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clarionite

We're back from our two week road trip. We didn't get to see as many things as we planned. The weather didn't cooperate for the Nashville zoo. And we had to cut New Orleans out because we had to make a trip up to Arkansas for a funeral last Saturday. But the trip was a very welcome chance to get out of the house for a while. The truck performed flawlessly. The trailer had a few minor issues we addressed as we went. A bad valve stem the first night (thankfully it made it to Nashville before going flat over night) and an outdoor shower faucet that broke, forcing me to shut off the hot water flow for a couple of days till I was able to locate a new one to replace it with. And a bolt broke on the motor that operates the main slide out. Again thankfully it was in Memphis and there was an AutoZone close by that I was able to get a replacement bolt. Pretty much normal stuff for RV owenership.

Two weeks is a long time to road trip. We put over 3000 miles on the truck. If I had been doing hotels on this trip, we'd have been tired and ready to get home way before we did. Thankfully taking comfortable lodging with you lessens the stress. But I can tell you that my bed at home was a very welcome sight Monday night.

clarionite

Vol Texan wrote: ↑Tue Aug 18, 2020 12:37 pm I was raised in Bristol. Left there for Texas in ‘92, but the area has great memories, and I return periodically to breathe the fresh air and drink the mountain water.

I know a lot of ideas for you there, and along the way home. I’ll send you a PM with my phone number and we can talk.

My buddy moved up there probably 10-12 years ago now. He worked for me many years ago in Florida. He and his wife love the scenery, especially during the summer. Winters though are a bit cold for them. They're in the early stages of contemplating a move back to Arizona. He had a stroke last year that he's mainly recovered from. They have family in that area, and they can deal with the heat better than the cold.

clarionite

PriestTheRunner wrote: ↑Mon Aug 17, 2020 5:51 pm
PUCKER wrote: ↑Mon Aug 17, 2020 4:25 pm -Charlie Vergos' Rendezvous (across from the Peabody - make sure to see the duck parade!)
https://www.hogsfly.com
Plus One on Rendezvous. Fantastic place and worth seeing.

I would add BB King's if you like a good drink OR you like Live Soul music. Every time I've been to BB Kings I've loved the live music.

Another trip later on with Mom and without the little one, Or with my sister in law to watch the little one, and I'll take her to BB King's. I'd love to take her to see Beale St (when the world gets back to normal a little more) and a trip over to Tunica.

We thought about taking a few days up in Arkansas too, visiting family. And a trip over to Crater of diamonds. I don't know how well the 4 year old will handle Crater of Diamonds. a little digging in the dirt is fun for a few minutes. A half day of it and she'll be very bored.

clarionite

SewTexas wrote: ↑Mon Aug 17, 2020 5:42 pm it sounds like fun!
the New Orleans Aquarium is A.Ma.Zing!

My kids loved it when we lived in LA and they were young.

But I always felt I should be given a bib and fork on my way in for as much as I spent buying tickets. I felt I should be able to pick which one I wanted and have them cook it up for me.

clarionite

chasfm11 wrote: ↑Mon Aug 17, 2020 5:40 pm I hate hint at being Debbie Downer but my suggestion is to take your time when you pick up the new rig for a PDI (pre-delivery inspection) Now, more than any other time since we bought our RV in 2004, it is difficult to get RVs repaired and get replacement parts. Roof top air conditioners, for example, are on a 2 month backorder according to a local travel trailer dealer. Like ammunition, where the demand has skyrocketed and the raw material sources have all be dried up, RV parts are scarce. You are better off trying to stay put and work out any problems than to start off with something crippled and hope to resolve it while you are traveling.

We just cut short a month long stay in the NM mountains because our refrigerator died (the cooling unit blew). I found a supplier who has the unit that I need in stock but I was hardly able to place the order because he is overwhelmed with other people wanting parts. I'm carefully looking at all aspects of the re-install to make sure that I have everything that I need to get us back on the road. There are tons of things that can go wrong - like the refrigerator not switching over to propane for traveling. BTDT, too.

