CLASS OF 2007 follow along with us.

[JoeandMarcia]

Marty, check out the Cumberland Gap area. The park has a nice museum, there is the the lookout on top of the mtn, and historic Cumberland Gap at the bottom of the mtn. You are about 60 miles from there, and you will see some amazing sights if you like the colors of the changing leaves. Most offten they peek in colors right around the 20th of Oct. With them having a hot dry summer the colors may not be as bright and briliant. I seen on TV the corn was popping while still in the field in the stalk near Louisville this year. (no kidding).

 

Marcia and I grew up in the town of Middlesboro, or Middlesborough if you want fancy, that is also where the museum is. Lincoln Memorial University also has the Lincoln Museum in Harrogate TN just south of M'boro on US 25E. There are also some beautiful sights around Noris Lake that is about 15 miles from you.

 

Have fun and get the heaters ready.

[marty cassidy]

Joe, I see all you say around me. Cumberland Gap is on for tomorrow. I'm like a fish out of water in these here parts, there are many things to see so I'm not in a hurry to get moving.

 

Frost expected in the morning. I woke up shivering this morning, and now it's almost 80.

 

I see more green leaves than colors, though there is a shadow of brownish around me. Locals have said the drought this year means few colors. They also say this should be the peak, but it's all pretty green as far as I can see.

 

All that aside, this is just plain beautiful country.

[SKP098118]

Joe, I see all you say around me. Cumberland Gap is on for tomorrow. I'm like a fish out of water in these here parts, there are many things to see so I'm not in a hurry to get moving.

 

Frost expected in the morning. I woke up shivering this morning, and now it's almost 80.

 

I see more green leaves than colors, though there is a shadow of brownish around me. Locals have said the drought this year means few colors. They also say this should be the peak, but it's all pretty green as far as I can see.

 

All that aside, this is just plain beautiful country.

Marty, you're not too far from Oak Ridge,TN where you are. Worth a day trip if you're interested in the Manhattan Project and history about it.

I know somebody there can tell you more.

 

Nick & Terry Russell are there right now. Hugs.

[JoeandMarcia]

Hey Marty, if you want to do a round trip try taking 170,( the road the SKP park is on ) east, across I-75. About 4-5 miles it dead ends into 441 (I think it is 441 it may be 411, turn left and a few miles 170 turns off to the right. Follow 170 through some nice farm land, 170 ends at hwy 33. Make a left on 33 and in a couple miles you will cross 33 bridge, (I think they are building a new one so there will be some construction.) After the bridge a mile or two there will be a BP (I think) on the left with two gas pumps out front. They have some of the best hotdogs I've ever eaten. (it is called Brogans) 33 takes you through Maynerdsville, Tazewell, New Tazewell, and into Harrogate which is just south of Cumberland Gap. (in Tezewell the road changes to US 25E)

On the way back turn right onto hwy 63 and follow it through "the valley" which has beautiful mtns on the right (north) and rolling hills to the left (south). The lake is a few miles south of 63 beyond the hills. You will go through Lafollett, Jacksboro, and I think another town between them, they are all one except for taxes. 63 will lead you back to I-75 which you can take or you can do 25W to Lake City, and there pick up 441 which will take you across Noris Dam and back to 170, or turn on west on 61 to go to the Wal-Mart 5 mile north of the SKP park.

 

Going to Middlesboro Just before you get to the tunnel hwy 58 turns to the right (east) (I think this is the Cumberland Gap exit too) the Cumberlan Gap Camp Ground is a few mile up 58 on the left, a couple miles past the park you will find a store/gas station on the right, they will have the cheapest smokes you will find. There are three stores in that area, we get ours at Montgomery's which is behind the store/gas staion on 58. They also sell more beer at those three stores than anyong around because M'boro is in a dry county.

 

We visit Middlesboro a lot when we are at the SKP Park there and travel these roads a lot and to keep things fresh we switch up the routes.

