Blog

Started the day with a lovely run around Patriot Park behind the campground. Feeling a bit better and the cough has lessened which is a good start.

Only had to stop once during the half hour run when I thought I might spew, but all was good…

Back in the motorhome and today, we are driving to Nashville, Tennessee. It was a beautiful drive passing through Knoxville and the mountains. Although, we are still on Interstate 40, busy, busy.

At one point we were almost in a hundred car pile up when a traffic jam was hiding behind a mountain turn. Luckily, a few trucks behind us managed to break hard in the emergency lane.

A short stop to refuel (gas), lunch in the van and then back on the road.

We arrived in Nashville at about 1 pm with an additional hour up our sleeve due to a time chance.

Tonight we are staying at the Jellystone Park Yogi Bear’s Camp Resort which is the same campground we stayed at 3 years ago. The boys have absolutely no idea how lucky they are. Two trips to Nashville and they are only 6 and 7 years old…

We have been a little bit worried that Wes might be having a few problems with his eyesight so once we set up camp we jumped in an Uber and drove to an optometrist located at the closest Walmart. They really do have everything at Walmart now.

Wes’s eyes were tested and good news, everything was fine and the slight issue that he has is with age and will improve as he gets older.

Back to the campground and into another Uber to downtown Nashville. We walked the main Broadway strip and there was loud music coming out of every venue, we had no idea which ones would be kid-friendly.

In the end, we went back to the Wildhorse Saloon, the same spot we went to last time (when in doubt, go with what you know). We were too early for any atmosphere and the food was average, but it was kid friendly and we did see some customer participant line dancing…

After dinner, we decided to try another venue with some live music. We found one just across the street (Benchmark Sports Bar Nashville) and it was perfect. A husband and wife duo playing a combination of original music and their stamp on some classics. It was a wonderful finish to our evening in Nashville.

Walking Brodway

Morning Run

Traffic Jams!

Huge Interstates

The Strip

Brothers

Whiskey Row?

The King is back

Boots? Too hot…

Where to go?

Lots of venues

BB King’s Club

Downtown Nashville

Live Music Nashville

Benchmark Sports Bar

Patriot Park

Wes’s eye test result

Time to go…

Today’s Road Trip

We have decided to stay another night at Pigeon Forge so we don’t have to travel all day on Mothers Day.

A lovely start to the morning with all you can eat pancakes and Mum eats for free breakfast at Sweet Momma’s Cafe in the campground plus, some beautiful gifts from the boys.

We ate our breakfast under the shade of the beautiful trees and then the boys and I played some bocce.

Back to the motorhome and on our bikes.  This time we went out of town along a better cycle path and although it was still parallel to the highway we were away from the crowds and amongst the Smoky Mountains.

I didn’t get to Dollywood. We decided that the theme park was really for older kids, it would have cost us USD300 ++ just to get in, and both Peter and I could not care less about rides. Plus, we are still a little bit scarred from the Dolly Parton’s Stampede.

The Dollywood’s Splash Country would have been a better fit for us but that did not open for another week or so.  Instead, I got the picture of the entrance from our bike ride.

Next, we took the Pigeon Forge Fun Time Trolley to Gatlinburg, which is the gateway to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.  For some reason, we thought that this might be a small town but it is another over commercialised American amusement town with its own Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies, rollercoaster rides etc.etc.

We had lunch at a Mexican restaurant and the ride to and from Gatlinburg was lovely.

Back to the motorhome for a rest, some reading and a load of washing as we will be moving on tomorrow.

Out to a slightly confusing but delicious Japanese fast food for dinner.  A perfect Mother’s Day, I could not have asked for any more.

Campsite Games

Mother’s Day Breakfast

Dollywood

Morning Ride

Bocce

Pigeon Forge Fun Time Trolley

All aboard

Brothers

Downtown Gatlinburg

Pretty River

More Gatlinburg

Mexican Restaurant

Mother’s Day Lunch

Smoky Mountain’s

Mother’s Day Gift

Wes cracking it at dinner

As the temperature warms up by midday and into the evening we decided to get going on our bikes early and ride them down the main strip looking at all of the attractions.

There was a semi-decent foot/cycle path running along the main highway that appeared rarely used that we could ride along. Even though I nearly got wiped out on this path last night by a tourist bus, we decided that it would be safer for us US cycling newbies than the road.

