Seymore House Reveal

It has been a very busy schedule for us these last few weeks.  Trying to get our plans laid out and into action.  First we sold our stick built home in Georgia.  Then we suffered the crud and misery for several weeks, too sick to do what was needed.  Finally we made it to Tennessee, time to relax and catch our breath.  After a few days of visiting family and taking time for ourselves we entered the next phase.  Our plans changed several times before we were able to gain control and make those final preparations.

We took time to close the "Rename the Vaca House" contest and then announce the winning entry.  All that was working up to the final reveal.  What wasn't leaked by the Gnomes was the reason for the contest, the importance of the name choice.  I have always been a big fan of naming items or things in my life.  Those of you who know me well know this to be true.  Names are acronyms that spell out the whole meaning of the name.  Such as the name chosen, "Seymour"  That is an acronym meaning...... Wait, you tell me!  Another contest.  The best description of words or group of words, combined to spell out "Seymour."  Let me give you an example.  When I turned 60 I bought myself a new Harley and named it MYRA.  Everyone thought me crazy to buy a new bike at that age.  The name MYRA was the acronym, first letter of each word in the phrase.  My Youthful Radical Attitude, thus MYRA.  The name Seymour is new and so is the item or thing it's attached too.  Once a item or thing has been named you can never change it to something else.  Let me explain further and bring you up to date.  The Vaca House will always be the Vaca House.  Seymour was chosen for the new house in our lives, the full time living RV house.

When we decided to go full time RVing we also decided to become Nomads, moving about as the urge struck us.  Still living in comfort and style which we had been accustomed to.  Homeless chic, the best way to define it laughing out loud.  That plan was to trade up and improve our living standards.  The new to us is a 2014 Bay Hill 40ft fiver.  It's by far the best that we have seen and it's built for full time living.  Once the name was revealed we knew it would have to be very special to live up to our demands.  Now that we have the new travel home and it's new name.  We will sponsor a new contest.



The new 40' Seymour House













The prize will be $100.00 for the best phrase or group of words that defines the meaning of Seymour.  Another example to better help you understand is "MADD." (Mothers Against Drunk Drivers)  Have fun with Seymour, send me your best phrase or group of works that spell out Seymour.  The acronym is the short version of the full meaning.  Hope I haven't confused you.  Acronym by definition means....a word formed from the initial letters or groups of letters of words in a set phrase or series of words and pronounced as a separate word.  Example Women's Army Corp (WAC) or My Youthful Radical Attitude (MYRA).

The rules of our contest are simple.  Anyone with an e-mail can enter.  One entry per e-mail.  Tell all your friends, let them in on the fun.  Entry must be sent to Dutcheyl@aol.com .   In the subject write Acronym.  Winner will be announced on the Http://whygodutch.blogspot.com blog.  The contest opens on April the 1st 2014 and closes on June the 1st, 2014.  That gives you 2 months to think up and enter your best choice.  The winner will be announced after June the 1st, on the first blog after that date.  To give everyone a jump on the contest, this blog is being posted early :)

We will be in the process of making our way from Tennessee to Alaska during that time.  Updates on the blog all along the way.  You won't want to miss any of it as you will be missing a lot if you do.  Anyone who has previously been to Alaska and would like to share their experiences or even make suggestions as to great places to see, shop or eat along the way is encouraged to drop us a line and share any or all.  We are always open to new and exciting places and adventures.  You should send your comments and suggestions to Dutcheyl@aol.com.  If you have a Google e-mail account you can add your comments to the story on the blog.  You must have a Google account in order to leave messages on the blog, or just send to my AOL e-mail. 

Our stay in Tennessee has been to visit family, get current on medical and dental and lay low until it was time for our big move.  It has been a busy time trying to get to see everyone and get our own needs taken care of.  We also had other life events taking place at the same time.  It was mostly time needed to get all our travel plans and needs in order.  There are always those last minute items and things to do that you never thought of, until the last minute that is.  After thirty days of changes and rethinking it all, hopes are we have it all ready to go.  Never say never as there is always those things that pop up last minute.

Part of our plan was to chose a smaller travel trailer for our Alaska trip.  We decided on a 2014 Flagstaff Micro Lite 25 KS Model.  It's 28' long and has everything we will need to travel and live comfortably.  We also needed to sell our second car and acquire some other items that would aid in our travels and make us more self sufficient.  I think we have all that in motion and we are ready to start the trip.



2014 Flagstaff Micro Lite 25KS



 











The Micro Lite 25KS will be our flagship as we travel from Tennessee to Alaska, lots of stops and other destinations along the way.  We will live in it for the five plus months we are on the roads, traveling endless miles and visiting more places than we can name at this point.  Travel with us and keep up with the latest update on the http://whygodutch.blogspot.com.

No one should have to ask, why go Dutch?  I'm sure that you would go if you could.  Add it to your bucket list.  You just never know when the urge to do something wild and wacky will strike you :)

Good luck to each of you on the contest.  You have a couple of months, plenty of time to come up with something unusual and unique.

