Allan is working for a few hours then originally it was play time but we decide it would be best to drive a few hours today to get us closer to our final Bailey destination, Sicards for the paint & repairs they didn’t do prior to pick up. Goodbye catfish for this trip. We leave at 11a, km 51,348.
We leave around 1p. Not sure what type of tree this is but the sides of the highway is littered with them. I certainly could have taken a better photo.
The drive takes us around Cincinnati @CityOfCincyand only took us 1-1/2 hours, grrrrr
We decided it would be a Chez Walmart night. I find one in Westerville, OH, @tellwesterville not realizing this was about 20 minutes out of our way on under construction road but we make it. Whoops, this is a rather small Walmart that shares the parking lot with Big Lots with a few smaller stores between them. We select the Big Lots end of the parking lot and hope for the best. Arrive at 7:45p, happy to get a rest.
We get take out at the restaurant in the same plaza, Lucky House food was really good.
Today is our walk to @GaylordOpryland & @opry day. We drove by on the shuttle yesterday and learned this is the largest Resort & Convention centre that is not connected to a casino. It has 2888 rooms.
Fun fact-their electric bill is 9 million/year.
Cock off the Wall is the restaurant that is mere steps from the park. They specialize in catfish. Never had catfish! We decide, OK I convince Allan to try it tomorrow night.
Total steps for the day: 20,321 Off to the hot tub!
We like this RV park especially because it has a hot tub we use nightly. It also has a highway that for some reason truckers think they should be using their jake brakes on and the tweetest birds ever! Oh yes, planes and helicopters round it out.
We did see an usual toad
Today is visit downtown Nashville day. We hop on the Downtown Shuttle and our adventure begins.
Our driver tells us there are 37 bars on Broadway, the main street, within four blocks aka “Honky Tonk Row”, and challenges us to have a drink in each 🙂
Many of the bars have several floors, with a live band in each section. There is music galore. The bands survive on audience tips. Must be a difficult way to make a living but many an artist was discovered in Nashville. This is an interesting read
Ernest Tubb Record Store @ErnestTubbRS with mini Museum
Lunch @RockBottom – Shrimp & Grits for me tasted much better than the photo looks, Chicken Fried Chicken for Allan. This was a cheat meal for us as we follow the #Keto Diet. Back to site seeing
I wake up about 6a to rain fortunately the storm wasn’t as bad as predicted. Allan wakes early as well, so we have coffee, decide to skip breakfast and head out at 815a, km 50,987. Today ‘s drive is 3-1/2h, destination Nashville
We watch a few other RVs leave, some easier than others because we are all parked on grass, very wet grass in spots. Some rock back & forth but all make it out.
We pack up, pull in the slides, raise the jacks and are ready to leave at 815a. 50,987km.
Bob & Cathy (that’s Cathy on the roof) are packed up as well, we say our good-byes and they pull out with no problems. In case anyone is wondering, no we will not climb up on Bailey. We are both none to fond of heights.
The grass we were on seemed relatively dry so we knew we’d be OK to back out. I stand on the road to direct Allan out as we do not want our tires to cross the road and end up in the grass on the other side. I motion, back up, Allan starts then stops. What’s he doing?? I run to his window “what’s up?” “I’m stuck!!”.
Driver’s side, the side I see, is dry, I head to the passenger’s side – not so much. Try again, Bailey is trying to not disappoint but..
We use the lot marking plastic signs under the drive tires but no go. We are totally stuck!! Fortunately, we have RV road side assistance so place the call. They advise they will be there within one hour.
We imagine a heavy tow arriving but aren’t sure how they will get us out. It’s been sprinkling on and off, now off so we grab our coffees and take a walk down the road to kill some time.
There are not many RVs left. Near the end of the road there is a group packing up. “Good Morning, how are you?” the gent says. “Not good” I reply, “We are stuck!” He replies, “No problem I can pull you out”
Turns out he has a Ford 450 with a winch. We don’t understand how he’s going to do that but are happy he sounds like he knows what he is doing.
He unhooks his trailer, what a nice guy and comes down. He starts his winch and Allan hooks it to the back of Bailey’s hitch.
A few seconds later our new best friend effortlessly pulled us out the of grass/mud. We are FREE!
Our tracks! Was worse than this photo depicts.
Cancel the call to roadside assistance and we are on our way at 855a.
We know we are on the correct route when we see construction…It rains much of the way, we stop for groceries at Kroger.
What is that up ahead? An overpass height 13’6” our height is 13’ this is cutting it a little too close, we both duck as we drive under. Made it!!
Woke up to overcast skies. Fingers crossed the sun finds its way to the track.
One of the neighbours was so “rain shy” he decided to leave prior to the Indy starting. These are his “trying to get out” tire marks. He needed a tow.
