We're off! We decided that we'd had enough of Indiana - and that perhaps a change of scenery would improve our experience so far with the Bus. We selected a campground in Tuckaseegee, NC that looked charming and calming, so we were on our way.
Joe phoned ahead to secure a reservation. During the process he explained that we were on our Maiden voyage, that we are in a 40' Bus, with a tow vehicle. Could they accommodate us? The Manager at Singing Waters assured us there would be no problem and encouraged us to COME ON! (without hesitation.)
As we travel through Kentucky and Tennessee, we wind through the Smoky Mountains, excitedly anticipating our arrival. We are very tired and completely stressed-out. So far we're not having fun. We need some time to sort through things and figure out how the bus works.
As we near our destination the roads become steeper, and we begin to encounter hairpin curves. We nearly clip mirrors with rock haulers and the roads become more narrow with rocky cliffs jetting out over the roadway. We're now very concerned that we've made a wrong turn, but our trusty navigation system ensures we're on the right track.
As we grow ever more concerned about our safety we make our final turn onto the road to the campground. It is as narrow, or even more narrow, than Mother's drive - only it isn't as nice. Limbs from trees slap the sides and drag the top of the bus. We are absolutely sure we've made a wrong turn, but there is no stopping now. As we proceed up the side of the Mountain, Joe is swearing with every curve in the road. Nancy is bawling and screeching at him "You're too close to the side of the road!" She has a white-nuckle death grip on the door handle as she peers over the side of the mountain into the treetops just to her right. Heaven help us if we meet another vehicle because there isn't even room for us, let alone anyone else coming down the mountain.
I am not sure how we made it to the top, but sure enough - a sign appears - Singing Waters. Joe stopped the bus, and we looked at each other amazed that we were still alive. I required Valium (2 to be exact) and continued to sob.
I was so proud of Joe, he patted me on the shoulder and told me we were OK and we'd get out of this somehow, even if we had to hire someone to drive us down the mountain.
After much deliberation with the management, we decided it was best we leave the mountain top immediately as sever weather was on its way and we didn't want to be stuck up there - and they didn't even have a site large enough for our rig anyway! After surveying the campground, Joe and the manager decided we should go for it. The guy would lead the way down the mountain in his truck and we could follow. Of course as our luck would have it - we encountered an elderly woman in a older model car head-on. The Campground manager motioned for her to back up, but she didn't budge. He had to get out of his truck, and after a short conversation, climbed into her car and backed it all the way down the mountain to the main highway. He then jogged back up to finish guiding us down. Of course we enter onto the highway just beyone a blind curve. We held our breath and went for it.
We drove in silence for a while, then finally - a four lane highway - miracles do happen!
We had no idea where we were going, we were just glad to be alive! To view some photos of Singing Waters Campground in Tuckaseegee, NC click here.
No comments:
Post a Comment