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Borrego Springs, CA

Friday, January 28, 2011

Mississippi, here I come!

I was on the road by 9:15 this morning, and no sooner did I get on I-10 than an eighteen wheeler roared past me and kicked up a stone that put a nickel sized chip smack dab in the middle of my windshield!  Ugh!  I have to admit that ugh was not exactly what I said as it hit!  I wonder how many of these you can survive before you have to have the windshield replaced?  That’s two for me in six months, and I haven’t even driven this rig to Alaska.

 

About fifty miles past Baton Rouge, I decided I had better get some gas as the gauge was below 1/2.  I exited the interstate and went around in circles in the first gas station only to find all the pumps I could access had out of order signs on them.  :(  I then drove across the street and ended up in a situation that I wasn’t sure I could get out of.  I was a wreck!  Just at the last moment, traffic in the station disappeared, and I cautiously wove my way around towards an exit.  I couldn’t believe the startled look on one of the workers there as he quickly grabbed a garbage can and ran with it backwards as he thought I was going to actually run him over.  Turning this rig with the toad around takes a bit of space, and I guess he just didn’t think I could do it without causing him bodily harm.  :)  I didn’t think I was going to hit him, but I guess discretion is the better part of valor.  Anyway, once I got out of there and back on the road, I most surely hit my Easy button!  (That was easy!!)

IMG_8707

By the time I crossed the border into Mississippi, I was more than ready for a rest area.  Thankfully, the Mississippi Welcome Area was open, and I pulled right in.  The Visitor’s Center kind of gives you the impression of a plantation building. 

IMG_8708It was quite the place, and after I told the woman behind the desk that I would be in lower Mississippi for three months, she fairly loaded me up with magazines and pamphlets on things to see and do while I’m here.  That’s just what I wanted.

56 On the way to Mississippi4There were quite a few rooms in this Welcome Center, and they were all decorated for the upcoming Mardi Gras.  Such extravagant beaded costumes were on display!  I just can’t imagine wearing them.

 

After calling my friends, who are volunteering at the refuge already, I got back on the road with only about 60 miles to go.  My journey today was about 217 miles long, and I was thrilled that Denny Youngquist was waiting for me at the entrance to the RV pads to guide me in.  Denny, and his wife Fonda, volunteered with me at Anahuac.  It’s just one of those coincidences that we all chose this refuge to volunteer at now.  They’ve been here a month already, and made sure there was a site big enough for my rig.  Denny is a pro at backing up rigs, so I was happy when he put mine just where it needed to be on the first try.  :)  Oh yes, it’s nice to have friends.  Since the site isn’t exactly level, he also made me some blocks to put under two of the hydraulic levelers, so everything is very level tonight.  Tomorrow I’ll tackle the DISH and some other set up things outside to make this my home for the next three months.

 

Thanks for stopping by…. talk to you later,  Judy  

24 comments:

  1. great 'gas station story'!..that is one fear I have ..not finding a station that you can get in and out of with the 'easy button'!!

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  2. That Easy button sure comes in handy! It looks beautiful there!

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  3. Congrats on the easy in and out! I would have loved to see that fellows face, LOL!

    We have had a few rock chips on our front window. We actually had one filled in this past summer and you can't even tell it was ever there.

    Enjoy your Mississippi stay!! Can't wait to hear all about it.

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  4. LOL~ that was soooo funny, more funny that he would even rescue the garbage can!

    What is that in your photo? Was it a deep blue clear sunny sky and a snow-free ground? Oh my, something I haven't seen for quite a while!

    Enjoy Mississippi!

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  5. We too have ended up in gas stations that really required some maneuvering to get out of without taking the pumps and station awnings with us. But I must admit, nobody has saved a garbage can from us. Can hardly wait to see new pictures when you get settled.

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  6. Yup, those darn gas stations can be some harrowing experiences if you aren't looking and planning ahead, and this always has to include doing that for the "others" too, cause you just never know what they might do!

    Glad you made it to your new locale and had friends there to help you with the set up! That had to feel a little like a warm hug after being sick and still feeling a tad bit below normal! Now you just get to rest up, volunteer up, and journey out with all that tourist info!

