Japanese Gardens

San Francisco--1982

Wed, 11/4/09:

Lake Lurleen SP, Tuscaloosa, AL, to Deer Run RV Park, Troy, AL: After stopping at the dump station, we left Lake Lurleen at about 9:30. Followed 82 east this time with Mike driving. Rt. 82 out of Tuscaloosa is a four-lane, limited-access highway. Wanted to stop for breakfast, but there weren't a plethora of eating establishments along the way--at least not where we could pull in easily with the fifth-wheel in tow. So after a couple of hours we exited at a travel center with a Wendy's, fueled up, ate, and switch drivers. I started driving and we continued east on Rt. 82, which after a couple of miles turned into a two-lane road. Outside of Montgomery we headed south on Rt. 65 and then south on Rt. 231. Finally got through the outskirts of Montgomery and Rt. 231 turned into a four-lane, limited-access highway again, traveling through rolling hills of large horse and cattle ranches. Troy is about 50 miles south of Montgomery. We pulled in to Deer Run at about 2:00. Deer Run is a really nice commercial RV park. Only here for one night. Not even unhooking. Have to stop in Dothan, AL, tomorrow morning to get the TV antenna fixed (hopefully).

Our Site

Tue, 11/3/09:

Lake Lurleen SP, Tuscaloosa, AL: Another beautiful day. We were going to check out Tuscaloosa today, but it's so pretty here we decided to just relax right here. Mike got a fire going in the morning and we sat around enjoying the view of the lake and the warmth. The lake was like glass. Later in the afternoon we walked around one of the other loops and back and then just relaxed by the fire. The combination of a little breeze and the angle of the sun created these little pinpoints of light reflecting off the water. So pretty. Heard the mouse this morning at about 3:00 a.m. Mike taped up an area where we think they could get in. Hopefully he's already gone. If not, there's only one way out of here. Tomorrow we leave for Troy, AL, for one night.

Lake Lurleen

Mon, 11/2/09:

Memphis, TN, to Tuscaloosa, AL: After stopping for breakfast, we were on the road by 9:00 a.m. Continued south on I55 skirting Memphis to the west. Headed east on Rt. 302 through the cute little town of Olive Branch, Mississippi. At the junction of 302 and 78 we headed southeast on Rt. 78. Most of this road was pretty good except for a couple of rough stretches. At the junction of 78 and 43 we headed south on Rt. 43. Stopped at a Shell station, fueled up, and switched drivers. This whole drive was through some really pretty areas of rural Mississippi and Alabama. Went through some really quaint little towns and the fall colors were great. Just north of Tuscaloosa we headed west on Rt. 82 to the turnoff for Lake Lurleen State Park. The road to the park was a beautiful drive through a dense hardwood forest with beautiful, rustic homes tucked back into the woods. This is the first time we've stayed at this park and it's quite pretty with a 215-acre lake surrounded by dense forest. The sites are great with plenty of space between each and lots of trees. We're right on the lake nestled in the trees--and we have the whole loop to ourselves--on football weekends, however, it's packed with Chrimson Tide fans. U of A is only about 15 minutes up Rt. 82. And this park is as pretty as a National Forest campground but with full hook-ups. Arrived here about 2:30, got set up and vacuumed. Sunny and in the upper 60s. The only downside is no cell service, therefore, no Internet. Think we have a mouse in here--at least I've seen some droppings.