Hello, I thought it would be a nice idea to write a bit about my travels for my family and friends. If you want to follow along, feel free.
I will title these Family & Friends, so not to get mixed up with quilt stuff so you know what to read, or not.
Day 1: I stayed at Pine Glen campground in Alabama. I did a little research and programmed the address into my GPS. It was a first come basis, so no reservations. Would they have a site for me?
The day's drive was going smoothly until the GPS told me to turn down a dirt road.
No, I don't think so. Keep driving until it reroutes.
No such luck. It rerouted me in a long circle back to the dirt road.
It's getting late and the GPS says just over 7 miles. Can't be all dirt? right?
WRONG .. all dirt and rocky and full of pit holes and drop offs. Needless to say, no guard rails. As I drove down, I wondered what am I doing? Will they have a site open? Is this for drive nothing?
Further along, I am driving into 'Deliverance'?
It would be dark soon so I keep going. Eventually I arrived at beautiful, serene camp place. Little creek flowing on one side and 3 other campers!
I got out and inspected the van, all looked fine. As I set up to stay I just hoped I would have air in my tires in the morning.
Winter and I explored. Beautiful, nature untamed. It was so refreshing after that exhausting drive. I tried to call Sandy, and no cell service. What did I expect. Was this my first night or what ....
Went to bed watching the fireflys flirting around in the trees with the creek as my back ground music.
Slept great.
As I am enjoying my peaceful coffee in the trees, I realized I do not have GPS to get out of here. What was it 3; or maybe 4 turns on unmarked dirt roads. I did not know I needed to keep track.
Oh well, I am off.
At the first cross roads I am pretty sure I need to turn right, but there is a sign saying Hwy 78, 8 miles straight.
Decisions
I made the wrong one! Went straight. Straight up the Skyway Mountainway ! Not even called a road. If I thought yesterday getting there was no fun, this was downright SCARY. I was literally on top of the mountains for much of the drive. Up and down mountains.
I should mention at this point my GPS had decided to work. 3.4 miles to go ... It was straight up at through ruts and stones. I have never even driven 4 wheeling and now I was in this huge handicap van. No turning around (even if I could have found a spot) after that last huge uphill. No way was I even going down it!
At one point there was trail head parking so I stopped to gain my balance. And call Sandy to gain some much needed support.
I really did not know if I would get back in the van and continue. The GPS said .3 mile to 78, I could do it?
I had to do it.
I have never been so happy to get to a paved road!
Norman, you would be proud of your work.
Well, the van got her name that morning. Along the way I was calling her a Beast. So happy she was pulling through, and glad for those low gears. But wait, She not only took on the beast, she tamed it.
I am calling her Beauty, Wild Beauty.
I think I learned a couple good lessons one first over night , 1 NO dirt roads!
and 2, my Beauty can do it !
The next night was much better. More later
hugs and smiles
OMG you guys, I was so worried about her, I could not she her on the tracking app and she was not answering her phone. Of course I worried all night. Nothing on the tracking app the next morning, no answers to my calls or texts.
All of a sudden she showed up on the tracking app. We looked up the area on Google. She was on a 4 wheel drive trail that looked really hard to handle. Then my phone rings and it's her! As soon as i answered I know she was really shook up. We talked for a little bit, then she decided to get back in the bus sand keep going.
I was really proud of…