It was a quiet week in Knoxville. We enjoyed a few much-needed rain showers, and, as a result, my tomatoes are thriving. I found a new exercise class that meets early in the day in an outdoor pavilion at a local park. We have an excellent workout before the temperatures begin to soar. Our Tennessee Volunteers baseball team was prepping for a weekend series with Notre Dame for the right to go to the College World Series. Helen had her third chemotherapy treatment and, so far, has not suffered significant side effects. We’re confident that your prayers have helped greatly with that.
Things were so quiet that we decided to load up Dora and head to the mountains for a three-night respite sitting beside the creek in one of our favorite campgrounds in Cherokee, NC. Helen made the reservation, grabbed a few books and her new puzzle, and we were off. The distance from our home is only 116 miles, and we can make the trip in about two hours in good traffic.
Once there, we pulled out the camping chairs and placed them beside the swiftly running SoCo Creek, swollen from recent rains. The sound of rushing water is so soothing to the soul. A raft of ducks swam by us. We counted 18 ducklings in total. Momma Duck worked hard to keep her brood in tow—somehow, she succeeded, and the family kept us entertained for our entire visit.
I love our mountains and never tire of sitting with them in my view and usually linger long. My thought process is, “if the mountains don’t feel a need to move, why should I?” On this day, the smoke of the Great Smoky Mountains dipped a little lower than usual, adding some texture to the scene.
Harrah’s Casino, operated by the Cherokee Tribe, is about two miles from the campground and, like a Siren’s song, begins to call Helen around four in the afternoon. “What the heck, she says; let’s go for Happy Hour!” Helen had a BIG night in the casino, assuring us that she would return on each of the following two days. I had my BIG night two nights later.
We experienced one “uh-oh” during the trip. When I parked the trailer at our campsite, I suppose that I was so excited about a return to camping that I forgot to drop the tailgate before I unhooked—big mistake. The kingpin on the fifth wheel collided with the tailgate and damaged it. I will have to get a new tailgate…there goes my big night in the casino.
When we checked into Happy Holiday Campground on Monday, the host told us we had to be out of our campsite by 11:00 am Thursday because a weekend Bluegrass Festival would start Thursday night. Campers wanting the best seats placed chairs under the Festival tent beginning on Monday. By Wednesday afternoon, camps were filling fast, and musicians were plucking and strumming everywhere in the campground. We drove out around 10:00 am, and an audience was already in place for the afternoon “Pick and Grin.”
At the end of a quiet week, we left quietly.
Mostly quiet you say with a bent tailgate, Joe? Well, at least you have good humor about it. I’m thrilled Helen is responded successfully to chemo and she is feeling well enough to travel a bit! Your exercise class sounds fun–beautiful weather and all those ducks–a balm for your souls!
Hi, Terri,
I credit the tailgate to a “senior moment” but it was a bummer. Thankfully it happened early in an otherwise lovely trip and I was able to get over the sting. Helen is doing very well so far and we’re taking things one week at a time. Eighteen ducklings–poor Mom! Thanks for checking in and good luck with the trip packing. Joe
Always entertaining to hear about your travels,– and don’t worry about the tailgate! Habits that are so routine can be forgotten when so many things are on your mind. Will insurance cover all but deductible? USAA is very forgiving (my just,-paid -for car backed into at CVS parking lot by someone who drove off.
Hi, Carolyn,
USAA is coming to the rescue. Hopefully, we can get a new tailgate before we leave for Charleston. I’ve unhooked our trailer hundreds of times without incident , but there’s a first time for everything. Great to hear from you. Joe
I think damaging the tailgate or the bed of the truck is a rite of passage with a fifth wheel. Still, I know it’s a painful moment when it happens. We’ve had some really big self-inflicted boo-boos on our trailer but we didn’t have casino winnings to help pay for the repairs, LOL.
I’m so glad you two got out for a camping trip at one of your favorite spots. And I’m so glad that Helen is doing so well. Hugs to you both!
Good morning, Laurel,
Hopefully, you and Eric are headed north by now and having a delightful time. I look forward to your pictures. The tailgate calamity was a real kick in the teeth, especially since I am usually so careful when hooking and unhooking. Oh well, we’ll just learn from it and move on. Have a great week, travel safely, and please let us hear from you often. Joe
Helen looks fabulous, Joe! So happy to hear that she’s tolerating the chemo treatments well. Please tell her to keep up the good work!
It sounds like your beloved campground has, once again, provided both of you with peace, pleasure and comfort. Love, love, love the ducklings!!! If you were to ask anyone in my family, they’d probably tell you we have thousands of photos of ducklings. I can’t help it – I find them irresistible. I’ve been known to hang out at our local Tractor Supply Co. store just to “visit.” Take care, both of you!
Good morning, Mary,
First, thanks once more for reaching out to Helen–your words are a great comfort to us both.
We always love our time in the Cherokee campgrounds. Although we are in the “downtown” area, we would never know it because we are surrounded by trees and the creek shields us from any unwanted noise. We will probably visit there at least once a month until Helen’s treatment ends. The ducklings kept us entertained the entire trip. I’ve never seen so many in one brood–eighteen no less! Always great to hear from you. Please stay in touch. Joe
Thank you Joe for the update on Helen and your trip to our beautiful mountains! That will surely be the place to be with all this heat! Anyway, glad Helen is doing well with her chemo and hope it continues. Stay cool and take care!
Ron
Hi, Ron,
There’s nothing like sitting beside a mountain stream, and we plan to do it several times this summer. We’re both blessed to have our mountains nearby, and the National Park is the greatest gift Americans have given to ourselves. Have a great week and keep the sunscreen handy. Joe
Should I ever have to experience a cancer diagnosis /treatment I hope I could manage it with the grace that Helen’s expression exudes. I like to believe that Nature’s medicine will be an adjunct to the medical treatment.
Good morning, Mona,
Helen’s attitude is always “up” and that trait helps greatly. A dose of “creekside sitting” helps to keep it there. Thanks for stopping by. Joe
Hi Joe, I am of the mindset that ‘if the mountains don’t feel the need to move, why should I?’ Great line. Sounds like a restful trip, even with an oops! Take care.
Hello, Suzanne,
Our trip was just what we needed and hope to visit there every few weeks between treatments. We gotta make sure those mountains don’t get away from us. Great to hear from you. Joe