2025-26 Trip to the Southwest, Day 13

Day 13, October 31, 2025,Edgar Evins State Park, Silver Point, TN, Day 2 - 0 Miles, 1011.3 Miles for the Trip

Happy Halloween!!

I bought a bag of miniature candies in case some trick or treaters come around, but it is unlikely. Too bad because there are many Snickers in the batch - I don't like Snickers...

44°F overnight & 51°F by noon. I went for my morning walk - only got 3/4 of a mile in but my watch showed that I climbed 6 flights of stairs. Any walking around the campground is either up or down hill. Little is level. 

After breakfast I sat in the trailer. Still too cold to site outside even in the partial sun. A park tractor with a huge leaf blower on the back went by blowing the leaves off the road. Probably a good idea since the hills are steep enough that one wants all the traction possible. When I was here last time a Canadian had a problem with his truck. He called CAA & they sent a tow truck. As the truck climbed the hill out of the campground the driver missed a shift and his brakes wouldn't hold. He went off the road and totaled the Canadian's truck on the back of tow truck. I felt for the guy (the Canadian as well as the driver who wasn't hurt) since he needed to deal with insurance, and purchase a new truck outside his home country. The park towed his trailer out of the space it was in (the space was rented for the next day) and moved him around to empty sites while he dealt with finding a new tow.

Back at the trailer I started the 30th Ngaio Marsh Alleny book A Grave Mistake. Just 3 more to go. 

I just love the California reservation system. I received an email that after October 29th "you will need to reset your Reserve California password." So, today I attempted to follow the steps they outlined in the email. At the "Forgot Password" step they announced that "Reset password is not allowed at this time. Please contact support for assistance." The contact support for assistance was a 404 error, then later changed to a page that duplicates the email procedure. 

Since the sun was shining and the platform level, I hooked up the trailer. All I'll need to do in the morning is disconnect the water & electric. I may do the water late this afternoon since I hate rolling up an ice cold water hose (it is suppose to be 41°F in the morning). It is only a 2 1/2 hour drive (3 hour at my pace), so I don't need to leave early. So far, while the Tennessee State Parks have a 1:00 check out & 4:00 check in time, I have been able to get a site between 1:00 - 2:00.

I have new neighbors in the next site towards the main road. This lower section is mostly empty with just 3 trailers in 26 sites. With the narrow roads and shallow platforms, this is a park where you are going to wait quite awhile for a trailer backing in ahead of you. Most of the edge of the road on the non platform side is either a rock wall or a 2'-3' ditch so you can't sneak around. While I fit in this site with the trailer connected, any longer trailer or shorter platform is going to require unhooking the truck & parking it next to the trailer. At least they are wide enough that parking next to the trailer is possible unless you have slides. In 2017 I was in site 33 with the 17' and it was shallow enough that if I put the truck next to the trailer I couldn't open the trailer door. The host told me to park in the road even though there was a sign saying not to. My neighbor has slides on both sides - his truck is along the road.

At 2:30 I decided it was warm as it was going to get (58°F) so I headed for the showers. From my site they are about 30' higher than my trailer with a short walk on the road & a very steep sidewalk. There are bath houses all over the park. The closest one to me is #6 with two showers, both with a small dressing area with bench, a small shower with most of a wall between, and a 3" low volume showerhead. Adjustable water temperature with a hot & cold handle. It takes a couple of minutes for the hot water to get hot, but once it does you will need to add some cold. Very low pressure; the water just dribbles out. The park warns of steep roads & high water pressure. Not in bathroom #6. A shower curtain at the entrance, but none between the dressing area & the shower. There is a 6" wall between the shower & dressing area and the shower head is at 90° to the opening so the dressing area floor stays dry. The room was heated, but not by much. Overall, a B-.

My body is still set in eastern time. 3:30 and if feels like dinner time. I'll do a bit more reading.

Around 4:00 I got out the toaster oven and started a Boston Market Pot Pie. I've tried many brands, and so far the Boston Market is the best.

Until Tomorrow - 

2025-26 Trip to the Southwest, Day 12

Day 12, October 30, 2025,Edgar Evins State Park, Silver Point, TN - 167.4 Miles, 1011.3 Miles for the Trip

While the rain was suppose to stop by 6:00AM, there was still a very light rain (a bit more than mist) all morning, and off & on for the entire drive. The first 25 miles on a 4 lane US 11E to Knoxville, then I 40 the rest of the way. 

