Truck Repair and Memphis BBQ

Monday, June 10

Today, we were supposed to head to Nashville, but due to the truck issues, we opted to stay an extra day and get it to someone to have it checked.

Tony got up extra early, and headed over to the transmission shop. He took local community roads, so as not to get on the highway with the strange noise. After a bit, he called to tell me the bad news, we needed a new transfer case, and all of the transfer case lubricant was gone. If we had let it go, it may have seized up and caused real damage. It apparently is a known issue with GM trucks of that era, the parts inside can eventually rub a pinhole into the case. The repair guy was nice and took Tony back to the RV park, since he had to go out and get the part at the GM dealer anyway. So, we took it easy and didn't do too much all day. About 3PM, we got the call that the truck was ready. The repair guy came and picked Tony up, and he retured shortly after. Ouch, that was expensive, but glad to know it was a fairly easy fix and not too much of an interruption to our trip.

About 5pm, we decided to head over to Marlowe's Ribs, a famous rib joint on Elvis Presley Blvd. They even offer to bring you to the restaurant, free of charge, in a pink Cadillac limo! We chose to drive ourselves, but did see many folks arriving by limo. 

While we were exploring and testing the truck repair, Tony took me down Elvis Presley Blvd. until we crossed into Mississippi! Then we went back to the restaurant. You can't miss the restaruant, there is an old airstream-style trailer our front, painted up like a GIANT PIG.

Piggy trailer!

Tony says, "nice rack!"

We had a really good meal of Memphis style baby-back ribs, with green beans and corn fritters and fried okra. 

After we got back to the coach, we went for another walk around the park, then started packing up what we could in anticipation of departure tomorrow.

Elvis' Stuff and Truck Troubles

Sunday, June 9th

Today, we got up and headed over to the Graceland visitor center. We purchased our tickets online, and saved $4.00 each!

I went to the will-call desk and realized I had picked the wrong date! Luckily, they moved it with no problem, and soon we were waiting for the shuttle. They have mini-busses to take you across the street to the Graceland property, and you receive a headset that plays the audio tour as you walk around the house and grounds.

Graceland Farms was originally owned by S.C. Toof, founder of S.C. Toof & Co., a commercial printing firm in Memphis, who was previously the pressroom foreman of the Memphis newspaper, the Memphis Daily Appeal. The grounds were named after Toof's daughter, Grace, who inherited the farm. Soon after, the portion of the land designated as Graceland today was given to her nephews and niece. It was Grace Toof's niece, Ruth Moore, who, in 1939 together with her husband Dr. Thomas Moore, built the present mansion in the Colonial Revival style.

The house if very kitschy, garish and 70s style, but it's interesting to hear how generous and entertaining Elvis was.

Here's some pics:


The living area off the main entrance and the piano room. Note the stained glass peacock windows.


The dining room


The jungle room, green shag carpet floor, and ceiling!


The basement TV room


The game room, walls and ceiling are covered with fabric

The tour takes you through the house and out to a few other buildings, plus Elvis' racquetball court, which now houses Awards and some of his famous jumpsuits.

All these are Elvis' gold and platinum records

More Elvis' gold and platinum records

Some of the jumpsuits

Outside pics of the house

Looking at the back, toward the carport

Us at the front of Graceland


Tour busses let you out here at the front steps to begin your tour
At the end of the tour, you end up at the Meditation Garden, which is where Elvis, his parents and grandmother are buried.

Large memorial


The actual grave sites


Elvis Presley's resting place
It was a solemn sight for me, I didn't really think about viewing his actual resting place!

After the tour, the busses took us back to the visitor center, where we could see the other Elvis exhibits, including his cars and planes and various memorabilia from his career.


One of his pink cadillacs

Elvis' contract for Live shows in Las Vegas, written on a table cloth!

Another jumpsuit


His large plane, the Lisa Marie
After viewing each area, we were directed through souvenir shops to exit. It inevitably makes you buy something!

I headed back while Tony went to the last two exhibits that were a little farther away. He said I didn't miss much. ;)

After resting a bit we decided to test-drive the truck again. When we were coming into the RV park, it was making an unusual noise, and we wanted to see if it was still doing it and see if we could determine where it was coming from. We drove down the Elvis Presley Blvd., also looking for a repair shop I found online. The sound was still there, but the shop was not. We decided we will need to get someone to look at it before we go anywhere else, so we found a location for a transmission repair place that gives free estimates. We'll try to get there early Monday am. We went over to the park office and explained our issue. They are going to hold our site until we know if we'll need to stay longer or not, on Monday.

We ate leftover hotdogs, watched a little tv, and hit the hay.

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Memphis Bound

Saturday, June 8th

Today, we leisurely got up and got the Mammoth ready to go, including Eileen's picture.

Eileen at Sunrise RV Park, Texarkana, AR

We pulled out just before 10am, and thumbed our nose at the Pilot truck stop, while we switched the pump on and refilled our tank as we rolled down the road. Diesel was $3.65 a gal. We had filled up in Rockwall, TX about 2 weeks ago, and paid $3.38!

