Illinois to Little Rock AR.

It was a long day on Interstates today, but first we had to find our way in the pre-dawn darkness out to the highway. Our campground of last night was well off the beaten path for sure!

We just followed I57 to I55 southbound today, picking up breakfast at a Cracker Barrel in Mt Vernon, down to I40 which heads southwest from Memphis across very flat countryside. Strong winds from the south buffeted us the whole way.

I40 has more big trucks on the road than I've ever seen, especially for a Sunday. This in spite of passing storage yards with many trucks and trailers parked for the weekend. I40 is clearly a major trucking Interstate route. 

The Interstates we were on today were generally in good shape. Of course our relatively small van likely tolerates bumpy roads better than many larger RV’s do.

We stopped for a break in Blytheville AR, and discovered an excellent DIY car wash there (main road west from I55). The van was a salty mess, so good to get it cleaned off. It was a good stop, with a fuel fill at a Mobil station, and a stocking-up browse at Walmart. This was the first real shopping we’ve done for groceries and supplies.

About 2:30 it was up to 27C (!!), which of course felt really warm to us. A McDonalds offered a good a spot for a break, and a change into warm-weather outfits. Strong winds yet again.

Between Memphis and Little Rock along I40, there’s not much to look at except all the trucks.

Tonight we camped in a very nice park, Lake Catherine State Park, an hour or two south of Little Rock AR (exit 97 off I30). Darkness caught up to us, so a later stop than usual. On the road in to the park, spring peepers were in full voice, and some daffodils were out. Lots of other campers here tonight and no free camping ($22 w/e).



Today the temp reached 27C for quite a while in Arkansas. When checking in, the girl at the desk was shaking her head about the wild weather, saying it was 30 yesterday. It took a couple of beats before I realized she meant 30F, about minus 1C! Quite a drastic and welcome change today, even though the driving got warmer than we prefer. You know it’s warming up when we had bugs all over the windshield after today’s drive.

We both had showers this evening, then sat out with a Glayva enjoying the quiet and the beautiful moon. To bed by 8:30 CST.