The day dawns warm and sunny. We call Marilyn’s, talk to Hannah, and ask her to check for the plug in the outlet in the guest room. Yep, it’s there. We give her Aunt Flo’s address in Ft Myers. A little later Marilyn calls back and says that we have also left a flash drive; should she include in in the package? I’m glad we remembered the computer!
We use the iPhone to locate an RV parts store to replace our water filter so that we can fill up the water. First one is a dud. No filter. I call the second. We are in luck. We put the address in Ms Garmin and head off. While Norb is getting the filter I look for a nearby Radio Shack in hopes of getting a cable to fix the Garmin problem. Just down the street. About 100 yards south of…tad ah! We are in Memphis, after all. Graceland. We’ll come back tomorrow.
No fix for the Mac but we do get a cable for the Garmin and, while we are there, we buy some small speakers for the iPhone for our ocean voyage in March. The young man assisting us has been so helpful, giving us the address of the Apple store, trying to solve our problems, that I feel we owe him something.
Our first museum of the day is the National Ornamental Metal Museum on the banks of the Mississippi. Once part of a military hospital, the brick building has 4 small galleries with a variety of pieces, some large, some small, some abstract, some humorous (remind me to show you the pictures of a few of the Wallys). We watch them making a hammer for a bit, admire a commission of 80 beehive pieces that is being created for a commission, and wonder the grounds looking at various pieces. I liked the place very much.
Then we head for the National Civil Rights Museum, created in and around the Lorraine Motel, where Martin Luther King was killed. There is a special exhibit on important black women that has a very interesting video on Rosa Parks and the background on the bus case. The museum itself starts at the beginning and pretty much ends with King’s death. If you go, I recommend the headsets. It is almost overwhelming to be reminded again of how awful blacks were treated. The motto for the Birmingham sanitation workers strike was “I am a man.” To me that sums up the entire thing—blacks were treated as less than human.
Across the street in the former boarding house where Ray was when he shot King is another exhibit, essentially on Ray, the shooting, the aftermath, and the various theories around him. Did he act alone? How did he finance himself? Why did he do it? Etc. No answers, just a lot of questions.
It was 2:30 by the time we finish so we eat lunch in the RV, call the Apple store and are told that we need to make an appointment with a Genius to get our problem taken care of. So we set up a 6:45 appointment.
Then we head north to downtown Memphis. We find a place to park on the street and walk 4 blocks to the Center for Southern Folklore. Turns out to be a store with lots of CDs etc. The very friendly woman puts a very interesting video on the TV about Beale Street and southern musicians. I have a latte and we watch. Then we check out the Peabody Hotel. Reminds me of the Palmer House and the Drake Hotel in Chicago. Of course, we don’t have any ducks in our fountain in the middle of the hotel. Peabody Place turns out to be a big dud. All of the shops on the second floor are closed and many of the first floor shops are shuttered. It’s a dying mall.
Beale Street, on the other hands, is quite alive. I hadn’t realized that it was originally the center of black social life, but it was. We buy US flag pins at Schwab’s, which is the oldest store on Beale and still reeks of five-and-dime. We cross the trolley tracks to walk along the river for a while. Mud Island, which has a five block long replica of the Mississippi, doesn’t open until April, but we can see it laying out there so close.
We head for Germantown and the Apple store, some 22 miles away! Turns out to be a very upscale area, quite a contrast to Memphis. It’s 5:50 when we arrive, but we go in hoping we can solve the problem easily without waiting until 6:45. No luck. I am 8th on the list of people waiting to talk to a Genius, according to the monitor. We wander around. 45 minutes later, I am 7th. We find out that we need to check in, so we do. Norb is pretty annoyed by the fact that no one told us that we needed to check in. I settle on a stool to wait and he takes the cord and goes to talk to the store manager. To make a long story short, we walk out of there 5 minutes later with a new cord—complimentary. He really is very good.
We make the 22 mile drive back to Memphis and settle in to the Elvis Presley RV Park, right next to Heartbreak Hotel. I kid you not. Tomorrow, barbecue, the cemetery, and Graceland.
Saturday, January 31, 2009
Friday, January 30, 2009
Leaving Springfield--Friday, January 30
We eat breakfast and help Marilyn and Dennis put the TV credenza back together (Norb and Dennis were up until 1 AM taking it apart last night to take off the doors and stain it and ready it for a new TV today). It is 10 before we are on the road and we instantly notice that Ms Garmin is not talking to us today. Once on I-55 I look at the settings and, voila, it tells me that no voice can be found. In technie tradition, I reboot, hoping that will solve the problem. No go. Using Norb’s iPhone I get the number of Garmin telephone support from their website and call. Seems the only solution is a download. Of course, I haven’t brought the right cables along and we don’t have internet access while driving, so it will have to wait until we are ensconced for the night. We bypass St Louis, crossing the Mississippi at Jefferson Barracks. Diesel is only 14 cents more than regular gas. We are happy.
