Robbins Road Trip

Unhitched For The 4th of July

noreply@blogger.com (John) — Wed, 07 Jul 2010 00:54:00 +0000

Well That Blew

noreply@blogger.com (John) — Sun, 04 Jul 2010 01:47:00 +0000

Day 1 on the trip to Fresno, CA and a couple of hours into the ride we blew a tire. We were back in the road in about 30 minutes and we didn't get rained on during the change, so I guess it could have been worse. The rest of the leg to Ft Stockton, TX was decently uneventful except for me taking pictures of Emery and playing FIFA World Cup.

Day 2 started a little late as we stopped by a tire shop to get a couple of new tires for the camper and put the spare back where it belongs. A little more rain, but not much. Made it through El Paso easily and we're now on the west side of New Mexico in Lordsburg.

So far the oldies quotient has been low and Emery has been behaving. Pretty much all I could ask for.

Moving On To The Coast

noreply@blogger.com (John) — Sun, 05 Jul 2009 23:45:00 +0000

We're done with Atlanta and now going to spend a few days in the Savannah area before heading back to Texas. Everything about the Peachtree Road Race was awesome from start to finish and there was perfect weather the whole way. There are always a lot of characters on the course and I tried to get pictures of as many of them as possible. I also put together a short video of the start, finish and afterparty at Piedmont Park.

We're hoping to do some fun stuff while we are at the coast, but it looks like some rain might be catching up with us. Tomorrow we're going to try and visit Paula Deen's Lady and Sons and do some downtown shopping. All but one of us is very excited about the plethora of seafood oppotunities that abound.

Infantry Museum/Ft. Benning

noreply@blogger.com (John) — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 00:34:00 +0000

Took a day trip to Columbus, GA on Thursday to see the new National Infantry Museum and Ft. Benning. The Infantry museum was very cool. Check out the video of the signature exhibit below and the pictures here.

The Last 100 Yards is the museum’s signature exhibit. Life-like scenes from eight wars in Infantry history will dot a 100-yard-long gently inclining ramp, signifying the Infantry’s role in taking the last 100 yards of any battle. The scenes feature cast figures of real Infantry soldiers, as well as a World War II glider, Huey helicopter and Bradley Fighting Vehicle.

Also got some video of a demonstration for one of the Airborne school classes of a dummy being dropped from one of the three 250' towers.

The Second Leg Has Begun

noreply@blogger.com (John) — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 03:29:00 +0000

We have transitioned out of the Appalachians and into the greater Atlanta area. During our time in Bristol we saw lots of family, celebrated a pair of birthdays and enjoyed camping by the Holston River and not sweating out 80-degree days. Most of the time was spent hanging out at the campground and visiting with family, but Christine did get to experience the Bristol Motor Speedway for the first time. It will surely be the highlight of the trip for her.

We are in Atlanta until Sunday when we will head to Savannah for some beach time.

Lots of pictures at http://www.kodakgallery.com/robbins/main/summer_rv_trip_2009 (most involve Emery) and a few highlights below.

Arrival Complete

noreply@blogger.com (John) — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 13:18:00 +0000

We are in the campground just outisde of
Bristol in Bluff City and it's good to know that we will be in the same place for a few days. Here's Emery getting to meet her Great Aunt Kim for the first time.

A Memo To Everyone Who Died In The Last Week

noreply@blogger.com (John) — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 18:22:00 +0000

You're not doing it right. Apparently this is what thrives.

John recommends the rest stop at exit 167 on I-40 in Tennessee for perfectly airconditioned restrooms and interesting people.

Headed For The Hills

noreply@blogger.com (John) — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 14:26:00 +0000

We made some decent time yesterday so we pushed passed Little Rock and stayed in Memphis. West Memphis is be exact. It was a cool campground, Tom Sawyer's RV Park, that was litterally on the banks of the Mississippi river. Here is a picture of Me, Christine and Emmy with the river in the background this morning before we pulled away. Emmy is a little sleepy because she was up until 5am.

And here is a shot 20 minutes later as we crossed over the Mississippi.

And here is the best Arkansas had to offer.

On the way to Nashville now and we should be in the Tri-Cities area tonight. Hopefully in time for dinner at Pal's.

Quick Change

noreply@blogger.com (John) — Sat, 27 Jun 2009 20:28:00 +0000

Had to stop for a diaper change at Exit 141 on I-30. Decided to handle it in the parking lot.

Burnin' It Up

noreply@blogger.com (John) — Sat, 27 Jun 2009 15:46:00 +0000

It always nice to tear down the camper and head back out on the highway early in the morning when it's only a cool 90 degrees and the heat of the day has yet to set in.

We didn't make it quite as far we intended yesterday and that was mostly because of a wreck that held us back an hour.

However, I really didn't care after having the sourdough cheeseburger of my dreams at Storm's in Lampasas.

Looking to make Little Rock today. Hopefully before 8pm so we can make a return trip to the Whole Hog Cafe.

It Begins

noreply@blogger.com (John) — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 21:24:00 +0000

Day 1 on the move to our first destination, which will be Bristol TN/VA, to visit with the Robbins/Hall family so they can meet Emery. She's riding great so far. Hopefully the car sleep doesn't mean she'll be up all night.

We're planning on stopping just north of Waco via 281 to Lampasas and then over to 35. Looking to dine at the world famous Storm's tonight for some of the best burgers in the state!

