Well, here we are - almost to the end of our first journey. There were a couple of afternoons where we spent time at the CG. Pictures pretty much say it all.
We now make our way back to the Dallas area for the holidays.
Thursday, November 19, 2009
Nashville (But it could be anywhere!)
We now make our way back to the Dallas area for the holidays.
Nashville - Bailey's Birthday
11/6 Today is Bailey’s birthday. We watched Bailey in the morning and when Belinda came home, we went out for lunch at CrackerBarrel.
Then we went grocery shopping for Bailey’s birthday at Walmart. While we were waiting to checkout, the lights went out. We waited for about 20-30 minutes before they finally told us that we would have to leave the store since there was no estimated time for the lights to come back on and there was no security. So everyone left their carts full of groceries and left. Turns out that a bird flew into one of the area power stations. A lot of businesses were affected. We had to go to three different stores before we finally found one that was not affected.
Later, when we got home, Bailey helped Mom with some of the baking.
In the evening Bailey and I put her new table together.
And later she opened a few family gifts.
11/7 The big birthday party was today. There were about 30 people altogether. Not sure if there was a theme or not, but here are a few pictures.
Then we went grocery shopping for Bailey’s birthday at Walmart. While we were waiting to checkout, the lights went out. We waited for about 20-30 minutes before they finally told us that we would have to leave the store since there was no estimated time for the lights to come back on and there was no security. So everyone left their carts full of groceries and left. Turns out that a bird flew into one of the area power stations. A lot of businesses were affected. We had to go to three different stores before we finally found one that was not affected.
Later, when we got home, Bailey helped Mom with some of the baking.
In the evening Bailey and I put her new table together.
11/7 The big birthday party was today. There were about 30 people altogether. Not sure if there was a theme or not, but here are a few pictures.
We all had a great time!!
Nashville - Halloween
10/29 We got hitched up this morning, said our goodbyes, and left the CG for Nashville. The mountains and clouds along the way were cool:
It rained most of the way, but stopped by the time we got to the Henry Horton State Park in Chapel Hill, TN. Very nice CG; very few people are here.
After we got setup, we drove in to Franklin to see Belinda, Bryan, and Bailey. Went out for supper and then back to their house. We stayed over night because the next morning, they were all having their pictures taken at 9:30.
On Halloween day we did some pumpkin carving.
In the evening two couples came over to the house with their kids to go trick or treating in the neighborhood. Mom and I stayed back in case someone came to their door. And they did – actually one boy was all!! I guess they don’t get many trick or treaters because most of the houses have a lot of steps to get up to the door. They all came back and then we had treats that Mom and Belinda had prepared.
11/1 Today we went to church in Shelbyville, TN. It was hard to find a Lutheran Church. This was a small one - 22 people in attendance. The pastor was a former Catholic priest. Good service .
After we got setup, we drove in to Franklin to see Belinda, Bryan, and Bailey. Went out for supper and then back to their house. We stayed over night because the next morning, they were all having their pictures taken at 9:30.
On Halloween day we did some pumpkin carving.
In the evening two couples came over to the house with their kids to go trick or treating in the neighborhood. Mom and I stayed back in case someone came to their door. And they did – actually one boy was all!! I guess they don’t get many trick or treaters because most of the houses have a lot of steps to get up to the door. They all came back and then we had treats that Mom and Belinda had prepared.
11/1 Today we went to church in Shelbyville, TN. It was hard to find a Lutheran Church. This was a small one - 22 people in attendance. The pastor was a former Catholic priest. Good service .
Saturday, November 14, 2009
Cloudland Canyon State Park, GA
10/25 We got up late, had some breakfast in the trailer, and then packed up to leave Gatlinburg. We both headed west on I-40 and at Knoxville we headed south to Chattanooga. We got gas, and found Hardies right across the street. Turns out that the street had a crown on it (higher in the middle than on the sides) so we took our time getting over it, making sure that our front jacks would not drag. However, the driveway going into Hardies was uphill so as the truck and front of the trailer started up the hill, the back of the trailer dipped causing the rear jacks to scrape. We actually got stuck but were just over the crown that we couldn’t back up. I floored the engine a couple of times before we even moved. But we made it – I don’t think I could have been more upset than I was for not realizing what would happen!! Later when we got to the CG and got set up, found out that we had not damage. WHEW!! (No pictures!!!).
This CG is a Georgia State Park called Cloudland Canyon State Park.
The sites are far apart and with plenty of trees, it is beautiful. Chris and Bob were waiting for us and helped us get parked.
We also had another incident – when Mom tried to put the two rear slides out, they would not go out. Our first thought was that we damaged something when we got stuck, but, after looking around, couldn’t see how that could happen. We finally found a wire that had come loose in the compartment where the controls are to raise and lower the front jacks. What a relief that was!!
