2009-2010 Travel Journal
Tuesday, October 20, 2009 – overcast with periods of sun
From this mornings Gazette newspaper: “the night and early morning temperatures have dropped below freezing every day since Oct. 14th. There’s ice on the windshields and a glaze of frost on the lawns.”
It’s been a busy time leading up to our leaving today for the winter. Luncheons & breakfasts with my girlfriends – last minute “garage sale” excursions – and of course, the family. We went to my sister Lois’ in Fort Edward, NY for a 1st year anniversary Mass for our brother, Ken. It was followed by a wonderful dinner at the house. Lois’ husband, Jaime, did all the cooking, as Lois is recovering from pneumonia My sister Jeanne came from Utica, but my sister Eileen was sick and couldn’t attend. 
Maureen and Wayne over to our house on Monday. She was such a big help in loading the motor home for our trip. Kayla had a half day off from 2nd grade and she also helped with the chores. As a big treat – Don ordered the hot, spicy Shrimp from Xin Fu on Rt. 7 – it was delicious!
We left at 7:30 am this morning, after kissing Kayla & Erin goodbye as they waited for the school bus. Starting mileage for this trip is 43.016. The weather was very good for driving, as we headed west on I-90 – stopping for a bagel & cream cheese at Dunkin Donuts on the Thruway. ( I perked my own coffee.) Gas is $2.68 a gallon.
I especially love the ride along Lake Erie in western New York. Miles of vineyards – probably Niagara grapes – are at the height of harvest.
Don drove 322 miles and we’re parked at a Super Wal-Mart in Fredonia, NY. It was a very good stop – EZ on/off – flat and quiet.
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
It was an absolute beautiful day for traveling through Ohio. The leaves were brilliant reds and yellows 
We were going to the Cracker Barrel in Richmond, Indiana at the end of the day. It’s always a little tricky finding the way into Cracker Barrel, but since there were no signs, we realized too late that we went down a “no outlet” road and had to unhook the car to turn around. One of the “joys” of our lifestyle. To top it off – it was noisy and we didn’t sleep well.
Thursday, October 22, 2009 – 
We ate breakfast at Cracker Barrel and when we came out – at 7:15am_ it was still pitch black out – way too dark to travel. I’m glad that we don’t live in this time zone! We met 2 older couples that were going “ 4 wheeling” in West Virginia – very interesting.
Driving across Indiana was cornfield heaven – very flat with miles, and miles, and miles of cornfields! As we crossed the state line at Terra Haute, IN into IL., we came into the Central Time Zone – my favorite! Now the TV programs will be earlier – on “senior” time.
Traveling south on I-57, we stopped at a Vanity Fair outlet for a little shopping. We’re now parked at another Cracker Barrel at Marion, IL – hopefully quieter than last night. We’ve learned that the big Federal Prison is here in Marion and that John Gotti’s family often came to this Cracker Barrel. Other famous inmates were Woody Harrellson’s father, who tried to murder a Federal Judge – and lot of infamous folks featured on TV shows.
Friday, October 23, 2009
It was a fairly quiet night at this Cracker Barrel here in southern IL. We ate breakfast here and had a very pleasant waitress. We’re slowly adjusting to Central Time.
As we traveled south on I-57, the land was very flat and we saw miles and miles of cotton fields. We crossed the Mississippi River at the Illinois/Missouri line – and here’s a photo of the old bridge over ‘ol Mis.
As we traveled into Arkansas, we saw lots of “kudsu” – the plant that ate the south.
After another 300 plus miles, and 4 days of driving – we finally arrived in Little Rock, Arkansas and are parked at the Riverfront RV Park – cost $23.00 a night. We have a “riverfront” site with full hookup and free wi-fi. We really need a break from driving and traveling and this looks like a good stop. Don loves to sit in his comfortable lounge chair and watch the Arkansas River flow by. Directly across the river is the Clinton Presidential Library, and the River Marketplace. Two blocks from our park is the Verizon Convention Center where (Hold your breath, Nicole, Kayla, Darby & Sage) Miley Cyrus is performing tonight! Big doings in Little Rock! Here’s photos of the view from our motor home. 
Sat. Oct. 24 – a nice day – Little Rock, AR
We went for lunch at US Pizza – a very thin crust, sausage & vegetables – one of the very best pizzas that we have ever had. We had a cold pitcher of beer while we waited for it to be cooked. A great place!
Back at the RV park, we took a walk – actually a 3.2 mile walk – along the river, on the bridge over the river and back. They were celebrating City Fest – live music, a car show, a Farmer’s Market and we sat in the market place to rest before starting back. Here’s photos of the Submarine Memorial and the staircase on the bridge.
Sunday, October 25, 2009 – another sunny day in Little Rock
We watched the tugs push the big barges up the river this morning. For lunch, we went to Cheeseburger Cheeseburger that is in a shopping center on the west side of town. The place was packed with young families and we had to wait for a table. They have 5 sizes of hamburgers – up to a ONE pounder. (if you eat it all, they take your picture) . You order your burger with one choice of 8 different cheeses and any/ or all of the 29 different toppings We also had a delicious basket of fried onion rings. The décor and music was 1950’s, and it was great fun along with super food. 
I needed a walk after that, so we went to Mac Arthur park! I didn’t even know that there was a real Mac Arthur park – and I looked for the “cake left in the rain” but I couldn’t find it – because that one is in San Francisco. (But it is dedicated to Gen. Mac Arthur, too.)
Anyways – there’s a big lawn, a playground, a Korean Vets War memorial and the big building that was built in 1823 as part of a Military Compound. Gen. Mac Arthur’s father was the commander here and baby Gen. MacA. was born in this building. It is a free museum with Arkansas War memorabilia dating back to the Trail of Tears and the Civil War. We saw a movie on Mac Arthur’s life.
After that, the GPS found Sam’s Club for us and we bought milk, orange juice, bananas and salad greens. Back to camp for the evening.
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