Arrived at the Rally...and in One Piece, Too

You can thank us now.  For setting the failing economy back on track.  Last night when we pulled in to the Woodstock, VA Walmart, we went inside to stock up on our supplies, including dog food for Zoe, the Wonder Dog, for the week.  A mere $200 later, We pushed a heavily loaded shopping cart back to the Journey, where we parked next to six other RVs.

We took all the bags inside and stuffed them wherever they'd fit.  We decided we'd get everything straightened out tomorrow when we arrived at the campground.  I took the shopping cart back to the corral and we called it a night.

We could supplement our income by renting Zoe out as an alarm clock.  We may be on vacation but she doesn't believe in them and started fussing around 7 am.  I got up and took her for a walk.  By the time I returned , Marti was already up and making herself a cup of that vile and evil liquid called coffee that she loves so much.  She discovered two things, she had packed some light pants to bring along, but somehow apparently they were left behind.  And, we didn't buy any dog food last night. 

Not relishing sharing any of the nice steaks and stuff we bought with Zoe, it was back to the Walmart.  While I got the dog food, Marti picked out a couple of pairs of pants.  Another $100 later, we headed back to the Journey, ate breakfast and then headed out on the highway.

Route 81 was much nicer to travel in the daylight.  Fewer trucks and only an occasional sprinkle of rain.  Driving along, we came upon the scene of an accident with a car off the road into a ditch on the right.  I slowed down and moved to the fast lane.  No sooner had I shifted lanes then a truck in front of me did the same and then hit his brakes.  I had to hit my brakes hard and heard lots of the loose items from our shopping sprees come shifting forward.  After we passed the accident and picked up speed, I enjoyed the smell of brake shoes for a couple of miles, I really hit those brakes hard.  Very happy they worked like they are supposed to.

We stopped at the Whytheville, VA Flying J to take on diesel fuel.  I just love those pumps that shut off at $75.  After starting the pump and running it up to $75 twice, I figured we had more than enough fuel to get where we needed to go, so we grabbed some burgers at a joint next to the Flying J and headed back out on the road.

We arrived in Sevierville, TN and drove right past the River Plantation RV Park.  I was following the GPS instructions and it didn't tell me to turn.  Marti asked, "Isn't that the campground?" as I drove right on by.  I realized it was and discovered I had transposed the street number, it was 1004 and I put 1400 into the GPS. Duh!

We checked in and moved into our site, #162.  We no sooner got set up and started putting all our supplies away when our good friends, Mike and Terri Young, knocked on the door.  We invited them in and had a too long overdue conversation with them.  It is so nice to see friends that are on the verge of full time RV travels like we are.  They invited us to a free concert in town of 50s and 60's music, but we had to pass.  Off in the distance, the clouds were dark and thunder was rumbling.  Zoe the Wonder Dog hates thunderstorms and can't be left alone in them or she'll try to hide in a hole somewhere, and if one is not available she will dig one.  She has damaged the carpet in one of our closets at home with this behavior, but there was no way we were going to take the chance of her panicking and digging up the carpet in the Journey.

We hopped in the car and drove around the town checking out the sights, we've been here to this area before about 4 years ago and noted a lot of changes, including the Titanic that seems to have run aground next to the main street.

With all the nice food we stocked up on waiting for us in the Journey what did we do for dinner?  We picked up Chinese takeout, of course!  In our defense, it seemed like a good idea at the time, and it tasted even better!  Oh yeah, and as we put everything away, Marti found the pants she thought she left behind.  I think we need more training in packing the Journey. ;c)

Now for a couple of days of R & R before the Rally starts on Tuesday! 

Rolling Along, But Not Too Far

We left our home at 7:45 pm and headed out for our trip to the RV-Dreams Rally.  In the dark.  In the rain.  Good thing I didn't wash the Journey like I wanted to or I'd be doing it over later.

Heading out toward the Skyline Drive on Route 66, traffic was pretty light.  We planned to catch Route 81 South and hit a Walmart in Woodstock, VA to pick up supplies for the week.  Then we'd head further South until we decided to stop for the night.

The traffic many have been light on 66, but when we hit 81, it was heavy, and mostly all speeding 18 wheelers.  We decided to keep going until we got to the Woodstock Walmart and called it a night.  So were about 60 miles into our 445 mile trip, but safety is Number 1, no need to take chances.

So we're snug as bugs in a rug, we're surrounded by Walmart bags stuffed with food and goodies.  And of course, Zoe, the Wonder Dog is with us, blessing the air.  Ahhh, vacation.  Doesn't get any better than this!

Getting Ready to Roll!

Despite all the blood that got sucked out of my arms today (both of them) as I started my retirement physical, nothing could dull my excitement for getting ready to roll out Friday night for the RV-Dreams Rally in Tennessee.

After work today, I went over to the storage lot and brought the Journey to the house.  Plugged it in to the electricity and started the refrigerator to cool  it down so we can stow our munchies that we'll take with us.

So tomorrow, after work, we'll head out on our 7 hour, 15 minute, 445.94 mile trip to Sevierville, TN.  We'll overnight somewhere on the road and start out again Saturday morning to finish the drive.  After the Rally, we won't have the luxury of doing the trip in two days, we have to do it in one.  Fortunately for us, we are used to that.  We've been doing 500 mile days in our RVs for years because of our limited vacation time.  Boy, it will be nice when we're fulltime to not have the pressure of limited time.

Of course, the weather forecast for tomorrow night is rain, so it will be driving on a dark, rainy night.  Almost as much fun as getting blood sucked out of your arms...

Stay tuned, hopefully the next post will be from the road.