The Early Days of 2013

Out first several months on the road were spent adapting to our new lifestyle. There were many adjustments...physically, mentally, spiritually and emotionally. Going from firm footing and the security of a home now referred to as "Sticks and Bricks" to our new moving home referred to as "Rubber and Resin". I can't tell you the extent of these emotions, one minute elated, the next scared to death. Lots of prayers...and waiting for answers, without the direction of God we would not be on this adventure as He is always providing us direction. It's hard enough making the adjustment from working to retirement, through on top of that the uncertainty of an unknown lifestyle, being away from your children and grandchildren, friends, church and for me the anxiety of walking away from the many activities I was involved, especially the Boy Scouts!

Below are the chronicles of our early roaming... We start at the beginning

Duckett Mill [CoE] Gainesville GA  May 23-27, 2013

Our first stop was at Duckett Mill, a Army Corps of Engineer [CoE] park on Lake Lanier outside of Gainesville GA. This is a beautiful park on the shore of Lake Lanier. A rather large campground that we had frequented many times while living in Dahlonega. It was convenient for us as well for our girls and their families and we've had lots of family get-togethers here, some magic even occurred here...ask about it!
We had camped here in April shortly after picking up the coach and this trip was wonderful, we had the kids with us and had a great time spending time on the playground with Eli, swimming and boating. We both got busy in our spare time getting stuff organized and getting settled in to our new home. We would have stayed here longer but due to government cutbacks they decided to make this park a weekend-only park in 2013 so we were forced to move after Memorial Day.

We originally planned to go back to Bogart after leaving Duckett Mill until June 1st but decided it was pointless and quite frankly I dreaded having to park the rig  at that house!!

Old Federal [CoE] Flowery Branch GA   May 27-June 15, 2013

 We were going to start at Old Federal on June 1st so we extended our stay and started on May 27th. This was really our first stop where just the two of us were in the coach ... no kids...no grandson, just the two of us [we did have visits from the kids but they weren't staying with us in the rig]. This too is a beautiful park on Lake Lanier, this one closer to Atlanta. Old Federal is an older park, more open, less trees but still very beautiful. Still more settling in, sorting, reorganizing and tossing...we're getting close to our final prep for venturing out to the big country we wish to explore and enjoy. We had our first weather scare while at Old Federal...a lazy warm afternoon when out of nowhere a thunderstorm came up and blew in from across the lake. We had both the awnings out and the wind gusted, I thought the awnings would be torn off the coach and the wind was so strong I couldn't get them in until the wind died down...luckily the awnings have gas struts to absorb the shock load from wind and there was no damage...we learned a good lesson though, the awnings come in when winds are expected, even if we are home!!

Oconee State Park [South Carolina State Park] Mountain Rest SC  June 15-21 2013

This was to be our first real test while towing. Our trip up to Oconee was both exciting and dreaded, we were both excited to be going to see Lydia, our youngest daughter who was working in Cashiers NC with her boyfriend Dean, the dread was mine as we were pulling the 10 ton rig up and around curvy mountain roads in route to our destination. We had visited the campground on an earlier visit to Cashiers so I knew we would be able to navigate the roads but the site we had reserved was, what I believed to be too small. I was right but luckily there were other sites available that we could fit in. The first site we chose was very cramped but we were able to relocate to a much better site the next day. Oconee is a beautiful park in the foothills of the Blue Ridge with lots of lush vegetation, a lake and wonderful streams. While here we visited Lydia and Dean a couple of times both at the restaurant they were managing, Dean as the head chef and Lydia as the pastry chef and at their magnificent home. We also explored the countryside finding many beautiful waterfalls in the surrounding area. 

Paines Creek [CoE] Hartwell GA  June 22-July 02 2013

Back to Georgia, this time on Lake Hartwell to a smaller CoE park, more primitive than the parks on Lake Lanier. We had never camped on Hartwell so why not? Back within range of our older Daughter, Erin, her husband Kevin and Eli, our grandson we enjoyed time with them on several occasions. Spending time swimming, at the playground and Eli's favorite pastime...mini golf. I spent time preparing for my trip to the BSA Jamboree to be held in July, trying to wrap-up all loose ends before heading off to West Virginia and getting everything a ready as possible with the rig for Ruth who would spend most of July on her own in the rig.

Lake Lanier Islands Resort's Blue Ridge Campground [Private] Buford GA July 02-August 01 2013

One final move before I leave for the Jamboree. We wanted to be at a campground with sewer hookups so Ruth wouldn't have to deal with THAT while I was gone. Lake Lanier Islands campground was at one time a very nice park but no-more. Though the rest of the resort is pristine, the campground has been neglected, the roads are deteriorating, much of the campground has been closed and abandoned, what is open is run down. We got settled into a site that was adequate. After getting settled in and making sure Ruth is comfortable with all the system operations of the coach I head off to the Jamboree  on July 6th.
To the left is a photo of one of the venues I managed at the Jamboree. In total, we had 14 venues which I helped coordinate the building, staffed and trained. during the Jamboree we served over 30,000 young men and women, without a single significant injury, with a staff in the neighborhood of ~600 people, an accomplishment I am very proud of. I by no means did it all, it was the work of many, many people all working together for a common goal of serving the children of BSA. Now that this final task is complete I can breath a sigh of relief though I am sad too to be walking away from a chapter of my life that was so very dear to me.



While I'm away Ruth spends most of her time with Erin and Eli, I think Eli spent the entire time I was gone with her.  Despite an almost daily torrential downpour  they managed to spend every day at the water park and beach, all part of the resort. Of course there were regular visits to mini golf too!! They had a wonderful time together along with Erin and Kevin they shared some very dear moments, ones they all will remember for a very long time.


On my return to Georgia I jumped right in with the daily routine  of water park, mini golf and beach life though it was short lived as out time to move on was quickly approaching. 

Before our departure for our first workcamping assignment, we had dinner with our dear friends Nancy & Steve Moorman which we were both looking forward to. We hadn't seen them for a couple of months. When we arrive at the restaurant Nancy  is holding a package...this is the end of July so I'm wondering what she could have?  Much to my surprise...it was a comforter for an early birthday gift [my birthday is in August]. Ruth and Nancy had conspired to make this beautiful blanket from many of my old Boy Scout t-shirts. [Remember that I gave away several hundred shirts, among many other scout related items when we were cleaning out our old home]. Ruth had gathered the shirts used in the quilt without my knowledge and given them to Nancy several months before, Nancy spent so much time putting this together and I was overwhelmed by their love, knowing how much this would mean to me. I am forever grateful of this beautiful gift.

But now our time in Georgia has come to an end, we are packing up everything in preparation for the next phase of our adventure. The RV is readied, the truck is packed, goodbye's given to family and friends...and we're off to Cherokee NC.

Next up... Yogi in the Smokies