Tucson, AZ

Even though Tucson is only a couple of hours away from Phoenix, we have not yet spent much time there and wanted to visit several of the sights. Unfortunately, we had to cut our stay short due to two of our slides not working. We had one full day to check out the Saguaro National Park. The park is right in Tucson with two separate sections. We drove through one of the sections and did several of the hikes. There is something about the Saguaros that I find inspiring and fascinating. We were not able to do Tombstone or the airplane graveyard, so those will be side trips during our winter stay in Phoenix.

Carlsbad, New Mexico

We once again got behind on our updates as we approached our winter home in the Phoenix valley. After a great weekend in Austin, we started making our way across the giant state of Texas towards two National Parks that I have always wanted to visit. We spent a night in Midland, TX where we had our large slide stop working and so we shortened our last two stops in order to get the rig into the shop as quickly as possible. We gave ourselves two full days in Carlsbad to spend one day at the caverns and the second day hiking in the Guadalupe Mountains. The day spent in the Carlsbad Caverns National Park was truly one of the highlights from this year. We spent the morning exploring the main caverns on a self guided tour and then went on the King's Palace guided tour that afternoon. The rock formations are truly amazing. For our second day we drove to Guadalupe Mountains National Park and did the hike to the highest peak in Texas. It was nice to stretch our legs a bit in the mountains.

Midland RV Park, Midland, Texas

We only stayed at this park for one night as it was a stop over for us on our way to Carlsbad. This park is a standard West Texas RV park geared towards the people working in the oil industry in the area. The sites are dirt and gravel and you are packed in tightly. The park has a dog run, barely working wi-fi and a small bathroom and laundry area that is heavily used. We rate this park a 3 out of 5 as the price was very reasonable. We would have no problem staying here again as an overnight stop.

Austin, Texas

I had Austin on our schedule from the beginning of the year so we could watch the US Grand Prix. With the big weather change that hit us in Waco, we moved to Austin cold and soaked from the rain. We were not able to meet up with a good friend from Micron, but we were fortunate to have our second kid, who is working and living in Houston, meet us for the race. Friday practice was miserable. There is really no other way to describe it. Rainy, cold and not many teams going out on track as they all expected it to dry out for the rest of the weekend. We suffered through Friday practice and got a feel for the track and the fan areas. Saturday was much better as it was dry and a little warmer. We enjoyed watching the teams get set up for qualifying and then the excitement of the three rounds of F1 qualifying. Danelle was cheering for Max Verstappen and I was pulling for my favorite driver, Kimi Raikkonen. Max had some serious qualifying issues and Kimi was stuck behind the high profile drivers. Race day on Sunday was beautiful. The sun was out and the track was perfect. Kimi raced through a lot of drama in front of him to finish first for what will likely be the last win of his amazing career. Max came from starting #18 to finish an amazing second. Danelle and I both left the track happy. We love the Austin area and the fact that we are close to many friends, so we are looking forward to coming back next year.

Austin East KOA, Austin, Texas

Since we were in town for the F1 race, we picked this park to be as close to the track as possible. The park is a bit over priced given the roads and sites being in such bad shape. They recently tried to resurface, but the material didn't last and it made the roads and sites like broken pavement. Each site has a concrete pad with a grill and table along with a fire pit next to the pad. Sites are long enough for a full size rig and tow car with a comfortable amount of space between sites. The park offers a club house with a game room, bathrooms, showers and laundry. We will likely be staying at this park when we return for the race next year. We rate this park a 3 out of 5 based upon the price and amenities.

Waco, TX

When Gary was making the schedule for this year, he wanted to go to the Formula 1 race in Austin, TX.  Being a lover of all things Texas, my ears perked up because I knew that Waco (and therefore Magnolia Farms) was very close.  I asked that we stop for at least a day so I could go visit the "Shrine of Home Design.  ;) 

