Saturday, March 26, 2011

Looking at the Nashville Skyline and living on memories

After one full week back at work I can honestly say I hate it.  I always knew I didn't like it much, but after a week in Horizon Seeker I know just how much I dislike it.  So I am trying to get by with the knowledge that in 9 weeks the school year will be over, I will be retired, and new horizons will open for me. 

It's a gray, rainy day in the Music City so I am camping in th den.  I did take Seeker out to gas her up and have a low tire checked.  Gus rode along so we stopped off at a rec area on the shores of Percy Priest and I let him smell the outdoor air for a bit.  He has taken to rv life just fine.  Got Seeker parked back beside the workshop and will spend the day doing some things around the house and working on future plans.

And reliving some good memories from our first trip to Natchez.  Did I mention my visit to the graves of the last king and queen of the gypsies?  If you are like me and enjoy roaming through old cemeteries, then you'll love Rose Hill in Meridian, Mississippi.  And there you will find the gypsy graves.  The whole cemetery is interesting so I walked around having a look and reading headstones.  Must be the history teacher in me.

Guess I'll close this post here and try to do a few things around the house.  If the sun is shining tomorrow I will get Seeker out on the road to somewhere - somewhere close.

Sunday, March 20, 2011

Home At Last....for now

After 5 days and roughly 1400 miles Horizon Seeker is parked once again at the top of my driveway in Nashville.  And in a way, I'm kind of glad to be home.  In a small way.

After cleaning out Seeker, throwing the first load of clothes in the washer, and finding some steel wool to clean the melted plastic tablecloth remains from one of the roasting forks (thanks Aiden), I can sit down and rest.  Or should I say decompress? 

I called this whirlwind trip my Learning Curve and that it was.  I learned about a lot of things I knew just a little about, many things I knew nothing about, and some things I had no idea I would learn.  So here's the breakdown for anyone who cares to know (and for me to see it written down).

Total miles traveled since picking up Horizon Seeker: 1625 (that includes the drive from Ringgold, Ga and the side trip to Mousetail Landing with the grandkids)

States camped in: 5 - TN, GA, AL, MS, LA

Good Sam parks stayed in: 2 - Heritage Acres in Tuscumbia, AL and River View in Vidalia, LA

Bad Sam parks avoided: 1 - Springridge RV Park in Clinton, Mississippi

State Parks stayed in: 6 - Old Stone Fort in Manchester, TN; Mousetail Landing in Linden, TN; Tombigbee in Tupelo, MS; Grand Gulf in Port Gibson, MS; Lake Lurleen in Tuscaloosa, AL; Monte Sano in Huntsville, AL.

Weird (who me?) side trips: 6 -Coon Dog Cemetery, birthplace of Elvis Presley (OK maybe not the home, but some of the stuff in the gift shop was really out there), Church of the Golden Hand, Mammy's Cupboard, Jerry Lee Lewis Museum and Drive Thru Liquor Store, graves of the last king and queen of the gypsies.

Most miles driven in one day: 326

Least miles driven in one day: 86

Lessons Learned (well some of them at least):

Dumping is not as hard as I thought it would be, but still requires concentration.
A checklist for before departure and for setting up is a great idea.
It's REALLY important to be sure that all loose things are secured before taking off.
Watching for low hanging branches while driving down small city streets is more important than oohing and aahing at the architecture.
Remembering all the steps, and the correct order, for putting out and putting away the awning is going to take a lot more practice.
Laughter is an important ingredient when 2 close friends live together in one camper for a week.

So I'm home and heading back to school in the morning, but already thinking about another trip.  In the meantime I have already started a shopping list for gadgets and needs I want to get for Seeker.  There are a lot of things to get done now that spring is here.  But I'm sure I'll find time for a side trip soon!

Thursday, March 17, 2011

How much can I pack into 24 hours?

Wow, hard to believe it's been only a day since my last post.   So much to tell.

