2013 Lap around the USA

[Mark Sedenquist]

I keep forgetting you can see the photos before I post them Mark.

John,

I wish I had time to look at your photos before you post them... But, I don't have that life.

Nope, I see them the same time, or sometime thereafter, that your other fans are seeing them.

Mark

[john.waters]

Not real sure about having fans Mark. But I will keep going until I get this Field Trip Report finished.

Then I can plan another trip. I have it mapped out in my head and the photo locations planned already.

We are just coming into spring and the days are getting longer so I stay outdoors as much as possible. So if I dont finish this soon it migh be next winter.

John

[john.waters]

Day 20– Wednesday 29 th May 2013 – Koa RV Park, Bowling Green Kentucky, Corvette Museum, Wild Turkey Distillery, Lexington. Boonsborough State Park, Kentucky.
220 Miles.

After leaving Nashville we crossed into Kentucky.





I called it the land of lawn mowers. I have never seen so much green grass in all my life. I’m sure every property had someone mowing or slashing grass.
Our plan for Kentucky was originally to head to Lexington and then onto the Country Music Highway before making our way into North Carolina.

We discussed the pros and cons and decided that we had experienced enough of Country music this trip and see a few other places not on our itinerary.

We were up early as usual and headed of to the National Corvette Museum ay Bowling Green. I have always been a bit of a rev head so was pretty excited and looking forward to the visit.





I wasn’t disappointed and spent a few hours clicking away at all the different models of corvettes. It’s great to be able to experience something like this.

I even got my wife involved and clicking away. Having my spare SLR made it even better for her and the results a lot better than her point and shoot. I think the battery as only lasting a few hours where the SLR lasted days.

We had our photo taken sitting in the current model Corvette and purchased a few raffle tickets in a 2014 model that was being raffled. Still waiting for that phone call, so we can come and collect our prize.(Dreaming)



After being dragged from the museum we headed off in the direction of Lexington. We dropped off into the Tourist Information Centre in Bowling Green on the way. We wanted a scenic route o take. The lady there kept wanting us to take main highways, we couldn’t convince her we wanted quiet country roads.
W eventually left and sat in the car park looking at our own maps and deciding our own route.
We ended up picking up a quiet road up through Campbellsville and onto the Wild Turkey Distillery at Lawrenceburg. With the change in time zones we arrived shortly before closing.
Still time enough for a look around and a few more goodies to ad to my stash and a few more photos.
With Wild Turkey out of the way I could now cross of Kentucky Bourbon from my list.



The drive from Bowling Green was spectacular with all the green rolling hills and the miles and miles of white fencing and horses everywhere.



We were not at all disappointed for arriving late. Just the drive there was enough.

So we had decided not to travel the Country Music Highway. We left Wild Turkey and Picked up I75 out of Lexington and left the afternoon traffic behind. We drove for a couple of hours before turning off into Boonsborough State Park and finding a campground.
It was not only a surprise to find a campground with all facilities but this one also had wifi as well.
I really think the Australian Government need to send someone over to see how things should be done. We have the policy of locking up National Parks and Forest and keeping everyone out.
And people ask why we want to go back to the USA instead of seeing Australia first.

[john.waters]

Day 21– Thursday 30 th May 2013 – Boonsborough Kentucky – Corbin – Cumberland Falls – Great Smokey Mountain National Park – North Carolina – 276 Miles


Another beautiful sunny day and by back alarm clock had me a wake and coffee made and on the road by 6.30 am.
First port of call was Corbin, Home of Kentucky Fried Chicken and Colonel Saunders. We were way too early for the Museum to be open so it was just a few photos before moving on. No that we were wanting KFC at 7am in the morning anyway. Just something we wanted to visit.
This old tow truck was parked acrss the road the KFC cafe.




From Corbin we made our way into Cumberland Falls. I had read they were known as Niagara of the South.

After pulling up I grabbed my camera and tripod out of the van before getting some water out of the back. On returning to the van to get something a while later I was shocked to find I had walked away leaving the tailgate up. The car park was full and people everywhere. Luckily it was left alone and everyone there must have been honest. Lesson learnt there.

The falls were spectacular and everything I could have imagined. I spent an hour or so down on the rivers edge while my wife took photos from the lookouts.
Before leaving the falls we stopped off for lunch at a little café and a wander though all the little shops there.






Cumberland falls were never on our to do list when we started planning. Just talking to people along the way we decided to find a bit more time. Good decision.

Leaving Cumberland Falls we headed in the direction of the Great Smokey Mountain NP in North Carolina. We had passed through Knoxville when we entered a town Called Sevierville.
The name sounded familiar but I couldn’t work out why. I knew we had to stop her, but for what.
I spotted a sign out of the corner of my eye as we passed it. Muscle Car Museum. A quick U turn had us back in the other direction and in the car park of the Museum.





