November 29, 2004

November 29, 2004

Trout Lodge to Caruthersville, Missouri

DAY 165

 

Today was cold and raining. We went to Trout Lodge first thing this morning to say goodbye to Jessica Clay, the Volunteer Co-ordinator, and Julie, our new Escapee / WorkCamper friend. Julie was leaving today as well, headed for Florida. We hope to meet her again some day in our travels. After saying our goodbyes, we packed up, hitched up, and hit the road. This took considerably longer than it usually does for us. I was very sick today. It was cold and raining heavily. All the outside water hoses and sewer hoses were stiff from the cold, and dirty from lying in one place for five weeks. We said a tearful goodbye to Toby, and drove off.

Hwy. AA to Hwy. 8 to Potosi. We stopped for one last time in Potosi for propane, diesel, and cold medication. Goodbye, Potosi, Missouri ! And I used to think Fisher Branch, Manitoba was bush league ! Hwy. 8 to Park Hills where we got onto Hwy. 67 headed south. We followed Hwy. 67 south to Hwy. 72, then Hwy. 72 east to Jackson, where we stopped in a Wal-Mart parking lot to have lunch. After lunch, we got onto Interstate 55 headed south for Arkansas and Tennessee.

We were already in the mid-America “bible belt” when we were at YMCA Of The Ozarks / Potosi, but it really became obvious as we headed south through Missouri today. We spent the afternoon listening to a radio station that was all gospel, all the time.

We drove over "the bridges of Madison County" today, for what that's worth. We also drove over our first bayou.

At Sikeston, we got off the Interstate to head 2 miles to a campground Joanne had picked out. I was resistant to stopping so early in the afternoon, but Joanne thought it best to stop early since I was feeling so ill. We went to the campground and checked it out. I thought it was a dump, so we headed back out on the road, arguing. A couple of hours further south on the Interstate, we saw a bill board advertising a deluxe RV Park attached to a nearby large casino. We had read about these casino RV Parks and decided it would be an interesting adventure to check one out.

We are parked in the RV Park attached to Casino Aztar on the outskirts of Caruthersville, in the “boot heel” of Missouri, on the muddy banks of the Mississippi River. Across the river is Tennessee. Arkansas is about another 20 miles south. This RV Park has 27 fully serviced, concrete pad, pull through sites. It costs $1.00 more than the dump a couple of hours back. That includes free Wi-Fi access, 2 admissions to the casino, worth $3.00 per admission, and 2 vouchers for drinks in the bar. Beside the RV Park is a large building housing the casino entrance and registration, a restaurant, and a bar. Through the building, and out the back, is a long covered walkway on a dock to the riverboat casino. I think there are some quirky gaming laws here about gambling on the Mississippi River, and that’s why the casino is actually on a riverboat. We checked in, looked around the casino, then returned to the trailer to hook up water and electricity, and extend the slides. I went to the shower building right beside our trailer for a long hot shower while Joanne prepared supper. We’re the only rig in the park.

We’ve just finished eating supper. I want to go to the bar with my 2 free drink tickets and try a Kentucky Bourbon and a Tennessee Sour Mash Whiskey. Wish me luck !

HMPH ! We've just returned from walking to the bar and back in the cold rain. They decided to close early tonight due to a lack of customers. So much for our drinks ! HMPH !

DSK