Nashville, TN to Atkins, AK
We mostly packed up the night before so we only had to unplug the electrical and disconnect the water hose. We were at the dump station at 8:30 and out of there by 8:45 and on the road. Jason stopped to get coffee at a gas station and we were on the road. I really enjoyed the Cedars of Lebanon State Park but I’m ready to get across the Heartland and get into New Mexico – my most favorite state.
We had about 7 hours to drive today so nothing too crazy. We decided we would go to a Harvest Host location for the night called Paw Paws Pecans in Atkins, Arkansas. We need the opportunities to be boondocking off grid without power to practice and figure out what we need. Also, I mean it’s called Paw Paws🐾 … I had to go there!
We stopped a few hours in at the advice of the All Trails app. I found a nice mile long walk along a pond. We get there, park, and then realize it’s a wildlife refuge…which means no dogs allowed. Jason took the news well and went and took some pictures to get his legs moving.
Back on the road we snacked off of the bento boxes with the blackberries we got at the Nashville Farmers’ Market and cucumbers, peppers, and tomatoes with hummus.
We found another park to walk through a little ways up the road and Patch loved rolling in the thick grass. The grass almost grows sideways it’s so odd. She was definitely a fan of it though especially since the sidewalk was too hot to walk on.
We got into Paw Paws Pecans at about 6:00pm. Two other RVs were there by the time we got there, with their generators roaring already. We had considered a generator but the cost and where to store it were two aspects we couldn’t overcome to bite the bullet and get it. Later tonight, we will feel our first regret in that decision making.
We met with Billy and Charlotte the owners of this farm. They own 300 acres and have 6000 pecan trees on it. They recently built this house a few years ago and wanted it to have “Southern Charm”. Pecan season ends in December so they decided to do Harvest Host and to rent out an event space on their property to keep things happening all year round. The house was beautiful and they had pecans, fudge, and quilts available for sale. We grabbed a new items and had a lovely long concerned with the couple. At 60 years old they are still kicking it and doing well. Their cat called Guacamole was very friendly to me which apparently he isn’t to others. I’ll take it that this cat knew I wouldn’t steal any of his food. Billy told me I had a “Viking haircut” because of my undercut. I’ll take that as a compliment even though it didn’t quite feel like it. Maybe they haven’t seen many people like me before 🤷🏻♀️
After about an hour of talking we headed outside to set the camper up. The pups were impatiently waiting for us too as the other RVers were walking their dogs around. Two beautiful labs.
We entered the Rpod to find one of the panels under the kitchen unit had come off. No idea how this happened today since the roads we were on were the straightest in a long time, but all in all not the biggest deal. 4 screws and it will be back into place.
We didn’t unhook because we knew we would be heading out very early in the AM. We opened the windows with the screens in them and took the pups for a walk on the farm. The camper was SO hot inside and it was just as hot outside. Loooovely.
It was too damn hot to cook so we copped out and made a plate of vegan pepperoni, vegan cheese, and crackers and played a game called Wit’s End. We brought very few games with us but this one is a favorite. Jason won a hard fought battle on this one.
It was about 9:30 and still so damn humid. Then we notice the mosquitos. All around us. Crap. There wasn’t going to be much sleep happening tonight.
Vegan On the Rhode 