Another problem that we had in setting up was that the site sloped down in the back somewhat. So when we unhooked and tried to lower the trailer so that it was level from front to back, we couldn’t get it low enough. So we had to raise it back up, back the truck under it to put it on the hitch. Then we raised the jacks, and set the jacks at a different height so that when we pulled the truck out, the jacks could be lowered enough to be level.
Had dinner of chili over noodles and bread with Chris and Bob and came back to the trailer about 10PM.
10/26 Got up around 8:30 and had breakfast. Bob came over with his tea and he and I sat outside and talked while Chris came over and talked with Mom. Later (around 10:30) we all started on a hike. Took a trail from the CG thru the woods and followed it around the west rim – saw beautiful foliage and also some deep canyons.
We probably walked about 3 miles before deciding how we were going to get back to the CG. Chris and Mom decided to wait at this one fork in the trail while Bob and I started out on one of the trails. After awhile we met a couple who said that the parking lot was probably another 30 minute walk so I decided to go back to the ladies and bring them back along the trail while Bob went ahead to get the truck and meet us. After getting the ladies, we started back and started getting tired, so we took a side trail that led us up to a cabin (#6). Chris called Bob to let him know that we didn’t make it to the end of the trail and to pick us up at the cabin. At that time he was still walking (??). I think we were at the cabin for the better part of an hour before he finally called and said that he was at the CG. It probably took another 15 minutes before he got to us.
Later, around 7:30, they came over and we had brats on the grill and some potatoes and beans and brownies for dessert. Then we played some cards – whist and hearts.
10/28 Today Bob and Chris took us for a ride around the area. We went to Desoto Falls and spent some time there enjoying the scenery.
Chris likes to have her picture taken on the "other side" of the signs, as you can see.
Then we drove the scenic highway back to the CG and had supper with them. Afterwards, we played cards again – this time we played a new game called 3 – 13. A lot of fun.
This CG is a Georgia State Park called Cloudland Canyon State Park.
We also had another incident – when Mom tried to put the two rear slides out, they would not go out. Our first thought was that we damaged something when we got stuck, but, after looking around, couldn’t see how that could happen. We finally found a wire that had come loose in the compartment where the controls are to raise and lower the front jacks. What a relief that was!!
Another problem that we had in setting up was that the site sloped down in the back somewhat. So when we unhooked and tried to lower the trailer so that it was level from front to back, we couldn’t get it low enough. So we had to raise it back up, back the truck under it to put it on the hitch. Then we raised the jacks, and set the jacks at a different height so that when we pulled the truck out, the jacks could be lowered enough to be level.
Had dinner of chili over noodles and bread with Chris and Bob and came back to the trailer about 10PM.
10/26 Got up around 8:30 and had breakfast. Bob came over with his tea and he and I sat outside and talked while Chris came over and talked with Mom. Later (around 10:30) we all started on a hike. Took a trail from the CG thru the woods and followed it around the west rim – saw beautiful foliage and also some deep canyons.
We probably walked about 3 miles before deciding how we were going to get back to the CG. Chris and Mom decided to wait at this one fork in the trail while Bob and I started out on one of the trails. After awhile we met a couple who said that the parking lot was probably another 30 minute walk so I decided to go back to the ladies and bring them back along the trail while Bob went ahead to get the truck and meet us. After getting the ladies, we started back and started getting tired, so we took a side trail that led us up to a cabin (#6). Chris called Bob to let him know that we didn’t make it to the end of the trail and to pick us up at the cabin. At that time he was still walking (??). I think we were at the cabin for the better part of an hour before he finally called and said that he was at the CG. It probably took another 15 minutes before he got to us.
Later, around 7:30, they came over and we had brats on the grill and some potatoes and beans and brownies for dessert. Then we played some cards – whist and hearts.
10/28 Today Bob and Chris took us for a ride around the area. We went to Desoto Falls and spent some time there enjoying the scenery.
Then we drove the scenic highway back to the CG and had supper with them. Afterwards, we played cards again – this time we played a new game called 3 – 13. A lot of fun.
Appomattox, VA
10/20 Today we drove to Appomattox to see the historical sites. We saw the actual house and room and furniture where General Lee surrendered to General Grant.
This house was lived in by a family who offered their house for the surrender. Here are a few pictures.
We also saw the printing presses that they used to print passes for the confederate army so that they could return home and not be taken for deserters. The tour include sitting on the front porch of one of the houses while a PA soldier (from that time period) talked with us about his army life and is duty there at this place. He did an excellent job of convincing us that we were right there with him in 1846. All in all, it was an educational experience.
This was the actual desk that General Lee sat at while signing the surrender terms.
This was the desk that General Grant used.
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