Post 6 - Mudcreek Falls

After leaving the Foxfire Museum, we decided to drive up to Sky Valley, GA (the highest city in GA at an elevation of 3,320 ft, with a population under 500).  The city was only a few miles up the mountain from River Vista where we were staying.

We stopped at the visitor center and were given directions to Mudcreek Falls.  These are some of the easiest falls to get to...you can almost drive right up to them and they are very scenic...a beautiful place to go picnicking.

 The 2 munchkins were the first to climb out

 But dad wouldn't be outdone and climbed out on the tree

Then Mom joined with the dog.

Just at the bottom of the falls we found a little hiking trail that led further down the creek.  Kids had fun climbing over rocks and on fallen logs.

...and so did mom and dad (and Perry!)

Post 5 - Foxfire Museum

This year marked the 50th anniversary of the Foxfire Magazine, a collaborative effort of high school English students who wished to memorialize life in Southern Appalachia. "In 1972, an anthology of the student-written articles was gathered and published as The Foxfire Book" (pamphlet The Foxfire Museum and Heritage Center). After thirty years, 11 more books and a total of 8.5 million copies were sold, royalties from the book series were used to purchase land and fund the acquisition and construction of the 20+ log structures of the Foxfire Museum and Heritage Center. The Museum serves not only as an educational resource and tourist attraction, but as a tribute to the people and traditions of Southern Appalachia, and showcases the value some 140 students have held for their community, neighbors and families over the past half century.

A volunteer demonstrates how lye and pork lard were used to wash clothes.

But first, the pig scalder was used to dehair the swine.

There were so many unique crafts and wares. Rob was fascinated by the bark bags, made by a man who had learned from his grandfather, who had, in turn, learned from his father. The hand-made corn husk brooms were my envy for the day. These were intricately woven with elaborate handles and were made to last many, many years.

The kids were enamored by the button
and string thing-a-ma-jiggy.

Mason, of course, had to buy one for
his collection.

And as if he weren't tall enough, Rob had to try out the stilts.

Mom tried her hand at making the wooden
puppet dance on a board. Too much weight
on the board and he just wouldn't dance.

Wagon used on the Cherokee T rail of Tears

An old schoolhouse

A beautiful day spent honoring the life and legacies of the Southern Appalachian Mountains.

Post 4 - First Weekend

April 30th/May 1st was our first weekend in Rabun County, and dad's last few days of vacation before starting at his new job Monday morning. We explored the Annual Downtown Clayton Fine Arts Festival where Rob somehow managed to slip into the background of the newspaper photographer's photo. I mean, who could mistake those long legs?

The Clayton Municipal Center has a very nice monument dedicated to Veteran's of all wars, and a display of confederate flags through the ages. Of course, the huge Red Maple tree was a draw for my monkeys, young and old.

Post 3 Arrival

We finally arrived at our destination April 28, 2016 at approximately 9:30pm. Minus some Atlanta traffic, this trip proved much smoother than the previous day's. Below are some views around the campground.

Back property of the campground (I just love how the sun shines through in the picture)

View from entrance of the campground

Looking toward the campground from the back of the park

Campground info (in case anyone is interested)

A short drive up the mountain revealed a fantastic view of the valley.

Our establishment for what would be the next month.

Post 2 - Off We Go

On April 27, 2016 we set off on our new life-style. We made it nearly all the way to the Georgia border when we were ambushed by a blow-out that took off our right wheel fender.

Within an hour, our Good-Sam's membership came through, A road-side assistant arrived and had us back on the road in no time. We decided to camp at the closest Camping World campground in Lake Park, Georgia and purchase 4 new tires. However, our streak of ill-fare was not over yet. While gathering wood for a campfire Mason stepped on a pile of wood and drove a nail nearly an inch through his shoe and 1/2" into his foot. Thank God for adequate nerve endings; he was able to withdraw his foot before it went much further. The following morning we located a clinic to have a tetanus booster, and were back on the road with 4 new tires, a bandaged foot and one very concerned sister.

Around the campfire at Lake Park Camping World Campground

Puncture wound from the nail

My little trooper

Post 1 - Our Beginning

Nearly a year and a half ago, we met a family from Seattle, Washington who had joined our Classical Conversations home-school community. They mentioned being "full-time" RV'ers. After multiple questions and conversations, the wheels started turning. I began to think that this was something we should look into. Since Rob is a physical therapist, I figured we could take to the roads and find contract work just about anywhere. I mentioned it to him one day in passing, just to see his reaction. Being the adventurous person he is, he started researching this right away. Before you know it, we were listing our house and looking all over for a different house - one with wheels. Three months later, we moved into our travel trailer and remained stationary in our home city for the next 6 months at Cypress Gardens Mobile Home and RV Park. Below is our 30', 300 sq ft., 2005 Keystone Cougar Travel Trailer with the kids (and dog) sitting on the front step of our "new-to-us" home.