It has been a long time since I've stayed at Edgar Evins State Park; the last time was with my Escape 17B. The 21 won't fit in many of the sites, all of which are platforms off the campground roads. While there are a few others that are long enough for the 21, most are not easy to back into. I'm in site 53, which is at a junction of roads, leaving plenty of room to back onto the platform. Completely level both front to back & side to side. Water & electric with a picnic table on the platform and a grill & fire pit off to the side. 2 nights at $48.40 per night, which includes $11.80 in taxes & a $5.00 reservation fee. I didn't get the senior discount although I probably could if I asked at the office which is 5 miles from the campground.

Site 53

I followed the sign to the restrooms up a 2 story staircase & a long dirt path complete with lots of roots to trip on. Once I got there I found that it was far shorter to walk up the road. And I do mean up. The campground is built into the side of a hill. I am near the bottom just above the marina, but there are at least 3 tiers of rows of platforms (sites) between me & the entrance. You better be ready to do a bit of up & down hill walking anywhere in the campground.

One of the forums I regularly read is the Escape forum, which has a "What's Out Your Back Window" thread, so I took one. A bit hazy because it is through the screen, but it does show the marina & lake below the site.

Through My Back Window (and screen)

After setting up in the site I checked my cell modems. AT&T shows 9.08Mbps down & .23Mbps up. While I can see a bar of Verizon, I was not able to connect either the modem or my cell phone so I will be using AT&T. The lake is to the north, so my Starlink Mini might get a signal, but there are lots of trees in the way so I didn't bother trying.

A little bit of reading, then it was time to start dinner which was a Tyson Foods Stuffed Asparagus & Cheese Chicken, creamed spinach & a baked potato. The Tyson Foods frozen stuffed chicken meals look just like the Barber frozen stuffed chicken meals, and come in the same varieties. Not sure what the difference is, but when I was leaving the Tyson brand was on sale. One difference is I have only found the Tyson Foods in raw versions. Barber makes both a raw and a cooked "heat in a microwave" version that is terrible.

Until Tomorrow - 

2025-26 Trip to the Southwest, Day 11

Day 11, October 29, 2025, Panther Creek State Park, Morristown, TN, Day 3 - 0 Miles, 843.9 Miles for the Trip

Another 48°F night, 50°F at 11:00 as a light rain started. At least it held off until after my morning walk. 

After breakfast I did some reading. Current book on the Kindle is Ngaio Marsh's False Scent, Inspector Alleyn #21. I'm listening to Allen Eskens' The Deep Dark Descending audio book during my walks as well as when I hit the road tomorrow.

Rain off & on all afternoon. More reading but not much else going on. I did get a neighbor - a stick built 32' or so Forest River Hemisphere. 

Around 2:00 the sun peaked through any portions of blue sky appeared. Still enough clouds that light rain fell off & on. By 2:45 the steady rain, sometimes heavy was back. With all the rain I got a lot of reading in. I finished False Scent and started Alleyn # 22, Hand In Glove. Still raining off & on.

Dinner was a Saffron Road Chicken Tikka Masala.

2025-26 Trip to the Southwest, Day 10

Day 10, October 28, 2025, Panther Creek State Park, Morristown, TN, Day 2 - 0 Miles, 843.9 Miles for the Trip

Down to 48°F overnight with light to medium rain off & on all night. The rain stopped by 7:00AM and held off at 9:00 for my morning walk. A loop around the campground is about 1/2 mile, half of which is uphill. 

Back at the trailer I made breakfast, did some on line reading and some of my latest book - still Ngaio Marsh's Singing In The Shrouds on the Kindle. A bit cool at 50°F at 11:00 although I can see sections of blue sky.

Around 1:00 I headed to the local Walmart to replenish some supplies, then back at the trailer headed to the showers.