Wrapping Up Three Months Ago

noreply@blogger.com (John) — Sun, 05 Apr 2009 20:08:00 +0000

Here are all of the pics from the Big Bend trip. The Road Report was hard to keep up with as internet service was tough to come by on a consistent basis.

http://www.kodakgallery.com/robbins/main/big_bend_january_2009

Day 1

noreply@blogger.com (John) — Sat, 17 Jan 2009 14:09:00 +0000

Pulled in to Terlingua on Friday afternoon and got in a short walk to Balanced Rock which was probably 3 miles roundtrip from the trailhead.

Today we are hitting the Chisos Basin Loop for 11+ miles. The weather is cool and sunny and perfect to spend some time outdoors.

We didn't do this...I think.

noreply@blogger.com (John) — Fri, 16 Jan 2009 20:53:00 +0000

Woke up this morning at the Ft. Stockton RV Park with a no-charge addition to our camp site, a pool. At some point during the night a water pipe burst at site 52 (ours) and it left the entire camp dry. We pulled away just as they were getting three feet deep into the muck. I assume that they got it all fixed and blamed it on us.

We have now arrived in Terlingua which will be home for the next couple of days.

On A Big Bender

noreply@blogger.com (John) — Fri, 16 Jan 2009 07:39:00 +0000

On our way to Big Bend National Park for some winter camping and the like.

Post Trip Wrap Up

noreply@blogger.com (John) — Thu, 25 Dec 2008 05:17:00 +0000

We've been home safe and sound in San Antonio for a couple of days now. Just wanted to say that this roadie ended on a great note with a family get together on Sunday and it was so nice that the Redskins game was very high on the priorty list for all of those in attendance. My people!

John Recommends:

Aunt Kim's cooking - I'm guessing this is mostly reserved for family and that's good enough for me since I'm in the club.

Reconnecting with old friends - Here's me with my buddy Richard from about 22 years ago and from present day.

Cold.

noreply@blogger.com (John) — Mon, 22 Dec 2008 13:49:00 +0000

I haven't seen this weather in a long time. Thankfully it's dry.

The National Christmas Tree

noreply@blogger.com (John) — Sun, 21 Dec 2008 15:30:00 +0000

Here is some video of the action at the huge National Christmas Tree by the White House. There were several trains underneath it and lining a walkway around the area were mini-trees representing each U.S. state and territory.

Mall Gallery

noreply@blogger.com (John) — Sun, 21 Dec 2008 00:02:00 +0000

Today we hit the Washington D.C. Mall and did some strolling. Enjoy some of my pictures from our day out in 35 degree weather!

John Recommends: Gordon Biersch Brewery on F Street in Downtown D.C. for delicious garlic fries, Winter Bock and Schwarzbier.

Guess Where We Are

noreply@blogger.com (John) — Sat, 20 Dec 2008 19:18:00 +0000

John Recommends...

noreply@blogger.com (John) — Sat, 20 Dec 2008 15:51:00 +0000

The Tower Oaks Lodge in Rockville, MD. Good food, spirits and a great holiday decor including this live mountain lion wearing a santa hat.

Jamaican Me Crazy

noreply@blogger.com (John) — Sat, 20 Dec 2008 00:53:00 +0000

Not sure how I missed this since I clearly watched him get on another plane, but the Jamaican Rodeo King was on our flight and now waiting for luggage. I think his belt is for winning the Red Stripe Roundup.

Arrival Complete

noreply@blogger.com (John) — Sat, 20 Dec 2008 00:22:00 +0000

We have arrived at BWI 1hr 45min late just to wait for an open terminal. Pretty exciting. Maybe at 2hrs we get a prize. At least we are on the ground where everyone can make phone calls for us to listen to. Two rows back is an awesome profanity laced tirade. All he had to say was earmuffs first.

The Roadie Resumes

noreply@blogger.com (John) — Fri, 19 Dec 2008 18:55:00 +0000

Not a true roadie since we're flying this time, but me and Mrs. Preggo are enroute to the greater Washington D.C. area to go visit some of my extended family. What we've learned so far is that a lot of people like to travel around this time of the year (shocker!) and most of them are wearing Army green, some sort of child or a giant belt buckle like the Jamaican jackass pictured above.

Dude paced back and forth at Gate 44 of Houston Hobby for a good 45 minutes in a heated convo with someone ("You have no understanding, Mon!") making a scene that I'm sure was his intention. It's been the most entertaining thing I've seen so far while waiting to board a flight to BWI which of course is already running an hour behind schedule.

Worth Another Trip To Little Rock?

noreply@blogger.com (John) — Tue, 21 Oct 2008 17:58:00 +0000

After two previous attempts were thwarted (closed on Sundays, closes at 8pm on Saturday night), we finally made it inside the Whole Hog Cafe in Little Rock, Arkansas. There was a lot of buildup on this one from Brother Michael's previous visit and huge expectations after having twice been turned away.

It totally delivered.

We got Whole Hawg platters for $12 apeice that included ribs, brisket, pulled pork and two sides. There was well over a pound of meat on the plate and I had to force myself to stop eating so I could save some for dinner. It was all exeptional and it may be the best BBQ I've ever had. I can also say that I celebrate their entire catalog of sauces. Here is a run down of those...

Sauce No. 1: Sweet, mild, molasses.
Sauce No. 2: Traditional tomato, vinegar, slightly tangy.
Sauce No. 3: Same as No. 2, but much spicier!
Sauce No. 4: Traditional Southern vinegar & spice.
Sauce No. 5: Sweet, heavy, molasses.
Sauce No. 6: Rich mustard & vinegar, Old South favorite.

BBQ this good almost makes up for having to see jackass Razorback fans everywhere...almost.