North Carolina

Is it any coincidence that states that promote racism and the KKK are also home to homophobia? How effective is the passage of laws banning such practices in changing the attitudes that spawned them? Is shunning an effective tool in effecting change? Did sanctions have any real effect in ending apartheid in South Africa? Does violence beget anything beside more violence? 

And the grow ops in Ohio that led to the mass-murder of their owners? What can one say?

The Trinity and other Lutheran Doctrines

“God in three persons

Blessed Trinity.”

You may have noticed that the Lutheran Church has backed off the doctrine of the Trinity. Ordinary time, which follows the church's major festivals culminating in Pentecost is now expressed as Sundays in Pentecost, not Trinity. Easter occurring so early this year ordinary time stretches out about as far as possible.

Christians together with Jews and Muslims profess belief in Monotheism. There is no god but Allah or Jahweh—The great I am that I am. If there is but one god then what about god the son and god the holy spook. The one commonality in all religions is the impossibility of mere mortals fully comprehending the divine. Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are but three means of conceiving, attempting to understand the divine. Three aspects of this single god.

The incarnation we celebrated at Christmas was God made man. The significance of this event was not in what it did for God but the message it brought for man. The Kingdom of God is not a future pie in sky reward for good behaviour but the Peace of God present in the here and now. Eternal life begins now and our unity in the Spirit is celebrated in Holy Communion. You may note that the Lord's Prayer has been moved from its former place following the Prayer of the Church to immediately following the Words of Institution. Lutherans acknowledge two sacraments. That of Baptism in which God claims us as his children in the Spirit and Holy Communion in which we join in communion with God and the community of saints in a common meal.

Jesus as wholly human and wholly divine allowed his physical body to be put to death but his Spirit has existed always. The aspect of God Jesus represents has existed from eternity, even before Creation itself. His intervention in historical time added nothing to God's powers. God needed no scapegoat to redeem the sins of man. God has always been willing to forgive and renew a right spirit within us as the Psalmist says, (Psalm 51).

This is the Gospel, the Good News, the Epiphany that Jesus brought at Christmas. John attempts in poetic metaphor to express this Word in John 1.

We can't earn what is freely given by Good Works however the willingness to repent and access God's Grace is a gift of the Holy Spirit. No one can prove the existence of God but if we accept it in the innocence of a little child we become one with him. The paradox here is that good works cannot earn Grace but having accepted God's forgiveness of sins we are freed from the weight of sin and guilt to respond in love and that response will result in Good Deeds.

Jingoism in America

As a Canadian abroad in America even after eight years I'm still surprised at the degree to which Americans feel obliged to display the flag and pledge allegiance, unless they're backpackers in a foreign Country. Despite the much vaunted separation of church and state even parochial schools seem to feel it necessary to include the pledge of alliance in their day and I'm still surprised to find the flag on display in church chancels.

Canadians, I feel, are no less patriotic in their conviction that “they stand on guard for thee” and they're even able to sing both National Anthems at sporting events. They're just more quiet and understated about it. Canadian troops are world-renowned as peace-keepers and have been accounted among the toughest troops anywhere. The rah, rah boosterism I witness in America smacks of a certain insecurity as if constant reassurance is necessary.

To me whether “Old Glory” hangs in every classroom in America shouldn't matter. And of course patriotism sells in advertising. As I travel America I am constantly saddened at the way in which people seem determined to deface everything in sight by placing their mark upon it either by leaving their garbage or painting it with spray bombs or magic markers. And you can count on one hand the states that ban highway billboards that block the view of the natural wonders they advertise.

Should We Legalize Pot?

When Sir Walter Raleigh first lit up in the court of Queen Elizabeth someone doused him with water because they thought he'd caught fire. Many of smoking's detractors probably wish they could do that today. Does the fact that millions engage in an activity mean that it should be normalized. We know what has become of the addicting habit of smoking, the health concerns, and the trials of those who attempt to quit. We are also aware of what came of the temperance movement and prohibition and the shot in the arm it gave organized crime.

