2021 Late Spring…Heading to the Northeast
On Monday May 31, 2021 (Memorial Day) we left the Bradenton, Florida area and began our trip North. Although many of our Spring 2021 plans had been changed, cancelled or modified because our desire to help Joanne’s parents the one thing that wasn’t going to change was the birth of our first grand-child in late June and we were committed to be there for it!
Pulling out of Horseshoe Cove RV Resort we stopped for a quick pic by the entrance with flags celebrating Memorial Day and then we started North for Suwanee State Park for a couple of nights. (Yes – it is the park adjacent to the Suwanee River made famous by the song… “Way down upon the Suwanee River…”).
Departing Horseshoe Cove RV Resort on Memorial Day…
Arriving at the park entrance, just off I-10 about mid panhandle, we discovered a little gem of a state park. The river is very cool with all the tannins, the hiking was great, the sites were large and private, the bathhouse was super, and the 2 evenings we spent there were quiet, where we got to enjoy a couple of needed campfires, and could reflect on the hectic last few months and changes as a family.
Suwannee River State Park…
Departing Suwanee we continued North into Georgia with a another 2 day stop this time at a former Army Corp of Engineer Park known now as Clark Creek South Campground (just North of Atlanta.) Army Corps of Engineer parks usually sit on a body of water, are well laid out, and a super value with our National Park Senior Pass. The site we had was very wooded/private, with views of the water. Hiking was ok in the park but just up the rode was “Red Top Mountain State Park” that had some exceptional hiking, which we did get to enjoy.
Clark Creek South Campground site…
Clark Creek South Campground…
Continuing North a few days days later our drive had us crossing the border into Tennessee and through Chattanooga, TN for the first time. Pretty drive and we made a note that we will have to come back here for a future visit, though this day we are headed to our next stop; Nashville. We had visited Nashville, TN back in 2012 on our Summer Music Tour and had a great time and always wanted to get back there for a few days. In 2012 we stayed in a private campground, though this time we opted for another Army Corps of Engineer Park (Anderson Road Campground). The campground was very nice though we clearly had to settle for the worst site in the park. With permission we had to use our tree trimming equipment for nearly 2.5 hours just so we could get into the site. On top of that it was the least level site we have seen in 3 years on the road full-time. With every board/block we carry our front wheels were still considerably off the ground after attempting to level. We believe this is the toughest site we have encountered since going full-time (though it was only $15.00/night with our National Park Senior Pass). A great deal to camp near Nashville though with no hook-ups and tons of tree cover our solar panels just managed to eek out enough solar capture to keep our batteries charged. There are many great sites in the park that are on the water, though because of the increased number of campers on the road now with Covid none were available…
Anderson Road Army Corps of Engineers Campsite…
Cooking by the campsite…
Ready for a campfire…
Although in 2012 we did many sightseeing things in Nashville like (the Country Music Hall of Fame, Honky Tonk alley, and Grand Old Opry show (Saw Darius Rucker & Charlie Pride) we hadn’t yet toured the Ryman Theatre or done the back stage tour at Grand Old Opry. Joanne booked Ryman in the morning and the Grand Old Opry tour in the afternoon of June 5th. It was a busy day, with lots of walking, though both tours were excellent! Late afternoon we decided to head to downtown Nashville to hopefully catch a little bite to eat and listen to music. In 2012 we found downtown and the Honky Tonks a lot of fun but now 9 years later it was at another level of intensity. Maybe we are sensitive to crowds more as we have gotten older or it could have been the Covid pandemic restrictions of the last year, but the crowds were out of control and made us a little uncomfortable. It seems every bride/groom in the South have now made it a pilgrimage for a Bachelor or Bachelorette party in Nashville. Can’t remember seeing so many over-served young people. We did finally find a place with a smaller crowd, and a demographic closer to our age, that had some great music. Funny story… we were sitting at a table for 4-5 with just the two of us and an older couple came in and they were stuck searching for a table. We invited them to sit down and it turned out the 2 of them and another couple were celebrating surviving Covid lock-down and were from the same development Joanne’s parent lived in Leesburgh, Florida. (Small World)… They actually knew Joanne’s parents. The younger of the couples actually had brought the older couple with them to Nashville, as a favor because they had always wanted to visit and hadn’t. The younger of the 2 couples seemed to know their way around Nashville, as their son played in a band in another Honky Tonk. We had a great time talking to the 2 couples and enjoying the music. They told us that after dinner they were heading to another place which is one of the hidden gems of downtown and would save us a seat. Departing we all went in different directions. Joanne & I caught a safe and quiet meal at a small eatery and then headed to the Honky Tonk they had suggested “Robert’s Western World”…
Downtown Nashville, TN
The Grand Ole Opry Backstage Tour…
Walking into the front door of Robert’s Western World, our new found friends were sitting right in the front and had saved seats for us. WOW! We enjoyed some of the best country music and guitar playing we could imagine including a rendition of the famous “Rocky Top Tennessee”… What a fun time we had there at Robert’s!
Enjoying Some Honky Tonks…
Robert’s Western World Honky Tonk…
A little Rocket Top at Robert’s…
Click the link to really experience Robert’s Western World Nashville, TN
Day 3 in Nashville we hadn’t any specific plans and solicited suggestions from our new friends. They suggested “President Andrew Jackson’s Hermitage” . The suggestion proved to be a super way to spend the day and we capped off the visit with a wine tasting on Hermitage Property by “Natchez Hills Winery”. We definitely loved our 2021 visit to Nashville, TN!
