First Outting

   We had our first adventure in the new camper and it was all very positive! We left on Thursday, October 24 for Martinsville, VA. It was about a seven and a half hour drive through Ohio, West Virginia and into Virginia. The camper pulled well and the Tahoe didn't have to many problems chugging the extra load up and down the hills. Close to Charleston, WV the low gas light flicked on and we found a gas station in the next two miles. Turns out the thing uses more fuel than I thought and I needed to keep a better eye on the gas gauge. Everything turned out okay and we continued on our way reliving past experiences of drives through the area to get to where our friends lived in Oak Hill, WV. We miss Tom and Cathy and Richie and Tara. Come home soon guys!
    After we arrived at the camp spot, we asked if they had any spots with electric as they did not when I made the reservation. The manager told us that he just had a cancellation and we were the first to ask about it and so we were able to have electric as well as water in our camper. It made the weekend much nicer!
   Turns out that the camp spot was a steep hill behind the realty office this guy owns. Spots had been leveled in the hillside and electric and water hook ups added for use by campers twice a year when the Nascar races come to town.

Patrick hides from the camera

 
    Several guys helped us get the camper level and get everything set up. We ended up going to Wal Mart for some thermals for Becky and Patrick and a longer water hose. We found a great little bar-b-que place called Dixie Pig. We had platters of shredded pork with vinegar already on it and slabs of cut brisket. The platters had meat, slaw, fries and hush puppies on them. Plus the lady who runs the place makes her own sweet tea. Heaven on earth boys and girls, heaven on earth!
   Friday, we got up to thick frost and a frozen water hose. It was 18 degrees outside! The sun came out and we had water about ten o'clock. We drove out to Lover's Leap on Highway 58.

Then we toured Fairystone State Park on Fairystone Lake in Stuart, VA. We agreed that we need to come back and camp there as it had a nice beach, beautiful views and nice camp sites. From there we meandered back towards the camper and on a whim turned towards Reynold's House. http://www.reynoldahouse.org/
Its in the middle of no where and I took a nap in the Tahoe while Becky and Patrick walked around looking at the historic buildings and grounds.
   Back to the camper for steaks, beers and marshmallows over the fire. Patrick made a friend named Cordell and they spent a good deal of time hanging out together.
   Saturday was the truck race and we saw plenty of action with Kevin Harvick beating and banging with Ty Dillon. Sunday was the Sprint Cup race and Jeff Gordon get his first win of the year and pulled himself into third place in the points race. He always races well at Martinsville Speedway Eight wins there in his career!

 

  Monday we loaded up and headed for home. We got home late and parked the truck and went to bed. The Tahoe burned two quarts of oil over the trip so it was into the shop for our little darling and we shall see what is wrong with her now.
   Plans are being laid to get out of here in the first part of the year and head south for warmer weather and start our travels. The house is for sale and we are cleaning and selling and giving away but we have so much stuff its like a never ending project. Some of the logistics are still in flux but they will work their way out and so many things already have!