February 2025 - Back to Morganton Point, Georgia

 One of the reasons we go so often to the campground at Morganton Point is that it is "home base" for our playing tourist in that area.  Another reason is that it is on Lake Blue Ridge and is probably the nicest campground around there, and with our America the Beautiful Senior Pass, the nightly fee is very reasonable. We were just about ready to head out, but when Bob tried to close the slide-out, it wouldn't go in.  After a few hours and lots of curse words, he managed to jury rig it closed, but  until we got back home when he could trouble shoot the problem, he had to manually crank the slide in and out.  Good thing he has muscles.

We were able to get Site #5...our favorite because of the view of the lake. But this time, we decided to explore a different area.  We headed up to Tellico Plains, Tennessee, via Ducktown (a "quacking good place " according to the road sign) and Turtle Town (no sign there).  At Tellico Plains, we took the Cherohala Skyway to Robbinsville, North Carolina.  

The skyway's name is a portmanteau of the Cherokee and Nantahala national forests it goes through... over 43 miles of scenic country passing along the Tellico River, over an old wagon train trail, the Joyce Kilmer National Forest (named for the poet who wrote "Trees"), and up mountains reaching over 5000 feet in elevation.

Here at the Obadiah overlook it is  3740 feet.

And somewhat bleak looking on a late day in February, despite the sun.
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Near the end of the skyway, outside Robbinsville, we found a small park.

The next day, we drove back to Robbinsville via a different route to have lunch, following in part The Trail of Tears which passes by the historic site of the Chief Vann property. 

We took a tour of the house and property on a trip a few years ago.  There is a post entitled Anniversary Trip in the  April 2021 listing on our blog.

Back at the campground, we enjoyed a beautiful sunset.

Happy New Year - January 2025

 January brought us a very light dusting of snow...best kind...here today and gone in a day or two!

And looks so pretty. 

At the end of the month, we went on a day trip to Sautee Nachoochee, a small town near Helen, Georgia.  There is a tremendous amount of early history here about the Cherokee and settlers. 

  

If you click to enlarge this photo, you'll see it recounts DeSoto's visit to the area in the 1500s and discovery of the Indian mound.

The mound is an ancient Indian burial site

Not far away is a roadside picnic stop at Stovall Bridge.  

The single span 33 foot long bridge was constructed in the 1800s for access to a sawmill which was later destroyed by a flood.

This is the second time we've gone to Sautee Nacoochee, but we would like to learn more on another visit.

Catching up on 2024 in June 2025

 Been a long time since I updated the blog.  Sometimes it doesn't feel that there is much that is "blog worthy", but I do like having the photo-journal, so here I am again.  We did go to Watstadler Campground again in August, but it was quite uneventful other than my enjoying our new hammock...actually I think the first we ever had.

But what was quite eventful was the birth of another great-grand, Fisher.  His big sister, Saylor, is very happy, as are mommy and daddy, grandparents and great-grand ones, too.

In September, we made the long drive to Sunset Beach to see Plish, John, their niece Lisa, and Paul.

We ladies enjoying the sun near the pier

And John and Bob who sought shade under the pier

But, with news of a storm heading to SC, we cut the trip short and headed home.  I-85 was at a standstill with trees downed and blocking the road.  This storm became Helen, which caused massive destruction especially in North Carolina.

In October, we went back to Morganton. GA, and camped at Morganton Point.  We like going to the shops and restaurants around Blue Ridge and Blairsville.  We also went to McCaysville, GA and stopped at The Folk Collective.  

The collective is a long-time family owned farm.

 

They specialize in herbal teas, remedies, homemade jams and jellies and a variety of other goodies.

In October, we drove to Ohio to visit with Bob's family.

                                           

Julie's big lug, Lucca, loves loving company.  Although Poochie is happy to see everyone again, she hopes we won't leave her there!

                           

Fozzie Bear loves Poochie, but doesn't want her to stay either!  Fozzie enjoys being Numero Uno.

In December, Julie, Tony, and Fozzie spent a few days with us.  They bought our boat and would be towing it back to Ohio.

