After 2 nights at Lewis Mountain, which is right on the Appalachian Trail, we headed north. It was interesting to watch the hikers on the trail. There would be a single, then a couple, then a small group. It was like this off and on all day. Busy trail. We had a group of about 5 or 6 men who stopped and camped just across from us. They were out for a 5 day hike up to Front Royal. They left in the morning before us.
We stopped at Bearfence Rock Scramble trail on the way north. We had to cross the AT to get to the vista and met up with the 6 hikers at the crossing. Said a final farewell to them. The rock scramble trail was very interesting. It follows the razorback ridgeline and part of it is all rock. You literally crawl up and down the rocks and crevices to follow the trail. It is marked with blue blazes on trees in the woods, then on the rocks. A little strenuous at a few points but the vista is a 360 view and it was very clear and you could see forever.
After the trail, we headed into Big Meadows Campground. It’s a large campground, over 200 sites. We were on site 212 and there were a couple more loops. We got a pull through site that must have been 100’ long and all paved and across from the bathroom. Nearly level, but I used the levelers for the first time just cause I had them. They look like Legos and are bright orange. Shouldn’t lose them…..
Had a quick lunch upon arrival. This is when we had the tuna sandwiches promised yesterday. Ended up with leftovers instead then.
To back up a tad: We stopped at the dump station before we got to the check-in. This was a first also. Had studied the Roadtrek manual and was already familiar with the hose and valves, so it went well. The only problem was the rinsing of the dump hose. The water pressure at the dump station was really high and i nearly lost control of the water hose. Didn’t get too wet and it was only water….
It wasn’t very windy when we arrived so put up the awning just cause it hadn’t been up in a while and I wanted to dry up any residual moisture there and to see how much pollen had collected in it. Brushed it clean and put it back away after the wind started kicking up in the afternoon.
We walked around the campground and to the Lodge with the computer. Checked email and caught up on some news. We saw 3 other Roadtreks in the campground. One new SS Agile, 1 Versatile, and another 190 Popular looked a little newer than ours. There was an A-Liner trailer also. Lots of families rolling in during the afternoon and evening. Sunset at 8:10 and we had a chicken and rice dinner and watched ‘The Da Vinci Code’ on the DVD player.
Slept like a baby. The wind actually was blowing pretty hard and I expected to rock like a cradle, but didn’t notice hardly any rocking. Must be the weight down low that keeps it stable. Up and started fixing pancakes and coffee.
Aside: I had been contacted last week by another Roadtrekker from VA and we had been sharing questions and answers and info. She had asked if we could get together and compare and contrast our rigs and problems and solutions. I agreed and she came up from Wintergreen, VA near Waynesboro to meet us at Big Meadows.
Elizabeth arrived around 9, just as the pancakes were done and the coffee was hot. Set breakfast aside and we had a great time looking at each others campers. She has leather seats, has put in a night table in place of the extra passenger seat, made a lot of creature comfort additions. The oriental rug was a nice colorful addition. She had taken out the bathroom privacy stuff since she camps alone. Added a nice clock, thermometer with indoor/outdoor display. Added a medicine chest by the bed. Found and installed a pivoting table for the dining area. Really had fixed hers up nice. We pulled her hot water heater anode and replaced it. My 3/4 drive wrench came in handy for that. Her old one was barely corroded but she replaced it anyways. I kept it and replaced mine which was about half gone. Worked out well. I figured out a few things about mine that weren’t quite right by looking at hers. So, it was a great visit and we’ll continue to stay in touch and share info.
Just after Elizabeth left, our campsite neighbors from Lewis Mountain dropped by. We had spent a lot of time talking to the Mom and son but her other half was working and didn’t join her til Sat morning. She wanted us to meet him and they had come up to Big Meadows for breakfast. So we visited with them for a bit.
Heated up the pancakes and coffee and had a late breakfast. t was Iate morning now and check-out wasoon and we knew our site was reserved for Sat, so it was time to get ready to hit the road toward home.
It took just a few minutes to secure loose objects after the dishwashing was done. We headed south and turned east on Rt 33.
What a great trip! We learned a lot but not quite enough. I need to remember to take the smoke detector down when I cook. It goes off even with boiling water…. and then remember to put it back up after the range is off. Oh, and to turn off the LP when ready to hit the highway.
Skyline Drive in May is nice. The trees still haven’t completely filled in so you can see through them. The trilliums were blooming. Saw several different colors and shapes. Songbirds were singing. Barred owl at Lewis Mtn Wed night. Deer everywhere. No bears seen, but our neighbors at Lewis Mtn know there is a momma and 2 cubs living just south of the campground. Of course, we were at the south end of the campground; the remotest part. Heard a Veery and nuthatches. Bluets were carpeting some areas of the Big Meadows campground. We had a patch at our site.
Stopped at Fredericksburg Verizon store and researched and bought a mobile hotspot. Now plan to give up my cell phone, which I hardly ever use. Had dinner at a Madison County park. Then got to Chaptico, MD early for contra-dancing. Had a good time and didn’t hurt anyone or myself. Got home around 11:30 safe and sound.
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