Two Days in Teneessee

Thurs. and Friday 6/20-6/21 (Days 296 & 297)

We got up and out early (for us)...early enough that the morning mists were still hanging around the roads as we left Arkansas. Harris asked our little tom-tom (navigator) to take us on the back roads again. So, we were back to the roller coaster, up and down, around and around as we wended our way out of the Ozarks.

 We enjoyed driving along the ridges of the Ozarks dipping down and climbing up the next.

 We had been camping by the Buffalo River, which is also in a National Forest. There are many, many outfitters like this one all along the highways, although most don't have a limo!

"Established in 1972, Buffalo National River flows freely for 135 miles and is one of the few remaining undammed rivers in the lower 48 states. Journey from running rapids to quiet pools while surrounded by massive bluffs as you cruise through the Ozark Mountains down to the White River".

 We've also noticed the kudzu absolutely taking over the trees and forests.

 We left Arkansas, dropped briefly into Mississippi, then entered Tennessee outside of Memphis. Culture shock again as we went on the interstate and ground to a halt for construction and then again for a semi that had lost part of its load of fiberglass panels. Traffic was terrible! We finally went off on a smaller freeway, to a smaller highway....to a smaller road.....then our little navigator took us down a dirt road....we kept thinking, "this can't be right, but we'll follow it anyway". Famous last words. Tom-Tom was not taking us to our next campsite via the same directions that were in the book, but, hey, he might know a short cut, right? We had to laugh when the familiar words were spoken, "You have reached your destination".
We were on a dirt road in the middle of a forest. No habitation in sight anywhere. Boy, were we glad it was afternoon, and not the middle of the night!
We kept going, and eventually found ourselves on the back side of a fence, which we followed around to...an actual paved road...and..an entrance to a camp! Yay!

 Cherokee Landing  (outside Saulsbury  and Middleton ) is a huge place. It has over 300 RV sites, cabins, a lodge and a large swimming pool. (which is why we came here). We had to wait at the locked gate for someone to come and let us in. She told us we could choose any site we wanted. So, we drove through the campground, looking for a good spot. What makes a good spot, you might ask?
One close to the bathroom and showers? nope.One close to the swimming pool? nope. We tried 3 different places before Harris chose this one. Can you guess why it was the spot? No,nothing in the picture would give you a clue. It was the closest to the lodge and gave us weak but useable wi-fi. Priorities!

 We set up camp, had an early dinner and went swimming to cool off. The next morning we got up early for a walk through the complex before the day got too hot. The lodge overlooks a small lake.

 After breakfast, Harris decided he'd like to geocache in the area. Well, as long as we were driving, Judy decided she'd like to see the Shenandoah National Military Park about 45 miles away. So, we did both. Harris found 7 caches, and then we went to the battlefield park. Grant and Johnston fought a battle here on April 6 and 7, 1862. Grant won because he had reinforcements that came to his aid on the second day. Johnston was killed in the battle, which also contributed to the Confederate defeat.


 The visitor center

 Looking over the brochure for the directions for the driving tour.

 canons

 More cannons...they were everywhere!

 After the tour, it was back to the campground for dinner, swimming and cards. This place is very, very quiet, in part because it's in a forested area, full of birds and deer. Also, because of the 300+ sites available, only about 15 are occupied. It's a big, empty place! We could picture it in its glory days with 600+ every summer weekend.

Total miles driven today=95