2013 Lap around the USA

[john.waters]

Well thats the first leg of the road trip over. Everything went to plan and on schedule with our itinerary.
This leg could quiet easily have been a holiday on its own if we only had two weeks and would not have been dissapointed.
We covered 3027 miles from LA to New Orleans in the 13 days and a few rest days in that time so we done pretty well. Some big days put in on the run through New Mexico and Texas.
In thirteen days we covered a lot of of ground and visited some amazing places. By now we were getting settled in for te remainder of the trip. Driving on the right hand side of the road was easy now and the combination of navigator,GPS and Maps were keeping us pointed in the right direction.

It takes a couple of weeks to settle in. Also getting used to the daily cups of french vanilla coffee and reece peanut butter cups, doctor pepper and beef jerkey.Better not forget the Jack Daniels pulled pork.
I think Im having withdrawals again.

[john.waters]

Day 14 – Thursday 23rd May 2013- New Orleans – Natchez Trace Parkway- Rocky Springs Campground – Natchez Trace Parkway, Mississippi. 255 Miles

Up early to a beautiful sunny day and a little sad to be leaving New Orleans. We are taking some very fond memories of Louisiana with us.
Back on I 10 we headed to Baton Rouge before heading to Natchez and Walmart, to stock up our van with drinking water and a few groceries. We needed to start being self sufficient and keep out of diners and cafes for a while.



We picked up the Natchez Trace Parkway around lunchtime and settled into some very relaxed driving and beautiful scenery. We stopped off at every historic site and marker along the trace.





After crossed over into Mississippi, and started looking for a campsite for the night. We came across a few that were still closed and a lot of others had the amenities closed.
We chose Rocky Springs campground and settled in for night. Still very warm and humid so sleeping was a little uncomfortable.

During the planning stage of the trip I was looking through the road trips and came across the Natchez Trace Parkway. After researching it was added to our trip.
So many great resources on one site. Thanks RTA

[john.waters]

Day 15 – Friday 24th May 2013 – Natchez Trace Parkway – Tupelo Tennessee – Flying J Truck Stop on the outskirts of Memphis. Tennessee. 317 Miles

Another beautiful morning in Paradise. I finally got around to cooking breakfast for us. Nothing like smoked bacon and eggs and fresh coffee to kick start the day. We were packed up and on the road by 8.30 am and ready for another day in a new place.

First stop was Tupelo Cyprus Swamp. I don’t think I could have got the camera gear out of the van quick enough. We were very quiet but didn’t get to see any little Gators. But I’m sure they could see us. It’s amazing to see these giant trees growing and living in the swamps.





By mid afternoon we arrived at Tupelo (Birth place of Elvis Presley).First stop was the Tupelo Battle Fields for a little more history on the Civil War.



We found the Elvis Presley Museum and the house he was born in. A very moving, special place to visit for us.





I think we were kicked out at closing time before making our way towards Memphis. It was getting late so we decided to camp at another truck stop.

With Memphis only a short drive away, we could be up early and at Graceland before the Saturday crowds. That was our plans anyway.

Our time on the Parkway was only short. I would have loved to have travelled the rest further up into Tennessee. But like all road trips you just can’t do everything in a limited amount of time.
But what we did see was spectacular and not a moment of dislike.

[john.waters]

Day 16 – Saturday 25th May 2013 – Memphis Tennessee – Graceland’s – Beale Street - Point of View Campground. Alabama 183 Miles.

On the road by 7.30 am and arrived at Graceland’s about 8.00 am. We paid our $10.00 parking fee and $37 for the tour. I think that was quite reasonable for the experience.





The tour through the Mansion and the grounds were everything we expected and we were not disappointed. We passed the grave sites of Elvis and his family before heading back to the museum to have a look at the car collection.





By the time we finished our tour the place was really packed and huge line ups. Seeing lots of young and old Elvis fans dressed in jumpsuits was an eye opener.

After Graceland’s we found our way downtown Memphis. Looking for a free car park around Beale St was a bad idea and ended up paying $15 like everyone else.

Beale St reminded me a lot of Bourbon St in New Orleans and a few other cities we ventured into.
Full of life with people walking everywhere. All having a good time, music playing everywhere.





After a walk around and lunch, we hit the road again with the plan of stopping somewhere between Memphis and Chattanooga.

Our original plan was to go direct from Memphis to Nashville. I liked the idea of going to visit the Jack Daniels Distillery in Lynchburg.
So instead of doubling back from Nashville we decided to go to Jack Daniels via Chattanooga and then onto Nashville.

We took Highway 72 towards Chattanooga and were surprised when we crossed into Alabama. Another State to add to the list.
Looking for somewhere to camp looked grim until I spotted a sign on the side of the road.
A quick U turn and a few miles up a side road we arrived at a place called Point of View Campground. I think every person in the campground was sitting around a large fire. I hen realised it was the memorial weekend and a lot of families were getting together.
A nice little spot on the river, only a short walk to a diner and bar.

After dinner we checked the bar out and spent a few hours listening to the entertainment and chatting to the locals while enjoying a cool drink. Nothing like spending time with the locals to get a feel for a place.

These little campgrounds are great to find but also gives us a chance for a nice hot shower and a bit of washing.

[john.waters]

Day 17 – Sunday 26th May 2013 – Point of View. Alabama – Chattanooga, Tennessee – Lynchburg, Tennessee 270 Miles

For the last few days we have only been on the road for a few hours a day. A far cry from the trip through Texas. It’s been great to be able to stop and look around as we feel.

