TN
GTW Hop 11: Pigeon Forge, TN, to Hermitage, TN
202 miles via US 441 and I-40. Cumulative distance: 1,552 miles. Two incidents today, but thankfully no permanent dings. Incident #1: The truck would not start again. We were all prepared to leave the campsite and I tried to start the truck to hitch up. Barely turned over. This time I asked the campground for … Continue reading
Pigeon Forge, TN
First, let me admit that I am a wuss when it comes to roller coasters. That wasn’t always the case; when I was young I loved them. Not that I had many opportunities to ride, as Wisconsin is not exactly Roller Coaster Heaven. But I fondly recall some trips in which a roller coaster remains … Continue reading
GTW Hop 10: Knoxville, TN, to Pigeon Forge, TN
25 miles via I-40 and TN 66. Cumulative distance: 1,350 miles. As economy rooms go, the one we had at the EconoLodge in Knoxville, next to the RV repair shop, wasn’t bad. It was spacious with fairly comfortable beds and a decent shower. It was quiet and offered both free breakfast and (this is unique … Continue reading
Knoxville, TN
First, let me tell you that the truck started yesterday. Started right up. No hesitation, no evidence of a dead battery. Nevertheless I took it to the nearest Sears Auto Center to have the batteries tested. Both were fine, according to them. So we are left with a mystery: why the drained battery on Saturday … Continue reading
GTW Hop 9: Heiskell, TN, to Knoxville, TN
22 miles via I-75 and I-40. Cumulative distance: 1,325 miles. This was more of a “limp” than a “hop.” The original plan, before the devastating Thursday blowout, was to put the RV in the shop for one day to fix the assortment of minor problems that we had accumulated to date. The idea was that … Continue reading
Slow-cooked fatback beans
The life of a long-distance trucker is richer than I thought. I am not talking about money; I am talking about the things that he (or she) can surround himself with while driving. We have seen many truckers who have dogs as companions. That makes sense. What I learned yesterday and found surprising is that … Continue reading
GTW Hop 8: Hillsville, VA, to Heiskell, TN
225 miles via VA 100, I-81, I-40 and I-75. Cumulative distance: 1,303 miles. It just keeps getting worse. Another day, another blowout. This one occurred at 60 mph in the middle lane of a very busy I-81 on a downhill curve near Wytheville, VA, less than 30 miles into our 225-mile journey. It was the … Continue reading