Travel Update: Pigeon Forge, TN - Frankfort, KY
WHERE TO NOW? THE BOURBON TRAIL!
Okay, so we survived a month-long stay in the Smoky Mountains. So what is next? The plan has always been to get out West this first year, but we planned a bit of housekeeping (to be covered later!), a bit of adventuring, and some visits with friends and family before we commenced our long trek across the nation! First stop? The eastern edge of the Bourbon Trail! We had already planned to visit with our friend LaJena in Cincinnati, OH while we were on this side of the country, so we decided that a week in Frankfort, KY would be good therapy for raising our spirits after leaving the solace of the Smoky Mountains.
June 16, 2019
Departure (A): Pigeon Forge KOA, Pigeon Forge, TN
Arrival (B): Elkhorn Campground, Frankfurt, KY
Distance Travelled: 228 mi.
Before beginning our journey, Scotty lamely attempts to wash the RV at a carwash. Rather inept, both in form and in utility. A scrubby brush just doesn’t quite cut it., nor do shorts and sneakers with water raining down on your head. We would need to devise a more effective method for washing the RV long-term.
We’re only 11’11”, so we “fit”, but good luck maneuvering the car wash brush and sprayer over the top the RV with AC units, antennas, sewer vents and… well you get the picture. Stacked on top of that, the pressure of the timer on the wash, and you have a nice recipe for damaging your rig.
After a month of shore leave, Captain Scotty takes the wheel for the trip to Frankfort!
Tennessee truly is a beautiful state. This is outside of the Smokies, on our way to KY, and the beauty persists. Amazing!
Why include such a pixelated, unhappy picture? Because this definitely reflected the moment. This is a weary, unhappy man. We arrived late at night, in the pouring rain, and were misguided by Google to travel down a small farm road full of debris to reach our destination. Time to relax? Nope. We then needed to park, then set up camp with leveling, electricity, water, etc. Needless to say, that went very poorly as well. Emotions were high, but we got camp set up, made up, and then slept peacefully.
In the pouring rain of the evening prior, we identified that we had developed a small skylight leak. This was apparently a pre-existing condition of a cracked outer-skylight that was patched with caulk, but the caulk was wearing out. Temporary mitigating repairs with a trash bag and duct tape were applied promptly! Water is the absolute nemesis of RVs! As a RV owner, you must never let down your guard against your aqueous foe! NEVER! This is one fact that we have learned to be an absolute truth in RV ownership!!!
The next morning, we surveyed the parameter of the site. The small levy at our RV Park gave us cause for a bit of concern, considering the river that seemed to be flowing around us.
A bit of recon on our bikes confirmed that we definitely had some flooding potential here. A quick call to the insurance company was made to review our policy to ensure that we were covered for flooding. Indeed we are! That said, always make sure that you carry the right type of insurance on the road!
Sorry about the ruts Elkhorn Campground! We really were trying to be good, but we failed a bit in the brutal rain. If we return someday, we promise to be better human beings!