July 29 through August 25. 2019

Our journey began on July 29^th.  As a Mother’s Day gift, we had invited my mother to join us on this trip.  She has been with us before in the RV for a couple of long weekends, but never for an extended time.  We were headed to Atlanta so that Gigi could spend time with her great grandchildren.  We decided to go the long way to give her a true sense of how we love to travel.

The first day was short.  We drove to Shenandoah River State Park. 

It was very hot but we went for a short hike along the river.

We traveled along Skyline Drive.  We even went through Mary’s Tunnel.  The height limit is 12’ 8” and we are just shy of that.  We held our breath, stayed in the center and easily passed through. 

The scenery was awesome and we even saw a bear cub.  

We camped at Loft Mountain.  There, deer roamed the campsite. 

A bear trap was set up at the end of our loop.  The rangers were hoping to catch an adolescent bear that had claimed the campground as part of his territory.  They had tried to lure the bear into the trap with hotdogs, peanut butter, and honey but to no avail.

We stayed at Peaks of Otter on Wednesday and on Thursday we got off the parkway and headed to Kingston, Tennessee.  We took the Jeep into town and had happy hour drinks at a brewery.  Mom and I had sour hard cherry cider and Tim enjoyed a local craft brew.  Afterward we walked around town to a Mexican restaurant for dinner.

Friday, we stayed at Baileyton KOA.  We did some cleaning and laundry.  That evening, Tim and I went to visit our good friends Dave and Denise.  We had a wonderful evening in their beautiful new house.  It was fun to catch up and the time passed quickly!

We stayed in Chattanooga for the weekend.  Saturday, we had dinner at a restaurant on the river…Billy’s, Robbie’s, Scotty’s.  We walked along the riverfront and enjoyed a concert as the sun set.

Sunday morning, we drove back into Chattanooga and Tim rode his bike and mom and I walked between raindrops along the Riverwalk and across the bridge to Centennial Park.  We had brunch in town and then drove to the Chattanooga Farmer’s Market.  I could have spent a lot more time and a lot more money there.  It is a huge indoor/outdoor market with all kinds of crafts and treats. 

Monday we finally arrived in Atlanta.  We had two weeks of wonderful quality time with David and Andrea, Oliver and Austin.  It was so special to watch my mom “Gigi” with those two boys.  She has a wonderful, gentle way with children and they loved spending time together.  The kids had snacks on Gigi’s porch.

We had lots of fun with playdoh, drawing with markers, blowing bubbles, playing on the swing set, making cakes with sand, reading books and books and books, making puzzles, and cutting wooden fruit.  We did some chores while David and Dre worked. 

Mom and I reupholstered the kitchen barstools and the dining room chairs. 

We did some yard work and helped with the laundry and meals.  The second week, both David and Dre were home.  We got to watch the boys while they had some time with friends and a date night. 

Tim and I made time for a date night as well!

On Thursday Oliver turned three.  Gigi and Dre and I all went to school for a special lemonade-slushie party. 

David and Tim got to catch a Braves game.

Friday we all took the boys to the Atlanta Aquarium.  Oliver and Austin were both entranced by the fish and we all had fun!

Saturday, we had Oliver’s birthday party with a Lightning McQueen birthday cake. 

Oliver loved his new Power Wheels Jeep from Uncle Kyle. “Thank you Uncle Kyle!!”

Sunday it was time to gather provisions for our journey and pack. Our time together passed too quickly but it was time for the next phase of Gigi’s Grand Adventure.  It was another 820 miles to Fort Worth, Texas.  My brother John and his wife, Dana, have a new house there.  Monday we traveled 330 miles, Tuesday we traveled 320 miles and Wednesday we traveled the last 170 miles.  It was VERY hot.  I cannot ever remember riding in the RV when it was that HOT!  We almost baked Gigi!

We spent 4 days visiting in Fort Worth.  Their new house in beautiful.  The pool was amazing! 

Tim and I rode our bikes on the Trinity Trail.

On Sunday, my mother flew home.  We enjoyed having her with us for the past 4 weeks.  We really want everyone to love camping as much as we do.  My mother survived the bugs and the heat.  I know she enjoyed her adventure but I’m not sure we will ever make her a “camper!”  We certainly made lots of memories!

As we leave John and Dana, our thoughts are with them and their son Ian who is battling Hodgkin’s Lymphoma.  He is young and strong and fighting hard.  We love you all!