We rolled into Waco on a day that was hot and sunny, about 93 degrees.  We woke up the next morning and the high was 42, rainy and windy and just plain icky.  After much coaxing by Gary, I put on my jeans and a sweater and we braved the weather to get to Magnolia Silos.  I was in Heaven in Chip and Joanna's shop and had to explore every nook and cranny and examine every last item of decor.  After having a friendly chat with one of the store's check out ladies (and a few dollars spent) we explored the grounds a bit.  It was tough to get excited since the wind was blowing every which way and my umbrella kept threatening to leave my hands.  We tried standing in line for a cupcake from the bakery but after about 5 minutes I just couldn't take the cold and we decided to leave.  One day I will have one of Joanna's cupcakes but that day was not it.  After that we wanted a warm environment and comfort food.  A quick search on Yelp led us to Twisted Root Burger Co. What a great choice!  The atmosphere is very laid back, the menu was so creative and the staff was unbelievably friendly!  The burgers to order had very creative names like "The Freshman 15" or the "Spicy Goat".  They even have all different kinds of meat to try if you would want, for instance, camel, beaver, kangaroo etc... Lastly, they have a "pickle bar" where you can help yourself to pickle slices that are all different flavors.  Such a great concept!

We only had one more day in Waco so we went to the Mammoth National Monument which is a very cool Mammoth discovery!  It is a "Nursery Herd" which is a bunch of mommies and their babies that was fossilized.  So interesting to think about mammoths roaming around Texas.  :)  Afterward we went to the Texas Ranger Museum.  What a great place to learn about the history of Texas and the Rangers who helped shape the state of Texas.  We owe them a huge debt of gratitude for sure. 

I like Waco and I will be back.  I still need to taste those dang cupcakes!  ;)

I-35 RV Park, Waco, TX

A decent RV park right off I-35 and just a few miles from downtown Waco. The roads are paved and the sites are gravel. There were a lot of long term residents staying at this park. The park has a lot of outdoor amenities, but we did not spend any time with them as the weather did not cooperate. They have a swimming pool, fitness room, fishing pond, cafe on site and a very small bathroom for the short term guests. The park advertises strong wifi, but expect it to be on the slow side. This park is in a convenient location when visiting the sights in the Waco area and we would have no concerns staying here again. The park is reasonably priced for the location and amenities. We rate this park a 3 out of 5.

Hot Springs, AR

RV life can sometimes be challenging.  One of those times is when you get all packed up, car hooked up AND....one of your slides won't go in.  Your check out time is noon and the rv park manager is breathing down your throat to get out of your spot and the repair guy can't make it until the next day.  Luckily for us, we found a different rv repair guy who came out and fixed the problem all within about an hour.  Since it was around 5pm already we decided to stay one more night (in a different spot) in Memphis. 

Unfortunately, that night would have been better spent at Hot Springs National Park.  This place is very hard to describe so bear with me.  Usually when we go to a National Park we go to the visitor's center the first day, get ourselves oriented and figure out what we are going to do.  Well, this is not the case with this park.  Hot Springs became a national park to preserve what is now known as "Bath House Row".  Back in the 1890's the first bath house was built so people could enjoy the hot springs baths that were bubbling up from the ground.  It became a very popular thing to do and people would come from all over for relaxation and also the "health benefits" the water provided. When the Chicago White Stockings (as they were known then) won the world series one year, they were asked to what they attributed their success and they said they started their season by going to the bath houses.  After that the row exploded and there are about 8 houses now.  When you go today, there are 3 or 4 still in operation.  They have become spa retreats where you can soak in the hot springs, get massages, facials etc... and just relax. 

We rolled into town and went to the visitor's center only to figure out that this national park is like no other we have been to.  After speaking with the friendly park ranger, we got it all figured out and went next door to the nearest bath house and booked a soak and massages.  Since it was the end of the day we were lucky enough to book the last 2 massages.  Afterward we just walked around on the main street, went into a few of the little boutique shops and called it a day. 

The next day we drove into the "park" and checked in to our house.  We were given warm towels and robes and we quickly changed to get into the hot pool. It was heaven!  The bath house we visited had public soaking pools and they also had private baths but since we only had one day we could visit, all the private baths were booked so we took what we could get.  The various pools range in temperature from 96-105 degrees F but when the water comes out of the ground, the water is 143 F.  Thankfully they cool it as it comes into the pools.  After a great soak and an even better massage, we were so relaxed and feeling like noodles.  :)  I mentioned that there are about 8 houses but only 3 or 4 are spas.  Two more are being renovated, one is the park visitor center, one is a store and one has been turned into a brewery!  We just HAD to go visit since this is the only brewery that sits on National Park land AND it is the only beer to be brewed with hot springs water.  We ordered beer flights and appetizers and enjoyed everything immensely.  A perfect ending to a perfect spa day!  We will definitely be back! 