*************  Click the pictures for a larger view  ***************** 

Our Nomatic Journey Begins

We became officially Nomads on the 27th of February, closing the sale of our Georgia home.  We moved bags and baggage into our Vaca House.  Taking with us only those items essential for our comfort on the roads to everywhere.



We tried to keep the weight of our items limited to only what we'd need and not what we'd always want.  When your home is mobile and always on the move, weight of your life's baggage becomes an issue as for the total weight.  We didn't want to overload our wagon like the pioneers of old and have to toss out the piano and fine china in order to get over the mountains or across the deserts.  Which was funny on our first attempt.  After loading our contents into the Vaca House I hooked up our Dodge Dully.  The weight was very noticeable with the rear springs flat and the nose of the truck pointed upward.  When sitting in the drivers seat I couldn't see over the rams head hood ornament.  I quickly said to Kathie: "Honey we need to shrink our needs!"  So we went back to the task of unloading and reevaluating the need of each chosen item.  We ended up loading more of our things into storage.  With our Vaca House loaded for the second time we said goodbye to our former home.  Leaving the new owners a welcome gift, we locked the doors for the last time and left the driveway.


 

Our first temporary stay was at the Yonah Campground, between Helen and Cleveland.


I wouldn't recommend that as a great place to stay.  The rate was outrageous for the amenities offered, or should I say the lack of.  It could have been worse as the summer seasonal rates are higher and still your getting nothing.  We were paying $37.50 a day for water, sewer and electric (30 amps), plus an additional $3.00 a day for 50 amps of power.  That was after our Good Sams discount.  No cable or wifi.  The sites are small and very overgrown.  We were in the back of the park, lot 72.  Once our slides were out we had to squeeze between the slide wall and a tree in order to get around the unit.



Our intended stay was to be only four days.  As it so often happens, things change and we were stuck there for almost two weeks.  Kathie has been sick the last couple of weeks.  Just when we thought she was getting better I too was bitten by the bug.  With both of us sick and under the weather we stayed where we were and waited for the crud that possessed us to leave.  Several days we were in bed and unable to venture out.  The weather had changed once again, turning cold.  It was a miserable time for us.  Going to the doctor resulted in a medical exam and advise to wait it out.  We had a viral infection and not bacterial infection.  We weren't alone in our misery but that was of little comfort to us.  The doctor said it would last for about four weeks and we should start to improve.  We decided to lay low, staying put until our health changed and we were feeling better.  We drink lots of water and juice, watched a lot of movies and took lots of over the counter medicines.  The best of which was Alka-Seltzer severe cold, day and night.  It was like a lemon tea and when heated taste much better than drinking it cold.  After a couple of days I was feeling much better, then a relapse.  As the doctor had said, it took time.



Finally after 13 days we felt we could make the move.  Cutting our stay short by a day, we broke camp and headed north to Tennessee.  The weather had once again improved and it was in the 70's.  However the weather in Tennessee promised to be cold and rain with 45 mph winds the following day.  That was reason enough for us to want to get the trip over a day ahead of our planned schedule.  Upon the start of our exodus from Ga. I noticed the trailer was heavy and the truck strained as we hit the inclines of the mountains.  I had driven this way many times but never had I felt the weight as much as I was feeling it on this trip.  Climbing the mountain at 35 mph and being passed by the big rigs made me ponder how we could have loaded our wagon again so heavy on our second attempt.  It was then that I felt the surge or the wave.  Back during my days of long haul trucking, hauling chemicals in an open bore tanker, I had felt that rolling back and forth many a mile.  I started to laugh and Kathie asked what was so funny.  During the cold nights, freezing low temperatures.  I had disconnected our water supply and filled our fresh water tank with 92 gallons of water.  Water weighs about 10 pounds a gallon.  We had used some of that 92 gallons and it was rolling forward on downhill and rolling backwards on uphill.  Once I got to the top of the mountain, finding room to pull off, I emptied the holding tank.  Since it was fresh water and not polluted with anything else it was ok to drain it out on the ground.  The rest of the drive was pleasant and we enjoyed the warmth of the 75 degree day.  No more big trucks passed us on the inclines, and the mountains were of little or no issue. 

We arrived before dark at Warriors Path State Park in Kingsport/Colonial Heights Tn.  We chose a great campsite over looking the lake and set up camp.  State Parks don't have everything but they are great places to stay.  Water, electric and dump station for $9.00 a day. (We enjoy a discount, golden access pass)  If your disabled military, or over the age of 65 you may qualify for discounts.  I may not like being over the age of 65 but I do like all those little perks offered along the way.  Especially that beautiful young wife of mine :)  Our stay here at Warriors is planned for 10 days.




Then to South Carolina for about 30 days.  Things could change, as we well know.  The weather here has been up and down, rain and colder for the next couple of days.  We are not planning to venture out, staying warm and dry.  We sure don't want the crud again.  That was some nasty stuff and only the passing of time will cure it.

I'm sure that you're all reading with a desire to know what the Gnomes have chosen for the new name of the Vaca House.  (Name the Vaca House Contest).



