Almost Spring

We are still at Two Rivers Landing until April 30th. It looks like Spring in Tennessee. The last two weeks have been in the high 60 degree range and sunny between rain showers. This week the temperatures are going below freezing again with daytime highs in the 40 degree range. The trees have already bloomed and leaves are starting to come out. The freezing will mess that up. These photos were taken between February 28 and March 5th.

Looking out our motor home window. Business is picking up again.
Most of my outdoor winter work is finished.

Bradford Pear trees are everywhere and in full bloom.

The following photos are from a drive around the mountains on February 28th.

Tellico Plains on the west side of the mountains.

We located a Ranger Station near a forest road. They had good maps of
all the mountain and forest roads. These photos are from a forest road, not traveled by many people. Almost no traffic, probably not visited by most tourists.

At the North Carolina state line.

The hills are steep.

We are in North Carolina.

The drive back to Robbinsville was longer than we thought. It was getting late in the day.

Cherokee was the next stop, still 10 miles and daylight was going to end soon.

Cherokee. Most people have probably seen this sign. It was just about dark at 6:45 pm.

Elk on highway 441 near the south visitor center. There were many of them in the fields and along the road. They come out at dusk. Our last photo because it was dark. The drive through the Smokies was definitely all dark, the sun was down,

Winter in Tennessee

Christmas and winter in Tennessee has been COLD this year, colder than normal and past years. We have had about five days at 5 degrees and many more at 10 to 15 degrees. Our motor home has been fine on the inside at these low outdoor temperatures. Sevierville, Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg are decorated starting in November and will last through February. They call this Winterfest to keep the tourists coming in. The crowds have dropped off during the week but the weekends are still busy.

We have made some driving trips in the mountains but some roads are closed. The latest trip was across the mountains between Crosby TN and the North Carolina state line. Here are a few photos.

Winter on the road to Newfound Gap.

It was cold on this drive back to Gatlinburg.

View looking out the window from our motor home at 5 degrees.
The resort is almost empty during January and February.

Gatlinburg has Moonshine if you need it.

A covered bridge east of Sevierville.

This road starts at Cosby TN. This is TN 32 going up the hill to the
North Carolina state line. The views are great on this 16 mile hill, all uphill.

View to the East.

There are a few houses in the valley.

Selfie at the big trail where it crosses TN 32 at the peak of
the hill and the North Carolina state line.

TN 32 as we cross the state line into North Carolina.
Pavement ends at the state line.
Lots of mud from the warmer temperatures.

The sign we saw as we came to Sterling NC.

Campsite sign at Big Creek Campground. Looks like bear country.

The store at Sterling NC. There is a car along the road.
The dirt road we traveled to Big Creek Campground is to the left.

Sterling NC, car by the road. It probably does not run.
Something is in the car....

Heading back to Sevierville.

Snow

First snow in Tennessee and first snow we have seen in almost two years. Also the first snow the motor home and Jeep have had on them. I may need snow tires on the golf cart.

Elkmont

The Smokies has a primitive 211 site campground called Elkmont. Nearby is an old set of buildings that were used in the early 1900's as a weekend retreat. Some buildings are being demolished due to collapse and rot. There are about twelve that are being saved. We took a drive to see it. When the leaves are off the trees, you can see a lot more of the mountains and things that are hidden in the trees. Another plus is the lack of traffic and tourists that are here in the summer. 

You can read the details about Elkmont at http://www.visitmysmokies.com/blog/smoky-mountains/historic-cabins-in-elkmont-ghost-town-now-open-after-restoration/.

Oil Change

We made a trip to Red Bay for annual service and a couple issues that we only trust the factory service to handle. We left Tennessee and Monday and returned on Saturday December 2nd. Here are a few photos of the Tiffin service center and Bay Diesel, the Freightliner shop in Red Bay.

Tiffin Service Bay 9 (there are about 50 bays) at the service center.

Jeff is working on our Aqua Hot furnace.

This is looking at the west end of the long building.

Bay Diesel ready to do the oil change and annual service. It takes 26 quarts of oil.
I was allowed in the garage and under the chassis while it was being serviced,
a good way to see details.

Air bags and air brakes. The engine is behind the axle.

Air brakes, looks complicated.

There are two fuel filters, one collects any water that might get in the fuel.

It's a short driveshaft since it is a diesel "pusher". The engine is on the left, behind the rear axle.