Legalizing pot and taxing it will earn governments billions and deprive Biker Gangs of a profitable line. While I believe that criminalizing pot has wasted police time, over-loaded the courts, and introduced thousands to the underworld I'm not certain I believe that legalizing it will be a wise move. The government is in effect engaging in a mass drug trial. It may take several generations before we become aware of the true effects of smoking pot. What of the potential health costs of its use?

In the next year governments on all levels will be working out the protocols surrounding pot use. Driving, operating heavy equipment, and other public activities will continue to be banned while under its effects. Businesses, Airlines and other transportation companies will be caught will be caught establishing acceptable limits of recreational use of a drug that remains in the smoker's system for weeks and months after use. Both students and teachers in schools will need to be sober. Locations that presently ban the smoking of Tobacco will logically ban pot. What of my right to a smoke-free environment?

Back Home Blues

Written April 19. Even my posting is slow.

Usually takes me a week to recover from a 1700-mile drive. There's moving back in and continually discovering the items I need are in the wrong place. Just many more trips up and down than I want to make in one day. Then there's setting things up at home. My radios have all lost their presets being unplugged all winter. There's something to be said for analog dialling there.

Today I fiddled with the temperamental battery operated clock until I got it working. Set up my bird feeders. Spring hasn't sprung here yet, the trees just beginning to show buds. The grass is green but not showing signs of new shoots, after all it snowed here just over a week ago.

I wasn't up to much over the weekend and didn't push it, even Monday but Tuesday got out and made or confirmed 5 appointments with 4 doctors all within walking distance.

Anything I decide to use ends up still being in the RV downstairs out on the parking lot.

Spot cleaning is a dangerous activity. It serves to reveal the dirt on the surrounding surface.

DVD Gag reals are an attempt to find a useful purpose for film footage in which actors blew the scene they were shooting. They make inane viewing.

A plumbing leak is a forced opportunity to mop the floor.

The Final Leg

Always regret leaving Winton Woods particularly on Wednesday when I discovered the road out was closed for repaving. Finding a new road out put me at the mercy of the GPS. At this point I was 500 miles from home. Since Cross Creek Resort has a ten dollar penalty for arriving too early in the day took my time leaving. Confusing signage directed me to a housing subdivision not the highway—I figured that one out eventually.

Interstate 71 is a major trucking route between Cincinnati and Columbus. When the State decides to post rough road signs one wonders why not fix the blessed thing. My route took me through downtown Columbus right past the towering skyscrapers. North of town the GPS again led me astray and I ended up making a 16-mile detour to get to Polaris Parkway. Once there I stopped to shop at Kroger having found my Kroger Card to ensure I saved $6.00 on sale items. Navigating a strange store is always a challenge.

Cross Creek is a park going downhill. Their credit card reader wasn't functioning so I had to pay cash. The first site I was given didn't have access to Wi-Fi and when I did get online it wasn't up to much.

Once more slept in and when I did get going it had warmed up enough to make coiling my 30-AMP cable less cumbersome. Stopped at Pilot for fuel the station being on the far side of the highway North and the way back blocked by a centre median. The rest of the drive was uneventful. I did not stop at the Erie Welcome Centre but did pause to visit Denny's in Ashtabula, Ohio site of a Kent State University Campus. Breakfast was uninspired, my coffee mug chipped, and service slow. Dishwater coffee. Greasy Spoon aftertaste.

