July 13 - August 12 Williamsburg, Va to Cumberland Gap, Va, Tn Ky.

Just when my blog was back on schedule our computer caught a virus (better it then us) and it took a month to get it fixed.  We are now in Cumberland Gap National Park, Virginia, Tennessee and Kentucky where the three states meet at Triple Peak, it was about a 4 mile RT hike to find the survey marker, up hill both ways!!!!

We spent the week of July 13 - July 20 at Cheatham Annex, another great military park except for AT & T customers, we had no service. Our first day there, temp 111 with the heat index, the AC went out on the Jeep.  Meineke got us right in the next morning.  We had to rent a car in the middle of summer in Williamsburg, Va.  The only car they had left was a 2018 BMW convertible.  What fun we had, it took 4 days to get the AC fixed, they had to take the whole dashboard out to get to it.  A busy week, we visited Jamestown, Yorktown and Norfolk. 

The week of July 20 - 27 we were at Ft. Pickett, a National Guard training base that was built in 1941.  The park was so-so, but only $11.00 a night,  just outside the small town of Blackstone, Va., a nice respite after the traffic in Williamsburg and surrounding area. The highlight of Blackstone is their Brew Haus, we went there twice for dinner.  Gary was in hog heaven visiting the Civil War Trails.  Sailors Creek, Farmville, (not the game) Five Forks, Petersburg and Richmond, the instrumental locations in Lee's  retreat.  We spent a day in Richmond seeing Maymont Mansion and Gardens, the Hollywood Cemetery where Presidents Monroe and Tyler are buried along with several Virginia governors and generals.  

We spent 3 nights in Appomattox, Virginia, where Lee surrendered, Appomattox Courthouse National Park.  A village of 27 structures, the Courthouse and McLean house were reconstructed.  The parlor of the McLean house is where Lee surrendered to Grant.  We went to Patrick Henry's last home about 30 miles out in the country from Appomattox.  Thank goodness for the GPS, I'd never found my way back if I'd had to leave bread crumbs.  After an informative movie we took a walking tour of his home, law office grave site and outbuildings.  The most beautiful 300 year old Osage Orange tree stands in front of the home.  

After a night in a Mocksville, NC Wal-mart parking lot we spent 3 nights in Asheville, North Carolina.  We drove 30 miles south on the Blue Ridge Parkway, the 469 mile parkway runs along the crests of the southern Appalachians and links two eastern national parks - Shenandoah and Great Smoky Mountains. We've been at sea level since last November, the elevations here made us  huff and puff.  We drove up to Mt. Pisgah, elevation of almost 600 feet, then hiked up to the the viewpoint..  Lots and lots of trees but also Monarch butterflies on their migration.  So Beautiful!  The reason we came to Asheville is to see The Biltmore House, 178,925 square feet home and Gardens.  It took 6 years to complete the 250 room mansion, opening on Christmas day 1895.  He also had a town built for the construction workers and servants, including a church.  My favorite garden was the rose garden, I affectionately call the "nose" garden because I like to "sniff".  On the grounds are a hotel, stables, farm, winery  and of course shopping for the wealthy.  We bought a bottle of Biltmore Malbec and  a six pack of Cedric's Brown Ale. We spent most of the day at the estate, after the self-guided tour of the mansion we strolled the gardens.  We had a nice lunch in the former barn.  Luci got to go to Doggie Day Care twice.

A short drive 98 mile drive took us to Pigeon Forge, Tn.,  we stayed at Up the Creek RV Park for 4 nights, what a great place, one of our favorites.  We took in the Dixie Stampede, a dinner and show.  We had vegetable soup. quarter of a chicken, pork loin, corn on the cob, baked potato, biscuit and apple turnover all of which you had to eat with your hands, no forks spoons or knives. The show was entertaining, we had front row seats to all the horse showmanship and even a little magic.  They also have a show in Bronson, Mo.  We didn't go to Dollywood theme park, it was $60pp and we didn't think we'd enjoy $120.00 worth of rides, etc.  Smoky Mountain National Park is just 6 miles up the road,. we asked a park ranger for a " kinder gentler" trail.  We took the Little River Trail along the Little River, it reminded us of hiking along the Santiam River a 8 mile RT walk, I was so glad it wasn't too steep.  We can't forget mini golf, we played on two different courses, I won by one and then Gay won by 6!  A very pretty area but!!! major traffic!

