Camping at Greenbelt National Park/Washington D.C.

I couldn’t have planned a better first camping experience. Greenbelt National Park is located just 13 miles from Washington D. C. in Greenbelt, Maryland and is  only 2.5 miles to the Metro station at College Park. If you have never ridden the metro, you would find it to be fast and efficient, and after a little explanation by a friendly passerby, very user friendly. After purchasing a Smart Card you can board different color lines to various parts of the city and attractions. The helpful pocket guide makes that easier too.
Greenbelt campground is wooded and although in the city, you get the feeling of being deep in the forest. Each campsite provides BBQ station, picnic table, fire ring but no electric or water hook up. My maiden voyage was a perfect test for dry camping. The pop up does have water storage, frig and furnace that runs off of propane or deep cycle battery and stove. My air conditioner was not needed, but on a few chilly mornings, I was thankful for the furnace, which did a great job.
Meeting people is part of this journey and my camping decision. The camp hosts at Greenbelt, Michael and Cheryl Sullivan became instant friends. They shared my fire and I shared their wine and we all shared hours of conversation. We will keep in touch and I will tell them about the mountains going to my next stop to West Virginia along route 68. I also met a great couple Jeff and Carrie, who were traveling in a 1983 Volkswagen hippie van, very cool and very cool people. Carrie shared her very impressive weight loss story and has devoted her life to telling others who are over weight. Carrie lost over 150 pounds, and I must say, looks quite good.
What can be said about out nation's capital that hasn’t been said before? It’s an amazing place that celebrates the red, white and blue with tributes to all that is American in its monuments, museums, and memorials.
Washington Monument, Lincoln Memorial, Vietnam Veterans Memorial, Navy Museum, National Museum of American History (Smithsonian) Fords Theatre and Museum, Chinatown, FBI Building and the added pleasure of witnessing the Cherry Blossoms were just some of what I enjoyed, plus the excitement of just walking around with back pack adorned and really loving Washington, a great town that I really only scratched the surface of. Next stop Morgantown, West Virginia at the Chestnut Ridge Regional Park and Campground. Enjoy some pictures. TC…

Last Day In Charlotte And Jetton Park

A perfect day at Jetton Park in Lake Norman will end my also perfect visit with Lisa, Sydney and Chris.  I will be heading out in the morning for Washington D.C. in my new pop up camper.  Pictures to follow.  Hope you enjoy a few pictures of a great day at the park.TC.....

More Charlotte Photos, Bubbles Video, Discovery Center & Fun

 

Charlotte, N. C. And Family

Children seem to grow up right before your eyes. That much is so true for Sydney Mae. Although I just spent a week end with her and family in early February for Daniel and Ashley’s wedding, Sydney has added so much to her vocabulary and personality in only a months’ time. With children, so it seems, time does go by so fast.
As the weather has warmed considerably since I left Tennessee, we have had the opportunity to enjoy the out of doors. Today we visited a horse stable facility in the Charlotte area called Latta Equestrian Center. What can be said about witnessing a child’s pure excitement in seeing and petting full grow horses. Music to your ears is what I would call it. Children seem to put into words what we as adults just plain enjoy, mostly in a non verbal way.
Notice my granddaughter’s artistic ability too. She will, I am sure, someday have her own coloring studio, and of course she will be the mistress of all coloring instructors. Observe that concentration…..
Time with family is important and I have enjoyed my time again with Lisa, Sydney and Chris. The frequent photo updates that I have received from Lisa over the years, is no way as much fun as being here in person.
I have visited a few travel trailer facilities here in Charlotte, and am seriously thinking about purchasing a small pop up camper for the rest of my journey. As a much needed convenience, I added a car top carrier in Tennessee for all of my “stuff”. I always over pack, and as this trip is scheduled for an undetermined amount of time, have once again done the same, way over packed. Hence the car top carrier. Now a rethinking about my comfort has led me to strongly consider the pop up as opposed to tent camping. I guess you will see photos if I have in fact decided to purchase the pop up.
As I am enjoying myself immensely, I should remain in Charlotte for at least another week or so, with my next stop being Washington D.C.
Enjoy a few photos….TC

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Old Friends, Snow, A Horse Named Buc And A Cat Named Gandalf

After witnessing my belongings safely stored away with Devries Storage in Port St. Lucie I hit the road. A good night sleep in Brunswick Ga. and a great meal at the Country Market ended that day’s travel. I arrived at Rich and Diana’s the next day, Tuesday Feb. 23 rd. R & D have a five acre farm of gently rolling hills set at the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains which can be easily seen from just about every window of their home. Now those mountains are snow covered, but come spring I am told they are as green and beautiful as can be imagined. I was warmly welcomed and given a tour of the homestead and then shown to my private bedroom with adjoining bath and sitting room in the basement of their five bed room home. I was also introduced to their beautiful cat Gandalf and a very large black Clydesdale horse named Buc. Buc is considered a baby at six years old, but still carries a weight of 1800 pounds. Black Clydesdales are not that common, but Buc is not too concerned about that. He still keeps a gentle way and sweetness about him. I know that because he ate sliced carrots and apples from my hand with the politeness of an elegant gentleman.
The surrounding countryside in Limestone, Tennessee is quite beautiful and from what Rich tells me, very country and traditional. Most of the roads are named after many of the first settlers to the area and those same families still live on here in the mountains. Although you know you are truly in the country you are also not that far from Greeneville, Johnson City or Jonesborough, sizeable towns with all the modern niceties. Jonesborough is the oldest town in Tennessee and is full of little shops and historic signs stating the age of this park or that street. Most Tennesseans all know Jonesborough.
The area is rich with old barns, train stations, and in particular a great old bank with a date above its door starting 1920. It certainly reminded me of something you might see in an old cowboy movie.

I took off on my own, not worrying about getting lost thanks to my faithful GPS, looking for farms and the way of life of the areas inhabitants and to shoot some photographs. Working farms are still in existence here, but not as many as there once was. I guess that is true for most other parts of the country as well. The area is somewhat known for its Black Angus Beef. I did see quite a few. I also received some curious looks from a bull that was clearly annoyed at my looming over his fence taking pictures. He quickly gathered up his ladies and made it clear to me that I was not welcomed.. He stamped and snorted a few times, faked a charge and then took off with harem in tow. Oh well, I guess I just ain’t country enough for everyone.

Snow was forecasted and snow it did. Not all that much, so says Rich, but just enough to put a dusty cover on the areas farm houses, landscape and my Jeep. I just know he is wondering why he’s not back in Florida in his warm and cozy garage. I was wondering the same thing when Rich had me drive the ATV with trailer attached full of Bucs droppings and empty it in the back field. Rich seemed to adapt pretty well to the weather in the five years he has been here from Florida. For me, I am hoping it warms up fast! All in all I must say I have had a very wonderful visit with my most hospitable friends. I guess distance and time does not dilute a true friendship.

Enjoy some pictures of my visit. You can click on each to enlarge if you like. TC……….

The Wedding

What a wonderful weekend! Ashley and Daniel planned and worked so hard to provide what can only be said to be a perfect day. The weather at the Leu Gardens in Orlando was perfect after the previous day had brought rain and hard winds. The outdoor ceremony was beautiful. Food choices, music, reception room, and all else was excellent, and most important the bride and groom were glorious.

Both Ashley and Daniel were surrounded by friends and family who all agreed that their diligence hit the mark perfectly.

My amazing granddaughter was a sight to behold. She performed her flower girl duties with perfection and grace, which is quite a feat for a two year old. Memories I will not soon forget. Hope you enjoy a few photos of a great day. TC…