While we are on our drive to Kingsland we stop at a Camping World that is along the way to see about getting a few things that we needed. The parking lot has nowhere good to park but we find a space next to the dump station. We head in and the lady at the kiosk asks if we need help finding anything. We say no we are going to look around but I did tell her we are parked in front of the dump station with our camper if someone comes in needing to use it. We find the item we need and look to see if there is anything else that we should get. While looking the girl comes over to say someone needs the station. Chris asks if he should just go move but knowing there is nowhere to park I say no, let’s just cash out. At the register, I give my Good Sam member number as we have $10 off but the woman says she doesn’t see the savings. I am not fighting with her or even going to look it up because I know we are blocking where someone needs to get in. We pay for the item and when the receipt prints it shows the $10 we have. Again, we just let it go and go to get in the camper and move out of the way.
We are spending the week visiting Chris’s stepmom Mary Paule and her husband George. They had just gotten here the week before. They live in Kingsland for the winter months then go back to their beach house in Vermont for the summer. We are very much looking forward to spending time with them. We are staying at a campground about 15 minutes from their place so we go and get checked in and set up before texting to them them know we are in town. They are at their favorite hangout, the Eagles Club and they invite us to come there for some nachos and margaritas, how can you say no to that? They give us the address and we head over. They meet us at the door to let us in and as we walk in they introduce us to many of their friends. We hang out there have drinks and catch up. Chris and I also share a huge helping of nachos. After a few hours, we head back to see their place. They just bought it a couple of years ago so we haven’t ever seen it.
We first stop at the clubhouse so they can show us the gym so we can use it in the mornings instead of working out outside the camper. We are both happy to have a gym to use. After showing us the gym they showed us the outside pool and while we were looking around we saw three people dressed up in moose costumes running by the fence. They head to the playground and are pushing each other and look to be having a blast. MP and George have no idea who these people could be but we sure did enjoy the entertainment. We then head to their place which is gorgeous. It is perfect for them. We make some margaritas and hang out on the screened-in porch until it starts to get late so we say goodnight and head back to the campground to get ourselves ready for bed.

The next morning we are up to be at the gym at 6 am. On our drive home, there is a beautiful sunrise. Chris spends the day working. I walked to sit on the dock by the pond and watched the turtles swim around. Once he is done we walk around the campground to check it out. I was kinda confused about a mirror lying against a street light and what its purpose was. I guess to take a picture of yourself, right??? We have dinner plans to meet Mary Paule and George at a local Mexican restaurant to celebrate Chris’ dad’s birthday. Chris and Mary Paule usually get together every year to celebrate and talk about wonderful memories with John Hill so it was wonderful that they were still able to do it this year. After a great dinner with the four of us we each head back to our places. Chris and I sit outside by the fire for a bit before heading to bed.

After another early workout, Chris spends the day working. I look at different things we can do and make a potential itinerary for the week to work around Chris’s schedule. I also run to try to find a dessert to bring to dinner tonight at Mary Paule's. I couldn’t find an open bakery so I got some strawberries, shortcakes, and some cool whip. When back home I cut up the strawberries and add the sugar to have them start macerating. When Chris finishes his workday we head over. We stopped at the liquor store to pick up some vodka-infused whipped cream to go with the strawberry shortcake. We relax in the living room going over ideas I have for the week. Chris reserved tickets for the next day’s adventure with them. Mary Paule makes dinner. We have an amazing chicken meal coated in pretzels with a honey mustard sauce. We sit for a while after eating then around 9 pm we head back to our camper to head to bed.
The next day Chris goes to work out, I stay home and relax. When he gets home he showers and then works for a bit. A little before 10 am we go back over to George and Mary Paule’s house. Chris has a 10:15 meeting so George and I go to workout at the gym while Mary Paule gets some computer work done. After about an hour’s workout, we head back to the house so I can get ready and be at my hair appointment for noon. I was really happy with who Mary Paule had suggested I go see. She was fantastic.
​When I am done I head back to the house as we have to leave by 1 pm to make our scheduled time at Okefenokee Swamp Park. Thankfully Chris made me lunch to eat on the way or I probably would have got hangry and he knows I am no fun when I am. We are scheduled to see the exhibits, do a boat tour through the swamp, and a train ride. Unfortunately, we didn’t realize the one we had chosen wasn’t as good as another they had on the other end of the swamp so we didn’t really get to see much wildlife. Honestly, I just want to see an alligator. They used to feed them so they would be around but the alligators started being demanding which required them to put them in captivity. Now there are just a few that live in the park as wild gators. We still made the best of it and did learn some cool things about the swamp. On our way home we stopped at a restaurant and enjoyed our meal in their outdoor seating with some live music playing. After we head back to the house we don’t stay too late and head back to our camper to head to bed.

Friday is Chris’ light day so he checks off at 2 and we head to Fernandina Beach. I had our chair coolers packed with drinks, with the sunscreen and towels packed in its bag. We also had packed another bag with a change of clothes to check out the town after. We found a great parking spot right on the beach. We put our chairs on our backs and head down to find our spot. It is a beautiful day. Since it is late in the day we sit facing away from the water. We take in all the sun for as long as we can while also taking a few dips in the ocean. Once the sun is almost behind the buildings we turn and watch the surf. There are some great waves and some surfers have started to roll in. It was fun to watch them get themself and their boards ready then paddle out. I hope to try surfing someday but I want to wait until we are on the west coast.
It is around 6 pm when we pack up to head to the truck to drop off our chairs and grab our bag to change up. While picking up the couple sitting behind us begins to chat with us. We talked with them for a little bit and in conversation we had said we were going to Amelia Island next so they made a few suggestions for a good restaurant and places to stop in for a drink.  We made our way to the truck and then to the bathrooms that had outside showers so we were able to rinse down then change and freshen up. When back at the truck I grab the camera and capture a few pictures of the full moon over the ocean.