The decision wasn't an easy one.  There were many entries and the names suggested were all great.  Sadly we could only adopt one.  The final decision and the name chosen just seemed to fill all the requirements.  We wanted something that would be unique and say something about our life style and our travels.  A lot of the entries filled part of the demand but not all.  The name that was chosen was..........................
"Seymour."  It can be spelled several different ways, still with the same meaning.  It can be the same in several different languages.  The name "Seymore, Seemore, Seamore, Seymour, Seemour" just has a natural fit.  As suggested by the author of the name.  We will be traveling more, seeing more and doing more.  The Vaca House is now officially the Seymour House. 

We want to thank all of you who took time to offer a name for the contest.  As promised the prize of $50.00 will go out in tomorrows mail.  Congrads to Heather B. for her entry, winning the prize.  If you didn't win don't be discouraged.  There will be many such opportunities offered throughout the coming summer season.  As we travel there will be contests offered with prize money.  You could be the winner of our next contest.  That contest and prize amount to be announced soon.



Watch for it in an upcoming blog.  The time limit will be more than adequate and the prize is cash, rules are simple.  One entry per e-mail address.  If you have multiple family members living in your household and each having their separate e-mail address they are qualified to place an entry.  Age, gender, religion or political affiliation is not a restriction.

We have slowed our pace for a few days and are relaxing as we continue to plan our escape towards Alaska.  That trip should get under way shortly after Easter.  We are still looking at different routes.  It will be no less than 4200 miles each way.  We are thinking of going up one way and coming back another.  That will afford us ample time to see and explore many different states along our chosen routes.  We will keep you posted regarding our departure and routes.  Until our next blog we wish you a blessed day and a pleasant tomorrow.



As we travel the endless roads that are always leading us somewhere new and exciting,  modern day nomads with no plans except to keep moving.

Dutch & Kathie

Contest to Rename the Vaca House soon to close.

We are approaching the deadline.  The March 15th deadline is near.  I checked with the Gnome Committee's records clerk and discovered he's not all that busy.  You still have time to get your selection entered into the record book.  You could be the winner and your name chosen.  Lets give that sleeping gnome plenty to do over the next several weeks.



Time is money.  Don't let the cash pass you by.  Enter to win at Dutcheyl@aol.com Subject, name change.  The winner will be announced in the first blog after March the 15th 2014.

I'll be informed of the winning entry by special currier.  Like you I won't know until that special ballot is delivered.  All entry's are under lock and key, only the judges know the information and they are sworn to secrecy.



I'm counting on you to come up with a very special and unique name.  The rules are simple and open to anyone who wants to enter.  So get those entry's mailed in.  Best of luck to each of you.

Until then, Dutch and Kathie living full time on the road of life.

  

Can Gnomes Keep a Secret

We are about ready to hit the road.  The closing on the house is set for Thursday February the 27th.  After that date we will be officially nomadic wonderers, living full time in the Vaca House.  Our street address will be wherever we are parked, in whatever state we happen to be in.

 

That brings up a wee problem for us.  The Vaca House will no longer be the Vacation House.  Since we will be living full time in it, a name change is in order. 

I've decided to ask all of you for your help and suggestions, giving the Vaca House a new name.  Lets make it a contest!  I'll put up a $50.00 prize to the winner who's name wins the contest.  Put your thinking caps on and send me your best choice.  Only one entry from each who wants to enter the contest.  I called a meeting of the local Gnome Council.  They will be the keepers of the contest, guarding the entries with the upmost secrecy.



The deadline for the contest will be March the 15th 2014.  Remember only one name from each entry.  Think it over and put together a big list and send me your best name.  You can send it to Dutcheyl@aol.com,  Subject name change.  The winning name will be announced in the Blog, following that date.  I'll be looking for those entry's



There will be other contests throughout the summer.  Look for them and join in the fun.

You have names to think about and I have some final packing to do.  Remember only one name per entry.  Send me your best and I will announce the winning entry in the first blog after March the 15th.  Good luck to each of you who enter.



I'll be keeping my eye on that e-mail box. 

Six more weeks, or early closing?

The sale of our home was moving right on schedule.  We had the Home Inspection on January the 31st. The house was in great shape being that it's only five years old.  I rented a storage space for those items we either didn't sell or give away.  I'd be embarrassed to tell you of how much stuff we kept that has no real monetary value.  Something's you just can't bring yourself to give up.  So we hung onto those items that were priceless to each of us.  I gathered up some boxes and suggested to Kathie she pack her stuff.  Later I found her down in a wardrobe box,  looking up with a mischievous smile.

 

I didn't know if I should put on an address label and ship her or put her into storage.  I'm pretty sure she's excited about the move and the endless road that lies ahead.  When I asked her what she was doing.  Her reply was, "I'm trying to visualize living in a smaller space."  Going from 2900 square feet to 400 does have it's challenges :) 

   
In the mist of trying to pack up I needed to take a trip to Tn.  The Dodge Dully had a recall that needed immediate attention.  That was scheduled for February the 3th.  It was a recall for a steering component, one that I wasn't comfortable with putting off.  My trip up and back to Ga. was very quick.  I needed to visit with my Mom while there and get back home to continue packing.  It seems that all of a sudden I was in a rush to get it all done.  To further complicate matters, the buyer mentioned they may want to close early and take procession of the home. 

