October 30, 2019

It’s not yet been 48 hours since we left Kentucky, but I can already tell that this particular trip is worthy of along-the-way documentation.

The first leg, from Grand Rivers, KY to Jackson, TN was a short one, only 115 miles, time enough for a shakedown cruise, when anything inside the motorhome that wasn’t secured properly becomes obvious.

The first 100 miles were mostly along 2- and 4-lane roads that passed by small towns, quite a few large-scale businesses (trucking, logging) and an impressive number of Dollar General stores (I counted 7), including one that looked brand new and another that was being built. There was an occasional restaurant or gas station, but we had no reason to stop.

The last 15 miles were on I-40, and we arrived at our destination, the Samuel T. Bryant Distillery, not so much for the moonshine (although Dave did a tasting and then bought a quart), but for a place to overnight. It was listed as a ‘host’ in Boondockers Welcome (BW) for which we’re members.

We were a little surprised that there were three other rigs parked because the BW site said there was space for only two. There was enough room, though, probably because it was a Monday. I’m sure the weekends are a different story, as the distillery also functions as an event center. Indeed, the tasting room is ginormous and beautiful.

An annual membership to Boondockers Welcome is just $30 and links members to hosts who have space enough to provide parking for RVers. It’s not only saves a lot of money when traveling; it also introduces us to some very interesting and dear folks. Our host here, the owner’s father, was a man of about 75 or 80 who proved to be quite a character. We’ve already decided we’re coming back here someday.

Yesterday we woke up to find that one of the outside rear tires was not holding air. When I think of the long stretches of road we’d been on the day before, I am so grateful we didn’t have a blowout. Or worse.

Luckily, a Best Tire dealership wasn’t too far away in Jackson. Since we had no idea how old the tire was, we opted to buy a brand new one. They got to work on replacing the tire as soon as we arrived, and we were back on the road by 11 a.m.

Bound for Little Rock, I felt much safer and more secure knowing we were riding on a good tire. I-40 is usually very busy, mostly with 18-wheelers—and so it was very strange when we noticed that there was NO eastbound traffic coming from the other direction.

A couple of state police cars with sirens blaring and plumes of black smoke signaled there was something seriously happening a few miles ahead. Soon we discovered what it was.

Eastbound traffic was backed up for miles!

We arrived at Riverside RV Park around 3:30 and were grateful to have made reservations ahead of time; the park was completely full.

We’ve been here lots of times, but we’ve never gotten tired of the nightly light shows on the pedestrian bridges over the Arkansas River.

Today we’re supposed to go to New Boston, Texas, but when we were getting ready to leave, Dave noticed this:

Once again, we’re grateful we’re safe and not on the side of I-40 in Somewhere, Arkansas. Emergency roadside assistance is on the way. Dave called Best Tires and we’ll be reimbursed for the inconvenience. And that’s really all it is, an inconvenience. No need to get upset or have it ruin our day. Everything is going to be alright.

Once we get back on the road, we’ll head to New Boston, just west of Texarkana, where we’ll boondock two nights at the Candy Lane Coral as guests of Perry, Georgia and their daughter, Ginny. They seem to be very welcoming hosts….they’ve already invited us to have dinner with them tonight. I can’t wait to meet them!

Given how eventful the past 48 hours have been, I can’t even imagine what the next 48 will bring. Not that I want to. Living in the Now is plenty challenging.

And everything’s going to be alright😉

Until next time!

xo…Maria