Gone from Tennessee

We left our Tennessee location on Wednesday after eight months of working at Two Rivers Landing RV Resort. We plan on returning to Two Rivers again next winter, November through April. We are now in Alabama at the Tiffin Service Center for two items. From there we will probably go to Atlanta to have a steering device called a Safe-T-Plus added to improve driving stability in windy conditions. We expect strong cross-wind this summer when we travel to South Dakota, Wyoming and other western states.  Here are a few photos of our last week at Two Rivers.

My space age arm cast replaced the original fiberglass cast.

After 5 weeks, my right arm is good as new. I sure am glad to get that cast off my arm!

High dollar rigs! Prevost had a rally at Two Rivers with 32 of these $2,000,000 
motor homes. This was a demo unit. We didn't go inside, just a bit 
out of our price range.

There were 32 of these at Two Rivers during our last full week.

Here we are lined up at the DownTown RV Park in Red Bay. We wait our turn 
and there are probably 150 motorhomes in town for service of some kind. 
We will probably be here for two weeks.

Dolly Parton's Stampede

We finally attended the Dolly Parton's Dixie Stampede. The Dixie was recently removed from the name, someone must have complained. Our Indiana friends Doug and Marla were with us. We get free tickets since we work in Sevierville. They serve a dinner while the show is on. The building is hugh as you can see from the photos. The arena seats 1000 people and they have three shows daily. The show tells the story of the settlement of the west. Covered wagon, horses, cattle, buffalo and other animals are in the show. My photos are not the best due to low light and lots of motion.

Pre show entertainment.

The opening of the show

Lots of things come down from the ceiling. Indiana playing drums.

More dropping down on cables from the ceiling.

Some humor during the show.

The end

Falling Down on the Job

This week's blog is short since I am typing and mousing with my left hand. Falling down last Thursday on a ceramic tile floor caused right leg pain and cracked right wrist bones. I get to wear this nice cast for four weeks then a recheck by the orthopedics doctor. They don't have white casts now, only red, yellow, green, blue and black. The park is also short two couples, one was scheduled to leave tomorrow and another suddenly sold their 5th wheel. That leaves one couple plus Mary and half of me. I will try to work one armed when the pain in my right leg gets better. The weather is warming up but it rains almost daily.

Spring Tire Safety & TPMS

Spring means RV travel season is here. I see many people driving with obviously low tire pressure on their cars. I see many RVs leaving the park without checking tire pressure. It's difficult to see low pressure on the large motorhome tires so you need to gauge them. Also check pressure because outdoor temperature affects tire pressure. Pressure drops in cold weather so you will need to add some aire in the winter months. Tire "thumping" is a ridiculous way to tell if they need air! Use a tire gauge.

I am a firm believer in TPMS systems. That is, tire pressure monitoring systems. These are included on most newer cars and SUVs but not on motorhomes and other RVs. There are several companies that make these aftermarket TPMS systems. I have no preference as to which brand you purchase. I just purchased my second set since they work with my new TOAD brake. You can quickly see your tire pressures without gauging every tire. They also warn of low pressure, high temperatures and sudden loss of pressure. Money well spent to prevent a blowout that will cost plenty of money or much worse.

You may be the most careful driver ever known but your tires are between your vehicle and the road. A failure can be deadly so I thought these videos might be a good idea to share on our blog. I watched these many years ago and have never forgotten how important your tires are. These videos have been seen around various tire safety sites. Michelin has produced these and apply not only to motorhomes but also all other types of RV's and even your personal vehicles. Tires are all the same except motorhome tires are just larger like tires on 18 wheelers.

The first one can save your life if you have a blow out. 

Watch and remember what you learn from this Michelin video.

Tire pressure is most important in all vehicles. Low pressures will destroy your tires and makes blowouts likely. This video has more information about weighing and tire care.

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.