Home for the Holiday

It’s been said, “Home is where your mom is.” And so, this Thanksgiving, we went to visit Jon’s mom in a place we’ve never been. Yet, in a way, it felt like home. Our destination was Symond’s Dutch Hollow Village, described by Google as a “manufactured home community.” Jon’s mom shares a single-wide, two-bedroom, two-bath mobile…

A Gathering at Glen Rose

The perfect antidote to our post-election hangover was a weekender in Glen Rose with our Heart of Texas Camping (HOTC) Unit of the Wally Byam Caravan Club International (WBCCI). Cloud 9 found itself amid 20 other Airstreams at Oakdale Park, one of only four original motor courts in Texas. Developed in 1924, Oakdale Park was…

Clingmans Dome

Our second full day in Great Smoky Mountains National Park was dedicated to climbing Clingmans Dome, the park’s highest peak at 6,643 feet. Named after Thomas Lanier Clingman, a U.S. senator, member of congress, and Confederate brigadier general, it is not only the highest point in Tennessee but also the highest point along the 2,174-mile Appalachian…

Cades Cove

We spent much of our first full day in the Smokies visiting Cades Cove, an isolated valley that was home to generations of settlers prior to the formation of the national park. Its well-preserved structures and scenic views make it a popular destination, evidenced by the fact that we joined a long line of slow-moving,…

Mountain Majesty

We arrived at the Smoky Mountain Premier RV Resort in Cosby, Tennessee, just in time to get set up for Pasta Wednesday. Cliff quickly grilled chicken with onions, green beans and carrots, and ravioli with sun-dried tomatoes and mozzarella accompanied by homemade pesto. What a way to end the day! Our campsite was situated just…

Eye Opener

Our second full day at “the mothership” began with our 7 a.m. wake-up call, as the tractor arrived to take Cloud 9 to the service bay. On Day 1, a list of warranty items were addressed, all very minor. For example, we needed a smoke alarm re-attached, a few rivets replaced, some knobs and handles…

Center of Our Universe

We arrived at Jackson Center, better late than never. We had hoped to arrive in time to watch the presidential debate, but that was not to be. Instead, we arrived about 10 minutes after the debate started. By the time we settled in and started watching, 45 minutes had elapsed. Fortunately, we recorded the event…

To the Mothership, and Beyond

We set out for our first planned visit to a national park in 2016 with a quick trip to Jackson Center, Ohio, home of the Airstream factory. Referred to, affectionately, as “the mothership,” it is THE destination for many Airstream owners who want to get warranty and other work done on their rigs by the…

Rainbow Rally at the River: Day 3

The third day of our Aluminum Under the Rainbow rally began with authentic French Quarter-style beignets, prepared by our hosts from Louisiana. Our water heater repairman, from Florida, gave a very helpful and informative tutorial on awning maintenance. Yes, we have to lubricate all the various parts every 30 days with spray silicone. We have…

Rainbow Rally at the River: Day 2

Day 2 of our Aluminum Under the Rainbow rally greeted us with a mechanical failure: our water heater wouldn’t work. An investigation indicated an obstruction in the flue, about which we had no clue. We joined the group for breakfast and began pestering people asking for advice. As it turns out, one member of our group…