Daniel Boone Country

Breaking camp took a while longer than anticipated this morning. We had settled in for the weekend. Gradually you unpack more things as you need them. Repacking takes some time. After making our stop at the dump station, we hit the road.

I decided to take some of the back roads up into Kentucky. It was a very scenic ride but the road twisted and rose and fell so much we could only manage 25 to 30 MPH. It was well worth the time though.

We passed through little settlements that looked unchanged in years. We passed Cooper General Store. Had there been room for the MH I would have stopped for a soda pop and visit for a few. The road was too narrow and the building nearly sat on the pavement. You know you are in the country though when the sign out front reads “Groceries and Bait.”

We took some roads that probably would be better not taken in a MH. They were very narrow with no shoulder. It made Darlie very nervous. The scenery made up for it. You can’t see this side of America from the Interstate. In fact, if you have only traveled through a state on the Interstate, I don’t think you even have the right to say you visited the state.

Traveling secondary roads it took all day to cross Kentucky. The bluegrass area with all the horse stables were magnificent. This is horse country. It seemed every house had a horse trailer sitting somewhere on the property.

True to form wanting to go where MHs usually do not go, I decided to cross the Ohio river from a small town in Kentucky called Milton to another small town in Indiana called Madison. The bridge over the river had a 15 ton limit and it was very narrow. Darlie’s blood pressure shot up again as we crossed the bridge. She kept hollering that I was going to hit the side of the bridge. Big deal. My side was right on the yellow line.

Madison proved to be a very picturesque little town. The old buildings on the Main St. had been painted up to look as they did in the day they were built. The buildings housed little shops of all kinds. Many people were walking and shopping. Obviously, Walmart hasn’t landed here yet. They tend to gut the business section of a small town.
Not to put down Walmart though. We stopped at one in Monticello, KY today to pick up some items we forgot to pack. Walmart is very hospitable to MHs and we appreciate that.

Our destination for the day was another state park. We love state parks. This one was near Madison called Clifty Falls State Park. How could you resist a name like that? The park is located high above the Ohio River. It has a lodge with restaurant and lodging. The campground is immense including over 160 campsites. The sites are grassy and shaded. With the temperatures in the 90s, that is appreciated.

Darlie is preparing a stir fry dish for dinner. Buddy and I are in charge of the outdoors. Which means we are sitting here under a tree resting and writing this blog. Buddy has proven to be an excellent traveler. She sits up front with Darlie all day looking out the window. I wonder how much she comprehends or is she just wondering how long it will be until she can get out and sniff some other dog’s deposit. So far that seems to be the only thing that interests her on this trip.

Memorial Day

I bought a Verizon MiFi before leaving on this trip.  I wanted to have an internet connection everywhere we went instead of hunting around for a network we could join.  I have had internet service that I would not have had without it but it leaves much to be desired.  

The connection speed is more like dialup.  Some pages load fairly quickly but most you sit and wait for.  The thing is temperamental.  For no reason is ceases to work.  This is very aggravating when you are working on a blog and it craps out.  You lose all your work.  I had just finished a blog post and clicked “post” when it took a dump on me.  I lost all I wrote.  

So just write it again.  Anyone who has written very much knows it never comes out very well the second time.  Now I am using my word processing program on my computer to write.  I will copy and paste it from here to the blog.  At least I will have a copy if it doesn’t post.  I know the second time around won’t be as good, but here goes.

The campground is a buzz with people packing up to leave.  All weekend there has been an endless parade of kids on bikes zooming by on the street, laughing and calling to one another.  Others in swimsuits and towels make the trek to and from the pool. 

Soon it will be quiet here.  The weekend campers will be gone.  The native residents, squirrels, rabbits and deer, will slowly reappear from hiding to reclaim their homeland.  We count it a privilege to be able to share their home with them.

Every time we spend a weekend like this a question always comes up: “Why didn’t we do this with the kids?”  There are always things in life you wish you got to do over.  Taking the kids camping is one of those things for us.  They would have loved it.  They are all outdoorsmen.  We would have had many visits from the park rangers though.  The kids would have been trying to build tree houses, campfires and terrorize the wildlife.

