Full Circle

September 20th – 25th

After we bought our DRV this past summer, I found a website that is geared toward DRV owners called Suites Owners International Travel Club (SOITC). The Club is self-sponsored and self-supporting and is open to any owner of a DRV Luxury Suites recreational vehicle. They offer regional rallies around the country. We signed up to attend the Eastern Rally in Crossville, TN on Sept. 20th – 24th at Spring Lake RV Resort.

There were about 28 DRVs at the campground. It was so cool to see all of the rigs in one campground.We thought attending the rally would be a great way to meet people who owned a DRV and to learn all we can about the fifth wheel. Boy, we are glad we attended the rally. The people at the rally were so helpful answering our questions about the rig and very informative on a variety of subjects. They organized daily activities, craft, meals, and evening events.

We went to the Homestead House Museum and Homestead Tower with the SOITC group. Later we had dinner at the Cumberland Mountain State Park restaurant.

It was very well organized and a FUN rally! We got to meet some wonderful people and we are looking forward to seeing them out on the road very soon.

Ed and I took one day during the rally to hike a trail at the Cumberland Mountain State Park.

Cumberland Mountain State Park Bridge

We had a fabulous time with SOITC people and can’t wait to see them again at next years national rally.

September 26th – October 2nd

We left Crossville and headed east to Maggie Valley, NC. We stayed at Creekwood Farm RV Park for about a week.  We chose this campground to hang out with Frances and Wayne who was at the SOITC eastern rally and it was close to the Blue Ridge Parkway and many of the hiking trails we like.

Creekwood Farm RV Park bathrooms are the BEST! Very clean, nice and roomy. The sites are a little narrow but doable. They do have about nine 60 feet pull thru sites for an overnight stay which is a nice feature to have if you do not want to unhitch. We will definitely be back to this campground.

Campsite #31

The Blue Ridge Parkway is one of our favorite places to visit. Oh how we love the NC mountains! I love the view and some of the easy hiking trails such as the Graveyard Fields. We left the campground early enough so we could stop at Pisgah Inn for breakfast prior to heading out to Graveyard Fields.

After we hike Graveyard Fields, we went to the highest point on the Blue Ridge Parkway.

On another day driving on the parkway we saw a bear. Oh my! That was so cool!

We walked a short trail called Soco Falls which was off US19. The trailhead was not marked well and was a little challenge to find. Ed hiked down to the bottom while I took pictures of the falls from a balcony.

One late afternoon, we went to see some Elk at Cataloochee Valley, part of the Great Smoky National Park. Wow, what a beautiful site and to see them up close.

Couple of days, I stayed in the RV to do laundry and relax while Ed hiked in the woods. I took a couple of afternoons to solo hike two trails that were probably too strenuous and too long for Tracey to enjoy. One trail started in Cataloochee Valley and climbed up the ridge and back down to the same trailhead. There were a couple of large tulip poplar trees that were hollowed out at the base. They were large enough inside that several people could fit and use it as a shelter from the rain (as long as there isn’t any lightning.) My hiking stick is 51” long so you can see in the picture the tree diameter is well more than six feet. There were several log bridges to cross the creeks and there were a couple places where you had to ford the creek (or rock hop which is my preference.)

The second trail was a loop that started at Smokemont campground and also went up the ridge and then back down to the campground. This one was easier and Tracey probably could have done it although it was about 7 miles. I came across two places where a skunk had dug up a yellow jackets buried nest. I like to look for the salamanders and crawfish when I am crossing the smaller creeks. I found a few but did not get any pictures clear enough to show. It was nice to walk in the Smokys again.

On our last day at the campground we hung out with Frances, Wayne, Bill and Billy Marie. We had a ball with these people.

It was a nice trip in the mountains but it was time to head back to Coffee County for Ed to begin work at Amazon.

October 3rd – December 25th

We left Maggie Valley and drove about two and half hours back to Crossville, TN. We stayed at Bean Pot Campground for one night. The next morning we left Bean Pot Campground and drove for about two and half hours to Tennessee Hills Campground, Manchester, TN.

Tennessee Hills Campground Site #J3

Rear site

Ed’s fire pit at our site on J3

We camped at this campground as part of the Amazon camper-force program. Check out this link about their program.  Ed started work at Amazon on October 14th and finished on December 22nd.

While Ed worked at Amazon, I had rotor cuff surgery on my left shoulder and had physical therapy three times a week. I kept myself busy during the day with physical therapy, trying out new recipes, spending time with our granddaughter Zooey, lunch dates with friends, getting massages and acupuncture work and just chilling.

December 26th – December 31st

Ed is finished with Amazon and we can move on to the next destination. Well, not to far away though. Ed will finish up with his mom’s estate sometime in January and then we can move on down south. So we drove back to Barton Springs Campground in Normandy for a month. This is the first year that Barton Springs stayed open for the winter and we are glad they are trying it out. We are at campsite #65 (camp host site) with full-hook ups with a nice view of the lake.

Campsite #65 (camp-host site)

Our view of the Normandy lake

So we have come full circle from where we started full timing in our RV. We started and ended this year camping at Barton Springs. Looking forward to what the new year will bring for us.

We had a very busy and blessed year. We thank all our friends and family for their support and love during this year of change. Big hugs to you all!

Happy New Year!

See ya’ll later,
Tracey and Ed