We keep looking for more information on road conditions south of here and when we stop for lunch they have wifi so I get the computer out. We find out that I-55 is open through the bootheel but all of the sideroads from exit 99 south in Missouri are closed because of downed power lines due to the ice storm. We call the casino campground we were planning on staying at in Caruthersville and learn that there is no power in the RV park. We decide to go on to Memphis.
As we drive north signs by the road warn us that there is no gas or food or services from exit 99 south. Almost like entering a theater, after we pass exit 99 the trees and shrubs are coated with ice inches thick. Thousands and thousands of trees are broken off, some laying near the highway. We stop counting electrical power line repair trucks after we pass 100. Lines lay down all along the road, no lights, desolation. We had planned to stop in Sikeston at Lambert’s, home of the throwed roll, but, sorry, Marilyn, there’s no way they were going to be open. Besides the road is closed.
We pass into Arkansas and the ice gradually diminishes, the temperature goes up, and we only see repair trucks on the road heading north. We decide on the West Memphis KOA, which is really near Marion and about 10 miles from Memphis. It is really in the middle of nowhere. We shop at Kroger, get a roasted chicken and some cole slaw, take it back to the campground and make supper. We are warm and safe and home for the night.
I settle in to write this blog and, when I get the computer out, discover that I have left part of the plug for the Mac in the outlet in Springfield. Curses! We call and ask them to mail it to Aunt Flo. That means that I am going to have to figure out something to do until them to power the Mac.
We keep looking for more information on road conditions south of here and when we stop for lunch they have wifi so I get the computer out. We find out that I-55 is open through the bootheel but all of the sideroads from exit 99 south in Missouri are closed because of downed power lines due to the ice storm. We call the casino campground we were planning on staying at in Caruthersville and learn that there is no power in the RV park. We decide to go on to Memphis.
As we drive north signs by the road warn us that there is no gas or food or services from exit 99 south. Almost like entering a theater, after we pass exit 99 the trees and shrubs are coated with ice inches thick. Thousands and thousands of trees are broken off, some laying near the highway. We stop counting electrical power line repair trucks after we pass 100. Lines lay down all along the road, no lights, desolation. We had planned to stop in Sikeston at Lambert’s, home of the throwed roll, but, sorry, Marilyn, there’s no way they were going to be open. Besides the road is closed.
We pass into Arkansas and the ice gradually diminishes, the temperature goes up, and we only see repair trucks on the road heading north. We decide on the West Memphis KOA, which is really near Marion and about 10 miles from Memphis. It is really in the middle of nowhere. We shop at Kroger, get a roasted chicken and some cole slaw, take it back to the campground and make supper. We are warm and safe and home for the night.
I settle in to write this blog and, when I get the computer out, discover that I have left part of the plug for the Mac in the outlet in Springfield. Curses! We call and ask them to mail it to Aunt Flo. That means that I am going to have to figure out something to do until them to power the Mac.
Out with the governor, Thursday, January 29
As one of the state senators said today, “It’s not that this governor has made Illinois a national joke, it’s that he has hurt the economy of local communities.” We get to the Capitol at 9:20 today and the Senate galleries were packed already. Of course, once you get the press in there and the friends and families of senators, there are 45 seats left for others. There are 12 people ahead of us in line outside the gallery; we have some interesting conversations with those around us; Norb and I are interviewed by Marianne Ayers of WMAQ, Chicago; but we don’t get into the gallery. Word is that the people already in there can stay as long as they want. If they get up to go to the bathroom, they lose their seats. We figure that the chances that 12 people out of 45 are going to do this by the time the Governor speaks are pretty low. So we head down a floor and explore the capitol.
Word spreads that he is going to be coming down the hall and up the elevator to the Senate chambers so everyone takes up a position on the railing overlooking the hall. Next thing you know word comes down that he is in the Senate. We go down to the basement cafeteria where they are broadcasting his appeal to the Senate. We listen and shake our heads in disbelief at his approach—basically, he says, I should be forgiven any wrongs because I did them to help the sick and the children and the elderly. Also, you shouldn’t impeach me because it would be so embarrassing to my children. Amazing.
We leave to go to lunch and out the west door where his SUV is sitting and the photographers are poised to catch Blago as he departs. I have had enough so I head to the car and wait. The SUV pulls out and drives to the south door, with photographers in hot pursuit. As it turns out, we see Blago come out of the building and into the car. Big deal!
