Thanksgiving 2016 – Driving in Circles

If I were to show you a map of our travels since our last entry, it would just be overlapping lines between Alabama and Georgia.  We camped at Ft Benning’s FAMCAMP after we assisted Pattie’s mom with her eye surgery.  This allowed us to complete some follow-up doctor’s appointments.  It is also an easy 30-minute drive over to Auburn, AL (our home of record or legal domicile) so we could vote.

After a week, we relocated to Auburn RV Park in Auburn for a week.  We did this to visit with our sons and go see Chris (my youngest son, Theatre Major) in a play at the Auburn University Theatre. It was a wonderful evening and we are excited to see him perform. I also went to a local rifle range with my son William (Mechanical Engineering Major) and helped him troubleshoot a problem he was having with a firearm he recently built. 

Christopher Holton right foreground

Will shooing time

From Auburn, we went to Lake Lurleen State Park near Tuscaloosa, AL.  We were able to visit with my mom and see our nephew Nathan who was home on leave from the USAF.  I spent several hours fishing with absolutely no luck.  The drought has hit this area hard, which may be a factor.  After a few days, we departed for Fort Payne, AL home of the country music group Alabama.  I have only driven through this area once in my life and always wanted to go back and explore it.  We camped at Little River Campground near Little River Canyon National Preserve.  Most people don’t associate the word canyon with Alabama.  This small area in the northeast corner of the state is the exception.  Pattie and I were able to do several day hikes in the area and sample the local restaurants.  It is definitely a place we would like to visit again when the water is running.

Little River Canyon National Preserve

Sallie Howard Memorial Chapel

Cornwall Furnace produced metal ingots during and after the Civil War

Next, it was back to Stone Mountain State Park to enjoy Thanksgiving with family in the Atlanta area.  Driving through Atlanta two days before a major holiday has never been fun.  This year seemed especially bad.  We are glad we only pass through these major metropolitan areas and do not have to live in one.  The campground at Stone Mountain State Park is a bit pricier than we like and you must make reservations a year in advance if you want to have a space during the holidays. You pay for the location near Atlanta and the resort amenities.  Pattie and I enjoyed hiking the various trails in the park and watching the families who gather there each year to share Thanksgiving. 

Phil and his wife Nancy (my brother and sister-in-law) are gracious hosts for the family in Atlanta each year and we enjoy fellowship with them during major holidays.  Phil and I were able to slip away and do a bit of shooting at a local pistol range that we both enjoyed between various eating events.  The crowd gathered at a local Japanese steak house the night before we departed.    

Before leaving the Atlanta area, we called the dealer who sold us the Grand Cherokee. I made a condition of the purchase that their mechanics install a Blue Ox base plate and SMI braking system so we can tow it behind The Bus.  I purchased the hardware on-line and suggested in my call that they consider subcontracting the work to a local RV service center that is familiar with these components.  I gave them the installation instructions and a quote from Southland Motorhome Service in Buford, GA.  They quickly agreed to pay the experts to do the installation, which gives me greater confidence it will be done correctly.  We scheduled a day at the end of our stay in Atlanta to have this work performed.  Pattie has been driving “chase” in the Jeep since we bought it and it will be good to have her back in The Bus to help navigate (she is an expert Nagigator!). 

Thanks for keepingupwiththejonesrv!