Final Days

 October 29, 2023

Eastbank COE Campground A-6

Bainbridge, GA

Momma said this will be the last night of our 5 month adventure.  We are at a pretty Corps of Engineers Park

with a Bainbridge, Georgia address but it really is closer to Chattahoocee, Florida.  Dad decided to travel 5 miles from the campsite for fuel in Chattahoocee rather than 21 miles to Bainbridge, Georgia.

This park sits along the banks of Lake Seminole, known for great fishing, and is near Woodruff Dam.

We arrived earlier than the 4 pm arrival time posted for this campground, but our site was empty so we had no problem with our smooth, friendly check-in.  Our site is spacious, clean and raked just waiting for our arrival.

With only water and electric, it didn't take long to set up and enjoy some serious snack time.  

I told Dad we should make it two to one this time.....2 for me and one for him.  Momma's peanut butter cookies are delicious!!

My trailmix bones are okay, but I'll take a peanut butter cookie anytime.  

Some of us enjoyed the SE Rally in Hilton Head earlier this month with all the entertainment, shared meals, games and gathering activities.  Momma even learned a new card game.

Tango and Crow

 

An amazing magician

While some of us ....as in ME... spent time hanging out at the rig napping.   B  O  R  I  N G

But from there we headed to DeFuniak Springs to visit a high school buddy of Dad's with loads of land and a campsite for when we visit.  Now this place was heaven!!  I was FINALLY off lead for a whole week during our visit, running and playing with my friend Red while Dad and Frasier caught up.

I really wore myself out during the day.  It felt so good to settle in at night, enjoying sweet dreams and resting my weary body.  

Tomorrow we will travel the final leg of our journey and reminisce over the memories gathered during our 5 month adventure to NewFoundland and all the places along the way.  Another great summer has drawn to a close.

I'm Chloe

Settling in for a rally week

 October 15, 2023

Hilton Head National RV Resort site 3

Bluffton, SC

On the road again..... another travel day....to the SE Rally to join 26 rigs in beautiful surroundings for a week of fun and festivities.  

Momma wasn't overly pleased with Hwy 16 but we have definitely traveled over roads in worse condition this summer.  She sure didn't have any problem napping for part of the trip until we stopped at the rest area.  She went inside the rig and came out to discover another Open Range parked in the slot next to us.

It was Bevely and Steve who were headed to the same rally.

We stopped before we crossed the border into South Carolina so Dad could do the Happy Dance as he pumped diesel fuel into the Ram for the low price of $3.88 a gallon.  Back under $4 once again....but it won't last as South Carolina's fuel has a higher price tag.

The trip was uneventful until the very last turn.  No signage for the road or the park so we kept going thinking maybe the GPS was a bit short.  WRONG  After getting turned around and heading back, we were able to see the sign only visible from this direction.  Strange!!  With everything else so well thought out and immaculate, you would think they would have signage visible from both directions.  Or did we both miss a sign even though we were looking????

Our site in this gated resort is gigantic...huge....long and wide.  It is equivalent to a double width site.  A first for us.

Lots of concrete extending around the fire pit on one side and the pedestal and sewer area on the other side.  

With everything from cable to wifi, a valet escort to your site, a doggie welcome bag and all the extra touches, Momma was surprised when she was informed that we need to tote our own trash to the dumpster.  No site trash pickup here. There is another double gated area that comes with a higher site charge at this resort.  Maybe they have site trash pickup??  You would have to have something else to offer in order to charge more to stay in that 'elite' section.  

There were two poop collection bags in my welcome kit.  I wonder if I can fill them both on the first day?  I have been known to have a two bag walk occasionally.  Come on Dad, let's take a potty break walk and see what transpires.

I'm Chloe

To Madison, Georgia

 October 14, 2023

Madison RV Park site 55

Madison, Ga

The ground was pretty wet this morning due to a shower last night but all is well this morning.  No packing up in the rain for us.  We were able to depart right on schedule at 9:30 and headed toward Blairsville and further sout when a text message arrived.  Often times, you have a guardian angel watching over you.  Well, we had our special guardian Tim watching over us.  A parade had been scheduled for 10am in Blairsville.  Using Tim's recommendation, we were able to skirt around the parade area without any issues.  Thanks for watching out for us, Tim. 

