Travel Days Soon Over

Travel Days Soon Over

Saturday May 14, 2022

Jim wanted to leave by 9 am. He was up first, of course. We left by 930 am.

We drove for a  few hours. First stop Virginia Welcome Center Rest Area. Just quick stop.

We called Lee Hi Travel Center they were full. Called 2 or 3 more CG. NO full too. We can boondock tonight. 

So by now we also had gone through on and off quick heavy rain showers. The rest of the day. We would drive in and out of it. You could see it ahead of you. Not to bad was quick ones. Cleans windows too.

Trying to find fuel with the Garmin. Wanted Flying J. 

Only found Pilot had to go through turning circle. Went out wrong  end had to U turn. Was small place at least we fit. But sign said One 9, not Pilot.

He filled up, and figured out where we were going. Had Lee Hi in Garmin, that's not going to work. I went in Paid and got Subway Subs quick. Off again we went.

Later saw a sign for another CG called quick, asked if they had room,..... crap just passed exit. She said maybe will fit for 43 foot, let me ask. We could turn around. Oh how far do your landing legs hang down. OMG, that's OK. Thanks,  never mind.

We can boondock.. 

I just felt we should come here.

Then we finally pulled into the Walmart about 3:30 in Staunton Virginia. It looked a little different than last time. Busier and more stores around it. A Lowe's next door. 

There was 1 MH here already. We pulled in behind him in the middle of the lot. We went in to ask about staying the night. She smiled said YES, no problem. 

Then we came out to move along the edge. He pulled in a few cars sort of in the way. But we got parked.  

I suggested we put Genny on before we put the legs  down and the two back slides out. He put boards down to drive on to level it better.  

 

AND I saw the this TIRE. I said come here a second. I have to show you something. 

He said we'll guess we are changing a tire. 

He started doing that after Genny was on, Batteries were at 60 %. 

I tryed to help where I could. Things definitely are alot harder for him to do lately. At least he didn't have hair hanging in his face. LOL

That took awhile, but then found this mess.

I was going to ask him what the white stuff was out the back "trunk" cabinet. Was salt for the water softener spilled was all over. I tryed to clean up as best I could. Have to vacuum it later.

After he finished he put stuff away. And we had another heavy rain shower. Was a little hot inside. Had to shut door for a bit. I wanted to go shop. Wanted to get some premade food. Was 6 by now. We watched a little news. So I decided to make boneless pork chops I had out, just bought the other day. And some instant mashed pots and pan gravy. So after we ate, I said go shower and I'm going in store to shop. 

I looked at everything and I only got a new shower curtain, brownie brittle, 1 yogurt. Breakfast sausage and coffee filters. Then I  checked out and went in bathroom and washed my face. I took a wash cloth and MK cleanser in with me. We didn't have alot of water, and he just showed and I will have a few dishes later.

When I came out a few more RV'S were here. About 6 total I think. 

The genny is taking forever to charge. 

We chilled a bit. I took a super quick shower too.Was almost 10 pm by now. Genny is  80 % now. We unplugged a few more things. Unplugged the freezer out front. He turned it off and went to bed. Cooling off now. Store closes at 11, hope it's quite  then..

Sure glad we stopped here when we did

Last Day in Tennessee

Last Day in Tennessee 

OH Friday May 13, 2022

Jim was up first, he walked up to say bye to Brian, they are leaving this morning. He said they were not up yet. He waited awhile at the picnic table. Then walked home. He was home and realized he left his sunglasses there on the table. Then he didn't want to walk again, he drove back. I thought I heard the truck start up. I did.

I think I mentioned before there is a Grand Design Rally going on here. And this dumb CG put him right next to the big Pavilion we're all there loud outdoor activities are. He said people were nice, but they did Park Golf Carts on his site and were loud. He blamed the CG too.

Wish we would have looked at a different one, The Ridge is another CG that a Huddle will be at in April.  Only less then 2 miles away. Darn. Wish we would have at least looked at it, and or stayed there instead.

But then we wouldn't have see Cindy and Harold.

So they left after 9 am and shortly after they left he texted Jim he had to pull over, someone was trying to flag him down. Guess wheel was smoking. He had to unhook and go find wheel bearings, back to Sevierville, then replace them. 

Ok he was back on the road, and found out later he was back in PA right before 10 pm.

I was up later then I thought it was. I'm still on Alabama time. He had already made an egg sandwich for breakfast.

