​Andy & Dana at the Sunset Symphony had suggested I stop in Little Rock, AR on my way to Hot Springs, AR to see the Clinton Presidential Library.  I left Memphis early enough to arrive in Little Rock, AR in time for the opening of the Presidential Library.  I walked around the grounds and over the bridge.  It was a beautiful setting.  I then spent over an hour in the Clinton Presidential Library walking down memory lane.  It was fascinating reliving the 90’s and reflecting on the initiatives and policies put in place by the Clinton Administration and how it impacts the world today.  After leaving Little Rock, AR, I got back on the road to Hot Spring, AR.  The geography on the drive was relatively flat until you get closer to Hot Springs, AR where the terrain changes to hills/mountains, trees and water. 
Driving into Hot Springs was like driving back in time.  Hot Springs, AR has preserved their store fronts, and Historic Bathhouses.  The National Park is in downtown Hot Springs, and the oldest and most visited of the National Parks.  In the 1900’s, Hot Springs was among the most visited health and wellness resorts in the USA.  The park spans 5500 forested acres surrounding the city’s downtown portion of the National Park.  During the Ranger talk, he shared the history of the town and the fight over capitalism (desire to push out the poor and minorities) and natural resources (available to all) for the greater good.  The remnants of these decisions still exist in the town today. 
After exploring Hot Springs, AR I drove out to Lake Oauchita State Park to find my campsite for the next few nights.  The Lake is a very popular resort location for the region spanning 975 miles of rugged shoreline encircling 40K acres of waterways for fishing, water skiing, and sailing.  The RV sites were all full and the boondocking Tent sites were partially populated.   I explored the state park and found the beach and the area that had WIFI, and the boat launch that was near my campsite. 
The next day I went back to Hot Springs too late for a strenuous hike, so I took the scenic drive along Fountain Drive up to the Observation Tower.   At the top near Gorda Rock, I found a place to have breakfast and enjoy the view.  When to my surprise a local gentleman came off the trail.  He stopped to talk and shared a bit about the area and told me where to find the cold Hot Springs water at Hallow Spring – at the bottom of Fountain Drive.  All other Hot Spring faucets for public use emitted hot water (95-140 degrees) that came from 4500 feet underground and millennium years old.   After stopping to fill up my water bricks in my car with the cold Hot Springs water, I took a walk along the Grand Promenade and through town.  I had lunch at the Hot Springs National Park Brewery – the only brewery in a national park.  After lunch I headed to Hamilton Lake and explored the surrounding communities.  It was odd to find upscale homes, middle class homes right next to properties with trailer homes (some run down) all mixed in a single neighborhood.  I headed back to Lake Oauchita State Park to relax in the shade during the hottest part of the day.  IN the late afternoon I took a walk to the marina, beach and back to my campsite.  It was a lovely night relaxing overlooking the lake.  

It was Memorial Day weekend, and I did not realize how many people would be in town and participating in many of the tourist activities.  Again, I did not plan well beyond where I would be camping.  I drove into T.O. Fuller State Park on the edge of the city of Memphis.  It was a well-used but well-maintained campground that was very full.  Upon arrival I learned that the Women’s bathhouse was being renovated, and the Men’s bathhouse was to be shared, Ugh!  It worked out ok since many of the campers had their own bathrooms inside their RV’s. 
Once I had set up, I immediately headed to downtown Memphis to explore.  I started walking Beale Street and listening to music coming from the venues all along Beale Street.  It was late enough in the day to start searching for a place for dinner before going to the Memorial Day weekend free concert, Sunset Symphony at the Everton Park Shell.  I found a wonderful Vegan Restaurant; Imagine, family owned.  The drive through the city to the restaurant and performance venue gave me a very clear picture of the diversity of socio-economic circumstances in Memphis. 
I arrived at the Everton Park Shell early, which enabled me to enjoy the beautiful night in a wonderful inner-city park.  It was a good thing because the crowds started to arrive not much later.  A very nice local couple (Andy & Dana) sat next to me and willingly shared things for me to do over the next few days and on my drive to Hot Springs AR when I left Memphis. 
The Sunset Symphony is a big band group and partnered with the Memphis Symphony led by Scott Moore, principal trumpeter of the Memphis Symphony.  The music was fun and sounded good.  At the end of the concert Scott Moore shared how Memorial Day is special for him.  Many years ago, he befriended an Iraq war veteran, Dusty.  Dusty had been saved during the war by another veteran Christpher.  Unfortunately, Christpher did not survive and is buried in Arlington Cemetery.  Years later Dusty stepped up and gave Scott his kidney to save Scott’s life.  Every year Scott’s daughter presently in the Army Drum & Fife Core and lays a wreath on Christpher’s grave.  It was such a touching and moving story.  Everyone in the audience was clearly moved and brought home how amazing Memorial Day celebrations really are. 
The rest of the time in Memphis proved to be a lesson in what happens when you do not do research and plan.  I tried to book some of the city tours, but everything was booked.  Then I tried to drive around myself, but it was not easy.  Everything was far apart, and parking was challenging at each location.  I started at the Pyramid/Bass Pro Shop and Mud Island to see the Mississippi River and had breakfast at Cordillia Market.  I then went over to Everton Park for a 3 mile walk in the shade.  I ran some errands and headed back to camp to relax.  The last day in Memphis I planned on going to the Civil Rights museum but did not look at the hours until Tuesday only to find out the one day of the week they are closed is Tuesday of course.  I went over to Shelly Farm Park for a walk, and then stopped for groceries.  Then headed back to camp to prep supplies and plans for the next legs of the trip.  I learned my lesson to better plan and research, so I did not miss opportunities.   

