Actually, we were on a bit of a mission to empty our holding tanks. They weren't really that full... but we both were due for showers and that would fill up the grey tank to the point where we would want to empty it.
I had read about Laurel Hill Lake which was just off the Trace. We headed there first.
I wasn't looking for a dump station there, although it would have been convenient to find one. But I had read about camping, and if it looked really good we probably would have stayed for a night.
Can you see Sherman?
As we entered the Laurel Hill Wildlife Management Area, there was a sign specifically saying "No Camping". Then, as we got to the day use and boat ramp area there was another sign that said "No Camping Without Permission". And another sign that said "All Visitors Must Sign In".
Okay.
But there was nowhere to sign in, and there was nobody around except for a couple of guys doing grading work on the road. There was a concession building, and the computer was even on inside, but the doors were locked and there were old newspaper deliveries by the door that hadn't been picked up.
Very strange.
Then, we came across the campground...
Yep, looks like a campground.
We parked Sherman and went for a walk.
It's a pretty lake. Probably really busy in the summer.
But, between the fact that there was nobody around, there was no dump station, and there was no cell signal, we drove the 1.5 miles back to the Natchez Trace and continued south.
There are a lot of roadside pulloffs along the Trace.
This one had a little 10 minute hiking trail that ran along a stream.
The Natchez Trace Parkway.
We pulled into the city (town?) of Collinwood, Tennessee. Population about 1,000.
I had read that they have a great welcome center because Collinwood is right along the Parkway so they get a lot of Natchez Trace travelers stopping in.
Sure enough, they have a really nice welcome center.
We pulled in to the special RV parking in the rear and went and had a look inside. We asked about a dump station, and the guy thought they have one at the municipal "campground" by the baseball diamonds, so he gave City Hall a phone call. But City Hall said it would be $10 to dump your tanks.
No thanks.
But, they did say we could overnight for free behind the welcome center at this time of year. The lot is not very level though, so we went for a walk around town to see what else there was, but didn't see anything worthwhile.
We got back in Sherman and drove over to this municipal "campground" they were talking about. It's not great... just a few roughly done hookups... but, full hookups nonetheless. And no actual dump station, simply the sewer outlet at the site.
But there were no specific sites, and it was not even close to level.
Still, it was supposed to go below freezing last night (and it did!) and we needed showers. But there was no price...only a sign that said to go to City Hall to pay. But if it cost $10 just to dump, how much was camping?
I walked over to City Hall.
Turns out it cost $15 USD ($20 CAD) for full hookups with 30 amp service. Sold!
Not the nicest place we've ever paid to overnight!
It took a bit of effort to get level.
But on the bright side, we had nice hot showers, and will be able to empty our tanks this morning before we leave.
And we were able to run our little electric heater and stay toasty warm overnight. So it's not all bad. Sometimes, you just have to pay the price.
Ruth, making homemade pizza for dinner.
Yummy!
The cold snap is continuing today. Only calling for a high of 40F (4C). And our internet is almost run out so we're going to do the drive to Tupelo, Mississippi today where they have a Verizon store. And I think there is a state park where we could plug in again tonight because it's supposed to go down to 24F (-5C) overnight.
Jackson, Mississippi is even further south, and they've got a snowfall warning out this morning. Yikes!
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Lots of Coleman camping gear on Deal of the Day today at Amazon! Check it out....
And in Canada, Pelican Elite Coolers are on Deal of the day... cheaper than in the U.S.!
Gray water storage is our biggest dry camping constraint, and I love showers. Hence, the Navy Shower: first, open the hot tap and run water into a container until the hot gets there. Use the water elsewhere or throw it outside. Then get wet and turn off the water. Lather, then rinse. I'm guessing 2 quarts used. We've gone as long as 9 days this way.
ReplyDeleteAlso I often throw dishwater into the toilet, because the black tank doesn't fill up as fast.
DeleteOh, trust me... we do the same! And with the showers as well. We can go about 10 days, and we were at day 8. Like I said, we weren't panicking, but we were getting close.
DeleteThat's good that you found a reasonable place to hookup and dump in the cold weather. Soon you will find warm places.
ReplyDeleteYes, after today the temperature should start going back up, slowly and we will also be a little further south.
DeleteFat Old Man's blog this morning said it was snowy, windy, and wet in Corpus Christi, TX. Here in Phoenix, AZ it is 47 degrees with no clouds and bright and sunny. Safe travels and hope nothing freezes i.e. water tanks, pipes, etc.
ReplyDeleteSome friends of ours are also down around Corpus Christi and said much the same!
DeleteOnce again you are the ultimate bargain finder. Who cares if it wasn't the most scenic site, once you close the curtains, it doesn't matter at all. ;c)
ReplyDeleteThanks Paul and Marti, Kevin is always on the lookout for a good deal.
