Open Range Rally in Tennessee

October 20 - 27, 2019
Dandridge, Tennessee
Anchor Down RV Resort

Well, I have to confess.  This is probably my favorite stop this whole summer.  What a terrific dog park ....and there is always someone to play with.  The resort is full and 43 of those rigs are Open Range/Highland Ridge products.  We will be here for a full week of rally fun at the SE Open Range RV Owners Forum Rally.  I'm ready to play..maybe even more than once a day.

Dad and Momma have all kinds of activities to attend this week.  Everything from catered breakfast, pot luck dinners, weiner roasts, Dolly Parton's Pirates Dinner Show,   

Bush Bean Visitor Center and Cafe,  (I wonder if Duke will give ME the secret bean recipe??),  and a picnic at Cades Cove.

Our summer adventures are drawing to a close.  Sunday we will depart and zip home in two travel days.  

 It's been a great summer for sure as we have zipped up and down the highways following a meandering path, but we have lots more adventures in store for us this fall as we camp with our Good Sam Golden Triangle friends.  I know I'll be getting lots of treats and pats from them....especial Auntie Carol.  She LOVES me!!  And I'll get to spend some time with 'Grandma Colleen' once again.  
Bring it on....I'm ready.

I'm Chloe

It's cool in Cherokee

October 17,2019
Indian Creek Campground
Cherokee, NC

Let me first beg for forgiveness if my paws hit the wrohg  keys.  You see, it is only 47 degrees out at noon, which is much better than the 37 we woke up to, but my paws are still a tad numb.

Yesterday was travel day....which began in the rain for the first half of our journey.  We departed Hillsville, VA and are now enjoying some sunshine in Cherokee, NC.  Dad has gone seeking dinner for us....well, really for himself and Momma.  He is trout fishing in the stocked creek.  Yesterday he returned with wet feet.  That's what happens when your foot slips off the rocks.  Oooops!  At least his pants stayed dry😃.  But alas, no fish dinner.  I'm thinking today any smart fish will stay in the warm water...but time will tell.

When we were in Hillsville,  Momma and Dad 'caught' a delicious dinner of roast beef when they made the short trek into Wytheville.  It was a dinner show, "Ring of Fire"....a tribute to Johnny Cash.  When they arrived, their salads and appetizers were greeting them at their table for two.

It turned out to be a great afternoon of dinner and music.  

Hillsville is also located a short trek from Mount Airy where once again they took off and left me as they enjoyed a big bucket of popcorn and the Will Smith movie, Gemini Man.

In nearby Fancy Gap,  Momma had fun exploring the quaint shops and discovered some local artistic creativity.  Check out these flowers.

You are looking at pumpkin seeds and cantaloupe seeds.  Project time????

This campground/area is rather unique, as it is a first for us.  We have super data availability on our Verizon network...we can even stream movies....BUT we have no cell or text capabilities.  We are used to experiencing the complete reverse with talk and text access but slow data transfer when visiting romote areas.  We are only here two nights so any calls/text will have to catch up to us when we relocate.  

Oh my gosh....it just reached 50 degrees at 1 pm.  I'm thinking it is warm enough to talk Momma into an outside game of catch.  

I'm Chloe

Time to Relocate

October 11, 2019
Travel Day to Hillsville, Va
from Weston, WV

We have really been enjoying some nice riding roads lately......non-jolting.....smooth riding roads.  Go West Virginia!!  Even Virginia roads treated us well today.

It was a beautiful day for travel.  We had some blue sky with the fluffy cotton candy clouds overhead.  If only there had been more rain earlier this month, we would have also been enjoying 'Mother Nature's Paintbrush Effects' instead of a tease of orange/brown coloring.

The highway traversed thru the rock cuts as our powerful engine dug deep, emitting that low throaty engine hum, climbing up and up as we wound our way around the bend climbing higher and higher on the 6% grade until we reached the top when the engine quieted down, taking a reprieve while the jake brake took over holding us at a constant speed as we wound our way back down in elevation only to do it all over again. 

And we even got to take a 'short cut' of sorts when we passed through a tunnel rather than having to travel ALL the way to the top of the mountain.  Nice views on our ride today!

Our landing wasn't quite as smooth and comfy.  We blew a turn about .7 of a mile out from our destination but we were able loop around and make a second attempt which was successful.  The registration office sounded like it was loaded with kids having a party but in truth there were only 3 boisterous boys who were competing in decibels with the gal giving Momma directions to our site.  Thank goodness for the visual or we wouldn't have had a clue as the words weren't getting through.  