The first leg of our trip took us over Blood Mountain.  It is the kind of travel that the passenger gets to enjoy 

while the driver needs to concentrate on the twists and turns as we headed up and up and up into the low hanging clouds. Then down and down and down until the road straightened out and we could resume a faster cruising speed.

Our plan was to stay at a campground near the Farmview Market in Madison, Georgia. 

We had stopped at the Market last year, as they have a huge parking lot with plenty of RV parking room.    A worker enticed us to try a sample of their freshly ground peanut butter.  Well, all it took was one sample and Momma and Dad were hooked.  They use honey roasted peanuts.  Wow!!  Talk about tasty.  Luckily we didn't have to wait a whole year for another dose of that tasty peanut butter. Our neighbor was passing thru the area in May and brought us a couple of containers....which disappeared quickly.  No, Momma didn't have to stow them on my bed.  She found another hidey-hole.  Maybe she figured, out of sight, out of mind....and some peanut butter just might last long enough to be enjoyed when we get back to Florida. 

We arrived at our campground and negotiated the road construction barrels to turn into the entrance.  They are turning the two lane highway into a four lane. 

Our site is a lovely, wide pull thru site right across from the office.  

Now here's a first.  The gal checking us in said we don't have cable TV but here's the wifi code so you can stream!!  She actually invited us to stream TV shows/movies.  Momma was in shock!!  This isn't a 'just check your mail' wifi setup here.  Amazing...and yes, we didn't buffer at all as we watched our movie.    Bring on the popcorn, Momma!!

I'm Chloe

 

Apples, games and more fun with friends

 October 13, 2023

Valley River Resort - site 14

Marble, NC

Well, I have to tell you, they certainly didn't waste anytime lounging around the rig this morning.  They were off to meet their friends and get the best deals at the Trash and Treasure sales held at Union County Farmer's Market.  

Momma said there were plenty of tables set up with numerous items....all priced to sell, probably due to the fact that this is the final Friday for 2023.  The more they sell, the less they have to store.  Check out Momma's treasure.

 All for the price of $2.  This cornucopia is perfect for this fall season.  Julie was thinking how much enjoyment her grandchildren would get with the dolls she scored.  And Tina will be adding to her garden decor with her treasure.  

But the best deal of the day goes to Tim.  Price: Free  for a length of metal rod with numerous nuts to add to his inventory.

They headed into appleland with Mercier's Orchard as their next destination.

The parking lot was pretty full which meant the inside of the shop would be zooy for sure.  Everyone manned their carts and they were off to gather apples...already gathered from the orchard and packed in bags.

So many varieties to choose from.  It's a good thing they offered samples.  Momma tried a sample of Crimson Crisp.  That name appealed to her but the apple sure didn't meet the expectations of a juice, sweet, crisp apple. Ewww.  That choice won't be making it to the shopping cart!!   Fuji and Evercrisp were the winners of the day.  They had a juicy, sweet, crisp crunch with a nice apple flavor that really got the taste buds excited. 

After the battle of trying to manuever a shopping cart amongst the other shoppers who had a focus on apples, baked goods, sweet potatoes and such, it was time to satisfy the hunger that had built up.  

If you asked if they went back to Jim's Smokin' Que for another batch of those meaty, tender, fall off the bone ribs topped with Jim's special BBQ sauce, you would be right on target.  They licked the bones clean and sucked all the flavor out.

I don't think there was even a decent smell left on those bones!!  

On the way to Camp Chicken Pot Pie, the gang stopped at Bitter Creek Market where everyone found some items for snacking and crunching.  Momma brought back several jars of Candied Pickle Strips.   Momma, if you keep bringing back all these goodies you are stocking up on, pretty soon you are bound to run out of hidey holes.  Don't be thinking about storing them on my bed.

