We Are Home - November 4!

Once we started heading west, we just got more and more focused on getting past the long Texas trek and then we were so close that we just kept going. So we made it in time to vote. The next task was to unload and clean so this photo of us in the driveway is our final shot for the trip. Thanks for sharing the fun with us. These 11 weeks have been a highlight of our lives. Some trip statistics might interest a few of you:
8337 - miles the motorhome was driven (hauling the Jeep)
2000 - miles the Jeep was driven (not attached)
$1200 - amount spent on overnight parks
$3388 - amount spent on diesel fuel
$3.99/$2.65 - Highest/Lowest price for diesel fuel
15 - the number of nights we stayed in friends' driveways
6 - the number of nights we stayed in either Interstate Rest Stops or WalMart parking lots

Overall, I'd say 11 weeks of fun for less than a 12 day Mediterranean cruise isn't so bad.

Homeward Bound

By November 1 we had stayed in WalMart parking lots the last two nights in Mississippi and Tyler, TX. We should be home by Wednesday, the day after elections. We find we really appreciate WalMart's willingness to let RVs park overnight. Here we are in the morning in Mississsippi.
We spent a few hours taking the driving tour of the Vicksburg MS civil war park*Nov 1) where Grant's victory started the shift towards Union successes. We drove the 16 mile loop which is quite an esxperience to see - what all those troops put up with (both sides). Seeing the site, I can now understand how that one position was so important to both sides and really turned the tide of the war. It was going on the same days as Gettysburg. (they surrendered on July 4, 1863).

On October 31 we started driving toward home and it is hard to stop once you do that. California, here we come!

After Virginia - October 28, 29, 30 in Tennessee

Gatlinburg was interesting and as lovely as they say. But this is it for us at Tennessee. Friday (Oct 31) we head west again. Where will we go next? We don't really know. We will tell you tomorrow.



At Dollywood (Pigeon Forge, Tennessee):
Can you tell we were cold?



We met Pedens today (October 29) at Dollywood (Pigeon Forge, TN) and saw a number of great Southern Gospel groups. This was a very interesting day. It is a bit like an elaborate and Southern Christian version of a cross between Knott's Berry Farm and Disneyland with lots of country gospel music. During the week at this time of year really means that the place is crawling with retirees (like us). There were all kinds of crafters showing you how they make everything from furniture to sorghum to weaving to wagon-making. Lots of feel for the south and its subculture. We really enjoyed it.


After leaving Jamestown, we decided to drive west for awhile. We ended up near Winston-Salem NC at a Rest Area on I-40. We slept great amidst all the trucks lined up and then today (the 28th) we got into Tennessee (Dollywood). My cousin and husband, Carol and Roger Peden will join us and show us around the park on the 29th.

Driving through Asheville area was as good as any fall colors on the whole trip (and we've seen some great stuff). We were sorry we couldn't match up with Myron and Bev Gottfried in Ashville but we had a nice chat. Marie did find an outlet for some fabric she wanted. As we parked in their lot, you can see the snow on the ground nearby. We even drove through some snow flurries - and that was a first for this trip.

Virginia - Historical Sites October 21 - 27

Jamestown was our last spot to visit before leaving Virginia (today, October 27). The visitor's center there is arguably more elaborate than the new Gettysburg Center. Amazing. We took off for North Carolina about 3 pm and drove 7 hours (going west for the first time in months).

Williamsburg was our visitation site today (Oct 26) (plus the outlet stores there). Marie has never been here so we enjoyed walking the streets and visiting their wonderful Visitors' Center.



It is now Oct 25 and we are enjoying this eastern area of Virginia. We toured Yorktown yesterday and have an easy lounging day today. Tomorrow we will go to Williamsburg and Jamestown.
This river shot is looking out the window of our restaurant booth where we had lunch in Yorktown:
After all the exploration (Oct 22) of battlegrounds around Fredericksburg, we drove about 200 miles to the Chesapeake area - camping right on an extension of the Chesapeake Bay - the Piankatank River - in a gorgeous Thousand Trail preserve. We will stay here 4 or 5 days and explore Williamsburg, Jamestown, etc. In this next photo, you can see us at the little car in the middle (at the end of the torquise line) (click photo for an enlarged version)
This map shot is taken from our GPS localizing system. Our camp site is at the lower end of the torquise line (there is a faint blue car representing our rig). We are camped overlooking the Piankatank River. It was so delightful (and free via Thousand Trails membership) that we stayed 5 days.