Our site at this 'resort' is adequate in size but tight enough that you have to be 'spot on' in placement to allow for slide openings on both sides without colliding with the power post on the terraced site.  In other words, measure and relocate was the name of the game.  Our auto leveler struggled and got close to level but didn't have total success.  I guess we shouldn't be too concerned as our neighbors didn't even make an attempt to level.  The tow behind is resting on the tires and the tongue.  No jacks have been put down at all. 

Reality hit when we went to connect the power cable.  Only 30 amp service at this 'resort'.  The reservations were all handled on line so verification of the facilities didn't happen over the phone.  The site we booked said paved.  Momma was thinking we would be parked on pavement rather than parking next to a small slab of patio pavement....another surprise. 

Thirty amp service really shouldn't have been an issue if we had remembered to switch over from electric water heater to gas.  Ooops. It's been a while since we have operated on 30 amp service and we have been used to turning on/plugging in whatever we like without a thought of power consumption.  This stop will keep our brains alert and tuned.  I may have to remind Momma to check what else is operating when she wants to plug in that wattage hungry curling iron.
The good thing is, we are paying 50% off with Passport America.  Dad is smiling for sure!!

Dad was  a bit dismayed when he went to check the outside temp on our wall hanging clock.  The sensor wasn't reading.  Oh well, new battery time is what he was thinking until...he went into the bedroom and that clock also had no sensor reading...as in no temp registering. Hmm... His next thought was we had lost both sensors on the bumpy roads.  Momma pointed out that our ride was smooth and maybe seeing as he had changed both batteries at the same time, they lost their charge at the same time.  Dad didn't think we could be lucky enough to have that solution to the mystery but .....luck is with us!!  New batteries were all that was needed and we are reading the chilly (for us) 50's temps at night and the low 70's temps in the daytime.  

It's perfect weather for playing ball fetch and our site has a nice open grassy area right behind it that separates us from the 'lake'. 

It really looks like a pond but at one point it measures 80 feet in depth thus qualifying it for lake status.

I'm Chloe

Hot Glass

October 10, 2019
Broken Wheel CG
Weston, WV

We felt a tad isolated at our last stop.  Not only were we all alone where we were parked in the campground,

 WiFi was a struggle and our satellite signal was only in the high 70's.... but the picture was still good.  Water pressure wasn't impressive either but the 50 amp worked well.

Momma chose this area purposely to visit Appalachian Glass in Weston, WV where they were treated to a delightful, informative and thoroughly enjoyable glass blowing demonstration.  It's a family business and the youngest glass blower in the family was at the furnace.  His Dad was away setting up a portable furnace for a weekend festival where they would blow glass and 'market' their business.  

The hot glass doesn't show it's true color until it cools. It looks more yellow/orange when hot rather than the clear it will be when it cools.

Rolling the glass in colored chips will create a colorful end product.

He performed a dance with the molten glass constantly turning it or blowing it.

 To ensure each humming bird feeder he was creating was the same size, he used a mold on the floor that he put the glass in and blew to size.

Add a little curl on the top and the glass is ready to go in the keeper where it will cool down slowly to prevent the piece from shattering.

From the looks of all the packages they came home with, I can't decide which they enjoyed more....the demo or the shopping.

I know what I enjoyed today.  Bonding with my snake.  Momma had to perform a bit of emergency surgery on his tail with a needle and thread, but he is still as enjoyable as ever.

He even makes a great pillow when I'm not tearing from one end of the rig to other with him in my mouth, squeaking as we run.  

I'm Chloe

Sparkle and shine

October 8, 2019
Bumble Bee CG
Accident, MD

I really wish Dad would make up his mind.  I have been willing to join him in the shower and I frequently toss my pig at his feet in the shower but alas, I get the 'NO' treatment.

Here we are in the late afternoon and Dad is hauling me into the shower.  Wait...I thought I wasn't suppose to venture in here.   Whoa now.  What's up?  

Ahhhh, now this is heaven.  I knew it was time for my tubby.  Momma called a few places in the area to find a self wash as it is too cold for an outside tubby,  but it just wasn't meant to be so......

Now I sparkle and my coat is snowy white.  I finally got to try out this roomy shower.

I figured Momma and Dad would be gone a long time today as it has stopped raining...although it is still cloudy and cold, but they really didn't leave me that long.  We are a bit too early for the 'peak leaf performance' 

so they had to make due with this colorful house roof.

Yes, that's a purple roof and it's no accident even though it is located in Accident, MD.  This photo really doesn't do the bright shade of purple justice.  You have to see it in person.  I wonder what color they will paint the house...as it obviously needs a coat or two of paint.  I think they are starting from the top down with their home improvements.

