First pull with 2011 Sierra - Recap

[Travelers]

Today we pulling out of the Conroe Lake area after a great stay. Castaways is a very quiet park on the water. We meet Santa Jim and Pat at their CG. We toured the area for 3 days. Had a great time. Got to ride in Santa's Summer Sleigh too. We like this area and will be back. Thanks Pat and Santa Jim for the great hospitality.

Off to Robert La. Going to be a wet drive. The truck in doing fine (11.3 towing and 17 empty) and we're glad we made the purchase.

[JDennis]

Good Morning, John & Diann

Sorry you had to leave our area on such a "gloomy/wet day"--

We enjoyed seeing/visiting with you folks--and certainly look forward to your coming back this way, be it a short or extended stay!!

Take care --Travel Safe--

Jim & Pat D
(aka "Santa Jim")

[bayoubengal]

Off to Robert La. Going to be a wet drive.

That entire parish (Tangipahoa) is currently under a tornado watch until 8pm.
BE CAREFUL!!!!!!!!
We are in Bayou Segnette SP right outside of New Orleans. We come in every year for Mardi Gras from Tangipahio and experienced our first twister in our camper this past Sat.
We were lucky just a lot if violent shaking but the couple in the sight across from us had their camper turned upside down. Fortunately they were ok just a little banged up. Can't say the same for their camper, it's off to the junk yard. They had to cram what they could in their truck and head back to Virginia.

[Travelers]

We're at the Yogi Bear Park off 445N - Tangipahoa Parish. Got here in a down pour. The site was under water so I moved. Nobody at the office to tell so we'll see if we're in trouble in the morning. We're under all sorts of weather warnings until 3am. Currently quiet. Should be clearing out about noon Wednesday.

Cool driving over that swamp off I10.

[campswithcritters]

Hope the weather holds ok for you. That swamp you drove over was the Achafalaya Basin, if you ever have more time down in that area I can give you some swamp viewing RV passable routes which get you at eye level and slower speeds. Worked the Gulf Coast for years and drove into many mosquito infested pretty places.

[Travelers]

We left the rain drenched lands of Louisanna to the high waters of the Mississippi River at Memphis TN. Our plans was to stay at Tom Sawyer's. A call there got a message: Closed due to flooding - will reopen the end of March. So tonight we're staying across the street from Graceland. The cg is Graceland RV Park and Campground. We'll be here two nights. Tomorrow we'll tour Graceland and then find a casino for a little relaxation. A buffet will be in order too.

We miss the warmth of Texas and Louisanna already. Currently 42'*.

[R & D]

Oh my Graceland......if you don't get chills on that tour you are not a true Elvis fan. I loved my visit there, will never forget it.. Be safe...we have seen all the bad weather back there.(Graceland in the house...cameras but no flash) at least when I was there.

[bop11]

We miss the warmth of Texas and Louisanna already. Currently 42'*.

Don't be in a hurry tp get back to MI John. Cold and 3-6 inches of snow predicted for tonite and another 2-4 possible for tomorrow .

When will winter end................

Bill

[JDennis]

Hey John & Diann

Are you looking up the "tail" of The Lisa Marie??

I guess you will drop drop to Tunica, MS--don't think there are any casinos in Memphis---about 75 miles south of Memphis is where I went to high school---Home of The Blues--
Clarksdale, MS--

Travel Safe & Enjoy

Jim & Pat D

[Travelers]

Leaving Memphis after a great day. We toured Graceland and the other sights. Graceland tour was worth the $$$. Lots of pics. This new D3100 worked great without a flash.

Then after getting $40 in seed $$$ from the CG flyer, we went to the Southland Park Casino in West Memphis. The buffet was great. Especially when paid for by the casino. Also, most of the fuel cost for this trip was paid for by the casino.

The bridge across the Mississippi almost wasn't long enough. The river is verrrrry wide there. Probably a couple of miles. You can see roof's in the water.

Off to Louiseville, KY for a stop over.

[campswithcritters]

Off to Louiseville, KY for a stop over.

Give Paul & Tammy a holler, that is their neck of the woods.

[Travelers]

We arrived home today. There was still snow on the ground. The temp was 30* warmer than when we left.

It’s always good to get home. This trip was really great. Other than the frozen DEF fluid in the tank, the truck worked as well to better than I expected. The rig was flawless too. I knew the POS ladder design needed to be fixed last year. I never got to it so when I bent the ladder I had to fix it.

The total mileage was 4,817 and the fuel consumed was 439 gallons for an average of 10.97 mpg. The truck was one month old and had 1,448 miles when we left. We started out at 8 mpg and then once the DEF issue was resolved (Cullman AL) the mileage steadily increased. The ride was so comfortable and the cabin so quiet, there was never a discouraging word when we arrived at the site and setup. We listened to books on tape and news radio (XM) when the Mideast was overthrowing leaders and Japan’s world almost came apart. We’re impressed with the truck and glad we made the purchase.

Our 2010 Bird turned one year old while we were on the trip. We have traveled 11k miles over some really bad roads within the last year. The Bird has really held up great. Sure we had some issues (manmade) but overall, great job FR.

But the Best of the Best is seeing all of this beautiful country; meeting new friends and catching up with old friends, sharing it with my Cardinal family and internet friends, and of course, spending it with my best friend.

When are we leaving???

[Torben]

Sound like you had a wonderful trip nothing like traveling in comfort of a Cardinal 5th wheel. Now comes the next best part.... planning the next trip

[Mike Clay]

Glad all worked out good for you I knew you would like the truck.

[Chief409]

We have a GREAT country to see, and NOWHERE ELSE in the world can you travel and see it like the U.S.A. With the ability to travel in comfort with your 5er to boot. So, which way are you headed next time?