CROSSING THE MISSISSIPPI AND BEYOND

We left the campground at 6:45 CST in Southaven, MS and filled up the moho with gas nearby for $2.29/gallon.  That has been the best price on gas so far. 

You'll see us talking about road surface conditions quite a bit in this blog. Its rarely a subject of discussion when riding in a comfortable car. Thats because the moho has large tires and a very stiff suspension and as a lower end moho it does not have airbag suspension cushioning often found on high end rigs to smooth out the ride. It simply rides rough and when you pass over rough surfaces you really feel it- oh do you feel it!!! On top of that the impact on the rig itself is something we try to watch closely. Cabinetry, plumbing, the toad and tires are always being monitored by us for damage from vibration and bumps. The road conditions going through Memphis, TN and crossing the Mississippi River into Arkansas were rough.  It was a challenge to go 45 mph during this section of roads.  Thus far Arkansas has won top honors for roughest roads!

The Mississippi River was nearing its flood levels and in many places we could see where the water had been higher, but has since receded leaving behind a muddy mess along the river banks. 

Once we got on a smoother section of road, I fixed some breakfast (while Joe drove), cooking up a bagel, bacon, egg, and cheese sandwich and prevented a cholesterol sinking spell.  That hit the spot for both of us. 

Mid-day we went through the Ozark foothills of Arkansas.  Lots of hills, curves, creeks, and valleys on US 63 N (2 lane road). There was a lot of traffic on this road considering it was a Sunday morning.  US 63 N in Arkansas was rather rough and has some areas of construction.  It looks like they are widening areas, adding passing lanes. The countryside looks like the Georgia Piedmont and the rolling hills around LaGrange and Thomaston, but it doesn't have pine trees.  

The weather was very comfortable, ranging in the mid-70s with overcast skies.  We drove with the windows open most of the day and no A/C- a real treat.

Mammoth Springs State Park is on US 63 N.  The Springs pumps out 9,000 gallons of water an hour and feeds a 10 acre lake that is a popular place for canoeing, kayaking, and white water rafting.  

Once we arrived in Missouri, the road engineering and surface condition was much improved.  We finished up our day at Springfield, MO KOA Campground just off the famed old route 66.  We got a nice shady spot.  They had a fenced area for the dogs nearby for them to exercise off leash.  The sites are gravel and slightly unlevel so we used our automatic leveling system to level the moho for the first time this trip.  Once we got things hooked up, we started cooking outside.  Joe likes to cook up breakfast meats ahead of time so it makes it easier to put our breakfasts together in the mornings.  We also baked some sweet potatoes in the toaster oven outside trying to keep the heat out of the Moho since it got up to 90 degrees this day.  Our dinner consisted of grilled corn on the cob, london broil with horseradish sauce, and baked sweet potatoes.

When you travel in a moho, you still have to clean.  Sweeping the floor is a daily chore, especially when traveling with pets.

Shortly after dinner, a summer storm came up and the skies opened up with a torrential downpour.  Of course this is the same time that our little dog Sugar decided she needed to relieve herself.  We brought her raincoat with us for such an occasion.

  

Next stop is Lees Summit, MO to have lunch with the future co-grandparents of our grandson (Julie & Marc's baby that is due in September).  After lunch, we keep rolling west and north and stop in Salina, Kansas.