Skyline Drive and Blue Ridge Parkway

In September, Clark and I traveled to PA for our granddaughter's first birthday. We had a wonderful time with family and friends but headed home a little early. Over the years we traveled back and forth making the 13 hour trip in one day. We took the same route and often talked about stopping here and/or there to see some of the sights along the way. We were always in a hurry and always so tired when we arrived home. Of course we did not have our "Scotty" camper before, so this trip was different. First we discovered it seemed to take a little longer pulling a camper. Mainly because we had to stop for gas more often. So we left a little early with the idea that we would just stop when we got tired and enjoy the trip. As we neared the PA border we were trying to decide where we might stop and Clark came up with the Blue Ridge Parkway. Unlike Lewis and Clark, I whipped out the iPad and checked out the start and finish. We decided to start at the very top in VA on the Skyline Drive.

We entered the Skyline Drive at about 4:30. We thought it would be good to get to the 50 mile post where there was a good campsite. We thought that would give us plenty of time to arrive, set up camp, cook dinner, relax . . . In the first hour we managed to travel 10 miles. We were stopping at every overlook. The views were magnificent but we were not going to make it to the campsite before they closed at 8:00 if we did not keep moving. We stopped about every 3rd or 4th overlook and managed to make it to the 50 mile post at ten minutes to 8:00. Needless to say we did not "set" up camp and cook dinner. We ordered from the lodge and picked up dinner to take back to camp. We were disappointed in the food but not to worry. We were on an adventure.

We woke up early, hitched the wagon and headed out. Our plan was to get to Boone, NC by about 3:00. Again, we thought we would get to Boone, set up camp, cook dinner, relax . . . We barely made it into NC by 9:00. We did stop to hike some, stopped at the overlooks  . . . We were definitely enjoying ourselves but this was a slow trip. 

The next day we had no choice but to finish this trip that day because I had to work in the morning. We did finish and arrived home about 10:30 that night.

FYI, if you want to take the Blue Ridge Parkway--either do it in sections or plan at least a week or so to really enjoy it. We are glad we did it but we now want to do it in sections to enjoy some of the areas we had to pass through. It is beautiful, breathtaking and brilliant! Definitely worth the time.

#BlueRidgeParkway#travel#Camping 

Another Birthday

Another grandchild grew older! Hunter turned 5 this year and we were not about to miss this special day. We have been so busy this year between our travels, work, and new property there has not been enough time to post. I haven't had a chance to tell you about all our adventures before a new one comes up. I know the real Lewis and Clark did not have this problem but then they did not have to go to the office on a regular basis. Their travels happened to be their job. How cool was that? Of course they did not have the luxury of staying in hotels and/or campers, visiting relatives and traveling in a civilized world. I think I do it the Lois and Clark way. I will do my best to post more regularly--I have lots to tell you.

Birthday Party!!

Nothing more fun than a first birthday! Don't you wish we could have our own birthday cake every year? Why do they get their own and we have to share. They don't even know what they are eating and they never eat it all. They just make a mess of it. Fun, fun, fun!

Big brother celebrated his birthday too! I think it is lucky the two have birthdays so close. I shared my birthday with my brother and there is 3 years difference between us. We always had a special bond just because we shared our birthday. It was great!

Great Adventures!

We just returned from a great adventure to visit our grandchildren. Our youngest granddaughter turned 1 over Labor Day weekend. I will have her pictures to show off soon. Clark and I drove to PA with our Scotty Camper. When I looked on line for a campsite I was a bit surprised to find every place was booked. Clark's daughter was able to find us a spot at a private camp ground only 4 miles from her home. That's a story in itself. Hunter and Caroline were camping at Bald Eagle State Park--where we originally wanted to stay. Little did I know we could have booked a site at Bald Eagle State Park in the "Primitive" section. This park is beautiful and the sites are beautiful. Unfortunately I was looking for the hookups. Next time I know better. I just did not know you could bring a camper into the "primitive" section. Now I know and will be better prepared for the next trip.
We visited Hunter and Caroline and of course their parents. We went on a geocaching expedition that had been set up by Ranger Rick. These kids are experienced campers, hikers and geocachers. We had a great time until someone stepped into a bees nest. All hell broke loose with screaming and running. I was lucky to not have gotten stung at all. Clark was stung 5 times, Caroline and her dad were each stung one time but poor Hunter got the most stings with 8-10. Luckily their mom was prepared and passed out Benadryl to all the wounded soldiers. It was a horrible way to end such a great adventure but, the kids and adults are all doing fine and ready for our next adventure. We will not be finishing that geocache-sorry to say.
I have so much to tell you about but I need to start with the family trip first. I will post birthday pictures soon.

Storm A Brewing

Just came back from sunny South Florida. This photo was taken from my hotel room. What a view! I did not have to get out of bed for sunrise pictures. Seriously, the view was absolutely gorgeous without every getting up. I literally grabbed my cell phone and started taking pictures as soon as I woke up. I was too lazy to get up and grab my camera and the iPhone did just fine.

Fourth of July in NC

 

Clark and I took a last minute trip to Sneads Ferry, NC to visit a daughter. We camped right in her front yard--which was perfect. We were able to visit, camp and relax. There will be more pix soon but for now I thought I would throw up at least a firework and sunset for the 4th.

Another Great Camping Trip

This trip we headed North to Boone, North Carolina to meet with about 30 other  "Scotty" owners. Who would have thought? Well, Clark finally finished the camper and I checked out the NSSO (National Serro Scotty Organization) website and discovered they were meeting at Flintlock Campgrounds for the Memorial Day Weekend. We had a great time visiting Blowing Rock, Grandfather's Mountain and we did a little antique-ing. The best part was meeting all the members of NSSO. It was great looking at how everyone renovated their Scotty. Some great people! We had a fabulous time and look forward to meeting up with some or all of these people again.

Mississippi

I have fallen for this sepia toned processing of my photos. Almost everything I do I turn into an aged sepia toned photo. I think it gives it somewhat of a nostalgic feeling. A great look for memories.

      Leaving for our camping trip.

          The Beau Rivage in Biloxi

The shore line along the Mississippi

National Seashore

Just a pretty flower in Mississippi

Clark and I took a camping trip along the Gulf Coast of Mississippi. The weather was beautiful and the campgrounds were great. Our little Scotty provided a great place to sleep--in fact we slept in every day. There was ample room for me and Clark and Coco--our dog. This trip was so much better than the last because it has been renovated--well not totally done but enough to where we could go out without worry. We still have a couple of cabinets to install and trim work but it will be done before the next trip.

Busy Year

 I cannot believe we are already into March and I have not posted since New Years. Since then we have gone to Florida twice, South Carolina, had our grandchildren for a week and I took a quick trip to NYC. Whew!! What a busy start.

New Year's Day

Every new year's day Clark and I hop in the car and look for an adventure. Looking back we seem to have a lot of cold wet new year's days. It was just that this year too. We had no real plan other than for me to take a picture. We headed West with the thoughts of finding an old barn or something. Instead we turned into the West Georgia Regional Airport. The gate was opened so we drove in and took a few shots of the small planes parked there. Although it wasn't much of an adventure, we enjoyed our little jaunt.