Warner Robins

It was late saturday so we did stay at the Walmart on Zebulon Rd. in Macon.
Saturday it was getting up and ready for the trip to Waner Robins To Nick and Joann's house. As usual they had a good dinner of roast pork and all the sides to fill up my plate too much. We enjoyed an evening of visiting.
Yesterday Nick had breakfast,his delious waffles and pancakes. Again for dinner another large meal.  Nick and Joann must think we never eat because they alway fee us so much.  Well they fix it I guess we feed ourselves,but how can I turn down all that food.

Plans do Change

Yes we don't make long range plans. We got to Eatonton,Georgia thursday evening so instead of going out to the Sinclair Lake Campground we settled in at the Walmart for the night.  Friday morning we woke up,taking our time to go to the park.

 We pulled off the entrance to the park went a short distance to the park and oh no,the gate was shut with a sign that said closed. Man what a bummer. I saw some workers inside the park and asked them what the deal was. They were working on the water lines and had to shut down the park. I asked how long it would be closed,they said about a week. That was really bad. So onward south we go.  I was just lucky I could turn around without unhooking the car. In turning around I had to go off the road into the famous Georgia red clay,which got the motorhome and car tires red. Once back on the road I parked where I was and spent the next 1/2 hour cleaning my tires.
We had already made plans to meet up with Jim and Judy Maddox,a nice couple of people we meet a few years back. So I called to explain the situation to Jim and he understood. I'm really sorry I missed meeting up with them.
Last night it was another Walmart and today on the road south again.   

Visting

Yesterday was an all day of visiting. We went over to visit with Sally around 2:00pm.  She gave us a short tour of her condo.  It is a very nice place with a lot of room.  I asked her why she has so much room just for herself.
Don and Linda came over at 6:30pm after they got off of work.  Sally ordered up to pizza's for the 5 of us. It was from a local pizza place. The pizza was good and the visiting much better.  Way to soon it was time for everyone to leave. After saying our goodbyes we came back to the motorhome at 9:00pm.
Today we are going on south and in a couple of days will be at the National Park Campground,which is located on Lake Sinclair in Georgia.    

Lost Again

Yesterday was another one of those days. We left the Walmart in Asheville and traveled south going to Paris Mountain State Park,South Carolina. That was the direction,but I couldn't find the park. I was following the gps once again,when I saw a sign that says Paris Mountain State Park,turn left. The gps says to go straight. I told Nancy I was going to follow the sign instead of that lady in the little box. So we went down the road where another sign reads 4 miles to the park.  I kept going for a long time,longer than 4 miles. Well turn on the gps. What does it say-8 miles to park.  Then I decided I would just go into Simpsonville to the Scuffle Town RV Park.  Sally and Don,(Nancy's sister and brother) are close to this park and we stayed here around 8 years ago.  The park hasn't changed in all that time.  The best I can say about it that has full hook-ups.
Today we will meet with Sally,Linda and Don to visit.    

Day of Driving

Yesterday we left the Walmart lot and pointed the motorhome south. Driving at our slow pace along the mountain roads.

We soon saw Tennessee in front of us as we left the state of Virginia.

Tennesse is also mountain road driving. Where is the flat land,all we are doing is going up and down the hills.

There comes another state,North Carolina.

I stopped at the welcome center to pick up a map. The one I had was several years old.

Still big old mountain roads. Travel down I-26 we soon came to Asheville. The traffic was terrible. They are working on the roads and I hit it just when it was quiting time for all the workers in Asheville was on the road. The construction crew had three lanes of traffic choked down to a single lane.
There are two Walmarts in Asheville,I called the one that is suppose to have rv parking. The lady said Walmart didn't own the land and couldn't allow overnight parking. She told me the other one will. After missing a turn and listening to the lady in my gps,which I shouldn't have.  She took me on a small street up one of the steepest hills I've ever been on,back down the hill. Then at the end of the sreet was a narrow right hand turn with curbs on both sides just wide enough for a car. All the time the lady is saying left turn and I'm looking at the sign that says no left turn. That lady in the gps box needs to get out more and look at the roads she sends people down. So after some turning and twisting we made it to Walmart.  There were six or seven more motorhomes parked for the night. I don't want to drive through down town Asheville anymore.   

