OK, OK.
I have been to work two days already and I haven't even finished the trip reports.
We left Old Fort, where we parked for three days while we went to the Biltmore and drove to a park near Winston-Salem. We had an unremarkable overnight stay and then drove through Richmond and into Ashland where we settled.
There, done. That last bit was just about as exciting as I made it sound.
No, no, no, I haven't forgot about the mistake post, I will get to it. First I have to adjust to this new schedule. Getting up at 0530-0600 is hard after not using an alarm clock for 3 months or so.
I had to post a finish to the trip though as we are probably going to Monticello tomorrow and I will want to post pictures and what not. I hate to get to far behind, so this is a shoddy little catch up.
Soon we will be back to the quality work you have begun to expect from the Adventure Nickel. :-)
Tomorrow.
Wednesday, October 16, 2013
Monday, October 14, 2013
The Trip East South....Uhhh..North Carolina.
Since the government was shut down, we decided to not stop and see the closed sign at the Smokey Mountains National Park. Seemed like we need not spend two days there, we read fast. Instead we spent one of the extra days with Dad and one of them extra in South...wait, North Carolina. For some reason, I couldn't get it into my head that we were in North Carolina and required frequent correction.
The roads through the Great Smokey Mountains are exactly as twisty and steep as they sound. We were going to stop just east of Ashville, North Carolina. Sarah had found a nice little RV park a few miles off the highway. We crossed over the Eastern Continental Divide, and at the same time I learned there was such a thing as the Eastern Continental Divide. Then we started the descent. It wasn't much fun. The grade is steep and long with three runaway truck ramps. One of those ramps showed the furrows of recent use. I was sweating when we got down. First exit down was ours and it led us on to a winding and narrow country road with lots of trees lining the road. I found the first opportunity to pull over and we let Sarah scout ahead with the smaller car.
Good thing she did. Her first attempt at getting to the park, following the directions of the park owners, led her up the side of a mountain on a dead end dirt road with branches hanging 5 feet over the road. That would have been stressful. Then she found the place and had serious enough questions about our ability to get in that she drove back and took me there in the Honda. No way.
Despite the owner's assurance that "We get 40 footers in here all the time." I declined. Then we searched for another park. Turns out there was another one a few miles further down the road that Sarah though we could get into. We called, they had room, and we went.
We fit.
There was no wifi, no TV and little to no cell service, but we fit. And it was close enough to what we wanted to do that we liked it. After all the stresses of travel, we decided to take it easy. I mean, if you had a nice, quiet scenic area like this all to yourself, wouldn't you try to relax a little?
Maybe you would take the time to play some football with the kids, even if their version of football is a weird and modified tackle the man.
Our purpose here though, was to visit the Biltmore Estate in Asheville. Mom had always wanted to go there and it seemed silly not to since we had the time and were going right past it.
So we went.
Whoever thinks there isn't an American aristocracy hasn't seen this place. It was built by the son of the man who earned the fortune. I won't let my personal politics get in the way too much though. There is some interesting architecture here. We weren't allowed to take pictures inside the place, only on the grounds. So we didn't take as many pictures as we might have otherwise. Take my word for it when I say that opulence doesn't really even begin to describe it, especially when you take into consideration the time in which it was built.
It was a neat place and a nice visit. It was a little expensive for my taste, but Mom wanted to go and had already bought tickets. The estate is situated on 8,000 acres of the North Carolina mountains. The house has over 250 rooms, about a third or so of which are open on the tour. It features a bowling alley and a 70,000 gallon pool in the basement.
It is a beautiful place. We were tired from wandering the grounds all day so we went home to rest before taking off for another leg of our trip.
The roads through the Great Smokey Mountains are exactly as twisty and steep as they sound. We were going to stop just east of Ashville, North Carolina. Sarah had found a nice little RV park a few miles off the highway. We crossed over the Eastern Continental Divide, and at the same time I learned there was such a thing as the Eastern Continental Divide. Then we started the descent. It wasn't much fun. The grade is steep and long with three runaway truck ramps. One of those ramps showed the furrows of recent use. I was sweating when we got down. First exit down was ours and it led us on to a winding and narrow country road with lots of trees lining the road. I found the first opportunity to pull over and we let Sarah scout ahead with the smaller car.
Good thing she did. Her first attempt at getting to the park, following the directions of the park owners, led her up the side of a mountain on a dead end dirt road with branches hanging 5 feet over the road. That would have been stressful. Then she found the place and had serious enough questions about our ability to get in that she drove back and took me there in the Honda. No way.
Despite the owner's assurance that "We get 40 footers in here all the time." I declined. Then we searched for another park. Turns out there was another one a few miles further down the road that Sarah though we could get into. We called, they had room, and we went.