We stopped at a rest stop along the way, and ate lunch in the coach. Kitties got to stretch their legs in the bathroom, while we ate. Soon we were back on the road again. The kitties I think will get used to traveling eventually. They do OK for a bit, then get agitated and meow. Then, after a bit, they calm down and sleep. I thought rough roads might trigger it, but we hit some bad ones they slept through, as well. Good news is that they are totally fine once we get settled in at the park.

We got to Memphis around 4:15PM, and unfortunately missed an exit and ended up going through the center of town. We went under two train trestles that were labeled 13'10" and 14'1", which were no problems, but hate to be so close (we're right about 13').

We also missed the turn into the RV park, but we were able to pull into a parking lot and turn around fairly easily. We got to our site, 42, right next to the restroom/wash room.

The park is gravel and sites are a little close together, but it is walking distance to Graceland. We had no issues getting settled in. Tony fired up the grill and we had hot dogs and jalapeno cheddar dogs, then took a walk around the park and check out the park store. We saw some Heartlands... a Road Warrior, and a Landmark, but no people to talk to.

Our site at Graceland RV Park, Memphis, TN

After we returned, we decided to watch a movie. Unfortunately the wireless setup still has a few glitches, but we'll work it out.

We headed off to bed around 10:30, and kitties joined us. They seem to like Tony's side of the bed best!

Summer Tour Begins

June 7, 2013

First, some background info on the coach. As usual, we have a variety of projects we decide we want to complete, to make our RVing trips easier or more pleasurable. As I mentioned previously, we just installed the fireplace and faucets.

Well, we worked on a few new things since our last trip. I finally found a TV that would give us a larger screen, and still fit in the hole the current Jensen occupies. We were able to remove the old TV from the articulating arm and install the new one, but Tony had to search 3 stores to find the correct screw type to secure it. It was an odd metric size. The new TV is much lighter, has better picture and sound quality, and easier menus than the Jensen!

One of the noticeable differences was the new TV was not as tall, leaving a gap top and bottom of nearly 3". We decided to look into an inexpensive Soundbar to enhance the sound and help fill the gap. We found a low-priced one with a subwoofer at Walmart, and installed it. It's perfect.

We also worked to get all of our electronics to work together. Tony programmed the universal remote and we made a remote cheat-sheet for each of the devices.

Also, I worked to clean black streaks off the rig, and use 303 protectant on the decals. Tony washed the awning and his truck, and I waxed and 303'd the truck.

Clean truck looks almost brand new!

We knew we'd be traveling through rain and getting bug splattered, so we opted not to wash the rig just yet.

I also ordered some led replacement bulbs for a few fixtures we had remaining. I replaced the dining table fixture's 921 bulbs (2), and found a rectangular array of LEDs that plug into the socket in the vent-a-hood. Both of these needed additional brightness, which I was able to get, and reduced wattage. I also replaced the ceiling fan light with a clear incandescent bulb, rather than frosted, and it now puts out more light, too.

Now, back to the trip!! We are headed to Goshen IN for the North American Heartland Rally, but plan to do some exploring and visiting in Tennessee before we go north.

We had originally planned to leave Saturday, the 8th, because we didn't know if Tony would have an extra "bad weather school makeup day" on Friday. They did not, so we were able to get out of town a day earlier. We didn't want to change all our plans, so we just decided to drive part of the way to our first destination.

We finished loading and got Mammoth out of the driveway and into the street before it got hot and humid, then finished inside projects and work I needed to do before we left. We went to eat Tex-Mex for lunch, figuring it would be hard to find as we traveled. After lunch we loaded up kitties and all, and pulled out about 1:45, headed for Texarkana, about 2.5 hours away.

We had the usual fussing from the kitties, but they finally settled down to nap. We had a little traffic due to construction starting just outside Texarkana, but we got in and set up at the Sunrise RV park by 6pm. The park is nothing to brag about, but will do for an overnight.

Our site at the Sunrise RV park

Kitties after their first day of travel.

We had leftovers and settled in, mostly just playing on our phones and relaxing. The kitties settled in just fine, and we are enjoying being on the road again!

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More relaxing

Sunday, May 19, 2013

Today, we slept much better, kitties didn't do quite as much exploring during the night. After breakfast, we relaxed and Tony tinkered with the soundbar settings. We even watched some of the local Methodist church service broadcast, and I did a little work on the computer. Mostly, we did not much!

Tony cooked steaks on the grill for lunch, and we enjoyed a little nap and more relaxing. In the afternoon, we decided to make a drive around the park and over to the store. This is a fairly large store for a state park, and they have a lot of neat things. 

(pics here)

We picked up some items and then headed back to our coach. We saw a North Trail that had recently arrived in the smaller sites. We didn't see anyone around and could not see the back of the coach, so we don't know if they were HOC Members or not.

After a little more relaxing, we started to get ready to leave. How did we get so spread out in less than 48 hours? I had put the harnesses on the kitties before we went to the Park store. While we were packing up, we could tell they were a little worried. They don't seem scared or unhappy about the moving process, but they can tell something is "up".  

