Winter Excursion 2, Day 141

We woke this morning to a thunder storm. Even better than that we are under a severe thunder storm watch with hail and tornadoes starting later today and into the night.
We drove to a local Sate Park later in the day before all the rain starts.
It is a small park with no camping.

Here is the fishing pier.

Back at camp we buttoned down the hatches and put everything away in preparation for the storm. Watched some TV, the storm warnings are all over the local channels.
Cath made a good dinner, then we watched a movie. Wouldn't you know; the storm hit near the end of the movie so we missed the ending because the satellite went out.
The worst of the weather was well north of us, so all we got was a good thunder and lightning storm with lots of rain.
We always sleep well with the rain falling on the roof.

Winter Excursion 2, Day 140

Here's a few pics of our campsite at Harrison Bay State Park, TN.

We get super satellite reception here and the park has free WiFi for campers.

The bathhouse is only 75 yds from our campsite.

When we arrived here on Saturday the campground was full. We spent the today watching the mass exodus. It is always fun watching people packing up and moving their campers. I've learned how to not make a lot of mistakes just watching other folks.
Here's a pic from our site looking down the campground road at probably 40 sites. There is now only three campers down there.

We went for a driving tour of the State Park. This is a really nice place with four camping areas. We are in area B. There is a large marina, fishing pier, golf course, and camp store. Along the way I found a little campfire wood. I just need to split it up.

Splitting can wait.

As usual a few toddies, dinner, a movie then off to bed.

Winter Excursion 2, Day 139

We had a short rain storm this morning. After it stopped we finished packing up getting ready to move. The fog on the lake was quite a view. This was the first time we've seen it.
We were on the road by 1100 and did the short drive (120 miles) to Harrison Bay State Park in Tennessee. The park is on the Chickamauga Lake, just northeast of Chattanooga.

We were all set up and enjoying the 70 deg weather by 1600 (we lost an hour as we are back on EST now).

The campsites are a little close here and is was challenging maneuvering the camper through some of the tight turns in the campground. The campground is really hilly so that made leveling the camper another challenge. There are some of the sites we would not be able to level a camper the size of ours.

A few toddies, leftover BBQ for dinner, a campfire, then off to bed. We will explore this State Park tomorrow.

Winter Excursion 2, Day 138

We spent the day at camper packing up and watching the retro campers. Here is a bunch of pics of some of the best ones.

A 1947 Avion. This company competed with Airstream (and lost).

This is the same model pop-up that Cath and I had.

Airstream mini.

Zoom in and read what's on the side.

Lots of Shastas.

Even retro awnings.

Still setting up.

"So cute" as Wesley would say.

An older bigger Airstream.

Notice the three wheel electric scooter.

Size compared to a F-150.

They played with this awning all day, as it kept blowing down.

Another Avion.

Some of the folks really decorate these campers.

And here's our neighbors. They didn't pull in until 1500. Their camper is a Lark, 1962. Nice folks we spent the evening yakking with them.

We played some cribbage then off to bed. Traveling to Harrison Bay SP in Tennessee tomorrow.

Winter Excursion 2, Day 137

Today was the best weather day we've had here so far. Sunny, warm, and calm winds. We hung out at the camper in the morning and did some camp chores. After lunch we did laundry.
Here's one more pic of our campsite. We really like it here and plan to come back next year.

This is Kaylee's look when she wants a fire because she thinks she is chilly.

This weekend the Southern Vintage Trailer Friends are in the campground for a reunion. Here's their sign at the camp store. Some of the vintage (retro) campers have already arrived, but most will come in tomorrow. There should be over 50 of them. We will get pics of the best ones and post tomorrow.

Met Ronnie Jr. and Jen for dinner at a pizza restaurant in Big Cove, just south of Huntsville. It was really good food. We had a good time with them and look forward to seeing them again next year.
Back at camp we had neighbors in the cabin behind us. We invited them down for the campfire and some wine. We had a good evening talking with them. He was in the Air Force, but now flies for Delta. She is an artist. We will visit her gallery next year. Off to bed a little later than usual, but we had fun visiting with them.

Winter Excursion 2, Day 136

We had a lazy day. We hung around camp and enjoyed the weather. It was sunny in the 50s today with calm winds.
Put some ribs (3-2-1) on for dinner and sat around and watched them cook.
Cath snapped a pic of this Crane (or Heron?) It comes over in front of the camper every afternoon. I guess we will have to name it.

Towards evening Cath got this pic of the sunset with one lone Coot in the water. Normally there are lots of these ducks around.

Some cribbage, dinner, and a movie. Then off to bed. This camping life is getting rough!😏

Winter Excursion 2, Day 135

There is one more State Park in the area we wanted to check out. We left camp around 1000 and headed north to Monte Sano State Park near Huntsville, AL.
On the way we snapped a pic of the chickens at the Piggly Wiggly/Ace Hardware store. This is where we've been getting our groceries since we've been here. We have no idea why the chickens.

We arrived at the park and were immediately impressed. The park is beautiful with lots of trails and vistas.

The park was built in the 1930s by the CCC (Civilian Conservation Corps) a work program spawned by the depression. This small building is the CCC museum.

One of the vistas.

And one more.

This is one of the campsites in the park. Check out the view.

Another view from the campsite.

We were really impressed with the campground.

This time of the year the campground is hardly used.

One more view.

We will definitely stay at this place next year. On site 55 you can sit by the campfire and have a birds-eye view of Huntsville.
Back at camp Cath made some yummy Clam Chowder for dinner. We had a campfire, dinner, and then a movie.