Tag: Traveling

Moving to the Ville

November 2, 2023 – Traveling with Rich & Julie

Sweet Home Alabama

We finally made it home to the state of Alabama for two months. This campground will be home for the month of November. We are close to the town of Guntersville on Guntersville Lake. The plan is then to move down to the Gulf Coast for the month of December.

It’s been a bit windy so we haven’t put out the awning or anything yet. We are located halfway between Guntersville and Albertville. We are living in the ‘Ville.

Alabama is a southeastern state that’s home to significant landmarks from the American Civil Rights Movement. I can’t wait to go sightseeing! I plan to see mountains and pine trees and white sandy beaches. I wonder what kind of wildlife we will find.

The first two days of November have been spent just relaxing and living. Sometimes we get tired of constantly going someplace.

Living in an RV is truly a rewarding experience. We have simplified our lives and found a great way to see the country and connect with nature.

Stay tuned as we explore the state of Alabama.

Thanks for coming along on the journey.

 

Historic Lynchburg, Tennessee & the Jack Daniel Distillery

October 31, 2023  – Traveling with Rich & Julie

The Jack Daniel Distillery is the oldest registered distillery in the United States and among the most prestigious listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

We drove thirty miles south to Lynchburg while we were camping in Tennessee.

The first place we stopped was the Tennessee Whiskey Trailhead & Lynchburg Welcome Center which is just across the street from the distillery.

This place provides additional parking for the distillery and a free shuttle service.

Two of the nicest men greeted us and told us all about the small town and told us where everything was. We visited with them for quite a while.

Jeff and Billy get 5 stars from us for kindness and helpfulness!

We hopped on the free trolley which took us on a short ten-minute drive through historic downtown Lynchburg before dropping us off at the distillery visitor center. The trolley driver was fun to listen to as he told us some history.

Despite the operational distillery, which is a major tourist attraction, Lynchburg’s home county of Moore is a dry county. But you can buy a lot of products with whiskey in them. And none of the residents work for Jack Daniel.

Sadly, the old jail museum was closed the day we were there.

Did you know that Davy Crockett lived in this town from 1811–1813? Neither did I.

The next stop was the Jack Daniel Distillery Visitor Center. We did not take a tour.

But we enjoyed walking through the museum exhibits and the bottle shop. Purchasing bottles of the famous whiskey is much more expensive here than at a corner liquor store.

If you want an actual gift shop with all things Jack Daniel, like t-shirts, the downtown hardware store is the place to go.

And finally, we visited the grave of Jack Daniel in the Lynchburg Cemetery. We heard that he was quite the ladies’ man and the chairs were placed here for his lady friends to visit him.

If you are ever in the area, Lynchburg is definitely worth a visit.

Thanks for reading and coming along with us as we see America.

How to Keep Your Home on Wheels From Falling Apart

November 1, 2023 – Traveling with Rich & Julie

RVing on BUMPY roads

RVing is a great way to see the country and explore new places. You have the freedom to travel wherever you want, whenever you want. Life on the road in an RV can be a dream come true. But there’s one downside to RV life that can be a real pain: bumpy torn-up roads. They can be extremely tough on your RV home.

If you’ve ever driven an RV down a bumpy road, you know how jarring it can be. Everything inside and outside shakes and rattles, and if you’re not careful, things can fall and break.

We know this firsthand, because we live in an RV motorhome, and have driven on some of the roughest roads in America. Many highways and roads are in poor condition and are constantly under construction. We’ve had things fall off the shelves, break in the cabinets, and had nuts and bolts come loose. We’ve had drawers fly open while driving down the road and one time the refrigerator door wasn’t properly latched and it flew open spewing all its loose contents onto the floor.

Over the years, we’ve learned a few things about how to keep our moving home from falling apart because of bumpy roads. How do we do it? Here are a few things we have learned over the last two years.

Secure everything.

This includes cabinets, drawers, shelves, furniture, and appliances. Use bungee cords, straps, and latches to keep everything in place. Put away all your dishes, pots, pans, and other loose items. Put locks on your cabinets and drawers. This will prevent them from opening accidentally while you’re driving down the road.

And store fragile items in padded containers. This will help protect them from all the bumps and shocks. If you don’t secure everything, it’s likely to fall and break when you hit a bump.

Slow down

Drive slowly and carefully. The faster you drive, the more likely things are to come loose and break. The slower you go, the less damage the bumps will do to your RV. Avoid driving over potholes and other large bumps. If you can’t avoid them, try to drive over them carefully and at an angle. The faster you’re going, the harder the impact will be when you hit a major bump. So, it’s important to slow down when the going gets rough.

Inspect your RV regularly

Check your RV for damage after driving on a bumpy road. This means looking for loose nuts and bolts on your furniture and appliances, cracked caulking, and other signs of wear and tear. Check your nuts and bolts regularly. Make sure that they are all tight and secure. Inspect your RV regularly for any damage. Look for cracks in the walls and ceilings, in addition to loose nuts and bolts.

You should also have your RV inspected regularly by a qualified mechanic. This will help identify any potential problems before they cause a breakdown.

