March 2020 – Towing Silver: Kim Davison's Travels

Lake Lincoln State Park

I set off down I-57, and picked up I-55 near Sikeston, Missouri. I visited there a couple years ago, when I was doing my seed courier gig in 2018. I ate at Lamberts, the Home of Throwed Rolls. But, there was no time to stop. I had to drive!

A few miles later, though I had to stop to use the restroom and stretch my legs. There was a great rest stop just past New Madrid, which is the site of the country’s largest earthquake back in 1812.

I parked and walked up to the center. I was taken by the pillars that suggest the readout of a seismograph.

The floor was a spectacular rendition of the map of the area done in epoxy-terrazzo.

There were benches with lots of interesting information that cued in to the map on the floor. The wall between the restrooms paid homage to the inhabitants of the area at the time. The broken pottery tiles mimic the outward vibrations of the earthquake.

There were two display cases of pottery. They are recreations of Mississippian culture pottery that are found in the Beckwith collection at the Crisp Museum of the Southeast Missouri University in Cape Girardeau, Missouri.

On my way to the rest stop, I passed a sign for the New Madrid Historical Museum, which has information on the earthquake. That is going on my “Next Time” list.

They had a great display. I loved how the colors on it related to the floor.

Their illustration of the concept of the Richter scale really made sense to me. I always “knew” this information, but this really drives home the relationship between the different magnitudes.

It’s kind of hard to believe that Missouri is as at risk as much as the west coast! But, there it is on the map.

And, earthquakes around here are not only a historical fact. These are the recent quakes that have been detected.

Drop! Cover! Hold on! It reminds me of Stop, drop and roll. I wonder if they have earthquake drills in the schools in this region? I’d call a school in the area, but everything is closed. CoViD, you know.

Drop, cover and hold on is actually step 5 out of 7 in the earthquake safety path.

There was also a display about tracking seismic activity.

I wonder if they had a seismometer at the rest stop? Next time I’m in the area, I will spend a little more time looking around.

So, that’s where the aftershocks come from! Earthquake faults that keep slipping.

If you want more information, open up your camera app on your phone and focus on the QR code. It will give you the option to open a website. Friends tell me that most newer iPhones have the program built in. If you prefer to do it the “old-fashioned way” the URL for the Incorporated Research Institutions for Seismology is ds.iris.edu.

This is quite the rest stop! I’ve never seen one with a microwave and coffee maker, along with the usual snack machines.

I don’t expect you to read this plaque. It gave great information about the earthquake and the thought that went into designing the rest stop.

I have to share one paragraph from it, though.

“Stories tell of the destructive force that made the Mississippi River run backwards and he sudden formation of rapids and waterfalls. The original town of New Madrid was swept away by the river and most of southeastern Missouri sank from three to nine feet with the river rushing into the gaping depression. The land heaved in waves as the soil became liquid. Tree were uprooted by “sand blows,”volcanic eruptions of the landscape. The sound of the earth cracking and fissures opening into deep bedrock would have been deafening. The earthquake was felt by over two-thirds of the United States. Bells rang and books fell off shelves fro Montana to New York, and as far away as northern Canada. Those of violent shocks continued for over five months. Fortunately, it is believed that loss of life was limited, due to the sparse population of the area at the time.”

Isn’t that incredible?

I will definitely have to make another visit to the area. I want to examine the rest area more closely. It sounds like there are more design details I would find interesting.

I couldn’t resist a last look back at the rest stop. According to information on the plaque, those pillars light up at night.

I kept driving. Due to getting on the road so early, I would have reached the Jackson Cracker Barrel at 3:00, which was just too early for me to sit in a parking lot. Besides, the weather had improved quite a bit during the day. When I stopped for gas, I spent a few minutes to see if there was a campground in the area that might work.

I called Lake Lincoln State Park in Wesson, Missouri, and they had a spot. They even had a waterside site with FULL HOOK UPS!

There was some heavy traffic en route, but I finally got there and got set up.

And…it was warm!

And…We’re Off!

I mentioned in my last post that I was big on intention but not so good with the actual planning of trips. However, I did have a start date and a first reservation for this adventure.

I was planning to meet up with Pat and Shelly, friends I met during my second year on the road. We were both camped at South Llano River State Park near Junction, Texas. We got to chatting and it turned out that we were both from Buffalo. What a small world! We had been comparing travel schedules and finally found an event that would work to meet up. We were going to meet up at Bayou Segnette State Park near New Orleans and go see the Mardi Gras Indians as they all take to the streets in their intricate suits parade and perform through the streets.

According to the gonola.com website:

“Mardi Gras Indians form a vibrant subculture of local Carnival traditions. Though their exact origins are hazy, the common belief is that Native Americans sheltered runaway slaves, and Mardi Gras Indian tradition is a way of paying homage. Their practices date to the 1800s. Mardi Gras Indian traditions germinated within the period of Jim Crow and segregation when African Americans were forbade from participating in mainstream carnival organizations.