We secure our seats using our lawn chairs (kind of like leaving your towel on a poolside chair in the DR) then waste some time at “Wine Down at Indy”.
About 130p we head back to Bailey to pick up our race scanners that enable us to listen to the drivers chatting with theirs teams. Gets pretty colourful at times. Also get our cooler filled with must have bevies and snacks.
Look what pops out to enjoy the race
Back to our seats in plenty of time for the 3p start. It is always fun being at the races, but this wasn’t the most exciting. One caution, 90 laps.
Alex finishes ahead of Felix. Needless to say, Allan was having more fun than me. Bonus, the rain held off.
Just like that, the race is over. Allan gets to be ahead. Can’t wait for the next one so I will again rule!!
Back to Bailey after the race for dinner, Traegar steaks and salad. And watch as some clear out.
Forecast was for another storm Sunday night. We are too stupid to be concerned so just carry on enjoying our last night.
Road behind parking area. and some of our neighbours.Lots of track action. The series here include: Formula 3 Americas, Mazda MX5, Lamborghini Super Trofeo, Porsche GT3, and of course IndyCar.
Several series qualifying today, some races as well.
Whoops didn’t quite stay on the track.
We are anxious for Indy qualifying at 3p. We settled into our favourite spot to watch.
First full day at the track. Hilltop parking is filling up and we meet the neighbours, Bob, Cathy and their 5-month-old puppy Cooper.
Sights around the Fan Zone.
We heeded this warning!
There are many practice sessions for the various series. We speak to several fellow RVers to determine the best corner to watch the Indy race and get many different opinions.
We explore the track to determine which corner we think is best. We settle on the back straight due to the track configuration, we have a great view of corner 5. This spot turns out to be directly across from where Bailey is parked.
Mary-Ann (me) chose a new driver this season, Felix Rosenqvist, a new diecast car was required for the dash. Allan got his annual Indy schedule t-shirt and I replaced a much worn out sweatshirt. Purchases done for the season.
No rain, yahoo, during the day, rain again at night.
Off to the races!!!It’s raining but not even that deters us.
Day’s plans – get Bailey wash at the Blue Beacon – hope it stops raining before Bailey’s bath.
Pouring rain seems to be the trend for us. Good thing, it rained so hard it removed the bugs from the front of Bailey and the windshield. No Blue Beacon for us today. Still raining
Info says gates open at 3p; we drive right in. There are cars on the track, several RVs set up already. We didn’t have to worry about arriving too early.
We follow the signs to Hilltop Parking. A few flowers on the way.
We set up, quicker than normal cause we are boondocking the 4 days we are here. We must be careful with water lasting and the amount of power we use.
We walk around to familiarize ourselves with the track, life doesn’t get much better. 🙂
Pouring rain again, wakes me up about 3a. All these spots are on grass, no pads, all the rain is making it mushy.
Back to today, Allan has about 3 hours of work to do so I am entertaining myself writing this, sitting outside in the beautiful sunshine and heat, a great change from the rain. Just love this weather.
Allan’s amber beer assortment ..
Wednesday was pretty much like today. Allan worked, I hung out.
We are getting super, duper excited because Thursday we head to Barber Motorsports Park, our first race in Bailey.
Choices are stay in and play games or risk the rain and head to Peter’s Grocery Store for much needed meat. Off we walk, Bossier City, Louisiana is not pedestrian friendly but we make it using the shoulders. We get to the other side of the highway and see signage directing to Louisiana Outlet Mall, Horseshoe Casino, and Margaritaville Casino, @Mville_Bsights
We forget about the grocery store for now, off to see the sights. We walk past @FlyingHeartBrew and decide to give it a try on the way back.
Horseshoe Casino, @Horseshoe_BC is much nicer than ours, offers several restaurants and entrainment and best part it doesn’t smell. People still smoking but much better ventilation. We found the slot machine of our choice and promptly lose our $20s. Vegas gambling and the occasional win was more fun!
It is sprinkling a bit now, so we head to the Outlet Mall which turns out to be an outdoor mall but at least it gets us closer to Margaritaville. This is the nicest of the 3 casinos. We find a bar and I have a #margarita, of course.
Allan discovers a local brewery amber, Abita! @TheAbitaBeer brewed in Abita Springs, LA. After enjoying our beverages, off to find a promising machine, and there goes another $20. Louisiana gambling is not for us.
Skies are more threatening. We make it to Flying Heart Brewery where Allan discovers yet another Amber ale. A look outside, it is now pouring fortunately it stopped when we were finished so now on the Peters Grocery Store found on Yelp. Get there only to discover it is closed for who knows what because there are employees in there doing something.
Even this sidewalks #Bossier is not pedestrian friendly with a sign dead centre.
Back to Bailey. Tomorrow’s destination, Marion, MS.