Additional tips

Use a heavy-duty hitch and tow bar. This will help keep your tow vehicle attached to the RV and prevent it from swaying back and forth. And check the connections every single time you stop at a gas station or rest area.

Be prepared for flat tires. Bumpy roads can cause your tires to wear out more quickly and increase the chances of a flat tire. Keep a spare tire and jack on hand and know how to change a tire. Check the tires every single time you stop to make sure they are properly inflated.

Conclusion

Living in an RV and driving on bumpy torn-up roads can be challenging, but it’s also rewarding. Despite the challenges, we love living in the RV. It’s a great way to see the country and experience new things.

By securing everything ahead of time, slowing down, and inspecting all your connections regularly, you can help to keep your RV from falling apart on bumpy roads and enjoy your RVing experience to the fullest.

Be patient. Driving on bumpy roads can be frustrating, but it’s important to keep your eyes on the road, slow down, and drive carefully.

Camping at Whispering Oaks Campground

October 30, 2023 – Traveling with Rich & Julie

A quiet retreat in Manchester, Tennessee

We set out from Kentucky and drove south on I-65, eventually arriving at Whispering Oaks Campground in Manchester, Tennessee. The campground boasted a reputation for peace and quiet, and it didn’t disappoint. The only sounds we heard above a whisper were the acorns pattering on the roof of the RV.

The wooded area was lush with beautiful oak trees decorated in the colors of fall. Squirrels scampered about gathering the nuts for winter. Our spacious gravel site offered a picnic table, rug, and campfire ring.

We had beautiful weather at the end of October. We did a little sightseeing, but mostly we sat outside in the lawn chairs listening to the breeze knock the acorns off the trees.

Our pull-through RV site was large and equipped with 50 amp electric, water, and sewer. The water pressure was good and we had no problems. Neither one of us checked out the public restrooms, laundry, or game room facilities so I can’t speak for those amenities, but from our experience, this was a nice relaxing place to spend our three days in Tennessee. And all at a reasonable nightly rate.

Whispering Oaks Campground gets a thumbs-up from Rich & Julie. Thanks for coming along with us as we travel south for the winter.

(all photos were taken by me)

Old Stone Fort State Archaeological Park in Tennessee

October 30, 2023 – Traveling with Rich & Julie

Established in 1966

We arrived in Tennessee and found our campground in Manchester. The rolling hills of Tennessee are gorgeous. The Old Stone Fort State Archaeological Park was only ten minutes down the road and it was the first place on my list to visit.

State Parks are some of the prettiest places to see. The Old Stone Fort State Archaeological Park is a hidden gem that offers a glimpse into the past. This historical site was built during the Middle Woodland Period, about 2,000 years ago.

Native Americans built several mounds of dirt and rock and probably used it as ceremonial grounds. The massive earthen mounds form an enclosure measuring 1.25 miles around approximately 50 acres.

It was abandoned by the Middle Woodland culture around 500 BC, but it was later used by other Native American groups, including the Mississippian culture. By the time European settlers arrived in the area in the 18th century, the Old Stone Fort was in ruins.

Two pedestal mounds are located inside the enclosure and were used for ceremonial purposes. The walls are up to 20 feet high and 30 feet wide. History buffs and nature lovers like us love visiting places like this. There were very few artifacts found in the area, leading archaeologists to conclude that it was a religious ceremonial site as opposed to a village site.

We walked through the museum which houses a variety of exhibits and watched a short film explaining the history of the area. I love learning about the history of the places we visit by exploring the museums and artifacts. All Tennessee State Parks are free to visit. This is wonderful for us as we travel.

Thanks for traveling with us.

The Graves of Johnny & June Cash

October 30, 2023 – Traveling with Rich & Julie

Hendersonville, Tennessee

Hendersonville, Tennessee is a fairly large city on Old Hickory Lake near Nashville. It is listed as one of the best places to live in the state of Tennessee.

It is known as the “city by the lake” and has been home to many famous people.

Many country music stars own homes on the lake, including the late Johnny Cash, who had a 14,000-square-foot home on the water.

Speaking of Johnny Cash, we visited his grave inside the Hendersonville Memory Gardens. There is nothing special about the site. Anyone can visit by just pulling into the driveway, parking along the path, and walking to the graves. We were the only ones there.

There are no signs or markers showing the way. I found it by following the GPS on my phone.

In the same general area are the graves of several Cash family members and Carter family members.

One in particular is Mother Maybelle Carter, known as the First Lady of country music.

Also close by is the grave of Merle Kilgore, an American singer, songwriter, and manager. At the time of his death, he was the manager of Hank Williams, Jr.

Finally, we found the grave of Luther Perkins, who was an American country music guitarist and a member of the Tennessee Three, the backup band for Johnny Cash.

When we are in an area, I like to find several places to see. I hope you enjoy coming along for the ride. Have you ever been to Hendersonville, Tennessee?

Welcome to Tennessee

October 29, 2023 – Traveling with Rich & Julie

We headed a little further south today.

After just two days in Elizabethtown, Kentucky, and visiting the Abraham Lincoln Birthplace National Historic Site, we left Longview RV Park this morning and headed further south on I-65.