We watched a little news and weather forecast said a little rain later today. It is beautiful out now.

Jim said he was ready for a hair cut and should do it now. I said yea then you can say that you had your last haircut in Tennessee. 

So we went to Super Cut up the road. 

Before picture from yesterday at the stables 

After

Yes he wears that shirt alot.

After hair cut  we filled up with  diesel.

Then a quick bite at Panda Express, I like it, more then he does.

When we got back we stopped they had all the Grand Design RV'S open for the Rally. We looked at them. Not my favorite, we love love our FW, just be great if slide worked properly.

Nice toy hauler.

Alot of outside storage with rear kitchen.

We got home went for a walk. Our new neighbors from yesterday said Hea you got a haircut. Can't believe they noticed. Jim wondered if anyone here would notice. I said really probably NOT. Suprise.

Was a quick walk started to Rain. Came back sat out front under nose for awhile. Till it came down heavy and we started to get wet. And some loud lightning and thunder. Inside for a while very short time later it stopped it was beautiful again. So again we went for another walk. This time we hit every Road.

The Rally had two food trucks and a camp  fire with a huge crowd and live music.

There was alot of vendors too, even were selling Cricket Golf Carts too.

We saw Cindy and Harold again we chatted for a bit. He was just getting some drone shots of the Rally. We told them we got an appointment with the people they recommended for us to take the RV for slide repair work. We had a nice chat. They hugged us when we said goodbye, so sweet.

We had leftovers for dinner and then we put our problem slide in just after dark. Then I took a shower.

Before bed can't believe the last day in Tennessee.

Just a note after returning to PA the blog will be on a summer break. Unless something worth documenting happens. 

Horseback riding, Fun Day Adventures in Gatlinburg

Horseback riding, Fun Day Adventures in Gatlinburg 

Thursday May 12, 2022

This morning I woke up made coffee and Jim came back from Bryan they had there own party last night. I made him sausage gravy and leftover biscuits from Cracker Barrel for breakfast. 

We got ready and picked up Catherine and head out for a day of FUN. 

First we went to Five Oaks Riding stables. Should have called first, we waited awhile. But had a nice ride. 

Funny thing I kept putting my phone down my shirt, and I have a bunch of pictures of my cleavage, don't know how that happens. I must hit the button while I'm shoving the phone in, for safe keeping.

Was a beautiful day in Tennessee 

After we rode we went back to change into shorts.  Was hot out. Then we were ready for lunch as it was after 1 by now. We parked the truck at Wal-Mart and got on the trolley.  

Cool pic out trolley window and inside with Catherine.

It took us to the bus terminal we bought tickets and got on a different bus and rode into Gatlinburg.

Lunch at Ole Red

Love the upside down Tractor on the ceiling 

 Then we went to Ole Red for lunch. Three of us shared a large thing of nachos. We should have stopped there we each got a sandwich and sides. Was way too much, Catherine took most of her burger  along, carrying it for a while, she did  end up throwing it away later is it was too hot to keep food out that long. We told her to get rid of it.

After lunch we got tickets to ride a ski lift like thing. Was 110.00 for 3 of us. We can ride it as much as you want. Then ride a open air truck ride up and down the mountain. 

First we rode open air one, then the red closed cart you can see in picture. Was hotter in there. Then in truck, in above pic. Saw 2 bear cubs. Never expected that. 

To close to people someone is probably feeding them somewhere, NOT good.

We also walked the Treetop Skywalk. I kept saying I can't believe I'm doing this. It was high up.  Was a workout. Fun, beautiful views up there.

They had beautiful flowers up there too. Fake ones too. 

It was so beautiful up there. 

We got back on trolley and did the transfer to the one that takes us back to Wal-Mart. Total of 6 different trolleys throughout the day.

Sunset picture out the trolley window on the way home. I took 130 pictures today. Wow Jim  Says you use all my film. Lol his big joke. SOoo funny.

We got back home after 8 pm dropped off Catherine. We were pooped Jim went to bed first.

A relaxing day here, with a little laundry

Relaxing Day here, with a little laundry 

Wednesday May 11. 2022

Finally I could sleep in today. I had a pina colada last night, so I was do tired I was out. We had people pull in really early right behind us in the am. I heard them, and  went back to sleep. Jim not so much.

I was up way after Jim. First thing he said was complaining about the people last night. Great way to start the day.

