susanhaley1111

[susanhaley1111]

Tuesday 4/16/24 24 Walnut Hills Campground Staunton,VA 330 miles

Wednesday 4/17/24 /24 Pine River Campground, Kutztown,PA 280 miles

Friday 4/18/24 Pine lake Campground , Sturbridge,MA 273 miles

Home 180 miles

The rest of the trip was uneventful. Yay. The dogs were so happy to run free.

[susanhaley1111]

Friday 4/12/24 Pigeon Forge to Asheville NC 100 miles. This next venture ws an easy and non stressful trip. The weather is much cooler here with lows in the 40's. There was plenty of wind so we are out of shorts weather, at least early in the day. Dana had to take to his bed for 2 days and so missed the tour of the estate.

I saw advertisements of the Chuhulys glass exhibit on the estate. We decided to go, and bought tickets to both while we were in Stone Mtn. I went alone on Sunday to see the exhibit and inside of the mansion. The glass exhibit was quite interesting. The artist is in his 80's but still makes glass pieces with the help of his aides.

Ashville is best known for the Biltmore Estate. It was built by George Washington Vanderbilt begining in 1889. Construction of the main dairy and horse barn began in 1990. George passed away in 1914 and the property has remained in family hands since then. It is still privately-owned. Some of the offspring have homes on the property now.

Th flood of 1916 decimated the lowest parts of the city. The Vanderbilts made most of their money farming the flood zones. They had 250,000 acres at one point but were nearly penniless after the flood. Georges' late wife Edith made some very good decisions by selling off most of the Biltmore village property to save the estate. The current estate has 8,000 acres.

Dana felt better on Monday so we dropped the truck off for the window replacement and ubeted into town. We hoped on a 2 hr narrated trolly tour of the town.

Asheville is a honeybee city. Individuals and businesses plant pollinators known for nourishing the bees and butterflies and hummingbirds. The city is known as a beer city as well.

Slowly, the flooded areas have come back. The flood zones must be occupied by locally owned, commercial, businesses, and they must have graffiti on the outer walls. I fact only locally owned businesses are allowed downtown too.

[susanhaley1111]

Friday, 4/4/2024 Stone Mtn to Pigeon Forge, TN 290 miles I 75 to I 40.

This was an eventful trip. We missed a turn to go around Atlanta and ended up going through Atlanta. The roads looked OK on the map but were narrow and had a low clerance bridge on the sides. We were OK through the center, thank goodness. Dana was very stressed and angry that I was not helping navigte therefore missing the exit. I was then very stressed about his stress. He took a wrong turn into a Dollar General, he tried to pull a u-turn and jack knifed and broke the rear cab window. That was the icing on this f...ing cake.

There were so many campgrounds to choose from but this little park is quiet and small.

Our plans are to visit Dollywood and see some dinner shows.Dana was here when the kids were little and enjoyed it. It was quite a shock for him to see the town now. It has grown tremendously with some crazy looking buildings trying to outdo the competition. There are attractions on their roofs and sides. There are at least 8 dinner shows available. Dana decided on Hatfields and McCoys. The food was decent, and the show was cute. We also went to Dolly's Stampede. The food was similar, but this had well trained horses and riders. The stables looked very nice.

Our visit to Dollywood was 2 days for 1 ticket price. We went there on Monday and back on Wednesday. There were some good live acts with music and singing. They were quite fun. There are many roller coasters which did not interest us.

An American Eagle sanctuary is present with dozens of unreleasable Eagles. There is also a show with birds of prey which was fun. They had a Turkey Buzzard and tiny owls and a Peregrine Falcon. They all had eye injuries which prevented their release.

We took the dogs to the onsite kennel the first day, and they seemed fine. We visited and walked them twice while there. Unfortunately, Monday night , Jake developed diarrhea,which kept us up most of the night while taking turns. We had him with us the next day, and he improved with rice and metronidazole. Millie was fine.

One day we went on a car ride to Cades Cove, an 11 mile one way paved road through the Smokey Mtns. It was very pretty but not unlike NH. There were tons of Rhododendrons but not in bloom. We saw lots of beautiful Dogwood trees , Azaleas and bulbsin bloom, and they are beautiful.

This area is clearly T- rump territory with 2 stores just for T- rump 24 merchandise.

We spent some time going to Gatlinburg. It was a rainy day, so we did not get out, but it is a cute village in a steep valley. The area is known for artists of various types. We could easily spend some time here.