Once back on land, we walk up to one another recommendation, Palace Saloon. This is the oldest bar in Florida. Of the many saloons that lined the streets of the harbor district, the Palace was the only bar to be known as the “Shipcaptin’s Bar” back in 1900 when Fernandina’s docs were among the busiest in the south. There was a band playing out in the backyard, which is known as the Shipyard. The area had pool tables, darts, patio furniture, and a dance floor. We had a fun time watching the vast difference in the crowd of people. After a few drinks and dancing to a few songs we walk around a little bit more then head back to the truck. Once back at the campground, it is close to 10 pm so we head to bed. We have a relaxing morning lying around. Once up we have coffee and mimosas then head to Mary Paule and Georges for brunch. We bring some bacon Rebekah had given us from her last year pigs. I also bring our laundry to do while there. It’s the best when we don’t have to pay for it and use clean washers and dryers. Mary Paule has made eggs benedict, hash browns, fruit salad, and ham along with the bacon we brought. We eat this amazing breakfast along with enjoying some mimosas. I have switched the last load to the drying so around 2 we head to the Eagles to watch the big rivalry game of Georgia Bulldogs VS Florida Gators. They are doing a big football pool and included in a purchase you get free well drinks and a buffet of BBQ pork, mac & cheese, coleslaw, rolls, and many other appetizers. It was a great afternoon spending our last day in Kingsland with some really fun people. Georgia Wins! We say goodbye and the four of us pile back into the convertible. We hang out for about an hour then we give all the hugs and say goodbye and thank Mary Paule and George for such a fantastic week. We make our way back to the camper stopping to get gas on the way. When there we sit outside for just a few minutes talking about our week then head inside to bed.
​We have a short drive to our next stop so we take it slow getting up and getting ready. We get ourselves showered and dressed then sit outside as I begin to pick up a few easy items. Around 10 Chris begins his routine and I start mine. We are all hooked up and pulling out right at the 11 am checkout time.

We were excited for our next stop to see what Tybee Island is all about. We made a stop about halfway to get some lunch then made it to Rivers End Campground at 3:45. You have to travel through Savannah in order to get to the bridge that brings you into Tybee Island. Those streets were narrow and full so when we made it to the campground I was ready to be out of the truck. Our site was in the back of a dead end. It wasn’t our favorite spot but we began to get all set up. We are here for 7 nights so everything comes out. We soon also realized that on the other side of the fence that our camper is backed up against is a dog park. I think I may prefer a family with kids being next to us than a dog park. All you hear is people talking, yelling at their dogs, and dogs barking. We will manage. We sat outside until about 6:30 then headed in to make dinner, cleaned up put on a movie, and hung out in bed until we went to sleep at 8:30.
​Chris works and I continue to work on writing on my social media trying to get caught up. Once he is done with his workday we take the e-bikes to the lighthouse where they are having a farmers market in the field. We walk around to each of the booths and find a few things to pick up. Our first purchase is some strawberry-peach pecans, then we got some salsa and chips, and last was something called Rhoot Man. This is an all-natural vinegar-based shrub to add to drinks, food, or anything you choose. Chris went with Wildberry Coconut Mint. The Tybee Island Marine Science Center also had a booth. They had a turtle from a litter that was found on the side of the road without their mom. They had to incubate them but they are all doing well. It was the cutest turtle with such great color.

 
When we leave we ride around until we find a place to stop to grab a bite to eat. Huc-A-Poos was just up the road from our campground so it was a great stopping place. It has a fun vibe. Chris orders a margarita and I get a local mango beer to try. We order a slice of their specialty pizza. You can actually request whatever you want for toppings and they will make it. We each get another round and then ask for the bill. We couldn’t believe it when she said $20. We had 4 drinks and each had a slice which was a quarter of their 18" pie. To say the least, it was a huge slice. We haven’t seen a bill this low in forever, possibly ever! When we get home we sit outside for a little bit then head into bed.
​It’s a chilly day so we hang inside the camper working. I keep working on postings, I feel I may actually get caught up sometime soon. That evening when Chris was done work we made some nachos with the chips and salsa we got from the farmers market. Chris put some chicken in the InstaPot with salsa to add to the nachos. It made the chips a bit soft once we cooked it in the oven but overall they weren't the worst but I will only eat the chips with the salsa going forward. We keep it an easy night just sitting outside by the fire and heading inside to watch some TV before heading to bed.
Chris has a busier week for work as he is hiring for a new position on his team so he has a lot of interviews to get through. I keep busy with miscellaneous things. Once he is done with his workday we take the bikes down to the other end of the island. On our way we stop by a store to find a sticker for the slide and Chris finds a hoodie. When down on the south end of the island we lock the bikes up and walk around a bit. We were going to go to Tybee Time as many suggested this place but when we walked by it seemed they were closed. They had people doing work on the sign out front above the door and the tables had things all over them as if it was having work done. We walk to the pier. Chris buys a drink at a tiki bar right at the beginning and we walk to the end. There are many fishermen all along the walls which we watch fish for a bit. We walk back to see what we can find to stop at next. It seemed many restaurants were closed so we stopped at Fannie’s to grab dinner. They have paper as the place mat and some crayons on the table so I must color. Chris wouldn't add any of his own work so I add "Chris Side" to keep it clear who is the artist 🤣 but I must say I sure do love this man 💓

After another workday, we take the bikes to North Beach Bar & Grill. Chris has some crab cake and I have some salmon left over so we take it home. I had seen online that there is a swing just off the walkway on the beach. We rode the bikes to where the entrance was, locked them up then headed onto the beach. We found a structure that looked like the swing once was but not anymore. We sit in the sand and enjoy the sunset sky then walk back to the bikes. We stopped at BackRiver Brewery on the ride back home which was a great idea. I had a flight that I really liked, especially one particular kind. I asked if they sell it in cans or growlers but the only way to get it is at the brewery or if you bring your own container, like an empty growler or insulated water bottle they will fill it for you. I wish I had my water bottle to fill. Since we had already eaten we were not hungry but they had some house beer cheese that we wanted to try. We asked if we could get some to go but not heat it. They brought it out to us and said we would just want to heat it with a little milk and whisk it before eating. They were out of pretzels so they included some focaccia bread not toasted to go with the cheese dip. We make our way back home and head in to go to bed.

Chris had been trying to make plans with a childhood friend he grew up with who lived next door to him for many years. He had texted and asked if we wanted to meet at Huc-A-Poos at noon. That worked perfectly with Chris’s work schedule. In the meantime, I was getting laundry done before we went to meet Bryan. Unfortunately, the clothes were not dry at the time Chris was leaving so I stayed back to finish it up. Once done I took the bike over to meet them. I actually was glad they had some time alone to catch up. It has been a while since they have seen each other. When I got there Chris introduced me and I had a seat at the table. We ended up ordering our own slices of pizza and having a few drinks. It was really nice meeting Bryan and hearing about old stories from Chris and his childhood. Bryan has to be sure to be home in time to get his son off the bus but he lives about 45 minutes away so we say our goodbyes and head back to the camper.

