Well, I'm back. After 2000 miles and 4 days of driving, I'm still vibrating from the car motion.
But Lil Hauley is parked in the driveway, so it was worth it.
Here's a side view at a rest area today. The hitch
weight probably isn't much more than a hundred lbs, but it squats the rear of the HL a little.
Inside, it's pretty bare! Other than my bedroll and stuff. I had a shelf built into the front, higher and less wide than the normal bed, but it did work when I wanted to shelve myself for the night.
I figured up my gas mileage for the trip back, and it was 14.5 MPG. Headed west all the way, with typical headwinds. So I do think I can get 15 mpg overall when using this for work. That will be dandy!
I got to meet both Alan and Nicholas. Alan did a great job with the trailer and it met my hopes and expectations, with one small exception being that the interior
lights were left unhooked electrically. So I will have to get a line run from the plug to the interior, I guess. The frame is all galvanized and looks great (a guy at a gas station mistook it for aluminum), and the electric trailer
brakes are working fine. The swinging side mount jack I requested looks to be a top quality one, unlike the $20 bolt-on cheapo I would normally buy from Harbor Freight.
The CG at Fulton MS turned out to be pretty nice, so I stopped there again on the way back home. The walkway
lights on the forest paths were not operating and in disrepair, unfortunately. But the paths were very pleasant and the wonderful earthy, forest aroma was strong both there and in my campsite. The CG has several fishing piers (some of the paths lead to them), a small beach area, a gazebo, and more.
The paths I mention are all short, but for those who like a longer walk (or run or even a bike ride), a paved, well lit path extends atop a dike from the CG entrance south for 3 or 4 miles. Here is a view from the south end:
If anyone happens to be traveling by Fulton MS (E of Tunica), this Whitten COE CG is worth staying at. One caveat: if showering in the B loop, use the handicap shower stall... the other stall's shower head puts out a pitifully pathetic, ultra-light mist that will make a navy shower look luxurious in comparison.
While near St. Matthews I stayed at the Sweetwater Lake CG mentioned previously. I would only recommend this place for fully self contained trailers, however, because the restrooms are so old and dismal. In my visits to the men's room I encountered a cockroach and 2 toads inside there, so I got in and out as quickly as possible. Other than that dilapidated structure, the place is really quiet and pleasant with a nice view of the pond.
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