Last Minute Camp Site and Old Man's Cave - Day 9

We slept in until 9:00 am!!! Boy, do I love what camping does to my kiddos!  Tyler asked for pancakes so we took our time with breakfast and packing up.  We left Deer Creek right around 10:45 am.

Just 6 miles up the road, we drove through the town of Galax.  We stopped for a detour with two police officers directing traffic.  Apparently the Annual Fiddlers Convention was going on.  Oh how I wish we could have stopped to check it out!  Instead though, we had to take a terribly tight corner, hanging the front end over a hill, the police stopped traffic, and then go down hill in the wrong lane.  What a trip!

We drove til around 5:30 with a few stops for fuel and snacks.

The kids did great today keeping themselves busy throughout the drive... I think they are starting to get it.  Sammy sang and drew pictures, while Tyler watched for deer.

 

The drive today was beautiful again... In fact, several roads on our route were rated scenic highways by Rand Mcnalley.

We found a lot at the last minute at the Hocking Hills KOA.  I love this campground.  The lots are wide and the layout works well!  Our lot (19) came with patio furniture, grill and swing!

I had done a little research of this area and found a hiking trail in the state park just three miles up the road that was highly recommended.  

So I quick slapped together some sandwiches and we headed out to find Old Man's Cave.  My goodness, it is gorgeous!  You should definitely check this place out!  We only did two loops of the trail but the entire loop is 6 miles of beauty along this amazing gorge.  The pictures don't do it justice, but to give you an idea.

So many stairs but totally worth it!  Next we headed back to the campground to cool off with a swim.

What a fabulous day!  The kids had a great time and we loved the chance to take the hiking trail.  Tomorrow we hope to visit the Columbus Zoo.

Back through the Mountains - Day 8

Well, we had no luck with the weather in Myrtle beach.  It was still POURING when we loaded up amd left town so no wave jumping for us!  We got on the road around 10:30 am to head north to Virginia.  If you know the roadways of North and South Carolina, you know that there just isn't any direct highway system to take you out of Myrtle Beach.  So we drove some country roads and got an appreciation for southern living.  The mountains began to pop up and the beautiful views returned!

We couldn't find anyplace to stop for lunch, so we pulled off where he shoulder widened.  Perfect for what we need.

We arrived at Deercreek Motorcoach Resort at 4:30 pm.  It's a beautiful park in Galax, Virginia.  

It's around 3000 ft so the temps  are naturally a bit cooler.  Today was only 66* and drizzling when we arrived.  But that didn't stop us from exploring.... The kids had energy to burn so we took two walks with their scooters.  All the neighbors were super friendly and welcomed us as they saw us walking through.

We made a nice steak dinner and then set up the fire pit for s'mores and an outdoor movie.  The kids LOVED it.

Fabulous day today!  Looking forward to what's still in store.

Movies and Tears - Day 7

So last night Sammy had an idea to make Dirt Pudding as seen on one of her videos so we decided that she would wake me up and we would go to the grocery store (in our PJs) to buy the ingredients.  So we did. Stopping briefly outside of Starbucks for Sammy to impersonate this statue.

It started POURING so by the time we arrived back at the RV, we needed a towel and change of clothes.

In the meantime, Scott and Tyler walked to the little restaurant here at the campground for some father-son bonding... they do love their breakfast!

Sammy and I got to work on her pudding and then we all enjoyed a pretty quiet morning indoors... I got caught up on laundry, the kids had some down time and watched a movie.  Remember its POURING!

We had chicken fajitas and tacos for lunch and then decided to head out to see a movie... Planes, Fire and Rescue.  Now here's where it get's interesting...  Remember that story of Alexander and the no good, terrible, rotten, very bad day???  Well let's just say that's how today went for Sammy.  She had it in her head that we should buy her this little mermaid doll, which we refused... and she NEVER forgot.  Autism is a crazy thing.  Its hard to figure out and just when you get a little comfortable, it sneaks up on you and surprises you again!

So Tyler and Scott enjoyed the movie while Sammy and I caught bits and pieces as we could.

Afterwards we went to say goodbye to Roger and Gretchen who were leaving this evening.  We got take out from Red Lobster for supper and then headed back to the motorhome for showers and to try some of Sammy's special dessert.

As we left the condo tonight, we took one last look at the ocean to say good-bye.  Tyler got quiet and reached for a hug as he started to tear up.  He is so disappointed that he didn't make it into those waves.  We reassured him we would be back in September and that we would definitely have a chance then, but that sweet boy loves the water!

We check out tomorrow and need to get on the road as soon as possible... but Scott and I hope to run the kids out on the beach for a few minutes of wave jumping before we pull out.  Here's hoping for no rain, swimmable conditions and jump-worthy waves!

Finally, Sammy is starting to settle back down and I think we survived the crazy... but wow, what a day.

Finally, the Beach - Day 6

Another fabulous day!  We did make it out on the beach for a little while, although the lifeguards warned against swimming so we stayed in the tide pools.  The kids were bummed they couldn't jump the waves or use their boogey boards, but they still had a great time digging holes and splashing!

It was an overcast day and sprinkled while we were on the beach.  The kids got a kick out of playing in the rain!

Well, let me start at the beginning... we did a few housekeeping chores this morning. After we finished laundry and getting groceries, we headed to Joe's Crab Shack for lunch.  We played a few rounds of Uno as we waited for our food to arrive!

