The Road to Dallas

I used to make all my deadlines, or at least most of them. I used to always be on time, except when I was early. But those times are in the past. I planned to leave on Monday. Sunday night I knew I had about 3 more hours to go, and I just didn't want to do it. I decided Tuesday was just as good a day as Monday. This gave me time to go get some more cuddles from my grandniece Anna.

Tuesday morning I thought, "I'll be on the road by 8:00". Around 9:30 when I did get on the road I was happy because now I would miss the traffic in Hartford. Yes, I am a half-full kind of person.

The first day I just drove. In the afternoon it started to rain. When it also started to get dark I decided to bed down for the night and found a truck stop. I enjoy seeing my little rig parked in the middle of the monster trucks.

I realized my coach batteries were not holding a charge. Another repair for the not-too-distant future. An RV is like a boat, old house, etc. ($$$)

Wednesday I was up and on the road early. Again I drove steadily, except for one short nap. The speed limit for most of the road was 70. I was in 4 lanes of traffic all going 70 mph and a small car which was stopped in one of those no traffic striped areas edged out into my lane. I hit the brakes, but knew I would not stop before hitting the car. I nudged out as little as possible into the next lane, and waited for the crash with the car and probably another crash with the vehicle in the lane to my left. Three semi trucks passed me on the left and one laid on the horn complaining that I had moved into his lane. But no crash. Thank You, God!! Another near miss. Tawny may have 9 lives but I swear I've already used more than that. Towards the end of the day I really didn't want to drive any more but kept plugging. Then I started looking for a truck stop and did not find one until night had fallen. I don't like to drive at night and avoid it whenever I can.

The next morning I was on the road early again. I stopped after a few hours to have breakfast at a well-known chain, Cracker Barrel. As I was cashing out I asked if they had any audio books. When I first began RVing I always listened to audio books. The last couple years, not so much. I thought maybe that was why I was so fidgety and wanted to stop so often.This chain lets you borrow an audio book for a week for a fee. It worked. I was ready to drive straight to California.

But I was off the road by 1:00. I had been driving through the mountains of Tennessee, and climbing many hills. All of a sudden my preglow indicator lamp (whatever that is) came on and my engine light. I thought maybe the engine was overheating or stressed out in some way. I pulled off to the side for a short time but it stayed on. I saw a camp ground at the next exit, and pulled off. I called around until I found someone who worked on Sprinters. He said I could continue to drive it until it was easy to get it fixed. So on to Dallas. I need to come back to TN in the spring or fall. I love Nashville and want to see all the other cities and sights.

The shower felt great that night. And I slept well.

The next day I did do some sightseeing. I went to Franklin, TN and drove to the Carnton Plantation.

On November 30, 1864 there was a huge battle in the area - the Battle of Franklin. The Carnton Plantation was turned into a confederate hospital, along with other homes in the area. Since this was the 150th anniversary, a major re-enactment was performed and true to history it continued for many days. When we toured the house there were still beds, mattresses, piles of fabric placed throughout the first 2 floors, as well as temporary doors, tables, and floors set up as surgery sites. Most of the surgery was amputations.

I've toured many civil war locations. I always find this history extremely sad. The knowledge that our country was fighting with itself, brother against brother, neighbor against neighbor, hurts my heart. The Carnton Plantation also gave 2 acres of its land as the final resting place of 1,481 confederate soldiers. Care of the cemetery and the books of names and dates, as well as inquiries from those looking for their loved ones, continued to be handled by the inhabitants of the home.

The soldiers were buried by state platoons. Sometimes a soldier had a piece of paper in his pocket stating his name and state; sometimes there was a friend who recognized him; or someone had seen him with a certain platoon; but 900 of the 1,481 buried there were unknown.

After this I went to find the Natchez Trace Parkway and later the state park. I have read a number of Nevada Barr's books about Anna Pidgeon, including the one when she was working in this area, and I wanted to see it. After that I found a truck stop, and bedded down for the night.

The next day, Sunday, I just drove. I found a nice campground although it was 10 miles off the road. I wanted to get 2-3 hours from Dallas, so I could get there the next day fairly early. And Dallas here I come.