There are 5 individual bathrooms, each labeled disabled, each with a flat floor shower, toilet & sink. Each room has its own mini split set at 72°F. There is a bench across from the toilet well out of the way of the shower. Two jet showers, one high, one low, both low volume 1" showerheads. The high one produces a strong broad spray, unlike most of the small showerheads I've used. Quite comfortable with plenty of hot water, a shelf for shampoo & a soap dish, and a shower curtain. Some water gets under the shower curtain, but most of the bathroom floor stays dry. Overall, an A.

Dinner was a Chef Ramsay's Chicken Marsala Pasta, one of my favorites.

Until Tomorrow - 

2025-26 Trip to the Southwest, Day 9

Day 9, October 27, 2025, Panther Creek State Park, Morristown, TN - 127.4 Miles, 843.9 Miles for the Trip

In the mid 40's overnight with light rain off & on. Of course it was on when I went out for my morning walk so I went back inside. For some reason, I don't mind walking in snow; when I stay in Oswego I do it all winter, but I don't like rain. 

I said sad good byes to the Guidos, and headed out of Hungry Mother around 11:00. Light rain all the way to Panther Creek with most of the drive on I 81. Less truck traffic than the last two drives on it. I got gas at Loves in Mosheim, TN at $2.35 a gallon (with ten cents off using my phone number), the cheapest gas so far of the trip.

I pulled into Panther Creek a little after 1:00. I'm in site 10, a not particularly level site on asphalt. I had to raise the driver's side of the trailer 3" & lower the tongue by 3 1/2". There is a grill, picnic table & fire ring. I'm here for 3 nights at $27.19 per night including a 25% senior discount, a $5.00 reservation fee & both local & state taxes. 

Site 8

After setting up I tested the cell service - Verizon showed 1.86Mbps down & 1.36Mbps up, AT&T 8.81Mbps down & .32Mbps up, Starlink with almost no obstructions shows 127.4Mbps down & 13.7Mbps up. I'm on Starlink.

I started the update on today's journal, then read some forums & journals on the web. The rain that was nice enough to stop while I was setting up both the trailer & Starlink has started again, heavy enough to hear on the roof. I forgot to take a site photo so now I'll have to go out in the rain. 51°F at 3:00 with 57°F predicted as today's high. I don't think it is going to make it. Expected overnight lows are in the mid 40's for my stay.

I'm listening to WUOT over the air. This is one of my member stations that I listen to most weeknights to hear Echoes, a two hour program of interesting music. I usually have to listen to the station over the internet, but I'm close enough to get it over the air. I'll still have to go to the internet for Echoes; it is on WUOT 2, a sub channel for which you need a HD FM radio. 

Currently reading Ngaio Marsh's Singing In The Shrouds, #20 in the Inspector Alleyn series.

Dinner was a Lean Cuisine Herb Roasted Chicken meal.

Until Tomorrow - 

2025-26 Trip to the Southwest, Day 8

Day 8, October 26, 2025, Burson Campground, Hungry Mother State Park, Marion VA, Day 5 - 0 Miles, 716.5 Miles for the Trip

A little warmer last night, only going down to 44°F and 55°F by 1:30.

I changed the sheets on the bed, and since the laundry is just a few steps from my site I did two loads. Two washers & two dryers, $1.50 to wash or dry. While my laundry was drying I walked around a somewhat empty campground. Lots of folks left today, more are leaving tomorrow, and a few are staying on until later in the week.

Some of the empty sites:

I started packing up for leaving tomorrow. I pulled my outdoor mat to let it dry (we had a very small bit of rain this morning) and put away my sign & hummingbird lights.

We sat around chatting with some of the remaining fiberglass RVers, then made dinner.

Dinner was left over ribs, farro, and peaches.

Until Tomorrow - 

2025-26 Trip to the Southwest, Day 7

Day 7, October 25, 2025, Burson Campground, Hungry Mother State Park, Marion VA, Day 4 - 0 Miles, 716.5 Miles for the Trip

I'm getting tired of saying (well, typing) it, but another cold morning, this time down to 31°F at 6:00AM. I took the camera on my morning walk and stopped by the coffee & donuts at site 49. This one was provided by Escape Trailer Industries.

Back at the trailer I had another cup of coffee and did some reading & page posting. Still cool; 47°F at noon.

I made another loop around the campground at 1:30. Lots of folks home, but not sitting outside. Probably inside making their pot luck contribution.