Catherine's Landing, Hot Springs, AR

A very nice RV park! This park is located just a few miles off the main roads, but it feels like you are in a secluded spot due to the lake and forest surrounding the park. The sites have a concrete parking pad with additional paved area leading from the paved roads to the pad. The sites are a mix of back in and pull through with some waterfront sites that looked fantastic. Each site has a fire pit and BBQ grill. The park has a nice pool area with splash pad for the kids. The also have a disc golf course, dog park, fishing pond and a large pavilion for groups to use as needed. The showers and bathrooms were new and clean. The wifi worked decent and the check in staff was nice. We give this park an easy 5 out of 5 and will stay here again when we return to soak in the hot springs.

Memphis, TN

After having so much fun in Nashville, we rolled on down the road to Memphis.  We had been to Memphis once before, about 14 years ago when we traveled to watch our beloved BSU Broncos play LSU in the Liberty Bowl.  On that previous visit we went to Graceland and loved it so we were excited to go back.

We pulled up to the home of The King and did not recognize it at all.  We were sad to see that they have built it up into a theme park type of atmosphere.  You still get to go through the house but there are now about 5 gift shops, 2 restaurants and various "museums".  We ended up spending about 3 hours there and visited everything our tickets would get us in to.  We saw the Pink Cadillac, and the various other cars he owned.  We also saw his 2 planes (which will be going up for auction soon), a few of his jumpsuits and so many of his gold records.  What a gift to our country and the world he was!  Not only his silky voice but he was also a huge philanthropist.  Truly humbling. 

Memphis is another town known for music so we visited Sun Recording Studio where Elvis got his start.  We got to go into the actual recording studio where his first hit was recorded and then later on various other artist recorded as well.  Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis, and Roy Orbison just to name a few.  The studio is still used today by acts such as Maroon 5, U2 and Elle King, who want to be a part of history.  We then went to the famous Beale Street and over to the Rock and Soul Museum, which was kind of a let down.  It was created by the Smithsonian so I was excited but I thought it lacked quite a bit.  Oh well!  We were pleasantly surprised to see the Gibson Guitar Factory right across the street from the museum so we walked in hoping to take a tour.  They were sold out for the day but we managed to secure the last 2 spots on the afternoon tour the next day.  Who knew it would be so busy in October?!

On our last day in Memphis we wanted to see the Peabody Hotel Ducks.  If you're ever in Memphis you must go see the ducks!  :)  It started in the 1940's or so when the manager of the hotel and his buddies had a little too much of whiskey and thought it would be funny to let their live duck decoys splash around in the fountain.  The next morning they woke up to a a crowd watching and fawning over the ducks.  A tradition was born and every day at 11am the ducks board the elevator on the roof, ride down to the lobby and "march" on the red carpet to the fountain at the center of the lobby.  They spend the day swimming in the fountain and then everyday at 5pm they hop out of the fountain, "march" on the red carpet back to the elevator and go back to their penthouse on the roof.  SO CUTE!  While driving around Memphis we kept seeing this pyramid structure with "Bass Pro Shop" and "Ducks Unlimited" on one face of the triangle.  We had to go check it out.  It is the biggest Bass Pro Shop I have ever seen!  The pyramid turned out to be their "lodge" or hotel on the premises.  They also have a mini museum dedicated to duck hunting.  So cool!  After satisfying our curiosity, we drove back to Beale Street to do our Gibson tour.  We learned so much on that tour!  They only make electronic guitars at the location but they are the only location to give tours so if you want to see how they make their instruments, you'll have to go to Memphis.  Since their guitars are only made by hand, they only produce 60 guitars per day.  It is an incredible process, we saw each step along the way, including a few of them being painted and then played.  It was really a treat but alas, they didn't allow any pictures.  :(

 

Tom Sawyer's RV Park, West Memphis, AR

I love the river views from this park. There are two rows of sites that face looking out over the Mississippi River. The sites are a mix of gravel and some that are concrete. Each site has a picnic table and grass areas between the sites. The park has working wifi and a small shower/bathroom in a small cabin structure. They offer fishing ponds and great views of the boats moving up and down the river. This is a very reasonable park and we will stay here again when visiting the Memphis area. We give this park a 4 out of 5 based upon value and the views from the location.