At Chicken Pot Pie, everyone marveled at the new look.  Tim had a few more trees taken down and that opened up the second campsite a bit for easier maneuvering, and also created the site for his workshop building that is in the future plans. 

  

There is no lack of firewood!!

Or wood stacked and waiting for the next wood project where it will be turned into a bench, or a table, or a creative piece.

And there is no shortage of beautiful rocks that are lining the walkways.  When Tim gets tired of woodworking, he turns to rock collecting.

The day ended back at Valley River Resort, under the awning sitting on the paved patio.

For games and......what else would you expect....apple crisp...served warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream on top.  Everyone licked their bowls and once again, I was bowl-less.  But I did get a nice BIG dog bone treat.   I guess I'm still loved.  How could anyone do anything else but love me now that I'm sparkling clean once again.

This campground has a dog wash room/station right next to the laundry room.  I was due for a tubby so the gals all gathered around the raised shower pan and tried to get me wet with a shower head that leaked so much where the shower head was connected to the hose, that hardly any water made it to the shower head.  Momma finally removed the shower head and just used the hose to rinse me down.  With just a shower pan and not a deeper sink, I didn't have any problem getting anyone else wet as well, but Momma was prepared with her shower apron.  

This stop has been another grand adventure with good friends, loads of laughs and joyful times.

Tomorrow is travel day as we get closer to the date for the Open Range Rally in Hilton Head.  That means more good times are in our future for sure!!

I'm Chloe

Time with friends

 October 10-12, 2023

Valley River Resort - site 14

Marble, NC

What a great place to gather here in North Carolina!  This is a nice campground with plenty of grass between the wide cement pads that the rigs are parked on.  The interior roads are paved and they even provide trash pickup at the site.  

We arrived on Tuesday and hooked up with our Florida neighbors who are spending the summer in nearby Blairsville, Georgia at their camp named Chicken Pot Pie.  We contacted them to let them know we had arrived and discussed going to Sweet Tooth for ice cream....and then Momma discovered that they are 'temporarily closed'.  Ooops!!  

Well, I liked the solution to that!  Everyone gathered at my campsite for make your own sundae....except they were short one bowl...MY bowl!!

Oh well, at least I got some dog treats to enjoy before they began their game of Fast Track.  

The next day, more friends arrived from Tennessee and Steve even had a dog treat tucked away in his pocket...just for ME!!  

Tonight's menu included hamburgers on the grill.

These sites are really quite wide and I thought there was plenty of room for me as well, but when it was time for that delicious smelling Chocolate Fudge Pudding Cake after a game of Swoop, I was left on the other side of the door....looking thru the glass.  What am I?  The forgotten one??  Maybe I need to report them to the SPCA for cruel treatment??

I guess they are a tad concerned I may trip up my buddy Steve.  He is a tad 'out of sink' as he had fallen a few weeks ago and broke two pelvic bones.  Now he has to carry his weight on one side until he finishes healing.  I'm just glad he was able to make the trip here!!

He and Tina would have been heart broken if they had had to cancel their trip and miss out on those 'fall off the bone' ribs from Jim's Smokin' Que.

Jim's is only open four days a week, Thursday thru Sunday but they sure stay busy on those four days.  

Momma said the parking lot was nearly full when they arrived today around 1pm.  It was short wait to place their order.  Everyone at the table ordered ribs ...and they were fall off the bone tender and tasty.

You just can't pass up a treat like that while you are in Blairsville, Georgia.

A quick stop was made at LoganTurnpike Mill on Blairsville's downtown square so Momma and Dad could stock up on Mountain Morning Pancake Mix....a corn meal pancake mix... as well as the Raspberry Muscadine Wine Jam they enjoy before returning to the campsite for some game time.  

