Friday, November 21st

This morning we awoke to the coldest temperature of the trip.Right at freezing, I had the heat set to keep us warm and comfortable.It worked well.I also set the engine preheater on to work about 2 hours before departure.It to worked great.It simply circulates warm water around the engine.This was the coldest I have ever cranked the engine.It started quickly and smoothly.We sucked in all four slides, pulled shore power(electric) and moved out.We had to move right next door to a large parking lot to "hitch" the Tacoma up.It avoids blocking the RV park and keeps the base fire marshall happy.Don't cringe now, I topped off the Toyota the night before at the base station for $1.65 a gallon!Thank you Tinker Air Force Base!On the road by 0845, we covered the 285 miles to Amarillo in six hours including a lunch stop.Topping off the rig in western Oklahoma at $2.49 a gallon.

We've been averaging 8 miles per gallon this year as we passed 19000 miles on the odometer.Catepillar literature says to expect a one mile per gallon increase at break-in on their engines.Get this, they claim break in occurs at approximately 30,000 miles!Entering Texas, a nice Texas welcome sign provided a good setting for a picture so hopefully I will be able to stick it in here.We'll stay here two nights.It's the best "transient" stop ever.Just south of I-40, it opened only last year.With Texas big parking spots, we hooked up, set up and Lindy prepared a great meal.They also have a adult only(no kids) hot tub.Yeah- me too.I thought it meant a "no clothes allowed" hot tub.Who knew?Adult only?Well we'll check it out tomorrow.Oasis RV Resort is struggling in the current economic environment and I do hope they make it.They're are trying very hard.The wind was blowing in Texas at a steady 20 knots today.The rig required a little crosswind correction at times on I-40, but I was surprised when we opened the door in Amarillo to find it blowing a lot harder than I expected.Temperature in the high 40's will dip into the 20's tonight.After a week coming up in Alburquerque starting sunday, we look forward to the warm temperatures of Arizona for december and Palm Springs January & February.Daisy, had a nice walk here after she slept most of the ride.Like most dogs she doesn't like the neighborhood changing so often.Being territorial, she'll like when we stay planted a month or two.By December 1st she will get her wish at Casa Grande.We will too.

Thursday, November 20th
Today we delayed our departure 24 hours.Yesterday we had a freaky weather situation.The temperature hit a high of 78 degrees!Not exactly normal for Oklahoma City in november.Well, a cold front passed thru after midnight.No rain- just howling winds.Gusts to around 40 out of the north.Predicted to stay around all day.My first command decision.We were to drive eastbound on I-40 for around 285 miles to Amarillo.The wind would be a direct crosswind from the north.With about 60+ feet of motorhome and truck in tow,(total weight of near 50,000pounds), I thought it could wait a day.We planned some cushion in the trip and this would be the first use of it.Daisy wasn't nuts about the wind but it didn't scare her.Her ears flew in the breeze kind of like "the flying nun" look!Tinker is a treat.This afternoon coming back from the BX, Lindy and I saw a B-52 & then a B-1 Bomber take off in the stiff wind.What a beautiful sight they were.Also saw a tanker,(B-707) do a low level go around.I can see a new camera in our future!Wait 'til we get to Nellis.Home of red flag, I'm told sights there are unbelievable.Another great dinner cooked up by Lindy ended the days outings.Except for another "daisy walk".So off we go......................

Tuesday, November 18th
Having not have access or time since leaving Nashville, I'll combine the last few days here in this update.As you've noticed the "blog" jumps around a bit.If you start reading as of the date we left NH, Nov. 7th, you can just follow by the dates.Also, if you click on the pictures, they will enlarge.So, after a transient overnight stop in Nashville we arrived the next day in Memphis-Arkansas.Just across from the river from Memphis, Tn.Yes the mississippi river.We parked at an RV park right on the waters edge for a two day stay.After a nice dinner, a long walk with Daisy, we watched the old boob tube and retired early.Though at this age retiring early is not all that unique.I barely make it thru the 11pm weather guy!Sunday morning, nov. 16th, was a clear, cool, cloudless day.We decided to drive to mecca.For me, that's Graceland.Elvis was a major idol for me and inspired me to play guitar.I made some nice money with it (& the band) playing the NY area in the mid-sixties.I know what your thinkin'.Bob did drugs.Although it may sometimes appear that I did or still do, I never tried.The ones I take now are for my health.Fact is I didn't and still don't like/drink beer.And it was always free to the band.I digress.Major disappointment was encountered by the rip-off operation at Graceland.Eight bucks for parking and tours ranging from $28 to $ 68 dollars-Each!Elvis would be crazed if he knew his fans were being exploited this way.Turns out, the Presley family sold Graceland to some money making tourist trap company that I will not support.I'll spend another hundred plus rather on Elvis CD's I can enjoy forever!We instead drove about ten miles inti Memphis to visit and tour the famous "Sun Studios" where Sam Phillips recorded the early (& first) Elvis recordings.He also discovered Jerry Lee, Roy Orbison, Carl Perkins and Johnny Cash!We were in the actual studio, unchanged in 50+ years were they recorded!Daisy slepted in the tacoma for a few hours.Afterwards, we drove up to Millington.In 1969 I spent four months there at the Naval Air Station.While we visited the NEX (exchange), I decided to get a much needed haircut.After a ten minute wait, I was in the chair.I explained to the elderly barber I needed a trim.He agreed.I said you don't understand, the last time I was here I didn't have a choice!Nearly forty years have passed since that "recruit" haircut I got at boot camp!
On November 17th we were in Ft. Smith Arkansas for another "transient overnight.What that is , is a stop for the day to spend a night and continue early next day.We don't have to un-hitch our truck and not even require power or water.We do some of these stops at Walmart for convenience and to avoid looking for a "reasonable" park for the same thing.Some parks have protested the Walmart parking as taking their business.I say, offer us a "pull thru" site(60+ feet long) maybe water/electric for 25-30 bucks and I ll be there.I sleep better there than Walmart 'cause you don't have a lot of security at the shopping giant.Turns out, Lindy has found a lot of these easy on, easy off parks enroute.We have stayed true to our suggestion and been at a few already.We let them know we appreciate their "transient" parking.One even told us it was five bucks less for thirty rather than fifty amp service!I need to write a letter to an RV magazine to all those complaining parks.They have succeeded in closing some 300 Walmart opportunities, about ten percent!
Today,tuesday, Novenber 18th, we arrive at Tinker Air Force base for a two night stay.Located in Oklahoma City, it was an easy 276 mile drive on I-40 from Ft. Smith.Nice park.Only 39 spots and just six with 50 amp service.A neat base with lots of tanker aircraft to see.After setting up and cleaning up a bit we walked Daisy before heading over to the BX.Really nice food court and shopping.Tomorrow we'll refill the refrig with goodies from the commissary.As Linda Elerby would say- "and so it goes".Next stop, Amerillo, Texas.Last enroute stop, two nights, before final leg to Alburquerque.We'll be there a week and spend thanksgiving with friends driving down from Denver.To say we are really enjoying this trip is an understatement.............................Time to shop.