On the Way to Branson

After leaving Sarasota, we headed back to Georgia for a short visit. Squeezed in quick visits with family and friends and a quick trip to the mountains. Quite shocked to discover that the April tornado outbreak also hit Rabun County with a visit too close for comfort to many of our friends.

Our intention had been to make a pilgrimage to Elvis, Graceland and Memphis on the way to our next destination (Branson, MO). With an Elvis jacket (on loan from Ruth Healy), Jerri was primed and ready for Elvis.

Unfortunately, the Mighty Mississippi had other plans for us. With Memphis flooded and Tuscaloosa AL devastated by tornado we had to reconsider our route options. So Ruth, the Elvis jacket is in safekeeping for now awaiting a return engagement in Memphis.

With I-40 out of commission we routed the WhooHoo more southerly hoping to cross the MM at Natchez. After our last bad experience on I-10 in Mississippi (front tire blowout) we opted for the backroads. And backroads they were...

Next stop was Alabama (had to fill in the gaping hole on our US map). We found the most perfect campground in Alabama - the Tombigbee/Black Warrier Corps of Engineers campground. Only 37 sites, but what a view! The Tombigbee River is a major waterway to the Gulf of Mexico with lots of boat traffic. We had a pull-thru site right on the river. Got to see houseboats, barges, fishing boats, etc. on the river. Very secluded and peaceful. Definitely on our second time around list.

At a fuel stop in AL, talked with a couple of truck drivers who didn't recommend crossing the MM at Natchez as the water was rising fast. Just a reminder that the thing about plans is that they can be changed. So we turned WhooHoo north and crossed the MM at Vicksburg MS. They don't call it the MM for nuthin'. It was both scary and impressive crossing that bridge with only the tops of light poles showing above the water.

Lunched at a welcome center/rest area in Louisiana where we learned several roads were expected to be closed. So, after another change in plans we decided to head north into Arkansas. Stayed in a campground in a farmhouse pecan grove for a couple of nights to regroup in Lake Village, AR. If you are in need of excitement or a disaster fix, we can pick 'em. Not only were we across the road from Lake Chicot, but also across the way from one of the levees that was having seepage from the MM. Yes, we saw tons of National Guard trucks go by, but not being from the area did not know what was happening. Able to be happy wherever we are, we just enjoyed nature and the playful squirrels until we turned on the nightly news and heard we were in eminent danger. A little hard to sleep after hearing that.

Several folks in the campground were from parts of Louisiana expected to get flooding when the dam was opened. Hope they are okay.

Left Arkansas and headed to Branson only to find that the road over Table Rock Dam was closed due to a landslide from all the rain and flooding in April. So another change in plans. A nice park ranger gave us directions to our destination. He mentioned the roads were 'hilly' but neglected to say that WhooHoo would have to climb a 19 per cent grade.  The dam road has since been opened but the water levels remain high here on Table Rock Lake and Lake Taneycomo.

Arrived at our destination on May 14th to cool temps in the 50s. Where's the Elvis jacket when you need it?

More Branson posts coming soon.

Safe travels - K&J