Heartland Road Tour
I stumbled upon a compound in which some old railroad equipment was being stored or repaired.
This authentic early 1900s steam locotive has been in several movies.
Next to it was a second engine of the same era and is also a movie veteran.
I was allowed to poke around all I wished.. What a wonderful discovery.
Thank you Daniel for your time and for telling me the history of these relics.
Ciao
Heartland Road Tour
Somewhere in the Heartland on a two lane road in between nowhere and someplace else.
Heartland Road Tour
Though the original Heartland Tour was cut short just 3 weeks into it, each day I experienced the joy of discovery.
Tucked away in a swampy area of Arkansas is a secret, private railroad yard.
Here is an inside and outside view of one of the buildings where a couple steam locomotives were being restored.
Events
We spent 3 nights in Bethlehem GA visiting friends. Quite some time had passed since I last visited Ruth & Jerry Macy. As always, both the dog and I enjoyed our visit.
When we left GA, we headed to Philidelphia Mossissippi and the Pearl River Resort. Many casinos allow RVs to park in the remote parts of their lots over night. I have to say that this one ranks at the top of the list for clean, quiet and roomy.
This morning we went to Vicksburg and checked out some historical locations. I was surprised to find nice wide streets in the historic district down town. I had no problems cruising around in the T.O.A.D.
When we left Vicksburg we hopped across the Mississippi into Louisiana. I found some 2 lane roads that ran along Big Muddy and we followed it into Arkansas.
We crossed back into Mississippi at Greenville for another night of casino camping. We’re settled in at the Trop.
In the morning we will find some back roads to the Crater of Diamonds state park in Arkansas where we’ll stay for 2or 3 days.
I have to add that the T.O.A.D. has averaged over 22 mpg since clearing the congestion of Atlanta. Uh… I have also learned that the generator is a thirsty beast. Note to self. Be aware how much gasoline is in the tank before running the generator for long periods. Since it uses fuel from the same tank as the engine, it could suck it dry while we sleep comfortably in the aid conditioned RV.
Well, that’s it for now.
Ciao for now.
Paul and Heyleigh the wonder dog.
Heartland Road Tour
We struck the colors at Outpost Zulu Zebra (home) and shut everything down yesterday morning at 10:18 and departed on Heartland Tour 2015.
We’re still in Georgia at the moment however. We’re visiting friends for a day or two. Then it’s westward ho.
Events
We’re loading up for Heartland Tour 2015 and hope to be on the road this week.
Packing is always a challenge. However I have figured out that vacuum packing my coffee in small packages makes it so much easier to store it.
Heartland Road Tour
Yeah, yeah, I know. I said I was going to be out of here by now. Well, taking off for a couple months at the beginning of the year kind of put me behind on some things. I’ve had meetings to attend, tasks to work on from several committees I sit on, and in general, needed to catch up on things here at home. And then there’s the T.O.A.D. ! I made a list of items I wanted to look into while we were on the road in Florida. The good news is that almost all of them are done.
I replaced the serpentine belt along with the tensioner pulley. Neither were calling out to be worked on. I just couldn’t confirm when they had been serviced. As it turns out, it’s good I did as the ball bearing in the tensioner pulley wasn’t in the best of condition.
I also repaired 2 water leaks that appeared when I hooked up to municipal water for the first time. I have to say that as Duane (Dr. Rialta) said, “Winnebago didn’t use an inch more plumbing tubing than necessary”. I have repaired both leaks and have had water hooked up for several days now with no signs of dampness anywhere. Fortunately, the plumbing leaks, while difficult to get to, were not in places that caused any damage.
Next on the list is brakes. Winnebago used rear brake calipers from two different sources. Guess I’ll have to take it apart before I’ll be able to identify which ones are on the T.O.A.D.. Again, there are no signs of trouble but I’d rather head across country with new brakes than old ones of unknown condition.
So, it’s time I began to build my itinerary. I hope to head west through the south then knock around in the national parks near the Rockies and then on to the north west, returning east along the Canadian border and finally picking a place to turn back south when I get there.
Yep, its my usual loose itinerary. I haven’t a clue where to go or how to get there. I hope you will help me out with some suggestions.
Cheers
Paul and the Dog
Snowbird Run 2015
We’ve been home for several days now and we’re getting back to normal. Today I found time to move some more photos around and review them.
I’m always on the lookout for derelict boats. This is the only one I could get up close to on foot while we were in the Keys.
It is at the end of the road on Summerland Key where an abandoned bridge leads to a small key.
Events
We made a dash for the border yesterday. After breakfast in Ocala, a friend told me that races were happening this Friday through Sunday at the Atlanta Motor Speedway. He also reminded me that Interstate 75 traffic would be crazy. Yikes! I looked at the weather forecast for the mountains through the day and decided that if I unhooked and headed north immediately I might just catch a slight thaw and make it home without incident.
The highways were fine all the way home. Even the first half of the 1 mile stretch my road makes to my home was fine. But then the snow, slush and ice showed up. Because I didn’t want to turn into my gravel driveway at any speed which might cause me to slide, I approached it carefully. Well, I made it just into the driveway when the wheels began to slip. With a tug from a neighbor’s 4X4 truck, the T.O.A.D. is now comfortably parked next to the house. It is plugged in and the heat is on for now. It must have been a wet winter because the driveway was unusually soggy and slippery. I believe that if I hadn’t been towing the trailer with the Harley on it I would have rolled right in. As soon as I see a good opportunity, I will move it down by the garage, hook it up to the dedicated 30 amp electric, drain the water and winterize it.
Yes, I do see the green sprouts of the daffodils. However seeing the sprouts and thinking that winter’s cold weather is over are two different matters! I’ll winterize and forget about it.
It was an interesting trip and I accomplished most of my goals. While I would have liked to have done a bit more photography in the keys, the tourist density and changing weather dictated otherwise. The real goals were to figure out how to survive and be happy in the T.O.A.D. and I’m pleased to report “mission accomplished”.
Ciao.
Events
I began my trek north from the Florida Keys yesterday.
Last night I did a bit of “asphalt camping” at the Miccosukee Indian Reservation/Casino just above the keys.
Today I’m in Ocala Fl. The weather is nice here.
However, all the weather forecasts from home suck! That darn “Old Man Winter” who has held the east in chains has found Blairsville. Snow, ice, winter! Yikes!
I’m reminded of that Blind Faith, Stevie Winwood or Eric Clapton tune “Can’t Find My Way Home”.
“But I’m near the end and I just ain’t got the time
And I’m wasted and I can’t find my way home.”
I guess I’ll just hang out here south of the border (Florida/Georgia Border) until the weather breaks.
Remember Toto, there’s no place like home. Or is there?