Easin' Along

Every year, families from our church gather at Bandy Creek Campground in the Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area for a weekend of fun and fellowship. Big South Fork is located on the western side of the Tennessee Valley, in a region known as the Cumberland Plateau. Because the elevation is about 600 feet higher than Knoxville, fall colors arrive earlier than in the foothills. This year, the colors were nothing short of splendid.

Officially, the camping trip runs Friday to Sunday, but a few of us eager beavers began arriving on Wednesday to take advantage of the gorgeous weather and enjoy each other’s company at a leisurely pace. Ten of us gathered for dinner on Wednesday night. Helen and I prepared Southern Seafood Gumbo to share with everyone. Some nice side dishes rounded out the meal.

A few more folks drifted in on Thursday in time to enjoy the Beef Filets and sautéed scallops with bacon that Dave and Jennifer prepared to melt-in-your-mouth perfection. There was plenty of food, and I will admit to consuming more than my share. You don’t often get sautéed scallops, and I didn’t want any to go to waste.

Families began arriving in numbers on Friday. Helen and I have attended this event for years, and there has always been a sizeable crowd. This year, however, far exceeded expectations. Campsites filled quickly—almost to the point of filling the campground. By Saturday, a few sites had doubled up. The fabulous weather helped, but the efforts of Nick and Robin, the event’s organizers, along with the previous work of David and Jennifer, created strong interest in our congregation, particularly among young adults with young children. I don’t have the exact total, but I’m certain attendance approached 70, including children.

Helen and I used our Friday to drive to the historic town of Rugby, Tennessee. Rugby was established in 1880 by an English Statesman named Robert Hughes. He created it to provide an American community for the second sons of English gentry denied an inheritance when the family property went to the first-born. The community was an experiment in communal living where everything produced was divided equally among the residents. Rugby didn’t survive, but remained as a place of historical interest.

Friday night included Nick’s hand-tossed pizza, prepared in a brick-fired oven, and Jennifer’s amazing potato soup. Fresh apple pie was on the table as well (diet? What diet?) We closed out the evening around the campfire with hymns and a devotional message.

Saturday morning began with breakfast in the Pavilion, and children ran free, rode bicycles and scooters, played tag, and had a delightful time. I didn’t see a single phone in anyone’s hand. At 10:30, anyone interested in hiking gathered for a 20-minute drive to nearby Pickett State Park for a two-mile trail hike under a colorful fall canopy (picture at top). Helen and I, the most senior members, brought up the rear, hiking poles in hand. Helen took a slight misstep and fell, but the Good Samaritans around her quickly helped her up. She wasn’t hurt, but did complain the next day about some soreness. It was a character-building experience.

Tennessee and South Carolina Football Teams squared off at 3:30 Saturday afternoon. Since we have a television and a generator, Helen and I host the watch party every year in our campsite. We had a crowd. Robin furnished bagged popcorn; others furnished cookies and assorted treats. Everyone had a good time. The only shortcoming was a three-point loss by our Volunteers…bummer.

After dark, our group returned to Pickett State Park to hear an astronomer and an astronaut lecture us on the stars. We assembled in a designated dark spot at the park. We set up large telescopes to view the stars, the moon, constellations, and nebulae. The telescopes were so powerful that we could clearly see Saturn and its moons. I hope we do this again next year.

Sunday morning arrived too soon. After a pancake breakfast, we assembled for a Sunday morning service delivered by Pastor Ben. Our principal Minister, Dr. Howell, used his guitar to accompany the hymns, and Pastor Mark assisted with communion. As always, the fall colors were brilliant and made the outdoor service especially special.

A group photo added an exclamation point to our five-day extraordinary event.

It was love at first sight…

Helen and I had not had a dog in our home for nearly twelve years. When we moved from our previous home into a small neighborhood, we lost the land where our dogs could roam at will. We were still employed and couldn’t even think about leaving our formerly free pets in a garage or crate during the day.  Fortunately, we found a good home for Chuck and Max (below) on a farm south of Knoxville. Our cat, Wilbur, moved with us, but he was a confirmed housecat. We decided to remain dog-less.

As the years passed slowly, I began to think often about getting another dog as a companion. We were into RVing now, so a dog could complicate things, but I couldn’t shake the thoughts. What breed would work for us? Did I want a puppy? Big and boisterous, or small and cuddly? Long hair or short?

Finally, I decided to look for a male English Bulldog. I soon learned that English Bulldogs are very expensive from a reputable breeder, with costs running up to $5,000 or more. Therefore, a puppy was out of the question, but I was in no hurry. A rescue would be best for me. Also, I was going to be very picky about his looks. He had to have a perfectly wrinkled face with no pronounced underbite and a short, squashed nose. I even had a name picked for my future friend…Mortimer. The search for the perfect Bulldog took several years.

I kept looking online and in the newspapers. About five and a half years ago, I was browsing pet listings on Craigslist when I saw a picture that stopped me cold. A family in Easley, SC, posted a picture of a one-year-old Chocolate and White English Bulldog available for adoption. There was a rehoming fee, but it was in the hundreds, not the thousands. I responded to the ad and asked the current owner to contact me. Several days passed before I received an email from Kristen saying the dog was still available. I called for additional information. At the end of our conversation, I told Kristen that I would let her know something within the week. The hard part was yet to come…I had to get Helen to buy in.

