A beautiful sunny and warm day....finally....

Our Location: Bonham, TX

We woke this morning to cold temperatures but not as cold as expected for which we’re thankful. The basement compartment stayed at the freezing mark so no worries there. A very heavy frost was on everything and I do mean everything. Had to scrape the windows this morning as the sun was in the wrong place to clean them off. The sun was a welcome addition to the entire day for sure. From the lows last night of around 27 F/ -2.7C we enjoyed day time highs of 62 F/ 16.6 C this afternoon.

The morning travel was much like this most of the way....

 

These pines remind me of Georgia and South Carolina.

 

We left Crossett, AK around 8:15 am, enough time to let the trucks and cars get the frost off the road way before we headed out. We climbed back on US 82 West and continued our day. We travelled for a short period on I-30 shortly after lunch upon entering the state of Texas. From Texarkana to exit 199 toward Dekalb and Clarksville was our only stretch of interstate today. We left Arkansas behind us around the noon hour and waved our goodbyes as we just kept heading westward. 

This is called the Red River.

 

These bushes are everywhere.

 

An uneventful trip today with a few stops for fuel as we were bucking a headwind most of the way. Diesel ranged from $2.85 to $3.49 in a couple of places. It’s difficult to know where to fill up but on US 82 it’s much easier as you can see the fuel stations before getting to them. I like them much better than the interstate stops. We stopped a few times, once at the Texas Welcome center, once at a road side picnic area and like I said twice for fuel. Called Dad this afternoon from the picnic area but only talked to his answering machine. I’ll call him again later. 

Texas Welcome Center at Texarkana.

 

A picnic pavilion at the welcome center.

 We arrived at the Walmart in Bonham, Texas around 3 pm. I called yesterday or the day before to check on overnight parking and was told yes, not a problem, park over by the gas bar. Riley and I went in to confirm and were told that it usually isn’t allowed but the management associate thought we’d be okay for the night. Not a very reassuring yes or no to be certain. We decided to pass on the location and headed further into Bonham hoping to find a mall or some such thing. We found an abandoned store on the corner of Walk and Don’t Walk and are going to stay here for the night. Not a run down abandon building but a recently closed store. There are no signs saying we can’t, so we’ll give it a try. 

 

Love the big Yucca like plant in this yard.

 Now we’re going to have some lunch/dinner, settle in to read for a while and then I’m off to bed. I’m tired tonight, didn’t sleep well last night. We have a few windows open now and are enjoying the warm air. I’ll call dad again before I head off to bed. 

 

Quiet in some places but lots of trucks.

Speed limit is 70 MILES per hour, 112 KM per hour.

 

 Thanks for stopping, I hope you  have a fantastic day. 

 

A blurry picture of a cotton field.

 

Until next time… take care, be safe,

 

Deb

Problem fixed, further south, snow, rain and over cast day....

Our Location: Crossett, Ak

 

(Walmart, Unity Road)

 

An early morning this morning. We were both up before 7 am, packed and heading out of Big Buck Resort before 8 am. The weather was cool, right around the freezing mark but the skies were overcast and threatening. We hung a left at the end of Sparks Road heading toward Selmer, TN. We passed through Selmer and on into the fine state of Mississippi where we zipped right past Corinth and on down the road to the town of Biggersville, MS. Officially the repair shop is located in Rienzi, MS but our gps couldn't find it. We arrived at Butch's Repair Shop before 9 am, parked and headed inside to find out where they wanted us. Brandon, Butch's son was there and was very helpful, he even just backed us right up to the doors, let us plug in our heater and they went to work. About an hour and 15 minutes later we were on the road again, on our way south. Josh and Brandon worked quickly and efficiently to find the problem. A possible solution I had mentioned to David next door at Big Buck but he assured me it couldn't be. A blown fuse in the truck panel. David wasn't testing the proper wire in the plug in the truck. So alas, we didn't check the fuses in the truck. Our entire light issue is now solved, along with a new break away cable as well. We discussed the plug in the truck which has a small piece out of the side casing and since it's a factory install I'll simply use the one in the bumper until we get home and brother Rick or my dad will change it for me.  Brandon and Josh were extremely nice young men, very courteous and knowledgeable. The bill was a reasonable $150, which included yesterday's service call to the rig. No complaints here. Butch's RV Repair, 159 US 45, Rienzi, MS38865. 662-594-5048 will get you in touch with Butch.  While 662-664-1442 will connect you with Brandon.  Wonderful service, wonderful people. If you're in the area and you need some help give them a call. 

Butch's Rv Repair near Biggersville, MS

Brandon and Josh, our competent technicians.

 

From there we headed south on US 45 all the way to US 82 West. We travelled about 335 miles/533 km today. We passed over the mighty Mississippi River into Arkansas and continued along under cloudy overcast skies. We had rain, sleet, and snow today on our journey. One can see the snow in the trees and along the country side in fields. Not much but enough to say, yes it snowed. We arrived in Crossett, AK and have pulled in at the local Walmart for the night. Big lot, lots of trucks but we're parked close enough to the store to be using their fast wifi and still in the designated truck parking area. Not a bad deal. The temperature today reached a high of 35F/1.6 C and tonight is predicted to go to 24F/-4.4C. Hopefully it doesn't get that low but we've decided to heat the inside as hot as we can get it before bed, shut off the heater and I'm usually awake through the night and I'll turn it on for an hour or so and that should hold us through until the morning. Tomorrow the temperatures will be warming up significantly from the last few days and under sunny skies we're looking forward to a nice day. Our goal tomorrow is into Texas and then Friday we'll reach the small town of Crosbyton, also in Texas, where we stayed last year. We'll stay for a few days to rest and enjoy the warmth before heading on. 

We passed through Tupelo, MS

Snow on the roof over there, do you see it?

Called dad upon our arrival and gave him an update. He reported they have 5 inches/12.7 cm of snow (approx), very cold temperatures and a warming trend coming that will produce more snow in the days ahead. Lucky he has lots of wood for the winter ahead. 

The bridge spanning the mighty Mississippi River between Mississippi and Arkansas.

The mighty Mississippi River.

 

So there you have it, the fix for our problem, our travels and our catch up.  Thanks for stopping by, hope you had a great day. 

Snow on the trees in Arkansas.

On the roof too.

Until next time... take care, be safe, 

Some nice colour to the sunset as we drive toward Crossett, AK.

 

Deb