Month: January 2023

OMG – The Great Smoky Mountains National Park

On 6th January 2023

In Campgrounds, Places We've Been, Texas 2023

The mountains are calling and I must go.
John Muir

We had planned on stopping in Gatlinburg to try out the recommended brewery. However, it was busy!!! Worse than Pigeon Forge and Jo couldn’t get out of there fast enough. So, off exploring the park we go.

Now you know how people always reference dogs being distracted by a squirrel. The drive was like that; every time you turned around you were captivated by another spectacular view, your head was on a swivel. There were a lot of OMG look at that…and That…OMG isn’t that beautiful. Even in the middle of winter there was a beauty to be found. The Kodak moments were abundant to say the least. Thank goodness for digital.

We walked the Kephart Prong Trail and found calmness in the sounds of the cascading river rapids flowing by. We dared to traverse over a very narrow foot bridge, okay a log to cross the river (over came the fear and did it anyway). Stopped at Newfound Gap elevation 5046 feet and grabbed the picture of the state lines sign. We climbed 165 stairs to view the Mingo Falls, highest in the park. We hiked the Three Falls Loop (3.5km) in Deep Creek. The falls were all full because of the recent rain they just had. Juney Whank Falls, Indian Creek Falls, and Tom Branch Falls.

The park exceeded all of Jo’s expectations. I believe Steve enjoyed driving the narrow windy roads…..maybe not, but he did enjoy the park.

This was a 2 day adventure with a quick overnight in Ela, North Carolina. After a quick stop in Bryson City North Carolina (very cute town) we headed back into Tennessee. The next stop was the Tansai Brewery in Chattanooga as a Harvest Host for the night.

Moonshine Lewis’s

By Momma Jo

On 4th January 2023

In Campgrounds, Places We've Been, Texas 2023

I don’t know where I am going from here, but I promise it won’t be boring.
David Bowie

Tennessee Bound today. I am not sure of what it is but there is a lure that has always pointed me towards Tennessee. Is it the landscape? Maybe it’s the country music. Perhaps it is going to Dollywood (not). I know, must be the Moonshine. No, it is the chance to hike in the Great Smoky Mountains!

Today our target is Pigeon Forge, KOA; just out side the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Pretty well drove straight through for 479 km! The Tennessee Visitor center was the highlight of the drive. Always a photo op with the “Welcome To…” signs. Because we are an RV we always have to park with the trucks; man those things are massive. Winnie looks so small!

Okay we reached our destination for the night. Pigeon Forge – it was definitely not the quiet spot we had thought it was. Man, it is like Niagara Falls on Steroids! Yikes!!

We decided to explore the area. In true Jo and Steve fashion we found ourselves… Yep you guessed it… sampling the vintages at the Mill Bridge Winery. Kevin was our server/host and he tried hard to find a wine or cider that Jo might like; but to no avail. However, he did point us in the direction of a couple of great breweries for our future travels.

Now, the next stop was the Old Forge Distillery. We were here in 2016 and they couldn’t serve us because we did not have our IDs!!! Imagine getting carded at the age of 60! We made sure we had ID tonight. We tried 10 different types of moonshine some of it was really tasty or maybe I lost feeling in my taste buds. Maybe it’s in my blood after all the “Lewis” (Jo’s Mom’s side) have a history of making Moonshine….so the story goes.

All I know I slept well that night and my cold had improved greatly.

The Shenandoah Valley

By Momma Jo

On 3rd January 2023

In Campgrounds, Texas 2023

Adventure is worthwhile in itself
Amelia Earhart

Well, after that nerve-wracking drive yesterday a change of plans was definitely in order. We are taking a different route. Even though I said I would NEVER drive the I-95 again after yesterday, we had to take it to get to the I-66. We are heading to the Shenandoah with plans to take the Skyline drive.

Okay a question to all of you. Would you Pay $30 to drive the 105-mile Skyline Trail? I would guess YES! Next question; would you pay $30 to drive 5 miles of the Skyline Trail….. I would guess NO! Apparently, the Trail is blocked from recent storm damage so now you know why there is no pictures from the drive.

However we did decide to take Hwy 340 south which took us down the Shenandoah Valley. The drive was spectacular and the scenery was breathtaking. The drive was also a much slower more relaxing pace for Steve. Only one state and one map required for today; Virginia!

Now in true Jo and Steve fashion we found a local brewery in Lexington VA, Devil’s Backbone. We tried their “Crabcakes & Football” a Session IPA, and a “Spill the Tea” Golden Ale. And a take out pack of their “Naughty or Nice” IPA to try later.

After another long day our home for tonight was Douthat State Park. A lovely quiet spot in the Allegheny Mountains of Virginia.

The I-95

By Momma Jo

On 2nd January 2023

In Events, Texas 2023

Approach the New Year with resolve to find the opportunities hidden in each new day
Micheal Josephson

We are up before dawn, very excited to get a jump on the day. Even this rain, will not dampen our spirits! We had an early border crossing into the US. at Houlton, Maine the start of the I-95 (at least from the North).

Before you knew it, we were in temperatures of 15-16 degrees Celsius. Our original plan for today was to get to Augusta, Maine, and try to push further to get closer to the snow line. However, with these temperatures it changes the driving force. We made it through Maine; crossed the New Hampshire border; through Massachusetts, (too late we realized the Patriots were playing today) and called it night in East Greenwich, Rhode Island. Home for the night was the Cracker Barrell parking lot. (4 State Borders today!)

Day Two on the I-95 First border Connecticut, then New York State, Things definitely got a little bit dicey as we drove by the Bronx as the traffic was crazy! But hey, we got to see the iconic skyline of New York City. Took the New Jersey Turnpike (expensive but worth it!) through Newark, Pennsylvania, Philadelphia (took pictures of the Eagles stadium) Maryland, Baltimore, Washington and finally stopped at the Green Belt National Park. (6 Borders today!) Jo’s nerves were rubbed right raw, and she wasn’t driving.! Albeit this was the end of the I-95 as far as Jo was concerned.

With the uncommonly warmer weather, we decided to change our plans and head west towards Tennessee and no longer south on the 1-95.

The Start The First Step…..

By Momma Jo

On 1st January 2023

In Events, Texas 2023

A Journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step
Chinese Proverb

On the road again. Finally Post Covid – (Wishful thinking) Okay a with a more managed version of it.

Yes, we have done short trips in Winnie. We have ventured to PEI, Cape Breton, South Shore of Nova Scotia, Ontario, and even down to Franconia Notch in Vermont and New Hampshire. Actually, traveled to Portugal and Spain (however not in Winnie).

Now we are finally heading out on an extended adventure. Which was always the plan pre-Covid. Nothing booked; Our destination is Texas and New Mexico. Where we stop no one knows! We are actually heading out for warmer weather and ironically enough it is 16-17 degrees Celsius here at home.

Today was a short day, we choose to spend the night at the Big Axe Brewery in Nackawic, New Brunswick. Good Food, Good Beer, Great Cheer. Neither one of us managed to ring in the New Year.

Today saw two provinces, been through 2 maps, one border crossing, 5 hours on the road, and 400 kms under our belts.

Month: January 2023

OMG – The Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Moonshine Lewis’s

The Shenandoah Valley

The I-95

The Start The First Step…..

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