In the morning we got moving around 7:30. I love weekends, we get to skip our workout and sleep in some. Once dressed, Chris made us some breakfast, homemade Eggs Benedict with the left over crab cake and salmon we had for dinner a few nights before. After cleaning up we got ready to take the truck into Savannah. This was the first time we had driven the truck all week. I love when we can use the bikes to get around easily. Once parked we signed up to do the Trolly tour. This was suggested to us as they allow you to hop on and off as you would like along the tour.

We did the full tour to see the city and I could take some photos. At the end we stopped back at the truck to drop the camera off. We jumped back on the trolly and headed to Broughton Street to check it out. We were getting hungry so we stopped at Savannah Taphouse. It was loud and service was slow so after we finished our appetizer and drink we headed back to hop the trolly to River Street. We walked the street, stopping at the market to see what was at each booth. Chris bought me a ring and earrings that I love. They are both from local artists in the area. We walked the street stopping in a few stores but I was looking for a must-stop at River Street Sweets. When we walk in they offer us a taste of warm pralines. Holy Shit were they good. Chris buys 4 and I go into the candy store to buy a bag of some of my favorite candies. We walk along the river towards the trolly stop. The last pick-up was at 5 but we had a few minutes to kill so we went inside the closest bar and ordered a to-go drink. You are able to drink on the streets so we sat waiting for the trolly sipping away.

When back at the truck we dropped off the items we had purchased and the cool to-go cups we got with our drinks, then headed back to the other end of Broughton Street that we hadn't seen yet. There were so many stores and the park had a PRIDE event going on so we went to see what it was all about. We stopped at a few of the booths to see if we could find any outfits for the EDC. I found an awesome top that Chris buys me. We saw the coolest dog ever and watched the performer who was on for a bit then kept walking. Before leaving the park I had a good laugh over the My Practice Candy booth 🤣 (see pic below). We stopped in a few more stores when back on the street until we got to Jalapenos where we went in and ordered a margarita that was excellent. 

From there we made our way to the dessert bar called Better Than Sex. There was a 30-minute wait so we put our names on the list and walked outside to window-watch the cats inside the Cat & Wine shop. We tried to go see the cats but you have to make a reservation in order to see them. It had been about 30 minutes so we went back and sat in the seating area until our names were called. The hostess walks us to your seat using a flashlight as the lighting is very dim. Thin sheets separate each table which is lit by candle making for a romantic setting. The waitress comes over and shows us how to use the tablet to review the menu. Her commentary is all sexual and each item on the menu description is as dirty as it can get. She was fantastic and made our visit even better then it could have been. We each order a drink that has a caramel rim and then our dessert. We are overly stuffed but so satisfied. If you are ever able to check this place out, I highly recommend it.

We head back to the truck and drive back home to the camper where we head into bed.
It is moving day but we only have an hour’s drive so we relax in bed until 8 am. Chris gets up and heads for the shower. I put some sweatpants on, make a coffee, and go sit outside. I pick up a few easy items then once Chris is done I head in to shower and get myself ready. We get the rest of things all picked up and connect to the truck to head out for the 11 a.m. checkout time.

This next stop is our first 7-night stay since we got on the road and we are looking forward to spending the week at Rebekah and Mike in Conyers, Georgia. This will be my first time meeting both of them. Chris used to work with Rebekah and they did many tradeshows together all over. We pull in right around noon and they meet us at the gate. We get our formal introduction, there are hugs, show us where to park and then they invite us into their home. They have some friends over to watch racing and Rebekah has made Chili and some cornbread. We all sit outside on the deck getting to know each other. Soon after Rebekah brings out the dishes and food. Most of the food is fresh from the garden on the farm. They also have chickens, pigs, turkeys, alpacas, sheep, a horse, and 4 of the cutest farm dogs. 

Once we are done eating and socializing for a while the girls head down to work on getting the pigs from the pen onto the trailer. They have been raising the pigs for about a year and on Monday they get dropped off at the butchers. Our first attempt went so smoothly. They are on the trailer but we hadn’t strapped down the fence in the back so they were able to push their nose under and get out running back into their pen. We tried for a bit longer but had no luck so we took a break. We went back to the house where most everyone was getting ready to leave. We said goodbye to all the new people we had met and then hung out for a little bit Rebekah gave me a ride around on the golf cart to show me more of the grounds. The guys end up coming down on the gator to help get the pigs on the trailer.
It takes a few times. At one point I was holding a small fence to put over the opening to stop them from going back in and when trying to get it in place I fell straight down on my ass hard. I quickly jump to my feet and get back over the fence. Finally, after a good go around we have them on the trailer. Rebekah goes to get a tractor and pulls the trailer up to the front of the house. We fill it with some hay and water and have them settle in for the night. At this time we get the camper detached from the truck, leveled, and extend the slide. We all head back out onto the porch and sit chatting for a while until about 10 pm when we all head to bed. They have 2 extra rooms so we take advantage of sleeping in a regular bed which was a nice change of pace.
In the morning we are able to get a workout in with Chris being very happy to have a treadmill to use. Once we are done we get showered and ready for our day. We had planned on going with Mike to drop the pigs but Rebekah had a change in her work plans so she ended up driving them instead. We went along for the ride. It was pretty cool, they let us look around to see how the process goes. This is a small family-run business with some very nice folks who answered some questions we had. Once the pigs were off the trailer and Rebekah went over what they would like for their order we headed back to the house. Chris gets to work while I help with chores around the farm. We collect eggs from the chickens and fix a fence that helps keep the chickens in and foxes out.

