September 17, 2023
After arriving in Arkansas, we were able to squeeze in an Italian dinner at Pastfina in Cave Springs, AR with some of Sian’s cousins and their spouses and children. It was nice to see some family on the road, even though it was a quick visit. While Richard and Snickers were holding down the fort in Arkansas in the RV, Sian left for a few days to meet with friends in Orlando. Unfortunately, on the plane ride home, Sian started to get the chills. After arriving back in Arkansas, Sian immediately took a COVID rapid test and tested positive for COVID. As people who are living the RV life know, you have to be flexible and adjust your plans as needed. Over the next week, Sian did her best to isolate in the RV bedroom, leaving Richard to sleep on the pullout coach (which was unexpected relatively comfortable). We cancelled our plans to meet with friends in Branson, MO and hunkered down. It took 10 days before Sian tested negative, so she spent most of her time sleeping. At some point there is only so much sleeping you can do, so Sian tried sitting outside but was still exhausted. This was Sian’s first experience with COVID. Luckily, Richard was able to avoid getting COVID and tested regularly.
Once we we able to travel again, we checked in at Ozarks RV Resort on Table Rock in Oak Grove, AR for a few nights. We didn’t have a chance to sight see there, but we’ll be back.
We then headed to what is known as, “The Mothership” for Tiffin Motorhome owners…Red Bay, AL where their factory is located. We like to stay at Red Bay Acres Campground so Sian can take advantage of their lounge while the RV is getting service. We had one scheduled appointment with Girard awnings to get an adjustment to a slide topper. We also took the coach in to the Tiffin Service Center Express Bay (which allows up to 3 hours of service in a bay with 2 service techs). We only had a very short list of minor items so it was a quick visit.
It’s funny to say, but Red Bay Acres, feels a little like home to us. The people are so nice and we get to meet other Tiffin owners, and this trip did not disappoint us. We met a couple with the same coach we have (same year, model and exterior color scheme). After sharing our experiences we decided to check out the Rattlesnake Saloon for dinner with three other couples.
At Red Bay you meet strangers, and by the time you leave, some of them become friends that you will stay in contact with, and make plans to meet on the road! That is one of the great things about this lifestyle…..We are always making new friends and nurturing the old ones.
Next we headed toward Georgia and North Carolina for the upcoming fall season, and on the way, we stopped at the US Space & Rocket Center in Huntsville, AL. It was a fascinating to see the progression of the space program. And it was neat seeing the airstream RV the astronauts quarantined in.
And to think our current cell phones have more processing power than the lunar lander had when Neil Armstrong guided it down to the surface of the moon. After a quick two nights staying at the campground next to the rocket center, we were on are way to our next stop Talona Ridge in Ellijay, GA for a Switch It Up Huddle.