What a great park and thanks to a charmed life I was able to stay for 3 nights here as planned. I know you’re wondering what a charmed life had to do with it. When I arrived, I couldn’t find my reservation email; after calling the reservation number, I found out I didn’t have a reservation. Yikes! This has never happened before in the almost 4 years I’ve been traveling. Luckily, I was able to get a spot for 3 nights in the less populated part of the campground.

As an added bonus, I was able to reconnect with a friend I worked with at Wolverine Worldwide who lives in the area. It was so great to spend time with Stacey and her husband Terry. Dinner and drinks at Off the Hook were fantastic. View of the lake and our bartender made the night extra special.

Hiking this beautiful park was just a little challenging however. At one point during my first hike, I believe I was on 2 or 3 different trails. Found 3 more and kept a close eye on where I was and where I had been. Luckily, I found the campground again! Note to the park staff that better signage and trail blazes are needed!

WOW!!! I had no idea I would spend as much time here as I did. The website said this was in conjunction with the Smithsonian but what is truly amazing is one man collected and put together this living mountain village. The $18 fee was well worth it. Although I took way too many pictures, I will try to add some of the more unusual ones.

I have to say my favorite 2 places were the Appalachian Hall of Fame building and the Harrion Mayes building with all the signs. That’s not to say each of the 40 or more buildings here were not impressive with actual furnishings. The goats, sheep, donkeys, peacocks and chickens were cool too. It really made it easy to imagine what life would have been like for these people.

I’d love to find the book Popcorn wrote!

After spending the 1 night at Floating Mill I headed over to this national rec area. Great decision! Stopped at Cummins Falls S.P. along the way for a short hike. This was a beautiful place but the trail to the Gorge was closed due to a lot of rain the day before.

Bandy Creek campground is big but there are like 6 loops with a small number of sites in each loop. And there are trees! Unfortunately I forgot to get a picture of my site but I can say I looked at trees not my neighbors.

Multiple hiking trails ranging from easy to difficult. I did part of Angel Falls Trail and the East Rim overlook.

Okay so I knew this wasn’t going to be a great park but really it’s not my kind of camping. Sites are on top of each other. Literally, 6 sites terraced where I’m at in #12. This seems very family filled and shouts from one family to another got old for me yesterday afternoon. Storms and rain came in so that quickly helped. I’m cutting my stay here short and going to another national forest campground. Nice views of the lake if you look between campers. Guess you can’t find great campgrounds all the time.

I had so many people recommending this park that I worked some majic and was able to get 2 nights here. The park is gorgeous and trails were great. My site however (#59) was impossible to get level; even though it was a huge site. Finally got it parked so I was only leaning to one side. Front to back was only a little off.

The trails, waterfalls, canyon and overlooks were all fantastic. I am only putting a few pictures up but they don’t do justice to the actual view.

It was awesome to also chat with other Travato owners and 3 others in class B campers. And the day I left, there was a controlled burn taking place in the park. Good timing!

Another great national forest campground tucked in the Cherokee national forest. This campground is just a hop skip from the Ocoee Lake and river. There’s no internet connection unless you’re at the right spot with your phone facing the right way. Which for me is ok but does make finding out what’s in the area a little more challenging.

I had a great time recharging my batteries and just relaxing next to a bubbling stream. Nice people camping in the park as well. Will definitely want to come back!

I had no idea what a beautiful area North Georgia along the North Carolina and Tennessee lines; there are multiple lakes and mountain views. Springtime is great with everything blooming and temps in the low 70s.

There’s a number of small towns nearby to explore if you’re into window shopping unique stores. Not really my thing but to each their own. I’m more of the let’s explore the trails and lake!

As I was here for 7 days I was able to do a lot of hiking but also Horseback riding. Just a few of my favorite pics.

What a lucky break finding this county park for multiple days over the Easter weekend. Every place nearby was full. I, however, scored this fabulous site overlooking the lake with the Appalachian mountains behind it. It was raining for 2 days but Sunday was glorious and I was able to grill a steak, broccoli and sweet potatoes for my Easter dinner!

Wow! When this park was recommended I was happy to try to get there. It took some creative scheduling to make it work but certainly worth it.

I met another Travato couple who embraced meeting another Travato owner. We swapped stories regarding not only about our ride but also life in general. They shared their fire with me the first day, invited me to a Low Country boil the next. Introduced me to his 1st cousin Judy who stopped in for 1 night and another fire.

The hiking was great as well. Met so many great people on the trails and in the Interpretive center. Hugh who had 80 plus years living in this area. He gave great advice on what trails to do in which order. Also offered to let me use his kayak to run the rapids Easter weekend. Two friends who were at the top of the stairs as I was going down to the swing bridge. A retired teacher and 8 year old student on the way down at one of my breaks. Maggie and Kurt who had a break with me on some 200 steps down to the Gorge as they were coming up. They were my camping neighbors as it turned out. Corinne and her nieces who kept me company at the bottom of the Gorge and walk back up.

I can only put so many pictures on here but hopefully it gives you a general idea of how amazing this place is.