Our idea of camping back then was sitting in a wet tent covered with sand and grit trying to cook dinner on a campfire while fighting off ravenous bugs.  Oh, there are those who are doing just that.  My hat is off to them.  We have watched whole families sitting at a picnic table in the pouring rain eating breakfast!  They are either nuts or really like getting as close to nature as possible.

Had we known, however, that we could have bought a camper trailer for a very reasonable price and had all the comforts of home in miniature we would have been weekend campers long ago. 

Today companies such as Camper’s World rents RVs at reasonable rates so anyone can try the RV lifestyle for the price of a nice motel.  If the possibility has crossed your mind but for whatever reason you have put it off, give camping a try.  You may find a whole new way of relaxing while your kids have new adventures with new friends.  I don’t think you will hear those dreaded words, “I’m bored!”

I can’t end this post without saying thank you to all who have served and all who have died in the service of their country.  Memorial Day is your day.  It is more to you than just a holiday weekend to be enjoyed with friends and family.  For many of you it is a reminder of buddies that didn’t make it home from some far off land. Still others left parts of themselves in those hell holes even though they were lucky enough to make it home.  Some served and never had to face the hell of warfare but their service is nonetheless honorable.  The were willing to go if called.  My prayer for you today is for the Lord to overshadow you with His comfort and peace.  God bless you one and all.

Here's A Bulletin For You

Did you hear about the postal worker that pooped in a customers yard?  You can read about it at this website: http://articles.nydailynews.com/2011-04-18/news/29467777_1_postal-worker-postal-service-postal-officials

He didn't lose his job though.  If you or I pooped in someone's yard the least we would expect is to be arrested if caught.  I heard a report that the postal service is going to begin issuing pooper scoopers to carriers so they can clean up after themselves when nature calls.  I don't think it is too much to ask of them. I have to carry a pooper scooper with me when I walk the dog in a National Park so I can clean up after her.

                                                           Nature's Miracle Pooper Scooper

We took another hike in the forest today.  We were headed out to an old homestead here in the park.  A couple of decades ago the government bought up many farms and homesteads to make up the recreation area.  The old homes have been left in tack for hikers to visit.

                                                    Tennessee Version of a Sequoia

On our way out to the homestead this morning, we heard a very loud roar just a few yards ahead in the bushes.  It sounded like a black bear.  We had just come up over a rise.  The wind was blowing from our backs and probably carried our scent to it.  We figured it was a sow with some cubs.  She probably let out the roar to warn the little ones we were near.  We figured it was a good time to make our return trip.  We were disappointed not to have made it to the homestead though.

                                                                       Bear Bait

We stopped and talked to a ranger back in the campground.  He said we did the right thing.  They do have some black bear sows with cubs in the area.  He also confirmed there was nothing else in the woods that could have let out a roar like that.  I didn't need to be convinced of that.

We flipped on the air when we got back.  It is fairly warm here this afternoon.  Buddy was so tired I thought I was going to have to carry her on the way back.  She is out for the day now.

                                                                      Tired but still smiling

We Moved

Last night a park ranger came to the MH at about 9:30 PM.  I had inquired on check in if they had any cancelations on the W&E sites.  They hadn't but they would put me on the list if one came in.  We set up in a dry site that was really very private with a nice forest view.  But having electricity outweighs the view.

The ranger said they had a cancelation and we could move to the new site if we wanted.  We packed up and headed across the campground to the new area.  This area is more congested.  Lots of kids zooming around on bikes.  Your site looks into the site next to yours, so there isn't as much privacy.  But it is a small price to pay to have power and water.

We took a short hike with the dog this morning.  Walking through the hardwoods listening to all the forest sounds is enchanting.  In just a short distance all the sounds of the campground were lost in the trees.  We ventured a couple of miles down the path but thought we had better turn around before we ran out of gas for the hike back.  We are old geezers, you know.  The dog was bushed by the time we got back.  She has been sleeping under the dinette all day.

