8. GOING HOME - TENNESSEE AND VIRGINIA

Day 32: Wednesday, April 11, part 2

The van was ready by 2:15 PM and I hit SR 14, headed for Memphis. Encountered strong crosswinds. The Westy handled them reasonably well, but I got a few scares from eighteen-wheelers that wandered over into my lane. It got worse on I-55, where several RVs, travel trailers, and fifth wheels couldn't manage to stay in their lane.

The wind abated when I crossed the Missisippi on the I-40 bridge and I made good time despite heavy traffic and lots of construction work. The sun came out, the rear wheels didn't fall off and the rolling hills of southwestern Tennessee made for a pleasant drive. Jumped off the interstate and enjoyed rather pretty backroads that took me to Somerville and Whiteville. Then came a really pretty drive on SR 100 to the Chickasaw State Park -- a very attractive recreation area which includes a golf course, horse stables, a swimming pool/lake and a campground where water/electric sites with picnic tables and grills cost $15.50. The campground is rather empty, so one doesn't notice that the sites are quite close together and offer little privacy. Most of the sites are not level.

Evening temperatures were in the high eighties, with low humidity. An abundance of flying insects forced me into the van, and the 110V air conditioner kept me comfortable.

Drove 210 miles today and was on the road for 4 hours.

Day 33: Thursday, April 12

Woke up at 6:15 AM and felt like sleeping some more -- but knowing that I had some major driving to do today, got up and went to the bathhouse. Enjoyed a truly magnificent shower -- unlimited hot water, a clean stall, and a shower head that truly delivered!

Slept well since the outside temperature was a comfortable 59F and, with all the screened windows open, it was about the same inside the van.

The sun came out, I packed up, and was on the road by 8:15 AM. The initial stretches of backroad were quite attractive. SR 100 to Jacks Creek was mostly driving through the well-kept Chickasaw park. Then SR 22A to Lexington, lined mostly by dogwoods in full bloom. Then SR 22 north (one huge construction site) to I-40. I-40 from the interchange to Nashville is a well-maintained interstate, attractive as it dips and climbs through forests and well-kept farm land.

Made it through Nashville and its construction sites without major delays and continued on I-40 to Knoxville. Again, most of the way was pleasant and quite pretty. Knoxville was a major construction site, and it clouded up and started raining. I suspect that I-40 from Knoxville to I-81 and I-81 to Kingsport has some really scenic stretches through the lower Appalachian mountain range, but low clouds and rain spoiled the view.

Then headed northeast on I-81 to Bristol. Now and then the sun would come out and ther were attractive vistas. Leaves coming out, forsythia and dogwood in bloom. Followed I-81 into Virginia, and jumped off at exit 101 to make my way to the Claytor Lake State Park - my third visit to this very convenient campground. $14 got me a good site, didn't avail myself of the hook-ups and saved $4 that way. Evening temperature is in the low seventies, and I spent the evening sitting outside enjoying dinner (a sandwich from Subway,) finishing what was left of my stock of adult beverages, watching TV, updating the journal, and handling e-mail.

Drove 540 miles today, was on the road for 10 1/4 hours. Bought gasoline in Concord, TN for $1.539/gal and averaged 16.8 mpg on the last tank. Stopped twice during the day to check for leaks from the rear axle -- everything OK.

Day 34: Friday, April 13

A day of interstate driving. I-81 through Virginia (quite pretty much of the way), West Virginia, Maryland, and Pennsylvania, then I-78 and I-287 home. The sun came out half way through Virginia and there were good vistas of the Blue Ridge Mountains.

Was on the road for 8 1/4 hours and drove 495 miles.

* * * * *

Summary

Was away from home for 34 days. Drove 10,900 miles. Used up 640 gallons of gasoline at a total cost of $955 -- averaged 17 mpg. Slept in the van every night. Stayed at 26 different campgrounds. Spent $393 for camping.

* * * * *

I hope that you have enjoyed this journal and your virtual trip with me. Why not send me an e-mail and I'll be happy to let you know whenever a new or modified journal (section) has been uploaded. Just make sure that I always have a valid e-mail address for you.

Back to trip index