We’re in North Carolina!

So we made it to the Eastern Time Zone! On Sunday AM we left St. Louis and made it to Paducah, KY for the night. We had some laundry and work to do so we had a quiet evening and a slow morning. My sister Blythe texted and invited us to Thanksgiving so that changed our plans from a leisurely dawdle to more of a focused trip to get to Durham by Thursday. Big Daddy flew from Denver to RDU today (yes, he made it!?!) and so we will connect with everyone tomorrow and be together for Turkey day.

We had a leisurely morning at the campground on Monday after I did some work and Marleigh completed some assignments. We were a little later leaving Paducah than I would have liked, but we were glad to be on the road and Mar and I enjoyed some “bops” singing and celebrating as we headed down I-40 E. Traffic slowed just east of Paducah and I noticed that there was no traffic along I-40 W. Clearly an accident had shut down the interstate. We continued to sing and listen to music as the traffic inched towards a collection of emergency vehicles. We were just about to pass the accident, which incidentally was along the lanes of I-40 W when we were asked to stop. The highway safety patrol person asked that we stop so that troopers could continue their investigation. There were several vehicles involved on the opposite side of the interstate and debris was strewn about all along the road. There was a semi truck that the entire rear axle had been detached from the truck along the side of the road and a box truck had been spun out along our side of the interstate. Needless to say it was a big mess and there were lots of police, EMS and personnel on hand to investigate to see what had happened. Both Mar and I knew it and felt it but there had been a fatality. We sat for almost an hour and watched troopers and Medical personnel shepherd the coroner’s van on site, and saw them remove the body from the wreckage. Ugh. I had explained to Mar that there might be some yucky stuff and that she was welcome to head to the back of the motorhome but she was steadfast and said she wanted to see. It was of no help that the safety patrol officer had lots to say about this stretch of highway and offered insight about this and other accidents that had occured in his area over the 12 years of his employ along I-40. In a very Kentucky accent he mentioned several other tragedies and even had photos to share. We were both saddened and felt a bit yucky once we were released to move further east.

We decided to stop about an hour later along the way for a quick grocery run and gas. There was a Wal-Mart (I know, Wally world is yucky, but they are great for campers- this will be addressed in future post…) near a gas station in St. Julian so we took the opportunity to get off the road and walk around and get some junk food as well as getting Lilly a walk in the beautiful weather. We loaded up on snacks and provisions, got some gas and headed back towards I-40. We were almost back to the on-ramp and noticed a police officer handling some sort of situation near the interstate overpass. While we are not exactly sure of the situation, the officer went to the culvert near the on-ramp and fired his rifle downwards towards something we could not see. All in the daylight. All right in front of the motorhome. We were both alarmed. What just happened!?!? Was that a gun!?! Woah. A big start. We surmised that an animal had likely been hit by a car and the officer was putting it out of its misery. But wow.

So we headed east some more. Because what do you do? Yikes! We had made reservations to stay at a campground just west of Knoxville, so we hit the road. Again. We talked a little bit about the implications of what we had seen and tried to unwind. Unfortunately, we were behind because of the accident and it got dark earlier than I had anticipated. And then we crossed from Central to Eastern Standard time. So it felt a bit like a time warp. We were tired and spent. And it was dark. Like really dark. And the first time I had driven my 60 foot caravan in the dark. Crap.

But, we made it. I was ever so glad to park in spot A-1, thankfully the easiest to get to at Soaring Eagle Campground last night. We got jammies on, ate comfort food and tried to get some rest. It was fitful for both of us. We woke this morning to overcast skies and fog. I walked Lilly last night in the dark near a lake that I was anxious to see this morning, only to find that in daylight it was more of a mud bog. Mar and I walked all around the campground this morning and saw the biggest maple leaf I have ever seen!! I’m bummed that I did not take a picture! We hit the road around 11 and made it to Morganton, NC today at 3:30. Big Daddy and Blythe had enjoyed a restaurant here over the summer and we were glad to learn that it was within walking distance of our RV park. We took showers, did our hair and makeup and made a big deal out of girls night! It was great food and we are full and will hopefully sleep well tonight.

I’m so grateful for my “office view,” a huge windshield on the RV looking forward- you can see so much of the world from there. It is important for me that there is no rearview mirror. (Well, there is a camera so I can keep an eye on Rodita as she follows behind, but there really is no rearview mirror…) Metaphorically that is so important. Yesterday the grand view of the present was A LOT. We are grateful that we are safe and well. I just spoke with Big Daddy and he is safely at my sisters, so our family is in the same state for Thanksgiving and for that, I am grateful. We said a prayer for the victim of the car accident and also for the soul of whatever the officer shot and we rejoice in the gratitude of friends and family who love and support us every day. Thanks for being part of our club!