Homeward Bound

I was a bit overwhelmed as we left Asheville.  Not sure if I was ready to be home or ready to turn around and head back out left me feeling anxious.  We pulled out of Asheville in the typical crazy traffic of the Medusan head of highways in the area.  Making our way just out of the city, we headed back into the wilderness of the Pisgah National Forest where we scored a campsite at the Lake Powhatan campground.

Surprised at how instantly my nerves calmed, we set up camp.  With our chairs set up, the breezes blowing through the trees and the sun filtering through the high canopy of trees, I breathed a sign of relief and settled in.

We spent the afternoon wandering the area enjoying Lake Powhatan and the myriad of trails all around before having a lazy meal of nachos and a rousing game of scrabble.  The sun set as the campfires all around were lit and we whiled the night away enjoying being back in our element.

The next day was perfect for more venturing into the area’s trails.  Seeing one in particular that had an offshoot to the Blue Ridge Parkway, we set out with plenty of water and snacks packed.  I continue to be amazed at how different this area is from those we had been in across the country.  With thick, dark and green forest laden with mushrooms, fungi and streams, we followed one trail to the next, climbing all the way.

The view “at the top” was worth the effort and we stopped to take it all in before hitting another section of the Mountain to Sea trail.  And, no, I didn’t know we had this trail which runs from the Smokey Mountains to the Outer Banks of North Carolina – yet another hike that calls my name!

We finished our hike and spent the afternoon being less energetic.  We took blankets and a book to the beach on the Lake before the clouds set in and caught sight of a black bear on the walk back to camp.  Apparently very common in the area, the black bears don’t pose as much of a risk as a tourist attraction.  They kind of treat humans as a bother, something that requires a change in course vs a threat. 

With the trip home still looming, we woke the next morning to hit the trails yet again for another section of great hiking.  Doing another loop that wasn’t supposed to be as strenuous as the day before, we took a wrong turn at some point and ended up sweaty and winded and not exactly sure where we were!  Staying on what we knew was SUPPOSED to be the right trail was, in fact, the right trail and we made it back unscathed, with the exception of possibly a bit more fatigued than expected, before breaking camp and making our way to what would be our final stop before home.

With plans to meet up with dear friends from Greenville, we chose Paris Mountain park just a 30 minute drive from the city.  Google maps plotted a route with tiny roads that wound and twisted … where is a map app that understands that driving an RV is not exactly the same as a compact car?!  Rob is quite the expert driver now and, despite not ENJOYING these challenges, we finally made it to the park.

Another surprisingly wonderful park, we found a campsite, got set up, met the neighbors, shared one of the final Holy City beers in stock and got ready for a night with familiar faces.  Bernie and Donna arrived late afternoon.  We showed off our amazingly advanced skill of RV entertaining (smiley face) with appetizers waiting and a full dinner and dessert in the wings.  The hours flew by as we caught up on each others’ lives, watched the sun set and finished the day off with a fine and final campfire before they headed back home.

Home

Rob and I woke the next morning to find ourselves face to face with our final journey.  Not sure to be elated or sad, we approached the reentry without fanfare.  Arriving exactly at the same time as a tropical depression dumping buckets of rain and the highway closed with a hazardous waste spill and a 2 hour delay we parked our now beloved “home on wheels” back at Holy City and snuck home shrouded in rain.

After 5 months, 27 states, 25 National Parks, memories of good times with family and old friends and a list of countless new friends to add to the address book – we are home.  Sure to reconnect with friends and get back into activities, the whole experience will fall into the “remember when” category before we know it.  OR WILL IT?!

In the meantime, this is Moonshadow, waiting on the next adventure.  Until then …