All posts by Alyce Hendrickson

Glenrio Visitor Center New Mexico

This visitor center has huge parking areas for those tired travelers.

Glenrio Rest Stop
Glenrio Rest Stop

This is the first rest stop that I have even seen with a dog run.  Great idea.

We were awoke around 1 a.m.  by loud bangs then flames.  A fifth wheel caught on fire.  Fortunately no one was hurt, but the 5th wheel and pick up were totally destroyed.

Sure hate to see things like that happen.   But sure glad no one was hurt.

 

 

2018 CMA (Christian Motorcyclists Association) National Rally, Iron Mountain, Mena, Arkansas

We just recently joined the CMA and thought it would be a great experience to attend the 2018 Nat’l Rally.

State Line
State Line

There were flags from every country where CMA has Chapters.

International Chaper Flags
International Chaper Flags

Banners of all the Chapter Patches were hung from the ceiling.  This is our Chapter, Koinonia Riders, Weatherford Texas

Koinonia Riders Banner

Koinonia Riders BannerNew Koinonia riders:

Lonestar & Gypsy Ready to ride
Lonestar & Gypsy Ready to ride

Ten Pin came as our guest.

Ten Pin (L), Gypsy (C), Lonestar (R)
Ten Pin (L), Gypsy (C), Lonestar (R)

Getting Ready For Worship.  Every morning and evening there was a worship service

Getting Ready For Worship

While we were there we took a ride to enjoy the scenery.

Ouachita National Forest
Ouachita National Forest

Forest Scenery

 

Celebration of final number for the “Run for The Son” total donations.

The campground had full hook ups for RVs and electric for tent sites with accessible water.

Campground
Campground

Final sunrise of fabulous week.

Cloudy Sunrise
Cloudy Sunrise

It was an inspiring week we really enjoyed and plan to return next year at a different location.

 

 

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Unique Rest Stops

In our travels  we have come across a unique rest stop for Route 66 fans. The Conway Rest Stop on I 44 West, Missouri where we Boondocked over night.

rest stop rt 66

The center walk way — Route 66

Along the walk on both sides are picnic areas decorated with 50’s themes.

Rands Garage

50’s Gas Station

Larry’s Motel 66

Floyd’s Barber Shop

Kevin’s Market

When you are driving through Missouri, make sure to stop at this Rest Stop.  Perfect place to take a break.  Huge parking areas for cars, trucks and Rv’s

2018 Tucson, Arizona

During family trips we park the RV and stay in various Condos throughout the U.S. so we can all stay together.

In March we traveled to Tuscon, Arizona to meet family at the Varsity Club of America-Tuscon. The staff at the resort was extremely helpful as we had to find a place to park our RV and trailer somewhere for the week.  They had us park in the employee parking lot which was a secure gated area.

Sisters

The daughters of Gypsy….Sisters    Angela (left)  Tammy (right)

Gypsy’s Twin granddaughters, Kate (left)  Meg (right) walking Nala

We also had the chance to visit a friend who lives near Tuscon.   We all went out for a nice meal.   Kate and my friends son had a jalapeno eating contest.   The results were hilarious.   Neither wanted to admit how bad it burned going down.

We were able to spend time a my friends house and enjoy the fabulous view from my friends house

What a marvelous view for a picnic.

After the picnic the kids got into the pool.

We had a great time in Tuscon and looking forward to a return trip.

 

 

Sink Stains

We  were told when we bought our RV that because the sink was not stainless, it would stain from coffee and other things.  Within a year ours was looking pretty disgusting.  We had tried many products to clean it and nothing worked.

We got to the point where we were talking about getting a new sink.  We knew it would be costly but we seemed to have no choice.

One day I went to a store and bought Soft Scrub.  I knew it would not damage the sink surface and it was the one product I had not tried previously.  Well, it worked!!  The stains were gone and the sink looks brand new again.

So if you encounter this problem, there is an inexpensive fix.

2018 Good Guys Car shows

We have a 1964 El Camino we took to the Good Guys  car shows this year in Ft. Worth, Texas and Scottsdale, Arizona.  If you love the classic cars you have to see a Good Guys car show.

2018 Good Guys Car Show at TMS
2018 Good Guys Car Show at TMS
2018 Good Guys Car Show at TMS
2018 Good Guys Car Show at TMS
2018 Good Guys Car Show at TMS
2018 Good Guys Car Show at TMS
2018 Good Guys Car Show at TMS
2018 Good Guys Car Show at TMS
2018 Good Guys Car Show at TMS
2018 Good Guys Car Show at TMS
Good Guys Car Show
Good Guys Car Show
Scottsdale, AZ
Good Guys Car Show
Good Guys Car Show
Scottsdale, AZ
Good Guys Car Show
Good Guys Car Show
Scottsdale, AZ
Good Guys Car Show
Good Guys Car Show
Scottsdale, AZ
Good Guys Car Show
Good Guys Car Show
Scottsdale, AZ
Good Guys Car Show
Good Guys Car Show
Scottsdale, AZ

You can camp on site.  Water and electric is provided with a  dump station.  The RV spots getting taken quickly, are cemented and RVs are parked with little room to spare.  The space restrictions do not deter car enthusiasts from taking part in these shows.

People spend most of their day walking around looking at the thousands of cars, checking out the vendors for those hard to find car parts………….. There is even a sales lot where interested buyers go to find that ‘special’ project car.  Tunes from the 50’s  play on the loudspeakers and the pleasant aroma from the food vendors fills the air.

