The HANDFUL

So we did make it onto the Blue Ridge Parkway via Skyline Drive which was just beginning to pop with fall colors and another National Park. Ohio has a national park...who knew? Well, MiRV did, so we planned a stop. Stopping was not easy. This is NOT an RV friendly National Park. We were, thankfully, able to snag a spot to park at the Ledges area (though truth be told we took up three spaces and just prayed for the best). We hiked the 2.5 mile trail and enjoyed the scenery. We tried to get to some of the Falls in the park but there was NO parking to be had for an oversized vehicle. We even drove waaaaay out of way and still no joy; I call that a BIG party foul. We were able to get into the visitor center and see one of the neat bridges but it was a no go for most other areas.

Oh, and the update on our water tank is that we believe it is still leaking. Spoke with the dealership and we will just be without onboard water and address it with the RV repair shop when we return to MO. So there is that to contend with upon our return.

Alright, well today we are heading on to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park via Tsali Campground in the Cherokee National Forest. We have been in Tennessee the last couple days. 

So fun to get together with these people!

So driving Skyline Drive was neat in a lot of ways. Had some beuatiful views and swirly, curvy roads, though I feel like the Blue Ridge Parkway was even more swirlier, curvier, twisty turny. So the ride was at times notsomuch fun for me...but again, scenery was very pretty to look at with so many shades of yellow and green it was amazing to see. If you can take a look at the many beautiful landscapes and scenery without being able to belive in creation perhaps you need your eyes checked. God created such a beautiful world for us, it saddens me to think about how we are not being good stewards of all that He has so freely given to us.

We have decided to take a couple down days and wait out the weekend before moving on. It is fall break in this area and we have definitely noticed an increase in the crowds. Our plan is to just chillax until Monday before we head into GSMNP. I haven't been here since childhood and remember virtually nothing. MiRV was last here while on his AT ThruHike.

A BIG Hike

MiRV was planning to do a little hiking while we camped at the Frank Russell COE. Since it was only a 2.5 mile jaunt I thought why not tag along...after three hours and change we returned to find out that obviously the signage was WRONG and it was a whopping 8.7 mile hike. I hope I can move tomorrow. I also made the trek UP the hill to the shower house.
 

 

 MiRV got a chance to try out his hiking poles on a real trail.

Thank goodness there was shade...oh, yeah AND snakes! Someone may or may not have screamed like a girl. Hmmm, wasn't me, I didn't even see the darn thing til I had passed it and MiRV screamed. Since MiRV is in training for his AT he was packing with a 30 pound or so pack and thankfully we had plenty of water and snacks on this longer than we thought walk in the woods!

The reward was steak on the grill. Pretty sure I will sleep well tonight or maybe that's the wine that he also got to go with the steak! Yeah, he's a keeper! And speaking of this COE it's a quiet one! Not sure what it would be when they are busy but right now there are less than 10 of us and the park has 113 or so spots. Good shade, too. Shower house is average but you can't have everything. Night!

Busy Week!

It's been another busy week in MO...

There has been plenty of yard work to include mowing, weedeating, trimming, tilling and grass planting. We have also gotten in a little physical exercise. MiRV is still trying to work out the bugs while he preps for his "hike". I even joined him a couple days as he started out though i did not go as far as he did I did get some miles in. If you are interested he is blogging about this new adventure here.
 

 Ughhh, I wasn't ready for his selfie!

We were also Little pickup people which resulted in a after school adventure. They enjoyed a little time in the country and then it was off to more batting practice. We, thankfully, did not have any out of town trips this week so it was nice to be around. A little work was done down at the farm, too. We also spent another evening around the fire pit with the family. THAT was a good evening...It's been quick a productive week I do think! 

 This tiller was a beast to run. It is 40+ years old and shook MiRV all over. It's the tiller my dad had when I was little and my cousin brought it by for us to use near the fence row we cleaned out last year. Now there is grass seed planted!

And now we are trying to decide an itinerary for a quick little jaunt up north for a few days...stay tuned there may be covered bridges to see!

New Adventures

There is a new adventure brewing and the prep has begun...more detailed details to come later but suffice to say a 12.5 mile or so "hike" with a 26.5 pound pack started the initial trial phase. Success will be in the details so lots of trial and error before next spring will be needed. Many, many product reviews have been read and will be researched and then purchases will be made. The right gear is essential.

Starting out on this first "test walk" was none other then a spontaneous decision...probably not well thought out but it was a good learning experience while being local! Snacks, they are important and should have been in abundant supply, just sayin'!

The pickup was definitely welcome as walking in the heat of the day was certainly warm; another learning experience. Get your miles in early!