In 2004 a friend of mine, Trudy moved first to St. Louis then to Pound,Va.  When I contacted her and told her we'd be in E. Va., she told us she and Roy were moving to Kingsport, Tn..  Perfect, only 98 miles from Pigeon Forge (East)  It was so good to see  Trudy and Roy and their little Corgi Willie.  They invited us to dinner, only a couple of days after they moved into their beautiful new home.  The next day they took us to one of their favorite camping spots, Natural Tunnel State Park, we took the tram,  (not one of my favorite things to do) down to Stock Creek to see the 850 feet long tunnel carved out of limestone.  Amazing!  Back on top we took the  trail to the Indian lore, "Lovers Leap" a hike over the top of the tunnel on the other side of the creek.  Roy, who had knee replacement surgery in May led the way, his first hike since surgery.  He took it slower on the way back down.  After leaving Trudy and Roy's home we drove to Bay Mountain and Planetarium, the last Zip Line of the day was at 4, we just made it with a little whining they let us go.  This has been on my bucket list for years but Gary didn't want to try it.  I was so surprised he was going too.  You had to climb up a rope cargo ladder to the platform,  about 20 feet, the hardest part.  By the time I got up there my mouth was so dry I couldn't have spit if I wanted to.  We both went at the same time, coming into the opposite platform backwards.  Gary went for another "zip", I didn't think I could climb the rope ladder again.  Fun, fun, fun!  

Gary and Luci in our BMW

Historic Ft. Jamestown

Tight fit

Archealogist still working at  Ft. Jamestown

Gary signing up for Army Yorktown

No comment

Musket firing demo

Moore house where Cornwallis surrendered

16 guns on USS Wisconsin, Norfolk harbor

Luci rolled in paint at Ft. Pickett

Maymont House Richmond

White House of Confederacy, Richmond

President Monroe grave site Hollywood cemetery rRchmond

View of James River from Hollywood Cemetery

Appomattox Courthouse

Gary at McLean house where Lee surrendered

Patrick Henry's home and 300 year old Osage Orange tree

Monarch butterflies at Blue Ridge Parkway

View from Mt. Pisgah, Blue Ridge Parkway

We usually skip KOA's with good reason.  Built in the side of a hill, it was very steep down to the spaces, we never were able to get the coach leveled.  It was fun, flinging yourself out of the shower.  

We are spending 3 nights at Cumberland National Park Campground, only 90  miles from Kingspsort, Tn. The weather has been "sketchy" rain on and off.  Great campground, we were able to get a "pull-thru", happiness is a pull-thru.  We hiked up the Wilderness Trail that Daniel Boone took through the Gap of the Appalachian Mountains.  We have been in so many places where historic people have walked, it is awe inspiring.  We took a 4 mile RT hike up to the point where Virginia, Tennessee and Kentucky meet.  

That's it for now, let's hope the computer hangs in there.  Enjoy the pics.

TTFN

Gary and Pam

Sorry about the jumbled pic's. More pictures on next blog.
 

More pic's July 13 - Aug 11

All Souls Church Biltmore built for workers

Tasting room at Biltmore Winery

Gardens at Biltmore

Biltmore Mansion

Announcer at Dixie Stampede

Finale Dixie Stampede

Last years' fire at Gatlinburg

Hike up Little River Trail Great Smoky NP

Roy, Trudy, Gary and I at Natural Tunnel SP

Natural Tunnel

Tram ride back up

Lovers Leap

Getting instructions

Climbing up to platform

Ready set go!

Gary's 2nd zip

Luci and I at Triple Peak Trailhead

Luci having a drink water comes from Gap Cave

Very tired , survey marker Tennessee, Kentucky and Virginia

July 5 - July 12 Elizabeth City, NC

It is hot hot hot!  Right now the temp is 94 but with the heat index says 105. Thursday it reached 111!  But it's a "moist" heat!  I keep saying this but I can't believe how fast time flies, we have been in Elizabeth City for two weeks moved on to Cheatham Annex at Naval Weapons Station Williamsburg, Va.  We are in an AT&T dead zone, I had to go off base to finish the blog. 

July 5,  Happy birthday to Micah our Son-In-Law, happy 50th!  A quiet day for us - laundry, housekeeping and banking.  There is no commissary on base, just an Exchange and Mini Mart.  I was so glad, I needed root beer  for a new recipe I was trying, Slow Cooker BBQ Ribs.  Sounds weird but it was quite tasty.  While Gary was sitting outside he spotted a strange looking plane doing touch and go's on the airstrip.  He did a little researching and discovered it is an E-2C Hawkeye, to me it looked like a large drone.