Our neighbors stopped over for a visit.  They are from Knoxville, TN.  They come up here all the time as it is only an hour drive for them.  They love to hike.  They shared stories of their hiking adventures all over the Great Smokies and some states out west.  They just returned from a trip to Baniff Provincial Park in Alberta, Canada.  It is a place we had planned to visit this summer on our way to Alaska.  They showed us photos of the area.  It is very stunning scenery.  There was still lots of snow cover when they were there a couple of weeks ago.

We had some first timers move in next to us this afternoon.  They are in a Camping World rental.  The big seal on the side is a giveaway.  It reminds me of the RV they rented in the movie, "RV".  It doesn't make quite as loud a statement though.

Darlie grilled some burgers outside.  Big fat and juicy, just the way I like them.  I didn't do any driving today so it was my night to clean up after dinner.

Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area

We decided to stay another day at Red Top Mountain.  Some heavy storms were coming through.  Rather than try to drive through them we decided to sit it out.  We did have a few heavy downpours in the evening and during the night.  

This morning we packed up and headed for our Memorial Day weekend camp at the Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area.  It is located on the Tennessee/Kentucky border.  We made reservations at Bandy Creek Campground.

The highway in here reminded us of some we traveled in the Rockies.  There were five miles of 13% grades and switchbacks like you wouldn’t believe.  On some of them there were rock overhangs that you could easily scrape with the top of the MH if you weren’t paying attention.  The good side though is this road did have guard rails.  Something not seen very often in the Rockies.

Our campsite is located overlooking the forest.  It is very dense and green.  Though there are other people camped out here we feel like we are alone.  Our site is very private.  This campground also has a swimming pool.  This is one of the few National Parks to have one.  The kids are giving it a real workout. It is a bit cool for us Floridians to give it a try.

We cooked some steaks out on the grill.  Darlie was all bundled up in a blanket while I did the hard work.  I can’t believe she is cold.  All I hear at home is “I’m Hot!”. 

One humorous thing we noted next door.  A young couple pulled in to set up camp.  A person got out of the car who had both a beard and boobs.  We aren’t sure what is going on there.  Maybe they are from Kentucky.  I know that’s bad.  Forgive me.  I can’t help it.

Tornados to the West

We have been keeping a wary eye on the weather coming across the country.  We are sorry to hear of still more tornado deaths in the midwest yesterday.  As we were traveling I-75 south of Atlanta, we came across an area where a tornado had crossed the highway in the past few weeks.  Trees were mowed down like a giant brush hog went through.  It cut a perfect path about a half mile wide.  I would have hated to be there when it crossed that busy highway.  I can only imagine the scene.

There are tornado warnings west of us tonight.  If we move on north tomorrow we will be in the path of those storms.  We have a reservation at Bandy Creek Recreation Area in Tennessee for the weekend.  We may stay put where we are tonight if the weather looks challenging.

We are at Red Mountain Top State Park just north of Atlanta.  It is a beautiful park set alongside of Altatoona Lake.  The sites are very far apart and overlook the lake.  They are shaded by tall trees of all kinds.  Large boulders litter the slopes, some as large as cars.   It is a very peaceful place. 

Buddy is a very good traveler but we think she feels quite confined.  At home she has many places to go hide and snooze.  Here she is pretty much under our feet all the time.  She looks forward to every opportunity to get outside.  She is an inside dog but I think the confinement is having an affect.   (Have you ever wondered if it should be affect or effect?  The dictionary isn't much help.  It seems to be a fine line but I think I have it figured out.  I think an affect is the result of an effect.  Maybe an English major out there can explain it to us.)

We stop at rest areas to give her a chance to do her business and sniff what others have left behind.  I often wonder if there are some kind of coded messages in each turd left for the enjoyment of those who happen by.  There must be some very compelling element to it.  It is all we can do to drag her away from a deposit.