[keyhole51walleye]

We had the best counrty fried steak ever at Bill and Rosas in D'hannis Texas! Got me wondering if any of you have your own best country fried steak locations? We are staying at the Lone Star SKp Coop till Monday so besides visiting the Rock Shop in Hondo do any of you have any suggestions for things to do? We have done San Anotnio a lot and so looking for other places.

[nana25k]

We have a favorite....in Liberty Hill ( the one near Marble Falls, TX since there seems to be 2 towns of that name) is a place called the Dahlia Cafe....that was the best "chicken fried chicken" in the world.....and everything else on the menu is superb. The meatloaf is to die for and I don't eat just anybody's meatloaf!!!!!

[homenomore]

We arrived in El Paso yesterday and are parked at FT Bliss fam camp will stay here a week. Our grandson is stationed here and today is his 20th birthday so Grandma is cooking his favorite dinner and cake today. We are very proud of him, and this base is really expanding. Looking forward to spending time with him but also know how busy he is.Weather Has been great so far. Safe travels

[lelandschliep]

Leland....how did your conversation with Roadmaster go over the "half price deal"...did you get it any cheaper when you pointed out the price at Camping World

 

No it didn't get cheaper. In fact I got another $20 labor because they forgot to charge for something or other. I expressed myself cooly and let it go. I mentioned that RV'ers are funny folks and that word travels pretty far and wide. Another freind of mine lived nearby to them and decided he could get his tow bar installed at the factory but they didn't want to fool with it and told him to go to Camping World. The people are nice, the policy of the company sucks. This brake is the only product of theirs I have anyway, I prefer Blue Ox.

[lelandschliep]

Oregon has changed into it's fall weather pattern i.e. it has started to rain and the forecast is for more and more of it. We are leaving the Spirit Mountain Casino for the Devil's lake State Park down in Lincoln City. There is a casino there too but we are craving some hookups for a couple of days just for the luxury.

Yesterday we drove to Lincoln City and then up the coast to Tillamook. Got a little bit of cheese just to say we did. Came back on smaller highways and really enjoyed this beautiful country.

[JoeandMarcia]

David and Kathy, PLEASE tell your grandson THANK YOU for us. We depend on guys like him to keep us safe and secure here in the USA.

 

When we came through Elpaso last year I was shocked at how much it had grown since I was stationed there back in the early 80's. I spent most of my time out on Biggs Field, and in Chaparral NM.

 

Have a gr8 visit......

[marty cassidy]

Joe, I did the loop route much as you described, but really around here you can pretty much just pick-a-road and see where it goes.

 

The 33 Bridge is now (effective yesterday) one lane only and a ten ton weight limit, with highway patrol posted to enforce. Seems it's falling down faster than the new bridge can go up. I'd call it closed to big RVs until they can get it patched up.

[JoeandMarcia]

Yep 33 bridge is crumbling, our son sent me an article about it last night. The new bridge won't be finished until 2012 sometime. HWY Patrol stops traffic so the school busses can cross with no other cars on it, much like they do going through the tunnel with explosives. We took our rig across it this past summer, I guess we will do 63 until 2012.

 

My dad has told me stories about the water being so low beneath the bridge that he could jump across it. In mid winter they drop the lake level to have room for the winter snow run off. They buried several towns when they built the dam to form the lake and some winters you can see parts of the towns. It is really neat, but it can be really cold too.

 

I do hope you are enjoying our "old stomping grounds".

[norahg]

All this talk of chicken fried steak is almost tempting enough to make me give up my vegan ways. It was one of my favorite foods!

 

We are spending a few days with our kids and grand-kids in Ontario (no not Canada).

 

Norah

[Carolyn Wilkerson]

I know what you mean, Norah. Although I'm not vegan I don't eat red meat anymore. But I was thinking about that meal, and actually I think what we liked most was the oily fried batter on the outside of the meat along with the mashed potatoes & gravy. I wonder if we couldn't concoct an acceptable vegan substitute? No, probably not. It's really the beef juice that gives it all that flavor. Oh, well .... here's to a healthier life!