​Getting to Cumberland Gap and the Wilderness Road campground turned into a long driving day. Part of that drive was along the Wilderness Road and Daniel Boone Wilderness Trail historic scenic drive.  Traditionally these roads were walked and ridden by horseback and highlights the westward migration.  Along the drive I saw many confederate flags, churches, and signs for church functions.  Upon arrival I learned that the campground did not have water until the pump system was fixed, and they had had sightings of black bears in the campground, Ugh!   
The day I visited Cumberland Gap National Park turned into a very long exciting day.  Originally the plan was a few hikes in the national park. I started by taking the scenic drive to “The Pinnicle” to see Middlesboro and Cumberland Gap TN.   But after talking to the Ranger at the visitor center the rest of the day took on a life of its own.  I took the Gap Cave tour with one other couple from Kentucky and two tour guides.  Gap Cave is considered a dry cave in existence for millions of years.  It played an active role in the civil war, changing hands three times as can be seen with the graffiti and candle burn markings.  There were different rooms; a music room with wonderful acoustics and the ballroom with sonar sounds that could have been bats.  After the Gap Cave tour, I went to lunch at the local coffee house right on the creek in town, then on to a hike the Tri-State Peak to “Saddle Gap” where the three states of VA, WV, and TN come together. Then I went to Wilderness Road State Park and the Martin Station living history museum.  Martin Station is a wilderness station during colonial times when the west was being settled.  There were log buildings, wooden fencing, and not far away the Indian teepees and settlement as contrast.  All volunteers were in period dress and working on the station. 
After some relaxation, I decided to take a recommendation from the Kentucky couple I met at the Gap Cave tour to attend the opening night of the 92nd Mountain Laurel Festival Country Music concert in Pineville KY.  The opening ceremonies were a cross between a Prom, a Debutant Ball, and a Beauty Pageant.  After speeches by the MC, the Mayor, and the director of the festival, the court was presented in anticipation of crowning a Queen and Princess by the end of the festival weekend. The concert headliner was Kameron Marlowe.  I got back to camp around 11pm.  It was a very full day.  

​​I left home 7am Monday May 22nd for the adventure of a lifetime.  The first leg was to Berkley Springs, WV to meet up with another Vistabule Enthusiast, Dawn.  She is due to receive her Vistabule in November and was interested in the split bed, kitchen, and general management of the Vistabule.  I am looking forward to camping with her in the future. 
Then it was on to Gooney Creek Campground just outside Front Royal, VA.  Gooney Creek was in a flood plain next to a creek that during storms was bound to flood.  So glad it was wonderful weather for my visit.  After setting up, I set out to the Air and Space Museum near Dulles Airport before heading to visit friends for the evening.  The Air and Space Museum was huge.  There were planes from every era, and the Discovery space shuttle in the building.  It is an awe-inspiring sight.  I spent the rest of the night visiting with friends over dinner. 
The next day was hiking the Compton Falls Trail in Shenandoah Nation Park before going to the visitor center and attending a ranger talk on black bears. Shenandoah National Park’s scenic drive is the Skyline drive 105 miles long along the Blue Ridge Mountains.  At the southern end it connects with the Blue Ridge Parkway which is 469 miles and connects with the Great Smokey Mountain National Park.  I explored a very small portion of Shenandoah National Park on this trip. 
In the afternoon I took the self-guided walking tour of Front Royal, VA.  The town is steeped in civil war history.  In May 1862 “Stonewall” Jackson led his 13,000-man Confederate Army up the Page Valley, routing Col. Kenly, commanding the federal garrison at Front Royal, and completely surprising General banks, headquartered to the west in Strasburg. 
I had lunch in the town square and met the “Geritol crowd”, the local busybody boys club that meets every day in the town square.  They were hilarious and curious.  It was the first of many times I got the “Wow, your traveling alone?!” I spent the rest of the evening in Gooney Creek Campground and met a woman preparing to hike a leg of the Appalachian trail the next day.  Her husband was her support team.