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These two maps show our travel route for first 8 days
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Norm and I had been talking about purchasing kayaks that either fold or inflate for a while now. After our experience in Alaska with the inflatable, we were leaning toward a folding-type. After spending more hours than I hate to admit, we decided to go with one carried by our favorite retailer, REI. Oru Kayak which is designed with origami in mind. The reviews were great, and the design appeared ingenious.
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This kayak seems to work pretty well in REI! Didn't even get wet!
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Norm carried our two new kayaks out to the Motorhome parked in the back of the store. Can you believe how small these are? Only 23 pounds each!
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Therefore, our first stop would be the nearest REI store which is in Jacksonville, Florida. We checked them out, and purchased two! I was so excited! We can stick them in either the car or the motorhome and within 10 minutes be on the water!
To watch a very short video on it's assembly, click here
Our first campground that was memorable was the Petersburg Campground on J Strom Thurmond Dam and Lake built and operated by the Army Corp. of Engineers. This is the first time we had camped at one of these - we heard they were great, they just were never on our route.
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Petersburg Campground on the J Strong Thurmond Dam and Lakes,in Georgia, an Army Corp of Engineering campground was utterly gorgeous. Flat, spacious and a view to die for.
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The sites were unbelievable! Smooth, roomy, great fire-pits, barbecues, and flawless electric service, and right on the water! It did not, however, have sewer hook-ups so it might not be for everyone. We just conserve on our water consumption, and we are in heaven!
Once settled, we took the kayaks out, and reading the instructions as we went, put these incredible floating boats together. The first took us about 10 minutes, the second we had completely put together in 3 minutes flat!
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This kayak folds into a small box! Handles as well as any we have paddled.
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We stayed here for only 2 nights, but since there is such a variety of activities, perhaps we will be back with our local RV club.
I had made an appointment to have the RV serviced months ago at the Freightliner Factory Service Center that only services motor-homes, in Gaffney, NC. We parked at their facility the night before, and they did all the maintenance required and basically check it over. It was a comfort to know everything was working as it should.
Since it took all day we stayed a 2nd night then headed to Dixie Cavern Campground about 4 ½ hours away in Salem, Va. After we dodged the low branches getting to our site, we just had to take the cavern tour right there on the premises.
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This terribly bored fellow gave us a tour of the family owned Dixie Caverns
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We were lead by a young guide that was obviously bored to death with his job. He went through the motions, giving scripted facts and jokes. Acknowledging that this is a small, family-run business, we enjoyed it for what it was. We saw some unique formations, we got a bit of exercise and it was a great opportunity to get out of the terribly hot and humid weather. It was amateurish, but it was relatively interesting.
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The caverns were pretty interesting, and a great place to get out of the heat.
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After another 4 ½ hour drive we stayed at Caladonia State Park in Salem, Va. We stayed for two nights. Although it was very hot and humid, Norm and I went on a hike that followed a beautiful stream where quite a few people were swimming to cool off.
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Walking along this stream was as pretty as Alaska. Alison is soaking a microfiber cloth to put around her neck to help her cool down.
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We hiked the Charcoal Hearth Trail at Caladonia State Park
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Friday, August 12th W
We drove 2 ½ hours to stay in the heart of Pennsylvania Dutch Country, at Beacon Hill Campground, in Intercourse, PA. Intercourse, not surprisingly, has the distinction of being in the top 10 worst- named towns, joining neighboring towns of Blue Ball ( also in top 10 ), Virginville, and Bird-in-Hand also having bizarre names. You have to wonder who named these towns…there has to be a good story behind it.
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It was so hot inside Central Market in Lancaster, Pennsylvania
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Beacon Hill Campground in Intercourse, Pa was very cramped to say the least.
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We watched this Amish farmer move tobacco in and out of his barn, directly behind our campsite.
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This seemed to be a very popular mode of transportation for the Amish. It was a scorching 100 degrees as they moved about town, up and down hills.
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There was a flurry of carriages leaving Sunday church services.
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Sight and Sound Theater in Lancaster, Pa
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What made us choose this location was the show, “Sampson” at the
Sight and Sound Theater where story, sound and special effects bring the Bible to life. This theater is HUGE, with a stage that curves on either side making you feel part of the story. With horses walking down the aisles and other animals on stage, it was spectacular. A couple of years ago we had tickets for Noah’s Arc which I hated to miss, but now that I have seen this theater, I regret it even more. This was definitely worth the stop! Sight and Sound has another theater in Branson, MO.
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Inside the lobby stood a huge larger than life display of Samson
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Internet photo ( we were not allowed to take pictures ) of the production of Samson
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