Month: November 2023

How to Keep Your Home on Wheels From Falling Apart

November 1, 2023 – Traveling with Rich & Julie

RVing on BUMPY roads

RVing is a great way to see the country and explore new places. You have the freedom to travel wherever you want, whenever you want. Life on the road in an RV can be a dream come true. But there’s one downside to RV life that can be a real pain: bumpy torn-up roads. They can be extremely tough on your RV home.

If you’ve ever driven an RV down a bumpy road, you know how jarring it can be. Everything inside and outside shakes and rattles, and if you’re not careful, things can fall and break.

We know this firsthand, because we live in an RV motorhome, and have driven on some of the roughest roads in America. Many highways and roads are in poor condition and are constantly under construction. We’ve had things fall off the shelves, break in the cabinets, and had nuts and bolts come loose. We’ve had drawers fly open while driving down the road and one time the refrigerator door wasn’t properly latched and it flew open spewing all its loose contents onto the floor.

Over the years, we’ve learned a few things about how to keep our moving home from falling apart because of bumpy roads. How do we do it? Here are a few things we have learned over the last two years.

Secure everything.

This includes cabinets, drawers, shelves, furniture, and appliances. Use bungee cords, straps, and latches to keep everything in place. Put away all your dishes, pots, pans, and other loose items. Put locks on your cabinets and drawers. This will prevent them from opening accidentally while you’re driving down the road.

And store fragile items in padded containers. This will help protect them from all the bumps and shocks. If you don’t secure everything, it’s likely to fall and break when you hit a bump.

Slow down

Drive slowly and carefully. The faster you drive, the more likely things are to come loose and break. The slower you go, the less damage the bumps will do to your RV. Avoid driving over potholes and other large bumps. If you can’t avoid them, try to drive over them carefully and at an angle. The faster you’re going, the harder the impact will be when you hit a major bump. So, it’s important to slow down when the going gets rough.

Inspect your RV regularly

Check your RV for damage after driving on a bumpy road. This means looking for loose nuts and bolts on your furniture and appliances, cracked caulking, and other signs of wear and tear. Check your nuts and bolts regularly. Make sure that they are all tight and secure. Inspect your RV regularly for any damage. Look for cracks in the walls and ceilings, in addition to loose nuts and bolts.

You should also have your RV inspected regularly by a qualified mechanic. This will help identify any potential problems before they cause a breakdown.

Additional tips

Use a heavy-duty hitch and tow bar. This will help keep your tow vehicle attached to the RV and prevent it from swaying back and forth. And check the connections every single time you stop at a gas station or rest area.

Be prepared for flat tires. Bumpy roads can cause your tires to wear out more quickly and increase the chances of a flat tire. Keep a spare tire and jack on hand and know how to change a tire. Check the tires every single time you stop to make sure they are properly inflated.

Conclusion

Living in an RV and driving on bumpy torn-up roads can be challenging, but it’s also rewarding. Despite the challenges, we love living in the RV. It’s a great way to see the country and experience new things.

By securing everything ahead of time, slowing down, and inspecting all your connections regularly, you can help to keep your RV from falling apart on bumpy roads and enjoy your RVing experience to the fullest.

Be patient. Driving on bumpy roads can be frustrating, but it’s important to keep your eyes on the road, slow down, and drive carefully.

Exploring Stones River National Battlefield

October 31, 2023 – Traveling with Rich & Julie

A National Park in Murfreesboro, Tennessee

Stones River National Battlefield is a historic park and cemetery with a visitor center and walking trails along a Civil War Battlefield in Tennessee. There are several hiking trails and a driving trail.

The first place we stopped at of course was the visitor center. The Union victory at Stones River opened the way into the Confederate heartland. The battle was known as The Battle of Murfreesboro and lasted three days, from December 31, 1862, until January 2, 1863.

According to the History Channel —

The North was in control of central Tennessee, and the Union victory provided a much-needed morale boost in the aftermath of the Yankees’ loss at the Battle of Fredericksburg in December 1862. Stones River was a hard-fought, bloody engagement, with some of the highest casualty rates of the war.

The driving tour is easy to follow and highly recommended. Stop #1 is a field where Rosecran’s Union Army arrived and occupied on December 30, 1862, the eve of the battle.

Stop #2 is called the Slaughter Pen where Confederate forces launched attack after failed attack but the Union forces held their ground. Both sides experienced heavy losses.