We made it to the southern terminus of the trace today in Natchez after spending the night in Grand Gulf, Mississippi by accident.  Accident because we had planned to stay in Clinton which was a very nice little town but the RV park was really a mobile home park with a badly slanted paved lot with no trees.  I call it the Bad Sam park and the goddess calls it the Pentacostal Easter Bunny RV park (only she can explain that one).  So we got back on the trace and went down to mile post 54 thinking we would stay at the NPS park and dry camp for the night, but it was full.  Our last shot was Grand Gulf at mile post 41.  We followed the trace to Port Gibson and followed the signs to the state park in Grand Gulf.  Warily, I might add.  The town looked sad and somewhat seedy.  Within 3 miles of the park we passed the Backroad Bar & Grill and the entrance to the nuclear power plant.  Just as we were beginning to look for a place to turn around (which would have been back at the Backroads) we turned a corner and found a little slice of heaven.

Grand Gulf Military Park and Campground sits on a hill but all the sites are concrete and level.  It's clean and quiet and the grounds are dotted with blooming trees and white iris in bloom.  This morning I walked Gus up the nature trail to the fire tower which was just past the rifle pits, and back down past the cemetery.  We stopped for a geocache in the woods then headed back for breakfast.  After we checked out we browsed the awesome museum and grounds, got good directions to the Windsor ruins and the gold hand church from the friendly folks in the office, and headed out.  I highly recommend this park. 

Witth good directions we found the quaintly southern downtown of Port Gibson which is most noted for the Presbyterian church with a gold hand on top of the spire pointing up to heaven,  When looked at from the wrong angle it almost looks like they are giving heaven the finger.  Oops!  From there it was 10 miles of backroad to the ruins of the Windsor plantation which was incredible, but sadly in ruins since a fire.  Well worth the trip.

Back to the trace and off at Natchez where yes, we drove through town at lunch time.  I am learning how to manuever.  We sought out the holy grail for Aunt Jemima fans - the Mammy House Restaurant.  You'll have to see the pix to believe it. 

Tonight we are in a Good Sam park in Vidalia, LA just over the river from Natchez.  We have barge traffice outside the windows and the bridge lit up at night is quite nice. 

Sadly, we head north tomorrow.  Will try to make it an adventure too!

Wednesday, March 16, 2011

You ain't nothin' but a coon dog, Srygley!

Yesterday was another day of learning and adventure for the Seeker crew.  We spent Monday night at a Good Sam park in Tuscumbia which was very nice, clean, and safe.  The owner was very helpful and even gave us directions to the world's only Coon Dog Cemetery.  Of course we had to go because, I mean, how often does one get to see the world's only anything?  We drove down 72 to 247 and then turned on Coon Dog Cemetery Road (what else?).  We were actually in part of the Freedom Hills Wildlife Preserve and it was the first time I had taken Seeker down a narrow, winding, up hill and down hill country road.  But our landlord for the night had assured us that our rv would make the journey.  And he was right.  Just as we rounded one more curve there was the sign and a gravel drive complete with large turnaround at the end.  We strolled along the stones for Old Blu, Dan's Best, and of course the one that started it all, Troop.  I'm not sure if there's a website but I do know that you can find more info on wikipedia.  Oh yeah, Gus and I followed a trail through the woods and signed a geocache there too! 

As we drove back out to the main highway to return to the Trace we just had to stop at the Srygley Church of Christ.  You see, my brother-in-law's middle name is Srygley and we had never seen that name anywhere else.  Of course we sent a picture to his phone asking if he was moonlighting.  We are so mean!

Next stop Tupelo and the birthplace of Elvis Presley.  Quite a humble beginning for ol' swivel hips.  Now my Elvis circle is complete since I can say I've seen where he was born, where he lived, and even the studios in Memphis and Nashville where he recorded.  I even spent a weekend at Heartbreak Hotel.  The man was amazing. 