Thursday, July 6, Poor Luci, we left about 9 for the Outer Banks.  First things first, we spotted a Mini-Golf course, had to stop and play 18 holes.  I lost again!  When we were in Dayton Ohio 2 years ago we visited the Wright Brothers home, bike shop and burial ground.  So of course we we had to see Kittyhawk in Kill Devil Hills.  On this (at the time) remote location on Dec. 17, 1903 Orville took the first powered flight of 12 seconds and 120 feet.  Followed by Wilbur, 12 seconds and 175 feet, Orville, 53 second and 852 feet and the last, Orville, 15 seconds and 200 feet.  I never knew Wilbur flew.  Helping were friends from the Life Saving Station including John Daniels, the cameraman who had never even held a camera before.The Wright Brother's Monument stands 60 feet  atop Kill Devil Hill, the site of the 100'a of glider flights that proceeded the powered flight.  A granite boulder marks  where the first flight landed, small stone markers chart the 3 other flight path distances.  At the base of Kill Devil Hill is a life size sculpture in bronze of the plane taking off.  The Wright Brothers stayed in Elizabeth City while looking for a place in the Outer Banks, and after finding Kittyhawk they purchased needed supplies including gas.  We grabbed lunch at Outer Banks Brewing Station, the food was delish and the service was great, Gary said the beer was yum yum yum.    Now we had a long drive down to Cape Hatteras National Seashore to see Cape Hatteras Lighthouse.  The lighthouse was built 1870, the US tallest at 198 feet tall.  You can climb to the top but Gary decided against, the temp inside was 100 with the heat index.  In 1999 they moved the light house 2,900 feet, erosion was causing concern that the lighthouse would be lost forever.  We drove straight back, getting home about 6:30.  Poor Luci.

Friday, July 7, Another uneventful day, we spent the afternoon working on our itinerary.  We have 2 dates to work around, we'll be in Paducah, Ky for the solar eclipse and September 24th for the Seahawk/Titan game in Nashville.  After we leave Virginia there won't be many military RVparks to stay in.  It always seems like a "crap shoot"picking parks.  Sometimes good, sometimes bad, like Myrtle Beach.  We met the base commander of Elizabeth City Coast Guard Base. Randy started his 3 year tour here just two weeks ago.  He and his wife Donna and 2 dogs are RVing here at the park until they can find a house to rent.  There is no on base housing here except for the dormitories. 

Saturday, July 8,  Gary went down to Plymouth to check out their Civil War history, I took the day off from sightseeing.  He went to the Plymouth Roanoke River Museum a former railroad station, site of the Civil War Battle of Plymouth, one of the last battles the Confederates won.  After dinner we drove to a nearby ballpark to find 4 geo caches.  We found 1 but couldn't find the other two, as we were heading toward the 4th we heard a car horn???  We didn't realize they lock the gates at 7.  We almost spent the night in the ballpark.

Sunday, July 9,  Lazy day, we read and walked Luci.  The highlight of our day was shopping for a bug zapper and an indoor-outdoor thermometer.  

Monday, July 10, Another quiet day, Gary got a new military ID card here on base, we geo cached at the park we almost got locked in and then Gary washed the top of the coach.

Tuesday, July 11, We drove North about 30 miles to Dismal Swamp State Park.  The name really gets your attention, maybe not in a good way.   Early explorers tried to drain it for farmland, that didn't work so well, then they turned to logging.  The North Carolina Nature Conservancy purchased the land from the timber companies in 1972 and sold over 14,000 acres to the State Parks.  During the time of slavery the swamp offered refuge to runaway slaves, others stopped here on the way north, now the National Park System recognizes the the Great Dismal Swamp as a  site of the National Underground Network.  At the recommendation of George Washington the Great Dismal Swamp Canal Company was created, dug completely by hand by slaves, it runs 22 miles long, opened in 1805.  Now part of the Intercoastal Waterway for pleasure boaters.  We were warned about tickets at the Visitor Center, there are many trails you can take throughout the park.  We chose the boardwalk, it's only about a half mile but should be relatively tick free.  I'm just a little paranoid about ticks nowadays.  The bridge across the canal is a swing bridge, very unusual looking.  As we were wondering how it worked a maintenance worker came by.  We asked what the toll is for boaters, he said they charge twice as much for Seahawk fans?????  He saw our car with out Seahawk sticker, guessed right it was our car, then proceeded to give us a good heartedly bad time.  He explained how both ends of the bridge raise up then then somehow  the middle swings to the side.  Last October, Hurricane Matthew wreaked havoc along the Atlantic Coast including the Great Dismal Swamp Canal, it is still closed due to the many trees blown into the canal.  Gary picked up a brochure at the Visitor Center of a driving tour Camden County Civil War Battlefields, not much to see.  I did put him in the stocks at the Camden County Courthouse for being a smart alec.  We decided it was a waste of time so we headed back to Elizabeth City.  We had a nice lunch at Panera Bread before heading home to Luci.  It was been hot, over 100 today, no afternoon t-showers to cool things down.  We washed the back and side of the coach that was out of the sun.  