A little behind on the itinerary, but we always said if we didn’t finish the full trip this time, we would come back and finish off.
The drive to Chattanooga took us over the line momentarily into Georgia. So we ticked that off our list to.

We found a car park downtown Chattanooga and hopped on one of the cities free shuttles and headed towards the railway station.



Of course we had to have our photo taken with the Chattanooga Choo Choo. I had read before we left that Chattanooga was once described as the dirtiest city in the USA. It certainly has lost that reputation now. A wonderful city and a pleasure to visit.
With a few hours left in Chattanooga de decided to visit the Aquarium. I’m not sure who took the most photos. Again another very well priced attraction at $25.00 each.





I think the damage was done when my wife went into the gift shops at each place we visited. No wonder we needed two extra suitcases to get everything home.

Leaving Chattanooga our destination was Lynchburg. We didn’t quite make it but ended up staying in a motel not far away. A well earned rest in a motel bed, after a few nights in the van.

We stayed in a Days Inn Motel and a reasonable price for a nice clean room. $57.00.

[john.waters]

Day 18 – Monday 27th May 2013 – Lynchburg, Tennessee – Jack Daniels Distillery – Nashville – Twin Rivers RV Park, Tennessee – 119 Miles

Awake early on the internet to the family at home. Always good to catch up and let them know we were OK.
We left the Motel at 8.15 and wasn’t long before we arrived at Mr Daniels place in Lynchburg.
Being Memorial Day the car park was filling quickly and tourist coaches followed us in.
We took a very informative guided tour and learnt the ins and outs of the distillery. Our Guide Wes pointed out many times that Jack Daniels was a genuine Tennessee sipping whisky, and not a bourbon.







For a memento of our trip we purchased an engraved bottle of Gentleman Jack. To be opened on a special day.
By the time I finish this field trip report. It may very well be that day.

We left the distillery and headed to the town square looking for a few souvenir shops. We noticed a Memorial Day service in progress so we stopped to attend that first. Very moving service.

The Jack Daniels gift shops done well as we had orders from the family on what gifts to bring back.

From Jack Daniels we cruised on into Nashville. Being late in the afternoon we took a stroll downtown before finding an RV Park away from the city.

Settling into the RV Park I found a country music concert for the residents, so I spent the rest of the afternoon being entertained.


All ready now for a big day in Nashville tomorrow.

[john.waters]

Day 19 – Tuesday 28th May 2013 – Twin Rivers RV Park – Grand Old Opry – Studio B – Country Music Hall of Fame – KOA RV Park – Bowling Green, Kentucky- 92 MilesSunny and Hot in Nashville. Left the RV Park and again first in line for tickets to tour the Grand Old Opry.



Nashville has always been my choice to visit. Like may Australians we grew up listening to Country and Western music and my mother being a goog singer we had many nights listening to the old classics.
As usual the tours were great and the tour guides very professional and entertaining.
We would love to have stayed for a concert but everything at the Opry was booked out.

Moving along and it was back into the city and onto the Country Music Hall of Fame.
When buying tickets we decided to go on the Studio B tour as well. So it was back on a bus and over to the studio. Lots of memories started flowing back of all the songs my mother used to sing. Jim Reeve, Patsy Cline, Chet Atkins and Elvis. I could have spent all day here as well.



This piano was used with the recordings in Studio B. I can imagine see Elvis playing there.




The rest of the day was spend walking the Country Music Hall of Fame. Something I recommend to everyone who likes Country Music or just music. So much memorabilia and history in one building.








We left Nashville and crossed over the State line into Kentucky and found a KAO RV park for the night. A total of 92 miles in total driving but I got enough memories to last me the rest of my like. Another dream ticked off the bucket list.

[john.waters]

Slowly catching up with the report. Just trying to keep ahead with the photo editing. I could always leave them out I suppose.

Were 19 days into the trip now and done 4263 mile. Its been rather easy and stress free as well. A few long days but well worth the effort.

Hiring another van from Escape campers turned out as we planned. A fairly modern van and just fitted out before we picked it up. We had the honors of taking it on its first road trip.

Freshly paitned and looking great. One thing Escape Campers did forget and that was the signage. No camper hire signs so everyone thought we owned the van and done it ourselves.

It was good on fuel and ran like a dream and plenty of grunt for getting up over those big hills. It had a nice little kitchen area in the back. A slide out 12 volt fridge that worked great and kept everything nice and cold. A coleman 2 burner stove,sink and plenty of water in the tank.
Setting up for bed took about five minutes maximum.We had too many bags so we had to arrange everything each stop.
Seats forward, the matress folded down.Luggage on the front seat and camera gear on the front floor and tucked into bed in under five minutes.
The matress took a few days to get used to and me being tall it took a while to sort my long legs out.
Being a small van we could park anywhere a car could so finding places to park wasnt too difficult. If we were to do another trip like this Im sure we would go the same way. Anyway Id give it a 10 out of 10.

I just about have a few more photos ready so I hope I can ge more up in the next few days.

John

[Mark Sedenquist]

Slowly catching up with the report. Just trying to keep ahead with the photo editing. I could always leave them out I suppose.

I hope not! I, for one, am enjoying seeing all of the photos!

Mark

[john.waters]

I hope not! I, for one, am enjoying seeing all of the photos!

Thanks Mark. Its very hard to decide which ones to post. I have culled down to 6500. I havent started working on the panos yet.

Im just editing as I go along. I think I still have another 36 days to go and the scenery gets better. I wont forget to leave the photos out.
John

PS. I keep forgetting you can see the photos before I post them Mark.