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Trip Summary

We've just finished our 8th "long" trip.  It's time to reflect on the journey.

Travel Trivia
In the past 6 years we've driven 59,174 miles (48,043 miles towing) and set-up the trailer 232 times.

This year we've driven 12,469 miles (9,334 miles towing) during trips to the South and West.

This trip we drove 9,165 miles (6,509 miles towing), got 13.8 mpg, and set-up the trailer 32 times.

Special Sights & Experiences

• St Louis Arch - (Missouri)
• Taos - (New Mexico)
• Biosphere 2 - (Arizona)
• Black Canyon of the Gunnison - (Colorado)
• Palo Duro Canyon - (Texas)
• Galveston Island - (Texas)
• Quachita Lake State Park campground - (Arkansas)

Disappointments

• Not seeing Bandelier National Monument (New Mexico) ... we'll try to return
• Not staying in more state and national campgrounds ... we'll work on it
• Duck tour in Hot Springs ... we'll make this our first and last Duck tour

Problems

• Crazy ant infestation in Texas
• More rain than in any previous trip

We're grateful for the opportunity to meet strangers, form new friendships, visit family and explore the country.

Day 64 - Home Again

The 184 mile drive home started out sunny and ended up overcast.  The highways were in pretty good shape, but the semi trucks were out in full force ... they tossed us around a bit when we approached Cincinnati.

Leaving Georgetown:
We arrived late at Whispering Hills RV Park,  hence no pictures yesterday.  It looked less crowded today after quite a few of the rigs had left.

The office

The pool, restrooms and showers

Site #160

The Route:
We took I-75N from Georgetown to Cincinnati and I-71N to Columbus.

I-75 approaching Cincinnati from KY

Paul Brown Stadium
(on the riverfront)

Cincinnati presents an attractive skyline

Great American Tower 
is Cincinnati's tallest building

We got to the RV storage lot at 3:15.  Unloading took two trips and three hours.

It's nice to return home, unfortunately there always seem to be some surprises waiting.  This time the clothes washer and the desktop internet connection didn't want to work.  Then there's the weeds that grew, the leaves that fell, the things that have to be put away, and ... you get the idea.

Anyway, it's good to be home.  We look forward to seeing our family and friends.

Day 63 - Georgetown, KY

This was the day we chose to head for home.  Four things shaped the decision ...  (1) We've pretty much fulfilled our trip goals, (2) national parks are closed, (3) rain is forecast for the next few days, and (4) we decided to do any unfinished exploring in a Spring 2014 trip.

Leaving Nashville Shores:
We were connected and on the road by 10:15.

Such a nice morning view

The Route:
We drove 278 miles in sunshine and overcast.  We chose some scenic routes, interstate highways and back roads.  It was fun.

I-40E carried us out of Nashville to Lebanon, we then took US-231N to Bransford, US-31E into Kentucky to Glasgow, KY-90 northwest to Cave City, I-65N to Elizabethtown, the Blue Ridge Pkwy to Lexington, and finally I-75N to Georgetown.

Highlights:

• Tobacco in the fields and on wagons
• Changing leaf colors

• Kentucky horse farms (and white fences)

The Campground:
Whispering Hills RV Park is 3 years old.  It's very clean, has excellent utilities (electric, water and sewer) and has a number of very nice amenities.  The staff is friendly and helpful.  Unfortunately, the sites are very narrow.

What's next?:
We're about 60 miles from Cincinnati and about 3½ hours towing from Columbus.  We should get home with our "rolling home" by early tomorrow afternoon.  This gives us time to unload before forecasted rain arrives on Wednesday.

  

Day 62 - Hermitage, TN (Day 2)

The night was comfortable.  We didn't need heat, A/C or fans ... just a few open windows.

The campground is quiet today.  About half of the campers left this morning.  This is the off-season, clearly there would be a lot more activity if we were here in early September.  The marina and water park are closed; the zip line and campground are open.

We can imagine a very busy entrance

The Treetop Adventure Park has a
zip line and a ropes course

We drove into downtown Nashville and toured The District ... it's an area bounded by I-40 on the west, the Cumberland River on the east, Demonbreun St. on the south and the capitol mall on the north.  The streets were alive with activity.  We spent most of our time on Broadway and Church St. ... they were lined with "bars and guitars".  Here are some views from our wandering.

Cool buildings ...

Condos on Church St.

One Nashville Place

AT&T Building is known as
"The Batman Building"

The Pinnacle at Symphony Place

Street views ...

Broadway between 3rd and 4th Ave.

2nd Ave. between Church and Commerce St.

Church St.

Printers Alley

LP Field (Tennessee Titans - NFL) ...

Across the Cumberland River
from Riverfront Park

View of downtown from Riverfront Park

Bridgestone Arena (Nashville Predators - NHL) ...

Corner of Broadway & 5th Ave. S.

The Downtown Presbyterian Church ...

Puckett's Grocery and Restaurant ...
Puckett's was highly recommended and across the street from The Downtown Presbyterian Church.  The entire city must have heard.  Puckett's was packed with diners and customers were waiting 20 minutes or more to be seated.

We had fried green tomato BLT sandwiches and warm cherry cobbler for lunch.  Both were ... delicious!

The place was full and the service was great

They offer live entertainment like all other
restaurants and bars

Bars and Musicians ...
The streets in The District are lined with bars.  These are just a few samples.

Musicians perform in the bars and on the street.

Some humor ...

This guy couldn't resist Carol

Some boots are just too big to fill

We considered a trailer trade ...
but, not for long

Dick doesn't look too good today

As if there aren't enough bars along
the street ... this one is on the street.

A Nashville visit seems incomplete without including The Grand Ole Opry.  We went to the Grand Ole Opry House at the Opry Mill Mall. We were disappointed to learn that Ryman Auditorium (the original home of the Opry) was downtown and we missed seeing it.

Our brief Nashville visit left some very good impressions.  The city is full of all kinds of history and fun activities ...  we only sampled a few.  We need to come again and stay longer.