Mar 31 - Great Smokey National Park-Newfound Gap and Clingmans Dome

  This morning was very cloudy and cold.  We stopped at the visitor center and was told the road up the mountains had snow last night, and perhaps we should wait until the afternoon to drive up there.  So we went to the waterfalls that the park volunteer told us about yesterday.  We drove out to the Institute at Tremont--an educational facility that puts on all kinds to programs.  And, behind the school starts the trail to the waterfalls.  When we got there, no one was around, and we thought maybe we should rethink the whole thing.   But, we came across a woman, and asked her if she knew where the falls trail was, and she said she had just come back from the hike to the falls.  About 1 mile each way, about an hour or so hike.  She was returning, and it was only 10 am.  She said the falls were worth it.  So, off we went.
  Good thing we wore our hiking boots, and winter jackets.  The climb was quite steep, with a narrow, rocky pathway, or at places with lots of tree roots.  No railings, a few added steps, and drop-off cliffs on the side.  We went slowly, and the view was quite spectacular.  We finally made it to the falls, and yes, they were phenomenal.  The sounds, the view, the combination of rocks and water.  Just my kind of place. 
  We thought we were so capable, actually getting there in one piece.  We met a teacher there with a 5th grade class of kids from Missouri.  And shortly after, a family with 2 very young children came skipping down the path--that we had so carefully climbed down.  They all just scampered up the rocks surrounding the falls.  They reminded me of Shanti and Gabe, when they were young.
  After the return hike, which did indeed go faster downhill than up, we drove further on down the road, following the river that the falls fell into.  We stopped for lunch watching the cataract of water flow by. 
  By then, the clouds were giving way to blue skies.  So we drove up to Newfound Gap.  About 12 miles up the mountains--this US highway connects Gatlinburg, TN with Cherokee, NC.  A very curvy, beautiful road.  Each turn has a more incredible view.  However, it was sold cold that there was snow in the trees.  The road was clear.  But the temperature was around 24 degrees, with a strong wind.  Still, lots of people were on the road, to see the view.  All along the way, there were pullouts, where you can stop and enjoy the view.  I took LOTS of photos, as each view was better than the last. 
  After we got to the highest peak, at Newfound Gap, we drove the extra 7 miles out to Clingmans Dome.  This would have been spectacular, if  it hadn't fogged over when we arrived.  For some reason, the cloud covered this observation tower, so you could not see anything.  The drive back, however, after a few miles, cleared up, so we got to see the overlooks.  Breathtaking.
  All in all, a very nature-driven day.  Peter was a good sport, and had a good time--even with no history or battlegrounds!

Lots of photos today.  Water falls at Tremont Institute:

Lunch along the stream:

Newfound Gap and Clingmans Dome:

Mar 30 - Great Smokey Mountain National Park, Pigeon Forge, TN

Since we are at the Great Smokey Mountain National Park, we decided to spend our 2 days here sightseeing.  We started the day visiting the Sugarlands Park Visitor center, and getting the lay of the land, with ranger suggestions for what to see and maps.
  We started with a hike to Laurel Falls, a  2.8 mile round trip --mostly uphill (I'm sure it was both ways).  However, since this was a Saturday, and since it was school vacation here, and since it was a beautiful, warm, day, the trail was packed all the way there and back.  It was nice, but I prefer fewer crowds.  So, a park volunteer suggested another, less traveled waterfall--which we actually did the next day. 
  After the hike to the waterfalls and back, we drove out to Cades Cove.  This was a drive along side of a beautiful mountain stream, twisting and turning, ups and downs, for about 20 miles.  Then, it ended at a loop drive through an old abandoned area where settlers used to live and farm.  I can just imagine waking up to seeing the ridge of mountains in front of my "house" each day--I'm sure it was a hard life, but amazing energy about the place.
  We ended the day with a quick hike out to Cataract Falls, behind the visitor center. 
  We decided to eat dinner in Gatlinburg, the town just before you enter the national park.  As the traffic into this tourist town was hardly moving, we decided to try and go around the downtown tourist area.  So we ended up on these roads that went up into these amazing, fancy condos, built along the mountain ridges overlooking the town.  But again, the roads were so steep and curving, I can't imagine anyone actually living there and doing that drive everyday.  At least I was driving the car, not the RV.  I thought Colorado knew how to build houses on mountain sides and ridges, but Tennessee tops the bill. 
 
Laurel Falls hike:

Cades Cove drive:

Mar 29 - driving to Pigeon Forge, TN and "night on the town"