It was pretty warm out so we didn't wander around Barefoot Landing... Instead we made a quick visit to Crumb Buns.  Now if you don't know about Crumb Buns, or have never been, I'll need to explain.  It's this little mom and pop bakery that we (Gretchen?) found last year.  To clarify though, I actually pronounce the name "Mmm Crumb Buns" emphasis on the Mmm.  If you are ever in Myrtle Beach, run, don't walk, there!  Anyway, we went there to pick up some treats for later.  :)

That's when we headed out to the beach for some afternoon fun and then played cards with Gretchen and Jenny.

We wrapped up the night with some dinner at Pizza Chef and then invited the Ademas, Olly and Kathy back to the coach for a visit.

Now we are all snuggled in to bed to get some rest before another fun-filled day!  Well, maybe I'll have a quick snack before bed.

Lots of Driving and then... The Ocean - Day 5

We got up, packed and ready to hit the road by 10:30 this morning.  As we planned the trip, the website said today's leg would be 6.5 hours - our longest day.  But when we typed it into the motorhome's GPS, it came up as 8 hours... Uh oh!

Well, the GPS was right!  PLUS we added an hour for fuel and lunch (I made a chicken, veggie and rice dish at a rest stop... Totally worth it). 

The route took us right up and over the mountains of the Great Smokey National Park. Absolutely beautiful views.  Again, Scott did well with narrow lanes, no shoulders and tight turns.  

So after 9 hrs in the motor home, we arrived at the Myrtle Beach Travel Park.  It was almost dark so we got right to work as the kids asked to do two very important things: 1) stand in the ocean (necessity on every trip) and 2) go see Uncle Roger and Aunt Gretchen.

It was probably our record set up time and we headed out to the water... The kids giggled and laughed as they skipped in and out of the waves as they crashed up on shore.  It's only a short walk to the Margate so he headed that way in hopes of burning some pent up energy!

Gretchen met us on the beach and brought us up to the condo to see everyone!  With luck, we even ran into Dean (he was working) in the lobby!

It was a loud and busy visit with so much excitement to finally be here!  But it was wonderful to see everyone even if only for a quick hello.  Gretchen drove us back to the campground since it was getting late.  

We gave the kids something to eat since we had missed supper and then whisked them off to bed.

It was a long day and we are tired but it feels good to be at the beach!

Zip Lines - Day 4

We decided to go zip lining this evening with Climb Works in Gatlinburg.  We weren't sure what to expect other than we would not touch the ground for 2.5 hrs.  The advertising said children 7 years and up could zip but our kids didn't quite make the weight minimums.  Some of the lines were 1000 ft long!  And being so high, I wasn't sure if the kids would be too scared to do it.

We were joined by a family of 5 from Indiana and our two guides.  Sammy was the youngest rider, and Ray was the oldest at 85!  I hope I'm still zip-lining at 85!

We started off with a very exciting ride up the mountain.  Our driver was great... He sang, he swerved, everything to make the ride fun!

(Sammy was laughing the whole way... Despite how it looks in the picture)

Once we got to the top, we climbed across a rope bridge and were ready to go.  We asked if the kids could each ride tandem with a guide for the first line.  So Tyler was up first.  Once they were tied in, Branden told him to walk off the edge of the platform.  He did immediately.  Seriously, didn't bat an eye!  

Sammy rode with Kylee on that first line.  Both kids LOVED it and begged to go alone.  So we agreed.  

There were nine lines total.  Each had different challenges but all had the gorgeous views as we worked our way down the mountain. 

On one line, they taught us to hang upside down as we zipped.  Both kiddos and mom and dad did it well!  I have videos to prove it!

When we reached the longest line (over 1000 feet), there was some concern that the kids didn't weigh enough and would not make it across, so they went together... They screamed and giggled the whole way.  I think it was almost more fun than apart!

Sammy did get stuck in the middle of the line at one point.  She came so close to making it but came to a stop 20 feet from the platform, and slowly slid back away.  The look in her eyes was heart-breaking!  But we reassured her that help was coming and Brandon got to her in no time.  "She's still smiling" he shouted back!  She got quite a kick out of it as he towed her back hand over hand.  Later another rider got stuck and Sammy jumped into action "I know what to do!"  It was so funny!

The sun was setting as we finished the course, changing the shadows and views of the mountain... just so beautiful! 

To finish, we climbed across a bridge to do a vertical 50' drop.  All in the dark!

What an awesome experience!  So proud of both these kids and their willingness to try new things.  

Today we've explored caves deep underground and flew above the mountain trees.  Absolutely Amazing!

Hidden Caverns - day 4

We took a drive north out of town to the Hidden Caverns.  I never knew that Tennessee has more underground caves than any other state.  There was around a 20 minute wait before the tour began.  I started to reconsider our decision to come as we almost lost Sammy.  But as soon as the tour guide announced it was time, she snapped back and we were ready to go.

The tour lasted a little over an hour and brought us 600' below the surface.  It was beautiful!  The tour guide shared stories of how the Cherokee Indians and moon shiners used the caves during their respective times.  Tyler loved the science aspect of it all.  This was so up his alley... That is until they turned all the lights off!  That was not his favorite!  The underground river was fascinating and we ran into it several times throughout the tour.

The whole family really enjoyed it!  We appreciated having sweatshirts along for the cool 60* temps inside!