We had barely seen anybody walk along this path and nobody ride but of course the day we decided to use it there is a parade about to begin along the street. People had plonked their chairs right in the middle of the path.  As the parade had not yet started we managed to manoeuvre around the people through the blocked road and carparks.

If there is the one and only Vegas, and Reno is Little Vegas than Pigeon Forge must be Mini Vegas. The whole strip is filled with attraction after attraction.  We passed numerous Go Kart Adventures, Wonder Works, The Comedy Barn, Hollywood Wax Museum, Ripley’s Believe It Or Not, Titanic Museum, Jurassic Jungle Boat Ride, The Island and much, much more. It went for miles. We wondered how many other spots were like this in the USA.

After reaching the outskirts of town we decided to turn around towards home.  A short stop at The Island in Pigeon Forge (an attraction area in an attraction area) and then back to the motorhome.

Lunch and then time to complete some school work while the temperature is warm outside.

A break between school work and then dinner back at the Old Mill Cafe with an early evening in.

The Island, Pigeon Forge

The bikes are out!

A break between school work

Waiting for dinner

We started the morning with a lovely breakfast at the campground cafe, Sweet Momma’s Cafe.  It was beautiful sitting outside looking at the Smokey Mountains in the background.

Then it was back to the motorhome and some school work for Noah and Wes.  It feels better now that we are getting through some of this work.

After a few hours, Pete decided to take the boys to the local town and get haircuts.  They went off in an Uber while I worked on my website in silence…bliss.

The next thing, I get an email from Pete asking if I was at the motorhome.  Noah was very upset, he did not like his haircut and they were returning home.

I felt his pain…

On their arrival back to camp you could see that Noah had been distressed.

Apparently, the Barber was 82, didn’t use scissors, just the razor and it looked a little bit like Jim Carrey’s hairdo in Dumb and Dumber (not that I told him this). He had controlled himself really well while in the shop but had let it all go once outside.

Needless to say, Pete decided not to get a haircut for himself.

Pete ordered them a meal and a soft drink from the campsite cafe and Noah thanked him for helping “cheer him up”, bless.

After lunch Pete took the boys back to TopJump, they had been begging him since they left yesterday and I got to spend more time on my website by myself.

The boys returned and it was time to walk to our evening entertainment, Dolly Parton’s Stampede Dinner Attraction.

On arrival and mandatory tourist photo, we were huddled into a room to listen to a country band for pre-show entertainment and then we went upstairs for the dinner and show.

Dinner consisted of a bowl of soup and muffin, a whole small roast chicken, slice of pork, corn on the cob, half a roasted potato and a fruit puff pastry thingy for dessert. No cutlery provided and plonked on your plate one piece at a time while watching the show.  Not sure if you read it correctly but that was a whole chicken, no cutlery.

It was an experience, it was very ‘American’. I guess we are in America. The boys enjoyed it, Pete and I will take the no comment option.  Let’s just say I may have lost a little respect for Dolly, she has certainly sold out but I guess everybody needs to make a buck or two.

Back in time to enjoy the cooler evening.

Good morning Wes

Sweet Momma’s Cafe

The Browns

Campground Games

Lunch ouside

Cheered up Noah?

Dolly Parton’s Stampede

Noah covering his hairdo

Waiting

Country Music

Ready for dinner

Stampede Show

Hi Wes

A WHOLE chicken

There’s always a flag…

Pigeon Forge Barber

Poor Noah!

We woke this morning with crying from the gods (rain, thunder, lightning) and then crying from Wes when he realised the games centre may not open before our departure from the campground.

I had promised both Noah and Wes $1.25 to spend last night, but I had not factored in the arcade open time.

I also had great plans to run this morning but this fair weather runner (if I can even call myself that anymore) did not want to get wet, plus I still cannot seem to shake this cough.  Any excuse.

Just as we were about to leave Noah discovered the games centre had open, PHEW. Wes could now spend his money…on junk.

Back in the motorhome and on the road, again.

A wet start on the Interstate 81 and then thankfully it cleared.  We spent most of the trip on this busy Highway along with the hundreds of trucks and cars.  A small detour on a tiny local road passing little towns like Kodak, when we missed the campsite exit.

