Hey there all. It's Rob here today. I have short blog post about a quick trip I just got home from. Levi and I left early Wednesday morning and drove to Balsam Mountain Campground in The Great Smoky Mountains National Park. This is a 1930's era campground with nice bathrooms, no showers, or hookups. Water and a dishwashing station are on-site.
BMC is located just above 5,000, feet so even during the first week of August, the temps were in the low 70's during the day, and the low 60's at night. The weather was beautiful and sunny, cloudy, foggy, drizzly, rainy, round and round like a merry-go-round.
I met Mark (a.k.a. furpod fame) and together we scouted out several campgrounds. We checked out Mile High Campground (again), Cataloochee Campground, and Smokemont Campground.
We also cooked some, ate out some, and even hit a tourist trap or two. We drove on some dang narly one and maybe more than one lane dirt roads. We saw elk, deer, turkey, coyote, but no bears. I will admit though, it is entirely possible a bear saw us!
It was a good trip, locations for camping next season were scouted, new equipment was tested, upgrades to systems discussed, and we even managed to have a campfire with some very wet kiln dried firewood!!
That's about all there is to report for this trip, so here are a few pictures to enjoy.
Well that's about it for today. As always, thanks for checking by today.
Until next time, stay safe out there......-Rob and Levi
Happy Saturday evening all!! It's Pod here, back with my final Raccoon Holler Post for this camping trip. It's been a wonderful day here, and as always I have a story to tell.
This morning, after breakfast, showers, etc., Rob and Trisha started taking down camp. Not completely, but just some of the camping gear. Then Cousin Sharon came over from her campsite, and after a bit of chat, the question was raised about the plan for the day.
Rob suggested the gang load up in Levi, take the remaining picnic supplies, and head over to Jefferson, NC. Once there, take NC Route 88 and follow it through the back country of Ashe County and work our way over to Elk Knob State Park for lunch, then drive back through the communities of Meat Camp, Todd, Sutherland, Warrensville, and Clifton. Rob told me the drive was grand, with beautiful mountain views, and the picnic was great too.
Then was back to The Holler by mid-afternoon. After walking Jackson, and unloading the chairs, etc. from Levi, Trisha and Rob finished putting things away, taking down The Clam, and generally getting everything ready to leave tomorrow. Rob spent some time draining and filling, and draining my black tank to make sure it was rinsed out really well.
Here's a few pictures from our day. Rob was busy driving most of the time, so he didn't get to take too many pictures. You'll have to check out Cousin Sharon's blog, cause Rob told me she took a bunch!!
This evening's supper was left overs from last night's BBQ feast. It was still mighty tasty. Then just relaxing in the cool mountain evening. Rob said he may take my awing down before dark, leaving very little to do tomorrow to get ready. As always thanks for stopping by today to hear about our adventures.
Until next time, stay safe out there......-Pod
Happy Friday evening all. It's Pod here this evening to let everyone know about yet another fine camping day!!
The weather that came through last evening (rain showers) seems to have chased away the humidity and the warmth that even the mountains were feeling. It was a crisp, clear, beautiful mountain morning.
It was a normal morning with doggie walks, showers, breakfasts, and just hanging out enjoying the morning. Before long though, a plan was hatched and then next thing you know, everyone was loaded into Levi ready to set off on the day's adventure.
The plan was to travel south on the Parkway until a nice picnic spot was found, then picnic!!
After about an hour or so of driving, stopping to take pictures, waiting in line at the road construction site, etc., we found the perfect spot and the picnic commenced!!
Afterwards we rode through the Price Campground on the BRP. This is a NFS campground, looking like it could use some TLC.
Then the gang all rode back to The Holler for afternoon, and started picture uploading, naps, doggie walks, etc. Here are a few more pictures from along the Parkway for you....
Well I need to wrap this up for the day. Cousin Sharon's back with supper and I'm just betting it will be something special. Plus, I know Rob's going to be wanting his computer back soon. So, as always....
Until next time, stay safe out there......-Pod
Hi there all. It's Pod back with a short little blog post tonight. Seems the whole gang is an agreement that we're just "Happy at The Holler."
The morning started like usual, except Cousin Sharon and the pups slept in late. Then it was a hearty breakfast, and getting ready for the day.
Next a plan was hatched to go look at three NFS campgrounds in the Jefferson National Forest just over the Virginia State Line. The campgrounds explored were Raccoon Branch, Hurricane, and Grindstone Campgrounds.
Now I've camped at Raccoon Branch and Grindstone Campgrounds in the past, but Cousin Sharon had never seen any of them. They also stopped at the Ranger Headquarters/Visitor's Center. The dogs were walked, watered, comfort stops were made, and don't you know, Rob even bought a couple of stickers.
Then they all returned back to the campground for an afternoon of relaxing, surfing the internet, and a nap or two. Sort of between rain showers, Rob grilled hamburgers for supper as the day slowly wound down for all of us.
Not much else to report today, but here are just a few pictures. Seems Rob didn't take to many pictures today....
Well I think I'm going to get off of here and see if I can get everyone to get settled down for an early night. Thanks as always for stopping by today.
Until next time, stay safe out there.....-Pod
