Graceland

Yesterday was definitely a bucket list day for me. We arrived at Graceland to see Elvis Presley’s home.

Although he wasn’t there in person (although a guy exiting Graceland told us there had been a sighting) the place was soaked with his presence.  The kitschy décor, the hundreds of awards, the meditation garden, the crazy car collection, the music in the background… just a very full afternoon.  Even if you aren’t an Elvis fan, his music shaped our American music culture.

Great Smoky Mountains

We spent 2 nights totally “off grid” in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. We stayed at Elkmont campground, situated along beautiful Little River. Had a chance to kick back and enjoy the nature around us and chat together by the fire at night.

We took a tour of Cades Cove, where we saw gorgeous mountain views, but also learned about Appalachian life.  The first Europeans settled in the cove sometime between 1818 and 1821 and scattered along the loop road are three churches, a working grist mill, barns, log houses, and other restored eighteenth and nineteenth century structures.  The area has a large population of black bears.  We managed to see just one at a distance, but I’m sure there were more peering at us from the woods along the way.

Shenandoah National Park

It was an eventful ride to Virginia, including a couple of interesting detours when we were temporarily offtrack.
When we got to the campground where we stayed the night, we drove through a field of COWS, who just barely allowed us to pass on the road.

Here are some views from the beautiful Shenandoahs along Skyline Drive, part of Shenandoah National Park.

Gettysburg National Military Park

This was an interesting day, learning about the Civil War battle fought in this area.
The first piece was a movie and then a look at a cyclorama depicting Pickett's charge.

The movie and cyclorama gave us a good background before a guided bus tour to different areas of the battlefields.

Lancaster County, PA

We arrived in Lancaster County yesterday afternoon after a scenic ride from New York State. As soon as we got in the vicinity of our campground, we started to see Amish and Mennonite horses and buggies joining us in the traffic.  Many of the homes could be identified as belonging to “plain people” with their lack of electric lines, stark windows with no curtains, and loooong clotheslines with billowing quilts and black and white clothing.

Our campground was chosen for its neighboring Amish farm. As we sat outside, we could first hear the clop, clop, clop of horse hooves on the asphalt out on the road.  On closer inspection, there are grooves in the asphalt from the wagon wheels going back and forth.  On the opposite side of the campground is an Amish farm and we watched some younger family members harvesting pumpkins.  One guy stood in the wagon and others tossed those heavy pumpkins up in the air, into the arms of the receiver. Quick work and looked fun at the same time.

Peggy and I went shopping at a number of quilting stores and other craft shops, while Bill and john went to the Strasberg Railroad. This evening we listened to the loud din of the cicadas and inhaled the farmy scent of the cows and horses.

Destination: Truck Stop

Yesterday we had a sibling get-together at Harold Parker State Forest in Andover, MA. Had a little food, a little conversation, and a lot of laughs.  It was hard saying goodbye to my sisters, but they are both happy about our decision to take time to explore and experience life on the road. (I think.)  Bill is taking one sibling with him on the trip (Peggy) and he got to say “see you later” to his brother and sister who live in Mass. and N.H.

Today we left Massachusetts a little late, but, oh well, we aren’t on a tight schedule or anything.  It was our first experience caravanning.  I seriously don’t know how people do this without cell phones.  Peggy and I were in communication about which turns to make, where will we stop for lunch, etc. We are staying at a truckstop near Montgomery, NY (free) tonight and tomorrow will get on the road earlier and arrive in Lancaster County in the early afternoon.  We’ll be at a campground for 3 nights and do a lot of exploring.

Finally! On our way!

We got on our way in good time.  Our first stop was lunch in Portland with our traveling companions, John and Peggy.  Somewhere along the way, I started to feel yucky. Luckily, an urgent care was 10 minutes away from the restaurant AND it is in my healthcare system (which I have until the end of Sept.). So after lunch I went to Mercy Hospital’s urgent care, was tested, examined, and prescribed medication for a UTI.  Seven minutes away I picked up the prescription.  In total, only a 1 1/2-hour delay and we were back on the road.  Amazing.  This was an awesome experience…everyone was very professional and caring.

It was dusk when we reached Harold Parker State Forest in Andover, Mass. where we’ll have a sibling get-together before heading away from New England. The lots are spacious and quiet with water at each site.

Bill and I haven’t quite gotten used to the idea that we are no longer employed! But we’ll adjust, I promise!