and will return before we leave Tennessee. There is a National Park at the top the incline railway. When we return I will bring my National Park book to get stamped.

INCLINE RAILWAY

It took us until out last week in Tennessee before we could make it back, but we did. The Incline Railways is about a mile in length and has a maximum grade of 72% and billed as one of the world’s steepest passenger railways. It reminded me of the time I took the Peak Tram in Hong Kong. After the 10 minute ride we arrived at the top and gazed out to the city of Chattanooga below. Onward we went to Lookout Mountain Battlefield NMP. The National Park signboard reads Point Park NMP is not its own Park, but park of Chickamauga & Chattanooga NMP in Georgia. This was the site where the Union and Confederate clashed in the fall of 1863 with some of the hardest fighting in the Civil War of the Battle above the Clouds for the key railroad center and gateway to the heart of the Confederacy.

AT&T FIELD

Only a few miles away down the hill and into the city of Chattanooga is AT&T Field home to the Chattanooga Lookouts AA affiliate of the Twins. The grandstands were closed, so I asked a worker in the teams shop if there was a way to see the field and he took us on to the field.  My last stadium of 2016 and stadium number 64 all time.

Check out the video of this trip.

YOUTUBE VIDEO RUBY FALLS, ROCK CITY & INCLINE RAILWAY 

                                                                                                                                                                                           

TENNESSEE CAPITOL BUILDING & FIRST TENNESSEE PARK

TENNESSEE CAPITOL BUILDING & FIRST TENNESSEE PARK

18 Nov

Staying in Manchester, TN with the State Capitol of Tennessee only an hour away we just had to stop to add to our growing list of State Building and the added bonus for me was another minor league baseball stadium just two blocks away.

The Capitol Building sits on top of a hill looking down on the edge of town. There is two hour free street parking at the bottom of the hill. We walked up the side of the hill to get to the entrance It took us about an hour to do our self-guided tour. This makes our 19th Capitol Building we have visited.

 

Two blocks away is First Tennessee Park home to the Nashville Sound AAA Affiliate of the Oakland As. The standout feature in this stadium is the guitar shape scoreboard. First Tennessee Park marks my 63rd stadium all time visited.

GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAIN NATIONAL PARK

GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAIN NATIONAL PARK

29 Sep – 3 Oct 

By now you should know that we don't like to make reservations, it's just not our style of travel. We like to be free to stay and enjoy the sights as long as we like that may pass along our path. Most of the time this way of traveling works for us and very little it does not work. This weekend was one of the very little times. We arrived at Great Smoky Mountain NP and all the campgrounds had only Thursday night open and the weekend booked full. As we drove out of the NP to look for a campground we found one at the first place we stopped at Riveredge RV Park. Being only 8 minutes from the NP we stayed. Like most place this close comes with a little higher price to stay. It was around $50 a night, a little over what we usually like to pay. Since we spent the summer in one place and the next three months our campground is free (by Amazon) why not spoil ourselves a little. The camp sites are a little tight, but there is a jacuzzi, two shower houses that are one of the cleanest and biggest I have ever seen that even plays music to relax the mood (elevator Christmas tunes), large washer/dryer room and a large play room on the second floor of one of the bath houses. The town trolley even has a stop inside the park that cost only $.50 per person to use instead of fighting the traffic looking for a parking spot in town.

With Great Smoky Mountain National Park sitting on over half million acres crossing two state lines, where do I start? Even though we spent five days exploring it still was not enough to see and do everything this park has to offer. First stop was Cade Cove loop. There were horses along the fenced road and Hiromi wanted to see them up close.

 Then, onward to Johnson’s Cabin. Living out in the middle of nowhere, but had the best views.

There are several 5 mile hikes, but we hiked only one trail, Abrams Falls. This was the first time we have hiked five miles and took us three hours to complete. Two and half miles in came to an end with the view of Abrams Falls. After seeing this sight of beauty it was well worth the effort to get there. Now we had to hike back to the car, when we arrived the parking lot was almost empty.

The next few days we drove through the park pulling over at the lookouts and Clingmans Dome to once again take in the sights. We then stopped at Newfound Gap lookout that covers two state lines of South Carolina and Tennessee. On our last night we returned to Clingmans Dome to watch the sunset on the end of this adventure. The funny thing was on the way back into town we pulled over to catch the sky turn black at a pullover that was empty and we both agreed that this sight was the best unexpected view we have seen all week (picture does not give the view justice).

When we return to Eastern Tennessee we will definitely have to stop and visit again.


To see the video of our time at Great Smoky Mountain National Park CLICK HERE