Our trip began going to Tom Johnson RV Center in
Marion, North Carolina from our home on the coast. We had a
cracked driver's side windshield on our motorhome which we got
replaced while there. Cost was $1,000 but insurance paid all but
$l00.
Our daughter was in Asheville (about 30 miles
away), so we met her and the children for dinner. They were
staying at the Grove Park Inn. If you ever have a chance to
stay there, you should. If you can't afford the high rates,
just go by and enjoy a drink and the view. It is build on the
side of a mountain. The main lobby is the only floor at ground
level. All the rest of the rooms are under it. She was
on the 7th floor but the elevator went down instead of up. It
is just a beautiful place to stay. And be sure to visit Biltmore
House too.
It rained real hard on our way back to the RV and
during the night. When we got ready to leave the next morning - we were stuck.
They had to pull us out with one of their big trucks. Tom
Johnson RV Center is a good group to deal with. They have lots
of new and used motorhomes, fifth wheels, pop-ups, and travel
trailers for sale. And a campground behind their sales lot.
During this trip we passed through Tennessee, Kentucky,
Wisconsin, Illinois, Michigan, day trip into Canada, and on return trip home Ohio,
West Virginia, Virginia, and back home to North Carolina.
There was road work and delays in each state.
We only saw 2 accidents which both involved
tractor trailers. One had gone down between 2 bridges and was
resting on the road below. I don't know about injuries.
The other truck had turned over several times.
In Tennessee we stayed at the Timberline
Campground, Lebanon. Tn. (1-615-449-2831) It was brand new.
Nice and clean. Very easy on, easy off I-40 exit 238.
3 hours from Knoxville. 283 miles today because of late start
in Marion.
Kentucky: we just passed through the lower
southwest corner without stopping. Very pretty though.
Illinois: We stayed at the Hickory Hollow
Campground, Utica, Il. (1-815-667-4996) This was flat country, with
huge, huge cornfields and soybean fields on each side of the road.
Our windshield was totally covered with bugs that night. 495
miles today.
Wisconsin and Michigan have their separate pages
below.
We drove 1583 miles to the Upper Peninsula,
Michigan. Our return trip home (coast of NC) was 1207 miles. A
total of 2790 miles on the motorhome. This does not count
our many
day trips in the car.
We used $571 of diesel fuel but have a full tank.
It holds 150 gallons.
We used Passport America campgrounds where
possible and spent $355 on campgrounds. It could have been less
cause we stayed at one campground for 7 nights before we realized it
was a Passport America campground. We will not make this
mistake again. For those not in the know, Passport America is
a group for $40 a year, it lets you stay in certain campgrounds for
half price.
On return trip:
Michigan: We left the campground early but there
was a vehicle fire on the bridge, of course it was in our lane, so
we had quite a wait here. Plus they were working on the bridge
and had 2 lanes closed off. $8.00 toll to cross Mackinaw
Bridge for RV & car.
Ohio: We ended up staying in Bowling
Green, Ohio for the night. Fire Lake Camper Park which
surrounded a big lake. It was very nice. 397 miles today.
West Virginia: We came straight down I-77. There
were 3 toll booths here, but I don't know what they do with the
collections, but it is not used to fix the road. They were
terrible. There is not a piece of flat land in West Virginia.
You are either going up hill or down hill. Some of them ole
hills are pretty steep too, and winding. But it was beautiful
country mountains.
Jim had North Carolina on his mind.
I-77 brings you through the Great Smokey Mountains, through Virginia and
to Hwy 52 just north of Winston Salem, N.C. which is about 30
miles from our daughter's house. We spent the night in
her yard. They have hook ups for us there. Too tired to enjoy
her family. Total of 560 miles today.
Last day out: It is an easy 211 miles home
to Morehead City Beaufort area. There's no place like home. (Except in our
American Dream Motorhome and then home is where we park it).
Today: (9-3-03) Motorhome has been washed,
cleaned and ready for next trip.
Wisconsin
Michigan
Mackinaw Island
Travels Index