At 5:00 we enjoyed a pot luck dinner. As usual, plenty of good food,  Many more photos are at the links below.

After the pot luck we did a group photo.  

Large versions are available at today's LakeshoreImages page or the 2025 Hungry Mother Fiberglass Rally page.

Until Tomorrow - 

2025-26 Trip to the Southwest, Day 6

Day 6, October 24, 2025, Burson Campground, Hungry Mother State Park, Marion VA, Day 3 - 0 Miles, 716.5 Miles for the Trip

Another cold night hitting 33°F by 6:00AM and only 34°F at 10:00. During my morning walk I stopped for coffee & a donut at Larry's yurt. He sold his Casita, but still attended the rally. As you can see from the coats, gloves, etc it is a cold morning:

Back at the trailer I finished breakfast, then put a dry rub on the ribs we will be having for dinner. After that a short showing of my "Easy Reach" table mount for another dissatisfied user of the Lagun table mount and some reading in the trailer (still only 46°F at 12:30).

Started the ribs at 3:15. It is tough to keep the Napoleon Grill at 350°F but with 2 burners you can leave the side with the ribs off so they don't burn. Three hours later they were ready. Dinner was ribs, broccoli, and peaches.

After dinner I headed to the showers. It was really too cold for a shower since the individual rooms don't seem to be heated (although there is a very small electric heater in each), and it was 51°F outside. The disabled shower was 5 degrees or so warmer so I used it. Lots of hot water, but the floor was covered with water. The only place to hang your stuff is in the over spray from the shower, so I piled it on the bench. The clamp for the hand held shower head did not aim the spray near you until I jammed the thing to at least spray in 1/4 of the shower space. Overall, not one of the best - a C rating.

After my shower it was dark enough to get some campfire photos so I made a round of the campground. Had to include a photo of a non fiberglass 5th wheel because it had great Halloween decorations.

As usual, more photos at today's LakeshoreImages page.

Until Tomorrow - 

2025-26 Trip to the Southwest, Day 5

Day 5, October 23, 2025, Burson Campground, Hungry Mother State Park, Marion VA, Day 2 - 0 Miles, 716.5 Miles for the Trip

Well while comet Lemmon was well above the hills at dinner time, it slowly sinks as the day goes on. By dark it was behind the hills. I did get a photo of a satellite and could pretend that the bright fuzzy spot above it is a comet, but since it doesn't have a tail & Lemmon does, it isn't it. My star finder app shows it well below the hills...

A Satellite

A cool night, down to 36°F by 7:00AM, and not much warmer when I did my morning walk at 9:00. 

After breakfast I did a little on line reading. No practical AT&T here at the park, but I have a great to fair Starlink connection (194.7Mbps down & 16.25Mbps up when it is good, long freezes when it isn't). After reading I started the blueberry pies. The 2 pound bags of frozen blueberries that I picked up each make a pie with half a cup left over. The last time I used 2 pound bags I needed about a half a cup more than a full bag per pie so I bought an extra bag that I didn't need. Since they are thawed, I tossed the extra bag. I thought I had a 3 pack of aluminum disposable pie pans, but it was only a 2 pack. So, I'm using a real metal pie pan for one of the pies. I'll have to remember to bring it home, which won't be a long trip - the pot luck is at my site. 

Actually, the pot luck is going to move to site 43 which is across the road from my site and was the location for the last two years. So, I won't have to move my Starlink antenna but will have to carry the pies a bit further.

After the last pie came out of the oven I headed next door to the Guido Clam to do a bit of reading. Around 5:00 we headed out to dinner at Mi Puerto. I swear the kitchen thinks it is Chinese. Our meals have alway arrived within 5 minutes of ordering. Very good food - I has a Shrimp Chimichanga.

Until Tomorrow - 

2025-26 Trip to the Southwest, Day 4

Day 4, October 22, 2025, Burson Campground, Hungry Mother State Park, Marion VA - 237.5 Miles, 716.5 Miles for the Trip

We left Creekside around 10:00 and again spend most of the drive on I81. Heavier traffic, particularly trucks today. Getting out of one Loves the Guidos made it out but I had to wait for 5 trucks to go by before I could exit. They waited for me down the road.