Moving can be an experience, most people want to do it only once in their lifetime.  I'd hate to tell you the number of times I have done it.  While serving in the Military I moved about every three years.  In those days it was part of the life and something I actually looked forward to.  It was a new country or state and new surroundings and a new beginning.  Now at the age of remembrance, I'm more settled and look at a move as less adventurous.  Perhaps I also feel it's taking away my sense of security.  I know that the older we get the more we desire to remain planted where we are.  Still that adventurous soul of mine is ready for a change.  So here we are, packing up and starting over.  The red neck in me wanted a house that had wheels, one I could move when the front yard got full of old cars and other items of junk.

The buyer is pushing for an early closing date.  I wasn't sure as to how much time I had so packing just got a lot faster and more serious.  We needed to get everything ready at a moments notice.  So here we are living out of a suitcase or better yet the Vaca House, parked in the driveway.  Closing early is good news to me.  When asked if we could close early, I told them I was ready to leave the day I got to Ga.  The inner me was screaming, "show me the money."  I'm sure I was more excited to be selling, than the buyer was to be buying.  I also considered myself very lucky, selling in such a depressed market.  I'm waiting with great anticipation.

Kathie took several days off work to help me pack.  The storage unit was filling up fast.  We gave away or sold a lot of our stuff.  We also took a trailer load off to the local Goodwill.  The storage shed was cleaned out, as well as the garage.  The two down stairs units were also clear of our belongings.  About all we had left was the kitchen and putting clothes in the Vaca House.  We are ready for that early closing date should it happen.

 

Just as we were making great strides.  A winter storm was once again headed our way.  Predictions were for heavy ice and snow.  That would bring everything to a halt.  We had everything packed with the exception of a few clothing items and things we were still using.  We replaced the kitchen item of the house with those from the Vaca House.  That was an easy switch and would work out great.  The storage area was full of boxes.  I kept asking myself where it all came from?  I'm sure anyone who has moved at least once knows that feeling.  As we get older we seem to cling to more stuff.

 

We have been planning for this phase of life, now that's it's here we aren't ready!  I guess you can't always predict your emotions and feelings of  confusion.  I keep asking myself if I'm doing the right thing?  I set plans into motion two years ago.  I planned out all the details and thought I had it all figured out.  Now that it's a reality I feel lost and unsure of my next move.  Friends and family ask where we are headed first.  I have no idea, haha.  All I can say is roads lead somewhere and you will find people already there.  All I know for sure is the Vaca House will be towed out of this driveway on March the 3rd, if not sooner.  Maybe at that time it will sink in, a direction and decision will be made.  I'm leaning toward spending the entire summer in Alaska.  I'd like to head in that direction by mid April, taking a couple of weeks to reach the Canadian border.  I think May would be a good time to start up the Alaskan Highway (AlCan).  Spending May, June, July and August in Alaska and starting the trip back by September.  The trip up would be up thru Minnesota into Canada and the return trip would be back by way of Washington state and down the west coast to Florida.  About the only thing I know for sure is winters will be spent in Florida or somewhere along the southern coast line.  I'm throwing out all my heavy winter items of clothing :)  If I do find myself needing, there is always Goodwill. 

 

The local Lowe's store may have to close.  I have spent a couple hundred thousand in that store during the last ten years.  I have several shoe boxes of receipts.  Plants and building materials as well as every other items they sell.  What will I do with my time?  I will have to find a hobby for sure.  Hopefully something that doesn't collect or need lots of stuff to support it.  I wonder, can napping and dreams be considered a hobby :)  Maybe I'll finally get back to completing my book of stories.  Perhaps a new book all about my travels and those places I end up, sharing it all with you!  I'm sure that my life will be busy even if I choose to do nothing.  Retirement is the hardest job I have ever had.  I just don't have the time to do the things I need to do.  But why worry about that, there is always tomorrow :)

 

I went to the Post Office today to fill out a change of address.  The clerk wasn't amused about the new address.  She couldn't understand that comment about, "My street address is wherever I'm parked."  Those Postal workers have no sense of humor.  Fearing the postal rage I've heard about, I gave a regular street address.  One they can find with their GPS. (Government Postal Service)  Until March the 3rd I will be at Leafview Dr.  After that you can reach me Dutcheyl@aol.com  If that doesn't work it's because I'm in the wilderness somewhere.  Sooner or later I will come in for mail call.  My next post will be from the road.  Until then, I await the final day here in GA.

 

 

Life is all about the rainbows, follow your dreams.  You Yonah regret it :)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A Gnome without a Home

The dream of selling our home and traveling/RVing full time is now a reality.  With the house sold we are looking forward to hitting the open road.  Our direction not yet decided.  The closing date is set for March the 3rd.  Between then and now we have plenty to keep us busy.