2018 Good Guys Car Show at TMS
2018 Good Guys Car Show at TMS

At night people gather various RVs visiting old and new friends.

Check out the Good Guys website           for upcoming events throughout the U.S.

 

Trip Record

When we plan our trips and secure an RV park, we print the receipt/itinerary and put it in a folder  with the dates printed boldly on top.  If we plan several trips at one time we then put the first stop on the top.  When we are going to the next campground we move the old one to the bottom and the new one on top.  When you stop to register you have all your information at hand.  At the end of the year, we put all these itineraries in a folder with the year written on it.

It is a great way to keep records of where you have been.  If you decide to return to the same campground you can see if there had been a price increase plus you have phone numbers available.

This makes registration quick and easy.  Hope this tip has helped you.

 

Choosing an RV Park

Traveling for the past two years , LoneStar and I have been learning new things all the time when it comes to RVing.

Choosing an RV park can be the most time consuming.  When choosing an RV park, think first of what you plan on doing for your trip.

If your trip involves being located in one spot and going to see area attractions, choose a park that gives easy access to the area.  Although many of these parks are not spacious, they at least have water and electric with a dump station.   For example, we went to Graceland and stayed in the RV park there.  Sites were close together an no extra amenities beside water and electric but we spent little time at the RV park.  By the time we returned to the RV, we are so tired even the traffic noise didn’t bother us.

If you are looking for a relaxing camping style we often times go to Corp of Engineer parks.  They are inexpensive and the ones we have stayed at are very clean and well manicured with lots of trees and large sites.  They have fire rings, picnic tables, some have play areas for kids.   These parks are usually quiet and tucked away far enough from roads which eliminate traffic noise.  These parks are located throughout the U.S.

Then if you want all the amenities including a pool, entertainment, game room, etc. you can find RV parks that can accommodate you.  Just know that the more amenities, the more the cost.

If you go to google earth it will give you a birds eye view of the park you want to stay at.  This is helpful because you can see the topography, and how the parks are designed. It also gives you an idea of how spacious the lots are and if they are near rivers or lakes, etc.  Also it will show you major highways or train tracks near the site.

We always plan far in advance, coordinating a time schedule to be at each park we plan to stay at.  This takes some time consuming planning, but it works out well.

I hope these tips are helpful, at least to new RVers.  Have fun and enjoy your travels.

 

2017 Bay Shore Park, New Frankin, WI

We have stayed at this RV park twice already.  The park is lovely, great hosts, lovely walking trails.  There is a trail has that leads down to the beach. It is an interesting walk as you walk on a narrow path next to rock formations.  There are signs explaining that this path has some difficult areas to walk being uneven and rocky.  Extreme caution must be taken before while walking this trail..

      

  

When you get to the end of the path there are several flights of stairs to get to  the lake.   Fishing, swimming, sand beach.

The only bad thing about reaching the bottom is you have to climb back up.   Although if the trip down wore you out there is a paved road to get back up the hill.

So if you ever get to Bay Shore Park check out this trail.   A calorie burner for sure.  Enjoy.

2017 Kings Holly Haven RV Park Pigeon Forge, TN

Kings Holly Haven is a very clean and well kept up RV Park.  This RV Park has exceptionally clean laundry facilities and rest rooms.  The staff was friendly.  There is a nice walking path along the river to walk your dog.  Quiet adult oriented park.

Lovely Pool
Lovely Pool

This RV park was our base for all our activities.

Smoky Mountain Opry
Smoky Mountain Opry

The Opry has amazing entertainment.  Photography was not allowed at the performance.  Entertainment ranged from acrobats, singing, dancing.  At the end of the show the cast performed an  amazing tribute to our military.

Some of the songs performed were the theme song from “Frozen”, Beauty and the Beast and so much more.  This is a kid friendly amazing show you don’t want to miss in Pigeon Forge, TN.

TITANIC MUSEUM

Again, no photography was allowed inside the Titanic.

We all know the story of the Titanic which sunk after hitting an ice burg in April 1912.  Here you can tour the replica of the Titanic.  You can walk the staircase, viewing actual artifacts found on the sunken ship, see the ‘steerage’ quarters, and the first class quarters.

At one point during the tour there is a tank of water which is the actual temperature the water was when the Titanic sunk.

Get the facts of the Titanic.  Don’t miss this attraction.

WAX MUSEUM

This is a fabulous wax museum.  Another must see if you are in Pigeon Forge, TN

You can hang out with you favorite actors:

If you are a horror movie fanatic there is a fair share of images from movies like:

If you are looking for adventure and marvelous scenery, drive The Dragon.  318 curves in 11 miles.  We rode our can-am motorcycles.  Amazing.

Dragon Trail
Dragon Trail

Below is a photo of an easy curve.  However, many were hair pin turns and switchbacks.  Made for an exciting drive.

Dragon Trail
Dragon Trail

One of the scenic stops.

Dragon Trail
Dragon Trail
Dragon Trail
Dragon Trail
Dragon Trail
Dragon Trail

‘Tree of Shame’

Evidence of many who lost control of The Dragon.

Dragon Trail
Dragon Trail

At the end of the amazing ride you come to the visitors center with food, beverages and a gift shop.  By motorcycle, vehicle or even bicycle, don’t miss this.

These are only a small selection of activities that you can enjoy in Pigeon Forge, TN.  Remember, if traveling by RV, make sure to check out King’s Holly Haven RV Park.