We are told that Lt Gov Quinn and the Illinois supreme court justices are standing by to swear in a new governor. Also word is that the governor was quick to get on the plane back to Chicago while he still had a state plane at his beck and call. Each of the senators gets 5 minutes at speak—all 59 of them. We watch the vote on the TV and, I must admit, are amazed that it is 59 to 0.
We watch the Weather channel to see what is going on south of us, trying to figure our where the terrible ice storm has hit and how that affects our travel path. Even on the internet we can’t figure out what is going on. They are predicting anothing big storm coming in next week. We are planning to be south of it all by Tuesday, and hope that we don’t have a rough time getting through the storm area.
Word spreads that he is going to be coming down the hall and up the elevator to the Senate chambers so everyone takes up a position on the railing overlooking the hall. Next thing you know word comes down that he is in the Senate. We go down to the basement cafeteria where they are broadcasting his appeal to the Senate. We listen and shake our heads in disbelief at his approach—basically, he says, I should be forgiven any wrongs because I did them to help the sick and the children and the elderly. Also, you shouldn’t impeach me because it would be so embarrassing to my children. Amazing.
We leave to go to lunch and out the west door where his SUV is sitting and the photographers are poised to catch Blago as he departs. I have had enough so I head to the car and wait. The SUV pulls out and drives to the south door, with photographers in hot pursuit. As it turns out, we see Blago come out of the building and into the car. Big deal!
We are told that Lt Gov Quinn and the Illinois supreme court justices are standing by to swear in a new governor. Also word is that the governor was quick to get on the plane back to Chicago while he still had a state plane at his beck and call. Each of the senators gets 5 minutes at speak—all 59 of them. We watch the vote on the TV and, I must admit, are amazed that it is 59 to 0.
We watch the Weather channel to see what is going on south of us, trying to figure our where the terrible ice storm has hit and how that affects our travel path. Even on the internet we can’t figure out what is going on. They are predicting anothing big storm coming in next week. We are planning to be south of it all by Tuesday, and hope that we don’t have a rough time getting through the storm area.
Thursday, January 29, 2009
Leaving Home--Wednesday, January 28, 2009
We started packing on Monday. We have 3 lists: 1 for ‘going away’, includes things like cancel the newspaper, stop the mail, get someone to cut the grass/shovel the snow, etc; 1 for things that are already in the RV; and 1 for things we need to take to the RV. Problem is that we aren’t as neurotic as we should be about the last two, keeping them up to date. So sometimes things that are supposed to be in the RV aren’t, and things that we should take to the RV are already there. For example, we have a thing for our bed called a Travasak. It has zippers along the side; thing a big sleeping bag. But it has sheets that Velcro in on the edges so they don’t slip around. Couldn’t find the darn things. I ended up taking along another sheet but hoping that the right sheets were in the RV. They were, so now we have an extra pair of sheets. Rather have them than not though.
It really didn’t take us 2 days straight to get ready. We had to plan the trip, finalizing some dates and deciding if we needed to make reservations. As it turned out, we couldn’t get into the Gulf State Park Campground in Gulf Shores, AL. Full up. So we made reservations at private RV park. We are also planning to spend 4 days on Jekyl Island and when I tried to get reservations on line they said to call the park and maybe they would have a space. Well, luck held, they did. So we have 4 days on Jekyl Island reserved. The rest we will wing and hope.
We also spent time loading books onto iTunes so that we could load them on to the iPhone. Taking disks and books back to the library. And all the other things that one decides suddenly need to get done because you are going to be gone for a month.
We gather all the stuff in the front room. Got to find a better way, though, perhaps keep doubles of things and put them aside for the RV. We are getting better at it, but we have a long way to go. It is a bit different when we go away for a month than when we go away for a week.
We begin packing. Three inches of new snow means that I shovel the sidewalks before anything else. First the bikes go in. Last thing in are the batteries. We took out one of the seats and collapsed the back. Amazingly we fit everything in. Tucked the open wine in a small space behind the seat. Took along bourbon, vodka, beer, and Baileys. Also took a case of Squirt because it’s impossible to find outside of Chicago.