Rebekah has a work meeting so she heads in for that and I work on getting all the hay out of the trailer that the pigs were in, took the straps off the fencing in the trailer, and put the extra fencing where it is stored. The rest of the afternoon I hang out working on some social media posts. Mike has been smoking some ribs all day which will be dinner. Once everyone is done with their workday we get everything ready for dinner and eat on the porch. Again, we hang outside until about 8:30 when Mike and Rebekah head to bed. Chris and I decided to take a dip in the hot tub before going to bed ourselves.
​Rebekah is going into the office Tuesday which is in Duluth. Chris’ corporate office is in Atlanta so he also drives in to spend the day there and see faces he hasn’t seen in a while. Mike is golfing for the day so I have the house to myself. I make some macaroni salad to use up some vegetables before they go bad. I then go sit on a swing that overlooks the chicken pen working more on trying to get my social media posts caught up. Once Mike gets back home I change to go rake up the wood chips that were placed in the turkey coop to be spread under the pen and all around the coop evenly. I am glad I changed because it was hot and sweaty getting that all done. Once done I changed back into the clothes I had on and worked more online. Chris gets home around 4:30 and we head outside to hang out. When Rebekah gets home she joins us outside where we hang out until it’s time to make dinner. We heat up some leftover chili which we eat outside and after hanging out there for a bit we move inside. I get into some comfy clothes and Mike, Chris, and I watch some TV while Rebekah works on her nails. Around 9 Chris and I go out to the camper to get clothes for the morning, come back in, and get ready to head to bed.
​In the morning everyone is working so I work online until Rebekah is done with her meeting. Around 9:30 she and I head out to the garden to work on getting the new greenhouse put together. Once all the bars are connected and we get it all screwed in we set it upright. We carry it over the garden to be sure it fits right. It’s perfect. We moved it back so we could put cardboard between the dirt mounds we made. Once done she takes me over to the tractor to teach me how to use it. Once I get the hang of it I go over to the wood chips to pick up loads to bring to the garden to be dumped and spread over the cardboard. I get about 6 loads while Rebekah spreads it. Once we are done she is about to have to get into another meeting so I change and get cleaned up. We have a relaxing evening with dinner then off to bed early.

In the morning it is raining. Mike was supposed to golf but it was canceled. He is working on organizing his office, Chris and Rebekah are both working so I go down into the basement to go through their reserved food supply and take note of it all. The rest of the afternoon I work more online. They are having friends over for dinner to have pork chops that Mike grills up. Each friend brings a dish. One brings a salad, another brings scallop potatoes and the other brings a creme de cheesecake. It was a wonderful evening with great people, delicious food, and awesome drinks. Once everyone leaves we hang outside for a little bit then we head to bed.
​Mike has a golf tournament so he is gone early. Rebekah makes us some bacon and eggs then we do some work around the house. It is a pretty low-key day. That evening we make some homemade grain bread to have with breakfast in the morning. The farm hand is there so they hang out with us. Mike makes steak and scallops for dinner and I get the rest of my macaroni salad to have with it. We had a fun evening hanging out and having some drinks. I put on the dog head and barrel from a dog costume of Mike’s. There is a story to go with it but I am not going to get into that 😆. The picture shows the fun we had this night. So many laughs.

The next morning there is no sleeping in with roosters around and we were not working out so I relaxed in my pajamas enjoying my coffee. Chris gets himself showered and ready. Rebekah made us breakfast with fresh bread, eggs, and bacon. After I shower and get dressed the 3 of us go out to the greenhouse building to clean it up and ready for winter. Once everything was organized on the inside I used the tractor to get more wood chips to fill the floor with them. Rebekah heads over with the farm hand to attend to a sheep while Chris and I finish up the greenhouse. Rebekah finished her project around the same time we were. We get cleaned up and head to pick Mike up from golf. We have a drink while we wait for him to finish his game then we head back home. Earlier that day Rebekah had made pizza dough that was just about done rising. She makes the pizzas and cooks them in the pizza oven. They have some friends come over. We sit outside enjoying pizza and drinks. Chris pulls out his drone and captures photos of the Kingheman Ranch. Once everything is picked up Rebekah, Chris and I soak in the hot tub while Mike and friends go inside to chill. We head inside to hang out with them all. A bit later the friends leave and we get ourselves ready for bed. We say goodbye to Mike as it is our last night there and he has golf in the morning so he will be gone before we are up.

Do you ever feel someone is watching you 😂😂😂😂

In the morning we get showered and dressed. We then begin to bring things out to the camper and get it ready to head out. We have a 5-hour drive so we plan to leave around. 10 am. Rebekah makes us breakfast then she collects things to send away with us. She gives us bacon, pork sausage, ground pork, 2 dozen eggs, pizza dough, the rest of the grain bread, and vegetables from the garden. Once the camper is all shut up and connected to the truck we say our goodbyes and head out on the road. As we drive I can’t stop thinking about how fun the week was and how generous Rebekah and Mike were. The hospitality will forever be remembered. Thank you for such a wonderful time and for teaching me all you did about farm living.

We are doing just stops in North Carolina and South Carolina as we make our way to Georgia where we boondock for the night at a Harvest Host location. We planned to stop at Sliding Rock in North Carolina and spend our hour playing in the water. We make our way over the Smoky Mountain curvy ups and down roads as we cross into North Carolina. Once we are "out of the woods" HAHAHA and on a more straight road we remembered we hadn’t eaten before we left that morning. We stopped to grab a quick bite right off an exit. Our choices were limited so we decided on Wendy’s. We find a spot in the parking lot and go in to order but the door is locked. There are people in the drive-thru and shows it should be open but guess they have only the drive-thru open at this time. Our only other option is McDonalds and that just doesn’t sound good so I say I will stand in the drive-thru line. There are about 3 cars ahead of us. The line was not moving and it was a mere 54 degrees and we were freezing standing there. We decide not to wait anymore and head over to McDonalds. We order our food and head back to the truck to eat it. Once done we get back on the road. I can’t stop saying how cold it is out and am not looking forward to playing in the water at Sliding Rock State Park. We are driving along the interstate and we start to see signs for the Sierra Nevada Brewery which many have said is a great stop so we made a quick decision to change up plans and stop by to check it out.

It was just before 11 when we got there so the parking lot was wide open. There was a sign for bus and RV parking so we pulled into a spot. It was the furthest spot possible but it worked. We stop at the store first and I find a sticker to purchase for the slide. It is attached to the taphouse so we go in and find a seat at the bar. I decide on a flight and am given my card to choose my 4 choices. Chris sees they have a craft brewed mimosas which was a great option because he doesn’t prefer beer. We are each enjoying our drinks, I went with ones I hadn’t ever tried, besides the Octoberfest because I know I like that one but I must say the Narwhal was also pretty tasty. It was starting to get super busy and people had filled in all the seats at the bar. Chris begins to chat with the couple next to him, Tim and Christa, they are from Charleston and come to the brewery often not just for the drinks but also for the food. Now I am bummed we stopped for breakfast because this would have been way better. After hearing them explain how good the pretzel and beer cheese is we decide we must try one. I have now also started chatting with a woman, Denise, who is sitting next to me. She is from Florida and is a full-time international traveler. She does Home Exchange with folks all over the world staying in each other’s homes. It has me thinking about once we are done with this journey and begin to do international, this may be a good way to stay places.