DeleteSometimes it does matter where you are parked even with the curtains closed. Curtains won't stop the noise of the traffic coming or going or if others have a generator going. And with us, we like to keep our curtains open for as long as possible or open them up first thing in the morning so we hate seeing others right next door to us. We like our privacy. However for one night it isn't that bad, especially when there is electricity to give us some much needed heat. :-)
Ruth, I would love to see a post about your cooking in the rv. What kind of badic supplies you bring, how you store it, and some cooking tips for all of the things you make from scratch like that puzza dough!
ReplyDeleteI have actually been wanting to do one for a while now but we always seem too busy! :-)
DeleteGood grief! It's warmer here on Vancouver Island. The pizza looks awesome.
ReplyDeleteI know right! You would think that it would be warmer the further south you go but not at the moment. I think the temperature here is about the same back in Ottawa too.
DeleteBTW, the pizza was delicious! :-)
DeleteLike Peter says, Vancouver Island is warmer! We have stayed in those municipal campgrounds in the past, usually a good deal with power, water and sewer. Sometimes someone to pay and sometimes an "Honor Box". Things will get warmer as you bet closer to Mexico!
ReplyDeleteWe know, but luckily for us we know the weather is only going to improve, not so much in your case.
DeleteIt is nice when small communities or even bigger ones for that matter have reasonably priced places for RV's. It sure makes you feel much more welcome and hopefully in turn it will generate more economy for the area.
Yes, it should get warmer but as you know right now even northern Mexico has it cold!
Cannot believe how far south you are and the weather is going into negative Digits! Keep warm and safe. Pizza looks wonderful and who cares what the campsite looks like as long as you are parked and warm. Enjoy!
ReplyDeleteWeather is a strange thing sometimes. That is one of the many reasons we love going to Mexico because it is almost always warmer there. Although even like now the northern parts or areas with high elevation can still get cold temperatures but it hardly ever lasts for long.
DeleteOn our way home last Sunday, we stopped in Tonopah, Nevada, elevation 6,000 ft, and the low temp dipped to 14F. We didn't mind paying the bucks for electricity to keep warm via our little electric heater (in addition to our catalytic propane heater). We pull in the slides, too, and manage to keep the rig warm (enough). My sister in Baton Rouge had a 3" snowfall this morning (12/8/17). How you guys doing?
ReplyDeleteNope, there are definitely times when it is worth the money in order to be comfy and that sounds like one of those times.
DeleteWe are doing fine. Needed to have electricity again last night but I think tonight we will do without, after that it should start improving.
We spent last night in Tupelo and when we visited the Natchez Trace Welcome centre this morrow they told us not to go south because of snow. We decided to go north to Nashville and we will spent 2 days here. We are heading for Weslaco , TX where they had snow yesterday. Safe Travels
ReplyDeleteYep, we heard that it wasn't going to be nice further down the road so we are going to hunker down here in Tupelo for a couple of nights after that we should be fine. Hope you have a good trip to Weslaco, who knows maybe our paths will cross along the way.
DeleteAt least you were warm overnight, clean this morning and Sherman is empty. The trail looks beautiful. Pizza looks excellent. Safe travels, stay warm.
ReplyDeleteYep, everything got done that needed to be done and we were warm and toasty. The pizza was delicious and made the inside of Sherman smell wonderful. :-)
DeleteDon't get in a hurry to get to Texas. Snow here near Brownsville this morning and on the news they said that the road from Laredo into Mexico was closed due to snow for 100 miles. Stay warm, and there is no shame in plugging in when you have to.
ReplyDeleteBrian and Sue are currently stranded at the side of the road between Laredo and Monterrey. Highway south of Monterrey is also closed due to snow/ice.
DeletePS: they are fine, lots of food, propane, blankets, rum...
DeleteThey are really going to need that rum!!
DeleteGlad to hear that Brian and Sue are fine. That is the nice thing about having your RV with you. We had also heard that the road was closed between Monterrey and Saltillo. I am sure it won't be closed for very long. Strange weather, that is for sure!
DeleteNo further word from them but Chris reports the highway is still closed this morning. As long as they have a full gas tank to run the generator they can sit it out.
DeleteKnowing Brian and Sue they are doing just fine, maybe a little chilly but fine.
DeleteNo snow at our winter home in PA, just cold, but snowing at our summer place in DE - Go Figure!!
ReplyDeleteIt is funny when it warmer in the north than it is in the south! ;-)
DeleteIt won't last long for us before it starts to warm up.
Hard to believe that it is so cold so far south! I am not looking forward to coming north again! We also want to do that Nanchez Trace. We have read about it. .
ReplyDeleteYou should just stay down in Mexico and then head out in March with us! :-)
DeleteYou definitely need to plan a trip up the Trace, just do it in warmer weather.
We woke up this morning here on the Isla next to Mazatlan with 64F, that is cold for here.
ReplyDeleteIt is still warmer than here and lucky for you it won't last long. :-)
Delete