2020 – A Turning Point

As 2020 comes to a close, our prayer is that the end of 2020 is a turning point and a new beginning for many. This past year took us from a growing economy and strengthening relations to the onset of a worldwide Covid-19 pandemic, a brief economic slump, outrageous rioting on the streets of our great nation, increasing disrespect for our nation and those in authority, and a growing schism among families and friends – primarily over differences in political perspective and beliefs. How we not only look forward to a new day, but hope in the new year.

Spending time outdoors and social distancing is a new way of life for most Americans, but has been a common lifestyle in the RV community for years. After numerous lockdowns and restrictions, we have a new appreciation for the freedom to travel. One of our long held beliefs is that we should take time to enjoy our great country with family and friends, as well as new acquaintances we meet along the way. We feel charged to be good stewards of our country while exploring the natural gifts God has created for our enjoyment and care. We began our motorhome journeys in the summer of 2007, but beginning the fall of 2017 through July of 2020 we were homeless – motor homeless that is!  We paused our travel agenda to address other personal matters and make some small improvements to our stick and brick residence. During our break, we really missed traveling in our motorhome.

 

In July of 2020 we located a 2018 40AH Tiffin Phaeton motorhome in Arlington, Texas that we knew would take us on the road once again. At first, we were a little nervous buying a used motorhome, but we proceeded cautiously, while putting our thirteen years of motorhome knowledge and experience to good use. To date, our decision has been a success. In addition to the 2,000 mile round trip to pick up the motorhome in Arlington, we have enjoyed trips to the Lake Junaluska – Maggie Valley area of North Carolina, Townsend, Tennessee and the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Rome, Georgia for the Wings over north Georgia Air Show -featuring the USAF Thunderbirds, and a stay in Dillard, Georgia with the Peach State Allegros – a Tiffin motorhome club based in the southeast United States. At Lake Junaluska, we met a special couple (Barry and Linda) who have similar career and hobby experience as our good friends, Curt and Cathy, who we met on one of our first RVing trips 13 years ago. We shared walks, talks, and a nice dinner together. Our golden retriever (Camper) loved taking the daily walks around the lake with their dogs Copper and Penny. Barry also invited us to join the Peach State Allegro motor club – a move which made me wonder if he is a good judge of character 🙂  At the end of our stay, we took Barry and Linda to Cherokee to view an elk herd. Linda told us it was one of the highlights of their trip

 

A few weeks later, we traveled to Townsend, Tennessee for our anniversary outing in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. In addition to relaxing around the campground, we spent time hiking in Cades Cove, photographing the Elk in Oconaluftee, and walking the streams and viewing the waterfalls of Tremont, which is always near the top of our to do list. We also traveled to Sevierville, Tennessee for a great barbecue dinner at Tony Gore’s, and the special Harvest Festival at Dollywood in Pigeon Forge. We were happy to share our experience with Anna’s sister and husband who are just beginning their motorhome journeys.

 

In Rome, Georgia (where our son, Turner, was born) we were able to park our motorhome, with about 100 other campers, right next to the Wings Over North Georgia Airshow apron and taxiway adjacent to the main runway. We had great RV neighbors (Chris and Lynn) also from Florida – and former Miamians – like me! Chris and Lynn made our experience at the air show hysterical, fun, and memorable. Chris later gifted us a great Clemson Tiger paw stone for our home. We were able to watch the USAF Thunderbirds during the airshow practice on a Friday. They did not perform on Saturday as only the first hour of the air show completed before inclement weather halted the remainder of the Saturday show. We left the Rome airport early Sunday – prior to the Sunday air show to meet Anna’s sister and her husband in Dillard, Georgia at the River Vista RV Park for the Allegro club meeting. The drive toward Dillard through the North Georgia mountain towns of Blue Ridge, Hiawassee, and Helen, was visually splendid in autumn glory. River Vista is a nice RV location with the nearby mountains, streams, and waterfalls of northern Georgia as well as the waterfalls of nearby Highlands and Cashiers areas of North Carolina. It was great seeing Barry and Linda again, and a treat to meet many other members of the Peach State Allegros with whom we shared stories, and games. We departed this stop a day earlier than originally planned due to the uninvited residual effects of Hurricane Zeta which left the entire area of Georgia without power and water. Although we were self-contained, it was in our best interest to head home to Clemson

Winter is just around the corner, and although we had the opportunity to enjoy a December trip to the sunshine state, we decided to remain in Clemson until our FMCA international family reunion this coming March in Perry, Georgia. We are delighted to once again be part of the motor homing community. I am writing this post on the last day of 2020. I want to thank our son, Turner, for all of his help for kicking the mothballs off of our website and rebuilding the editor that no longer functioned correctly. 

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Anna and I would like to wish everyone a happy new year. As you travel down the road of life, keep it between the mustard and the mayonnaise. Our prayer is that the Lord watches over you and your loved ones and keeps you safe.

As always, we hope to see you down the road!