This is the Piankatank River as seen from our RV (the site is at the end of the torquise line above):
Wednseday, Oct 22 was another civil war exploration day. We hiked around the woods at Chancellorsville and better understood this disastrous spot (for the Union army) and my relative (Fighting Joe Hooker). It was his only battle as full general (1863) and Lincoln replaced him quickly. It also is well known as being the spot where Stonewall Jackson was accidentally shot by his own men. He died a few days later.
The trenches dug by the rebels go for miles through the woods. They are still readily visible.
A year later, Grant used similar strategy to Hooker's and that battle brought 26,000 casualties (182,000 men fighting). There is no way to imagine what that was like in these woods.

Next we went on about 10 miles to Fredericksburg and saw the very famous "sunken road" where there was another loss by the Union. 18,000 men died at this site in a three day time. Unbelieveable!
Imagine this road filled with bodies and blood.
In a two year period, over 600,000 men fought within a 15 mile radius.
Today (Oct 21) we visited Monticello and drove around Charlottesville. We had never been to Monticello and it is fascinating and enriches our current read of " The Hemingses of Monticello" (with the truth about Jefferson and his fathering 7 children by the slave Sally Hemings). We ate at a 240 year old Tavern (Michie's Tavern)The view from the hill is gorgeous.

In the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia - October 15 - 21

- Getting back to this valley is like coming home. I graduated from SVA here 48 years ago and Marie and I have come here many times since then. It really doesn't change much from decade to decade.
- We are now in Weyer's Cave VA (Sabbath Oct 18) and our first morning at Richard and Bonnie Smith's place ( luxury property/farm) brought these sights. They have built a gorgeous home on top of their hill with views all around.
This is looking out from their yard:Look where we get to park - on top of their hill with plenty of room for Buddy to run. He likes fall in the valley - and so do we! This is Ryder and Tracy and family. We had a great time with them. Terrific kids (and therefore, parents).
Next we go to New Market for church. Vanessa my niece) and kids are here too. Gerry is working at the academy this weekend. This is a neighbor's driveway near Richard's house.There were over a hundred of these buggies parked outside Sunday church in the Mennonite community.
- We started our Shenandoah visit (Oct 15) by using the self-guided 1 mile walking tour of the Manassas VA Bull Run #1 civil battleground. (see photo of Stone Wall Jackson monument). This is the exact spot where he earned the nickname "StoneWall". It is incredible to be here and envision what the book and movie "Gods and Generals" depict so well.
- Did you know that Bill has received a Christmas present nearly every year for almost the 43 years since teaching 8th grade science at Kent Jr High School in MD? They come from a former 14 year old student who lives in Manassas, VA. Well we visited Aunt Joanie's Chocolate Shoppe in Manassas and found her making candy. This was a reunion with Joan Huntington and I after 43 years.. She says she has sent me a box of candy from her shop every Christmas because something I did helped her start believing in herself (when she was 14). Can you think of a better gift for a teacher? Incredible! What a hero she is to her own family too. We had a fun lunch together and Marie found some things to buy for Alexis at her store.
- Next we parked in an RV park in Luray VA and revisited the Blue Ridge Mts' SkyLine Drive where we went on our second date (1961).

- Then on to the site of the New Market Battle where 250 teen cadets made a difference and beat the Union armies.
- Next we go to Richard and Bonnie's farm in Weyer's Cave VA (Friday Oct 18).

In Maryland - October 5-15

Oct 10-14 In Washington DC area - we did some sightseeing (see photos) and had a great family reunion at Joanie and Bruce's house (at Laurel, MD)






If you don't recognize these folks, I'll help you. Bruce and my little sister, Joanie are in the photos with Marie and I. Carl and Agnes Schneider are with their grand-daughter, Talia, and Rochelle (my niece) is with her daughter Paige. I didn't get a good picture of all three of her kids (Leah and Justin, sorry).

The bottom photo is John Lintner (my cousin) between Bob and Judy Spindler. (if you can't see it clearly, click on the picture)

In Westminster MD, October 5-8

Next we start our 340 mile journey down to Westminster Maryland where we will park the rig in the driveway of Bob and Judy Spindler. Judy is Marie's cousin and Marie lived with the Nelsons for college (lucky for me 'cuz that is when I met her).



We stayed with them for four days and did a lot of exploring and catching up. Next we go to the DC area for 5 days.