Our 6S Full Life

North Carolina

After the Blue Ridge Parkway we headed to Stephen’s childhood home in Cary, NC. we are at the half way point of the trip 5 weeks in and 5 weeks left to go. It feels like we have been away from home for forever but at the same time we feel like we just left. We spent two days at his mother’s house enjoying a break from the constant motion of travel and RV life. We did laundry, hung out with family and friends, and slept in a house without wheels. It was a great couple days of calm.

We always enjoy walking around the lake behind the house and through the garden Stephen’s father created. Of course there was cousin time where all the grandkids got to play together. We went to the pool and took pictures around the lake. There is something’s special about cousins, they are family and so they come automatically caring about you, but they are not your siblings so they are kind. lol!

It was fun to get a break and be with family for the 4th of July holiday. We even got a kids free evening out thanks to Stephen’s mother. We love our kids, but being on 24/7 can get exhausting so even one or two hours away is amazing. Especially when that time away includes lifelong friends.

On our way out of North Carolina we went to Weldon Mills Distillery. We took a tour and did a tasting (well those of us over 21). This distillery is owned by a friend of Stephen’s. They have won many awards and are creating a fabulous North Carolina based operation. We love local and this place is all about getting all ingredients locally as well as local distribution. It was a great last stop in North Carolina before heading into Virginia and by dinner we will be in Maryland.

Blue Ridge Parkway

On the way from Nashville to Raleigh we drove through part of the Blue Ridge Parkway. On our last trip we did the Great Smoky Mountains and were excited to be in the area again. We stayed at Winngray Campground, which we would recommend for the friendly staff and the cool river. We played badminton with a net (at home we don’t have one) and the kids played with a few of the kids staying there. The next morning we were surrounded by fog (smoky mountain style) and by breakfast it had risen. We spent some more time at the river before starting the parkway.

We drove to the Water Knob Visitor Center making some stops at viewpoints along the way. The views were incredible at every stop. We drove through stoping to enjoy most of the turnouts. We made it to the highest point at 6053ft elevation with great weather and sunshine. As we headed down on the other side we went through some very very foggy areas. It was so thick we could barely see in some parts. Stephen was very cautious as we made our way toward Looking Glass Rock. We were glad we stopped so much on the other side since many overlooks were to foggy to see anything on this side.

We found a spot at Looking Glass Rock, changed into swim suits, water shoes, and rain jackets. Yes there was a light rain falling as we headed to a swimming hole. Then we hiked the muddy rock and root filled path to Skinny Dip Falls. Not sure who would skinny dip in this semi busy cold mountain water but we had a couple brave souls take a dip. Others climbed on the rocks avoiding the water but having fun just the same.

We diverted off the parkway to our camp in the Pisgah forest at the Davidson River Campground. Here we walked the river, waded in a bit, and enjoyed roasting sausages over the fire.

We had a good rain that night but unfortunately no thunder and lightening. we drove some more of the parkway and stoped at the Blue Ridge Parkway visitor center. We were not as impressed as half the signs and information was covered in accessible at this time. Our kids are learners and love gathering information when it is taken from them some get a bit frustrated. We left to do the WCT trail. It was pretty and we noticed the differences in plants and animals from other areas we have visited.

Nashville

We left Georgia and headed to Nashville to see the sights and visit with more of Jen’s cousins. We are lucky to have amazing family that are more then happy to have our wild crew invade their home for a few days. We pulled in and the kids immediately started showing each other their favorite things and running around in a world of imagination. This is how they spent the next three days. Whenever we were together, mostly the little kids and sometimes B, would run around playing imagination games and laughing. A trip like this would be very lonely without these stops to see familiar faces.

Before getting to the cousins we made a stop for lunch and learning at Stones River Battlefield. The kids worked on a ranger badge learning about the area and the battle. Then we walked through the cemetery paying our respects to those who gave their lives for the USA.

Nashville, although great for country music fans like us, is not a city built with a lot of large parking for RV’s. Since we did not have an extra car and our hosts van ended up in the shop, we changed our plans a bit.

Being as we were only a few miles from Andrew Jackson’s Hermitage we choose to get a Lyft and spend the day exploring the grounds and house. Jackson is not a president we knew a lot about, except for what we learned in New Orleans, therefore the introduction video at the beginning of the museum was very helpful. He was known as the people’s president because his policies were often made in the best interests of the everyday people. He also did something no other president has ever done since. He paid off the national debt! That is not something that should be amazing but unfortunately it is. He was a frugal man and although he had a 8,000 square ft home he did not have an indoor bathroom. The kids found this incredibly interesting. We learned about slavery on the plantation and discussed a lot about the times he lived in. He did great things for the country, but people and history are complicated and messy. Discussing these things is so important for our kids. Including not judging someone on one moment or your life, experiences, and standards.

It was a great place but it was hot! By mid afternoon we had walked the entire grounds and were ready to go. Jen tried a few wines at the on-site wine tasting, but our ride arrived before she could get any to bring home.

On our second day we headed to the Parthenon. No not in Greece, the replica at Centennial Park in Nashville. The big kids were the most excited about this one since they enjoyed the Percy Jackson book series and this is one of the places they visit in it. We drove the beast there and parked in the loop in front of the building. Apparently the park is not set up for large vehicles and no one had any idea where to park us. We arrived as the computers went down and ended up being let in for free. We walked through the information on Centennial Park and how the buildings were made to stand for only 6 months which is why the Parthenon is the only one still there. We then walked through the art gallery in the bottom level as well as the hall on the Antikythera Mechanism. What our Greek history book loving kids were most interested in though was the statue of Athena on the upper floor. This replica statue is incredibly impressive at over 40ft tall! After viewing and reading all about the statue and the Parthenon we headed to the pond at the park.