Guess What?

The mist saturday morning was slow to rise,but it soon did and we were on our way.
When we drove in to the Walmart lot in South Williamson saturday evening we saw a sign with the wording No Overnight Parking.  Once again I go inside to talk with the manager. Customer Service calls the manager and he walks up. I recognize him from where he let us park here two years ago.  Now I'm thinking this is good. I say to him I was here two years ago and I would like the same favor of him by him letting me park overnight. He says sure he sees no problem with me parking for the night.
Sunday we went to the church service and the "church homecoming".  It was good seeing all the people that we have known down throug the years. It was a good day that had to end much too early.  We told each and everyone goodbye,that we had to get on the road.  After changing clothes,I was hooking up the car and the outside things while Nancy was doing all the securing of the things inside.  Then down the highway heading south.

Driving though the mountains,enjoying what colors that are still on the trees

 Coming up the long mountain road out of Jenkins,Kentucky. Its a lot better now that they have the new highway.

  Getting to the top of the mountain,starting down the other side and into the state of Virginia.
 I drove to the Walmart in Norton,Virginia. the same one where we stayed a couple of night ago.   

Uh Oh

Yesterday was another morning and after taking our time getting ready. Even going in Walmart to walk around,then we were ready to get on the road. We only had 50 mile to go to our next Walmart and over night.  Taking my time once we were on the raod,enjoying the color of the trees. Actually they had more colors and looked better than the trees in the Smokies. We finally arrived at the Pikeville,Kentucky Walmart.

Thats when I saw this sign. Uh oh now what are we going to do. I remember reading in the rv forums I read that even though some places that have these signs,if you go in to asked they will let you park. Anyway what do I have to lose,all they can say is no. I went to the customer service desk and asked. They said to ask another lady that she pointed out to me.  After asking the lady says yes just one night. Good thats all I was wanting to stay any.  So after a good night rest here. We will slowly get ready to travel again.  Why not today will be less miles than yesterday.   

    

Walmart Overnight

Yesterday we did get started at 12:15 so I wasn't very far off of my time.  I stopped in Dandridge to top of my fuel tank because the gas was $3.28 a gallon and I thought that I would not get it any cheaper. The weather was heavy clouds and a dark cold day. I saw a Wendys so I says boy a bowl of chili sure sounds good. I got a bowl of chile and Nancy took a crispy chicken sandwhich. The chili is to spicy for her.

Then as we were driving through Webber City the gas at the Food City station had gas at $3.21 a gallon so may as well top off the tank again for that price. Better yet,for some reason when I swipped my Food City card it gave me the price of $3.06 a gallon.  In the photo is the fog moving in on a mountain top as we came up. 

 By the time we got over the top it had cleared up.

This is the scene out the front window were we spend the night at the Norton,Virginia Walmart.  It was 33° when we woke up this morning. The sky is clear so I guess thats the reason it so cold.  We will take our time getting ready then move on down the road a bit.

It's Time

Yes it;s time to move again. It rained and the wind was blowing yesterday and all night long.  I did stick my head outside a couple of times but not for long. I will have to be outside for some time today getting ready to leave. The power cord has to be disconnect and put away. Then both tanks need to be emptied. The car needs to be hooked up and then we will be on our way. Of course we are not in any hurry and my guess would be around noon time before we get away. I'm hoping to get to the Walmart in Wise,Virginia to settle in for the night,but anywhere between here and there will be all right.

Wind & Rain

Yesterday we did the laundry.  Then picked up Haven when he got home from school.  Went to Ci Ci's Pizza where we all ate way more than we should have. We dropped Haven off at his house and after saying our goodbyes to Haven and Cherisa we came back to the motorhome.  When we arrived the camping neighbor came over and said it would be a good idea to let my awning up because they have heavy wind warnings.  So after getting the awning up we settled in for the night.
There was no wind last night but it did start raining early this morning and the wind has picked up.  Thats ok though we have work inside the motorhome to keeps busy in getting ready to leave tomorrow.