We have been there for over an hour and still have to stop in South Carolina for a least an hour and with the drive time we had to get going. The parking lot is full. They were probably happy to see all the spots they were getting once we moved the truck and rig. We are back on the road with directions leading us to Ceasar Head State Park. It is about an hour’s drive that leads us back up into mountains with many switchbacks. We get to our destination and pull in. It is a very narrow entrance but we make it in and pull into the parking lot. We stop before going any further to see where we can fit. It is very full of cars and nothing seems like we will be able to park easily. I see three rangers come out so I hop out to go talk to them. I asked if they knew the best place for us to park, and that we would only be here for about an hour. The ranger says to me, "there is nowhere to park, I am going to have to stop traffic so you can back up and go out the entrance." OH BOY!!!! I go and tell Chris what has to happen. I am amazed at how careless people are. They have no patience or consideration for us working on getting out safely. The rangers have the traffic stopped and I am behind Chris backing him enough so he can get back out threw the entrance. As he is reversing I see another car next to me with their reverse lights coming out of their stop. I yell, STOP! They put their car in park then about a minute later a lady in the back seat opens her door and says we see you. All I can do is give her the biggest thumbs up. He is finally in line to head out and starts to pull forward. I jump back into the truck, we make a wide turn to keep going south and as we are at the tail end of it we hear grinding after we come down over a curb. We pull over in front of the fence at NO Parking to check over the back. Everything is in place so we get back in the truck to get the heck out of there.

Our rule to be able to put the sticker on our map is we have to spend at least an hour doing something in the state, what are we going to do now? We decided just to drive and figure something out. I see a few pull-offs on the side of the road. I tell Chris we should just stop at one and sit there to have a drink after what just happened and relax my nerves. Even though all I did was direct, Chris did all the driving and he is still calm as a cucumber. We find the next one and he pulls into it. We get out of the truck and move to the side of the camper. I open the stairs to use the bathroom while Chris looks over the camper to see what hit while pulling out. He sees it is the stabilizer foot which only seemed to get kinked back. We should be able to get one and replace it easily enough. We shared a drink and after sitting there for a half hour we figured with the whole ordeal at the Caesar Head parking lot we made our hour stop. Time to head out of here. Just before crossing over the border, we stopped at a store to get gas. We are pleased that is actually below $3. I go in to see if I can find a sticker. I found the perfect one. It is a moose and bear in a canoe and reads Paddle faster - I hear banjos. 

We are on the last leg of our trip. We have about 2 hour drive to get to Miles Through Time where we are staying in the parking lot for the night. As we drive I am playing around on social media. I see we have a message request on Instagram. I opened it to see a message sent on October 4 as we drove I40 through TN. He saw our Instagram name on our camper and sent us a message. It was pretty cool, we love getting messages like this!

We finally make it to Georgia and to our final destination for the night. It is super cute outside the building with old cars, a school bus, an airplane, and a fire truck. We park around 4:45 and head right in to check to see where we should park. They close at 5 so after getting the information from Jenny at the counter we decided to walk around the store that has all kinds of items. With such a short time before they closed, we chose not to go through the car museum. We like to spend some money being they let us stay for free in their lot so while looking around we find a sign that will fit perfectly in the bar. "Bar Open Now Proudly Serving Whatever You Bring". Once through the whole store we pay for our sign and head out to the camper to get parked and set up. We keep it connected to the truck but we put the front and back stabilizers down. The back left foot won’t straighten out from hitting it earlier but thankfully that is all and will be fine as is for the night. We put the slide out and stairs and she is set for the evening.

We chill for a few once done then being dinner time we find that next door is a BBQ place so we walk to try it out. It is a full-on southern restaurant. I ordered a country fried steak with gravy and Chris got brisket stuffed jalapenos. We have leftovers to bring back so we stick them in the refrigerator, grab the camera then I go and take pictures of the cars outside the museum. It is just about dark once I have taken the pictures so we go in, put a movie on, and chill inside until it is time to for bed.

In the morning we wake to it being 40 degrees. Since we were already using the propane for our hot water we figured we should try out the heater and get the chill out of the camper. It was so cold you could see the outline of every support on the camper ceiling. We make a warm pot of French Press and begin to get things ready to head out on the road to Conyers to visit Rebekah and Mike.

Since we had Pigeon Forge, Tennessee as a place to stop we have been so excited for it, especially when we found they have the only zorbing gravity park in the US. We are staying at Sun Outdoors which is on the outskirts of the city. When getting to the campground you are driving towards the Great Smoky Mountains. They got their name from the blanketed smoky haze that covers the area. They are beautiful. Once again we check in just before Chris has a meeting so we set everything enough so he can jump on the call. I work on setting things outside up in the meantime. When he is done I go inside to finish getting it set. I can’t sit so I walk around. There is a river that the campground runs along so I walk down to sit by it. I call my son Kameron whom I don’t get to talk to often and have a great long call catching up. Unfortunately, most of it was going over his college loan repayments but it is always nice to connect with him.
Chris works a little later to make up for the drive time we had. Once he is done he is ready to get out so we walk around and see all the amenities the campground has available. It has a large pool, hot tub, lazy river, dog wash station, jump pillow, and a gym, which is nice to have a treadmill to use and not have to run outside. It is about dinner time so I whip something up and we hang out by the fire for the rest of the night until we head to bed.
We are taking a day to not leave and just hang out at the campground all day and night. I got a late start since there was only 1 treadmill so by the time Chris used it, and another man had been using it so by the time I got on and was done, it was close to noon. That afternoon, I ended up cleaning the camper thoroughly, showering, and going to get some groceries while Chris worked. When I get back with the groceries he is just about done with his work day so we chill, make some dinner, and hang outside until it’s time for bed.
​Chris took Friday off and we had a full day planned. We get up to be ready to leave by 7 a.m. to head to hike a trail in the Smoky Mountains. When I was researching a trail to hike I noticed that the one I chose, Rainbow Falls, has active bears in the area. On our drive to the trailhead, we see one on the side of the road. I wish I would have tried to get a better photo but I didn’t want to stop in the roadway. Now I am a little worried about how active the bears are. We get one of the last parking spots, get our boots on, backpack all set, and head out. It is a little cooler this morning so I put on my long sleeve but once we get going I am thankful for the cool breeze which makes for perfect hiking temperature.