We picked up our packets (the largest amount of information from any state park) then set up in our sites. I'm in site 37 & the Guidos are in 38. Both are back in water & electric sites on gravel with a picnic table & fire ring. Fairly level - I had to lift one side 1" & drop the tongue by 1". We are here until Monday (5 nights) for $215.60 or $43.12 per night) with tax & a $5.00 reservation fee. 

My Escape 21 in Site 37

The Guido's Scamp in Site 38

Some fellow Escape 21 owners (Bill & Earline) showed up in a Bigfoot Class C. Bigfoot only made them for a few years and they are a beautiful 2 slide Class C camper. Bigfoot makes a bunch of different size fiberglass trailers as well as truck campers and while this isn't technically molded fiberglass, it is a very nice camper.

The Bigfoot Class C

After a tour of the Bigfoot we finished setting up our sites. By then it was dinner time. While we ate outside, it was cooling off fast. 55°F with a feels like of 47°F and a freeze warning for tonight, so we ate fast. We didn't sit out after dinner, however since it is a clear night I will try to take a comet photo. I'm not sure if it will be above the hills around the campground but one of my star finder apps shows where it is (in the daylight) and it looks to be high enough to see.

Dinner was left over pork loin, Bush beans (better than Campbell) & applesauce.

2025-26 Trip to the Southwest, Day 3

Day 3, October 21, 2025, Creekside Campground, Edinburg, VA - 191.5 Miles, 479 Miles for the Trip

We got an early start leaving the campsites a little after 9:30. We stopped at the Pine Grove diner for breakfast. We had a quiet drive down I 81 to Edinburg & the Creekside Campground, remembering to follow the signs, not the GPS (there is a small bridge that we could have crossed, but most RV would have a problem with both the turns & maybe the 10 ton limit). In any case we arrived a little after 2:00.

I'm in site 30, the Guidos in Site 29. Both are water & electric on grass next to the creek & costing $42.12 each for the night. I'm on AT&T^ again at 40.33Mbps down & 2.26Mbps up.

Me in Site 30

The Guidos in Site 29

I finished listening to Mo Hayden's The Devil of Nanking on the trip down and am currently reading Ngaio Marsh's Alleyn #15 British police novel Swing Brother Swing. There are 33 books in the series starting in 1934 and finishing in the 2018. So far I've read 19 of them.

We sat outside reading. Not bad in the sun, but a light breeze made the 69°F temperature feel cooler when the sun ducked behind clouds. 

Dinner was pork loin, beans & applesauce.

2025-26 Trip to the Southwest, Day 2

Day 2, October 20, 2025, Twin Grove Resort, Pine Grove, PA - 159.1 Miles, 287.5 Miles for the Trip

We arrived at Twin Grove RV Resort & Cottages around 1:30. Lots of rain on the trip from Binghamton, but not too heavy. It did get down to 48°F on the way, but here at Twin Grove it is 56F. 

With the LevelMate Pro I managed to find a part of site 10 that was level side to side, but needed 3 1/2" lift on the tongue. I managed to do that without unhooking. The site is full hookup on gravel with a fire pit & picnic table. $57.00 per night for one night. I'm using AT&T with 12.17Mbps down & 14.38Mbps up. I didn't check Starlink or Verizon.

Me in Site 10

The Guidos in Site 8

Although I might regret it, dinner will be leftovers from last night. We had a change of plans and rather than the Speedies, we went to Michaelangelos, an Italian restaurant where I ordered Chicken Parmigiana. A huge plateful, and while it was great & I only ate half, I was up much of the night with an upset stomach. I guess I still have problems with tomato sauce. We will see how tonight works out.

Until Tomorrow - 

2025-26 Trip to the Southwest, Day 1

 Day 1, October 19, 2025, The Guidos, Binghamton, NY 128.4 Miles, 128.4 Miles for the Trip

I finished packing & left Oswego around 11:00. First stop was at the nearest CAT scale to weigh the truck & trailer.