We spent about an hour inside looking and clicking away at all the cars on display. Some very nice cars, but not a lot of what I wanted to see. But a great collection anyway. Another one ticked off my list.



Leaving here it across into Tennessee into the GSMNP, then another State Line into North Carolina. The Smokey Mountains are as every bit good as we were told. I can see how someone could spend weeks in the area.
Getting late in the afternoon I found a nice little creek to photograph before pulling into a lovely little campground. We nearly never made it in time. I was talking to someone outside the Rangers office when we were informed that they shut at 7pm and we had better hurry up.



We ended up wit 13 hours on the go today, but its not noticeable when you are having so much fun.

[john.waters]

Day 22– Friday 31st May 2013- Great Smokey Mountain NP- Cherokee NC – Blue Ridge Parkway – Linville Falls RV Park. North Carolina – 181 Miles



On the road by 7.30 am and we found ourselves at Peters Pancakes and Waffles in Cherokee for breakfast.
We talked the waitress into trying our Vegemite on toast and we tried their grits. I think I enjoyed the grits more than she enjoyed the vegemite. After stuffing ourselves with pancakes we made a move to find a grocery store and stock up again.






We picked up the Parkway and just cruised along the windy black road surrounded by its blanket of shades of green.
Travelling was slow. I think I stopped at every pullover of scenic outlook Spectacular views. I could only imagine what it would look like in the fall. (another time).





The little van chugged along nicely at about 25mph and was easy to avoid the hundreds of people exploring the Parkway on push bikes.
We finally found a camp at Linville Falls RV Park in North Carolina. We chose the remote campground and paid our $20 and drove off.

The description of remote was loosely used. A four wheel drive was required to get to most of the camp spots.
After about an hour we found a spot near the amenities that was reasonably level and accessible. But who is complaining. All part of the adventure.

[Mark Sedenquist]

We talked the waitress into trying our Vegemite on toast and we tried their grits. I think I enjoyed the grits more than she enjoyed the vegemite.

Yeah, I can understand that! Vegemite is certainly an acquired taste -- not one that I ever got to like! Grits, on the other hand, are delicious!

Nice photos -- enjoying the report.

Mark

[john.waters]

Thanks Mark. Nice to get some feedback. Hope im doing OK with it

[Mark Sedenquist]

Are you kidding? You are doing a FAB job with report.

mark

[john.waters]

Im sorry for being away for so long. Everything is catching up with me.Work and unfinished projects at home.It doesnt leave a lot of time for photography and editing.
I took a fall off a ladder last week so that slowed me down a bit too. Lucky I landed on my head.I may have hurt myself otherwise.
Truthfully I was lucky I didnt break my neck. I landed head first on a metal chair and copped it across the back of my head.
I learnt my lesson and no more ladders.

John

[john.waters]

Day 23 – Saturday 1st June 2013 – Blue Ridge Parkway – Linville Falls NC – Grandfather Mountain – Blue Ridge Parkway Music Centre – Galaxy- RV Park –
166 Miles

We had a sleep in this morning so it was about 9am before we hit the parkway. We found a gas station not far from where we camped over night.
I had the day already planned so it was just a matter of watching for the mile posts as we cruised along.

First stop was Grandfather Mountain. Stopped of at the entrance, paid our fee and handed a CD to play in the car that as we travelled up the mountain. Playing the CD gave us a commentary as we drove along.

Getting further up the mountain I started to notice more and more people taking photos of anything and everything.
We arrived at the animal sanctuary and even more people with cameras. I soon found out it was the annual Grand father mountain Photography contest. If only I had of known, we could have spent the weekend there.

It was a great experience getting close to photograph some of the animals in captivity on the mountain. Bears, Otters, Eagles and mountain lions and a few other animals.







A few hours later and a few hundred photos it was off tho the top of the mountain and onto the Mile High Suspension Bridge. An eerie feeling, up amongst the clouds.





We left the mountain and continued along the Parkway stopping at all the little attractions.
By late afternoon we arrived at the Blue Ridge Parkway Music Centre. I had planned to be her on a Saturday night to see one of the concerts. Our plan worked out as there was a Tennessee music concert that evening.



After finding an RV Park and booked in we headed back to the Music Centre in readiness for the concert.
We filled up on Pulled Pork and Nachos while waiting for the concert to begin. The entertainment was first class and the hospitality by the centre was second to none. I would recommend a visit t anyone in the area. A real taste of Country Music and Hospitality.
We were lucky we for the mile posts on the Parkway as we headed the wrong direction after leaving the Music Centre. A few arguments and a turnaround we found our way back to the RV Park..
A truly memorable day on our Road Trip.