There was no wifi, no TV and little to no cell service, but we fit. And it was close enough to what we wanted to do that we liked it. After all the stresses of travel, we decided to take it easy. I mean, if you had a nice, quiet scenic area like this all to yourself, wouldn't you try to relax a little?
Maybe you would take the time to play some football with the kids, even if their version of football is a weird and modified tackle the man.
So we went.
Whoever thinks there isn't an American aristocracy hasn't seen this place. It was built by the son of the man who earned the fortune. I won't let my personal politics get in the way too much though. There is some interesting architecture here. We weren't allowed to take pictures inside the place, only on the grounds. So we didn't take as many pictures as we might have otherwise. Take my word for it when I say that opulence doesn't really even begin to describe it, especially when you take into consideration the time in which it was built.
It was a neat place and a nice visit. It was a little expensive for my taste, but Mom wanted to go and had already bought tickets. The estate is situated on 8,000 acres of the North Carolina mountains. The house has over 250 rooms, about a third or so of which are open on the tour. It features a bowling alley and a 70,000 gallon pool in the basement.
It is a beautiful place. We were tired from wandering the grounds all day so we went home to rest before taking off for another leg of our trip.
Friday, October 11, 2013
The Trip East. Tennessee part 2.
I know you are all waiting to hear about my stupidity. And, in time, you will. For now though, you will have to settle for a continuing narrative of the trip before I forget it. You see, I type this from our campground in Ashland, VA. We have arrived and are going through our process of figuring out where we buy groceries and take the dog potty.
So, back to Tennessee. I'll skip the actual driving to Knoxville.
We arrived and started setting up in time for my dad to show up and give us a hand. We got settled in at the Soaring Eagle RV park before Dad and I went out for a wine run. Dad has a tendency, on infrequent occasions, to purchase a touch more wine than is technically required for the number of people present. This might lead to over-consumption of the part of his guests. Of course, theoretically speaking, this could lead to long and incoherent philosophical debates for some parties involved while other pass out on the couch.
Hypothetically, of course.
We had originally planned to leave the next day and go to the Great Smokey Mountains national park. What with the park shut down, we decided instead to stay an extra day at the beautiful Soaring Eagle and recover.
We needed it. Lunch the next day was a little later than usual thanks to some uncharacteristically sensitive children who decided to just sit in their room and play instead or rousting their parents first thing in the AM.
We didn't do much the next day, watched the Sooners play a close game. Then it was bed time.
After an alcohol free night (well, except for just a little scotch) we woke the next morning refreshed and ready to hit the road again. It is always great spending even a little time with my dad. It was really neat to see his motor home and where he spends so much time. Pretty place. It is surrounded by some really pretty places too, as we were to find out the next day on our drive into North Carolina.
So, back to Tennessee. I'll skip the actual driving to Knoxville.
We arrived and started setting up in time for my dad to show up and give us a hand. We got settled in at the Soaring Eagle RV park before Dad and I went out for a wine run. Dad has a tendency, on infrequent occasions, to purchase a touch more wine than is technically required for the number of people present. This might lead to over-consumption of the part of his guests. Of course, theoretically speaking, this could lead to long and incoherent philosophical debates for some parties involved while other pass out on the couch.
Hypothetically, of course.
We had originally planned to leave the next day and go to the Great Smokey Mountains national park. What with the park shut down, we decided instead to stay an extra day at the beautiful Soaring Eagle and recover.
We didn't do much the next day, watched the Sooners play a close game. Then it was bed time.
After an alcohol free night (well, except for just a little scotch) we woke the next morning refreshed and ready to hit the road again. It is always great spending even a little time with my dad. It was really neat to see his motor home and where he spends so much time. Pretty place. It is surrounded by some really pretty places too, as we were to find out the next day on our drive into North Carolina.
Wednesday, October 9, 2013
The trip out East. Tennessee, pt 1.
Good grief we do a lot of stuff.
Last we left after our arrival in Little Rock, AR. The RV park there is the North Little Rock RV park which is a city owned and operated park situated on the bank of the Arkansas river. Just above, and I mean almost looming above, the park is an old drawbridge which has been converted to a pedestrian bridge with the transom always raised. The bridge leads over the river to a park near downtown where the William Clinton Presidential library resides. Of course, thanks to the government shutdown, is closed.
Oh well, who needs a stinking presidential library anyway? It is a pretty bridge though.
And that was about it. Just a simple overnight visit, nothing fancy.
