2008 09 29 Cloud Nine RV Park, Hot Springs, Arkansas

This is a photograph of the surrounding mountain and tree tops from our front window.

Cloud Nine is a lovely park with beautiful trees and hills. It is such a quiet and peaceful place to relax.

We took the opportunity to wash the coach and car this morning. Joe managed to loose his balance while on the ladder. I tried to catch him, but of course was of no assistance. He landed on his elbow and back - but he's ok. He's got quite a slice on his elbow and road rash on his back but otherwise he is ok. I know that tomorrow he won't be moving so well.

Just a word to everyone, take your time when you're up on a ladder. It doesn't take much and bam, you're down. Take it from us.

2008 09 28 West Memphis to Hot Springs

Today was another beautiful day weatherwise. Our travels took us from West Memphis in the morning arriving Hot Springs early this afternoon.

The area is lovely and the traffic was no problem. We honestly believe, however, that Arkansas highways are some of the worst ever! They are like an old washboard. We seemed to recollect that same sentiment from our car trips a number of years ago - nothing has really changed.

We are at the Cloud Nine RV Park in Hot Springs and we are pleasantly suprised. We are high atop a hill with a lovely view of the tree covered mountains. What a pity we didn't time our visit better to include the color change that will be happening here soon. The park is well maintained and has nice pull-throughs making set-up a breeze.

Today was Sunday, and of course that means football. I am sure we had every game on the tube today. Football aside, I did manage to scrub the grill.

Dinner was simple - grilled chicken and Ceasar Salad. I managed to polish-off the last of the fruit salad while washing dishes (not because I was hungry - more that it doesn't keep over very well.) Well, that's my excuse and I'm sticking to it!

Tomorrow we're planning to wash the Bus and Car - they could use it. After a few chores are out of the way we plan to take in the National Park, the gardens, the baths - all the things Hot Springs is famous for.

As I've said before, stay tuned.

2008 09 27 Tom Sawyer RV Park and Gus's World Famous Fried Chicken

On our way from Chattanooga to Hot Springs we stopped for the night in West Memphis, Arkansas to check out the Tom Sawyer RV Park. The park was recommended by a fella we met in Nashville who thought it was a nice park - right on the Mississippi River - just outside Memphis.

He was right, it's a neat park with huge pull-through spaces and nice views of the Mississippi. It was really interesting to see tugs maneuver barges up and down the river - quite amazing really. The river provides folks with a nice place to fish - right from the bank.

We decided to stay in this area another day since we were so close to Memphis. I just had to go back to Gus's World Famous Fried Chicken. It's soooooo Good! It might be - no, no, no - it is the best, the most perfect - the most delicious fried chicken I've ever eaten. If you're ever in or near Memphis, make sure you get to Gus's - 310 S. Front St. Memphis, TN 38103 Phone: (901) 527-4877‎

2008 09 24 Lookout Mountain, GA - Rock City Gardens

One stop on our sightseeing travels took us to Rock City in Lookout Mountain, Georgia.

Yes, yes, yes - it's tourist trap - but if harken back to the days when this attraction was a private garden and residence, and that the project took owners over 4 years to complete - it's really quite amazing.

Wouldn't it have been neat to have been a little kid back then? To be a child and wander through all the rocks, tunnels, cracks and peer over ledges. It would have been just the greatest!

We enjoyed the stroll just the same, especially the lovely fiddle music that scerenaded us throughout our walk. It was quintessential Tennessee culture - not hillbilly or too countrified, just lovely American music. We steeped in a perfect sun-filled day, cool temperatures and soft breezes. Best of all - absolutely no crowds. We couldn't have timed it better. I can't wait to come back again in Spring to see the azalea and rododendron in bloom.

2008 09 23 , Chattanooga, TN - Ruby Falls

Imagine wiggling through an opening 5 feet wide and 18 inches high and emerging 17 hours later to tell the world about an amazing underground waterfall you've discovered. Wow! We really enjoy seeing the beauty nature has created underground. Ruby Falls is a bit touristy - but still worth the time. The waterfall is a true wonder of the world. Amazing.

2008 09 23 Chattanooga, TN

We are spending a few days in Chattanooga taking in Ruby Falls, Look-out Mountain and Rock City. This area has a number of historic Civil War Battlegrounds. It is a tragic reminder of the thousands of men killed during the War, on both sides - especially those who died over months and months on Look-out Mountain alone What a tragedy.

We hiked from Point Park to Chambers House and back. The mountain has incredible rock outcroppings - you could envision soldiers perched atop and behind those boulders holding their positions - a riveting thought.

It is disturbing, however, to see the SMOG hang in the air. Yes, they're part of the Smokey Mountains, but this is not humidity or oil vapor from the trees folks - it's dirty air from the coal burning power plants that drift to this area that hangs up in the mountains. Let's hope environmental changes come soon or there won't be seeing 7 states, not to mention there won't be any trees left!

2008 09 19 John Hiatt & The Ageless Beauties

This is a record for us - 4 concerts in a week!

Tivoli Theatre - Chattanooga, TN

Let's see, Boz - Levon - the Americana Awards - now John! We were sitting around the bus Friday afternoon watching the crash of the American Financial System on CNBC and thought about what to have for dinner......

Joe is flittering around on the internet and asks "How far away is Chattanooga from Nashville?" Before we could blink we were in the car heading East for a dash to the ticket office to see one of our favorites - John Hiatt. We felt like Dead Heads! The Tivoli Theater is an intimate setting that has been completely restored to it's former beauty - and a beauty it is. John and his band are as great as ever and he played song, after song, after song - all the greats we love.

What an amazing week we've had - words escape me.