Also amazing was that I started feeling sick after we left EP's so we made a quick stop at the nearby Wally World then set up for the night at Tombigbee State Park.  Once again we went through a learning curve about hooking up to the electric.  Another lesson learned.  And after a good night's sleep and morning walk with Gus, I feel like traveling again.  It's on to Jackson, MS today.  Wonder what wonders we will find along the way.

Monday, March 14, 2011

It's all about the learning curve

Wow!  I hate to say this, but I'm looking forward to getting a little rest at school today.  I thought I was tough.  After all, I teach high school juvenile offenders all day every day.  But two adorable 8 yr olds kicked my tail (and I think the goddess was dragging a little too!). 

When we picked them up on Saturday morning they were so excited they nearly ran into the street.  After a short visit with their mom and little brother Drake (who cried when he couldn't go too) we stopped by Nan's house to leave my car and after securing the kids and their books into their seatbelts at the dinette we heading west toward the Tennessee River.  Addy sang a Justin Beiber song for us then the two of them sang Big Green Tractor.  Quite entertaining. 

Seeker climbed the hill to the campsites like a champ and I found the site I liked best which was #13, but not unlucky for me.  I backed her in first try with all levels dead center in the bubble!.  Aiden was a big help hooking up the water and electric because as he told me, he knows all about that man stuff.  Addy walked Gus along with the Goddess, who they call Aunt Brenda, up to pay for the night.  We sat out chairs, put out the awning and the slide and just sat for a minute. 

The adults sat outside enjoying the woods and quiet.  Of course, the kids went back into the rv to play in the upper bunk which seemed to draw them in.  I took a cute picture of them looking out the window.  Finally I decided to wind them down a bit so we went on a hike down to a nearby creek and bushwacked through the woods back to the camper.  I discovered that although they are only 6 minutes apart in age, they are drastically different.  Addy has a thin body and long legs which allow her to lope along easily even up hill.  Aiden is a solid country boy who outweighs his sister by 30 pounds and moves quite a bit slower on the trail, especially the up hill parts.  But he is constantly watching the ground (he is a little closer to it than her) and discovered a wonderful rock with brachiopod fossil imprints.  One even had crystals forming in it. 

After a discussion about how we could only take a picture with us because the fossils, like the park, belong to everyone, we headed back to camp to discover we had company.  Some geocaching friends from nearby Parsons had stopped in to see us and brought along their 8 yr old grandson Gavin, so the kids all played and ran while we visited.  They left to take their daughter home but agreed to return later with wood for the campfire and Gavin to play with the kids.  I took the kids for another walk in the opposite direction to the ranger station where they learned about animal identification and fossils in the area.  I showed him the picture of the baby snake that Aiden found on the road along our walk and he confirmed my guess - copperhead.  We left and hiked up the trail through the woods behind the ranger station up to the campsites and found that our company was back and the campfire started.

So the evening ended with lots of good conversation around the campfire, hot dogs, s'mores, and laughter.  We laughed at the kids playing hide n seek after dark and Addy hiding at the top of the ladder on Seeker.  Those boys never looked up!  Of course at bedtime the twins were still excited and played in their sleeping bags in the upper bunk with flashlights until 11:00.  The goddess and I sat by the campfire till the embers died, then doused it good and went to bed.

Sunday morning was another beautiful day but sadly, not much wildlife around (probably scared of the kids).  Discovered the pilot light was off for the water heater and the stove, then discovered how to relight it.  I made pancakes for all.  The goddess took a picture of that since Vickie and cooking don't really appear in the same sentence EVER.  We broke camp, stopped to play at the playground near the entrance, then buckled in and headed back to Hohenwald.  It was a great trip but I was worn out.  I had forgotten how much brothers and sisters argue and compete.  But it was all done in love and one day long from now it will all be a great memory for them.  For me, it was the best learning curve I've ever experienced.  Thanks kids!

Saturday, March 12, 2011

Me and Mr. Lewis

Good morning sunshine - it's good to see you!