Sara's Campground has been in the same family for 3 generations and has a location to die for between an Entertainment Park and Presquile State Park with its 20 beaches and miles of hiking/bike trails. The office is opposite the section of campground open this time of year with a 4-lane road between. A rather relaxed operation the office lights and TV were running but the door was locked. Just before I was ready to leave checked one last time and someone had showed up. $25.00, pick your own campsite self serve. The internet worked. Beside the highway heading North to the park is a private restaurant strip that includes Sara's, a pizza joint, an art deco building, a clothing boutique, the whole decorated with ancient gas station signs and pumps most reading 49¢/gal for gas. Sara's put me in mind of Arnold's on Happy Days complete with plastic lawn chairs, picnic tables, hamburgers and soft ice cream. I had an orange sherbet/vanilla swirl $2.75 which decorated my beard as I tried to eat it.

Once more it took a couple coffees to get me going. Had to find a site with an accessible drain to dump my holding tanks. Was awakened at 7:00 AM by two garbage compactor trucks. The restaurants apparently have a separate contract for their dumpsters even though all three are side by side. Quelle Wake-up Call.

Followed the GPS directions south to I-90 which becomes a toll highway in New York State. The money collected is not spent on the highway which was in pitiful shape. Stopped to turn off my podcasts, switch van and GPS to Metric, find my passport, and money for the Peace Bridge Toll in Buffalo. Gave the customs agent the right answers to the standard questions and was told Welcome Back and sent on my way.

Stopped at the Ontario Travel Centre just short of the Garden City Skyway and picked up Ontario Map and bumph. Blocked from the right exit where QEW Niagara meets 403 East and West along with 407 toll road and ended up driving through Hamilton. Got gas along Main St W and braved stop and go traffic on 403, then congested traffic on the QEW all the way home. Thirty kilometres of hassle to match my trip South last Fall.

Negotiated our cramped parking lot and headed home with my laptop thankful my key fob still opened the entrance door. Turned on my furnace and started my fridge. Began setting up clocks though I have yet to wind my striking clock. Luxuriated in a full tub bath in my own bathroom. Settled into bed after I got my entertainment centre working again.

Slept in Saturday and eventually got down to empty my RV fridge and leave it to defrost while I packed everything in upstairs. At least no cockroaches here in Oakville. I have been vacuuming to fight dust.

Winton Woods Campground

The sky cleared overnight and it got cold, ie., close to freezing by dawn. I woke in the night and finished reading a book on my laptop before going back to sleep so I slept in.

Woke to the crowing of robins and the call of a woodpecker in the distance around 10:00 AM. The pair of Canada Geese I displaced when I parked still think they own my site.

Got out for a walk with my camera and captured a few shots:

Deluxe Cabin

Boat Launch

Service Berry

Redbud

 

Lesser Celandine

Violets Blue

Oh Canada!

As I head back toward the Canadian Border after a 6-month snowbird absence I ruminate about the country of my birth. It may be one of the best places on earth to live but no one would attempt to claim that it is perfect and under the Harper Government that just got kicked from office it took on an alarmingly ill-natured menacing tone. Whether or not the new Trudeau Government is up to the job or just fronted by a pretty face is yet to be seen.

Events have shown that home-grown terrorist incidents can happen anywhere and pointing the blame at foreign organizations is beside the point. What's important is how we treat people and making sure our society does not alienate and marginalize its citizens.

Nowhere is this sense of dissatisfaction more acutely felt than in our Native Communities. Beset by poor crowded housing, lack of sanitation and clean drinking water; most reserves are depressing places to visit, who would want to live there? Think of places such as Hobema, the murder capital of Canada. Or Attawapiskat, in the news because eleven of its young people attempted suicide in one night. The sense of futility this speaks to is chilling. Our jails incarcerate a disproportionate number of our aboriginal population.

The greatness of any nation is demonstrated by the manner in which it treats its most vulnerable and weakest citizens. In this regard it is ironic that our soldiers should become the subject of discussion—aren't they the toughest? Well all of us are mortal and the best of us only human. Whether or not we should be sending our troops to places such as Afghanistan and Iraq is topic for another discussion but having done so we have a moral responsibility to look after them when they return. My pacifist nature would question the efficacy of training young men to kill and elite forces to perform inhuman acts but having done so we have an obligation to rehabilitate the men and woman we have so trained when they return from the field of battle.