Our next day took us across the state of Arkansas and stopped just before we left. We had to stop though, because it was the Tom Sawyer RV park and it was on the banks of the mighty Mississippi river. I mean literally a stone's throw from the water.
They also had fishing ponds on the property that were occasionally stocked by the flooding river. That meant that you could catch anything in there. I caught a small gar and Max caught two turtles. Mostly it was just relaxing for the kids and changing bait, tying hooks and lures for daddy.
Eventually Nana decided just relaxing and watching the river traffic glide by was good enough for her.
The next day was back on the road with a destination of Lebanon, TN. We were staying in a state park there, Cedars of Lebanon. No phone, no wifi, no TV. It was a pretty park though. And I am glad Sarah made reservations because the government was shut down. That meant that all the national parks were closed and the campers who would be staying there flooded into the state parks. Sarah made reservations a week or so before, so we had a spot. The initial spot we chose was too tight of a fit, but they were able to shift us before the crowd arrived.
Before long, we had a visitor. Our friend Ken lives in Nashville. Sarah has known him since high school and I met him when I met Sarah. He is a great guy we don't get to see often enough and we spent the night laughing.
The next morning presented a challenge or two that we hadn't really expected and I almost made a colossal, unforgivable, idiotic mega mistake. Luckily and innocent bystander was there to prevent catastrophe.
That, however, deserves its own blog post.
Till next time.
Last we left after our arrival in Little Rock, AR. The RV park there is the North Little Rock RV park which is a city owned and operated park situated on the bank of the Arkansas river. Just above, and I mean almost looming above, the park is an old drawbridge which has been converted to a pedestrian bridge with the transom always raised. The bridge leads over the river to a park near downtown where the William Clinton Presidential library resides. Of course, thanks to the government shutdown, is closed.
Oh well, who needs a stinking presidential library anyway? It is a pretty bridge though.
Our next day took us across the state of Arkansas and stopped just before we left. We had to stop though, because it was the Tom Sawyer RV park and it was on the banks of the mighty Mississippi river. I mean literally a stone's throw from the water.
They also had fishing ponds on the property that were occasionally stocked by the flooding river. That meant that you could catch anything in there. I caught a small gar and Max caught two turtles. Mostly it was just relaxing for the kids and changing bait, tying hooks and lures for daddy.
The next day was back on the road with a destination of Lebanon, TN. We were staying in a state park there, Cedars of Lebanon. No phone, no wifi, no TV. It was a pretty park though. And I am glad Sarah made reservations because the government was shut down. That meant that all the national parks were closed and the campers who would be staying there flooded into the state parks. Sarah made reservations a week or so before, so we had a spot. The initial spot we chose was too tight of a fit, but they were able to shift us before the crowd arrived.
The next morning presented a challenge or two that we hadn't really expected and I almost made a colossal, unforgivable, idiotic mega mistake. Luckily and innocent bystander was there to prevent catastrophe.
That, however, deserves its own blog post.
Till next time.
Saturday, October 5, 2013
A brief pause
Life gets busy. Too busy these days doing things to spend much time writing about them. And then, when I do get time, we are out of wifi and I can't get a blog post up.
Enough excuses.
When last we left our intrepid adventurers, we were eating fajitas in Texas. The next day found us in Oklahoma city with my sister and an invitation to run a 5k mud run with her on Sunday. Being the lunatic fringe sort that we are, this sounded like a wonderful idea.
So we woke up bright and early and got muddy.
We went home and cleaned up. The next day we went to Wynnewood, OK to see the GW Exotic animal park. This is a rescue facility for exotic animals. I hate zoos. I wasn't too fond of this place either, but I understand it is difficult to house these animals in the best of circumstances. The day turned out better when I found a monkey friend to play with. His name was Ricky. I was too busy playing to take pictures.
He was sitting alone in his cage. He interacted some with Michelle and that gave me to idea to run around his cage like a crazy person. There is video, but I can't upload it right now. Besides, the whole thing was overshadowed by the character who ran the place. He calls himself Joe Exotic, fancies himself a country star with a video and everything. Oh yeah, and this...
Yup, that's Joe Exotic. He also goes by the title, Tiger King. I do believe his video is titled "I Saw a Tiger." which is much funnier when you have seen the above labeled products.
We hung out with Miche for a while and then took off the next day for Little Rock Arkansas. And I will get to that later I hope. So much to write, too tired to write it.
Enough excuses.
When last we left our intrepid adventurers, we were eating fajitas in Texas. The next day found us in Oklahoma city with my sister and an invitation to run a 5k mud run with her on Sunday. Being the lunatic fringe sort that we are, this sounded like a wonderful idea.
So we woke up bright and early and got muddy.