Combined Weight - 11020 lbs

Truck alone - 6080 lbs

Trailer Axle - 4400 lbs

Result - Trailer Weight - 4940 lbs

Tongue Weight - 540 lbs

Compared to previous years the truck is a little heavier & the trailer a bit lighter. Might be because I switched from an aluminum floor jack the wouldn't quite lift the trailer to a steel one that does. While the aluminum was rated at 2 1/2 tons, it was too hard to pump, and it reallt didn't lift high enough. The steel one is 4 ton, and I have already used it to lift the wheels off the ground so I know it works. I also had the Quick Set Clam in the truck which I didn't take to Florida.

Strong winds all the way to Binghamton with the predicted 40MPH gusts. Mileage for the drive 9.6MPG which is a couple of miles per gallon under the usual.

I arrived at Binghamton around 1:40. I filled the tank on the way to the Guidos - $3.15 a gallon vs Oswego prices @ $2.84 a gallon.

Me

The Guidos

Dinner will be a Speedie chicken salad.

Until Tomorrow -

2025-26 Trip to the Southwest, Getting Ready

Getting Ready - Day 0 

1 October, 2025:

It is early, but the first step of this winter's adventure is to get the trailer registered. NY requires yearly registration of trailers (mine is $62.00 per year) as well as a yearly inspection. A short 5 minute wait at the Oswego Motor Vehicle office; sometimes I've waited almost an hour.

It is also the day the Oswego School District mails me my yearly school tax bill. This is one of the few bills that have to be paid with a check & you can't find out what you owe on line - although the will let you use a credit card they add a fee for the pleasure. You drop the bill with the check through a hole in the school district garage door. They will mail you your receipt, which, with the way they collect it is probably a good idea! Today, for the first time in years, there was someone at a counter inside the door so I got my receipt stamped rather than mailed to me.

The trailer is ready for the trip, although not packed. Only a few springtime projects including replacing the kitchen window, purchasing ($101.00 including a $9.50 tariff) & programing a new remote for the awning, I washed & waxed it earlier this week - even thought it is a 2017, it is still shiny. I also painted the hubcaps with white Krylon spray paint. They were getting pretty ugly, and while I could replace them with chrome versions, I felt that was a bit too much bling. 

If I make it through a zillion doctor appointments alive, the plan is to head out on October 19th, spending the night at the Guidos, then on, with a couple of stops, to the Hungry Mother Rally in Virginia. After the rally I plan to take a little more than a month making 2-3 day stops on the way to the La Paz County Park in Parker, AZ for the months of January & February. 

October 10, 2025:

I've been mowing the leaves as they fall off the maples along the front. One is almost done, the other two are holding on.

I hope the various projects along our road are not going to cause a problem leaving on the 19th. They are replacing the culverts under the road in the swamp & raising the road by 2', hoping that this will put an end to the 2-3 times a year that the road floods. The repaving shouldn't reach as far this way as my house since we are at least 5' above the swamp. The first of the three new culverts has created a pond that the neighborhood great blue heron loves.

More photos at today's LakeshoreImages page

Yesterday they almost finished putting the 2nd culvert in place. One to go. In addition to the new swamp drainage, a sewer line is going down our road from a development above the swamp to a connection to the city of Oswego sewer system a couple of miles away. The development's sewage treatment plant has failed and the cost of replacing it was more than the new sewer line. They are paying for the bond that will pay for the work. The truck with the sewer pipe arrived today, but left without dropping anything off.

Luckily for my driveway & drains it is going on the north side of the road. Since the natural gas line is also on that side of he road lets hope they are careful digging! It is interesting that the development is paying for the line so no one on our street will be allowed to connect to it. A group from the street talked with the town engineer about making it a larger pipe so that others could use it but the answer is no. If & when we will need sewers a new system will have to be put in place. Seems silly not to plan ahead, but the funding sources doesn't allow for practicality.

October 18, 2025:

Mostly packed - the only things left are what I need to use today & in the morning. The 2 projects on the road are still ongoing. They have finished with the three 3' diameter drains at the swamp, but need to clean up & restore as well as raise the road 2'. The sewer install hasn't reached my house, but they have managed to hit a water line & shut down our street's water for half a day. 

I filled the bird feeders, shut off the outside water faucets, and did a final mowing of the leaves. My son will have to do at least one more mowing since the oak tree likes to hang on to its leaves. 

Starting mileage for the truck is 91,977.1 & 63,082.2 for the trailer. 

Until Tomorrow -