Week begin 11/30/09

Week Begin 11/30/09

Left Oshkosh on Monday 11/30 around 8:30am.  Looked kind of like a carnival leaving town with our tow vehicle behind the coach, kayaks on top and bikes on the back.  Our goal was to make Effingham, Il around 410 miles, enough for the first day.  Pulled into a Wal-Mart for an overnight stay, arriving around 4:30pm.  No more than getting settled in, we look out the window and see our friends Skip & Marlene Zacher.  We knew they were leaving for Florida the same day as us, but surprised to see them next to us, they know we are Wal-Mart users.  Anyway, they were staying at a Roadway Inn just a few blocks from us.  So we decided to happy hour together and order sandwiches out for dinner.  When Skipped checked in, he asked the desk clerk if we could park our coach in their lot in as much as they were guests there, and she said no problem.  So we moved the coach and after dinner settled in.  Around 10:45pm a knock on the door and a group of ladies with “Santa hats” said we were on private property and would have to leave.  I shared we got permission from the desk clerk.  The leader said that management did not approve.  So I said it sounds like a Mgt / employee problem and closed the door.  At 11:00pm, another knock on the door, and we drew more attention then the couple crashing the White House State Dinner.  Three squad cars pointing at us and two officers at the door.  Said we had been asked  to leave the property and refused.  I shared the permission we were granted and our friends were guests at the motel.  The officer went to the office to verifying our story, and after confirming, called the manager still insisting that we leave. The officer felt really bad and was very polite and without further ado we returned to Wal-Mart for the night.  Wow, what a first night.  So much for doing things right and getting permission.

On Tuesday, an early start, we headed for Nashville, around 230 miles, wanting  to see the Christmas lights and decorations at the Gaylord Opryland Hotel.  Arrived at the Two Rivers RV Park on Music Valley Drive just a mile from the hotel.  Got settled in for a two day stay, deciding to stay in for the night.  Rain all night and forecast for tomorrow is more rain.

Wednesday we sought out a Martha Stewart recommended Café.  Loveless Café was great.  Carol Fay, the “Biscuit Lady”, appearing on the Martha Stewart show, greeted us and showed us

 to our table.  Yes, the hot biscuits are great!  Secret recipe she says.  Shari ordered smoked pork chops and I went with their trademark fried chicken.  All was great, doggie bag to go.  Evening spent at the Gaylord Opryland Hotel.  Each time we visit we see

something new.  The Christmas Decorations are incredible.  Live Christmas Music entertainment in the Atrium.  Tomorrow we head for Asheville.

Thursday
was a late start for what we thought was a short trip to Asheville, NC, 227 miles prox.  Well, about 100 miles west of Asheville on I-40 we were told of a major rock slide that closed I-40, so had to detour 100 miles out of our way going north on Hwy  81 then back south on 26 to Asheville.  So two hours more driving and losing an hour in the time zone change, decided to pull over and spend the night just outside of Johnson City at a Wal-Mart.  Tired.

Friday, our trip from the Johnson City area, took us through the Appalachan Mountains en-route to Asheville and then on to the Graham / Burlington area to visit grandson Ryan.   Weather still cloudy and colder than normal, high today 48.  Scenery beautiful, but weather doesn’t do justice.  Arrived at Cane Creek Campground / RV Park around 4:30pm.  Very nice family farm run park situated in a beautiful rural valley.  Not many RV’s here this time of year, and we are located in a site with a beautiful view.  After settled in called Mitz, Ryans mom, and announced are arrival.  Both working tomorrow,  so a free day for us to explore.

Spent the day exploring Graham, went downtown for parade and activities, but rain and cold put a damper on the events.  Went into Burlington and found where Ryan works. Sunday went to Chapel Hill, Tar Hill country, walked the campus area and had lunch on the drag at the “Breadmens”.   Dinner with Ryan and Mitz at the Longhorn Steak House.  Great to be with Mitz and Ryan!