Incidents on military bases grab headlines. It's a sobering fact that today more soldiers die by their own hands than due to enemy fire and these statistics fail to grab the news. Call it shell shock, battle fatigue or the current catch phrase Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, the fact remains that not all injuries are physical. When politicians and generals wage war they seldom budget for the costs of taking care of veterans with a further 60-year life expectancy. A military cash strapped to supply adequate weaponry and transports tends to neglect veterans affairs and Canada's recently deposed Minister of Veterans affairs was worse than an embarrassment. With seventeen thousand files to be administered by less than twenty the agency is swamped. Making an amputee prove his disability yearly speaks to a ponderous bureaucracy.

Soldiers are taught to tough it out and elite soldiers such as Navy Seals are conditioned to continue fighting even while their bodies are dying. But we ignore at our peril the fact that even the toughest soldier has his breaking point. And just as lost limbs cannot grow back some mental and spiritual injuries are beyond recovery.

Rant for a rainy day

For anyone who hasn't read it may I recommend Howard Zinn's A People's History of the United States. The book documents how big business and government have conspired to keep down the common man so that the rich get richer and the poor get poorer.

Witness Ontario's major brewers who control the majority of the beer market. When you-brew store-fronts started accounting for 10% of all beer consumed they panicked and lobbied government to levy sufficient excise taxes on the product to remove the price incentive to brew your own.

Brewers Retail in Ontario will be taking a major hit when beer sales begin in Ontario grocery stores.

Bell Canada has had its shorts in a knot ever since the government removed its monopoly on telephone service and allowed customer owned phones.

Cell phone service in Canada is controlled by a small coterie of service providers who conspire to keep prices high and squeeze competitors out.

Cable TV providers are another near monopoly that have long conspired to keep service charges high. When forced to unbundle cable service they made the basic package so undesirable no one wants it. In protest customers have been cutting the cable by the hundreds of thousands in favour of streaming services such as Net Flicks. Hard to feel sorry for them.

Cab companies are reacting to ride sharing operations such as Uber fearing they will cut into their profits. In many major cities a few companies enjoy a near monopoly on the trade and lobby municipal governments to ensure their profits.

When Napster made file sharing of mp3's easy major record labels panicked and lobbied government to shut them down. Major labels missed the boat on the marketing of electronic media and CD sales have plummeted to the point that storefronts are becoming a rare commodity and record labels are seeing their sales continually drop.

Online streaming services such as NetFlix have put storefront DVD Rental Companies such as Blockbuster out of business. Recently even Best Buy has ceased stocking a large catalogue of DVDs. If you still want a DVD you have to order it online from Amazon or another such enterprise.

The high price of the movie theatre experience and the exorbitant pricing of pop corn, drinks, and other confections at such outlets has made home viewing a more attractive alternative. Large screen LCD TV's and multi-channel sound systems make the quality difference negligible and provide the option to push pause for bathroom and food breaks. Also eliminates the need for a baby sitter, the drive, parking and the security risks of large malls, dressing for the weather, and waiting in line.

Audio books on cassette are a thing of the past though rumour has it that the cassette is making a comeback. Audio books are now on CD or even more convenient streamed online. Bibliophiles still prefer the look, feel, and smell of a hardcover book in their hands but e-Books and e-Book readers have made inroads into book sales. The likes of Amazon and Chapters Book in Canada have put most independent booksellers out of business. And then there's the phenomenon of customers checking out a book in the store and then using their smartphone to order it online. e-Books allow one to order books and magazines and receive them instantly from the comfort and privacy of one's own home and without the danger of their being out of stock. Better still one can now borrow them for free from your local library since your taxes have already paid for them.