Now this was in interesting game of Hand and Foot.  At the end of the first round, the gals were in the lead by over 2000 points.  At the end of the second round, the gals had increased their lead by an additional 2000 points (4000 point lead) and the guys were mumbling and grumbling.  After the guys won the last two rounds, they had the gals beat by 3000 points and were declared the official winners.  Tim said it was the bad luck of the cards in their hands that had caused the loss the first two rounds, but it must have been skill that brought on the win on the last two rounds.  

The evening drew to a close after enjoying a dish of warm apple crisp topped with ice cream followed by a short couple of rounds of Mexican Train so Tina could see how Dad's box worked. Momma had taken a picture of Louise's box and sweet talked Dad into building one.   It works great, as the dominoes are no longer sprawling over the whole table.  And with the dominoes falling into the box base as they are played, clean up is a whiz.

I heard them making plans for another busy day tomorrow.  They say that laughter is good for your health.  Well, this group certainly must be healthy as there has been a ton of laughter taking place.  They are one happy group when they are spending time together.  

I'm Chloe

A couple of overnight stops.

October 8-9, 2023

Falls CG site 39, Fallsburg, Ky 

Around the Pons site 46, Greeneville, Tn

Dad, maybe we should have a discussion about a seat belt for me.  The first half of today's travel was just fine, but after you took the bridge  crossing over the river from Ohio into West Virginia...well....things got pretty rough here in the back seat.  I know Momma was finding things pretty bouncy in the front seat as well.  At least you had the steering wheel to hang onto.

Those West Virginia roads not only make it hard to nap, but sometimes, it's even hard to stay put.  I was flying off my bed, into the air and then whoosh...back on my bed again.  At least you and Momma had a few seconds warning when you spotted that warning DIP sign and saw the rubber marks on the highway.

You could tell it was going to be Whoopity Doo time as we hit the dip and everyone's bottom left their seat....whoopity...and then the seatbelt caught you before the top of your head hit the headliner and slammed your bottom back into the seat...doooo!!  And somehow, it always seems to take your stomach some extra time to catch up with the rest of your body.  I really don't care for US35.  

Thank goodness we turned off onto US23.  It wasn't as nice as the Ohio roads, but it was a BIG improvement over US35.  

Just as everyone was settling into the ride, knowing the end was near as we had crossed another state line into Kentucky, the GPS said it was time to take another turn.  We have become very relaxed and laid back, letting the GPS pick our route for us, but I can tell that will be changing.  Especially after the last 11 miles of travel today!!

As we turned onto 707 Dad sat up in his seat, white knuckled the steering wheel and said to Momma, "How did you find this place?"  We had 11 miles to go on what doesn't really fall into the category of a road.  It was a LANE.  Wide enough for our truck without much extra room to spare.  It didn't even qualify for having a center line.

On a positive note, it was a smooth road with nice white lines marking the road edges. But it was what Momma refers to as a 'snaky' road with twists and turns.

Oh no, here comes a full sized SUV in the opposite direction.  Whew, thank goodness he took the ditch and gave us the road!!  And then we came upon 3 deer crossing the road.  How many more miles do we have to go?  

Dad said that there was no way we would be departing the same way we arrived.  Our escort at the campground said we could have come across a hay wagon...NO WAY!!

Well, even RV Trip Wizard knew not to send us on 707.  If only someone had taken the time to review the route.  Route 23 to hwy 3 should have been our arrival route.

When we departed this morning from our campsite,

we traveled 3 miles on two lane hwy 3.  It might have been a bit snaky,

but it was wide....and only 3 miles before we got back to US 23...the four lane highway.  

It appeared to be a nice sunny travel day

for the first hour of our journey.  And then the drizzle began.  Momma made a statement about how dirty we would be...and then the heavier rain began...just to wash away the road grime.

Our trip was off and on rain today with a bit of low clouds in the higher elevations of Virginia. 

By the time we arrived at Around the Pond CG in Greeneville, Tn, the skies were clear and the worry about setting up in the rain never became a reality!!  Whew!!  That is never much fun.  

This is another one night stopover.  I guess you could say we are in a hurry to spend time with our neighbors, Tim and Julie.  

I'm Chloe