We just got back Sat from our 2200 mile first trip. We averaged 12.8 miles per gallon at an average cost of $4.18 per gallon for diesel. The truck ran smoothly, and carried the camper better than I thought it would. The only problem was me fighting a dead deepcycle battery for 5 days. My wife would say "I told him to buy a new one", while I would say "I had to try and fix it".
Here are some Pictures to look at.
We started out by going to Nashville Tn to see 3 of our 9 grandkids.
If I had a favorite grandkid I would not tell it.
Because my wife and I
Love all our grandkids.
After leaving the grandkids we headed for the Cherohala Skyway
And made it to a nice campground, Just off Tn 64 on TN 315 south of Tellico Tn
With a nice creek out back.
Getting up the next day and heading for the Skyway, we stopped at the Bald river Falls.
And then went to the Indian Boundry campground on the Skyway.
And stayed at campsite #17 on the water.
Walked around the lake and saw some nice sites.
The other side of the lake looking at the camper.
Lots of flowers.
Got up the next day and drove the Skyway, and saw miles of this.
After leaving the Skyway we drove NC 64 over to the Wayah road and saw a nice cascade.
Went up to the fire tower on Wayah bald the road seemed rather small.
But the views were worth it.
Went on to the Smokies and stayed 3 nights at Elkmont.
Saw lots of flowers.
Some water.
Then went on to cades Cove and spent 3 nights.
Saw lots of deer.
Crap eating Turkeys.
Three bears, can you see his eyes? He is in the middle of the pic.
Lots of Dogwoods in flower.
Some big trees.
Some lazy leaning trees.
Something odd in the trees on the Cucumber gap trail.
And a tree that had been transplanted on Dec 7, 1941. It was up in the middle of the woods.
We saw frost on the Mt tops.
And almost frogs in a mud hole.
And mile after mile of trail, we love hiking.
For those that go to the Smikies, can you see the new found gap parking lot overlook?
Hint... It is 9 or 10 miles away.
Saw Trout Lilys swimming on the Mt side.
And more turkeys in the woods.
Then ate dinner at our favorite spot in the Cove.
And looked at more pretty water.
Left the Smokies and went to the Blueridge parkway highest point.
And saw miles and miles of beauty.
Our favorite pullover just before NC 215 and Devils Courthouse.
A view of Devils courthouse from a hike up another Mt, hard to see over my left shoulder.
Decided to go north on NC 215 to see a waterfall. View from the road it's hard to see.
View from the bottom pool.
View from the second pool up the rest of the cascades.
View of the top pool.
View from the rock at the top of the top pool.
View from the bottom end of the top pool looking back at the road. .
To sum it all up we are a couple of happy new truck camper owners. Who are just silly with joy.
I have hundreds of pictures.
I left out the trip to Twin Arches in the Big South Fork in Tn ( another story )
We learned alot on this trip and are already planning another trip at the end of May. Four days home and I am ready to leave now. The things we learned from this site before we left, were very helpful.
Nice post. Enjoyed your pictures and details.
Great looking family pictures.
2200 miles in how many days?
Your trip looks to be exactly what it's all about.
Travel, discovery, adventure, pictures.
We've been taking shorty 3 day trips to the coast here in Washington. We can't get up into the mountians for another 4 or so weeks around these parts because of record snow fall.
Thanks for posting.
Jeff and Kelli
Ya'll just stomped all over my old stomping grounds. I have camped at many of the places that ya'll took pictures of. Years ago we did a lot of white water paddling and have ran several of the rivers ya'll saw on this trip. The mountains in the western tip of NC and eastern Tenn. are awesome!
Our summer vacation is next month. Last year we were able to see all of Skyline drive in VA. This summer on the way home we are going to start the Blue Ridge run in Va. It starts right at the southern end of Skyline drive. We hope to get a couple 2-3 days of driving south, on this years trip home...
* This post was
edited 05/09/08 11:48am by Boykin Spaniel *
04 F250XLT reg.cab,6.0 PSD,manual 6 speed,4x4,.373 rear axle
05 SunLite 865 WS, Platinum
Fwd Receiver- Honda eu3000is/ Hayes GenBox.
Aft receiver- MAX-Stowaway cargo box
Brown baby's- Bailey and Buster
Thanks for your time & contribution, great pictures.....Beautiful rig !
05 Dodge Ram 2500 QC SWB 4x4 Laramie.
Firestone air bags, Super Springs, Helwig sway bay, Rancho 9000's, Reese tow beast, MagHyTec diff covers, Toyo Open Country 285/70/17's, Numerous Performance Mods.
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