The Gnome has no home and will be roaming around for awhile.   Be sure to keep up with his travels.  It's a new beginning and the endless roads that wind and stretch forever will be the destination.  It will take some time to set a course. The reality of the moment and the tasks at hand are overwhelming.



I feel like a child leaving home for the first time.  With no home to come back too.  The big wide world that awaits is a lonely place for those who have no direction or set course to follow.  I am excited and apprehensive at the same time.  My mood is somber at best.  I have thoughts of "Crap what did I just do,"  or something like that!  Now that it's the time we have waited for, it's also a time of doubt.  Are we doing the right thing?  Nomadic will be our future history, wandering from place to place.  I did plan for it in a way, by having business cards printed up several weeks ago.  Notice what I put for our street address.

 

The house is a mess as we go about the task of packing up.  We were blessed to be able to sell the furniture with the home.  That simplified our storage needs.  Mostly what we have to pack are personal items such as pictures, pots & pans, dishes, tools and some odds and ends.  For some reason those odds and ends seem to be the bulk of our items.  It's amazing how fast you can accumulate items, junk mostly.  Storage will still be needed but not sure of how long or how big.  If the weather was nicer, I'd have one heck of a yard sale.  If we happen to have a nice weekend between now and the end of February, it will be the mother of all yard sales.  Everything going cheap, haha.  Are you listening family and friends, I said CHEAP!

Since we will be traveling far and wide I'm also reconsidering our mode of travel.  The Fiver is a great vacation house for sure.  It affords us plenty of room and is more than ample for our simple needs.  The draw back is it's not travel friendly.  With four slides, all in travel mode it's impossible to have access to the bedroom and bathroom.  That presents us with several inconveniences at times.  Set up requires a bit more work as well.  I'm thinking I need a Holiday.......  Holiday Rambler that is.

 

I'm looking and leaning toward this 2009 model year.  It's 42 feet long with a tag axle and a big 425 Cummins HP Diesel.  The model is a 42PDQ, I think that PDQ means pretty dam quick with that big 425 pushing it.  That much power will get us across the mountains and into Alaska in record time.  The Lanes will be on Holiday for sure.  Or is it the Lanes will be in a Holiday.  In it or on it and all around it, as we travel from here to there and back again.

 

 

I have yet to convince myself that I want to make that large of an investment.  Explains why the pictures show it as going and then coming instead of vise-a-versa, haha.  I will make a decision for sure one way or the other during the next several days.  We may just decide to trade our Vaca House for one that meets our travel demands.  We have several options open to us.  Until them, I have much to keep me busy. 

 

The winter storm that has all the south in it's grip has slowed everything.  School children stuck for the night in their schools.  School buses can't get on the roads.  There were school buses that made it to the roads loaded with children, those buses were stuck in the traffic all night with their precious cargo on board.  Semi trucks and cars alike have the highways and roads at a stand still.  Nothing is moving.  A trip of twenty minutes has turned into seven plus hours.  Cars and trucks are being abandoned and drivers walking home or to local motels.  The roads are a solid sheet of ice.  Motels are full and have no vacancies.  If ever I needed a reason to move to a warmer climate, I have no idea where that would be.  It's twenty eight degrees in Mobile Al with snow and ice, and snowing in Savannah Ga.  Spring can't come fast enough.  I'll just snuggle up on the couch and dream by the fire.  More time to ponder and think about where I go from here :)

 

 

I'll get back to you in a couple of days.

 

 

     ***** Click on any picture to enlarge for a better view ***** 

 

 

 

 

 

  

Smokey Mountains and the Moonshine RV Run

 

The colder the temperatures drop the lower my attitude drops as well.  I'm starting to question why I suffer with the cold, ice and snow when I don't have too.  I could just as easily be sitting in the warmth of a sunny beach, sipping coconut rum and feasting on lobster.  But I'm not.  I'm trying to stay warm in a place where it seems to get colder with each new day dawning.  Like so many of you I too am suffering the winter blues.  While my mind may wonder to far away places, my body is in the realism of where it physically is.  I have found the correct definition for "IS!"  Is is the place where  I is, ha ha

The cold weather has most of the country in the grip of uncertainty.  The good news is it's only temporary and spring isn't that far off.  I know that gives little comfort when your freezing your imagination off.  Going out requires layers and bundling up.  Still the cold air finds a way to chill my very souls.  That's right, even my toes feel the sting.  Just to think, only a few days ago and I was walking up and down a beach in Florida.

It was 80 degree's and I was enjoying the warmth and picking up sea shells.  Now I'm trapped by bitter cold and a climate that is so unstable that it dropped 30 degrees in less than three hours.

I'm starting to think of ways to send my mind off to a warmer place while my body remains in a state of confusion.  Sorta like mind over matter.  You see I really do mind but it doesn't seem to matter.  Not to Mother Nature.  I'm getting cabin fever.  It was warm, then cold and now it's warming up again.