We enjoyed our walk around the pond and got some great views of the Parthenon and some amazing cloud formations. The swings and conversation benches along the wall were fun stops as well. Before the storm finished rolling in we headed back to the RV and back toward our hosts. We made a quick stop at a cute grocery store called the Turnip Truck for dinner supplies.

Although we would have liked to have walked music row or visit the Grand Ole Opry these things were not in the cards this time. Next time we visit the area though they will be.

Lake Lanier

After over a week of Florida fun we were excited to enter Georgia and a weekend of relaxing at Lake Lanier. We came in to Shady Grove Camp on a Thursday evening and stayed till Sunday. It was so nice we would have been happy right there for much much longer. we have stayed at many campgrounds through the years and this one ranks in the top 5. Our site had three levels, an asphalt pad, a large gravel area with fire pit and table, and a small sandy beach on the lake.

Someone has had many grumpy evenings lately.

Our first day there the kids were in swim suits almost as soon as they woke up. The beach was calling their name before breakfast. The water was perfect for swimming and paddle boards. The kids built castles and water blockades. C spent most of the day on a paddle board. We took out our hammocks and Jen even got a quick nap in. It was a perfect restful lake day.

In the afternoon we were joined by Stephen’s college roommate and his family. They are the reason we found this perfect spot outside of Atlanta. Needless to say our wonderful day turned into a fabulous evening. We chatted and caught up and the kids played and hung out till everyone was ready for bed.

Our Georgia hosts took us to the Edge of the World trail along the Amicalola Creek. This was a boardwalk trail along the creek bank that ended at an area of waterfalls and pools. The walk was easy and pretty, especially with the creek running alongside. Then it opened up to the waterfalls which were a bit loud but extremely beautiful.

We all worked our way into the calmer pools. The water was freezing and reminded us of the California lakes and rivers. the cold water did not stop the kids (and adults) from having a great time. The men discovered a slide of sorts were the water current pushed you through a channel. B and D were both excited to try it, our girls are always up for an adventure. We stayed until everyone was starving and ready to head back for a late lunch.

Back at camp we played at the beach, paddle boarded, enjoyed the company and the lake. B made brownies and we got in some hammock time. In the evening we had our favorite camp meal, sausages roasted over the campfire and a skillet of veggies. Yum! After that it was time to clean up all our stuff (which had exploded everywhere in our camp). The kids were not as kind or as helpful as we expected them to be. So after cleaning it needed up being bed time, you can’t stay up late if you can’t be kind. It was a great weekend with just a few hiccups.

D got to fish from another families boat. We meet wonderful people everywhere.

On Sunday we were up and out early on our way to visit family in Nashville. It was hard to say goodbye to this close to perfect spot. It is high on our list of places to revisit both for the amazing campground and the great company.

Kennedy Space Center

Our Florida adventures continued with a trip to the Kennedy Space Center. This is a place Stephen went to as a child and was a excited to share with the kids. While living in Texas we had visited Space Center Houston many times and enjoyed it every time. The Kennedy Space center did not disappoint. We drove in around 10 am and did not walk out until after they closed at 5pm. It was a great day and we could have spent even more time there.

The music, buildings, and long lines made it feel more like entering a theme park then a science center. Some things were closed but the majority of things were open and we tried to see as much as we could. We started with a walk through the Rocket Garden and then an IMAX film on asteroids. It was a bit terrifying thinking of the number of asteroids out there that could destroy earth. It is good to know so many people are working to make sure we survive asteroid threats. Hopefully any real life threats will be more successful then the movies. Armageddon kept flashing through Jen’s head during the entire movie. Poor Bruce.

Next we headed to Space Shuttle Atlantis . The kids had a great time running around the center and exploring the exhibits. The simulation landing was definitely a favorite. A was thrilled to land his shuttle 5 times without crashing.

We brought our lunch in and ate quickly before getting on the bus to visit the Apollo/Saturn V Center. The usual tours of the NASA center were not available at this time, but the bus did have a video with information on the site. We found the Apollo Center to be incredibly informative and enjoyed being taken back in time to the Apollo missions and moon landings.

We touched a moon rock, saw space suits, crew capsules, the Lunar Module 9, watched the moon landing, and reflected on all the brave men and women who have launched into space over the years. After seeing everything we could there we took the bus back to the main complex. Some of us went to try the Shuttle Launch Experience while others went to check out the Nature & Technology Building.

Enjoying the launch in a 1960’s living room.

The launch was fun, it reminded us of Star Tours at Disneyland, except there were no droids or crazy adventures. The set up though was an almost exact copy. It was fun and we all came off with a better understanding of what take off in a space shuttle is like.

The Nature & Technology building was all about the plants, animals, and natural history of Florida and the area around Cape Canaveral. It was interesting but seemed a bit out of place at the center.

After we met back up the kids worked to get others together and energize the Step. Power. Launch. This was a fun area with pads you jump on the create power, if enough energy is created the rocket will “launch”. It was pretty cool to see a whole crowd of adults and kids working together to accomplish the launch. It was a great end to the day as A had been trying to get the rocket to launch all day as we passed the area.

We had a great day learning about space and would recommend it to anyone in the area. We suggest you bring in your own snacks and meals. The food there is not what we would feed our growing astronauts. We went back to our camp at Manatee Hammock Campground and enjoyed dinner and a relaxing evening at a great campsite.