LA - AR
The highway to Shreveport (I-49) was completely empty and perfectly straight so we were able to maintain an average of 80m/h all the way to the camp site. Since the beginning of the trip, last night was the first time we got to a site when the attendant was still around. We set up tent, started our laundry, and drove to a drive-in, Sonic, for some yummy food. The place was overtaken by cheerleaders so we had a long wait but were able to make it back to the camp site in time to see the lunar eclipse. It was magnificent.
We then drove to Hot Springs, Arkansas; the home of ex-president Clinton. The Hot Springs National Park was windy and thick with trees. The road up reminded me of the curvy Praslin roads in the Seychelles. Unfortunately it started pouring rain so we couldn't see the springs and decided to drive through Little Rock before rush hour.
It poured all the way to Memphis, Tennessee. We kept hearing tornado warnings on the radio but made it to Memphis at 7pm or so. We spent some time shopping for hotels, since camping in the heavy rain was out of the question. We found a travelodge for 40 bucks, checked in and went to the movies. Off to see Down With Love.
There were only six of us in the theater. I assume that had something to do with the Matrix playing on 4 screens and Xmen in another 3. In the middle of the movie, lights went out for a second and the generator kicked in. About four minutes later a theater personnel came in and told us all to go to the lobby because the tornado looked like it was coming our way. We waited in the lobby for about twenty minutes when some official announced the tornado had passed us and the movies would resume. We finsihed the movie and drove to the hotel. I saw some of the brightest and biggest lightning I've ever seen on the way back.
Gas: $10@1.35
Miles on the car: 4509
Lodging: East Shreveport KOA camp site @ $20.36
States: LA, AR, TN
Sites: Shreveport, Hot Springs National Park, Memphis
Tennessee
I spent the entire night listening to the storms and the airplanes. In the morning it was still raining and tornado warnings in the area resumed.
We attempted to go to Mud Island but the rain was too strong and the best part of what's to see is outside so we decided to skip it and drive to Cherokee National Forest.
Halfway through the trip, we got tired and decided to skip Cherokee Park and drive straight to Knoxville or the Great Smokey Mountains. We decidedto camp around there, or stay in a hotel and get on the trail first thing in the morning.
Since the accident we've both been pretty nervous about driving which makes days like this, where we drive mindlessly all day, really frustrating and taxing. Today's been a pretty bad day since it poured pretty much all day and we didn't stop to see anything. We're both sort of grouchy and tired. I don't know if it's simply an effect of driving for so many days or just today's bad conditions. I guess we'll find out tomorrow.
Gas: $12.17@1.37
Miles on the car: 4962
Lodging: Memphis airport Travelodge @ $46
States: TN
Sites: drove all over the state of Tennessee but didn't stop for sight-seeing
Smokey Mountains and Blue Ridge Parkway
We spent the night in a semi-fancy hotel due to yesterday's bad mood and we took our time eating breakfast and checking mail.
We then drove towards the Great Smokey Mountains and Blue Ridge Parkway. The mountains are so tall that it's completely thick with fog up at the peek. I drove most of the way but handed the seat to Jake at the peeks so he can drive us through the smoke.
The Blue Ridge Highway is very curvy and quite steep thus making it hard to go faster than 40. But the path is surrounded by mountains, tall trees and wildflowers. It's certaily worth the trip.
After a long and slow journey through the winding roads of the Parkway we got to the campsite and decided it was too rainy and way too cold to camp. We took the next exit to a city (which turned out to be Marion, NC) and checked into the Days Inn. We're now watching Liar, Liar on TV. The weather situation sort of sucks. We are planning to spend tomorrow night in Philly with my friend Jenn. The night after that should hopefully take us back to Boston.
Gas: $13.69@1.63
Miles on the car: 5246
Lodging: Knoxville, Clubhouse Hotel @ $80
States: TN, NC
Sites: Great National Smokey Mountains Park, Blue Ridge Parkway
North Carolina to Philly
We woke up to another rainy, crappy day and thus decided not to get back on the Blue Ridge Parkway. Instead, we are taking major highways to get to spend tonight with my friend Jenn in Philly.
The return trip has been less fun and less interesting mostly due to tornadoes, a ton of rain, having to stay in hotels, raised anxiety levels due to the accident, and long days of driving. Nickel and Dimed is proving to be an interesting read as well as sad and thought-provoking. We're nearly done with it and I'm looking for other good read-aloud suggestions. It appears non-fiction works better than fiction. I've already read The Tipping Point and Fast Food Nation, both of which I think would have been good reads. If you have any suggestions, leave me a comment or email me.
I've only been to Philly twice before, once during college to visit my boyfriend-at-the-time and once two years or so ago to visit my brother in law, both in UPenn. My friend Jenn is also working at the school where she's a PhD candidate in Art History. I wonder if everyone in Philly is somehow or another connected to UPenn?
We made it to my friend's house on time and spent a beautiful night with her. To top it of she sent me on my way with three books. Anywhere I can stay for free and walk away with books is magic to me.
Gas: $10.99@1.39 and $7.27@1.41
Toll: $7.00
Miles on the car: 5802
Lodging: Marion, NC Days Inn @ $42.63
States: NC, VA, DC, MD, DE, PA
Sites: well we took 40 to 85 to 95 so we saw pretty much interstate highways all day long.