Stop #3 is a cotton field where Rosecran’s Union Army established a defensive line and continued to hold its ground.

Stop #4 is a field where canister charges forced Confederates back into the trees. Union troops defended the Nashville Pike and railroad here. The railroad and pike are still there.

This National Battlefield contains several displays of original cannons and wagons from the battle.

Stop #5 is an area called the Round Forest. The Union Army held its position throughout the entire day. This forest was covered with Confederate dead and wounded soldiers and was dubbed “Hell’s Half Acre.”

After the battle, most of the dead from both sides were quickly buried on the field. In 1865, they were moved and reburied in the new Stones River National Cemetery which is located across the street from the visitor center. Over 6,100 Union soldiers are buried here, with 2,500 of them having no name.

Stop #6 — The Artillery Monument in the photo below marks the battle’s final attack. Here is where 57 Union cannons fired upon the approaching Confederates, killing or wounding 1,800 men in a short time.

The Hazen Brigade Monument is shown below. Colonel Hazen’s men were the only Union soldiers who didn’t retreat. Over 400 of his troops fell in the battle and the survivors didn’t want the world to forget, so they built this monument in 1863.

It is one of the oldest Civil War memorials in the country.

They were buried according to what state they were from…Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, and Kentucky.

The Battle of Stones River at Murfreesboro engaged approximately 76,400 men and had the greatest percentage of casualties of any major battle in the Civil War. It was declared a Union victory but at a great cost of life. Rosecrans’s men were so battered they would not campaign for another six months.

Camping at Whispering Oaks Campground

October 30, 2023 – Traveling with Rich & Julie

A quiet retreat in Manchester, Tennessee

We set out from Kentucky and drove south on I-65, eventually arriving at Whispering Oaks Campground in Manchester, Tennessee. The campground boasted a reputation for peace and quiet, and it didn’t disappoint. The only sounds we heard above a whisper were the acorns pattering on the roof of the RV.

The wooded area was lush with beautiful oak trees decorated in the colors of fall. Squirrels scampered about gathering the nuts for winter. Our spacious gravel site offered a picnic table, rug, and campfire ring.

We had beautiful weather at the end of October. We did a little sightseeing, but mostly we sat outside in the lawn chairs listening to the breeze knock the acorns off the trees.

Our pull-through RV site was large and equipped with 50 amp electric, water, and sewer. The water pressure was good and we had no problems. Neither one of us checked out the public restrooms, laundry, or game room facilities so I can’t speak for those amenities, but from our experience, this was a nice relaxing place to spend our three days in Tennessee. And all at a reasonable nightly rate.

Whispering Oaks Campground gets a thumbs-up from Rich & Julie. Thanks for coming along with us as we travel south for the winter.

(all photos were taken by me)

Old Stone Fort State Archaeological Park in Tennessee

October 30, 2023 – Traveling with Rich & Julie

Established in 1966

We arrived in Tennessee and found our campground in Manchester. The rolling hills of Tennessee are gorgeous. The Old Stone Fort State Archaeological Park was only ten minutes down the road and it was the first place on my list to visit.

State Parks are some of the prettiest places to see. The Old Stone Fort State Archaeological Park is a hidden gem that offers a glimpse into the past. This historical site was built during the Middle Woodland Period, about 2,000 years ago.

Native Americans built several mounds of dirt and rock and probably used it as ceremonial grounds. The massive earthen mounds form an enclosure measuring 1.25 miles around approximately 50 acres.

It was abandoned by the Middle Woodland culture around 500 BC, but it was later used by other Native American groups, including the Mississippian culture. By the time European settlers arrived in the area in the 18th century, the Old Stone Fort was in ruins.

Two pedestal mounds are located inside the enclosure and were used for ceremonial purposes. The walls are up to 20 feet high and 30 feet wide. History buffs and nature lovers like us love visiting places like this. There were very few artifacts found in the area, leading archaeologists to conclude that it was a religious ceremonial site as opposed to a village site.

We walked through the museum which houses a variety of exhibits and watched a short film explaining the history of the area. I love learning about the history of the places we visit by exploring the museums and artifacts. All Tennessee State Parks are free to visit. This is wonderful for us as we travel.

Thanks for traveling with us.

The Graves of Johnny & June Cash

October 30, 2023 – Traveling with Rich & Julie

Hendersonville, Tennessee

Hendersonville, Tennessee is a fairly large city on Old Hickory Lake near Nashville. It is listed as one of the best places to live in the state of Tennessee.

