Campgrounds

We do not like to travel more than 4 or 5 hours and we prefer not to be on the interstate. but our route is dictated by lots of issues. This time it put us on I-75 for a time.  We were fortunate to find a nice Passport America (1/2 the regular rate) just outside of Perry Ga, our half way point.

Crossroads Travel Center

The is a nice park under new owners (less than 2 years,I think) and it right off the interstate.  Nice pull through spots so we did not have to unhook the car. 

 It has the usual amenities: a nice pool.

 And a clean bathhouse (little old but spotless.)

Not to mention, there is a first rate BBQ joint  - Grill Master - right in front with some really good pulled pork sandwich (GA style) and we got a discount for staying at the campground.

We stayed at the Crossroads Travel Center on the way  back home as well.  Anytime we find ourselves traveling that direction, it will be our stop!

Next we made our way to Enota Campground. Our kids had given us a gift certificate there for Christmas.

Enota Campground

This is an unbelievable serene place.  It is a 60 acre preserve and is on the Woodall's the Best of the Best list as well as Trailer Life's Top 100 Campgrounds.  It did not disappoint.  It is very high up, just 3 miles from the highest point in Georgia, and it is a lot of curves getting there.  As you arrive, there is a small wooden bridge to cross the creek and then a narrow road to the lodge.

This is looking up at the road leading to the Lodge.

  I had to borrow this one from the website.  I remember taking it, but no picture

 As soon as you pull in, you immediately since the peacefulness there.  It was off season so we basically had the place to ourselves.  The most campers at any given time was four. Our site was directly above a mountain stream, just as it merges into another.

This is looking down the hill at our site

These are those sweet ducks from the lodge.  Now the are on our step trying to get me LOL.  There were out for a stroll and I stepped out to take a picture and they took chase for me.  I only like ducks from a distance

In addition to 55 RV sites (most on the streams) they also lots of tent sites, again most down on the streams, and cabins up by the falls. 

 Yes, they have 2 water falls on property.  We didn't hike up to them tough.  Just admired them from afar

We enjoyed our coffee and breakfast on the deck every morning along with a guest who was just waiting for someone to spill a little something.

There lots of activities for kids:  a petting zoo, organic garden, 3  trampolines and play sets.
Even the bath house is unique.

A few more pictures of how beautiful it is there.

After 5 wonderful days, it was back to winding up and down mountains to get to our next destination.

Moonshine Creek Campground
This camp ground is also high up  - it is in the Balsam Mountains (2nd highest mountain in NC.)  It is also a lovely property.  We did get a little TV but no internet again.  But thanks to Maggie, I now know how to gett a "hot spot"  so we can stay in touch with the world.

 The office and camp store

Lots of streams running through the grounds

 

 Even a bench so you could get your feet wet.

 We were lucky once again with a stream side site nestled into the woods.
And when I say steam side, I mean stream side..  The back almost hung over the stream

 This is the creek that ran beside us

We were very lucky in that we were in three outstanding campgrounds that exceeded our expectation. It is always a gamble, not being able to actually see the campground (other than on-line.)  I hope we continue to be as lucky in our selection  For our next adventure we are headed to the keys in October.  .

North Carolina

We took several day trips while we were camping in the Balsam Mountains.  Big Bob even had a chance to golf at the Sequoyah National golf course with our friend Fred.  They both were wore out afterwards.

Silva
This is a very quaint town.  This is where the most photographed court house is.

Dillsboro
Does this look familiar?  It's the train wreck from the Fugitive movie.

Wheels Through Time

This is an awesome place where you could easily spend the day or more.  If you watched 'What's in the barn" on the History channel, you'll understand.  The owner, Dale, and his team are motorcycle maniacs. They specialize in restoring old bikes and the museum is full of old bikes, some restored,  most  not (he wants them to look like the last time they were ridden); and even some old cars and trucks.

This is a 1946 knucklehead, they are raffling off.  We have our tickets!

Evil Knevil's bike

1908 Appache

 Dale started this 1913 Thor SR1  up and drove all through the museum on it. The guys are all very hands on.


Great Smokey Mountain Train
We took the train from Bryson City to the Nantahala Outdoor Center for the Moonshine Experience.

 We were in a car just for  moonshine enthusiasts.

The engineer took our tickets and we were off for moonshine sampling (lots), moonshine pulled pork for lunch and moonshine peanut butter pie for desert.

And so it began

And when it ended. 
It was hard work - not all his though, I did have a few LOL

We saw some beautiful scenery.

We had a short stop at the Nantahala Outdoor Center while  they moved the engine to the other end of the train for the return trip.

The train stops at an entrance/exit of Appalachian Trail  - Would you believe it if I said we hiked it?

We had some great entertainment on board, two good ole boys "picken" and an old mountain man telling the story of the mountains.  The light was not good for picture taking in the train car, but the boys did play a little at the stop over.

 At the end of our ride, we were rewarded with  shot glasses, mason jar mugs and a tote bag and lots of great memories - along with the rest of our mountain trip.

If you would like to hear about the great campgrounds, click here:  Campgrounds