211 miles via US 70, I-30, AR 245 and 549, US 71 and I-20. Cumulative distance: 2,183 miles.
GTW Hop 14: Hot Springs AR to Bossier City LA
This hop was supposed to be just 190 miles, but I missed a turn which cost us another 20 miles. Oops. But, as Jett observed, if that was the worst thing that happened to us, it would be fine. And it was. Another ding-free day.
We certainly had a better day than the poor souls who were lying on the pavement of I-30 eastbound just before we left it near Texarkana. They were surrounded by EMTs, ambulances, police vehicles, remnants of their truck (looks like it flipped and they were thrown out) and lots of traffic, completely stopped. I suspect that a helicopter was on the way because it looked very serious. So we were very happy to just go 20 miles further than we needed.
I-30 was less hectic than I-40, but it was no picnic. AR 549 was great for 25 miles – brand new road, very little traffic – but then it ended and we had to make the rest of the way on US 71. It went though a couple of backwoods areas of Louisiana. Scenic in a decrepit way, I guess.
We are staying at the RV park at DiamondJacks Casino in Bossier City, just across the river from Shreveport. I don’t know quite what to expect, but maybe it will be a nice warmup for Vegas.
Did I mention that Jett’s sister is going to join us for 4 days in Vegas early in November? That should be a blast!