Head West not so young Man

[daugen]

Asheville NC pictures. Very hilly, I just took pics from the car. Traffic moved so slowly it was easy. And what I found remarkable was that there were so many red lights in town, and they each took several minutes to cycle. So I spent a great deal of time just sitting in traffic, and there wasn't much of it.
None of the lights were smart lights with sensors.

An older husband/wife team of employees here at the campground asked about what part of Pa I was from. Turns out he graduated from my home town high school twelve years before me. And during the summer he helps out here at this campground and loves it, been doing it for the last twenty years. I know lots of his family and my carpenter is his nephew. What a small world.

This campground has 70 acres and it's just beautiful.

 

[MacLawn]

You going to Biltmore house? Never been, but heard it's a good visit. There's a few things to see over in Sevierville, but very touristy. There's a good restaurant there too where you sit at a big round table with whoever. We really enjoyed that the time we ate there. It's on left, kind of an old wood looking building. Yep, I've been and eaten about everywhere. Met a Swedish and then a French chef at a flea market place in Bluffton, SC a few years ago. The French chef asked if I was a professional cook. Nope I said, but I am a professional eater.

 

[daugen]

no, couldn't see the area, and see the Biltmore and get my laundry done...but I drove past it enough times. You can see where the Vanderbilt money was lavished on the area, at least at the bottom of their hill, the town looks nice. Likely because they had it rebuilt for them...

tomorrow's trip is not long but should be very, very scenic. Headed from Asheville to Lenoir City way over on the left on the map. I wondered how windey rt 40 was going through the Smokey Mountains, and Google earth lets me just peer down there and oh yea, it winds and winds and winds. no pic taking during that. But will try to stop at some scenic overlook things if they have them and get some while taking a needed stretch. And otherwise get in line with those pachyderms in the right line as they wind through the mountains holding each others tail...

but the weather should be clear and dry. Time to visit Tennessee. Too bad I'm not a whiskey drinker, am told the hooch here is mighty fine.

rumble grumble rumble, the burble of a high power diesel motorhome coming in. And what a beauty. A Tiffin Allegro Bus. The maroon and other color paint job is really snazzy. but actually the local ducks were friendlier, on their rounds right under my window, so I took their pic as they waddled and quacked along. It must be the season, because earlier it was like someone had given viagra to the local ducks, they were hopping on top of each other while we locals watched on in amusement. Dozens of ducks around here due to the lakes and the folks feeding them. So they make the rounds. Very cute.

 

[wngsprd]

Enjoy the mountains tomorrow. I guess they are the last you'll see until Santa Fe.
Even if you don't drink, if you have time to take a tour of a distillery, it is well worth it.

 

[Buppies]

Really enjoying your pictures thanks for sharing. Be careful in your travels today

 

[ronjhall]

The road is not to bad. It's the climb that will tax your motorhome. Do not be afraid to run the V10 at 4000 rpms during the climb. Enjoy the view.

 

[3930dave]

AFAIK, you don't have a ham radio license, but I wanted to mention these guys, as domestic electronic manufacturers like this are pretty much in the white rhino class these days....

TenTec

Not sure how close Sevierville is...

Ten-Tec has an excellent reputation as a company to deal with.

Rgds, D.

 

[MacLawn]

I-40 is indeed curvy and a bit steep. But, worth the drive I think. Just take it easy. Between Knoxville and west on I-40 toward Memphis is beautiful country!

 

[daugen]

well that was sure a fun drive. Would have been amazing in a Porsche....some of the curves were so sharp I had to slow to 40mph and even then my eyes were getting wide. What beautiful country, and boy is Tennessee pretty so far. About half way through the mountains I finally got behind an 18 wheeler train and just relaxed following them. Man there are a lot of trucks on that road and the driving wasn't as polite as I've seen.

Nice campground right off 40 in Lenoir City. Small but a perfectly level spot just driving up. I have a bubble level on the flat part of the dash and it bullseyed when I stopped. I'll take it. And then I felt industrious, or just full of nervous energy after that drive, and spent the next hour plus washing the rv and car. 8 bucks for the water charge. Nine bucks at the next stop in Nashville. It's just beautifully crisp and clear out now, with clouds thinning and just fine to get some exercise outdoors. All clean with nice weather ahead so maybe it will stay that way.

and the only other exercise I want is to finish tipping back this ice cold Molson Canadian that was my reward for the wash job.

yes, I was super careful taking these pics. No scenic pulloffs whatsoever.

 

[mjcountrybumpkin]

It truly is a shame you didn't drop the $32 bucks on the tour of the Biltmore house. It is an incredible masterpiece.
If you liked I-40 coming from Asheville you will love it heading over the Cumberland Plateau, has some of the longest grades on southern east coast.
Really enjoying the pictures and narration.