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On this trip we are wandering around
the south eastern US for just over a week. While
some of our outings are planned, we have left
a lot of room in the schedule for impromptu driving
so that we aren't too tied down to when and where
we will be. Accommodations for this trip include,
the back of the Avalanche (Amy Lee) and Tents.
Given the nature of the terrain that we will be
traveling in, and the cellular coverage in the
area, our updates DURING this trip may be delayed
a little.
Friday
Chimaera left his house and drove
100 miles to Gambler and Twisters house. We finished
packing up the truck and apply the logo to the back
window. Installed webcam, GPS and wiring for the laptop.
Headed north on I-75 towards Atlanta. We didn't make
it out for Florida before we were delayed by an accident
on the interstate. (see images below) Made a quick
stop at Walmart in Macon, GA for some last minute
supplies. We continued north on I-75 to Atlanta Motor
Speedway before we locked up and went to sleep.
Continued heading North to
Interstate 75 on into Atlanta, Georgia. We went
to the Coka~Cola Museum, Underground Atlanta,
and then went to an Atlanta Braves game.
Today we drove on into Cherokee and set up camp.
We checked out several camp grounds in the area
and finally decided to go to the River Valley Campground
on Big Cove Road. We got a sight right on the river.
So the three of us hoped into the river and went
for a white water swim. We ate in town this day
so we didn't have to start grilling yet. The owner
of the campground took us out on his golf cart and
let us pick out any tent camping site he had available.
We chose one right beside one of the whitewater
sections of the river so that we would have plenty
of sounds to lull us to sleep at nights. It worked.
It also gave us a great view.
Monday
We went white water rafting down the Nantahala
River today. About half way down it started pouring
down rain so we pulled out at a little river side
restaurant until it stopped raining then got back
in and finished out the river. Good news is all
of us stayed in the raft all the way down the river.
Bad news is most of the way it was so foggy we couldn't
see the river. After finishing the river, we drove
to Franklin, NC and then to Highlands NC via US
HWY 28, better known as Water Fall Road. We stopped
at Callusaja Falls, Dry falls and Bridal Veil falls.
Sad news for the fans of Bridal veil falls, you
can no longer drive behind the falls as a large
section of the mountain has fallen onto what used
to be the road. In highlands we stopped at a fudge
and Ice cream shop and got some Ice Cream that was
incredible. It was called Highlands Mud. After Ice
cream we headed back to the camp site to make chili
dogs for dinner, had a nice camp fire. It rained
again tonight but the tent held up and none of us
got wet.
Tuesday
Got up and had breakfast at the campground. We
left for Gatlinburg about 11:00 am On the way, Chimaera
and Gambler hiked up Clingmans Dome. Clingmans dome
is halfway between Cherokee and Gatlinburg. It is
the highest point of the Smokey mountains. The hike
is 1/2 a mile at a 9 -10% grade. in other words,
it is a steep hike. At the top there is a spiral
ramp up about another 50 feet up vertically where
on a clear day you can see seven states. Note we
said a clear day. We did not go on a clear day.
Just as we reached the base of the observation tower
the cloud we were walking through stopped holding
its rain and let loose. We went on up but had to
hike back down through the rain and cold (53 degrees)
Many of the pictures below are from the highway
between Cherokee and Gatlinburg and are only listed
as mountains. In Gatlinburg we stopped for lunch
at Shoney's then went to the Ripley's Aquarium in
the Smokeys. These pictures are listed as Ripley's
below. After leaving Ripley's we went up to Obergatlinburg
and watched the Ice Skaters. We drove back across
the mountains about sunset so got to see quite a
show.
Wednesday
Wednesday was pretty much a day of resting for
us. We did laundry at the camp ground in the morning
while we read and updated the website. After a nap
and lunch we hiked up to Mingo Falls on Big Cove
Road in Cherokee. We did quite a bit of lazing around
in the river at the camp ground. At night we went
to Harrah's and did some gambling.
We packed up the tents and camp site EARLY and
hit the road headding back to Florida. We took the
Blue Ridge Parkway down to I-40 then down to I-26
then on to I-95. We kept going down to Daytona,
FL to visit Flashcat and family for dinner at a
local Chinese buffet. Then we went back north on
I-95 up to I-4 which we took to Orlando, FL.
Thursday night we stayed in the Sleep Inn on Major
Boulevard in Orlando, FL. Friday morning we got
up and ate at the continental breakfast in the hotel
then wend down to Hwy 192 to WaterMania Water Park.
Twister had won 4 tickets to the park on the radio
a few weeks before so it was a nice free addition
to the trip. After a few hours of swimming, sliding
and baking in the sun, we were all too pooped do
do much else, so we went back to the hotel and ordered
some pizza. After a 4 hour nap, we went back out
to DownTown Disney and stopped in the Virgin Record
Store to pick up some music then headed back to
the hotel to sleep off the cold we were all getting.
Today was all driving. We finished up the trip
at about 4PM at Gambler and Twisters house then
Chimaera went on home and finished his trip at about
6:00pm.
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