We went home and cleaned up. The next day we went to Wynnewood, OK to see the GW Exotic animal park. This is a rescue facility for exotic animals. I hate zoos. I wasn't too fond of this place either, but I understand it is difficult to house these animals in the best of circumstances. The day turned out better when I found a monkey friend to play with. His name was Ricky. I was too busy playing to take pictures.
He was sitting alone in his cage. He interacted some with Michelle and that gave me to idea to run around his cage like a crazy person. There is video, but I can't upload it right now. Besides, the whole thing was overshadowed by the character who ran the place. He calls himself Joe Exotic, fancies himself a country star with a video and everything. Oh yeah, and this...
We hung out with Miche for a while and then took off the next day for Little Rock Arkansas. And I will get to that later I hope. So much to write, too tired to write it.
Friday, September 27, 2013
Vega Texas.
Back on the road again.
Santa Fe to Vega Texas. After talking with Sarah about it and discussing, I decided that Roosters is my favorite restaurant on I-40. Now, I haven't completely finished driving I-40, but I have done quite a bit. I'll almost have all of it this trip too.
So again, if you are driving through the Texas panhandle, stop in Vega and get the fajitas at Roosters. Worth the wait.
Another good feature is that they are right across from the RV park. Close enough to walk.
As we walked home Sarah said this was the first time we had walked to a restaurant since Utah.
???
When were we in Utah?
Oh yeah. On the way back to OKC from San Diego. It took me a minute. That's what this traveling will do to you.
Santa Fe to Vega Texas. After talking with Sarah about it and discussing, I decided that Roosters is my favorite restaurant on I-40. Now, I haven't completely finished driving I-40, but I have done quite a bit. I'll almost have all of it this trip too.
So again, if you are driving through the Texas panhandle, stop in Vega and get the fajitas at Roosters. Worth the wait.
Another good feature is that they are right across from the RV park. Close enough to walk.
As we walked home Sarah said this was the first time we had walked to a restaurant since Utah.
???
When were we in Utah?
Oh yeah. On the way back to OKC from San Diego. It took me a minute. That's what this traveling will do to you.
Thursday, September 26, 2013
Bye Santa Fe!
It has been a wonderful stay here. The RV park, Santa Fe Skies, has been tremendous. They were even so kind as to alert us to the skies which were otherworldly at times.
I have taken a ton of photographs, one or two even came out well. I ran a half marathon over a mile above sea level. Sarah and I climbed the highest mountain in New Mexico. Sarah has been taking hot yoga classes. We have been to the largest volcanic caldera in North America. We watched the oldest pagan festival in the country. We drove around the area where they made the first atomic bomb.
Wow, what a contract.
I was thinking last night as I was leaving the hospital for the last time. I don't know how staff nurses do it. Every three months I get this sense of accomplishment. I completed another one. To a staff nurse, it is just another three months. Nothing to get excited about.
I will miss some of my new friends. I have to take a moment here to specially mention Russell Thornton, Sarah's cousin, who has been awesome and fun to hang out with. It is great to have a celebrity chef as your tour guide through the culinary delights of a town known for its food. Thanks Russ. You were awesome.
As for the cool people at work, there were too many to name without inevitably forgetting one and pissing them off so I will just say the staff at the ER here is great. Now if they could just get some equipment.
Washed and waxed the vehicles today. Got routine maintainance done. Ready to roll again. For a couple of weeks I get to put down the burden and mantle of ER nurse and pick up the title of amateur truck driver.
Let's hit the road.
I have taken a ton of photographs, one or two even came out well. I ran a half marathon over a mile above sea level. Sarah and I climbed the highest mountain in New Mexico. Sarah has been taking hot yoga classes. We have been to the largest volcanic caldera in North America. We watched the oldest pagan festival in the country. We drove around the area where they made the first atomic bomb.
Wow, what a contract.
I was thinking last night as I was leaving the hospital for the last time. I don't know how staff nurses do it. Every three months I get this sense of accomplishment. I completed another one. To a staff nurse, it is just another three months. Nothing to get excited about.
I will miss some of my new friends. I have to take a moment here to specially mention Russell Thornton, Sarah's cousin, who has been awesome and fun to hang out with. It is great to have a celebrity chef as your tour guide through the culinary delights of a town known for its food. Thanks Russ. You were awesome.
As for the cool people at work, there were too many to name without inevitably forgetting one and pissing them off so I will just say the staff at the ER here is great. Now if they could just get some equipment.
Washed and waxed the vehicles today. Got routine maintainance done. Ready to roll again. For a couple of weeks I get to put down the burden and mantle of ER nurse and pick up the title of amateur truck driver.
Let's hit the road.
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