Oct 1, 2012 - Great Smokey Mtn NP and Blue Ridge Skyway

The last three days we have been visiting the Great Smokey Mtn NP and the Blue Ridge Skyway. There is no such thing as a straight stretch of highway into or out of National Parks. And being in the mountains was no exception. But the color was amazing when we got to see it. Had competition with the weather between rain and the haze in the mountains, where the Smokies get their name. Some of the color was amazing as were the falls we visited. Did some challenging hikes too. Seemed like 2/3s uphill to 1/3 downhill, LOL. Camped at Creekwood...

May 13, 2012 - Creekwood Farms Rv Park--waynesville, Nc

5-13-16/2012 CREEKWOOD FARMS RV PARK--WAYNESVILLE, NC We drove to Creekwood Farms RV Park Sunday 5/13 to stay 3 nights. This is a quiet and very clean and neat park. We spent one day driving to Cherokee Village and the second day we drove to Catalouchee Park to view the elk. This is a 10 mile drive back into the mountains, of which about half is rough gravel and hairpin curves in the mountains, but the drive is worth it. Unfortunately, it started raining about 6 pm when the elk usually starts coming out. We did not think we would see any...

Apr 18, 2012 - Cataloochee

We spent two nights at the Creekside Farm RV park and explored Cataloochee in the Great Smoky Mountains. Nice little RV park nestled along a fast moving creek. Our drive up into the Great Smoky Mtns was like going back in time. The dirt road was cut out of the side of a mountain and at places was only one lane wide (very scary). Cresting the mountain top the forest closed in on us as we descended into the valley. Time warp. When the area became a park, people had to move out. They preserved a number of buildings including a school house and...

Sep 18, 2011 - Waynesville NC

Today we got a little bit of a late start but it was well-deserved after last night. We spent some time talking to Debbie’s uncle Mike, his friend Dave and his girlfriend Yvette while we waited on Fred and Debbie to head down the hill so we could go to Clyde’s for breakfast. Usually Clyde’s is a daily morning ritual when I am here, but it is closed on Monday so we had to get our dose today. After breakfast we headed back to the Kemp Compound and met up with Mike, his wife Susie and Dave and Yvette at the house on the top of the property...

Sep 17, 2011 - Waynesville NC

Got on I-40 east through Knoxville at about 9:30 and then into Waynesville NC just before noon, where we pulled into the WalMart and met Fred and Debbie. We loaded into Fred’s new convertible Mustang and headed down Main Street to get some lunch at Nico’s Cafe. It’s a Cuban inspired restaurant, but I would call it Mountain Cuban cuisine. They all had a Mojo Wrap which is marinated pork pressed into a Cuban sandwich, and I opted for the old time Cuban favorite, the French Dip, all of which were good. After lunch we wandered the shops along...

Aug 10, 2011 - Blue Ridge Parkway

Waynesville, NC Wednesday Did I whine and complain for the last few weeks about the heat? Oh, yes, I believe I did. Now it’s time to lament over the cold. It’s too cool for me this morning! I suppose that’s why this is a summer destination for the Floridians. The elevation of Waynesville is 2,752 feet and that may be why it feels much cooler. I compared the temperatures for Waynesville, NC and Tampa, FL this morning and there’s a 20 degree difference at 7:30 in the morning. I know a few folks who would love this cool weather but I’ll be...

Aug 9, 2011 - Marion to Waynesville, NC

We left the Lucky Strike Gold Camp without a flake of gold. It was a fun little place but now we’re off to a new adventure. The 70 mile drive today was up Black Mountain and it was a bit of a climb but not bad at all. The Duchess handled it very well. We pulled in to Creekwood Farm RV Park and found it to be a very nice place. We have also found the Floridians! After we parked, our neighbor talked to us a for a while and he told us this park is where many Floridians come for the summer. That explained all the pink flamingo and palm tree...

Jul 16, 2011 - Our Very First Camping Trip 07/16/11

Our very first camping trip was at Creekwood Farms RV Park in Waynesville, NC for the weekend of 07/16/11. We shared this trip with Larry and Barbara Bishop who are seasoned campers. They showed us and walked us thru the set up and take down process of the travel trailer. So many things to remember and as Barbara says when you do this a few times it will be like clock work to us. She and Larry wrote down everything for us to follow in our next camping adventure. The weather was damp and overcast all weekend, and actually at one point we...

Jul 11, 2011 - Blue Ridge Parkway and Great Smoky National Park

We took another day trip and drove up the mountain to get on the Blue Ridge Parkway. Another lovely drive through the mountains with lots of "oohs and aahs" along the way. We got off the Parkway in Cherokee and picked up US 441 which runs through the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. More beautiful, green views. We stopped at a scenic overlook right on the North Carolina/Tennessee border and wandered around a little. There was even a trailhead to the Appalachian Trail. Thought the mileage list was funny! Maine, anyone? Also saw this...

Jul 8, 2011 - Bears in Cherokee, NC

On another lovely summer day, we drove back over the mountain to Cherokee to see how many of the bear statues we could find along the Painted Bear Trail. This project began in 2005 to showcase the variety of talented artists within the Qualla boundary. As you will see, there are many distinct styles shown and interesting interpretations. There are a few signs around: Please remember not to feed or climb on the bears. Several of the bears are still in hibernation. Patriot Bear is located in front of the Cherokee Veterans Memorial, a lovely...

Jul 6, 2011 - Waynesvillle, NC

June 20-26We went a total of 92 miles as we left Rutherfordton and arrived at Waynesville, NC. We are staying at a Coast to Coast Park called Pride. The sites are average but level and with full hook up to include 50 amps and cable. We got settled and then found Hardees and had a great burger. We have missed the Angus beef in the burgers. Got some rain on Tuesday and we were able to get Blaze to a vet as he had picked up some tape worms in our travels. He is on the mend and is back to eating well. Bev has been doing some sewing on a July...

Jul 4, 2011 - Cataloochee Valley, Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Happy Independence Day! We invited our friends, John and Bev, over for a cookout and, after dinner, John drove us over to Cataloochee Valley to view the elk. It's about an hour drive, mostly on a twisty, turny gravel road. And the best time to go is just before sunset; we got down into the valley around 6:30 pm and saw about 20 elk. You can see the sun is just starting to set and the smoke is starting to rise. And then we started seeing elk, mostly in groups of 3 or more. Cataloochee is a remote area of the Great Smoky Mountains National...