We did a little shopping but were ready to leave after a week.

[susanhaley1111]

Thursday 4/5/24 Keystone Heights to Stone Mtn GA. 350 miles

We stayed here years ago when we went to the aquarium. It was cold and rainy and had very few occupants. Since we came during a school vacation this year, the place was packed.

We spent the afternoon and evening at the mountain. I hoped to take the tram to the top, but there was too much wind. Obviously, Dana was 🙁.

We went on a train ride around the base of the mountain, went to a 4D movie, and went back at night for a drone and movie show on the mtn. It was pretty cool. We are off to Pigeon Forge tomorrow.

[susanhaley1111]

Winter 2024. Keystone Heights RV Resort

We had such a great time and have made reservations for next year. It is located between Jacksonville and Gainesville. It is a small city with very little traffic. The closest decent grocery store was 15 miles away in Starke. Our favorite restaurant is Stones Pub with awesome wings. We went weekly for half price wings.

We had a large fenced-in area for us and the dogs. They loved the freedom, as did we. We had a grill and griddle and cooked and ate many meals outside. My favorite time was sitting in the sun early in the morning reading.

We sold the bikes and bought a golf cart. I was too nervous to ride a bike with my balance issues. The golf cart is nice to get around the campground with 600 sites and growing.

I worked out in the gym almost every morning and feel great but miss it.

There are lots of activities. We played bingo, went to a show with pretend famous singers, went to farmers markets on the property. I went to the pool and hot tub and loved it.

Dana's birthday gift was a show in Jacksonville with an ABBA tribute band. It was lots of fun with George and Jobie.

We visited a Purdue classmate, Mary Gray, near Orlando. Went through the Apopka Wildlife area also. Lots of birds and gators.

It is nice that we are both retired. Dana sold the business to Matt and Tom but is helping with paperwork for a few months. The weight of ownership is off his shoulders, and he is very happy.

[susanhaley1111]

Yemassee to Keystone Heights, FL 235 miles

I am posting this 3 weeks into our stay. We love it here. Nice wide sites, nice large fenced-in area for the dogs. We may be back next year.

[susanhaley1111]

Ft Chiswell, VA to Yemassee, SC 350 miles

The wind picked up overnight and was shaking us all morning. It was 30 degrees with a crazy windchill. The dogs and I spent very little time outside. We were quite worried about the wind traveling. There were many caution signs about high-profile vehicles. We took a chance and were fine.

This Point Sout KOA is very nice. We both have patios with gas fireplaces. It is too chilly to stay out very long but is very nice.

Last let out ,Dana let them out at 11 and Jake took off as did Millie. Millie came right back. Eventually, Jake did with a Husky friend who wanted to come into the camper. His owner showed up quickly. An adventure.

Only 230 miles to go tomorrow. I hope it warms up.

[susanhaley1111]

Wilkes-Barre to Fort Chiswell, VA 450 miles

Another good day. It was in the thirties again, and we got here just in time for the rain to begin. We still have enough water, so we only needed power. Last night, we were on our generator, which ran out of gas at 4 AM while I was out walking the dogs. I was able to fill and restart it, which is very nice.

We forgot about a restaurant we all loved the last time through. It was as good as we remembered and in a nearby town. The buildings were built starting in 1776 with numerous additions since then. There are some very cute little rooms with tables and gas fireplaces. Lovely

We were in bed by 8 . The dogs are in their usual good traveling mode, which I love.

https://properties.camping.com/fort-chiswell-rv-campground/overview

[susanhaley1111]

1/11/24 Thursday. Home to Wilkes-Barre, PA 450 miles

We are headed to Keystone Heights,FL. We hoped to leave yesterday, but it was a long day of cleanups. 12 inches of snow with lots of rain on top. I did some snow blowing at 3 am. just as freezing rain began. After 1/2 hr, it would not blow anymore. Once the rain stopped by 11, Dana put the plow on instead of the blower and spent 4 plus hrs moving the snow,water, and mud. This spring clean-up of the lawn will be interesting.

Next, Dana shoveled the snow off the RV roof and then moved that snow off the driveway. We finally got everything in and packed away and left at 7:30 AM. We met up with the Frechettes at the first rest area on 93 and were on our way.

It was in the 30s all day with clouds ,then full sun at the end.