 

Do I dress for the colder temperatures?  Or just wait a day or two and put my shorts back on?  I need a break and what could be better than an RV show?  Wow, Gatlinburg TN is having one this weekend.  January 10th, 11th and 12th.  Wait a minute, don't they also make moonshine in Gatlinburg?  The cold just got a lot warmer, especially in the Smokey Mountains of Ten-r-see. 

 

I started for the hills of the Smokey's Saturday after the rain left for other places.  As long as it left my area I didn't care where it was headed.  It seems it has rained the 17 weekends out of the last 18.  That's the true cold fact of it.  The lakes and small streams are over flowing everywhere in the south.

 

The drive from GA and into NC then TN  was pleasant and we had lots of sun all the way.  It was 64 degree and almost like a spring day.  The slight breeze was cool but comfortable.  I was satisfied with long sleeves and no jacket.  It was almost dark by the time we reached the pass thru the Smokey's and the NC and TN state line.  From here it was all down hill to Gatlinburg and beyond.

 

 

By then Kathie had immersed herself in her fleece lined jacket.  I was still comfortable in my long sleeves, no picture but that's my story and I'm sticking to it, ha ha.

 

Gatlinburg was all a glow in it's Christmas decorations and lights.  It seemed funny to be looking at Christmas lights in mid January.  But this is Tennessee and we are a little slow around here, ha ha.

 

 

 

It was late by the time we got to Gatlinburg.  By late I mean it was after 5 PM and the RV show was over for the day.  We had decided that we'd make the last day of the show (Sunday Jan. 12th).  Saturday (Jan. the 11th) we'd use for shopping and fun stuff.  I knew exactly where the fun started, ha ha.  We made a few shops after securing parking.  There were still plenty of folks, tourist and the likes walking up and down the small streets.  We worked our way up to Moonshine Alley.  Now that's where the fun begins,  in a corny sort of way, well shucks it's where the liquor is made.  You see it rains a lot in the mountains of the Smokey's.  No one really cares as it makes the corn grow.  The corn makes the whiskey, it all just seems to work out.

 

 

Now the ole boys who make the squeezing's are a friendly bunch of folk.  They like to make sure your a satisfied customer, so they let you sample the makings.  They even show you how it's made.  They believe that a happy customer is a repeat customer.  Funny how that just seems to work out as well!

 

 

It all starts with the copper still and a worm.  Not your garden variety dirt worm.  A copper coil feeding from the still to the containment barrel.  These folk have been in the business for hundreds of years, generation after generation.  Long before it was legal to do so.  Back in those days it was commonly referred to as Bootlegging.

 

 

All that meant was it was illegal if you got caught by the Feds.  The government wanted their cut of the funds being collected.  A lot of taxes for the big spenders in our Government.  But these hill people believed in free enterprise.  Those who made the illegal brew were known as Moonshiners.  The product they made and sold was simply known as Moonshine as well as a few other adopted names along the way. 

 

 

I want go into detail about the process, except to tell you it's all about the corn.  That old mash fermenting smells s-o-o-o-o good.

 

 

The best way to describe the full effect is to tell you, No Smoking.  That was one of the hazard's

of the job.  The smell was so potent, it could be smelled for miles away.  Many a good still was discovered by the pungent odor of the mash.  The Revenuers just followed the smell to the still's location. 

 

 

It was a way of life.  The stuff made in the hills and hollows of the Appalachians was better than the store bought stuff.  Usually 100 proof or more in alcohol content.  Fruit was used to add flavor and make it more of a smooth taste.  It was in such demand, a regular pipeline was formed to meet the delivery demands.   A lot of NASCAR drivers of old got their start hauling the illegal loads of hooch.  Lots of movies were made to glorify the trade.  One of the best and well known was "Thunder Road" starring Robert Mitchum.   Like all good things, it came to an end.  Those who fought the battle to the end, like the famous Popcorn Sutton.  Popcorn died after a long stretch in the Federal Penitentiary.  The secret of his famous brew was left solely to his wife, she later decided to go legal. 

 

 

The process of making liquor was never illegal, not to start with.  It only became illegal after those who made it refused to pay tax on it.  Refusing to give the Government a share (tax) resulted in arrest and imprisonment.  Those who continued to make the liquor in secret was considered to be outlaws and given the name Moonshiner's by the feds.  Over the course of time it was the Government that won and they took control.  Like all things of Government, it would never again be the same.  Once the Government got into the making and distribution  of the moonshine it became a legal source of tax .  Our Government knows what is best for us consumers!  I really prefer the original, especially when you can buy the better stuff for less. When you can find it that is!  It's not healthy to go poking thru the woods looking for a moonshiner and his works. Not wanting to be shot or bear bait in the woods I decided to be a good citizen and buy my hooch from the legal market.  So here I was, belly up to the bar.  Free samples, what could be better.  Here is my plan for a great night out on the town.

 

 

There are 10 samples in all. Eight bars set up in a rectangle.  I made my stop at the first bar and enjoyed the 10 free samples.  The bar's are always crowded, no control over how much or how many times you can sample, woo-whoo.  I moved from bar to bar until I ended up back where I started.