Winding Down

Yesterday will be somewhat like the next few days are going to be.  Getting ready to pull out of the campground after 30 days. We have enjoyed our days here,but are disappointed that the leaves did not turn as good as we expected. Never the less we got to see the fall colors. Maybe as we move thru the different states in the next week we can see better colors.

Yesterday we saw our son Joe and said our goodbyes to him.  Today we will do the laundry. It is early but we haven't any idea if we will be close to a laundromat on our usual day.  After doing the laundry we will pick up our grandson and take him out to Ci Ci's Pizza and let him get stuffed on pizza and the other things they have.

Dollywood Again

Yesterday went back to Dollywood to be with Jackie,Chris,Tyler and his friend Colton. We had a good time we saw the gospel group,Eternal Vision and the we went to the Pines Theater to see the 50’s show.  Then we also saw Guy Penrod.  All of the shows were very good.  We had dinner at Aunt Grannys with a coupon buy one get one free.

Dollywood is a nice place to go to walk around.

Everywhere you turn there are places to eat and with the variety of foods you’re bound to find something you like.
We had a nice day again with the family.
Our plans have changed from what they were when we got here.  We were going to keep going south.but now we will be heading back north.  We are going to our church homecoming in Matewan,West Virginia.  Which will be Sunday October the 23th.

Rain & Wind

We did do the laundry yesterday between the rain and wind.  On the way back to the motorhome we picked up a pizza from pizza hut.  The large pizza with a choice of five topping for $10.00 a pretty good deal.

The sun came out late and gave us a beautiful rainbow.  The wind blew all night long and is still blowing somewhat.

At least the rain has stopped and the sun is coming thru the clouds so we are hoping for a nice day.

Haven’s Birthday Party

 

 

Yesterday evening our grandson Haven had a small birthday party. He enjoyed his gifts and the money gifts he really enjoyed getting.

The party was on the overlook above the campground. The view from here is wonderful. You can see a large part of the lake and the mountains for miles. It was cool and misty but all of us had a good time.
Today is once again a trip to the laundromat to do the clothes.

Dollywood

We went back to Dollywood yesterday. After fighting the traffic to get there we walked around looking at the craftsmen doing their thing.

Getting the liquid out of the cane to make sorgam.

Dollys butterfly



Pumpkin displays thru out the park.

Gatlingburg Nature Motor Trail

 

We went on the Motor Nature Trail that starts at light number 8 in Gatlinburg. After getting out of the town part and as you start up the mountain,the narrow one-way road is where the scenery begins.

As it happens when a bear is located everyone stops and take a picture.


Old farm houses and the rock walls. There are several old farm site along the trail.



Be sure to take your camera if you go. Seems like each time you get starting to move you stop to take more photos.

We had another one of many great days.

Busy

A little busy Thurday and friday working on the water heater.  It started thursday afternoon when I went to wash my hands,turning on the hot water and had no flow.  So I said maybe time to flush out the tank.  Took out the anode rod and saw it was all eat up. So off to Pigeon Forge to Jimmys to get the anode rod.  Coming back thinking of the task ahead,it hit me "OH NO" I forgot to turn of the power when I let the water out of the tank. When I got back to the motorhome I checked the heating element and sure enough it had burnt and popped. It was late so everything back together until the next day.
Friday:  Of the Lowes to get an heating element,anyway cutting it short the water heater is working now.
Saturday:Football games today. 

Hanging Around

 How is this for a cool looking morning.  The sun on the water warming it to make a mist.

Monday we did get out to the laundromat.  It was a different laundromat because the one we usually go to wasn't getting the clothes clean enough.  On the way back to the house we had dinner at Logan Roadhouse.  The meal was good and filling. Of course it was the special 2 for $14,99.  From there it was to Big Lots where Nancy got her some bath products that she can't find anywhere else. The ones she got she can't find in other store because they are discontinuing them,so when she can find the products she loads up. After we go back to the motorhome we walked a little bit.
Yesterday was one of those staying in days. Nancy has some kind of virus so she didn't feel like getting out.  It is good to just be plum lazy some days.