Jasper 2017

Introduction

We initially were set up with the desirable cabin #1 which is immediately next to the pool, thus allowing the kids to just come & go freely and also the Wi-Fi works well there. Instead, my wife's jobs last minute didn't approve of her time off and we had to change the data and this also meant we couldn't get cabin #1. However we did end up with cabin #27 which is the only one with a full-blown stove, a rather big help. The kids ended up coming & going freely anyway (asking first), also cabin almost went as well and could've stayed in #34 which was close-by and perfect for one person, but he ended up not being able to go due to fostering a dog for someone and that running long.

Day 0 ("Pre-launch")
We managed to leave a day early because I was now no longer working & she was off by night-time, so we left a day early to basically cause the trip to be in two-3 hour parts (and at night-time where you'd somewhat sleep it off). We had the 2005 Pontiac Vibe, basically a Toyota Corolla hatchback, and it also had a roof rack. I got some tie-down "click" straps and we loaded that roof up something good.

Loaded car {20170725_190435_nl_a230}

We went through Atlanta TX & I wanted to stop at the Texas BBQ place we had stopped at in 2012 & 2013 but my wife didn't want to and I didn't have my "Larry sauce" with me anyway. We stumbled across a place "on the fly" called Jack's Fine Foods {33.1385, -94.1631}, and ate a good meal there.

Wife & Kids at Jack's Fine Foods {20170725_205944_nl_a230}

Typically the idea is to stop at the Hardee's in Prescott ARK on day 1 as a "half-time pitstop" where we can have a Hardee's breakfast. Thus, we initially were going to stay at a hotel near Prescott, but we were on a good pace & I remembered that there was also a Hardee's further down the road in Benton ARK {34.5645, -92.6012} plus I found a good Econo-Lodge hotel in nearby Arkadelphia ARK {34.1843, -93.0696} so we stayed there for the night with the idea of being further into the trip & still being able to eat at the Hardee's there in Benton ARK.

Wife in hotel {20170725_232846_nl_a230}

Continued