Our route for future reference was 93 to 495 to 90 to 87 to 84 to 81. We are parked at the oversized lot at the Mohegan Sun. We got a bus to come pick us up to take us to the casino for dinner. We ate at the Hive restaurant. Great wings . Off to bed by 8.

[susanhaley1111]

Sunday home

8990 miles total. Avg 10.2 MPG

[susanhaley1111]

Sat 9/23/23 lancaster to Sturbridge 320 miles

Our first rainy day in a long time. And it rained until we got into Connecticut. Thr traffic and roads are bad in NY but few trucks. We decided to stop rather than drive until 8 or 9. We stayed here

Headed home tomorrow 😊

[susanhaley1111]

Thursday 9/21/23 Max Meadows to Lancaster, PA 390 miles

Another sunny day with temps between 50 and 70. We are now seeing much more traffic as we see more populated areas. The driving is a challenge, but Dana does very well.

We are at the Old Mill Stream Campground, and it is lovely but very busy. There are so many little dogs in carriages here. We arrived at 6, set u, and went to Miller's for dinner. There were at least 3 tourbusess there and dozens of people. We were able to get seated, but they were cutting off soon. They close at 8 and shut down the buffet at 8:30.

Tomorrow will be a shopping day for me and a day of rest for Dana. We head home tomorrow. We are 500 miles away, so we may do it in 2 days.

[susanhaley1111]

Wednesday 9/20/23 East Nashville to Max Meadows, VA 350 miles

Another pretty day and only in the 70s . We went from I 40 to I 81 and started heading north.

We made a pitstop at a Bucees in TN. They are famous for their food, cleanliness, and lots of trinkets. Good, I am beyond the trinket stage. It is a huge building with 144 gas and deisel pumps.

We stopped at the Pioneer Valley campground for the night. It is a beautiful spot. We were here 4 years ago, and I remembered the amazing pumpkin fields, which are still there.

I the campground has huge fields, and I let the dogs run loose. They had a blast. Tomorrow, we head for Lancaster.

[susanhaley1111]

Hazen AR to East Nashville KOA 332 miles

We had another beautiful day. It began in the 50s and ended in the 80s. There was 1 crash that slowed us down, but we have been very lucky so far.

Due to limited options outside re of Nashville, we stayed in a KOA. They are generally good.

[susanhaley1111]

Monday 9/18 Seminole OK to Hazen AR 325 miles.

Well, my search for a less expensive site landed us in a weird place. Gary owns the H and G RV Campground. There are some long-term residents and people like us needing to plug in for the night. It was 88 when we checked in, so we needed power. Gary came by to collect cash from us and others around 7 tonight. He wanted cash, and it was $35.

Our neighbors are headed back to Maine, and there is an older fellow who lives here with his dog

We were able to let the dogs run loose , and they love it.

Headed east again tomorrow. There is no particular goal except to go over 300 miles. We have 1200 miles to go.

BTW Dana rocks at backing this beast into any spot.

[susanhaley1111]

Albuquerque to Seminole, OK 300 miles

We both slept in and had a late start. Got on the road by 11 and headed east. I looked for a place to at least plug in as it was 88 degrees. We still have no humidity. The Catfish Roundup Restaurant and RvV looked interesting and cheap.so here we are. There is no office, just the restaurant. They claim to have the best catfish around , a midwestern favorite.

After hooking up we went for dinner. We first met a huge catfish in a tank , the sat down for dinner. The cost for dinner and staying here was $70. I love KOAs, but they are getting quite expensive. So we will try to stay here again next time we are on I 40.

[susanhaley1111]

9/14,15 2023

Flagstaff to Albuquerque 290 miles

We are at 5,000 feet now, and I can feel the difference. When we got here, Dana did not feel well. He had GI issues and felt exhausted. By Friday morning, he felt worse. So Friday was a full day in bed for him. By evening, he felt better but still very tired.

We had rain and tremendous wind Thursday evening. The camper was rocking, but it passed within an hour. Since then, the days get into the 80's and nights into the 50's.

I have bursitis again, and so it was nice for me to rest as well. And driving the truck in a city is not appealing. I was tempted to drive up to the top of Sandia Peak . It is another 6,000 feet above the city, but again, not in the truck. 20 years or even 10 years ago, I might have. Mom and I took their gondola up and had dinner on top about 45 years ago. I remember the sunset up there, and it was spectacular.

The next stop is Amarillo, if Dana feels better. From here out, we will work our way home. No more stops for fun. Dana is overdue for his remicaide infusion, which is likely part of his problem now.