We took Eileen's picture, and got hooked up and ready to go. Man, was it hot and humid! Where did the Spring go?

(pic here)

We pulled out of the park about 6:45pm and headed home. The kitties fussed as usual, but then about 20 minutes before we were home, they settled down and slept a little.

We got home about 8pm, and realized we only had about 15 minutes before sunset to get the rig into the driveway. I took the boys into the house, and then we got to work. Tony was able to back the coach in, while I watched and warned, in ONE TRY. We had to do some maneuvering after it was in to get it just right for other projects, but hey! A VAST IMPROVEMENT for us! Then, we unloaded. Our next trip is around the corner, so we decided to keep it home, rather than take to storage. So far, no one has complained to the HOA. Not that they should, the coach is far back in our driveway, and we can still park our vehicles in the driveway as well... but we know the rules state it should not be "stored" there. My argument will be, "We aren't storing it, we are working on it!" And, "We are still paying for a storage lot, so obviously this is temporary."

I have to also mention the weather has been challenging the past few weeks... as of this writing, Monday, May 20, there was a devastating tornado through Moore, Oklahoma. Last week, there were some F3 and F4 tornadoes in Grandbury TX and Cleburne, TX. Tomorrow is also supposed to be a severe weather day for our area. Prayers for those dealing with the destruction, and prayers for those in harm's way.

Lazy Day

Saturday, May 18, 2013

After a toss-and-turn night, with kitties exploring and the AC still working to cool us, we got up and Tony made breakfast. We lounged around the rig most of the day, taking it easy and doing not much!

Kitties enjoyed watching out the windows and snoozing.

Watching the wilderness out the window

Tango using Mambo for a pillow.

Tony cooked out on the grill and we even put the awning out for a bit. The temps are in the high 80s and low 90s, and the humidity is very high, so it's not too much fun to be outside without shade. What happened to Spring?!


In the afternoon, we got an itch to check out a soundbar with subwoofer we were eyeing at online at Walmart, so we drove into Tyler, and looked at it. We ended up getting a newer model of the same brand, and Tony installed it. It fits perfectly under the tv in the space we had... 33.75" x 2.75".

On our way back from Walmart, we drove around the park. Lots of folks here! They've done some improvements to another area of tent and trailer sites since we were here last. Hope they pave the Big Pine Loop (where we like to camp), it needs it!

We had left-over jalapeño-cheese sausage from lunch, so that's what we had for dinner. Then we watched The Bourne Identity, which we'd never seen, with the new soundbar. It was much better sound!

After the movie, we hit the hay. Since the rig was cooler now, we didn't have to run the bedroom AC much to be comfortable. I think we all slept better!

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Getaway and Testing

Friday, May 17, 2013

This trip to Tyler State Park was supposed to be last weekend, but we were just too busy to get it together. We also had a few trailer projects and the extra weekend came in handy!

Since we had multiple projects, I'll mention them before talking about the trip. The trip became important, since we needed to test them before our big trip to Indiana, next month.

1. Fireplace - we found an affordable scratch and dent Dimplex electric fireplace on eBay, and it arrived much quicker than expected, so we worked to disassemble the shelf in. The cabinet we wanted it to go into, build a platform, slide it in and secure it.

Fireplace unpacking

Cabinet before

Doors and shelf removed from cabinet... Already pre-wired for fireplace.

Finished install!

The fireplace project went pretty smoothly!

2. We purchased a water filtering system from The RV Filter Store. We had to hook it up and test it, and adapt a plastic tote to house the filters.

Pic here

3. We mounted our bedroom TV to the wall, using a swing-arm bracket I purchased a while back. The Mammoth has a shelf, but was quite an ordeal to pack/unpack the TV every time. This way the TV can stay permanently attached.

4. We switched out our kitchen and bath faucets to ones with better design (a taller arch on the faucet neck) They are the same brand, so we didn't spend too much money. They make a world of difference, making the sinks seem less confining.

Bath sink

Kitchen sink

5. Tony added some eye-hooks in the basement for help in storing things, and some battery powered LED lights into the area behind the basement wall so we can see the water pump and water-heater bypass better.

6. The last "project" was reprinting the 5th wheel hitch in the pickup bed. We removed it and took it apart. I removed stickers, sanded and painted it, including the jaws white, as well as masked the rails in the truck bed and painted them. Reese sent new decals, free, just for asking!

Before

After

(The green is a Teflon hitch pin lube plate. This keeps the 5ver turning smoothly on the hitch. We had this added in Elkhart, IN in March).

So, Friday, we got Mammoth loaded with food and clothes and kitty stuff, and headed to Tyler State Park after Tony got off work. We pulled out about 4:30. Kitties did their usual fussing, but we knew the trip was not too long. We got to the park about 5:45, got checked in and found our site, 44.




After setting up we ate leftover ribs and settled in, watching a little tv and relaxing. The temps were close to 90 with high humidity, so the ACs were running full blast to cool us down.
We headed to bed, and kitties snuggled down with us.

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