Somehow between departing the Harvest Host, DelMonico Winery, and arriving in Covesville I stopped writing and haven’t noticed until now. The next stop was courtesy Boon Dockers Welcome, a site that puts together people willing to host an RV and RVers for a free night. Generally these are in someone’s driveway, although we have stayed in a farm yard as well. This one has to be unique. The Wythe Race Track is a half mile dirt track in the town of Rural Retreat Virginia. As with so much of the country, dirt track racing is closed for the pandemic. This left a large grand stand parking lot unused. We pulled up along the pit row fence and leveled and put out the slides, HOME for the night. Jim, the host never did appear, not that I really expected him. We had dinner, read and slept and had breakfast and reversed the process to get underway to one last stop in Malena and Dan’s yard. 

The last two miles were the most challenging of the trip as always since we had to drive up the mountain dirt road to their driveway which is more of a challenge being steeper and narrower. It took us only 4 back and forth ks to get the coach up onto the pad where we plan to stay for an indeterminate period of time. We are getting better at this – better be after 20 years, It was sad not to be greeted by Amber who has been gone for several years, but for so many years she barked us up the driveway. 

We have settled in. They bought a nice table and chairs which is setup in the driveway just outside our door so we can eat together when we get the timing right. Our greatest risk is the grandson’s 21 and 18 who come and go with friends. They keep their distance and we share virtual hugs. Sunday night was Alex’ 21 birthday and  Malena’s  mother drove in Potomac  for dinner. 

Dessert was a special treat with a story. Four weeks ago Malena posted a picture of a sour cherry pie (cherries from their tree) with ice cream on it on Face Book. People were commenting about how beautiful it was and they should hold a piece as they were on their way. I posted “That sound you hear is a big diesel engine starting up.” From those words came the decision to start that engine and head east, an idea that had been percolating in my brain without my voicing it for over a week. Dan said when I called to discuss it that we should arrive for Alex’ birthday and I scoffed at the idea for about an hour while I worked out the logistics. 

And the sour cherry pie with ice cream was definitely worth the drive.

Uneventful continues. We got to Tom Sawyer RV Park right on the Mississippi River on Saturday. We had been moving every day since leaving Redlands. Four days without a break is rare for us but none of the places we stopped were conducive to staying one more minute than necessary to get on with it. Tom Sawyer was more than conducive. We had no sooner put the level jacks down than we looked at each other and said “ONE MORE DAY” Called the office and they said we would have to move to a new section they had just reopened to stay another night. Oh well! we retracted the jacks and moved to a new site. It was a bit awkward as it was set up for a trailer with a  rear window. We chose to pull in with our windshield facing the river which meant pulling our utility connectors under the coach. Done! 

I would estimate we were no more than 50 or 60 feet from the river. The sound of the tugboats pushing large strings of barges against the current was powerful. We hardly heard it at night as we slept. It was great to have a day with nothing on our agenda other than a weekly zoom gathering with family. Delicious down time.

Today we headed for  Harvest host winery Del Monaco in Baxter Tennessee. Met some newby RVers in the parking lot and went on in to try the wine. Bought some whites and a pseudo Port. The reds were not up to what we are carrying with us. 

Tomorrow is a 4 hour run to a Boondockers Welcome location in Rural Retreat Virginia. This maybe be the only type of venue that does not require a 14 day quarantine stop. It is a half mile dirt track which has plenty of parking and at present no racing. After that we have less than 4 hours to family! 

Next post should be from our pad in Covesville VA on the Dan and Malena family micro farm.

Totally uneventful since we left for service at Redlands Truck and RV.  GeeWhiz was in the shop for 4 hours. We could have rolled Monday afternoon but elected to relax and depart on Tuesday. So far we have been staying in campgrounds using  Passport America or GoodSam discounts. haven’t paid more than $24 for full hookup pull through sites. tonight is $14, listen to the sound of I 40  and the trains. 

The big excitement is I have been using my new TSD Card to buy diesel and so far have saved over $100 dollars off the pump price. for over 150 gallons of diesel.  It is a great deal as long as it lasts. It is only good for diesel at the truck islands. If you don’t have a big honkin’ diesel pusher or tow vehicle just skip on buy. 

Tonight we are outside Amarillo TX at a place called AOK a KOA it would never be mistaken for even though it has the A frame office building (shuttered).  Tomorrow we will pass Oklahoma City. Hope to be at our family by the middle of next week, unless we decide to slow down.