Today we are travelling towards Knoxville with our destination Pigeon Forge and hopefully, at some stage a visit to Dollywood.  I don’t mind a little bit of Dolly, “Working 9 to 5…”

We arrived at the Pigeon Forge / Gatlinburg KOA just before midday.

Next, set up camp, lunch, a load of washing and time for school work.

We are going to stay here for at least 3 nights to try and catch up on some of the school work that we may have been neglecting.

After the boys had worked on their maths and spelling books, Pete walked them down to the TopJump Trampoline Park and Climbing Centre and they loved it.

I got some time to myself to finally do some work on my website.  In case you wanted to take a look it is at http://www.way2go.travel (selfless plug).

Once the boys returned we walked across the park to the Old Mill Cafe and had a delicious dinner made with the freshest ingredients.

We walked a little way down the main strip after dinner which was lined with souvenir shops, theme parks, dinner theatres, diners as far as the eye could see…

Back to the motorhome and time to rest.

Last minute gaming

Interstate 81

Small Local Road

Gorgeous Farmhouses

TopJump Trampoline

School Work

Ready to go…

Old Mill Cafe

Marbles are Back

Go Noah!

Dinner

Not afraid of heights

Wow Wes!

Today’s Road Trip

Ditto, ditto, with up and pack up of the motorhome to keep heading south through Virginia on the Interstate 81.

Our view today was filled with beautiful rolling hills, green forest, and cute farmhouses.

A quick stop at Newbern for a Walmart and Verizon resupply, lunch and then back on the road. Not a lot of stopping along the way, it’s a Brown thing.

By early afternoon it was time to start looking for a campground.  I thought we may have found one just before the Virginia / Tennesse border but it looked like my map reading skills were showcased again…we could not find it.

Onto Tennesse and we checked into the Bristol / Kingsport KOA, it is gorgeous.  A load of washing, play in the park for Noah and Wes, arcade games, horses and even a little bit of school work.

And the weather is beautiful and warm.

We Christened the grill for dinner (sausages and steak) and then Wes spent the next couple of hours building in the sandpit while Noah and I snuggled up and watched Jurassic Park.

Washing and camp games

Little Engineer

Ok, back there?

Good Morning Noah

Goodnight Noah

Campground Animals

Our Campsite

Bounce!

Arcade Games

Drive, drive, drive…

Drive…

Today’s Road Trip

Up in time to say goodbye to Sam and Wil before they went to school and then a coffee with Kerry and Keith before it was also time to say goodbye.

They are a beautiful family and we have been lucky to have met them. Hopefully, we will see them again in Geraldton in the near future.

Back in our home on wheels and on the road again. We are continuing to travel South to warmer weather, this chilly change is a bit unexpected.

We stopped along the Interstate 64 for our first ‘gas’ refill and a homemade sandwich in the car park.

Back on the road and we arrived at the Natural Bridge State Park by early afternoon. A lovely walk along the forest path to the Natural Bridge and waterfalls.

Next, time to check into the Natural Bridge KOA Campsite (Virginia).

At this point, I was not feeling that great. Once we arrived at the campgrounds I put a load of washing on and spent the rest of the afternoon watching Night at the Museum 2 and then to my delight, friends. The rest of the family also had an easy afternoon.

Hopefully, all will be better in the morning.

Goofing Around

Natural Bridge State Park

Natural Bridge

The Boys

Cedar Creek

Cedar Creek Trail

Where are the kids?

Monacan Indian Village

Anybody Home?

A little rest

Today’s Road Trip

Up and about early again and travelling South in our motorhome. Down the US 113 and US 13 through Delaware, Maryland and into Virginia.

We travelled across the Chesapeake Bay Bridge – Tunnel which is an incredible 15-mile combination of bridges and single lane tunnels in wet misty weather AND Pete aced the driving.  We only found out later that a man had recently died on the bridge when winds had blown his truck right off into the water.

A stop at Walmart for some more supplies before continuing on to Yorktown, Virginia where we will be catching up with Barry Obrien’s daughter Kerry and family.

They have also kindly offered their driveway as our overnight campsite.

We could not have gotten a more welcoming welcome from Kerry, her husband Keith and beautiful boys Sam and Wil.

