Hit the Road! Aug 2007

Our First Retirement Trip of a Lifetime!  (photo in Lunenburg, NS, Canada)

Begin:  Week One: Aug. 24th - A day's drive from Daphne to Memphis (HOT, HOT, HOT) to spend a few days with my Aunt Bea and hubby, Frank (both in their 90's).  From there it was on to Land Between the Lakes KY and the bison/elk loop drive, to Mammoth Caves KY. We hiked some, and took two cave tours (Historic and New entrances) and I can sum up the caves in one word:  Unbelievable!  This stop was our first real camping experience ... we did all right.

From Kentucky, we had as a long drive, inc. Louisville, Cincinnati, Columbus, and Akron OH, to Cuyahoga Valley Nat’l Pk, specifically so we could ride the Erie and Ohio Canal Towpath Bike Trail.  We rode one way (roughly 30 miles),  and then we took a $2.00 Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad trip back to our RV! That included the bikes.  We lucked up, it was a special deal on Wednesdays. What a great ride we had, both bike and train.

We moved on thru the Allegheny Mtns of PA and decided at the last minute to drive north to see the Corning Museum of Glass in Corning NY, and we're glad we did, because it was well worth it. While there, we saw a brochure advertising a scenic train ride on the Delaware and Ulster Railroad, from Arkville to Roxbury NY in the Catskill Mtn region, made the decision, and that was next. It was just delightful.  Of course the Catskill area is beautiful with soft mountains and lots of wildflowers.

Then we hopped on the freeway for Boston. This week was a chance to visit family we hadn’t seen in a long time, as well as a break-in period for us in the RV…with no major mishaps: A good week!

On our way to the Blue Ridge Mountains, Oct 2-5, 2006

Monday, 10/2 – After a leisurely morning, we were ready to roll to Atlanta, only four or five hours away from our Tallahassee home.  We left around 10ish, with our bikes strapped onto the Prius.  Eating our sandwiches at a Georgia rest stop was spoiled by zillions of bothersome gnats (finished lunch in the car, then we had to open windows while driving to get rid of all the hitchhiking pests).  No problems in Atlanta, skyline quite dramatic in the blue sky.  Checked in at LaQuinta and after getting directions to the 366,000 ft² Ikea store on 17th St., we climbed back in the car.  At Ikea, we spent maybe four hours combing their aisles, browsing, inspecting merchandise and picking up several things.  “Shop till you drop!”  We even ate dinner in their cafeteria:  Swedish meatballs, which were actually quite good!  Pleased with our purchases, we drove back to LaQuinta and only got lost once.  Nice room.

Tuesday, 10/3 – Georgia Aquarium day.  Drove to a MARTA (rapid rail transit) station, and hopped on a train that was the exact opposite of rapid.  In due time, we made our way to the Aquarium, where we spent several magical hours ogling their fascinating exhibits.  Watching beluga whales swim in their huge tank ranked high on our list.  Enjoyed viewing the smaller displays of cuttlefish, garden eels, seahorses, etc.  Time flew!  For lunch, we shared halves of one ham and one turkey sandwich, both of which were excellent. When we’d finished pressing our noses up against all that thick tank glass, we ventured outside to downtown Atlanta.  Hiked up and down Peachtree Street, found Underground Atlanta (big whoop), got tired feet in the process.  Since we couldn’t make a decision on where to eat dinner, we walked to the MARTA station for (a more rapid) ride back to our car.  Spied a Chili’s at the car park and ate a fine dinner.  Returned to our room w/o getting lost this time!

Wednesday, 10/4 – Time to head north on I-75 toward Knoxville and eventually to Lake City TN (very nice drive), where we'll tour the TrailManor plant.  The tour was personal and very informative, and we rec’d lots of info on this pop-up camper, which we're contemplating buying.  More studying will be required.  After our tour, we had no plan and studied the map wondering if we should return to Knoxville or ???.  We elected to drive east toward Norris Dam State Park in TN (first dam built in the TVA system).  Serendipity led us to their Visitor Center, and the discovery of rustic cabins to be had.  We signed up for an overnight stay in Cabin 2, set in a beautiful and quiet treed hilltop near the dam.  We wound our way back down the mtn to the local IGA for a box of mac 'n cheez, a can of baked beans and fresh broccoli (fresh broccoli stumped the kid at the cash register, who didn't know what it was!) to cook for supper – all quite delicious cooked in the rustic kitchen!

Before dinner, we enjoyed a nice hike around a portion of the lake.  After dinner, while we cuddled on the swing inside the screened porch, we watched a glorious nearly-full moon rise beyond the trees.  Fireflies sparkled in the distance.  So quiet and peaceful.  This park is a  real gem.

Thursday, 10/5 – We'd originally planned to ride the Virginia Creeper Trail today, but with a high forecast for rain, we decided to wait till tomorrow.  Instead, we enjoyed coffee on the porch and walking around in the state park. One other (nearly invisible) couple was staying at a distant cabin; we had the park to ourselves.  Deer are plentiful, and seem unafraid of people.  The morning was fine, yellow and gold leaves rustling to the ground the only sound – the kind of morning where people hold hands while they meander silently over leafy paths.  After our cereal, we left (sort of reluctantly) for Abingdon VA, stopping first at the Lenoir Museum and 18th Century Rice Grist Mill, filled with Appalachian artifacts, just past the dam.

T'was another pretty drive today!  In Abingdon, we checked into the Quality Inn, then trod through the lovely old town with its antiquated brick buildings and bright flowers.  Warm day, but no rain, as had been predicted!  At the Virginia Creeper Bike Trail shop we verified our shuttle arrangements for tomorrow’s ride, then settled on dinner at the Tavern, thought to be the oldest building (1779) in town.  Jimmy allowed as how his Prime Rib was the best he’d ever eaten!  When we emerged at dusk, a thunderstorm was firing up, wind was whipping, leaves were blowing, and the predicted rain finally commenced to fall.  Let it – we returned to our clean Quality Inn room, and made ready for our 34-mile bike ride in the morning.

Tomorrow:  Day one on the Virginia Creeper Trail.