Wednesday, July 12, We started the day washing the other side of the coach and front before it got "too" hot.  Today is supposed to be the hottest day of the year.  Did some preparation for our move tomorrow.  After dinner our neighbors, Gary and Michelle came over for a visit.  A nice couple, he is retired Army but is now working for the Coast Guard.  

That's it for this week, enjoy the pic's.

TTFN

Gary and Pam




 

Pictures July 5 - July 13

View from our site

E2CHawkeye flying around base

Mini golf in Outer Banks

Gary at Wright Brothers National Monument

60 Foot granite monument

View from top of bronze sculpture

Landing strip

Boulder marking distance of first flight

Capte Hatteras lighthouse

Okay start climbing

Crepe Myrtle Tree in RV park

Replica of  Roanoke LH

Replica CSS Albamarle

First Christian Church Plymouth

One of many butterflies at Dismal Swamp

View from swing bridge Dismal Swamp

Visitor Center Dismal Swamp

Mushrooms growing out of tree

Only wildlife we saw on Boardwalk nature trail

Entrance to Elizabeth City Coast Guard Base

Lighthouse from keepers home

June 24 - July 5 Cherry Point MAS & Elizabeth City, NC Coast Guard Station

I'm finally getting caught up to date on my blog, it seems we are always on the go.  The computer has been particularly cantankerous, I had publish the pictures in two parts.  Oh well, it's done.

Saturday, June 24, A great day until early evening, the usual t-storm doused us with heavy rain.  About  8:30 the emergency ring tone on both our phones alerted us to a tornado warning in our area and to take shelter.  We sloshed across the parking lot, walking in nice warm rain water to the bath house, after about 30 minutes we got the all clear, fortunately it didn't materialize.  How do people live like this all the time.

Sunday, June 25, We left Luci in the coach, we drove up to New Bern, about 25 miles north, settled in 1710 it became the Colonial capital in 1766 and the first state capital in 1776.  Tryon Palace burned in 1798.  It was later reconstructed thanks to a a group of determined local women who raised the money, they were able to use the archictects original drawings to  build and research the furnishings.  It is truly beautiful, built very similar to Drayton Hall in Charleston, I had to ask - the women raised over 3 million dollars for the projects.  We took a tour of the Palace and two houses that were part of the complex.   Surprise, we had lunch at a Brew Pub in the historic downtown, Beer Army was the name of the place (???) Great burgers.  Pepsi Cola was invented by a pharmacist just down the street in 1898.  The drug store now sells Pepsi memorabilia.  Across the street is the magnificent Christ Episcopal Church, founded in 1715, the first two buildings burned.  The present one was built in 1824 in the same location.  Our neighbors Steve and Donna joined us for happy hour.  They have been "full-timing" for a year in their 32' Allegra, thinking they are either going to buy a bigger coach or a house.

Monday June 26, We took Luci and a picnic lunch to Cape Lookout about an hour drive and a 30 minute ferry ride,  Luci was unsure about getting on and off the ferry, there was a slight separation between the boat and the docks.  Cape Lookout National Seashore is very remote, it's one of the few undeveloped barrier islands.  You have  to take everything you'll need.  There is a small gift shop/National Park Visitor Center and restrooms.  The Cape Lookout lighthouse, constructed in 1857, is 150 feet tall and is still operational.  The black diamonds face N-S and the white diamonds face E-W.  The lighthouse keepers house was being painted and climbing to the top of the lighthouse is only allowed certain days.  Not this day! (darn)  We had a nice little lunch then walked around the point.  Luci had a great time in the water, it was so warm, just like bathwater.