It was a very well-maintained trail so the walk wasn’t too strenuous, it was more switchback and no scrambles but I was okay with it because I was also watching my surroundings like a hawk for any bears. It was 2.7 miles to Rainbow Falls which we made in about 45 minutes. The water was low so the falls were not running well so we decided to just keep walking further on the trail. We did about a mile more than stopped to have a drink and sat for a few minutes. Once done it was time to head back down. I also pulled the camera out of the backpack to catch some photos. When back at the truck it is busy as heck in the parking lot. We don’t even change our shoes, we just jump in and get out of the madness. I am very glad we did the hike as early as we did as there was barely anyone on the trail.

Since Chris had ruined his water shoes at the last stop we had planned on hitting REI to see what they had. He looks around and finds there are only 2 colors in the style Teva he wants. He is trying to decide which one to get when I see a clearance rack off on the side. I go to see if by chance they may have a 13 and surprisingly they have the thick sole ones he was looking at and the color is even better than the 2 options he was deciding on. I call him over and he tries them on. They are exactly what he was looking for. We look around a bit more than head to check out. Not only are they on clearance, but he has more than enough points so he owes $0.00. This is what we call a WIN!
​Our next stop is the Outdoor Gravity Park. We have reserved a 1:30 time to zorb with each of us having 3 rolls. When we get there we grab the bag with our suits and head in to use their changing rooms. The office is closed for lunch so we get the waiver form signed and wait a few minutes before they open. Inside we got all check-in, received our bracelet, and suggested we watch the video about zorbing. We get in line and wait until the shuttle bus is there to pick us up. Up we go to the top of the hill. There are 3 different tracks, Red - can do up to 3 people per roll, Purple - can do up to 3 people per roll, and orange - can only be 1 person per roll. They suggest you also do a red or purple before doing the orange. We decided we were going to do the red together first. There are a couple of people in front of us then it is our turn. A worker grabs a ball and fills it with the needed water, they then put a mat over the opening and you more or less Superman into the ball. I was not very graceful, to say the least. Now inside, they zip up the opening and begin to push us down towards the track. OMG, I screamed, laughed, was sloshed and seriously had the best time ever! Chris being his calm and collective self he just smiled while having to listen to my big mouth and my death grip on his leg. Down at the bottom, they get it in place to unzip the opening and out you come with water and all. If there is ever a visual of being birthed this is it. We laugh and are excited to get back in line to do the purple ball together. 
We wait for the shuttle, and then up to the top of the hill we go. There isn’t anyone in line ahead of us so we just wait for a worker to get our ball, fill it with the water, put the mat down, and in we go. The difference between red and purple is red does a lot of back and forth down the hill whereas purple is a straight line down. So that being said, you go fast! The water is splashing so much you can barely see. Still, I am laughing my ass off, screaming and again having the best time of my life! I was pretty impressed when we got to the bottom, how far we went up the stopping hill, before coming to a stop.

The last rolls are orange so we must do them alone. I wait at the bottom to record Chris coming down so he goes to catch his ride on the shuttle. There is a long line so I wait for a bit then he finally is on his way down. It is pretty funny to watch as he comes down knowing how it is to be in there. When he gets to the bottom he comes up and says that is the best track! I now go get in line to be shuttled to the top. There is a little line so I have to wait. It’s now my turn. I jump in, I am much better than the 1st time I did it. They zip up the opening and begin to push me down the hill. Holy Shit, that was the best track for sure. Being alone gave you so much room and I didn’t seem to get so much water in my face on this ride. I get to the bottom, birth out of the ball, and run up to Chris. Biggest smile on my face! We had used the 3 rolls we each had so it was time to change and head back to the camper but highly recommend this place to everyone.

When we get back I immediately put on pants and a long sleeve. It was cloudy out and starting to rain so the temps were not warm enough for me to wear shorts. We were given tickets from another camper in our park who was leaving, to take the trolly for free into town and Dollywood passes but we were both tired from our day and the weather wasn’t the best to walk around outside so we passed on it. I also wasn’t in the mood to cook so we looked to see what restaurants were around us. We don’t like going to chains if possible and try to find local restaurants instead. I was feeling Italian and found Ristorante DellaSantina which was off the main strip and not too far away. The parking was tight so when I got out of the truck I was holding the door to not hit the car on the side of me but I didn’t move my finger and shut it in the door. OUCH!!!! It hurt so bad. I tell Chris I need a minute before going in and he just hugs me. After a minute we go in and he checks in and tells them we have a reservation. I go to the bathroom to grab a paper towel to clean up the blood. When I go back out Chris is being walked to our table. The service is fantastic. The owner even stops by our table to see how everything is. He sees my finger and immediately gets me some ice which feels so good to get on it. Our meal was an authentic Italian dish that had so much food that we were able to have leftovers for the next day. We head back to the camper once we are done. I go right inside to clean up my finger, take some Advil, get some ice for it, and put my pajamas on. It is still raining so Chris comes in puts a movie on and cuddles with me in bed. Within no time I am fast asleep hoping to feel better in the morning.

The second stay in Tennessee was at a quiet campground in a town called Ten Mile. On our drive there we were going to make a couple of stops to check out the state parks and the waterfalls. The first to stop was at Cummins Falls State Park in Cookeville. Parking was a little strange but we were able to fit the truck and rig in the back corner and not to take up a bunch of spaces. It was beautiful out and a perfect day to visit the park. At arrival you buy a permit to walk into the gorge, from there you have to watch a safety video, then you are set to begin. It is a nice trail with some stairs that bring you to the river. Here you can walk in the river or on the sides but you follow that for about 20 minutes to get to the gorge. It is a super cool trail to take just to get there but when you make the corner you see the falls into the gorge and it’s beautiful. We walked our way up to be able to cool off in the water. We swim around a bit and play in the falls then I grab my phone to get some photos in the water. 