We started the day with a challenge--we can now get the RV buttoned up and ready for travel quite efficiently.  So, when we thought we would leave early, we were pretty proud of ourselves.  And since we just left Tiffin, who did the fixing of everything wrong with the RV, we were fairly comfortable.  However, when the bed didn't retract, for the 3rd time, we were NOT happy.  Fortunately, it is not the weekend, this time, and Tiffin service techs get there very early.
  The very helpful service tech told us when they checked the bed, it was working properly, of course.  We noticed the side wires leading to the motor that moves the bed was sort of out of the little plastic cage, and that the cage was separated from some of the links.  He talked us through fixing that.  Thank goodness we had them move the reset box out from under the bed, where it was not easily accessible, to a place we could actually see it and read the instructions, and get to the little button--which you have to push 6 times, then hold in on the 7th!  The poor tech couldn't figure out the problem, and had us switch the connections between the motors, and put them back when that didn't work.  Finally, after all the futzing, we finally got it to work--this time.  Breath a sign of relief.
  So we got on our way.  Tennessee is even more beautiful than the Alabama countryside.  You come over a hilltop, and see these huge mountain ranges in front of you, all across the skyline.  What I thought were mountains in Alabama, I now realize are hills, and the even bigger hills in Tennessee, I now realize are foothills of the Great Smokey Mountains.
  Then came our next challenge -- the GPS (the RV's, my phone's, my tablet's and the car's) all said to leave  Hwy 441 leading into Pigeon Forge, and follow these 6 other roads to our destination.  We did, and NEVER again will I blindly follow the directions without looking first at the maps to see if it makes sense.  The GPS will route you to shortcuts.  So instead of going down Hwy 441, then make two turns and you are there, it had us go UP, UP, Down, Around, UP, UP, Down, Around, Around, Around for more than six miles.  Some of the hills were so steep, I wasn't sure the RV would make it.  And the locals following on these VERY narrow, two lane roads with no shoulders and drop offs, were not pleased with my SLOW pace.  At least I now feel pretty comfortable driving the RV most anywhere.
  Once we settled in, we had to get the maintenace guy to help us figure out why our water line was spitting air.  He was very helpful and fixed the problem.  Finally, done.  Not going to make dinner, after all that, so we went into Pigeon Forge, home of Dollywood. and the Smokey Mountain National Park.  It turns out  more than 10 million people come through the park each year.  So, Pigeon Forge, and Gaitlinburg (the next town over) are tourist amusement park and tourist shop city meccas.  I can handle that environment for only part of one evening.  Had a good dinner.  We chose not to go to Dollywood.

Pigeon Forge photos-Iron works shop, restaurant, and kids play area:

Mar 28 - James Floyd State Park, Summerville, GA

  Since we are leaving tomorrow, and since I was told Summerville had a nice grocery store, with "natural food" sections, I went grocery shopping for the few perishable items we use up regularly, and can't fit a lot of in the frig.  Turned out to be a nice store--not at the Whole Foods level, but good enough (better than the Walmart, which was the only other option.)
  We took the "other" popular hike today--around both lakes - 2.8 miles.  There were a lot of park benches spaced all along the hike, and the trail took us through woods as well as along the water.  We stopped several times, and just sat by the water, and ENJOYED.  The incredible spring weather, light breeze, 60 degrees, the wooded hills, the gently lapping water, the sun, the rocks , the birds...Just my kind of day!
 
More James Floyd State Park Lake trail photos:

Mar 27 - James "Sloppy" Floyd State Park, Summerville, GA

  We spent the morning in "electronic" mode--Peter blogging, me working on Peter's tax return. 
  This afternoon, we met up with the folks in the RV site across from us, and went on one of the popular hikes in the campground.  We did a big loop, over the hills and through the woods, seeing some beautiful primitive campsites in the woods, by a stream.  The destination was the Marble Mine  Cavern and waterfall.  Apparently, they used to mine marble there--not for marble slabs, but for other uses.  Beautiful sunny cool day--perfect for hiking.  It was nice to have folks to hike with. 
  Peter & I then drove over to one of the lakeside picnic areas, and sat in the sun and read, overlooking the water.  Very pleasant.
  In the evening, the folks from across the RV-way came over for a campfire and chat.  First campfire we have made.  Fun.

James Floyd State Park, Marble Mine trail photos:

James Floyd State Park Lake picnic area photos:

Campfire with neighbors:

Mar 26 - From Tiffin Motorhomes to Summerville, GA

  Since the work wasn't done on our RV, we slept last night in the RV in the Tiffin factory, right on the factory floor, where they were working on the RV.  They put it back together for us for the night, and we had electric and the Ladies bathroom nearby.  They only work until 4pm, so we had this HUGE factory to ourselves. A guard was on the grounds all night as well.  On the other hand, they started banging stuff around at 5am.  These folks we super nice and helpful.  They fixed everything that was on our list, big and little, and even filled up our LP gas and DEF tank, at no cost. 
   We got an fairly early start on our way to the next stop.  We are actually starting on our "TRIP BACK".  We have completed the "trip there" and the "middle trip", and now are starting to head home.  We even started talking this evening about getting out the maps and begin to flush out our trip West this summer and fall.
   We are camping at the James Sloppy Floyd State Park, in Summerville, GA.  The general terrain is not as mountainous as Alabama was, but very pretty, with lots of lakes.   In Alabama, we tended to drive on the mountain ridge tops, so we had big, long, vistas.  In GA, so far, we are tending to drive in the valleys, with high ridges along side.  The campground is very nicely done.  Lots of space between camping areas.  We set up, and decided to just hang out, since we don't really plan on sightseeing during our 3 night stay here.  Rather, spend the time generally here, hiking and enjoying the campgrounds.  Chatted with the folks in the next RV over--from upstate NY. 
  It's very interesting--we now talk about the RV as "home".  It's a different perspective--taking your "home" with you.  We like it.

Tiffin overnight "campground" photo:

James Sloppy Floyd State Park campground photo: