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Paw Paws Pecan Farm – Atkins, Arkansas
Whenever you are in the area of Atkins, Arkansas, this place is a must. The pecan farm has over 6000 pecan trees and a home resembling the mansion in Gone With The Wind. It took a bit to get to the farm as you travel over a dirt road for about two miles. We were greeted by the owner, Billy, as we entered the gate. He directed us to our site for the night and said he would officially welcome us after spraying the trees. He made sure to encourage us to make ourselves at home. Meet our host, Billy.
When we settled in, we took a walk around the massive farm. The quietness initially captured our attention. Then the meticulous row after row of pecan trees made us think of the work involved to bring the pecans to market. We decided to try out those inviting rocking chairs sitting on the porch between the enormous Doric columns. Billy and his wife, Charlotte, invited us into their 13,000 sq ft home. Upon entering, my jaw dropped when I saw the curving staircase leading to the upstairs. They began to show us the gift shop with handmade quilts, pecan oil, various variations of pecans and fudge. The next room was the quilt room. Each shelf had an abundance of vibrant fabrics, and during our visit, they were hosting a quilting session. Next was the area where they held events such as weddings, baby and bridal showers. I was so envious when Charlotte led us into the kitchen. Her kitchen was spectacular. On one countertop, different kinds of delicious fudge were ready to be consumed. The upstairs housed five bedrooms with five bathrooms and a living room designed for the bed & breakfast they ran.
Billy and Charlotte made us feel like family as they answered our questions regarding the farm. Before they had the pecan farm, they were chicken farmers selling to Tyson Foods. Their son encouraged them to sell the farm and start the pecan farm even though they had no previous experience. They bought the land close to the Arkansas River, and as Charlotte explained it, “It was a junkyard, but Billy bought it anyway.” A year later, the son bowed out, and they decided to continue the farm on their own. It takes six years before a tree can produce pecans. It has been sixteen years since they started the pecan farm. The conversation was so interesting, but we were more in awe of how humble and down-to-earth they are. They manage the farm by themselves and run at least six side businesses. It amazed us as to how two people could sustain this establishment. They never rushed us. At one point in the conversation, he asked if I was Italian and cooked Italian food. Mitch quickly answered, “Yes, and a real good cook.” Billy’s eyes lit up, and before we left, I promised them an Italian meal with one caveat. I had to cook it in their kitchen.
We spent the next few hours on the rocking chairs enjoying wine, cheese, and conversation with a few other Harvest Host couples there for the night. As we strolled down to our RV, we said we would have to make a future visit. At some point, I have to keep my promise, and maybe we will stay in the B&B.
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Whitten Park- Fulton, Mississippi
Another beautiful spot overlooking the water awaited as we backed our RV into the designated site. These views are spoiling me. We arrived on Friday at a packed campground. Carefree children were playing on bikes and scooters as they chase their friends and laughing the entire time. Adults were grouped around campfires enjoying conversation with each other. It was like the pandemic never happened. We met some folks who were curious about full-time RV living. The funny part was they commented on my New York accent, and I had to laugh because they had the southern drawl and told them they were the ones with the accent.
We were able to get in one bike ride which led us down to the Fulton Locks. I love it when the areas we visit have dedicated bike trails. There is no need to worry about cars coming around a corner or narrow shoulders to ride on. Those are the rides you just keep pedaling and enjoy the view. Sunday afternoon, we needed to run an errand. Upon our return, we were the only ones in the entire loop. The weekend warriors had left, and the solidarity was terrific. There wasn’t much to explore in this area, but we took advantage of the water view, strolling through the wooded areas and enjoying a glass of wine in the gazebo. The songbirds were plentiful, and with no one else around, their tunes were loud and clear. Mother nature is breathtaking. One has to take the time to let everything go and immerse themselves in the moment. I always have my camera on me because I never know when something picture-worthy will appear. It’s the little things such as ladybugs, flowers, the light shining through the trees, or the greenery on the ground that I now see in a new light. Mitch and I love to sit and listen to the wind as it passes through the trees and watch the trees sway. Since leaving Florida, we have had a lot of rain, but even rain has a unique appeal when sitting under the awning with your honey just watching the huge drops splay on the ground. Our wish is to bring some of these special moments to you as you view the video.