“Because of this, unique and territorial tribes emerged across the city. While for many years confrontations could turn violent, the culture changed, largely due to the efforts of the late Big Chief Allison “Tootie” Montana of the Yellow Pocahontas tribe. Now, when tribes meet, they perform dances, chants and other rituals, working to outdo each other.”

Doesn’t that sound amazing? Anyway, we were planning to go take in the spectacle of Super Sunday, which was to take place this year on March 15, 2020.

I planned to arrive at Bayou Segnette State Park on Friday, March 13. Hmm…Friday the 13th. Maybe that was a bad omen.

Anyway, I got myself organized and got the trailer packed so that I would be ready to head out as early as possible on Wednesday, March 11.

I hit the road at the crack of 10:30. I loaded Cora the Travel Cat into her carrier and hoped that she would ride calmly in the Jeep. With the temperature at 37 degrees, I didn’t want to put her in the T@b unless it was absolutely necessary. But, Cora handled it well. She just curled up and slept most of the way.

As I pulled out the driveway, I snapped this photo of the front of the house. I ws thinking that it would look a lot different when I got back in May.

As I headed south, I drove out from under the perma-cloud in Michigan. I played tag with a T@b from Minnesota heading down I-57 as I headed to my first planned overnight stop.

When I stopped at a rest stop, I reveled in the blue sky.

I was thrilled that I had driven into spring! I always love it when I see the first dandelions of the season.

Drive, drive, drive, drive

And then I was there! My stop for the night was Cracker Barrel in Marion, Illinois.

The sky was blue and it was as warm in my trailer as it was in my house. I went into the Cracker Barrel for dinner. I had my usual bowl of pinto beans cooked with country ham and served with an onion slice and chow chow relish. It was served with some little corn muffins and real butter.

Is your mouth watering? No? Well, I do like my beans.

After dinner, I unfurled my blankets and snuggled up with Cora and I had a decent night’s sleep.

I was up early and headed south. My next planned stop was a Cracker Barrel in Jackson, Mississippi.

Asheville and a Little Home Hospitality

I just love it when I get to visit friends and family along the way. It’s fun if I am staying in a nearby campground, but home hospitality is even better.

I visited Frank and Debbie in Asheville, North Carolina. I know them through my Airstream connections. And, while every house looks better with an Airstream in front of it, a T@b isn’t all that bad. They have electric and water hook ups at their Airstream parking spot, but they invited me to stay inside.

Cora made herself at home very quickly. She looks like she belongs there, don’t you think?

Incidentally, I arrived at Frank and Debbie’s house on April 1, 2019. Since it is now March 20, 2020 when I am finally immortalizing their hospitality, please forgive me if my recollections are a bit fuzzy. Thank goodness that the photos are stored by date, otherwise I wouldn’t even know when I was there!

Anyway, the next day, we set out to explore the River Arts District.

There were many studios and galleries to visit.

I thought this sculpture was interesting. I’ve always had a thing for found objects – otherwise known as “junk.” First I snapped a photo of Debbie and Frank.

Then Frank snapped one of Debbie and me gesturing artistically at each other.

Then, I couldn’t resist the opportunity to snap a shot of Saint Frank.

We continued our way around the studios and galleries.

But, you didn’t even have to go inside to see art. This was quite the Art Van.

Okay, a little humor for those familiar with the Midwest chain of furniture stores that will soon join the ranks of Sears and Montgomery Wards.

At least this art van has a sense of itself. I imagine that colorful van changes any place in the world that it is parked.

I also enjoyed the artistic tiles and grates in the sidewalk.

I didn’t take photos in the galleries and studios we visited out of consideration for the artists. I think they would prefer that people buy their art rather than take photos of their work.

We stopped in at Early Girl Eatery for lunch. I couldn’t resist ordering the same thing I had when I visited the year before. I did have to request a larger bowl to put my granola in. The cup they served it in was too petite to add the milk.

When we got home, we spent some time doing our own things. Frank was working on a “mash up.”

He does some really creative work putting Airstreams in other people’s artwork via photoshop.

This was his first “mash-up,” done shortly after he bought his Airstream.

Some of his works of art are based on more classical paintings.

Others are more modern.

He manages to capture the perpetual desires of the Airstream vagabond…

…as well as more universal themes.

This photo shows Homer Winslow’s “Snap the Whip” before and after the famous Frank DiBona treatment.

He demonstrated how it works, and he let me have the thrill of working together to create this one. I think it needs more work, but it’s a start.

Frank’s sells his Airstream works of art though is business called “Airstreams Everywhere.” And, truly, there are Airstreams everywhere in this house.

There is even one in the terrarium!

That night, Frank and Debbie had a few local Airstreamers over from the Facebook group we belong to. Before going out to dinner, we had a few appetizers and beverages. The Biltmore Estate is in Asheville. (Frank and Debbie have annual passes, and offered to take me there. But, those who are at all familiar with me could predict that I would have trouble justifying the $80 admission fee.)

Anyway, we went out to dinner at Vinnie’s, a popular local Italian restaurant.

