Dec 2, 2011

Right back on track. We were really needing to be in Greenville, SC on Dec 2, by about 4:30 pm to meet our daughter and family for dinner. This is the evening of the campus lighting ceremony, which we did not attend, and the High School Chorale and Ladies' Choir concert Come to the Light. Our grandson Michael is participating in the Academy Chorale this season and we were very anxious and excited to attend this event.

Our grandsons have, and still do live pretty far away from us, and until this last couple of years, they have been enjoying home schooling. Now that they are in a school setting, there are programs and opportunities to see them perform and we are really eager to see them do that. This is actually the first time we have ever had the chance to see one of them in a performance. It was really nicely done, so elegant, the young men were in tuxedos and the girls in lovely gowns. They sang one of my favorite songs "I Wonder as I Wander" I just love the melody of this somewhat somber tune.
Dr. Bob Jones III spoke for a moment at the end of the concert, it was very enjoyable to hear him. I have always enjoyed hearing the Jones' speak. They have a pleasant sounding voice and the message is usually very gently pointed and direct.

Isn't he a handsome young man?!! We enjoyed a nice meal in the Family room at the dining common and then rushed over to the auditorium for the concert, although I don't know why we hurried, we were way early. I really wish we had stopped to see the lighting ceremony, but it was a bit chilly. I should have taken pictures later
 the campus with all the holiday lights, was so beautiful.
I am not even going to say the name of the park we stayed in while in Greenville. It is a very old and really run down dump of a place. That said it has a lot of potential and could be returned to what I am sure is it's former better days. The spots are not paved, it's very muddy. There are a couple of 'pull throughs' but they are narrow. They have a lot of permanent people, which I think contributes to it's trashy looks. There are a lot of men who must be working construction or something, they have junk trailers, campers, a boat, cars on blocks and on, and on. The only redemption for this park is it's well hidden from public view, and it's about a stone's throw from our kids' house. So it was a no brainer, but I kind of hope they move before we return.

Today is scrapbooking day, and I have lots to organize and pack up before I head up to the church. I have a few photos on my tablet, I don't know how to get them out, I sure hope that I can add them to this blog before I'm through.

On the road, day two

Our original plan was to be in Cartersville, GA on Thursday evening for the "Big Christmas Parade". But since we had such a delay we had called our friends Terry and Debra to tell them we would not have time to stop. We had to be in Greenville, SC. on Friday.
Anyway, I called my friend Debra and said, "hey guess where I am, right here about an hour away from you". She was pretty surprised and directed us to the Cartersville KOA right off  I 75. This is a lovely campground with many nice amenities. It's just too bad that one of them isn't true southern hospitality. The spaces are pretty small, narrow, really tightly packed in. The park was pretty empty, there were fewer than a dozen people camping, but wouldn't you know, the next people to check in were given the spot right next to us. I mean, it's empty, spread out people. I don't think this place is going on our list of 'Places we love'.

Debra had decided to go to work this day, since her company (us) had decided not to come. ha ha, surprise. She works in the law office of Christian Coomer, Representative in the Georgia State House of Representatives, in Cartersville, GA. He has a lovely wife and two nice young sons. We also met his mother, just all really sweet people. So if you're in GA, and a registered voter, I suggest you vote for Rep. Coomer in the up coming election.

Terry came to pick us up for the trip to Cartersville, and the PARADE.  I am a huge fan of parades, love them. I was pretty disturbed when as Terry arrived to pick us up, he had to park at the front of the campground and WALK to where we were parked. I just think it's a rude way to treat your guests.
We enjoyed showing off our camper home to our friend and chatting for a few minutes and then we left to go and meet up with Debra.

We walked around the town a little after seeing Debra and meeting  the Coomers. Now see these are really nice people, they know the meaning of hospitality. A lot of the stores and businesses handed out hot chocolate and even hot dogs, for free. It's a lovely little town, can't wait to go back and explore.

The County Courthouse

We didn't have a lot of time to spend with our dear friends, Debra was busy helping to serve hot chocolate to the entire county and this little community put on a huge parade, it was almost 2 hours long. I think we were all about ready to drop.
We met up for b'fast in the morning and had some time to catch up and visit inside where it was warm, then we headed out for Greenville, SC. It is 174 miles and as Debra said traveling I 85N it can take from 2 1/2 to 7 hours. This depends on traffic. Wish me luck we have to be there by 4:30pm.

OnThe Road

OK, well this is not going as I had planned, but I am going to post anyway.
My intention was to use my new Samsung 3G fancy shmancy tablet to post as we traveled. I thought it would be fun to report on the trip, roads, routes, stops and campgrounds. The good, the bad, and the ugly, uh, not so good.
Well you know how it goes with the best intentions. I composed several blog entries and to my complete frustration could not get it to post, it simply disappeared into cyber space.
So, here goes.

Our intention for our first trip of some length and distance was planned to leave our home on Nov 28, the Monday after Thanksgiving. Again, good intentions. However, we had been discussing the Ford F250 which we have had for several years and it's ability to tow our camper fully loaded into the mountains and somewhat questionable terrain. My hubby has been looking for something with a little more muscle, but not in any real rush, this trip would not really require an extreme amount of towing capacity.
On the Saturday before we left on our trip, my hubby and son were working on the truck, shining it up, painting the bumpers, general maintenance and then someone, the shop owner's uncle, actually called and said I am looking for this exact truck, find me one. FOUND. SOLD the F250. Now, no truck.

The boys started looking and found a newer model Ford F350 on Craig's list only this truck is several hours away, but this never stops us, no way.  So Monday morning, departure day, they go on the road to find the truck and it is nice. Huge Super duty, turbo diesel, dually, crew cab. It has a factory installed towing fifth wheel hitch. It is a beauty, charcoal grey and goes beautifully with the camper graphics. BOUGHT it.
So our first travel day was busted, and of course we needed to have it gone over and oil change, junk like that, so, second travel day was busted too.

Wednesday morning 6:30 AM on the dot we pulled off down the street with Max and camper on the way to how ever far we felt comfortable for one days drive.

I love it, it rides so nicely and there is so much room inside. It's really pretty too. We all know it's really all about how you look. We looked great.

So day one: We headed east never really expecting to get further than Paducah, KY. But we made excellent time and we were able to keep up with traffic beautifully. So we kept on going, and going, and going. We never intended to stay on the road so long, but since we had lost a couple of days we decided to go until we felt like stopping.
At around 5:30 pm we were in the Nashville, TN area. We stopped for dinner and played with the idea of just pulling into a truck stop for the night, since we wanted to make it to Cartersville, GA the next day. But the truck stops were a little yucky so I got out my notebook and found a KOA campground at the next exit in Manchester, TN.
We pulled into the Manchester KOA around 8pm, found a lovely pull-through site close to the front and we were situated and comfortable in a flash. I wished we could stay here for a little longer.
The place was so clean and they even had a doggy play yard. Max didn't get to spend too much time there.
This was the nicest place, and the owners were wonderful hosts, and their dog Honey was so sweet. If you're in or near Nashville, I highly recommend this campground. manschesterkoa.com, check it out.
We were back on the road by about 9am.
We found ourselves about an hour from our next destination, the Cartersville  KOA.
I'll fill you in on day two tomorrow.

Max and me.