A DAY AS PLANNED

FRIDAY MARCH 23
TEXARKANA TEXAS

THE ABILENE DEPARTURE WAS ABOUT 9:15 AM AS PLANNED. WE NEEDED TO TRAVEL TO TEXARKANA TODAY.
THE WEATHER WAS GREAT AND LET ME SAY THIS ABOUT TEXAS ROADS = THEY ARE ABOUT 99% GREAT =.
THE DRIVERS HERE EVEN KNOW HOW TO MERGE WITH 80 MPH TRAFFIC, [YES THAT IS THE INTERSTATE SPEED LIMIT] THEY ACTUALLY ACCELERATE TO MATCH THE SPEED OF THE TRAFFIC UNLIKE ILLINOIS DRIVERS THAT IN SOME CASES GO TO THE END OF THE RAMP AND STOP.

TODAY WAS ABOUT 7.5 - 8 HOUR DRIVE. A STOP AT A PILOT FUEL STATION AT ABOUT 2:30 PROVED INTERESTING. THE PLACE WAS PACKED WITH SEMIS AND ONE MOTOR COACH, WE PARKED AWAY FROM THE MAIN AREA AND AGAINST A CURB AND OPENED THE DRIVERS SIDE SLIDE OUT TO HAVE A LITTLE LUNCH, LITTLE DID WE KNOW THIS WAS THE MAIN ENTRANCE AND EXIT FOR TRUCKS THAT WERE NOT GETTING FUEL. THE DRIVEWAY WAS WIDE ENOUGH FOR AT LEAST 4 TRUCKS TO PASS AND NOW WE MADE IT 3. SOME UNHAPPY FACES WERE SEEN BUT I HAD NO OTHER PLACE TO PARK AS THIS FACILITY WAS A BACK IN STYLE TO PARK THE RIGS.
THE COACH CAN'T BACK UP WITH THE CAR ATTACHED SO WE NEED A DRIVE THRU.

AFTER LUNCH WE GOT BACK ON THE I30 AND ARRIVED AT THE SHADY PINES RV PARK IN TEXARKANA TX. THIS IS A NEW PARK WITH EXCELLENT FACILITIES, BATH ROOMS AND SHOWERS JUST LIKE HOME.
WHEN IT WAS UNDER CONSTRUCTION NO ONE THOUGHT TO WIRE IN A CABLE TV SYSTEM AND NOW THEY SAY IT IS TOO EXPENSIVE TO INSTALL. THERE IS FREE WY FI HOWEVER.

LAST NIGHT WE HAD STEAKS DELIVERED. TONIGHT I ASKED THE FRONT DESK IF ANY RESTAURANTS DELIVERED AND SHE SAID YES PIZZA HUT.
I WAS AGAIN READING THE PARKS BROCHURE AND SAW AN AD FOR "THE POINT" A FISH HOUSE AND FRIDAY WAS AN ALL YOU CAN EAT CATFISH FRY. I CALLED AND ASKED IF THEY COULD DELIVER IT 3 MILES UP THE ROAD TO THE SHADY PINES?
THE PERSON I SPOKE WITH SAYS WE DON'T NORMALLY DELIVER BUT THEY DO TO GO ORDERS. SHE SAID SHE WOULD ASK THE OWNER AND GUESS WHAT = 30 MINUTES LATER IT WAS AT OUR DOOR. THE CATFISH WAS HOT AND FRESH, NOT OVER COOKED AND, THE ORDER CAME WITH 7 FILETS EACH ALONG WITH HUSHPUPPIES, FRIES AND COLESLAW ALL FOR $25 INCLUDING A NICE TIP.
AS YOU ALL KNOW I ALWAYS "HAVE MY ASK IN GEAR"

TOMORROW TO CAPE GIRARDEAU MO.

ART