Fall Journey Part Two

Canadians on the Road #2 - Fall 2008
The Bluff City Layover



Celebrating Canadian Thanksgiving

As we travel around we haven't seen very many election signs. This is strange being that there is a lot of enthusiasm surrounding this event. Maybe everyone is afraid to declare their decision. I did see a couple carrying an McCain/ Palin sign. My college room mate, Larry, has assured me that I will get to see what a McCain/Palin household looks like when I visit him in a couple of weeks. I hope Karen doesn't want to take Cathy out moose hunting. We are looking forward to this visit. Maybe in the future all four of us who were room mates in that first year can be together at one time! :o)


The drive to Bluff City was NOT a rainy one but a long one. I try to keep our driving to a limit of 250 miles/ 400 km per day. This keeps me sane and means I don't have to search around for a gas station where the trailer fits. On this day it was not a problem. On I-77 near South Gap and Rocky Gap lies my idea of Eden - a beautiful valley stretching between the mountains. There, near Bastian, are three service stations that easily take trailers. BTW the least we have paid for gas has been $2.70 gal or about $0.66 liter.


Lakeview Rv Resort is a brand new site about a mile from the Bristol Speedway. (The dividing line between Tenn. and VA. runs down the center of State Street in Bristol.) It would be difficult concentrating on the races because the stands face the mountains. What a gorgeous view!
( Lakeview Rv Resort is easy to get to from I-81. The sites are level and setting very good. The staff are very friendly. They are both a Good Sam and Passport America campground. AND fishing is just a cast of your line away. http://www.lakeviewrvpark.com )

The LRR is directly across the road from a massive flea market. I didn't buy any rifles but I did pick up a couple of song books. ( I had just finished putting new strings on my strum stick.) Another couple from LRR were buying up medications: "Well, they are only slightly out of date."
Would I be buying drugs that are sitting out in the sun at flea market?
Speaking of meds. I did have to top up my insulin; I didn't bring enough and guess what - they don't have it packaged the way I need it for my pen. CVS Pharmacy was wonderful in working things out; to finish off this trip I'll be filling my own syringes.


On Sunday we sought out the Holston Valley UU Church. What a glorious setting! Nestled in the woods on the side of a hill. Surrounded by a deck that looks down into the valley and over children's playground equipment.
We stayed for coffee and lunch. Katherine, a delightful young woman, sat with us for lunch. I have never seen anyone pick at bagel for so long! She is a sophomore at Auburn in her second chemical engineering placement. But this is a whole other wonderful story - if you want to hear that one you'll have to invite us for supper!

Curtis and Patsie from Houston were in their RV for the first time. They came over to talk about their fast trip from Texas to see a friend.

On Thursday night we went into Bristol to the Pickin' Porch to hear JB and the Honey Beans with Richard Spain. Ashley Bean looked to be all of 12 but was 21 and what a voice! What a delight!

Sitting with us was Mildred from Maryland. She'd be in her 70's. She had seen too many people around her who were "breathing but dead"; she didn't want to be that way. She packed up her car and headed out to do the Crooked Road. She was having fun!

On Friday we started picking up around the trailer to get ready for the next leg of the journey. We have a system and organizational pattern that makes it easy to pack up and go. That comes from changing trailers frequently.

See you all in Maggie Valley, North Carolina!

Hugs,
Greg and Cathy