It’s 32 degrees inside the RV. I’m surprised it’s that high because it’s 11 outside. Norb has devised a method so that we can both lift the truck battery at the same time. It’s the coolie method, a long board that goes through the battery handles and a screw and a screw driver on either side of the battery handles to keep them from sliding along the board as we carry it. We lift, hoist, carry it to the front of the open engine compartment. Next step, we ease the wires out of the way. Ease isn’t exactly the word because everything is stiff from the cold. Okay, we push the wires aside. Ease in the battery. Norb attaches the various wires, climbs in the cab, crosses his fingers, and starts the RV. Yay!!! Next come the house batteries. More of a challenge. Have to pull the RV out of the space because the snow is up to the base of the steps and getting the brackets that hold the battery in place means lying on the ground. Who wants to lie down in a foot of snow? Once we get out into an open area in the parking lot, we are back in business.
We get those in with a comparative minimum of difficulty and that means we can turn on the heat. I start unloading the car and loading the RV; Norb works on the bikes. The foam topper for the bed is hard and stiff. I decide not to try to unfold it for fear it will crack into pieces. I retrieve the Travasak; joy of joys, the sheets are in there. Everything goes into its place. By the time we leave, the house has warmed up to 55. It’s a little space so it warms up fast, folks.We pay for our month’s storage and hit the road a little after noon.
Traffic is relatively light and the only problem is the sun glare off the snow. Once you get out of the metropolitan areas there are fields on both sides, white covered, gleaming in the bright sun. Why does the glare make you sleepy? We stop for lunch at Wendy’s. My usual Wendy’s buy is chili, baked potato, and a frosty—each 99 cents. Would you believe they have raised the prices to $1.39 each?
We change drivers about halfway and I bring us into Springfield and Marilyn and Dennis’ home (Norb’s sister and brother-in-law). Seems that the decision to stay a few days in Springfield is a good one because there are serious storms south of here.
It really didn’t take us 2 days straight to get ready. We had to plan the trip, finalizing some dates and deciding if we needed to make reservations. As it turned out, we couldn’t get into the Gulf State Park Campground in Gulf Shores, AL. Full up. So we made reservations at private RV park. We are also planning to spend 4 days on Jekyl Island and when I tried to get reservations on line they said to call the park and maybe they would have a space. Well, luck held, they did. So we have 4 days on Jekyl Island reserved. The rest we will wing and hope.
We also spent time loading books onto iTunes so that we could load them on to the iPhone. Taking disks and books back to the library. And all the other things that one decides suddenly need to get done because you are going to be gone for a month.
We gather all the stuff in the front room. Got to find a better way, though, perhaps keep doubles of things and put them aside for the RV. We are getting better at it, but we have a long way to go. It is a bit different when we go away for a month than when we go away for a week.
We begin packing. Three inches of new snow means that I shovel the sidewalks before anything else. First the bikes go in. Last thing in are the batteries. We took out one of the seats and collapsed the back. Amazingly we fit everything in. Tucked the open wine in a small space behind the seat. Took along bourbon, vodka, beer, and Baileys. Also took a case of Squirt because it’s impossible to find outside of Chicago.
It’s 32 degrees inside the RV. I’m surprised it’s that high because it’s 11 outside. Norb has devised a method so that we can both lift the truck battery at the same time. It’s the coolie method, a long board that goes through the battery handles and a screw and a screw driver on either side of the battery handles to keep them from sliding along the board as we carry it. We lift, hoist, carry it to the front of the open engine compartment. Next step, we ease the wires out of the way. Ease isn’t exactly the word because everything is stiff from the cold. Okay, we push the wires aside. Ease in the battery. Norb attaches the various wires, climbs in the cab, crosses his fingers, and starts the RV. Yay!!! Next come the house batteries. More of a challenge. Have to pull the RV out of the space because the snow is up to the base of the steps and getting the brackets that hold the battery in place means lying on the ground. Who wants to lie down in a foot of snow? Once we get out into an open area in the parking lot, we are back in business.
We get those in with a comparative minimum of difficulty and that means we can turn on the heat. I start unloading the car and loading the RV; Norb works on the bikes. The foam topper for the bed is hard and stiff. I decide not to try to unfold it for fear it will crack into pieces. I retrieve the Travasak; joy of joys, the sheets are in there. Everything goes into its place. By the time we leave, the house has warmed up to 55. It’s a little space so it warms up fast, folks.We pay for our month’s storage and hit the road a little after noon.
Traffic is relatively light and the only problem is the sun glare off the snow. Once you get out of the metropolitan areas there are fields on both sides, white covered, gleaming in the bright sun. Why does the glare make you sleepy? We stop for lunch at Wendy’s. My usual Wendy’s buy is chili, baked potato, and a frosty—each 99 cents. Would you believe they have raised the prices to $1.39 each?
We change drivers about halfway and I bring us into Springfield and Marilyn and Dennis’ home (Norb’s sister and brother-in-law). Seems that the decision to stay a few days in Springfield is a good one because there are serious storms south of here.
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