Fozzie and Julie enjoying a mimosa.

               

And Tony & Jules enjoying a pre-Christmas libation.  Ho! Ho! Ho!

    

God bless us everyone!

July 2024 - Hartwell, Georgial

For our maiden journey, we booked a 3 night stay at an Army Corps of Engineers campground on Lake Hartwell which was only 40 miles from home.  We took a long way around to get there since we weren't sure how the tagalong would handle.  

Our site was right on the lake.  Since we have the America the Beautiful lifetime pass, the fee was half price....$16.  Hard to beat that!  I'm a happy camper, indeed! 

We weren't sure how Poochie would adapt to the camper, but aside from the sweltering heat until the a/c kicked in, she once again made herself right at home.  She has been an amazing dog...and in many ways, we almost feel Roscoe came back to us through her.

And here is Bob once again making some needed adjustments.  Thank goodness he is so handy, and willing to get his hands dirty and cuts and bruises all over!

We tried fishing....

...but even the fish were too hot to bite.

We pretty much just relaxed and enjoyed the lake views, and decided to come back again in August.

June 2024 Getting Ready To Be On The Road Again

Much to my delight, early in June Bob said he felt well enough to get another camper.  Not only was I happy that he was feeling better, but I had really missed our RV travels.  He looked around and found a  24-foot tagalong that both of us thought was a good buy, so we bought it. 

It is a 2015 model, but the exterior and interior appeared to be in great shape.

We knew we'd have to put new tires on it, and in doing so, Bob found one of the springs had broken loose.  He spent several days getting that replaced.  Hard to fathom, but he says he enjoys doing that kind of thing.

Behind the entertainment center is a queen size bed with cabinets on each side and overhead storage.

There are bunk beds which we can use for extra storage space.  A full bathroom is to the right of that, and on the opposite wall is a large pantry.  The kitchen has a full-size refrigerator and freezer, microwave, gas range and oven...

And a dinette across from the appliances which can convert into another bed or be used for storage underneath the cushions.  Above, there are cabinets for additional storage.  All in all, it is a big  improvement from the camper truck we sold last year.  

 

May 2024 Congratulations to Mr & Mrs. Kullman

... aka Annie and Dean, who got married over Memorial Day weekend at Lake Bomoseen, VT.  Although we would have loved to share in the celebration, we weren't able to make the trip.  Bob was still recovering from the wrist surgery and had therapy sessions and doctor's visits.  Plus driving that distance one handedly would have been quite a strain.  We were there in heart and spirit and got to share some of the joy via photos cousins Adele and Carol took.

Here are some of the usual suspects regularly seen having fun getting together at family gatherings...Uncle Mickey, front and center at 101 years old, surrounded by two of his children, Adele and Joe, and some of their families.  Missing persons include John and Christie Piascik, the nine munchkins ages 2 thru 9, and the Montero clan who were gearing up for the big event. 

Annie and Matt with their half brother and sister, Michael and Dina.

Here Uncle Mickey and Joe are enjoying the boat ride to the island where the celebration would take place.

The bride and groom in a beautiful woodland setting on the island.

Annie's dance with her dad.  The bride is beautiful, and Nelson looks quite dapper, too.

And now the happy couple who will be going to Zimbabwe for their honeymoon.  May they have many more wonderful adventures!!

April 2024 Myrtle Beach

For our 38th anniversary, we decided to go to Myrtle Beach.  I found a dog friendly beachfront hotel that was even nicer than the Litchfield one we stayed at last August.

And, no, I didn't choose it because of the name!

This is one view from our balcony

And another

The outdoor pool had ample seating

There was an indoor pool and two hot tubs, and in another section, there was an indoor lazy river for floating.

And the unit had full kitchen amenities.

We had avoided Myrtle Beach in the past thinking it would be too crowded, but in April, it wasn't.  The boardwalk was a bit of a disappointment.  It didn't have any amusement rides, and most of the concessions weren't open yet.

But, it was a beautiful day for a walk on the boards, and it really was a Grand stay.