Day 63 - Spending the Night Near Cookeville Tennessee!

Ken and I were up at 6:15 and on our way by 7.  We spent almost the entire day driving on Interstate 41 through the 2nd half of Arkansas and then about 2/3's of Tennessee.  We felt fortunate during our drive for we went around Memphis and Nashville with very little delay, but both cities were rather busy.

Yet another state to add to our map in Waldo!

The skyline of Memphis!

We think this may be some kind of sports complex sponsored by
Bass Pro Shops, but we aren't certain!

St. Jude's Children Hospital founded by Danny Thomas
that is located in Memphis!

The skyline of downtown Nashville!

Yesterday Ken got a comment on his Facebook from Lois Wheatley Howard, a fellow RVer we had met about 2 years ago at Hershey Preserve on the Pickleball court.  She said she lives about 10 miles off of Interstate 40 in Cookeville, TN and if we have the time and need a place to park Waldo for the night, we are welcome to stop by her home, park in her driveway, and hook-up to her water and 50 amp service.  What a great offer!  So I gave her a call and said we would love to stop by this evening and spend the night.  She e-mailed me directions from Interstate 40 to her home and the rest is "history".  

We stopped for gas around 9 and there just happened to a Denny's, our favorite place to have breakfast, at the Flying J.  We decided we should share the pick you own Grand Slam.  What a treat!  Back on the road stopping at 2 rest stops and one more time for gas.  We made sandwiches in Waldo and ate while traveling.

We arrived at Lois' home around 3:30 after driving 442 miles and it was so good to see her again.  What a gracious hostess.  This is just one of the many reasons we love RVing.  You meet the nicest folks!  Of course, when we arrived the CRV would not start and Lois came to the rescue and we were able to "jump it" from her CRV.  By the time we were set-up we both needed showers and at 5:30 we were sitting in the screened porch in her home.  What a beautiful home and wonderful location. 

What a great place to park Waldo and share time with a
special fellow Rver!

After spending time sharing camping adventures and catching up on mutual acquaintances, we left around 6:45 and she drove us around Cookeville to see the Tennessee Tech Campus and some of the beautiful homes in the area.  We had dinner at Cheddars and Rachel, our waitress was unbelievable.  She was so vibrant and such a joy!  Her sister, Hannah, worked there too and she came to our table to meet us since Rachel had told her how special we were and that she had to check us out!  What a hoot!  Spending time with Lois and meeting Rachel and Hannah made this one special evening.

Bonnie, Rachel, the waitress, and Lois, our RVing friend!

We got back to Waldo at 9 and we were tired.  We called it a night and will see Lois before we leave in the morning.

An update on my dad.  He actually left the hospital late this afternoon and returned to his room at Masonic Homes.  Mom said he looks great and is so glad to be "home".  His confusion is gone and he no longer has the shakes - what an amazing improvement!

I also talked to Melissa today and they left the Canyonlands and are on their way back to Tennessee.  It's a shame we will be out of Tennessee by the time they get back.  We could have had a "fix" with the Gregorys until we meet up again!