At the camper, we change and make some lunch. We also have cars parked in the most inconvenient locations so we will have to find our way around them to get out of the parking lot. We check to see how far the next state park is and see it is about 2 hours, plus it is in EST so we also lose an hour. Then we would have another hour and a half to get to the campground from there. With just drive time it would put us at the campground after 5 so we decided to skip making the 2nd stop and head to the campground. It is about a 3-hour drive to make it to Hornsby Hollow. There isn't much but fields and ranches all around on our drive. As we get closer to the campground I notice sirens on the light poles but couldn’t imagine what they could be for. I was thinking Tornados but I later find out that they are for the Nuclear Power Plant and if there is ever an emergency they will go off. We find our way into the campground and pull to the front of the office to check-in. There is a sign that says they are at site 2 so I walk over. She first asks if I am with the church group, that’s a big NO, then she completes the needed paperwork and gives me the details of our site. We get no map of the grounds so I confirm if we just pull forward. She states no, to follow the road to the right and it will go up around the back. She indicated the road that goes straight ahead will be the exit. I hop in the truck and Chris drives to find our site. It seemed to keep going following along the water. We go around the last curved section and find our site which is right on the water. It was actually very nice but I also noticed there was no sewer. No, biggie, the campground has free showers so we will use those while we are here. We get the camper all leveled and in place but from being on such a hill downwards our front jack can’t be on the block it usually is on and we have to use the flat orange square instead. ​

After relaxing for a bit and enjoying the view outside our door we take a walk around to see the campground. When back we make dinner outside and eat at the picnic table. Having the silence and peacefulness was exactly what we needed especially after the time we had in Nashville. We sat out by the water to watch the sun set. I got a sweet tooth and remembered I had everything for strawberry shortcake. I go in to cut the strawberries and add the sugar so they can macerate. Once the sun is down they should be ready so I make Chris and I our snack. He had bought some Vodka infused cool whip so we tried some of that on it. He only uses that, I have to add some regular Cool Whip for mine. We head inside around 8:30 for bed.

We have no plans for this stay so our day consists of working and evenings are making dinner and hanging outside. We head in once the sun is down and chill on the couch watching some TV for a bit before, then heading to bed. Same for the next day but it was our 4-year anniversary so instead of sitting around when he got off work we walked to see the crossing in the water that leads to the island across from us. There was a stop sign in the middle of the water which I could not understand why. The sand creates a walkway in the low-level water which allows the deer to cross from the island to the land at night and first thing in the morning they cross back to the island. Unfortunately, we did not get to see this happen but while talking to our neighbors later that evening he told us about it and was able to see it last time he stayed there. I guess the sign tells kayakers or SUPs to stop if the deer are crossing.  The water fluctuates too much for a regular boat to make it down this section of the water. Using a STOP sign still seems a little weird to be but I guess it works. We turn in early this evening to spend some time alone inside 😉. 

The next morning is a move day but we only have an hour’s drive so we wait until Chris has his 11 am meeting before we leave. We have everything put away and hooked up so we can head out as soon as he is done. I entertain myself with the minnows in the water while he is in his meeting. 

We leave our site around 11 to head for Nashville. I am very excited. This is the first stop of three that we make in Tennessee. We only have about a 2-hour drive but Chris has a 1 p.m. meeting so we were glad the drive went easily and we were able to pull into our new site quickly. We get the camper set enough with leveling, the X-chocks on, power, and extending the slide out. Chris even had a few minutes before the meeting started. I finished getting the remaining  things done inside and outside and then just relaxed outside while he finished work. He worked until 5ish then he joins me to hang out in the chairs. The best part about your home constantly moving is you get a new view and something different to look at.

​We were lucky enough to watch a super sweet moment of a younger couple coming home with their new puppy. We watched them take him out of the car, congratulate him after using the bathroom, and just love up on him. It was so sweet. It makes you ponder the idea of a dog but then I remember I want to be able to come and go as I want during this journey. Once they had taken most of the new items they had purchased out of the car for the new family member and got settled in some we had to go over and say Hi 👋. They are also full-time living traveling the U.S. They just drove an hour to get the dog and also have 3 cats. They just graduated last year and chose to do this before making a decision on what to do next. We were surprised to hear they hadn’t met anyone else doing the same so it was nice to exchange stories and talk about some of the stops we each have planned. We also got to give and get a bunch of dog love which was so wonderful.
It was hot just sitting in a chair so when we went back to our camper, we decided to take a dip in the pool. It was nice and refreshing. After, we changed and drove up the road to grab some dinner at a local joint. Every establishment we went into there was live music. This is my kind of town. We stopped at Music City Bar & Grill and had a bite to eat and drink then went across from it to Scoreboard to have another drink before heading back to the camper. Once back we sat out by the fire. Abby FaceTimed me so we talk with her for a bit then head in to get ready for bed. I’m so thankful for FaceTime to be able to see her despite being so far away.

On Wednesday Chris worked until signing off around 4 so we could head to our appointment at Rustler Hat Co for to get fitted for a custom-made hat. Let me just say what an experience! We first are welcomed by a wonderful associate who tells us to look around so we have an idea of the choices. She then offers us a drink and gives us our choices. We each choose a cocktail in a can and begin to browse the store. She then has us try on a couple different hat sizes to be find our right size. The right fit is when you can flick the brim and it stays in place. We have the size we need and now we go to the hats. She explains the different types of hats and what they are made of, and then she has us start trying different colors to see what we like. Chris liked a darker gray but unfortunately, they didn’t have it in his size so he decided on black, which I liked more anyway. I go with a forest green. Now we head to our seats at the counter and start talking about the crown. Chris goes with a standard cattleman crease while I decide on a teardrop. She begins to mold them in place while talking about what accessories we want to add. I have decided on a gold chain and a black thick band. Once she has them added to the hat I feel it is missing something. She tried 2 different off-white leather cords but one had a brown cord on each side of the off-white which was a perfect fit. Chris goes with an off-white cord which is simple but is exactly right for the look. Now it’s time to discuss the brim. I keep mine straight with just a little shaping down in the back and up in the front. Chris has the sides on each of his curved up like a true cowboy hat. When he put it on my heart melted. He is so fricken handsome 😍. The last part of making your hat yours is to brand it. We choose our symbol and add the final touch. I went with a quarter moon and Chris did a music note. They are everything and more than I could imagine! Absolutely perfect.