I'll second the suggestion that less windshield time is better. Seeing a lot of places is fun but kids generally don't do well on extended road trips with day after day of driving. We've had our granddaughter with us pretty much every summer for extended trips since she was 8yo. We have a motor home so it is a little easier that if everyone is in the cab of a pickup but we did 1,500 miles in 3 days to get to a destination. That is just too much driving for younger ones.

I understand, and agree. I've known the guy I'm buying this from for 20+ years. I know how well he maintains his equipment. This is the second rig I've bought from him. He has gone through both just before I bought them and fixed/replaced everything he could find wrong. But it's a used RV, so something can/will break. But as long as the truck can pull it, and the wheels don't fall off It'll be OK. It seems like a lot of stuff we have scheduled, but the trip to bring it back from TN would need to be done anyways. This is our way of dividing the drive time up into small chunks and getting some recreation time in. I've had generators fail, AC fail, Fridges fail, water heaters fail, toilets fail, water pumps on trucks fail... As long as it will still roll along and get it home, there are hotels available along the way and restaurants. We'll make the best of it and fix whatever we need when we get home.

clarionite

PUCKER wrote: ↑Mon Aug 17, 2020 4:25 pm Gatlinburg is definitely a fun place!!

Memphis - I usually describe it as a dump (well, other words too) but here are some places I enjoyed:

-Charlie Vergos' Rendezvous (across from the Peabody - make sure to see the duck parade!)
https://www.hogsfly.com

-Uncle Lou's Fried Chicken - that honey-dipped fried chicken is sooooo good!
https://www.unclelousfriedchicken.com

Enjoy the trip / journey!

I forgot about Uncle Lou's. I might have to sneak a trip in to get some chicken. I was mainly focused on the BBQ joints. The brisket isn't up to Texas standards, but outside of MO, Memphis has some of the best pork ribs I've had.

clarionite

RoadRunnerTR21 wrote: ↑Mon Aug 17, 2020 4:35 pm Your trip sounds pretty full based on your description. I've been to most of the places you have listed. Rather than adding more stuff to your itinerary, my suggestion would be to spend some time relaxing and enjoying your RV. Maybe play some yard games, take them all fishing, cook some s'mores and hot dogs on a stick. Those are the kind of things kids remember and will look forward to your next trip out. We've has 2 class A's and 2 5th wheels. Currently we have a Montana 3121RL.

I'm an old man who's been all over the lower 48. So I've been to all the places we're scheduled to visit. The full schedule is more to entertain the Fiance and the baby. They love zoos and aquariums, and those are three of the best I've been to. The vacation will more than likely end up being 3-4 weeks, maybe longer depending on how the lock down stuff continues to go.

This is my 2nd 5th wheel. I had a pop up before that, and before that I was a much younger man who enjoyed tent camping or even just a sleeping bag and hiking. But my back loves having the bed, and I'm spoiled for AC now.

This new to me trailer is a Travel Supreme River Canyon m31 iKTSO, which reminds me very much of the Montana. The floor plan is much like yours.

clarionite

Recently I sold my old F250 with 5th wheel RV and purchased another set from a buddy of mine in Bristol TN.

I fly up on the 29th to pick them up. I took two weeks off for vacation and plan on road tripping back. My fiance and her 4 year old will be going with me, so it's a PG vacation. So far we have Gatlinburg, Nashville (zoo and Parthenon) , Memphis (zoo, Graceland and Peabody), New Orleans (Cafe Du Monde, Aquarium, Acme and the square) and Galveston (beach) on the list. I work from home, and only need an internet connection and laptop available. So we may extend the vacation out longer.

Any suggestions (must be kid friendly) for things that are must see, places we must eat at, or other great places to go in a RV? I can't express how ready I am to get out of the house for a while.

My fiance has already made sure I put the EDC's on the list of things to pack up for the trip. (as if I'd forget them)

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