Crossing State Lines, Looked Around Fort Smith and Now We Can Slow Down

Our Location today is at Shearin’s RV Park in Blytheville, Arkansas.

Click on the pictures to Enlarge

Once again after sleeping soundly the entire night I was up by 7:30 this morning. I managed to get everything ready for breakfast as well as packing away the Computers so we could get an early start. Kathy was also sleeping soundly and once the Clock showed it was past 8:00 I started packing away my CPAP Machine while sitting on the bed next to her. Nasty I know but a necessary evil because we still had to put some mileage on to get further Northeast to avoid some of the Storms that might be crossing our paths.

Closing things up.

The Office/Hall, next to the Play Area that is being renovated.

It was 9:50 when we were once again heading on I-40 leaving Checotah KOA in our rear-view mirror. The further east we travelled we were noticing more Community Names that made reference to the Native American Culture though some seemed more like the Name was making fun rather then respecting it. The one community called Lotsawatah (the spelling is accurate) was a Lakeside Community.

Lots of Space

Kabins for Rent.

Also as mentioned since we have left Quartzsite we have become the Bearers of Death to the Insect Community. Having scrubbed the Windshield clean before leaving our camp we had to stop before reaching the exit to Fort Smith so we would be able to see somewhat clearly.

Taking the first exit that mentioned Fort Smith we were surprised that we crossed from Oklahoma into Arkansas. Not really having a plan on what we were going to see and dragging our Home with us we basically made a loop through town just to give us an idea of what was there. We couldn’t find anywhere to park so when we have more time we’ll definitely be stopping to check it out more thoroughly.

Farmer Working the Field.

For the last couple of days the only thing our GPS has been doing is acting as a Map to show us where we were because we didn’t want to listen to it telling us to go to the wrong places. We found our way back to the route we came in on only to find ourselves going from Arkansas back into Oklahoma.

Since it was then nearly 12:30 when we saw Wendy’s and Pilot together that’s where we headed. After parking ourselves in the Back Row with the Semis the first thing was to go have lunch. Kathy ordered a Fullsized Salad while ordered a Spicy Chicken Combo substituting Chili in place of Fries.

With the Fuel Pumps for the Truckers being full we drove back through front lot where we used our Frequent User Card to save a Nickel per Gallon on our Diesel. Then Kathy cleaned our Trash Container while I once again scrubbed the Bug Splatters from our Windshield.

Back on I-40 shortly after 1:00 and we were surprised to find ourselves once again crossing into the state of Arkansas. Our next Point of Interest was Little Rock but just as we had thought that Fort Smith was a small community we were shocked to see the size of Little Rock just from the Highway so we didn’t stop. We’ll do much more research before heading back to this area so we can plan what we want to see.

Now we set our direction towards Memphis not so much to visit because we were there years ago but as a turning point. It was nearly 4:30 and being down to a Quarter Tank of Fuel on the Main Tank we pulled off to top up. The Mapco Station was selling their Diesel for $2.749 a Gallon which was well cheaper then Valero. Fortunately they only have Diesel at the Truck Pumps so I had to go inside to prepay. Their Concession Food smelled amazing so I told Kathy to check it out.

Once I had settled my Fuel Bill and cleaned the Windshield she told me to park the Truck and come back in. Not knowing any better we both ordered their $5.00 Meal which was a Corn Dog, Two Chicken Tenders, a Biscuit, Potato Wedges and a Soft Drink. Since they were out of Corn Dogs and the Biscuits were still in the oven they compensated us by giving us each Four Chicken Tenders, more Potato Wedges and larger Soft Drinks. We only ate half and put the rest in our Fridge for another meal.

Didn't think we were this close to home.

We were back on the road around 5:00 and saw that Memphis was just a few more miles. Kathy spotted the sign for a Cracker Barrel but we turned onto I-55 North One Mile before the CB exit. We thought for certain there would be another pull off soon but there wasn’t. The Sun was not due to set for a while so we kept going. After Fifty Miles we drove onto a section of pavement that made us think we were losing our Wheels. Putting the Hazard Lights on and pulling over a quick check revealed nothing wrong. As we got back on the Highway we noticed the Vibration was back and that everyone else staying in the Passing Lane so that’s what we did and the Ride was smooth.

Stopped at a Rest Area to stretch our legs.

Kathy spotted another sign that read Shearin’s RV Park in Blytheville so we headed there. Being in a RV Park gives us a little more security and a place to relax. We are parked near the Front by the Road that seems to have a heck of a lot of traffic on it. Before we leave in the morning I'll be cleaning the Windshield again.

Camera started focusing on the Bugs.

Tonight's Sunset.

We drove 434.9 Miles today and made it out of the Danger Zone for some severe storms. It looks

like we might be getting some Wind and Rain one day but the worst is over. Thank you for following along and feel free to leave a comment.

Be Safe and Enjoy!

It’s about time.

Krackers

Words of Inspiration

Happiness is like those palaces in fairy tales whose gates are guarded by dragons: we must fight in order to conquer it.

Alexandre Dumas, French Playwright and Novelist