Oct 6, 2019
Today we drove from Dry Ridge, KY to Beckley, WV. We have
driven 838 miles since leaving Centertown.
We decided to be “adventurous” when leaving this morning.
The route the GPS offered was to take I75 south to Lexington then I64 to
Beckley. We had driven to Beckley several times when Drew, our younger son,
helped install the computer system during construction of a federal prison in
Beckley. From Cincinnati we drove down the AA Highway. We marveled at the “nice
road in the middle of nowhere”. I wanted to drive the route again. The only
route the GPS would offer was going back 18 miles north to the I275 loop around
Cincinnati and then catching the AA Hwy as it crossed I275 heading southeast.
Kathy saw a KY route 22 that seemed to be a shortcut. Our GPS, which is a RV’ers
model, refused to route us on it, we tried it anyway. The road was smooth and it
was scenic, with many hills and numerous 15 mph curves. It took us 2 hours to
drive 50 miles. I’m glad we did it once. If I was in the same position in the
future I would drive the extra distance back to I275. AA Highway was as nice as
we remembered.
It misted rain on us a couple of times, but one or two
swipes of the wipers was all that was required. We travelled about 280 miles
today.
Today’s RV adventures started when we stopped at a truck
stop for fuel and for Kathy to fix us some lunch. I can’t remember if I
mentioned that I had adjusted the brakes on the trailer before we left. When
doing that I noticed that one of the wheel bearings seemed a little loose. I
pulled of the dust cap and tightened the nut one notch on the castellated nut.
I try to do a walk around inspection whenever we stop for fuel or meals, just
to make sure all is well. The dust cap was gone from the wheel I where I had
adjusted the bearing. I was concerned about dirt and rain getting into the
bearing so I “patched” it.
Beckley has a Coal Mine Museum that I want to see. We
planned on staying at their campground. I had looked at Google’s satellite
image of the area and could not see any place large enough for 17 full hook-up
RV spaces. Kathy called the campground this morning and made sure they had a
site available and she specifically asked the lady if the campground was at the
Museum. She was told yes. The “street” to the museum is more like a paved lane
with houses on both sides. There were signs directing us to the “Campground”
and we followed the to the museum. Once we were in the museum parking lot it
was obvious that there was no campground at the museum. There was also no place
large enough to make a “loop” around the parking lot to get back out. Kathy
when in and registered while I waited in the truck, in case I had to move it
for someone coming in or out of the lot. The campground is several blocks from the
museum. I managed to back down, and I mean down, a paved lane between two
levels of museum parking so that we could get turned around and out of the lot.
The road leading to the campground is a one lane paved road that is steep and
makes a 90 degree turn. Note the black tire marks in one of the photos below. I
know my posi-traction works. I had to “burn” my way up the damp road.
Looking down the lane from the curve.
We made the tight campground loop and when we came to our
site I told her, “There is no way I can back the trailer into that site.” She
talked me into giving it a try. With her, and God’s, help I backed in the first
try.
The electric connection is on the wrong side but we had just
enough cable, without having to use and extension cord, to make a connection.
The water and sewer connections are behind the trailer. The water connection
was no problem. The sewer was another issue. I carry 3 -10’ sections of sewer
hose and thought I probably had enough to make the connection. I carry 2 of the
10’ sections in the rear trailer bumper tube. I pulled one out connected it to
the one I carry in the storage area and went back to get the third one. The end
cap was gone out of the bumper and so was the 10’ section of sewer hose. In
order to get two 10’ sections of the “accordion” sewer hose in the 8’-6” bumper
I run a bungee strap through one of them to keep it compressed. The other section
compresses naturally. I had needed two 10’ sections at the last campground and
when I put the one in the bumper I noticed some resistance, but just pushed it
in. My guess is that the bungee strap had come undone and that the compressed
hose just pushed of the end cap and eventually worked its way out of the
bumper.
Tomorrow we will tour the Coal Mine Museum and make a trip
to Rural King and a local RV dealer. Yes, we are still having a great time!
These little challenges just add some zest to life.
69 degrees and damp, but enjoying Beckley.
God is still good, actually
He is great. May He bless you and yours.
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