We drop Chris’s hat off at the truck but I leave mine on. We walk around town some, do the touristy angel wings pic, then find a place to eat. We stop at Peg Leg Porker. It’s a cool place. We sit at the bar so we are able to just order our food and drink with her. Otherwise, you place your order with the bartender, like at a fast food place, and pick it up when your number is called in the back by the kitchen. There are many tables to sit at inside and out. When done we head out to the road but since my feet are starting to hurt we head back to the truck and go home to the camper.
The next day Chris has a hair appointment I had scheduled for him at 10am so I drop him off and go grab groceries just up the road. Later when Chris was done his work day we went to to check out the Opry Mills and do some shopping. This place has every store you can imagine.  We each ended up getting a few things and after walking the whole mall and stopping at many stores we were hungry. We grab dinner at Chuy's Mexican Food before heading back home. It is the County Peoples Choice Awards at the Grand ole Opry so traffic is insane. We finally made it back to the camper and headed straight into bed.

Friday is a slower day for Chris with work so we head to Donut Distillery at about 10:30. This place is the bomb! It has mini specialty donuts and booze. Like 2 of best things combined. I get the Bourbon and Donut flight while Chris goes with a mimosas and Donut flight. Each drink is paired with a donut. I must say this started the day off right. I wasn’t sure if I had a sugar high or a buzz. The shots started at 90 proof and ended at 98 proof with each tasting so good especially with adding the treat of the donut. My Goodness, it was great!!!! We then head back to the camper so Chris can finish up work. We are going out on Broadway once he is done his day so I make sure I have my outfit all set. I have everything but a purse. I ended up running back to the mall and stopping at TJMaxx I found the right over-the-body bag. When I get back to the camper I call to schedule the shuttle pick up for 5 pm.

​​We both get ready for our evening out and head up to catch the shuttle. It’s a $10 round trip per person ride and they pick up right at the office. There is another couple there waiting with us. We chat with them until the bus arrives. Chris pays our $20 as we enter and I give our confirmation number. They drop everyone off in front of Music City Hall of Fame and tell us this is where they pick up and the last ride is 11 pm to get back to the campground. We asked the couple we had been talking to where they suggested we start. They tell us their favorite places and we each head off towards Broadway. It is almost overwhelming there are so many places to go. Each place has multiple floors with live music at each club. We just start heading into ones. We order a drink and head to the next. We are also trying to figure out where we can get some food. At one of the stops on a rooftop, we sit with a few people at a long table with a patio couch seating on each side. We asked if we could sit in the extra space, and they welcomed us. We start to ask where everyone is from and learn more about everyone. We end up exchanging social media info and then they are off to see more of this city. We have ordered some food that we are able to enjoy alone at the table. We had finished and waited for another drink to arrive when 2 couples approached and asked if they could use the unused space, we were happy to welcome them. We talked and got to know each of them more and once we were done our drinks we now are going to go and see more of this city.

We get a text from our friend who is in town from Vermont asking where we are. I send her my location and then tell Chris I am going to see if I can see her on the street. While I am outside the door looking for her, all of a sudden this man approaches me and puts a snake on my shoulder, grabs my phone, and starts taking pics with it on me. He takes the snake back and asks for money. I tell him I have none, which I really don’t, and he walks away. I go back inside and say to Chris, so this just happened and show him the pictures from my phone. He’s like I am not letting you go anywhere alone, all the cool things happen. Our friend texts and says she has decided to just go home. We end up leaving this bar and heading to another. I am now beyond my limit. I am talking to bouncers and it is showing just how drunk I am. I had gone outside and they ended up telling Chris that I could not come back in. We say goodbye to the friends we had made and I tell Chris I need to go home now. It is way after 11 so the shuttle is not an option so Chris calls as Uber.

We sit and wait for the car. On our way home I am not feeling well. He asked if I needed a bag and at first I said no, then I said yeah I think I do. He hands me a bag and I very gracefully fill it. Not my proudest moment. I am able to keep it all in the bag and hold it until we get home. He was very nice about it all. He drops us off, I throw the bag away and head right inside. Chris comes in to find me still in my clothes passed out on the bed. I am out for the count! He gets himself ready and joins me in bed.
The next morning is not good. I am not able to keep anything down or even keep my eyes open. Chris gets up and dressed around 11. He goes outside to enjoy some mimosas allowing me to sleep off this hangover. He wants to check out this place called Party Foul for brunch which they stop serving at 2. At 1 he comes in to see if I am going to be able to get up. I have made the choice that I can not go. He heads to enjoy breakfast by himself. I stay in bed until about 3:30 when I finally move to shower. He gets home just after my shower and has brought me home some beignets. I had made myself an English muffin that I am trying to eat. I get it down and take a bite of the beignets but I have to wait to eat any more. We go and sit outside and chill in our chairs.

We are supposed to meet up with our friend Meredith who is in town but she is golfing and will update us when she is free. It is almost 4:30 she is still golfing and I am getting hungry. Chris and I decided to try dinner at Jack Daniels and on our way she texted to see what the plan are. We told her where we were heading and she said she had a ride and will meet us there. We are trying to find parking but being in the Gaylord Opry Resort it super complicated and crowded. I called her and told her we were going to find somewhere else. They had been dropped off at a bowling alley and were going to Uber the rest of the way so we went and picked them up. Once in the truck, we are talking about where to go. They both wanted to see the resort so we decided to go back and give parking a try. The parking is $35 but we said it is worth it so we get a ticket, the gate opens and we find a parking spot. We walk inside the resort and have to look at a map to figure out this place as it is so huge. We seem to find our way but once inside the center, it has beautiful gardens, and spectacular waterfalls. We get directions to the restaurant and head that way.
The Jack Danial’s wait is over 45 minutes so we go to the restaurant just across the way. It was a wait for a table or open seating was available and you just order at the bar so we jumped on that. We get menus make our order and Meredith goes up to the bar to order only to tip on the bar stool and smash her knee and elbow on the glass wall in front of her. Thankfully she is okay besides the instant bruising but she gets the order in and heads back to the table. We had a good meal catching up and telling them about our journeys so far. Once were were done with our dinner we wanted to explore the resort more. It was so gorgeous. We grabbed some pictures and walked until we made it through the inside gardens. On the way back to the truck we stopped at a store where I found a Nashville sticker for the camper. Meredith and Matt each found something for themselves to take home. We drive them back to their hotel and then back to the camper we go. I am exhausted, even if I didn’t get out of bed until 3:30 so instantly I get ready and head to bed.