Darlie fixed a very delicious taco salad for dinner.  We have been eating light since leaving home.  I am feeling withdrawal from ice cream as I write this.  She says we have to cut back on sugar.  Why is it guys always have a Mom?  We never get to grow up and do what we want.  We have Mom telling us what is good for us.  I guess that is another of life’s mysteries.

The sun is setting.  We both are yawning.  I can tell it won’t be long before we are in the sack.  Why does being outside make you so dang tired?  At home I am up to midnight or beyond and I am still not tired.  Maybe it is because there are no distractions other than a calling crow or a squirrel skipping across tree limbs.

The smell of wood smoke, lake water and leaf mold passes by on a light breeze.  My eyelids are getting heavy..........ZZZZZ

We Are On Our Way To Find New Adventure

We were up early so we could get an early start on our new adventure.  We had to go pick up the MH from storage and fill the refrigerator.  We had the refrigerator running all night to cool it down.  

We had many last minute items to load on board.  As we would think of things the past few days we put them by the door so we wouldn’t forget them.  Even with the best of plans we still forgot a few things.  We will have to buy them along the way when we need them.

It was 10:30 AM before we managed to pull away.  Darlie was real pleased with the air conditioner.  It cools far better than ever before.  I had it serviced at Polar Air in North Fort Myers.  They had a device they said would help it cool much better.  I had them put it on as you can’t get it too cool for Darlie.  As we made our way up I-75, I looked over to catch her dozing under a big blanket.  I think the air is doing its job.  

We have our dog, Buddy, with us this year.  She is still learning a new routine in the MH.  She can’t dash out the door every time it opens.  She can’t crawl up under Darlie’s feet on the passenger’s side.  And she can’t climb up onto the dash.  

All of us were pretty tired by mid afternoon.  We decided to stop at O’Leno State Park near High Springs, Fl..  You can check it out here http://floridastateparks.org/oleno/default.cfm

Buddy got to take a nice walk to stretch her legs and do other things dogs do outside.  Darlie is already asleep on the sofa and I don’t think I will be far behind.  

Shake Down Cruise

Part of readying our MH for our summer adventure involves taking a short trip locally to check out all the systems.  Like Captain Ron says,  "If it's going to happen it's going to happen out there."  I have found Captain Ron's wisdom to be genuine.

After checking things and finding everything working as it should, we set out on our cruise.   Our first problem arose with the engine air conditioning.  It didn't seem to be putting out much cold air.  As the day wore on and became hotter there was no doubt something was wrong.  We fired up the generator and started the roof air to cool the whole unit.   Darlie put a fan on the floor to force some of the cool air up front.  It kept us cool.

Next it began to rain.  Traffic was very heavy on I-4.  Just past the Lakeland exit, traffic came to a halt.  We inched along for several miles.  I noticed there was no traffic at all in the westbound lanes.  The highway must be shut down for an accident.

Soon we reached exit 38 where all traffic was being directed off the interstate.  Do we turn right or left at the end of the exit?  Hmmmmm?  We turned right and wandered around for an hour trying to find our way east again.  We found Rt 92 and started east towards Orlando.  We traveled about 20 miles and came to another road block.  There was another accident blocking the highway up ahead.  People here forget how to drive in the rain.

We were sent down another long detour to avoid this accident.  Poking along in traffic on and off the brakes, my brake pedal went to the floor.  I pulled to the side and stopped using the emergency brake.  After sitting there for some time, I called around to find a place to have my brakes inspected.  The brakes finally cooled enough to continue on to the repair facility.

Now our MH is in the shop getting a brake job.  We had our son pick us up.  We are staying at his house until we hear from the repairman.  Hopefully, we will have it back sometime later today.

We will have to find an air conditioner shop to trouble shoot the air.  Taking this short trip was a very good idea.  Had we been all packed up and started out for our summer adventure, it would have been very disappointing to have to stop with these problems.

We will have more confidence that things will work as they should when we set out again.  Captain Ron would be proud.