Big box stores such as Wal-Mart have a lot to answer for putting independent local stores out of business and buying their products off-shore thus putting local manufacturers out of business and putting thousands out of work. If no one has a job how can they buy anything. Shoppers Drug in Canada has put most small independent druggists out of business. Office Depot has done the same to local stationers. Home Depot has led to the demise of the service provided by local hardware stores. Grocery shopping and the food industry generally is monopolized by about three holding companies North American-wide. Canadian towns and cities have been Malled to death turning downtown cores into ghost towns. The rare community that has managed to evade the arrival of big box stores celebrate the conviviality of their healthy main streets. Ban Starbucks, MacDonalds, and Tim Hortons in favour of locally owned bakeries, diners and coffee shops.

On to Winton Woods

The sardine can that was 2 Rivers RV Park was not worthy of photography. Pulled out around 7:45 Sunday Morning. Half an hour later crossed into Kentucky where I discovered the Welcome Centre fails to do so on a Sunday. Also that driving the 70 MPH speed limit meant I was the slowest vehicle on the highway. Two hours later when I reached Elizabethtown I'd crossed into the Eastern Time Zone and lost an hour. There I stopped for the Breakfast Buffet at Shoneys. Nothing particularly gourmet—the tiny pancakes were unappetizing looking—but it was filling. The bacon was crisp and the coffee was good. If I dined there regularly I'd start looking like too many of my fellow diners.

Stopped to gas up at Pilot an exit later and was pleased to discover my Good Sam Card got me a 3¢ discount. The station was very busy and provided very cramped quarters. My route crossed the city of Lousiville and thereafter I-71 was rather busy with truck traffic. Rubber-necking drivers caused a 20 minute backup when we encountered a collision in the South-bound lanes. The remainder of the 280-mile drive was routine.

Greenhills in Hamilton County north of Cincinnati, Ohio is a bucolic enclave home to Winton Woods Park and its Campground to which I have returned several times. Getting there involves crossing the Ohio River from Kentucky into Ohio State and navigating the ever reconstructed byways of the City of Cincinnati. The construction never seems to reach completion. Since my last visit the park has instituted a daily pass fee and installed gate keepers to collect that fee. These functionaries seem ignorant of the park in which they work. When I told one that I'd buy my park pass at the campground office I was told I was in trouble if I lacked a reservation. Moments later the young man in the office marked the four sites presently occupied giving me my choice of the other 60 or so. Another lacked knowledge of the park's trail system.

Those caveats aside this park-like campground does not disappoint. On this rainy Monday the nearest occupied site is 1000 ft distant and the only noisy neighbours the two Canada Geese I evicted when I occupied my site. Although the redbuds were in bloom along my route here spring has yet to arrive in a place that saw snow on Saturday. On my walk yesterday I did see daffodils and the hardwoods are beginning to bud. My site is surrounded by towering Pines. I have no legitimate excuse for not getting a good night's sleep.

Monday the eleventh was a day of overcast, rain squalls and wind gusts. A day to remain inside and catch up on reading and writing.

Nashville

As I sat and watched the gusting winds blow the dust around Wednesday I was thankful for my decision to stay put and wait for better driving conditions. The afternoon thunderstorm was just frosting on the cake. Over coffee I watched the exodus of palaces on wheels restoring for me a view of barge traffic on the river which disappeared when a new crop pulled in late afternoon. Most of the barge traffic was downstream with the current.

Got good internet bandwidth when it was magically restored around 1:30 in the afternoon until others caught onto the fact it was working. Caught up online and posted my latest blog entry, and uploaded some pictures. Got out to take a few pictures after the storm.

Thursday Morning began with a roundabout route over rough roads to access the crossing of Ole Man River. The remainder of the 230-mile drive was spent on I-40. Plenty of Truck Traffic and light crosswinds in the afternoon. The only significant occurrence was a one hour hold-up sixty miles South of Nashville. No idea of the cause. Roads into Nashville heavily pot-holed and maze-like. My route indicated Louisville as the destination on the signs.

