2018 RV Road Trip Begins

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February 7

Wednesday

It’s a 72 balmy degrees in Charleston today, heavy humidity and moody storm clouds rolling by giving us warm gusts of wind. It feels like there is a heightened level of energy in the air; it’s either the stormy weather or it’s my anticipation and excitement of leaving home today to head out in our RV, living on the road for the next couple months exploring the states. Whatever it is, I love the feeling!  Just a few last minute checks and tasks and we’re on the road by 11:30 am.

Our goal is to only drive 3-4 hours before stopping for the day, and we haven’t laid plans out more than a day or two, we’re going to just see where circumstances take us!

It rained most of the way to our first destination, and the wind gusts were strong on our RV.  We arrived at Pointes West Rec Area near Augusta, Georgia somewhere around 3:00 pm. The rain had subsided, and the air reminded me of those warm spring afternoons in Wisconsin.  Our spot sat just above the edge of the lake, and since it was off-season, the place was nearly empty. Sublimely peaceful.  All we could really hear were the birds.

After setting up camp, we made a quick late lunch of hot dogs on the grill, then parked our butts in the chairs to sip a beer and gaze across the water.

Later, we took a short walk with Lily to investigate the grounds a little. We walked out to a point overlooking a larger section of water, and I was really taken by the scenery!  This place felt otherworldly with its outcroppings of shale and red clay mud.  The stone looked as if tectonic plates shifted, forcing them straight up out of the ground.  And the waterline at one point had washed away the red dirt beneath the tall pines, leaving gnarly black roots exposed, winding out on the shale as if reaching to the water to quench their thirst.

Like I said, the scenery was quite moving to me, and it seemed Lil enjoyed it just as much. We let her run off leash for a bit, and she couldn’t stop zooming from one place to the next, trying to fully investigate these new surroundings, red mud squishing between her toes, lapping at the water every now and then.  I think this dog is going to do quite well on this trip!

After rinsing off Lily and our boots, we hopped back into the RV to relax for the day. A little light reading and we were tired enough to take on sleep by 7:30, which means he’ll likely be up at 4:00 am!!

February 8

Thursday

A fairly restful night, with the exception of a goose honking at 2:00 am then again at 4:00 am, likely in defense of something. Based on what I heard, he may have held his own just fine.  We rolled out of bed after laying awake for a spell, just in time to see the remains of the sunrise over the water out on the point.  Justin and Lil went back and let me stay a little longer to photograph some scenery… until my battery died. Thankfully, two more fully charged ones are waiting back at the RV.  It was time for breakfast anyhow. 

Fried eggs and bacon with mimosas, fresh coffee, again while overlooking the water. I have to soak these moments up because I’m sure not every stop on this trip will be this serene. Today’s weather, marvelous!  No rain, and sunny, somewhere in the low 70s.  Another walk with Lil and my camera, trying to burn off some of her limitless energy. 

Later, Justin and I rolled the vespa off the back of the RV and scooted around some of the local area outside of the park.  It was much cooler on the scooter, and even though Lil could ride with secured in her bucket on the back, I was glad we left her home to rest. She might have been a bit too cold on this ride.  Found Mistletoe State Park and investigated that a bit, though it looked much the same as where we were camping. An old house did catch my eye on the way back and I snapped a quick photo.  After getting back, we ate a quick lunch of sandwiches.

Spent the rest of the afternoon reading and working through my photos. We’ll make steaks for dinner later and look on the map to see what may be a good direction to head, but we will pull out tomorrow and make our way up to Tallulah Gorge State Park in Georgia to see if we will be lucky enough to be granted a permit to hike within the gorge itself. After that, who knows what’s next!

Waterfront

Click on the photo to see more of Pointes West Rec area.