As fall approached, we began the last leg of our 2022 RV travels. With the beautiful horse country of Kentucky in the rearview mirror, we continued south to West Virginia. The colorful leaves were amazing!
West Virginia:
Thanks to our Harvest Host membership we were able to park overnight at the Princeton Railroad Museum. lt was interesting to learn that the railroad’s construction led to the development of 140 mines and launched the area’s coal industry. We really enjoyed seeing the railroad memorabilia and the intricate model train displays.
North Carolina:
Our next stop was in Ennice, North Carolina near Steve’s mom’s summer cabin. We enjoyed amazing views along the Blue Ridge Parkway before leaving our coach with Steve and Joan while we flew to Colorado for my sister Wendy’s wedding. It was the first time we have flown since before the pandemic and luckily the trip went smoothly.
Colorado:
We had a great time with all the family and enjoyed the wedding festivities. Wendy and Dave had a beautiful ceremony in Golden, along the foothills of the Rocky Mountains. We know that they will have a wonderful life together. It was great that our kids could make the trip up from Texas too.
North Carolina:
Upon our return to North Carolina we took the opportunity to visit nearby Mount Airy, Andy Griffith’s childhood hometown. The quaint town was also the inspiration for Mayberry in the1960s sitcom The Andy Griffith Show. We toured the Andy Griffith Museum and enjoyed seeing many of the town’s exhibits from the time when life was simpler. Mike even got a haircut at Floyd’s barbershop.
Ohio:
When we left North Carolina, we reversed course and headed north to Ohio to attend the dedication of the F-111 Memorial at Wright Patterson AFB. It was good to catch up with so many people we knew during our Air Force days and to see the beautiful memorial dedicated to those who flew, maintained, and supported the F-111 fighter aircraft. We also honored the 102 men who lost their lives in the service of our country, including several friends of ours.
Indiana:
From Ohio we went over to Indiana to make a stop at Wood Design RV Interiors. They have done several modifications to the inside of our motorhome including an extension of our dining table and adding a storage area behind our fireplace. This time we had a storage area installed behind our corner TV and it turned out great, giving us so much more storage.
Illinois:
On our way south (again), we stopped at the cute town of Casey, Illinois. Once a prosperous city, it became a virtual ghost town in the early 2000s due to the loss of many of its factories. Thanks to businessman Jim Bolin and his supersized attractions, hundreds of visitors now stop as they travel by on I-70. The town motto “Big Things, Small Town” draws them in to see 13 certified world’s largest structures and 20 big structures positioned throughout the town. This was a fun stop!
Texas:
Finally, we made it back to Texas and our winter workamping job in late October. This is the 3rd year we have volunteered at Northeast Texas Community College in the east Texas town of Mount Pleasant. We enjoy helping out around the college and being close enough to visit our family in San Angelo for the holidays. I especially like working with the farm animals!
We filled in 11 more states during our 2022 travels. Our plan is to winter in Texas through March before we start traveling again in the spring.
