Leaving Campbellsville early put me ahead of schedule. Originally, I had planned to work at Amazon until they released us just before Christmas and then travel down to visit my brother Scott and his wife Lesley in Alabama.
However, I left Kentucky the day before Thanksgiving, so I had time to stick in some other places that I missed when I was in the area last year. I thought, “Hmm…I’ll visit Charleston and Savannah.”
Then I found out that my brother Craig was going to be in Fayetteville getting his house packed up because they finally sold it!
He found a job back in Western New York a few years back, and they had been working on getting the house sold and the family back together ever since. I was glad to be able to help.
I left Campbellsville the day before Thanksgiving and managed to make it to North Carolina before I started feeling like I should stop. The forest fires that eventually consumed much of Gatlinburg, Tennessee had already started. As I drove across ridges and on roads that clung to the sides of mountains, I could look into valleys that were filled with smoke. The smoke was making my eyes tired and I was a little leery of the curving roads I would face going down the mountain.
I pulled into the Welcome to North Carolina rest stop, figuring that I would use the restroom and then figure out where the nearest campground was. Imagine my delight when I learned that I was welcome to park there overnight. That’s what I call a Welcome Center!
I opened the blinds on my little windows, to take advantage of the natural light, and I caught these lovely pink clouds as the sun was going down. I imagine the color was enhanced by the smoke from the fires.
When I woke up the next day, it was Thanksgiving. I knew one thing I was thankful for. I was thankful for the Interstate Highway system put in place by the last Republican president that did great things on behalf of the people.
Yeah, I know that my windshield is dirty. That will be taken care of.
After driving most of the day, I finally got to Fayetteville! I was excited when I started recognizing familiar landmarks.
No, it’s not the Eiffel Tower, it’s the Bordeaux Tower. When I saw it, I knew I was close to Craig’s house. Before heading over, I had to get myself ensconced in Spring Valley RV Park.
Anne, one of the owners, was concerned that I hadn’t eaten yet, and she “sent over a plate” when her husband came to help me get settled.
What a kind gesture!
The next day, though, it was time to get down to helping Craig and Michelle get the house packed up.
They had already gotten a lot packed up and moved out in a previous load.
Pick it up, move it out.
Of course, we had to take a break from time to time. We had a “last visit” to a family favorite restaurant – Mi Casita.
It was a favorite of mine, too. Dad and I ate there with them when we used to drive down to visit.
The serving sizes were so large that I had food for another couple meals. Tasty!
Keep picking it up and moving it out.
My niece, Mariel, celebrated her birthday in the midst of all the packing and hauling.
Mariel’s friend, Lindsey, had the greatest t shirt!
I kept singing the song.
The hired hands showed up. Last minute repairs had to be done, and the movers came to take the furniture.
We kept picking it up,
moving it out,
and packing it in.
Finally, it was time to lock it down.
And we were done!
They headed north and I headed south.
Great visual record, Kim! We ended up NOT leaving that day for reasons to aggravating to into here.
But we couldn’t have done it without you!
(P.S. Mariel’s friend’s name is Lindsey)
It was my pleasure to help! I am glad things have worked out. (I’ll make the name correction.)
Out of curiosity, are there places where you’re not allowed to park overnight at the rest stop? I thought that was half their purpose!