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GTW

The Great Trip West (2012)

Bossier City, LA

Some stops – such as Hot Springs – turn out to be better than expected. Others – like Bossier City/Shreveport – balance that out by being disappointments. We were so unthrilled with Bossier City that we left after just one night, instead of the planned two. Because I have so little to report on Bossier … Continue reading »

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GTW Hop 14: Hot Springs, AR, to Bossier City, LA

211 miles via US 70, I-30, AR 245 and 549, US 71 and I-20. Cumulative distance: 2,183 miles. 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 … Continue reading »

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Hot Springs, AR

Hot Springs has always intrigued me.  Is there a naughtier name in America?  Just Intercourse, I think.  Now we have been to both. And – surprise – the springs are really hot!  The spring-fed fountains actually steam, even on a hot day (80 yesterday). I suppose that it is easy to like a town when … Continue reading »

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GTW Hop 13: West Memphis, AR, to Hot Springs, AR

186 miles via I-40, I-30, US 70 and US 270. Cumulative distance: 1,972 miles. Number 13 was lucky for us: no dings! The only real adventure of any sort on this hop was a mysterious 20-minute delay on I-40 east of Little Rock – no accident, no work crew (though it was in a work … Continue reading »

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West Memphis, AR

It is fun being on the Mississippi, but the river is very low right now – the first sign we have seen of the midwest’s severe drought this summer.  The river would have to rise 20 t0 30 feet to overflow its banks and another 30 feet to get to the flood level experienced last … Continue reading »

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GTW Hop 12: Hermitage, TN, to West Memphis, AR

236 miles via I-40 and I-440.  Cumulative distance: 1,786 miles. A few days ago it seemed unlikely that we were going to get so far as the Mississippi, much less California. But yesterday we crossed the Mississippi, so maybe California is possible as well. You may have noticed that the weather continues to be dark … Continue reading »

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Hermitage, TN

No, we didn’t see The Hermitage, Andrew Jackson’s home, even though it was just a few miles away.  And, no, we didn’t go out to a Nashville nightclub because we were lucky(?) enough to be in Nashville for the one and only Thursday Night NFL game of the year hosted by the Titans.  We knew … Continue reading »

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GTW Hop 11: Pigeon Forge, TN, to Hermitage, TN

202 miles via US 441 and I-40. Cumulative distance: 1,552 miles. Two incidents today, but thankfully no permanent dings. Incident #1: The truck would not start again. We were all prepared to leave the campsite and I tried to start the truck to hitch up. Barely turned over. This time I asked the campground for … Continue reading »

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Pigeon Forge, TN

First, let me admit that I am a wuss when it comes to roller coasters.  That wasn’t always the case; when I was young I loved them.  Not that I had many opportunities to ride, as Wisconsin is not exactly Roller Coaster Heaven.  But I fondly recall some trips in which a roller coaster remains … Continue reading »

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GTW Hop 10: Knoxville, TN, to Pigeon Forge, TN

25 miles via I-40 and TN 66.  Cumulative distance: 1,350 miles. As economy rooms go, the one we had at the EconoLodge in Knoxville, next to the RV repair shop, wasn’t bad. It was spacious with fairly comfortable beds and a decent shower. It was quiet and offered both free breakfast and (this is unique … Continue reading »

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