 

 

I was feeling no pain by the time I made the rounds.  Like grandpa Walton sampling the secret recipe handed out by the Baldwin sisters on Walton's Mountain.  My eyes bugged out and singing hidi-hoo, chug-a-lug, chug-a-lug. 

 

 

As you can see, I'm in complete control as I prepared to leave after drinking my fill.  But I wasn't leaving empty handed.

 

 

I ordered take-out.  A couple of to-go bags and I was set for the night.  What a great bunch of folk.  They even had rockers and a band, free entertainment to boot.  You just can't buy that sort of kindness.

 

 

 

I'll be going back to see them neighbors again real soon.  What a nice bunch they are.  All that  free samples of hooch and a ho-down,  all in one place.  "Now that's true Southern Hospitality."  Just three words describe the way I felt about it, "migh-t-fine."

 

My plans were to stop and see another old pioneer of a Bootlegger, Davy Crocket.  You most likely heard of him, he killed a bear when he was only three.  Funny how them legends are born, ha ha.  Kathie thought it best we get something to eat before I drank any more.  So we headed over to this fish place some Alabama boy had opened.  He was a legend in his own right, having run all the way to Tennessee from his home down there in Greenbow, Alabama.  Forrest called his place Bubba Gump Shrimp Company.

 

 

Forrest wasn't there but he had left us with a lot of family photo's.  There was Lieutenant Dan and Jenny as well as Bubba and Momma's pictures for us to look at.  Someone even scribbled on the table some of Forrest's famous sayings.  Our waiter Harold even played trivia with us, we learned so much more about Forrest and the whole history of his life, before, during military and after.  Kathie said she felt so much closer to Forrest and understood a lot more about Jenny.  I just didn't get that whole shrimp being the fruit of the sea stuff.

 

Kathie ordered shrimp and ate it all.  She don't like sea foods, but it was like that life being like a box of chocolate.  With her I just never know what she will get, and that's all I got to say about that.

 

 

She even ordered one of those fancy drinks.  It looked green to me, but my vision wasn't  all that clear.  I think it had something to do with the moon shining in my eyes :)

 

 

After dinner Our waiter Harold wanted to know if we had left room for dessert.  I told him we had apple pie in the bags.  We'd enjoy dessert later, ha ha.

 

 

We left Bubba Gump and headed on over to Davy Crocket's place.  Davy was making whiskey and he too was handing out free samples.  Davy's place wasn't crowded, the bluegrass boys were singing "Man of constant sorrow'' as we arrived.   Like Pappy O'Dainel's flour hour I broke out into happy feet and then started clogging.  It was a crowd stopper.  Kathie quickly rescued me and ushered me inside.  It was the 1786 whiskey hour.  Now ole Davy had a lot of critters running around.  I could have sworn that the raccoon was wearing a coon skin hat.

 

 

I couldn't help but think that that rodent must have had a big mouth, someone had blackened both his eyes.  I guess he wasn't much of a fighter.  That whiskey will make even the best of us think we have great abilities.  I was working my way thru the bottles when a groundhog showed up with an open bottle.  I'm guilty of a lot of things but I aint drinking with no ground pig.

 

 

Singing and just plain making a fool out of himself.  That groundhog was starting to get on my last nerve.  He just looked plain silly wearing that fur hat.  They sure weren't particular who they let into this place.  There was a jar on the bottom shelf and I could have bet there was more than one?  My vision was a little on the blurry side.

 

Now I have seen a lot of sights in my life.  But what I saw on the street outside would stay with me.  A horse ridding a cowboy.  Now that just aint natural.  "Save a horse, ride a cowboy."

 

 

Ever get a song stuck in your head.  All night long, I went to bed with those lyrics in my mind and still singing them over and over when I got up.  "Save a horse, ride a cowboy."  Gee, enough already.  I did have a great time.  I was buying everyone at the bar a drink and never spent a penny.  Well not at the bar that is.  I did order take out and after leaving the bars went shopping.  More about that later.

 

Well I woke up Sunday morning with no way to hold my head that didn't hurt.  The drink I had for breakfast wasn't bad until I had another for dessert.  Ever hear those words before, it's from an old Johnny Cash song?  "Sunday morning coming down."  Actually I felt pretty good considering the condition my condition was in.  Kathie and I were up making ready for our day at the RV show.  We had spent the night in Sevierville and the RV show was about three miles from La Quinta Inn,  where we spent our nights lodging.  But first it was off to Cracker Barrel for a great breakfast.  No apple pie please, laughing out loud I've had my fill.  The Smokey Mountain RV show was a three day event and this was the last day.  The weather promised to be in the low sixty's with a slight breeze.  It was to be a great day weather wise.

