With all that we have going on right now, one would think that the last thing we should do is plan a camping trip. Well, we did it anyway. Helen wanted a few days in the mountains to clear her head for the next week’s frenzy and do some light cleaning in Dora that we had to forgo when we returned from California. We returned to Happy Holiday, our favorite campground in Cherokee, NC. Spending three nights beside a mountain stream was too tempting to resist.
In the days leading up to our trip, heavy winds had toppled power poles near the campground and touched off wildfires about two miles north of Bryson City, NC. Conditions for wildfires are usually very high in early spring due to dry underbrush in the forests, low rainfall amounts, and March winds. We didn’t let the threat deter us, but we kept our ears to the radio. During an early morning walk around the campground, I spotted light smoke in the distance. I also spotted a large grove of beautiful blue Phlox growing on the other side of the creek and climbing the mountainside.
On the first day, we tended to cleaning chores—Helen mopped floors, I washed windows and made repairs to Dora. Bear in mind that Dora, our fifth wheel is only 260 square feet, so it doesn’t take all day. We whiled away the morning very leisurely and cleaned in the afternoon.
The next day, in perfect weather, we drove about ten miles to Deep Creek Campground in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park to hike along the creek and look for wildflowers. National Park officials squelched our plan. All hiking trails were closed because the fires were not yet contained, and the winds had picked up. A young Park Ranger met us at the head of the trail and suggested that we walk through the campground instead since it was closed to campers and empty.
(Note: By the end of the week, the fires had taken a toll, and over 100 structures had burned to the ground. We send our prayers to those affected.)
However, all was not lost because we soon discovered early spring wildflowers scattered throughout the campsites along Deep Creek in small quantities, but striking, nonetheless. I captured several of them with my camera—some were not in proper focus, but I want to share them anyway. Helen and I think we have most of them named correctly, but feel free to alert us if we miss-named a few.
It is too early for Trillium and Dog Hobble, but they will put on a show in the coming weeks, both here and in the mountains on the Tennessee side of the National Park, where the Dogwoods are already in full bloom. Our spring weather doesn’t last as long as we would like, but the flower display is terrific.
Three days passed quickly, but we accomplished everything we wanted to achieve. Helen had a (Money) Ball.
We’re Easin’ Along and Springin’ Along. See you next week….surgery is scheduled for April 7. Keep Helen in your thoughts and prayers.
Keeping her in our prayers!!!’ And you too Joe!!!
Thanks, LuAnne,
We welcome those prayers, and really appreciate it! Joe
I’m glad to read that you are continuing to get out and about. Helen remains in my thoughts and prayers. Good luck with her surgery!
Good morning, Donna,
Thanks so much. The support and well-wishes of our friends have been a great comfort as we face this challenge. Have a great week and please stay in touch! Joe
Happy to see both of you keeping busy and spending time doing your favorite things. Not that cleaning Dora is a fun-filled activity, but now it’s done and she’ll be ready to roll when you and Helen are. I can’t wait to see the forsythia bloom up here – that’s when I know spring is really on its way! Our wood stove is still taking the chill off some very cool days and cold nights. Best wishes to Helen for a quick and completely successful surgery and smooth sailing after!
Hi, Mary,
I envy your wood stove and miss our wood-burning fireplace from our previous homes. Enjoy! We’re in early spring here, but the forsythia and dogwoods are in full bloom–love it! Thanks for the thoughts and prayers, and please stay in touch. Joe
Your trip sounds like good medicine, and all of those wildflowers are such a hopeful sign of spring and renewal! We’re sending you both hugs and keeping you in our prayers.
Good morning, Laurel,
We dodged the wildfires but found the wildflowers…a great way to spend a week in the mountains. We’re not looking forward to events later this week, but your thoughts and prayers are certainly appreciated. We’ll stay in touch. Loved your latest post. Joe
Hello Joe,
Glad you and Helen were able to get away together for a few days in the beautiful NC mountains! We like the mountains too! Hope all goes well this for Helen. We will continue our prayers especially this week for her and her medical team. Take care.
Ron
Hello, Ron,
Always great to hear from you. The NC mountains and the National Park are special to us and a great place to visit for a relaxing time. Thanks for the thoughts and prayers, and please stay in touch. Joe
Prayers of thankfulness for being on the road to restoration to complete health! Grateful the surgery will be over and the healing can begin.
Good morning, Carolyn,
Thanks much for the prayers. We’re looking forward to having this challenge behind us soon. Hug our girls for us! Joe