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Gunter Hill COE Campground, Montgomery, Alabama
This campsite is one of the most beautiful and tranquil sites we have visited. It is right on the Alabama River, surrounded by a variety of different trees. When looking for my Golden Pond, this is the view I seek. We have spent many hours sitting, enjoying the view, listening to the birds, and sipping our wine. Who could ask for anything more? Isn’t that a verse in a song? It seems sudden storms are following us on our trip so far. There were severe thunderstorms and a tornado watch one night. The wind kicked up so fast, and our awnings were still out. All campers know this is a disaster waiting to happen. Mitch kicked into high gear as he struggled to retract the awnings. Pelting rain drenched him, and the canopy kept going up like a kite taking off. Finally, his efforts paid off, and the rest of the evening, we listened to the rain as it landed on the roof.
What do they say about the best laid out plans? We had a complete itinerary for Saturday to explore Montgomery. Two festivals, two farmer’s markets, a trip to the riverfront, and kayaking on the river upon our return. Excited to get our day started, we left around 6:30 am since the first market opened at 7:00 am. Long story short, due to incorrect website information, we ended up riding around the riverfront and were able to visit one farmer’s market. No biggie, as we were eager to take our kayak ride. Upon inflating the kayak, there is a hissing snake sound. Yep, it’s a hole. Mitch patched the spot, and it needs twelve hours to cure. The universe told us to chill, have a glass of wine and enjoy the astonishing view, and we did exactly that.
As a side note, the farmers market we did visit had the most magnificent peacock. It perched itself on a pole near the entrance. Its colorful plume cascaded down and reminded me of a brides’ train. The peacock just posed for the cameras and didn’t move. It was as if he knew his grandeur and was proud to have everyone take his picture.
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Eastbank Campground – Bainbridge, Georgia
We visited this campground on our way back to Florida last November. It was interesting to see how it morphed from our previous visit. The lake lacked the standing lily pods, and the coots were not en masse covering the water’s surface as they have already migrated elsewhere. We were fortunate to obtain once again a site overlooking the lake. However, a massive thunderstorm lingered most of the day by presenting itself with hail and torrential rain. The lake rose about two feet, and pools of water started to form around our trailer. At one point, the camp host knocked on our door and suggested we leave and go to another park. Mitch politely declined and said we would be fine. He was right. The next day the sun shone brightly, and no one would have suspected the storm the day before had even existed.
We decided to venture out and visit the town of Bainbridge. Trip advisor stated a quaint little village with shops dating back to 1823. It was initially known for its lumbering and river port. The town was magnificent with its old buildings and a center square equipped with a gazebo, fountains, and statues. Unfortunately, like most of these towns we visited, it was a ghost town. Most shops were barren, and those that were open had limited times they were available. It’s an eerie feeling to walk the main square to find closed shops and not too many people strolling the streets. I am not sure if it is the aftermath of the pandemic or just dying little towns across the country. Either way, this isn’t what we expected, and we hope this changes in the future as we continue our journey across the country.
Mitch and I are preparers. We like to think ahead and prepare for what might happen. One method is to have a checklist. We each have our own. Checking each item on the list avoids having to miss something and pay for it later. Upon reviewing my checklist, getting ready for our departure, we had a significant hiccup. The last thing on my list was to bring in the three slides. Press the button and wait for the slide to encapsulate into the trailer slowly. This time, press the button, no response, not even a little squeak of movement. I called my mechanic – Mitch. He comes in from outside and presses the button expecting it to work for his magic finger. Nope, still dead. The toolbox comes out. He could bring the slides in, but we still have an issue we need to address. Troubleshooting the problem will have to wait; we need to hit the road to our next destination.
