Jan and I have been RVing since 1971. Our first unit was an Apache popup tow behind marketed as a solid-state unit with a hard top and hard sides that flipped up. We were so excited. It slept 8, had an ice box and a water tank with a hand pump. The quality and durability left something to be desired. But, after a year it went back to the dealer along with a large box of pieces and parts that had fallen loose. The replacement was an 18.5 FT Nomad that followed us through many adventures over the years towed behind a 1970 Chevrolet Impala. The travel bug had bitten us and from then on, we were never content just staying home. Over the years there has been at least 5 more RVs in many configurations fitting our life-style at the time.
For the last decade we have enjoyed a much-favored Airstream 23ft Flying Cloud. It served us well. The smaller footprint got us easily into many national parks. However, after our travels last year we came to the realization, our life-style is changing once again as we approach that 80-year mark. Instead of extended road trips, our travels are more destination oriented with longer stays. To make a long story short, this spring we found our perfect next RV. A 27 ft Front Bedroom Flying Cloud Airstream, now outfitted with 600 watts of solar, has twin beds, a large bathroom and a much larger galley kitchen.
Ready to start our travels with a new summer home, a bit more spacious than the old one
Relaxing after breakfast, last morning in our summer home for the last 15 years!
First night in the new RV. We actually have a real table.
Here we are once again packed, ready to hit the road for two months. We love South Carolina except maybe for July and August. This trip will take us north to escape the heat and humidly. One of the highlights will be meeting up with our immediate family in the Catskill Mountains. Check out the photos taken along the way. The highlights are the Shenandoah National Park, Green Mountains of Vermont, the White Mountains of New Hampshire, Acadia National Park and exploring in the State of West Viriginia.
Packed and ready to hit the road. The plan, head as far north as Maine and then wander back to South Carolina over the next two months.
It is tough to leave our comfortable home and yard behind but the call of the road is still louder.
Being on the road calls but will still miss sitting on the deck enjoying the view.
The garden is coming along nicely, Angie our nextdoor neighbor is now in charge.
The first week of the trip was enjoying the towns, scenery, and vistas along the Blue Ridge Highway. This is a favored destination with its peace and tranquility.
Whenever we travel the Blue Ridge Parkway, Blowing Rock is always a must do stop.
The Blue Ridge has way too many distractions. The analogy “one must stop and smell the roses” comes to mind. By the way the kayaks are on their way to a new home at Mark and Kevins.
Here is one of those Blue Ridge distractions.
Here is why we like the Blue Ridge Mountain Drive.
These views just seem to go on forever.
A favorite stop on The Blue Ridge is the Cradle of Forestry. It was established by George Vanderbilt, before the turn of the century, to support his reforestation initiative on his Asheville estate which had been logged and farmed. The setting is in the Pisgah mountains. His effort set the stage for the creation of state and national forestry initiative. The historic site restoration is outstanding, well curated and a fun stop for a few hours.
It is always a fun to stop at the Cradle of Forestry in America site. It was born out of the development and creation of the Biltmore Estate grounds. Check it out if you get the chance.
The grounds are well maintained, educational plus it is a fun experience.
There were so many pictures to choose from, this one caught my attention.
The Blue Ridge Parkway connects with the Skyline drive in Virginia. The Skyline is similar with more urban vistas. One of our stops was to check out a lock system along the James River.
Skyline drive attraction, the James River.
Skyline Drive stop. Battery Creek Lock Built 1848. It is humbling to see how things have changed.
We spent several days in the Shenandoah National Park. Well, we did not stay in the park as planned as the new RV was too long. The park is large and diverse, we spent time exploring the mountains and many trails. The plan is to go back again next year to pick up what we missed on this trip.
This is a great park. Planning to come back again next year.
Skyline Drive view, short scramble to the top for a quick photo.
Jan enjoying the State of Virginia view.
Creative shot! A spot in the Shenandoah Mountains.
Long view Shenandoah Mountains
Shenandoah Mountains
Dark Hollow Falls, Shenandoah National Park
Our next adventures were in the Green Mountains, staying at Vermont State Parks, Emerald Lake and Bradbury. The trails and experience did not disappoint.
Great camp site Emerald Lake State Park in Vermont
Hike along the water at Emerald Lake State Park.
Next, we headed to the White Mountains of New Hampshire. These mountains quickly became a favorite. We have already picked that perfect RV site for next summer. The Crawford Notch State Park along the Dry River is a perfect base camp to continue the exploration of the wilds of New Hampshire White Mountains.
Another hike, this one in the White Mountains of New Hampshire. Our camp site was across the lake.
Loved the time we spent at Crawford Notch SP, White Mountains in New Hampshire. We will be back again next year.
We were looking forward to spending some quality time at the Acadia National Park in Maine. Booked plenty of time, only to have plans dashed with lots and lots of rain. On the positive side of life, a Dell computer service technician caught up with us to fix an ailing laptop much to the relief of one frustrated photographer. This was our fourth trip to the park. Not sure we will be back soon as finding RV sites is very competitive and the traffic is almost overwhelming.
Made it to Acadia National Park. Hurricane Debby had us dodging rain drops.
Acadia National Park drive has plenty of diversity.
Iconic view along the drive
It was a rainy day, had to work to get an acceptable shot.
Better day for Acadia photos, more sun than rain.
View along the Park Loop Road
The tide was out for this shot
Acadia Carriage Road Bridge. Forty-five miles of rustic carriage roads provided by John D. Rockefeller through out the park.
