The Great Smokey Mountains NP, Tennessee (Part 3: Goin’ Home!)

Jun 3

Day 11: May 27, 2022

Day one of driving home.

Taking a more northerly route home, Hwy 57 W passes through the southwest corner of Illinois. My first day of travel is the beginning of Memorial Day weekend, so I secured a reservation at Whittington Woods Campground.

Here I am… stuck in the middle! Too bad I couldn’t have parked in the trees by myself instead.

The pond at the Wittington Woods Campground.

Day 12: May 28, 2022

Campers were packed in like sardines, which is perfect for large groups meeting up and wanting to be close to each other. On his golf cart the camp host guided me to my site where a boat parked. He approached a circle of people sitting around a campfire and was told that someone will track down the boat owner and ask him to move it. Geez; I felt so out of place. There was no hiding that I was a lone camper on Memorial Day weekend, plopped front and center of what felt like a huge audience. I thought the boat move might take a while so I drove to Wayne Fitzgerrell State Recreation area, just a few miles up the road. The Rend Lake Reservoir was huge, but I only saw a few boats on the water. Spotting a sign for camping, I decide to check out what I would be missing. I drove through several loops and never saw a single campsite or camper. Perhaps they were farther in the park, but I just gave up. Only a few people were out walking a trail or biking. I expected huge crowds on this Holiday. It was eerily quiet, and I didn’t understand why. I’m refraining from including any links to websites about the lake. I can only state that what I saw did not match up with the images on the sites. I just headed back to the campground, thinking the boat had probably been moved by now. It was, so I backed in and got out to look for my shore power plug in. It was a shared power box, which I had never seen before. All the other rigs were using what I thought should be mine, and the only open receptacle was on the opposite side of the box. Plus there were bicycles propped up all around it. I must have appeared ridiculous staring at it with a “what the hell is it”? kind of look on my face. I was actually debating whether or not to talk to the neighbors or go straight to the office. A man who may have been 35-40 came over to say “hello” and asked me if I needed anything. I explained my dilemma, and he started moving the bikes and switching cables to the back side of the box. That provided an open receptacle on my side. He proceeded to ask me if I was alone and I said “yes”. He went on to ask about my travels, so I told him. Extremely surprised and seemingly impressed, he asked me to join his group later in the evening. I told him “I might just do that”. He lived only about an hour and a half away and came here every year for a family gathering. There were 4 rigs in his group. Maybe feeling sorry for me, he actually went so far as to plug in my power cord and water hose. He promised to try and keep the noise to a minimum and if I needed anything just let him know. I thanked him and went to busy myself, trying not to look lonely. A walk around the campground pond, provided an escape from being in what felt like a spotlight. When I returned, my neighbors’ conversation and merry-making had escalated. Corn hole was being played, The BBQ was going, the music was on and the beers were being consumed. I just didn’t have it in my to join in, so I streamed a PBS Memorial Day special. I sure had Rich on my mind. I don’t remember what I made for dinner, or when I went to sleep. I just wanted to get on the road as early as possible tomorrow morning.

Day 13: May 29, 2022

So anxious to escape this campground unnoticed, I neglected to roll up my awning. As I pull forward, I hear a loud scraping sound. I look out of the passenger side window to see my awning smashed into a tree. I slowly back up and get out to assess the damage. Fortunately, it was just a side panel to the awning case. Perhaps I can find a replacement part from the manufacturer. Of course my neighbor comes over to help. Mortified, he watches me roll up the awning. It’s just fine. We laugh about it and he tells me the same thing happened to him once. Sigh. Apparently, I should put together a check list.

After parking my van next to a tractor in the front yard, Stéph comes running (yes running) out to see me. What a warm welcome! There is something so comforting about being with people who knew Rich.

Made it! I’ll be sleeping on a farm tonight!

My Murfreesboro friends were the consummate hosts.

With so much to do on their farm every single day, they pretended it was no trouble to have me there. I tried to stay out of their way as much as possible. Still, they walked me around their 39 acres, introduced me to the animals, shared their knowledge and this lifelong dream to be farmers.

My time with this family was pure pleasure. I had planned to spend just one night, but it felt so good to linger there, I stayed another. Trying to mitigate disrupting their routine, I slept in my van.

The first morning, I made my own coffee in the van and brought it inside their home for our “good mornings”. Criss was whipping up a gourmet mocha and offered me one. I said “no thanks” but secretly would have loved to toss mine and try hers. I had no problem saying “yes” on morning two. It was delicious, as were the meals they prepared. Criss and Stéph were planning on working on their “Garden Shed” and invited me to come hang out with them. “Garden Shed” is in quotes as it is a covert phrase for what will be a beautiful vacation cabin on their own property. These two have big plans and It was lovely to see how well they work together towards realizing their vision. Each night after dinner, we had a blast playing board games and talking about the world we live in. Our last evening together, their oldest son, Nicholas graciously agreed to play his cello for us. I have always been enchanted with those beautiful bass tones, and asked him to teach me a simple song. I am looking forward to sharing the video of “Twinke, Twinkle” with my grandkids. We’re never too old to try something new.

Day 14: May 30, 2022

It was time for me to head out, so we said our good byes. It was a wonderful respite just wandering around in green grass, and watching big puffy clouds float by beautiful blue skies. I was going to have to drive hard today, to reach my next stop in Lawrence, Kansas. “Thank you Stéph and Criss! Until next time!

Passing St. Louis, I couldn’t help but think about a couple of great overnights I had there. In 2016 I was able to tour the Gateway Arch with a fellow flight attendant. The another in 2017 our fantastic fantastic crew romped around the City Museum like kids and had an absolute blast!.

The Lawrence KOA was a great overnight. The incoming storm kept its distance until after laundry duty, dinner and clean up. There is a nice playground for the kiddos, including a small zip line.

Wanting to get an early start to Denver today, the weather had other plans for me. Just like my flight attending days, here I sit waiting out the weather. I can’t wait to see you, Laura and Ron!

Days 15 and 16: May 31, and June 1, 2022

Broomfield or bust! I only made a couple of very quick stops today, as my drive would be about eight hours. I finally arrived at my friends’ beautiful, new home late afternoon. It was glorious to visit in person!

Friends for over 30 years, it was hard to watch them move from Carmichael last year. They treated to my first Tai Chi class, a lovely walk in Denver’s Botanic Garden, a soak in the hot tub and of course lots of overdue, heartfelt conversation. Visiting you two is like a like having Rich around. Tears of gratitude were shed when it it time for me to go. Thank you for your love. I’ll be back!

Day 17: June 2, 2022

I am not looking forward to driving again today. It’s starting to wear on me. For the first time in all of my adVANtures, my ankles were really swollen when I hit Denver. I wasn’t sure if it was due to the accumulated days of sitting and/or the altitude. They were normal by the time I left, but I’m worried that it will happen again today. My destination was Salt Lake City, but I never found anyplace that felt safe and comfortable to stay overnight. I pressed on to Wendover, NV. Somehow, I lost my pics of the seemingly endless landscape of Bonneville Salt Flats, Utah. Some people find the flats beautiful.