I had coffee and sorted laundry. Stripped the bed washed sheets. Did about 5 loads.

I ate oatmeal a little late, but the time change is a pain in the.... back to an hour later

Then Bryan walked over and they sat out and talked for awhile. No plans were made.

Then I decided to call the warranty company, to end our claim with General RV and to go to the place in Indiana and transfer it there. I talked with him for half an hour to get all that situated. Then I called the place in Indiana that Cindy and Harold told me about. We set an appointment to take the RV there for August 1st. Decided to call now no sense in waiting until we got back to PA. Jim got a text from Brian saying they were in Gatlinburg went out to eat somewhere. I thought we were going to do that together. Things aren't going with them like we thought they would. Should have just went somewhere cheaper. 

So we decided to go out to eat on our own. And we ended up going to Cracker Barrel had early dinner and leftovers for tomorrow. Then we went to Aldi's I went in by myself, and then we both ran into Kroger.

 Got back to the RV a lot of stuff to put away. Jim got some beer and went up to Byron. I stayed home and had my ice cream and did the blog. Watched TV

Travel Day hate saying Goodbye

Travel Day, Hate saying Goodbye 

Tuesday May 10, 2022

This morning we got ready to move, all packed up. We walked up to the house to say goodbye and give her guest book back. We put a thank you card inside with 30.00 in it. Hate for them to have to spend money for us to be there. But she probably won't be happy we did. They are so generous and very thoughtful and so special to us.

Before we went up I was so surprised my phone rang and it was Morris White from the Hidden Hollow campground area who had worked on the truck. He was checking in to see how we were, and to see where we are now. It was so sweet and really touched me. And we're just about to say goodbye to them, and it got me started already tearing up. That was so sweet, I told him maybe I should have adopted him, he calls me more than our own kids.

We said our goodbyes and hugs,  and only a few tears were shedd. Yes by me. We left just after 8 am.

 We only did one stop, and we combined it with a diesel fuel stop. Found a Circle K right along road, not busy and you could even fill up with water there too. We didn't but you could.

Later Phyllis  texted us and said we better duck next time she sees us she doesn't want friends paying for a spot. I said yes ma'am understood we won't do it again.

We arrived at Sun Outdoors formerly River Plantation I think it was. I feel like we came full circle being here again. We came to two RV Dreams Rallys here. So many years ago now.

We checked in oh, we had a different spot than we thought we would. Pretty far from where Jim's friend is. But doesn't really matter. Just makes for a longer walk. After we got situated I went outside to give Jim Lunch. 

I saw two people go by on there bicycle, it was Harold and Cindy Strange. I said hi and they stopped and talked for a bit. We got our picture taken with them. They are here for Grand Design Rally, starting on Thursday.

Byron walked over  took it for us. We were all chatting and I asked them about a place that they might know of to get RV work done. She said she would Facebook me with the name  we can try. We said goodbye and I went in to eat.

Later Jim came in his grandson Travis wanted to go to the pool. After we ate leftovers from Phyllis's House and a salad I made. Jim got ready I went to the pool with him. 

This was the lazy river.

I put my shoes on and went for a walk around the campground.

Pretty by the water..

Jim got back first Jim came back later we watch TV and relaxed for the rest of the night.

Last full Day with Len and Phyllis

Last Full Day with Len and Phyllis 

Monday May 9, 2022

Jim was up first and got the coffee going. When I got up I made Jim an omelet. He got ready and went out to help Len with a few more chores.

 We left the house. After my breakfast Phyllis and I went to a store she likes. Was a long drive, Cullman isn't to far, but any place else you go. Is quite a drive. Has a huge selection of items. It's called

She found 2 things she wanted. I didn't get anything.

After we left we stopped at Applebee's for lunch.

We took the long drive home. 

While we were gone They finished changing out the wood on the ramp to shed. 

Then he washed the truck and RV. He did a great job.

It was really dirty.

We both rested a bit. Later we went up to the house for dinner. Len made grilled tuna steaks she pan fried some pierogies and salad watermelon too, so good.

We thank them  So much, they are so special to us.

Beautiful back yard.

Was really good. We chatted for awhile then we headed home. We wanted to dump and get rid of the hoes, and put the problem slide in. It went in, but not without a huge fight back.

We put some more stuff away. Then we rested and watched some TV before bed. 

Tomorrow we move on to Tennessee.