I made Rich pull into Mammoth Cave National Park so I could get my stamp and sticker in my National Park Pass Book. We explored the cave a few years ago, and I took a lot of photos then. Any of you who regularly follow me know that I tore a meniscus in my right knee while crawling through a cave in Ohio a few months ago, so cave spelunking is out for me. I wasn’t writing about every place we visited back then. I will write about it soon. Stay tuned.

Today was just about the fact that I have this new national park book, and I wanted to stamp it. The park is only a mile off the interstate, and the visitor center is only 8 miles away. We enjoyed the eight-mile drive through the park and explored the visitor center, checked out the gift shop, and then headed back to I-65.

We drove I-65 into Tennessee, and around Nashville and got on I-24. The Nashville skyline is cool to see.

(Rich wants me to tell everyone that the interstates in Kentucky were a lot better than Ohio or Tennessee.) As soon as we got to Tennessee, we hit construction. Do you see the orange roadwork sign in the top photo above?

I also did not realize that we would enter Central Time Zone.

We made it to our new home in Tennessee and will be here for three nights. Isn’t our campsite beautiful? We are on our way to Alabama for the months of November and December. We can’t afford to winter in Florida. Too many people are going to Florida and the prices to park the RV for a month are too expensive. We don’t need luxuries, just the basics are enough for us.

Stay tuned for the adventures. I am excited to show you all the places we visit.

Thank you for stopping by and reading about our journey.

 

 

The Knob Creek Place

October 28, 2023 – Traveling with Rich & Julie

Abraham Lincoln’s Boyhood Home

Abraham Lincoln lived on this farm as a boy from 1811 to 1816. He once said that his earliest memories were of the Knob Creek place. A younger brother was born here.

This is another one of the many national parks on the list of many. The boyhood home unit is actually part of the birthplace national park even though it is ten miles away from the Sinking Spring Farm where he was born in 1809. It doesn’t have its own sticker, but it does have a stamp for the National Park Pass Book.

One of the signs says that there was a title dispute over the Sinking Spring property and Abraham’s parents had to move when he was only two years old.

The building on the left is a tavern built in 1928 to serve tourists visiting the park and wanting to see the cabin.

The farm at Knob Creek contained a mere 30 acres when the Lincolns lived here. They grew crops like corn, tobacco, and pumpkins.

There is an overlook trail through the property that is approximately 3 miles long with strenuous difficulty. The sign said to beware of snakes and ticks. Just the word strenuous was enough to deter me.

If you are ever in the area of Hodgenville, Kentucky, be sure to stop and explore the land that Abraham Lincoln, America’s 16th President, knew as a child.

This part of Kentucky is gorgeous. I can see why his family settled here.

Thanks for reading and following us on our travels.

 

Longview RV Park in Elizabethtown, Kentucky

October 27, 2023 – Traveling with Rich & Julie

I do a lot of calling around and researching when I’m looking for places to stay as we travel around America. I have always been fortunate enough to find some of the best places at the most reasonable prices.

As soon as we pulled into Longview RV Park we were greeted by a nice man on a golf cart who led us straight to our site. We would much rather stay in a smaller campground than a larger one. The people are so nice and glad to have you.

The lots are decent length, with room enough for the tow dolly to remain hooked up and park the car in front of the RV.

The only complaint Rich had is that the sewer dump is up by the front of the RV so he will have to wait and dump when we pull forward to leave.

There is a nice pond in the rear of the campground. The water level looked low. They must need rain. They said they had seen bald eagles here. Wish we would see one.

With it being the weekend before Halloween, it was nice to see the decorations.

They even had a bowl of free buckeyes! We are from Ohio, the Buckeye state. Of course, I will take a free buckeye!

The laundry facility was extremely nice and clean and just look at the wonderful private bathrooms!

Another important factor for us RVers is the water pressure. Great water pressure here and the water tasted really good to us. That is a big plus for us.

Longview RV Park in Elizabethtown, Kentucky gets 5 stars from us. If you are ever in the area, we highly recommend it.

Thanks for traveling with us.

Driving From Ohio to Kentucky

October 26, 2023 – Traveling with Rich & Julie

RV Life on the road

We pulled out of our familiar spot in Ohio and headed south today. Hwy 30 to Ft. Wayne, Indiana, 469 South to 69 South around Indianapolis to 65 South.

Most of 69 South to Indy is under construction and bumpy as heck. The RV has new tires and shocks and we still jiggle nuts and bolts loose all the time.

The trees displayed a gorgeous array of colors including red, gold, rust, brown, dark green, light green, yellow, and orange.

I hope to take more photos of the leaves, but we saw a lot of them blowing off the branches.

I’m so glad Rich enjoys the sights as much as I do. Once in Kentucky, we saw some beautiful hills covered with fall trees and he said, “Wow, look how pretty that is.”

The Louisville skyline is shown in the photo above.

We drove as far south as Elizabethtown and stopped at an RV park for a couple of days. From where we were in Ohio we drove over five hours. We have no set schedule. Five hours was long enough.

Stay tuned for the adventures! I can’t wait to show you a tiny piece of Kentucky.

(all photos were taken by me unless otherwise noted)