24-29 April

Hot Springs Arkansas
National Park

Beautiful area.  They have 2 lakes in addition to the hot springs, so most everything is tourist oriented around here. We took a Ranger led tour that talked about the history of the bath houses and the opulence of the time they were built.

Yep we went up in there.

 

butch found out that Bill Clinton went to a local bbq place. 

he got directions. 

McClards. 

he was a happy camper. 

The next day he found out about another very local joint called Mickeys. 

he got directions. 

butch's bbq score:  Memphis-2  Hot Springs-2

 

 

 

Buckstaff Baths is the National Parks operated bathhouse.  We got the mineral bath treatment with a Swedish massage.  It was absolutely wonderful.  Except I now have bruises from the massage.  Since it was the first time I'd ever had one, I have no idea if that is normal, but it just doesn't seem right.

Army Navy Hospital



 Many WWII veterans were sent here to recover when they came home.  This is a HUGE facility and they've actually torn down some of the buildings that were not necessary and in bad condition.  They use this now as a school for special needs people.  They live there and learn many different trades.  We were told you could get an unbelievable lunch there for just $4.

"butch....go stand in front of the tub so we can see how big it is"....gets you this happy face.

 

Bacchas

cornice top from one of the baths they're restoring.  Carved wood.  They'll make a mold of it and recast it in a resilient plaster.

22-23 April

Did you know that 48% of all rice in the US is grown in eastern Arkansas.  I was surprised. 

rice fields

 

We went to a Corp of Engineers lake named Greers Ferry Lake.  It reminded me a lot of Raystown.  Beautiful area.  Too bad it is in a dry county.  And butch had 3 beers.  They said try the next county…oh 40 miles or so. 

Greers Ferry is about 30 miles from Batesville Arkansas.  As in home of Mark Martin and his museum, in the middle of freakin nowhere.  The Ford man was so happy. 

 

 

 

IROC car

Charlotte All-Star winning car

 



some of the driving uniforms

This bench sat outside the dealership.  Fortunately, they'd bolted it to the concrete, otherwise we'd be figuring out how to strap it to the roof of the motorhome.

 

 



 

We went by the dirt track where he'd started his racing. 

 

 

But even though it’s in a different county, it was still a dry county.  Butch resorted to drinking wine.  Lmao!

21 April

Beale Street
Memphis, TN

Spent a beautiful day hanging out on Beale St listening to the blues.  Had dinner at BB Kings and listened to Blind Mississippi Morris jam. 

 

 

Oh, you know there was bbq going on

(he'll kill me for this pic)

 

 

 

 

20 April

Memphis, TN

Yes, you know where I was....

 

Yes, HIM

 

 

The Pool room-yes, it has fabric on the ceiling

 

 

The Jungle room which is just an enclosed back porch

Both the floor and ceiling both have green shag carpet, oh yeah.

 

 

You have no idea how many jumpsuits I've seen.  At this point, I was starting to get jumpy.

 

 

 

 

Yes, he found it necessary to have an Elvis Miller Lite.

I really could have used a shot or two of Elvi Cuervo.

You do know that we had to see the Elvis Automobile Museum.

I am, after all, with butch.

 

 

Also, the airplanes, the Hawaii display, Tuepelo birthplace, the horses, Vernon Presley's office, Lisa Maries' swing set, and a kabillion gold and platinum records awarded from all over the world. And every exhibit ended in a souvenir store. Did you know that he paid $100,000 for Graceland and its 13 acres in 1957?

With that.....

Tank Yew........Tank Yew vury much....

Drops mike, walks off stage, and yes,

 

ELVIS HAS LEFT THE BUILDING!!

 

(you know I had to do it!)

 



17 April

Nachez Trace State Park
Somewhere west of Nashville TN, but who would know where since it’s 48,000 acres of trees.

Oh, and a lake.  Would be cool if we had fishing poles and a boat, but the caravan is ENOUGH as it is-don’t give him any ideas.

 

Obviously, Clem planted trees too damn close to the barn

 

 

ok.....here's the hint...I'm not the one leaning.

 







I swear, I saw a still back in the woods.

OH, and a coyote ran across the road in front of me.  Did not see the roadrunner running ahead of him.

Heading for Memphis tomorrow, look-out Elvis.

 

15 April

Warrior Path State Park  Kingsport, TN

Went hiking and geocaching this morning. 

If you ever think hiking on a trail that is called Devils “anything”, or “anything” Backbone…..just say no.

So when you get Devils Backbone it’s double bad.

So two wineries this afternoon almost made it better.

And after that, this is what I drank for diner…..

 yeah, only the best......

 

oh, and the damn tether software isn't working.  Worked great at home-not now-figures.

13 April-Home

I swear, I'm going to try.  Really. I am. 
BUT, there will be times that I don't have any internet access, even with cell phones, tethers, wifi's, and any panera bread or mickey d's I can find.

We are starting an adventure on Sunday.
One that we've been planning for years. 
You set goals, bust your butt, and do what you can to achieve them, and one day, if you're lucky, you ride off down the road in a big green bus.

My new goal is to post something here each day.  It may only be a picture of an "Entering this State" sign, but something.  As I said, it might not always be possible, but I'll try to catch up when I miss a few.

So these last few weeks have been pretty hectic and MORE than a little nuts.  We've been planning for years, really planning for the last couple of months, and packing for the last two weeks. 
I'm tired before we even go. 

He's making me go to Graceland. 
(Thank yew, Thank yew very much)
I'm making him take me to Beall St for blues music.
(da-da-de-de-dun)
He's making me go to the Mark Martin Museum in Batesville Arkansas.
(I'm sure there will be pictures)
I'm making him take me for the mineral baths in Hot Springs Arkansas WITH the additional massage.
(I'm sure there won't be pictures)
He's making me go to Cowboy Stadium.
(damn dallas fan)
I'm making him take me to see the Texas Rangers.
(the O's aren't playing them that week-rats)

There's a bunch more, but you kinda get the idea, and I don't want to ruin any surprises.
We're aiming for as many National Parks, State Parks, monuments, etc we can find.  I want to get bunches of stamps in my NPS passport book.

We'll be back.......when we get back.
Or when one of us is arrested for having to kill the other.
(I swear officer, he tripped when he fell down the Grand Canyon)

As always, to those who mean the most to us....

Love bunches,
drafter & butch