I walked into the room where she was busily working on things and announced excitedly, “I found Mortimer!”

“What are you talking about?” came the reply.

“I found Mortimer; come see the picture.”

After staring at the picture of this lovable hunk of a dog, Helen walked out of the room muttering, “I don’t think so, at least not now.” I explained that I hadn’t made any plans, but that I would let Kristen know within a few days, though he might be gone soon.

About ten minutes later, she walked into my Man Cave and said: “Just go get him, and Happy Birthday.” I called Kristen and left the next morning for Easley, SC, near Greenville, SC, three hours away.

Kristen met me at a Tractor Supply near her home. As soon as she pulled up and opened her car door, a chunky and very huggable Bulldog with a perfect Bulldog face walked eagerly in my direction. It was meant to be, and I teared up at the sight of him. Kristen said his name was Brutus, but I kept my naming plans to myself. We bought some food in Tractor Supply, then headed back to Knoxville. The newly named Mortimer slept soundly in the back seat of my truck.

Helen greeted our new roommate and reminded me that Mortimer was MY dog. I would be in charge of walking him, feeding him, and other assorted pet-ownership responsibilities. Nevertheless, I could tell she was smitten. It soon became obvious that those two bonded well.

Mortimer adjusted quickly and soon joined us on our RV travels. He was perfectly suited to RV life, sleeping in the truck and taking command of the couch in our fifth-wheel camper. He made five trips across the country and to Florida, plus several short trips closer to home. I loved the way people reacted to our little love sponge in campgrounds. Mortimer loved people and was always eager for a love pat. On the beach, he was a “chick magnet.”

During our trip home from California in June of this year, we noticed an ugly sore on his shoulder. I called our veterinarian, who prescribed some medicine. Despite our vet’s best efforts, the condition persisted and spread. In late August, my vet referred me to an animal dermatologist. We sent skin samples to a pathologist for study. The results were devastating—Cutaneous lymphoma, a disease so rare that there is almost no opportunity to research it or find a cure. The disease is usually fatal within six months. Mortimer made it through five, and was barely five years old. He crossed the Rainbow Bridge yesterday (10/12/2026).  A piece of me crossed over with him.

It will take many months for me to get used to life without Mortimer around. He was always under our feet, looking for a hug, a love pat, one of his toys, or his next meal. Saying I miss him misses the mark completely.

Damn, he was a beautiful, lovable friend.

July for us began in California. California, as a whole, was enjoyable, pleasantly cool, and comfortable. Barstow, CA, was hot and dry, but still the best place for us to spend one night on our way to Las Vegas for six nights. Our home for those nights was Desert Eagle Campground at Nellis Air Force Base. The heat followed us there—-110 degrees (or higher).

On our first full day at the campground, we hardly left the trailer except to take Mortimer for walks and to finish setting it up for a six-night stay. Late in the afternoon, we decided to drive to the Las Vegas Strip to try our luck. Helen did well, and that’s all I’m saying. We stayed home on night two to do some cleaning and organizing for the long trip home and to watch some World Cup Soccer.

On night three, I felt brave enough to venture into a casino once more, but I wasn’t going back to the Strip. It’s too busy, and I thought a new location might improve my odds of at least breaking even. We decided to try the area around the Fremont Hotel and Casino in the older section of Sin City.

The Plaza in front of the Fremont stretches for several blocks and offers covered space and access to many bars and entertainment venues. It’s also a fun place to spend an evening away from the heat. The Chippendales were performing near the Fremont. I offered to purchase Helen a ticket, but she passed. The gaming tables were a bigger draw.

We did passably well that night and returned for one more during our stay so I could give it all back. Despite coming up short, I still had fun and learned that Fremont Plaza is a good alternative to the famous Vegas Strip. I recommend it to anyone planning a trip.

In the campground, we were treated to a brilliant Fourth of July sunset and watched the Washington, D.C. fireworks display on television for an exciting conclusion to our time in Las Vegas.

Our route home usually follows the same path along I-40. We drive to Flagstaff, AZ for two nights, then Albuquerque, NM for two more. Next comes Amarillo and Oklahoma City. On previous trips, we have followed Oklahoma City with a night near Ft. Smith, Arkansas, but we learned that the electricity was out at that campground, so we drove a bit further east to Edens RV Resort in Pottsville, Arkansas. The reviews were very good, and we agreed with everything that was said. Edens was a new campground, but the owners were doing everything necessary to make it successful.

From Pottsville, we made it to Parker’s Crossroads in West Tennessee for one night before the long drive to Knoxville. We were home on July 17. I was pleasantly surprised at how green everything was. After spending three months without a drop of rain after leaving in April, Knoxville appeared green and lush. I later learned that a lot of rain had worked its way up the Tennessee Valley.

Shortly after arriving, word came from Carter, our favorite grandson, that his volleyball team won the AAU Under 15 national championship in Orlando, FL…quite an accomplishment. They never lost a match throughout the tournament.

As soon as everything was put away and our fifth-wheel camper returned to storage, I made time for my exercise class. It felt great to stretch my legs after so much driving.  Helen returned to her pottery class, her pickleball pals, and the church choir. Mortimer gathered his treasure trove of Teddys and assumed his favorite position under Helen’s puzzle table.

We had a wonderful trip, but there’s no place like home. Thanks for stopping by.