    Have a great time!

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  7. Sounds like you had an angel on the hood getting you out of that tight spot. (Missed that rock though...)Sure must be nice to have a great friend to back you in. I know you'll have big fun and share great pics from M I crooked letter crooked letter I crooked letter crooked letter I hump back hump back I!
    Kathy

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  8. I think we all dread stopping for gas or diesel as it's a real minefield for MH's and 5'ers. Good job on getting out safely!

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  9. It's doing battle with the miserable computer infested gas pumps I hate the most. Kelly generally does that while I take care of filling the tank. And yep, ya gotta be some kind of magician to get in & out those gas stations alright. When approaching a gas station I am always straining to see which way they have their pumps lined up & is there going to be an exit strategy for me if I do go in there!!

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  10. Moving day is always a busy one. Sorry to hear about the windshield chip. Now you have item #1 on your next repair session.

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  11. We have a fifth wheel and we try hard to fill up when we aren't towing. The one time we did fill up while towing we had a similar experience. Did finally get filled up but now we are really careful to have enough to get to our destination and then some. Glad you made it out. I bet the guy who went running saw a woman at the wheel and was worried. I love when we prove them very wrong. :)

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  12. I'm glad you included a photo of that Mississippi visitor's center. Plantation, indeed! That's a place I would like to visit.

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  13. Doesn’t matter who you are, all of us get into questionable situations sometimes. On the other side of the coin, it sure is nice knowing that we can get out of those circumstances too. Happy to hear that you have arrived safely in Mississippi.

    John
    relaxedrush.blogspot.com

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  14. Good job Judy, you are getting to be apro at bus driving. Glad to see you made it to ypour camp so you can relax,Find out how far you are from Saucier Ms my Niece Tammy lives there. Be safe out there. Sam & Donna.

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  15. Glad you are settled for 3 months, have fun at this new spot!

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  16. If they'd only make a motorhome that collapses like an accordian for travel and then opens up for camping, then there'd be no issues at gas stations.

    I hate windshield chips, I've had to replace three MH windshields over the years because of them. Before I could get them repaired, the chips turned into a crack.

    I now carry a couple of chip repair kits, they may not do as good of a job as a pro, but they have stopped chips from growing into cracks for me. You'll only get a chip at the most inconvienant time.

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  17. chuckle! I enjoyed the mental image of the guy grabbing the can and retreating!

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  18. Glad you made it to your next place safe and sound. Stop chasing around the gas station guys with their cans! LOL

    Often at no deductible, your insurance company will let you have the chips fixed... and the guy comes right to your location. We have had four done on our motorhome so far, and they never spread yet.

    *~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
    Karen and Steve
    (Our Blog) RVing: Small House... BIG Backyard
    http://kareninthewoods-kareninthewoods.blogspot.com/

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  19. I recognize that Welcome Center -- it is one of the nicer ones out there with some helpful staff.

    Gas stations are always an adventure. We just love the out of order pumps and then there's the folks who come in while you're filling up and mess up your exit strategy... Always a puzzle to work out.

    Nice you've got a few days to get settled before you start your next assignment. Hope you get to enjoy them with some nice weather.

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  20. Gee! I guess without a little stress, it would not be an adventure.

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  21. I have been known to hold my breath as McGuyver maneuvers our Hiker around cars, pumps, people and other big rigs...A few times I had to get out and guide him backing up..That's usually when we exchange our middle fingers at each other....Loved Mississippi!! I think you will too!!

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  22. Oh, my goodness, i am SO glad everyone has problems with getting gas, that is where i get more anxiety than anything. Last time i was too far away and just got in and drove around again to get it lined up right, am sure everyone was looking at me like i was crazy!!

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  23. After all the trouble you had in the service stations, it turned out to be a pretty good day. Hope you are finally over your illness and can enjoy the next few days.

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  24. Sorry to hear about the chip in the windshield. It was really great to meet you today at the NWR. Thanks for walking over to say hi and letting us see your campground and set up. Hope you get to feeling 100% some time soon during the next few days!

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