TOUR AMERIA 2023 – TRAVEL DAYS

Travel Days July 13 to July 15, 2023

Time to again start making our way North. For the next several days we would be doing daily hops, each about 4 hours in length. We planned to leave no later than 10 am each day which would have us off the road before the real heat of the day set in.

Hop One, Buck Hall Recreation Area to Swamp Fox Campground, SC, July 13th

Thursday morning we said goodbye to Buck Hall. Our route was north on Route 17, then west on Route 521, finally to Route 95 north. The roads proved to be in great condition, traffic was minimal and we rolled along with no issues.

We continue to run the generator while we travel which allows us to use our rooftop A/C units as well as make meals if we wish in the Crock Pot.

In due time we arrived at Swamp Fox Campground and immediately I began to wonder why in the world I ever chose this campground. It was old and dated, but clean and neat. Customer service though was first rate. The site, however, was just barely big enough for the rig and the car. Come on now, the whole point of a pull through is that you can keep your car connected. If I had had a larger car it would have had to be disconnected. Okay, electric and water hooked up Ms. Barbara made supper and we settled in for the evening.

Hop Two, Swamp Fox Campground to Enfield/Rocky Mount KOA, NC, July 14th

Friday morning we were in no rush simply because there wasn’t a whole lot to do before we got on the road. We had our breakfast, packed up a few odds and ends, completed our checklist and were ready to head out on the road again.

This would be straight Route 95 from start to finish. Early on everything was going great – if not a bit boring. But that soon changed as all traffic came to a complete halt. And so we sat for 45 minutes. Oh, we inched forward a few feet at a time every now and then but basically we just sat. Then just like that everyone started moving again. What caused the hold up? We could never figure it out. We never saw emergency vehicles. Nor any debris that would have indicated an accident occurred. But then we looked across and noted the same was happening in the south bound lanes. Traffic would be flowing freely and then just like that you would see it all bunch up and come to a crawl if not a stop. Beats me. Rolling road blocks by the state police maybe as a way of keeping the speed down?

After a quick stop at a Mud Flap station for discounted diesel fuel we were soon at the KOA I had chosen for our next stop. Now, I usually avoid KOA’s like I avoid the plague but this one was really nice and reasonable. It was clean, well taken care of, lots of green grass and the pull through site was long and level. This one also had really friendly and helpful folks at the front desk. It brought a big smile to my face. I hooked up the electric and came inside for supper. Later we would play some cards, listen to some music and then it was down to get some much needed rest.

Hop Three, KOA to Misty Mountain Camp Resort, VA, July 15th

Time to do it all over again. Another four hour hop to our third and final stop before we headed into Maryland. Once again we took our time doing the last few things we needed to do, went over our checklist and then we were on our way.

We went north on Route 95, part way into Richmond, and then headed west on Route 64. It was another easy trip but I forgot just how hilly Route 64 was. Reminded me of the song the bear went over the mountain and what do you think he found – another mountain. In this case not real mountains, just rolling hills all along the way.

Soon enough I was making the turn into the campground. We’ve been here before and were not overly impressed but, unfortunately, they are the only game in town in this area. So, here we are again. What would we find this time? Now, I made this reservation back in March and as always asked specifically for a site that would be satellite friendly. Keep that in mind. Well, Barb came out of the office and she was not smiling. Where is our site I wondered. I soon found out. We ended up on the top of the mountain. And when I say the top of the mountain, the road went up, and up, and up and up, around a hairpin turn, a sharp left and finally we were there. The site was long, unlevel and as muddy as can be. And surrounded on all sides by trees. So much for an early request for satellite friendly.

We were going to be here Saturday and Sunday. We both just needed a day of rest so that’s the reason for the two day layover. The only good thing? I got all the utilities hooked up and no more than finished and got in and the heavens opened up and it didn’t stop raining until Sunday morning. Thank you Good Lord.

So, as I sit here and write this it is late Sunday afternoon and we are beginning to make our preparations for leaving tomorrow morning. Tomorrow, it is on to Maryland and our daughter’s wedding.

Thanks again for spending some time with us.  It’s always great to be able to share our story with family and friends. Comments? Feel free to share them with me. And always remember, cherish every moment of every day that God gives you and live those moments to the fullest.