Got the last available campsite at 2 Rivers RV Park being asked to try it out before I signed in. Hooked up, signed in, and walked down to KOA to sign up for the Opry Friday Night. The KOA is still under heavy construction. Stopped into Camping World to pick up some LED bulbs to replace my halogens. Service was pitiful but I spent my money and left with 6 bulbs now installed and working.

Settled in to catch up online and enjoy a ham, tomato and cheese sandwich with my last Shiner Ram Beer.

Slow start to the day Friday. Walked up eventually for a complimentary coffee and had a look at the cookbooks on offer in the camp store. Used Pocket books on consignment for sale.

Went for my weekly shower once it warmed up outside. Sign of the times, a notice warning against the use of hair dye in the men's?

Walked up to wait for the bus to take me to the Opry. [Review a separate entry.]

Spent too much time on you Tube when I got back before retiring. Enjoyed old sharp cheddar and some wine.

Saturday dawned clear and cold, even here with a frost warning in place. Present in one of America's most vibrant party and music cities I suppose lying back and doing nothing might be seen as a waste but having finished my browsing I'm well satisfied to sit back and write my notes, read, and rest.

A trip to the facilities reminds me that the washroom stalls are narrow enough to put one in mind of a cattle press. Back into the water-closet, wear the shower stall.

Suffered for the rest of the day from the dreaded internet squelching punishment for overuse. Oh Well.

Grand Ole Opry 2016-04-08

I miss the gal who used to play Minnie Pearl. Also Pat the driver who used to regale her passengers as she drove us up in her massive bus. Jose describes himself as a fat man, drives a smaller less luxurious bus, did not introduce himself, and made no announcements. But he got us there and had our tickets.

For the first time I had a direct view of the stage but far enough back that I was thankful I'd brought my binoculars. Everything came off with the same precision as always. The tall rail-thin cameraman in black Levis that hung limp from the belt at his hips, black shirt and cap worked the left side of the stage. Edward Stubbs made the announcements towering behind his stand.

The curtain went up at 7:00 to a full house filled with rather loud, raucous, enthusiastic high school teens. The sponsors were Boot Barn, Cracker Barrel, Dollar General and, of course, Humana. Once more we were shown views of biblical flood flowed across the hallowed stage and the clean-up that followed and the effort that made the show go on.

Many tributes to Merle Haggard everyone paying obligatory homage with stories of meeting, performing on stage with, or seeing him in performance. The first provided by half-hour hostess Jeannie Seely a well coiffured blonde who took the stage regally but insisted on hugging the two males she introduced. Jackie Lee wore skin tight jeans torn at the knees. Gary Morris in black suit with full head of white hair and well-trimmed full white beard provided traditional country ballads accompanied solely by his own guitar.

Mike Snider played hillbilly blue grass with his group reading his notes from a piece of crumpled paper appearing old as the hills himself. He sat on stage between his host gigs. Mandy Barnett clad in black leather sang in that traditional drawn out ballad style. Diamond Rio were a more new country rockability group whose sonic assault battered my ears.

Learned my seat-mate to the left was a Newfoundlander laid off from the oil patch starting a new job in Saskatoon here on a conference for work. He walked in and out over my feet at least six times in 2 hours.

Bill Anderson was another elder statesman of Country who introduced Jessie McReynolds accompanied by his younger brother and up and comer Will Hoge who was doing an in-store appearance one of two artists to use his own solo guitar accompaniment.

Riders in the Sky appeared in aged cowpoke style one clad in plush velour chaps. They sang traditional cowboy ballads ending the night with Happy Trails. Debut artist Alicia Witt clad in brilliant red creation sat the grand piano and performed on camera from that position. Kristian Bush talked of his children and performed new country.