Tuesday, June 27,  After Gary and I rode our bikes we "prettied" up, left Luci in the coach while we went off to explore Fort Macon State Park.  Due to the Pirates, Spanish and English, the government decided it needed more fortification along the Atlantic coast.  Fort Macon was one of 38 built, construction started in 1826.  Fort Macon was involved in the Civil War and Spanish American War.  In the 30's the CCC restored the fort, during WWII the US Army occupied the fort from 1941-1944.  It reopened again as a state park in 1946.  The reconstruction was very well done - you can almost hear the bombing by the Union Soldiers.  We had lunch at the Channel Marker Restaurant, just off the causeway, we sat outside enjoying the weather but not the seagulls.  Steve and Donna joined us for happy hour again.  

Wednesday, June 28, We rode down to Swansboro with Steve and Donna, they wanted to take us to Yana's for lunch, one of their favorite restaurants, a 50's diner.  The place was packed but we were able to get a table right away.  Donna is a knitter so she and I went to the yarn shop.  The guys checked out the antique store.  What a cool place.

Thursday, June 29, We left Cherry Point about 10 for an uneventful drive to the Elizabeth City NC Coast Guard Base, only 141 mile drive, arriving about 1:00.  EC Coast Guard base is one of the largest Coast Guard installations, most of which is off limits to us ordinary folk without security clearance.  The park is small, only 10 spaces but the sites are nice sized.  Located on the Pasquotank River, we have lots of room to walk plus there is a nice beach for Luci to swim in.  We ate at Applebee's for dinner, kind of disappointing, it seemed dirty, the windows were filthy and the food was "different" than we are used to.  Oh well, I didn't have to cook.

Friday, June 30,  We didn't do much, laundry and housekeeping, drove into town for a few grocery.  Nothing interesting.

Saturday, July 1, Holy smoke!  It's July already!  We drove downtown ready to explore.  First stop was the Museum of the Albermale, a nice new museum exhibiting history of the area from Native Americans to present day.  We grabbed lunch at a bakery/cafe on the waterfront before taking the Elizabeth City Residential walking tour. (we drove)  Gorgeous well kept old homes, 1800's and 1900's.  Our plan was to BBQ s couple of  fillets but the Traeger wouldn't start.  Phooey. They were okay on the stove, just a little frustrating. We had our evening t-storm, boy did it rain, it filled the ditch to overflowing.  One good thing, it cooled the temps down from "feels like"100 to the high 70's.

Sunday, July 2, We took a morning walk around the base, Luci chased a fox that had the poor timing to come out of the bushes at the wrong time.  Boy they (both) ran fast. the fox then ran into the woods and Luci decided to listen to us and stop.  It's really hot, the heat index says 100.  Our neighbors, John and Rhonda, from North Carolina (forgot where) came over for happy hour(s).  They picked our brains about full-timing, they are considering hitting the road.  They have a beautiful boxer, Sampson that they recently rescued from a shelter, poor baby, he was found in the middle of a parking lot about 20 pounds underweight.

Monday, June 3, We left Luci behind in the coach while we spent the day at historic Edenton, about 25 miles SW, a small town of about 5,000 on Abermarle Sound.  One of the oldest towns in the state, established 1722.  We checked out St. Paul's Church, built in 1736 and the cemetery surrounding it even picking up a geo cache.  We grabbed a quick bite before visiting the Roanoake Lighthouse, it has been moved 3 times before settling in at the city park on the waterfront.  As we were waiting to take the trolley tour we saw a group of people looking for something-AHA- geo cachers.  We told them we'd let them find it then we'd log it.  Well, neither of us found it!  It must be hidden real well.  The trolley tour was something, the historic district is quite large.  If you live in the district you can't update the outside of the house.  Many of the homes were circa 1800's and a few from the 1700's.  We wanted to try North Carolina BBQ, Captain Bob's was recommended as the best BBQ in the area.  We picked up dinner to go. it's a bit too "vinegary" for our taste.  No t-storm tonight.

Tuesday, July 4,   Didn't do much today, just before dinner Gary thought we should check out the Episcopal Cemetery, the oldest legible grave stone is 1724, a mix of stones and cast iron fences that illustrate the funeral tradition of the time.  I just jumped in the car, not even grabbing my purse.  The Coast Guard is under Homeland Security, they are fussy about ID"s.  I had to wait in the guard shack while Gary went to the RV park to retrieve my purse.  I felt like I was in jail, nobody was very friendly.  We were able to watch the fireworks from the dock here on base, we could see 6 different firework celebrations along the river.  Pretty quiet, unlike town where you hear "bangs" for hours after. 

That's it for this week.  I'm finally caught up. Enjoy the pic's.

TTFN

Gary and Pam