 

 

Kathie and I made our way to the Convention Center.  We were there when the doors opened.  The RV show was so large it was in two different locations.  Just a few miles apart and one fee for both locations.  There was a shuttle service that would pick up and transport you to and from if you didn't want to drive.  It didn't take us long to look it over.  I was disappointed, mostly low end stuff.  There wasn't much for the expensive Fivers and Diesel Motor Homes.  A lot of gas powered motor homes and the fiver were mid range as well.  The interiors were all dark décor.  We are not fans of dark cabinetry, drapes and furnishings.  After an hour we left for the second location, in hopes that the dealers would make a better showing at that location. 

 

Location two was at the LeConte Convention Center in Pigeon Forge.  It was about the same size facility.  The Dealers were indeed making a better showing.  Still the decors were dark on most all the units we looked at.  That must be the theme for 2014.  There was a $165,000.00 Mobile Suite Fiver and a $400,000.00 Motor Home, 45 ft. with a tag axle.   Even a great looking 2008 used 40 ft. Motor Home with less than 50,000 miles on it.  Out of all that we looked at, nothing grabbed our attention.  When we compare what we want with what we already have, it just seems we have better than what we're looking at new.

 

 

One of the things that I did notice was how cheap a lot of the units were regarding their steps.  I'm 230 pounds and when I step onto a step, entering of exiting and the step flexes and bends under my weight!  Leaves me to wonder how long it would last, before breaking.  I realize the cost of steel is high.  Those with aluminum steps were stronger than the ones made from steel.  Our fiver is a 2008 and it has strong steel steps, no bending or flexing.  Another issue for me was the floor plan designs,  just didn't fit with the options that were available.  For us the RV show was a bust.  When leaving I looked at Kathie and laughed, "Why did you go Dutch?"

 

We headed back to Gatlinburg and some last minute shopping before parting for Home.  The weather for the weekend was beautiful for this time of the year.  I was wearing a cotton sweater and very comfortable inside or outside.  It did snow over night on top the mountain, but where we were it was beautiful.  Once back at Gatlinburg we found suitable parking.  The sun was warm and felt good out of the breeze.  We had a couple of hours to look around and grab something to eat before starting the three hour drive home.

 

I made a stop back at Crocket's Place  This time I took my own bottle, ha ha.  I was surprised to see that they were still serving, on a Sunday.  I guess the tourism trade is a seven day, twenty four hour event.

 

 

My drinking friends, raccoon and groundhog  were still there.  Raccoon was holding up a post or holding onto it not sure of which.  He had that I'm stoned look about himself. 

 

 

Gatlinburg is one friendly place for sure.  You can tell a lot about people by the way they treat their animals.  Southernism is hillbilly's living in perfect harmony with the wild less fortunate critters, raccoons, possums, groundhogs, squirrels and the like.  That's ok with me as long as man comes out on top!  No, not that stupid song again.  You know the one I'm referring to ha ha. 

 

It was after 3 PM by the time we headed for home.  Plenty of snow and ice up on the higher elevations of our route.  We had little difficulty and made it to the top and down the other side.  Once we hit the valley off Newfound Gap the elk were out enjoying the warmth of day.  We snapped a few pictures from our front row seating on the highway.  There were plenty of wild turkey out scratching as well.

 

 

 

It's nice to know where these critters hang out in the event I need to make friends with them.  They will store nicely in the freezer.  The turkey's are plentiful, in just about every open field we saw lots of them. 

 

We made one more stop before reaching home.  That was at the Cherokee Veterans Memorial.  The Cherokee have served in all our armed forces and in every conflict. 

 

 

Did you know that out of all the Cherokee who have served, from all the nations, there has been only one to be awarded the Medal of Honor.  I'd tell you of him and his name, but I think it important for you to take the time and look it up. 

 

 

I have always been proud of the Cherokee blood that flows in my veins.  I never miss a chance to learn more about these great and proud people.  All that we have today we owe to them.  At one time it all belonged to them before the white man came, destroying and stealing it all from them.  The American Indian can tell you much about how your Government works.  Next time you think your Government won't take all you have, just ask an Indian.

 

 

The above statue travels from place to place.  It's called the Transforming Bronze Monument.  Look that one up as well and you will discover "Transformation Through Forgiveness."  Our Indian brothers have much they can and are willing to teach and share with us.  A people that we the whites tried to erase from the face of the earth.  Yet they are forgiving and gentle. 

 

Once back home I unloaded my backhaul of hooch, boots and hat.  I did mention I went shopping after all the sampling of fire waters.  Well, I ended up with a few items I must have wanted.  There's just no excuse for class. Either you have it or you don't ha ha.

 

 

So next time you get bored and find yourself suffering from the winter blues, or just plain cabin fever.  Stay home and watch cable.  If you don't you could end up in Moonshine Alley or drinking whiskey at Davy Crocket's in Gatlinburg TN.  Talking all night to some groundhog who inspires to be a folk singer or a raccoon with two black eyes.  After which you could end up with snake boots, hat and jars of liquid refreshments. (Moonshine)  That apple pie, blackberry, peach and my favorite coconut is lip smacking good.  Please drink responsibly and be sure to take along a designated driver.  Preferable one who won't drink or you'll both may be talking to that groundhog when morning comes.

 

           *The things we get into while we're waiting for our next camping adventure*