Heading North in 2016

The last week in Austin had a definite sense of unreality about it. An orgy of cooking when I was offered too many opportunities to dine out. Breakfast Tacos Easter Sunday Morning. Wednesday noon cookies and coffee. More Tacos at Supper. Thursday noon BBQ. Thursday Evening Lasagna. Saturday Ziti and salad, and a meal offer I had to refuse.

Did laundry including my bedding replaced with flannel sheets for the trip toward colder climes. I cooked Sweet and Sour Salad, Chili Con Carne, Quinoa Salad, Tuna Salad.... Bought HEB's Hill Country House Brand Homestyle Potato Salad, Cole Slaw, BBQ Cowboy Beans. They may have decreased the salt content in all these but upped the sweetness to a disgusting level. Managed to fit it all in my fridge.

Saturday Night was the Youth Dinner Theatre written words and music by Lane Holmstrom. It's one of those events that attracts adoring grandparents, parents, and reluctant siblings. Items for silent and public auction. Frightening the amounts some bid. Said my good byes and finished making the van ship shape for travel.

Sunday at 3:30 AM a final heated coffee and off for a 300-mile drive. I'd have preferred to see the landscape in daylight but wanted to travel in light traffic. Managed to avoid running afoul of toll roads. South on 183 frontage road, East on 290 frontage road almost to Manor. North on Regional 973 through New Sweden; then North-East on Texas 79 to Taylor where I finally met up with I-20 East Bound. Never pleasant driving into the rising sun. Stopped for fuel in Jacksonville, Texas. To this point most of the roads were local two-lanes with winding ways and traffic lights in small cities—I'd call them towns in Canada.

I-20 is a 75 mph expressway. Left the Great State of Texas around 10:30 just short of Shreveport, Louisiana where I got off West of the city to camp at Tall Pines KOA. Paused for a free coffee at the Welcome Centre. The Red River divides Shreveport from Bossier and at present is at flood stage. That same river divides the state of Texas from Oklahoma where the oxbows existed when the border was defined. In the Texas Panhandle it cut the canyon that is Palo Duro.

The Shreveport KOA changed hands since I stayed there last but is still a pleasant location. Renewed my stay for a second day when I read the forecast for up North. Warm enough in Shreveport that I ran A/C all day and limited my sun exposure. I did get out to shoot some pictures.

Remarkably little traffic Tuesday Morning as I headed out leaving I-20 to take a regional two-lane north to Texarkana. The highway passed through rural farm country and wooded areas. Stopped before taking I-30 for brunch at Dennys. Still can't make decent coffee and my waitress here couldn't get my order right and had to be reminded to bring the orange juice the menu included. Stopped at the Arkansas Welcome Centre.

Passed the boyhood home of Bill Clinton at Hope, AR. Traffic was light until I approached Little Rock where I switched to I-40 a heavily travelled truck route. Nothing worse than getting caught behind two tractor trailers attempting to pass. The day was sunny and warm though cooled enough that I didn't have to run A/C. Only a slight breeze. Lost track of the fuel gauge as the miles passed until the low fuel alarm sounded. Fortunately there was an exit immediately after with an aging Shell Station where the geriatric fuel pump strained to pump 30 gallons of fuel. The card reader was non-functional. I was 25 miles short of my destination after driving 360 miles on a single tank.

Tom Sawyer's RV Park is on the Mississippi flood plane and the access route passes through a nondescript semi-industrial subdivision. West Memphis doesn't amount to much. A sign on the two-storey washroom/laundry building indicates the Flood Level in May 2011 about 15 feet up. The host's hillbilly beard reaches mid-chest.

The campground was full overnight but cleared out rapidly Wednesday Morning despite rather stiff winds blowing the dust around. I booked for two nights. Ole Man River is in full flood but still within its banks though the current has upstream barges moving at a proverbial snail's pace.

Internet Wi-Fi here, never up to much failed shortly after I sent my safe arrival E-mail and has been down ever since. The claim is that the ISP isn't answering calls. At least the power works. Wonder of wonders....