It is known as the “city by the lake” and has been home to many famous people.

Many country music stars own homes on the lake, including the late Johnny Cash, who had a 14,000-square-foot home on the water.

Speaking of Johnny Cash, we visited his grave inside the Hendersonville Memory Gardens. There is nothing special about the site. Anyone can visit by just pulling into the driveway, parking along the path, and walking to the graves. We were the only ones there.

There are no signs or markers showing the way. I found it by following the GPS on my phone.

In the same general area are the graves of several Cash family members and Carter family members.

One in particular is Mother Maybelle Carter, known as the First Lady of country music.

Also close by is the grave of Merle Kilgore, an American singer, songwriter, and manager. At the time of his death, he was the manager of Hank Williams, Jr.

Finally, we found the grave of Luther Perkins, who was an American country music guitarist and a member of the Tennessee Three, the backup band for Johnny Cash.

When we are in an area, I like to find several places to see. I hope you enjoy coming along for the ride. Have you ever been to Hendersonville, Tennessee?

If You Want to Make a Man Happy, Take Him to a Car Museum

October 29, 2023 – Traveling with Rich & Julie

Swope’s Cars of Yesteryear

I knew if I put this place on the list it would make Rich happy. Plus the fact that this museum in Elizabethtown, Kentucky is completely free.

All are free to enter except unattended children, which cost $100 to get in. Ha ha.

Don’t ask me to tell you what they all are. I just enjoy looking at them.

Enjoy the photos. Rich found his favorite car. See if you can guess which one it is.

This contemporary museum features old automobiles built from the 1900s to the 1960s, and new ones like a 2023 Dodge Charger.

It was an impressive collection of cars and Rich thoroughly enjoyed spending time looking at them all.

This free car museum is open Monday through Saturday from 10 am to 5 pm.

The host inside said they have 37 cars currently on display. There is a horseless carriage room also.

Each car has a sign on it to not touch. They are not roped off like most car museums. You can walk all the way around and look inside.

This 69 Camaro 350 SS Hardtop was gorgeous.

We spent most of our time right here.

I didn’t take photos of all the cars. But most of them I did. I do take a lot of pictures wherever we go.

Rich liked this Thunderbird, all except the color. I love seeing the cars painted bright colors. I owned an orange Dodge Dart.

I do like the color of this Camaro.

I like the color of any Camaro.

We owned a Jaguar once, but this 1953 one was much nicer.

Thank you Swope’s dealership for providing this museum free of charge.

Do you like cars? I hope you enjoyed seeing these. Thanks for coming along with us on our journeys. I love showing you all the places we see.

Welcome to Tennessee

October 29, 2023 – Traveling with Rich & Julie

We headed a little further south today.

After just two days in Elizabethtown, Kentucky, and visiting the Abraham Lincoln Birthplace National Historic Site, we left Longview RV Park this morning and headed further south on I-65.

I made Rich pull into Mammoth Cave National Park so I could get my stamp and sticker in my National Park Pass Book. We explored the cave a few years ago, and I took a lot of photos then. Any of you who regularly follow me know that I tore a meniscus in my right knee while crawling through a cave in Ohio a few months ago, so cave spelunking is out for me. I wasn’t writing about every place we visited back then. I will write about it soon. Stay tuned.

Today was just about the fact that I have this new national park book, and I wanted to stamp it. The park is only a mile off the interstate, and the visitor center is only 8 miles away. We enjoyed the eight-mile drive through the park and explored the visitor center, checked out the gift shop, and then headed back to I-65.

We drove I-65 into Tennessee, and around Nashville and got on I-24. The Nashville skyline is cool to see.

(Rich wants me to tell everyone that the interstates in Kentucky were a lot better than Ohio or Tennessee.) As soon as we got to Tennessee, we hit construction. Do you see the orange roadwork sign in the top photo above?

I also did not realize that we would enter Central Time Zone.

We made it to our new home in Tennessee and will be here for three nights. Isn’t our campsite beautiful? We are on our way to Alabama for the months of November and December. We can’t afford to winter in Florida. Too many people are going to Florida and the prices to park the RV for a month are too expensive. We don’t need luxuries, just the basics are enough for us.

Stay tuned for the adventures. I am excited to show you all the places we visit.

Thank you for stopping by and reading about our journey.