President Andrew Jackson’s Hermitage…
A wine Tasting at “The Hermitage”…
Departing Nashville on Monday June 6th we headed East through Knoxville towards the Smokies… We had made reservations at another Army Corps of Engineers Park “Douglas Tailwater Campground” in Kodak, TN. This area is on the edge of the Smokies between Pigeon Forge & Gatlinburgh. This park was great with our campsite direct waterfront, just down from the dam, and had a plethora of bird watching to be had – including eagles…
Douglas Tailwater Army Corps of Engineers Campground…
Not far from the campground are both the “Cherokee National Forest” and “Nantahala National Forest”. We decided to put the Mini Convertible to good use this day with a drive on the famous “Cherohala Skyway” that straddles these 2 National Forest and then a drive on the legendary “Tail of the Dragon” road. (316 hair-pin turns over 11 miles). So many motorcyclists and sports car enthusiasts make pilgrimages to this area just to get a shot on this unforgettable drive… The Mini was a perfect car for this drive and I have to tell you I was exhausted at the completion of the 11 miles… We both won’t ever forget our “Tail of The Dragon” adventure!
Driving the Smokies…
Loving Tail of the Dragon…
Wednesday June 9th we continued our drive East into Western North Carolina. The drive took us through Asheville, NC which we have visited in the past though this time we just passed through the mountains on the way to our next stop Charlotte, NC. Our son Sean, who has been living in Colorado the last 7 years, had just taken a job promotion/relocation to the Charlotte area. We hadn’t visited with him since before Covid so we were beyond excited about getting to see him and his new place!
Mooch-Docking at our son Sean’s Charlotte House…
Arriving at his home we navigated into his driveway which easily accommodated our rig and SURPRISE he had a 50 amp hook-up on the side of his garage. Love mooch docking with power…
Our time in Charlotte, visiting Sean, included a visit to “Royal Bliss Brewery” , “The National Whitewater Training Center” (WOW! is all I can say about this place), some fun hiking in his woods, barbecues, campfires, and spending time with our grand-dog Otis! Although it was a short visit we packed so much fun in those few days visiting with Sean!
Taking in a beverage at Royal Bliss Brewery…
The National White Water Training Center…
We have called much of this year’s trip “Our Friends & Family Tour” and the next stop, after saying our goodbyes to Sean & Charlotte, was Raleigh, NC and visiting Joanne’s brother Steve and wife Debbie. The drive cross North Carolina was about 3.5 hours and again we were blessed to be able to mooch-dock in their long driveway.
It was great to catch up with Steve & Debbie and hear about our nephews jobs, and the upcoming wedding of their son Jordan and his fiancé Jovanna in Ontario, Canada next Fall. Steve and Debbie were also excited to share about their newly ordered Leisure Travel Van (LTV Unity) RV scheduled for delivery in November. Sitting on their deck and enjoying the back yard, meeting Calle their new dog, and taking a few nice morning walks made the time pass quickly. A relaxing few days. Steve also was just completing his carport project for his new RV. Although a brief stop we are excited to see them in August for our family reunion in Maryland at Assategue State Park this summer.
Mooch-Docking at the Olson’s in Raleigh, NC…
Departing North Carolina on Sunday June 13th we had some miles to make up as we turned North… We drove nearly 400 miles that day which is a long travel day for us and stopped at another Cracker Barrel late in the day for an overnight. We love “Crack-Docking” when just stopping for a quick overnight. Usually very RV friendly, safe, and convenient along the route. The next day Monday We drove thru the balance of Pennsylvania, the Delaware Water Gap area, and crossed into New York State and the Hudson Valley arriving at my sister Pat’s beautiful home in Beacon, NY. Of course we “Mooch-docked” there as well. We are so fortunate for our welcoming family all over this country! We stayed at my sister’s Pat a few days catching up on groceries, laundry, and taking time to visit Pat’s daughter Calle and her fiancé Charlie at their new spectacular home on the Hudson River, in Sleepy Hollow, NY. ( What a dinner, evening, home, and view!!!!)
Dinner on the rooftop deck at Charlie & Calle’s in Sleepy Hollow, NY…
Their view of the new Tappan Zee Bridge…
We always love visiting my sister Pat as she is one of the most generous hosts you can imagine. She has homes in both the Hudson Valley in NY and in Southern California near Palm Desert and she always goes to great lengths to make us feel welcomed, comfortable, and relaxed. Thanks Pat!
Dinner with Pat, Charlie & Calle…
On Thursday June 17th we departed for Salisbury, MA and the birth of our first grand-daughter/grandchild. We both had wanted to get to the New England/Boston area to see our daughter Caitlin and husband Bruce before the birth of the baby… We had a plan and are so glad we got there in time for Joanne to visit and spend quality time with our very pregnant daughter before their lives would change forever with the birth of “Piglet…” (That’s right, the actual name was still a secret and we both hoped we wouldn’t mistakenly call her piglet the rest of her life since that’s all we called her the last 8 months…)
Heading to the Boston area we knew this Revolutionary Journey was about to take on a next chapter as we were going to become GRAND-PARENTS anyday….
Boston Harbor with the expecting parents…
Our daughter is going to be a Mom anyday…