[patricia90518]

After spending time at various rallies (Balloon Fiesta with the Boomers, the FMCA Rally in Farmington, NM and the post-rally with the SI's (Singles International FMCA Chapter), I am now at the SKP park in Casa Grande (site 10) until after Thanksgiving. It's still warm here so I won't need to run my heat pumps in the morning, but not so warm that I need to run the A/C.

 

I have stayed at Lone Star at two different times and have eaten at Bill and Rosas in D'hannis Texas both times. If I remember correctly, the time I had the chicken fried steak, I had only a half order, and that was plenty.

 

Sounds as if everyone is having a good time.

 

- Trisha

[Colorado Chappy]

I have stayed at Lone Star at two different times and have eaten at Bill and Rosas in D'hannis Texas both times. If I remember correctly, the time I had the chicken fried steak, I had only a half order, and that was plenty.

- Trisha

 

Remember the time you, Bill Borger, Lesle Thomas, Jim and I went to Bill and Rosa's? You had HALF a Chicken Fried Steak and only ate half of it. Bill ordered the full order and it came on a 12 inch platter and NO he didn't eat it all....only half! Jim and I shared a half order and neither of us could even finish that. Had the rest for lunch the next day. Yes, Siree, that probably WAS the best Chicken Fried Steak I've ever eaten. But the company made it especially good. SKPs make the best table companions.

 

Bobbie

[bigredoes]

Ok so we are HERE in Elkhart - read that a lot of you guys are around here - so we went to the campground and no one there.......then over to Goshen just in case I read wrong.....NOPE no one there !!!! What the heck where is everybody?!?!?!?

[StarDreamers.us]

Many of us are already in Florida? Did you not get that message?

 

Safe Travels!

[lelandschliep]

Greg, they really are just hiding from you. Keep on looking!

 

It's raining so hard here in Florence Or. that you can't hear the TV. Hail too, none too big. Snow in the mountains. Do any of you know the phrase "Chains required"? No that's not a teenage dress code.

[JoeandMarcia]

Some people just hang around up north way too long.

 

If I get caught in the first frost something is bad wrong!!!!

 

I would much rather spend a few hours inside in the AC during the day and spend the evenings and nights comfortable than have to be inside when the sun sets and wait until noon to go outside to avoid getting cold.

[Carolyn Wilkerson]

I talked with a friend in Medford, OR, this evening who told me there was snow on the higher peaks around the area, which means 8-9,000 ft. Another person who drove home to Ashland from here in Monterey, CA, this morning said there was also fresh snow on Mt. Shasta. Think I got out of there last Thursday just in time!

 

I am settled into Chapparral Campground here at Laguna Seca Raceway for the next few months, start working 20 hrs a week on Wednesday. Looking forward to a mild winter in a pretty area, and getting to know my fellow workampers.

[norahg]

fresh snow on Mt. Shasta. Think I got out of there last Thursday just in time!

 

We used to get out first snow down in town right about Thanksgiving -- it won't be long now. Looks like you made the right move.

 

Norah

[homenomore]

Hey Greg sorry we just missed you guys left there maybe around 7weeks back. Does this mean you guys have your home back and will be traveling soon? Hope so and safe travels.

[nana25k]

Sorry Greg..we never made it there. But if you are updating the people you are stalking we have left PA and are now in Blackstone, Va until the weekend. Then moving on to Va. Beach. At 6pm its 77 degrees and humid, time to get the summer clothes back out...just when I was getting used to jeans and long sleeve t-shirts!!!!

 

Norah....said hello to Kitty for you and Howie and she said"Hey"!!!!!

[keyhole51walleye]

Hmmmm, a vegan substitute for chicken fried steak, how about chicken fried tofu?