We had a wonderful afternoon chatting, Wil playing Labyrinth with Noah and Wes and lots of talking about home and Australia.

Then we jumped in their car and Keith gave us a lovely tour of Yorktown beach, Revolutionary and Civil War Battlefields and the historic Yorktown before going to their local restaurant ‘Vinnies’ for dinner.

Lots more chats and laughs and then next door to Sweet Frog for the most amazing decorate your own ice creams, the boys were in sugar heaven. It was then time for the Dabbs to retire to their beds and the Browns to their motorhome.

It was one of those unexpected wonderful days.

Chesapeake Bay Bridge – Tunnel

Gorgeous Towns

Welcome to Maryland

Lots of Driving

Not much room…

Vinnies

I just ordered Veal Parmigiana!

Sam, Noah and Wil

Dabbs and Browns

Up and ready to pack up the motorhome, it’s time to move on today.

A quick Stop at Lowe’s to pick up a BBQ or Grill (which we should probably start to call it) and a restock of food supplies.

Next, to the Cape May ferry terminal to catch the Cape May – Lewes Ferry to Delaware. Making the 27 km crossing of Delaware Bay will save us travelling back up the New Jersey cape.

I was very excited about this ferry crossing, the boys couldn’t have cared less. The weather was wet and cold and they just wanted the iPads. I caved and gave them the iPads.

The process of boarding the ferry with the motorhome was very easy, I think they have done this before. Although, so have the Greeks and that ferry experience doesn’t seem to get any easier.

Parked the vehicle underneath the ferry and then upstairs for a bite to eat and ferry crossing seating. The crossing was misty and foggy with not a lot to see. However, it was very relaxing moving back and forth with the boat, watching the water pass and doing nothing at all for an hour and a bit.

Across the bay we arrived in Delaware and to another motorhome problem. We have snapped off the bucket key in one of the locks. No key, no help (Sunday) and of course, the one bucket that is locked has all of the hoses and cords in.

We have had to change our plans slightly and instead of travelling to Cape Charles we will stay nearby and try and get a new key.  Fortunately, we have managed to salvage both of the broken bits. Sorry Dad, we tried to stay at your namesake.

We tried Lowe’s, Home Depot, Locksmiths, nobody could help us. Eventually, after using that magic device ‘Google’, we decided to drive to a campground and see if another camper had a key to fit, apparently they are fairly universal.

Luckily the campground was very helpful and pointed us in the direction of a local hardware store. Success, they managed to replicate the key.

A settle in at our Treasure Beach RV Park & Campground, a short run for me and some outside play for the boys.

Dinner across the highway, some more play for the boys and time to relax ready for a new day.

We are ready to cross…

Cape May – Lewes Ferry Terminal

Wessy

And the band plays…

Here we go

Boarding the Ferry

Parked and Ready

Goodbye New Jersey

All tucked in…

Delaware Bay

Running along the canals

Treasure Beach RV Park

Twinings Lobster Shanty

Dinner

Twinings

Pete took the rental car back this morning, now our transportation will either be the motorhome or our three-wheelers. We have named mine Bob and Bobette.

The weather is also not as cold as we had expected, bonus.

After breakfast, we decided to take Bob and Boyette and Pete’s unnamed for a spin.  There is a lovely bike path just across from the campground which we rode and practised our manoeuvres (going forward and turning around).  I am falling in love with Bobette, but she is like driving a tank compared to my bike at home.

Back to the campground and Wes was busting to go to the activity centre to play with some kids.  Dropped him off, put a load of washing on and as Noah did not want to go with Wes, it was time for school work.

Lunch from the KOA snack shop, eaten outside on our picnic table, until we were chased inside by the midges.

As it is not in season, nor school holidays, the families come to the campgrounds for the weekends only.  We must remember this as today the park is filled with kids, with activities for kids and Wes has been in kid heaven.

A short afternoon run with my running buddy Wes and then some light rain that once again moved us indoors.

An early toasted ham and cheese sandwich for dinner and then the boys tucked themselves into bed to watch Night at the Museum. They enjoyed watching it a lot more now that they have explored the museum from the movie.

Trip to the bins 🙂

Snack Shop

Bikes packed to go

Wessy having fun!

My helper

Running Buddy

Activity Centre

Movie Time