Joplin KOA to Elk City KOA, OK:  Left the Joplin KOA at 8:30.  I opted to drive first again.  We’re now in Oklahoma, which is a flat, non-descript, agrarian landscape of mostly farms and cattle ranches.  The closer to Tulsa we got the hillier and more forested it became.  I wanted to take the 244 bypass around Tulsa, but when we got to the intersection it said “I244 to downtown Tulsa”, so I stayed on 44 which went through downtown Tulsa anyway—with lots of construction (sigh).  Oh well.  It was no big deal. Mike started driving at 11:00 and we stopped in Oklahoma City for fuel and food.  Were set up at the Elk City KOA by 3:00.  Hot again—mid-90s—with a very strong wind out of the south.  We also saw more tornado damage along I40 west of Oklahoma City.  How scary that would be if you’re driving along I40 and a tornado touched down. 

Oklahoma's agrarian landscape--oil pump in the background

Get your kicks on Route 66

Little filling station on historic Route 66

St. Louis to KOA, Joplin, MO:  We weren’t supposed to have any more severe weather for a while, but last night they started some watch boxes in Missouri all the way from Joplin to St. Louis.  Well great we thought.  But either we’re so inured to the severe weather threat or just crazy, but we decided to head out anyway.  Besides, the route we’re taking runs pretty far south so we figured we’d be okay.  Most of the bad stuff was heading more to the north.  We left STL at 8:30 and arrived at the Joplin KOA and were set up by 3:00.  I started driving, heading around I270 and then southwest on Interstate 44 through the lush, forested hills just west of STL. We stopped in Lebanon for fuel and food and then Mike took over driving.  When we went through the Joplin area we noticed a swath of tornado damage where it went across the highway.  They had some crews working to pick up the debris, which will keep them busy for many months.  No bad weather of any kind today.  Just cloudy and windy.  Mid-90s. 

These signs are all over Rt. 44.  Meramec Caverns was one of the oldest stops on Rt. 66.

Wild flowers out in profusion.

The bluffs along Rt. 44.  One time we were driving along these bluffs and a deer was  way on top of this much higher bluff.  I didn't know if he was checking out the view or contemplating suicide.

KOA, W. Memphis, AR, to St. Louis:  A beautiful, sunny morning—but cold.  Put clean sheets on the bed and gathered up the stuff that needs to go home. The kitchen slide wouldn’t go in again—sheared off another bolt.  So Mike had to crawl under there in the cold and fix it.  Didn’t take long.   Left W. Memphis around 9:00.  I drove first.  Stopped at Sikeston, MO, for fuel and food and then Mike took over.  Arrived home around 3:00.  Home sweet home!

KOA, W. Memphis, AR:  Had a hard time sleeping last night.  The wind buffeted us all night long.  Up at 6:00 and took a quick shower.  Wanted to get that out of the way before the storms hit.  Not sure if we’ll leave today or not.  I guess if we’re still in one piece after the front goes through, it’ll depend on how bad the wind is.  Chomping at the bit to go.  Well, the worst of the front has gone through.  I headed over to the shower house for safety reasons and waited it out.  Back now and it’s still raining a lot. We decided to stay put here one more night.  Tomorrow is supposed to be clear and sunny, but cool.  Very cool.  Down into the 30s tonight!

This is what it looked like at home a while ago.
Picture by Ted Shumpert

Birmingham South RV Park, Birmingham, AL, to KOA W. Memphis, AR:  Left this morning at around 9:00.  I decided to drive first.  But going through Birmingham I was really nervous.  Guess because I’ve never driven through the city on I65—especially not with the fifth wheel in tow.  Made it through okay and just north of the city we took I78 west which goes all the way to Memphis.  A pretty drive through the rolling hills of rural Alabama and Mississippi.  After driving for 2 hours we stopped to fuel up and get something to eat.  There’s not a plethora of eating establishments on this route.  When we came out of the restaurant we noticed the wind had picked up considerably.  Precursor to this huge storm that’s heading our way I guess (sigh).  Anyway, we were buffeted all the way to W. Memphis. Mike drove the rest of the way.  It was sunny all the way with just sporadic high, thin clouds.  We were trying to decide whether or not to make a run for St. Louis instead of stopping at W. Memphis as planned.  But we ended up stopping.  The bad stuff isn’t supposed to hit here until early morning.  85 today and really, really windy.

On the bridge over the Mississippi in Memphis

KOA, Tallahassee, FL, to Birmingham South RV Park, Birmingham, AL:  Started out cloudy this morning.  I started driving heading west on I10 and then north on Rt. 231. By the time we crossed the line into Alabama the sky had cleared off and turned into a beautiful day.  A pretty drive through lush, rolling hills.  And spring has definitely sprung with a profusion of azaleas and dogwoods in bloom, as well as tulip trees and red buds.  We left at 8:30 this morning and arrived in Birmingham south by 3:00.  Just here for one night and not unhooking again.  We leave tomorrow for W. Memphis. Unfortunately, there’s yet another severe weather warning for the whole eastern US.  We shouldn’t have any problem driving as we should arrive before it hits the W. Memphis area.  However, we’ll be vulnerable all evening.  Thankfully we have a Noah weather radio which we’ll keep on alert mode.  76 today. 

Dogwoods in bloom

Clerbrook Golf & RV Resort, Clermont, FL, to KOA, Tallahassee, FL:  Woke up this morning to sunshine!  Finally!  Got disconnected and hooked up early.  Left at 9:00 this morning.  I decided to drive first.  Took Florida’s Turnpike north and then I75 north to I10 west.  Shortly after getting on I10 we stopped at a rest area and Mike took over driving.  We arrived at the KOA just west of Tallahassee by 3:00 after stopping for something to eat at some tiny little town.  Not unhooking the truck, just hooked up the water and electric.  Staying at a park south of Birmingham tomorrow.  Hope the good weather holds.  71 today.

On Interstate 10 in the Florida panhandle.  Doesn't look like Florida any more.  
Very pretty and hilly with lots of pine trees.