So here we are just in time for the Autumn Glory Festival to kick off.  Color or lack of color...the festival will go on.  The countryside is impressive

but the paint brush hasn't reached the foliage and if things don't change drastically, there will be no Best Town for Fall Colors Award this year.  It seems 2017 was the year it all came together to earn the award.  

So we will pack up and head on to new adventures hoping our timing is right to experience all the area has to offer.

I'm Chloe

Onward to Accident

October 7, 2019
Bumble Bee CG
Accident, MD

Well, Momma is on a roll. First she takes us to Burnt Cabins and then on to Accident.  I'm hoping we don't live up to either name. 

We packed up in a drizzle/rain and traveled all day in that same weather.  We didn't even make it into the 60's with a high of 58.  This segment of our adventure takes us to Deep Creek Lake area in Maryland and the Autumn Glory Days for some (hopefully) superb autumn foliage and leaf peeping.  So far we have been doing our peeping between the rain drops on the windshield through the fog.

 And then we arrived at the entrance to our campground traveling through a treed archway.

 And greeted by a family of deer.

And they were the ONLY living beings we could locate.  There are seasonal rigs that are currently unoccupied and the campground owners told me on the phone that they would be away until Thursday, so the host would greet us....but he was getting a brake job done and wasn't available when we arrived.  

No problem, we just settled into our site and turned on the fireplace AND the heater to warm up after taking off jackets and Momma and Dad took it a step further with a nice warm cup of apple cider to warm their insides.  

I just played a game of pig toss to keep me warm and content.

I'm Chloe

New York Adventures

September 18 - October 5, 2019

New York Adventures

I know, I know....it's been a while since I've written.  You see, I had to prioritize.  Would it be more important for me to exercise my paws writing or playing?  Well, as you can tell, the answer was easy.  I'm still a 'pup' and when I have friends who are ready, willing and able to play....well, of course that takes priority.  

We have been visiting with family and friends and there is just so much to catch up on in everyone's lives.  Do you remember Heidi the white German Shepherd who is just 2 1/2 weeks younger than me...and her parents Bob and Kathy Williams?

We joined them on a campout with the Mohawk Roamers FMCA Chapter traveling to Oswegotchie, NY to the land of no cell service.

  The caravan of eight rigs wove their way through the gorgeous fall foliage for a delightful adventure.  Great friends and good times for sure!!

The Saint Johnsville Marina and Campground was base camp for a bit while we continued to visit with Bob and Kathy and some other friends.  Dad even discovered another Bob at the campground who he hadn't seen in over 40 years.  They had worked together eons ago so they had plenty of catching up to do.

We also visited Momma's parent's grave site in a nearby community.

Fall is the perfect time to visit this area as the leaves provide a very colorful, artistic backdrop and the apples provide the perfume.  It just doesn't get any better.

Somehow our rig magically takes on the smells of spicy apple pie and pumpkin pie upon returning from a trip to Fly Creek Apple Orchard.  Of course you all know how much Momma enjoys baking😉  And the fresher the ingredients, the better the end results.

Spending more time in NY, we checked the map for our route and headed to Livingston Manor, NY to visit a niece and her animal family.  We decided to take the country roads to Oneonta, then 88 to 17.  We put our destination in our GPS and headed out thoroughly enjoying Mother Nature's splendor.  We were mindlessly traveling the route called out on on GPS when we realized we were taking Route 10, a truly country, scenic route.  Not what we had planned, but it turned out that our GPS provided us with a delightful travel route, even if the roads were loaded with the twists and turns that add character. 

The next destination was the total opposite of the quiet, scenic setting.  Another niece lives in Whitestone, NY.  I'm sure you have all heard of George Washington Bridge, Whitestone Bridge and the Bronx.... and congestion.

Man oh man did I REALLY have a ball at this location.  We parked our rig on the street and stayed in the house complete with cousins who LOVED to toss the toys for me.  When one would get tired, another was there to take over.  Let me tell you, my tongue was dragging.

Momma found the stairs a bit challenging.  She really doesn't like open stairs.  Not only were the stairs open, they were circular.  

The first night she went up and breathed a sigh of relief when she got to the next floor, only to discover that there was another flight to go.  But the room was delightful and worth the death grip on the railings.

I told Momma, just do what I do and scampered all the way to the top.  Easy peasy!!  Momma can be such a whimp!!

Hey, I almost forgot to mention the 'toy high'.  Frank bought out a closing pet store and opened his bag of goodies for me.  Holy, moly...what a treat.  I was on overload.  Dad would only let me bring a small bag of goodies into the rig.

Dad said something about taking the 'quiet' toys but I slid SNAKE into the bag.  I just love a toy with a noisy squeak...and snake sings a beautiful, squeaky song.

I'm Chloe