Next, we wandered to the Catskill Mountains, Kenneth L Wilson State Park. It was an outstanding place to catch up with our family. We had not been together since last fall. If interested, the get-together Blog Post follows this one. Here is the link: https://larry-jan-tvc.net/2024/10/19/snyder-summer-gathering-2024/
Next stop Kenneth Wilson State Park where we meet up with our family.
The last morning with a cozy camp fire.
The small lake at the Kenneth L Wilson State Park.
A retirement project has been working on the family genealogy for the Snyder and the Neitzke lines. In 1700 our branch of Schneiders (Later Snyder) came to Colony New Amsterdam and worked at Livingston Manor owned by Robert Livingston. Our research goal was to learn more about the area to supplement what was already documented in our research. Our ancestors were German Palatines who came to America via England. What we found there was more than one Robert Livingston and more than one Livingston Manor. We were able to confirm the Livingston Manor tied to our ancestrally past is actually in Ulster County, New York (where Mark lives) not Columbia. Although we did not find what we expected, the stay was very enjoyable.
Genealogy research stop in Livingston Manor, NY. This stream runs through downtown.
Had lunch in the park next to the Livingston Manor covered bridge. Enjoyed the setting, especially the view.
Over the years we find it convenient to stay overnight in a Pennsylvania State Park as it is a long way across the state. This year it was Promised Land State Park, a 3,000-acre reserve. We stopped there both going and coming back. It was a nice stay with an excellent campground and plenty of places to hike and kick back.
Promised Lake State Park where we stopped going and heading home. A great 3,000-acre recreational area.
A view along the Promised Lake State Park trail.
West Virigina has never been on our travel itinerary, not sure why. This trip the plan was to spend a week exploring. The first stop was the Black Water State Park in the north part of the state. The tourist marketing info told us it was one of the most photographed areas in the state. That was not wrong as the water falls and views blew us away.
West Virginia Black Water Falls, the parks namesake. On the list as a designated stay for next year.
Caught my attention, had to take a photo or two.
The views in the Black Water state park are commanding…
This view is breath taking. This area is highly photographed.
Great hikes to go with the great views at Black Water
Heading south, the next West Virigina State Park was Babcock. We lucked out touring the Grist Mill which is a photographer’s dream setting. There was a caretaker who took the time to tell us all about the mill but he also gave us insights on what goes on the list for next year. The park is near the newly designated National Park, the New River Gorge National Park and Preserve. There are many outstanding views and hiking trails designated as extreme.
Early morning shot along the New River Gorge Parkway…
Babcock State Park, West Virigina. It was not hard to get a great shot of the Glade Creek Grist Mill.
Babcock State Park, the other end of the state from Black River had even more commanding views.
A new National Park and preserve, the New River Gorge.
The New River bridge, a sight to behold. Before the bridge was built, meant a trip down to the river and back up on a one lane road.
Heading home we stopped at Stone Mountain State Park in North Carolina. The campground was excellent and there were plenty of good hikes to choose from. Jan and I hiked the Loop trail which has a historic farm serving several generations in the middle. The setting is truly fascinating.
Next stop was Stone Mountain State Park in North Carolina.
Widow Creek Falls, a tranquil short hike along the creek.
The Stone Mountain State Park Loop trail had a historic mid-century restored farmstead. This is the Hutchinson main house.
Hutchinson Farm Out Buildings, there were even more than this.
The farm field with the steep rock cliff alongside.
The Stone Mountain Loop trail has a water falls as a reward at the end.
Heading home to South Carolina, we found ourselves, once again, at the Smoky Mountain National Park near Gatlinburg, Tennessee. We manage to get to this park almost yearly. The park has a lot going for it. It was a good place to review our trip and gloomily start thinking about what has to be done when we get back.
Jan and I never seem to get tired of the Smoky Mountain National Park, especially the Little River.
The park service continues to improve the many houses in Daisy Town. It is an easy stop after our hike on the Little River Trail, a must do every time we are here to check out the progress.
Another Daisy Town shot of a newly painted house.
It had been several years since we climbed the Clingman Dome tower. Requires a good effort, a reminder of why we do not climb it every visit.
Clingman Dome view.
Settled in along the Little River at Smoky Mountain NP, our last stop before heading home.
A view from our campsite
Here are some photo taken along the road this summer
The new RV larger extra countertop space, truly a quality of life improvement. Larry making his famous Apple Crisp.
Enjoying the setting, not missing mowing the grass or cleaning the house.
Got making stir fry on the grill down to a science.
Popcorn and a campfire, just part of the good life on the road.
Larry with a brew in hand. This is somewhere in West Virigina.
Showing my artist side here some shots taken along the way…
Fun Street Art – Waynesville, North Carolina
More Waynesville!
Blowing Rock, North Carolina. Every time we come she is always reading.
A Blue Ridge Highway photo.
Along the Blue Ridge
Along the trail in Vermont!
Photo opt along some trail somewhere
An old tree stump with mother nature’s handiwork
Just before a Shenandoah NP storm…
Jan and I both had a great time this summer. There was plenty of rain along the way. The larger RV made life on the road much more pleasant.
Sadly, getting ready to head home
Jan and I so thankful that the Good Lord has given us the time and energy to enjoy this great country. Once we hit the road, we fall into the familiar travel routines and home just fades away. After 15 years of retirement, we find it is still a full-time job…
God bless,
Larry and Jan