Pulled out of Nashville about 4pm Friday and eased my way through the early part of rush hour out Highway 100 and entered the northern end of the Natchez Trace.  After a short stop at the entrace sign to take pix we were on our way.  Gus rode in the car with The Glimmer Goddess who followed  behind me in the Seeker.  And it was gorgeous all the way down to mile post 384 where we dry camped for the night at Merriweather Lewis Park.  Along the way I saw one woodchuck, 4 turkeys, and 3 deer which I was able to stop for as they darted across the road.  A pretty day brings out everyone!

The temps got up in the high 60s yesterday and daffodills are blooming everywhere.  We noticed a lot of new construction and even new plantings all along the way.  There was a lot of destruction through this area in last year's floods.  We stopped at Merriweather Lewis to camp for the night and were surprised to see we had lots of company until we were reading in The Lewis County Herald about the antique fair in Hohenwald this weekend.  Now it makes sense. 

I love this park which I found through my love for my husband who grew up here in Lewis County.  On the way to pick up the grandkids later this morning we will stop by The Old Swiss Cemetery to visit with my love who died 5 years ago this week.  He would be thrilled to know I'm still in love with Merriweather Lewis park.  And he would be excited to see all the new work going on here.  New "old" split rail fences have been erected to replace ones washed away in the flood and a new walking trail is being laid.  There's a new information center near Lewis' grave that replicates Grinder's Inn where Lewis was murdered or committed suicide depending on which version you believe.  It's a gorgeous park and the campsites are deep in the woodsy part of the park with lots of birds and deer.  It was so warm here last night that we didn't run the generator at all.  Just snuggled down in our quilts and let the night birds sing us to sleep. 

We will be pulling up stakes and leaving in a little while to pick up the grandkids and take them camping at Mousetail Landing State Park tonight: hotdogs, s'mores, campfire, and ghost stories of course!  Looking forward to it!

Monday, March 7, 2011

Trial by the opposite of fire

Well, I am back home again.  At least this is home for now.  Soon I hope to have this sticks and stone house sold and moving on with my life.  Just spent the weekend taking one big step toward that change in my life.  Spent the weekend traveling to and from GA to purchase and pick up my 24 foot motor home.  She is an Itasca Spirit but I call her Horizon Seeker.  Right from the beginning there were trials to overcome.  Foremost of those trials was the nonstop rain.  After signing the papers and picking up a few essentials it was off to the campground next door where my new rig was waiting for me.  And while the rig itself was set up on a level, solid bed of gravel it was surrounded with mud puddles which means I now have muddy footprints on my carpet.

After a solid 24 hours of rain I can be sure there is no leak in my new home on wheels and that the heating system works well.  So then the next trial was getting over Monteagle Mountain in Sunday afternoon traffic which was busy and a bit hairy at times, but I did make it.  And since the rains had stopped I decided to make another overnight stop.  We were the only camper in Old Stone Fort state park in Manchester which is about 45 miles from Nashville.  I have to say that the park was well managed and I felt very secure with the ranger patrolling through every hour until the gates were locked.  The only scary moment was actually entering the camping area.  My first time across a narrow one lane bridge in the seeker.  I actually drove down into the park and came back to get across on the second try.

Stayed till lunch time then packed up to head home and saw that I had a low tire on the back so eased out of the park and into the first station with an air hose.  Replaced the air and a missing valve cap then headed into Nashville the slow way - straight up 41 North.  This is the way I like to travel - slow and through the countryside.  And soon I will be able to travel as slowly as I like.  Looking forward to it.

Wednesday, March 2, 2011

That Goldilocks Moment

After nearly a year of looking, sitting, stretching, dreaming, and still looking more I can finally say, "This one is just right."  I have found my new home on the road.  I have found my Horizon Seeker.  She has a little age on her (like me) but several upgrades (not like me) and I think that we are a perfect fit.  We will soon begin our journey to new horizons.  I can hardly wait.