Alexis and Chuck were there.

John and Renee also joined in the pasta and merriment.

The next day, Lindy, also known as “The Mitten Kitten” rolled by.

Lindy and her pups are fellow Michiganians.

Get a load of her shiny Airstream! She has a vintage Airstream, and those can be polished to a mirror shine. I just love the shiny ones!

Here’s a photo of Frank, Debbie and me.

And, my own self portrait.

My photo kind of reminded me of a work of art I grew up with in the collection of the Albright-Knox, La Jeune bonne (The Servant Girl). It was painted by Amedeo Modigliani, and Italian Painter who lived from 1884 to 1920.

That evening, we attended a spelling bee that was a fund raiser for the Literacy Council.

The Beauty and the Bee was hosted by MC David Ostergaard.

The teams really got into it with their costumes.

I wonder if they intended to sport those beehive hairdos for the spelling bee?

I love the literary reference in this team’s name – The Extended Metaphors.

I think they were having a ball!

The next day it was time to roll on. I’m not sure when this photo was taken, but here we are together – Debbie, Frank and me.

And, here I am, all hooked up and ready to roll!

Next stop: Raleigh, North Carolina.

In Which I Set up Camp In an RV Resort.

My “List for Next Time” contains all sorts of things. Some of them are monumental and of interest to all sorts of people, whether or not they take their lodging with them, like I do. Others are of interest mainly to RVers. I had heard so many good things about Anchor Down RV Resort that when the opportunity came to stay there, I took it.

The location, on Douglas Lake in Dandridge, Tennessee, is lovely. They provide a wide range of amenities, but most of those amenities would be more enjoyable when the weather is warmer.

Some of the sites are fantastic!

However, a site like this would be best enjoyed when you can sit outside without thermal underwear.

Just how much would one of these premium sites cost? Here’s the site map and rate schedule.

Those of you who know me well know that I selected one of the back-in sites.

And here I am, all set up. The trailer is dewinterized and I’m ready for adventure! Since I really wasn’t planning on taking advantage of the Resort’s amenities – although I may have watched some TV with their cable – the next day, I headed out to see what I could see.

My first stop was Sevierville, Tennessee. I just had to stop and check out the Sevier County Courthouse. Designed by the McDonald Brothers in the Beaux Arts style, it was built in 1895. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1971.

It is flanked by two memorials. The first is for the military.

I couldn’t resist including this arty shot in my post.

The second memorial is to local girl made good and national treasure, Dolly.

I thought she should get an equally arty shot.

The statue of Dolly is by Jim Gray and was dedicated in 1987. It’s kind of hard to believe that it has been more than 33 years since its dedication. Where does the time go?

My next stop was to Great Smoky Mountains National Park. This is the Most visited national park in the country, with more than 11 million recreational visitors annually. I stopped off in the visitor center to get my National Parks passport stamped and to see what they had to offer.

There was a display offering this brochure for 50 cents. I should have bought it, I guess, but I got the general idea and decided to just head out for a little drive.

I was thrilled to find the trilliums in bloom! My genius of a father built us a cabin in the woods south of Buffalo, and in the springtime, we were surrounded by trilliums. What a memory!

I found a place to pull off the road and taken the splendor. I was kind of wondering why the mountain looked so pale. I wondered if there had been some sort of blight that killed all the trees on it.

I started chatting with some other visitors about it. The man I spoke with said that the whiteness was snow. He and his kids had been camping in a tent up there! I must say, they were amazingly cheerful. I hope they had good sleeping bags.

I thought this was an interesting idea. The park invites visitors to become “Citizen Scientists” by taking nine photos from the post, following the directions on the sign, and uploading them to a website. I did take the photos, but I’m not sure whether I followed through on sending them in.

On the way back to the Resort, I stopped and took a photo of a touristy spot nestled in a valley. Could it be Dollywood? It just might be! I didn’t drive in to check, though.

More scenery on the way back to my T@b and Cora. I was almost to the resort when I saw a sign for the TVA Douglas Dam. I remember learning about the TVA when I was in school. Quite frankly, I was a bit mystified as to why it was such a big deal. I mean, who would think electricity was such a big deal? Actually, it was part of FDR’s New Deal, and was a wonderful boost to the area. It provided employment and income to the people involved in the building and design and made other employment possible. I guess if you had to live without electricity all the time, it would make all sorts of things difficult.

In any event, I thought might as well check it out.

There it is!

And, wouldn’t you know it? They have a campground! This is more my speed of campground. No “amenities” but look at that view! For those who may be interested in giving it a try, this is the Douglas Dam Tailwater Campground.

That waterside campsite costs $29 a night – or $22 with the discount. If it’s a senior discount, I qualify! Incidentally, it that is still to rich for your blood, they have a few sites that you can snag for $19 a night – or $13 with the discount.

After a good night’s sleep, Cora and I are ready to roll.

Cora had to make do with kibble while I feasted on pancakes at Flapjack’s Pancake Cabin.

Next stop: Ashville, North Carolina.