Leaving Helena, Alabama, was a whirlwind. Whipping down the road past the Talladega racetrack with flags flying high, I realized that there was much of Alabama that we would not see. There's so much more to every state, but we did get a dose of what's going on in each location. It's really fascinating to see how diverse our country is within each region, similar to visiting a different country each time we change sites.
Not too far outside Athens, Georgia is a little town called Bishop. Down curved roads and past many farms and undeveloped landscapes, we passed through groves of trees and sleepy acres of farm homes yet to be. There are lots of construction signs and billboards announcing houses of worship that will soon take residence along the road—a main drag toward tiny Bishop and onto the nearby town of Watkinsville, which is significantly more populated.
Tucked amongst the foliage on our right is a little entry to the Pine Lake RV Campground, the first of two entry points to the property. Off to the left is a big brown cabin holding the office, the lending library, and a place to do laundry (should you need it). Further ahead on the left is a lake for catch-and-release fishing, a little light boating, but no swimming, and some of the largest irises I've ever seen. The paved roads wrap around the lake, up through higher grounds with cabins for rent, past long-term tenants to open greens, and a dog park that reaches the lengths of each house it hides behind. The whole ground is expansive and hides from the road, which appears to get little more than through traffic and builders, as well as the homeowners, of which there are still not many at the time I write this.
To the right of the entry are the short-term visitors, where the sites are snug but not uncomfortable, and the trees canopy over many of the spaces. There are about three rows of trailers that back up to a wooded glen and areas to walk dogs. Many of the temporary residents keep multiple dogs, so it can turn into a bit of a dance depending upon the size and attitude of your pet as to when it's a good time for a wander around the park.
Despite the increase in humidity as we come closer to the eastern seaboard, Â the coolness of the air cuts through the layers just enough to be pleasant. Setting up camp was a breeze, and unhitching the truck proved uneventful. This is a blessing. We don't want drama upon entry, departure, or on the road. These things create stress, which we take measures to avoid. As we get settled into our new home for the next couple of nights, Jamie takes a stroll while I unpack my brain and the items needed for dinner. Sipping on a cup of coffee dressed with soy milk, I perk up and address my tasks with more vigor than I would have an hour before. At this point, my brain starts to hum with the infusion of caffeine, and I find my lips humming along to the tune while I focus on chopping and assembling our meal.
Savoring Every Bite
Before we left Las Vegas, I raided our pantry and packed all our canned food so I could flesh out skillet dinners and make sure that no canned food expired on the shelf while we were on the road. It's a pattern that I have learned to love since it helps me develop flavors and expand on fresh ingredients while making a well-rounded meal that satiates and nourishes. That night's skillet dinner was a combination of cannellini beans, leftover fresh tomatoes, chopped zucchini, and a single chicken breast, all loaded in a skillet with a couple of tablespoons of olive oil and a generous amount of black pepper. Our dinner is plenty of food for two people and an effective way to raid both the fridge (fresh ingredients) and the cabinet (beans). I love the soft texture of tomatoes and beans combined with the al dente crunch of the zucchini and the tender bites of protein that are soaked in the juices of the other ingredients. The dish reminds me of Mediterranean stews, and it should be enjoyed with a piece of crusty sourdough bread, wherever possible.
With dinner digested and dishes stowed, I prepped the coffee for the morning. We own a 5-cup Mr. Coffee machine that we prep twice for the morning – two scoops of Lavazza Espresso Blend and one sprinkle of ground cinnamon – once the night before so my sleepy brain only has to hit a button, and once more when I need to send the second cup after the first to see if it's working. I suppose it would be wise to buy a larger one and prep coffee just once, but the storage space on our trailer is tight, and it's really not as much effort as it sounds.
Jamie and I are resting at the dinette and discussing fun things to explore in the morning. We've become increasingly interested in local venues with takeaway items and intriguing t-shirts. My fingers do the hunting on my cellphone and find a regional coffee shop (as if I need more coffee), Jittery Joe's. What really sealed the deal was Joe's had a t-shirt and canned coffee advertising "opening a can of Whoop A**" with a boxer to emphasize the effect. Add that to the list. We also found Farm441 of Thomas Orchards, which boasts a farm stand and ice cream parlor that would absolutely become one of our stops. So far, the morning looked promising.
Old Towns and Tight Parking Lots
Jittery Joe's of Watkinsville, Georgia, sits in a triangle of a busy intersection with tight spaces and a drive-thru that I'm convinced takes a masterful driver to navigate. I stayed in the truck to keep the boys occupied while Jamie ran inside for a couple of cups of coffee and hopeful gift store purchases. Joe's items are rather popular. The treasures we were able to acquire were a can of ground "Whoop A**" coffee and a couple of cups of Joe to go.
Miraculously, Jamie managed to get us out of the parking lot, pivot out of the triangle, and find a small street to begin the fine art of "three lefts then a right" to get us back into Watkinsville to sort out lunch to bring back to the trailer and whatever else we could find that might excite us. Nearly every lot we passed had interesting places for lunch. We dared not brave with our massive truck. Parking accommodations are a very common concern when traveling through small towns with a lot of history. The towns are just not made for our size, making it difficult to find places to park, and it is perfectly understandable why RV owners with larger units than ours choose to tow a much, much smaller vehicle with them. This fact left us contemplating our plans should we ever decide to upgrade our rig. Parking is no picnic.
Farm441 and Peach Ice Cream
Our search for lunch was a bust. The parking situation created so much frustration that we decided to return to the trailer for sandwiches and rest and to head out to Farm441 when lunch had settled, as had our patience. I'm thankful that we took the time to head out again, if only for a farmstand visit.
What stands out about Farm441, besides the beautiful setting, is that the shop is more of a Gift Shop than a well-stocked farm stand. Yes, there were beautiful fresh eggs and cheese, which happily went into my basket, but the gift items that suited my magpie eye far outweighed my discovery of grocery items. Save one.
A Georgia tea towel for Jamie's sister, a bandana for mine, and a lovely clay bowl from a local artisan of whom I wish I had grabbed the name. The rust colors suit my love affair with earthy jewel tones, and the white markings give just enough interest to tell me it will live a permanent home in my bedroom out west. There was a coffee mug for my brother-in-law and an "anti-dog stink" candle for Jamie, who swears we need one for the RV. Finding one in a metal tin with a lid and a leather/bergamot scent was a solid win. Perfection, in my eyes, is not over-powering or flowery and small enough to put in the utensil drawer upright and covered when we are driving. On to more important things: groceries.
Perhaps I shouldn't call this a grocery item, but I deem small-batch peach ice cream to be a necessity, mainly when driving through Georgia. The peaches were not ripe on the trees yet, so I can only surmise that the fruit was from last year's harvest, carefully selected, cut, frozen, and folded into cream. Good peach ice cream is not to be overrated. The sweetness of the fruit brings out the gentle sweetness of the cream, and they marry together well when super cold, with a spoon, directly from the pint.
The transaction was settled, so I slipped out of the shop and returned to the truck where the boys and Jamie were waiting. We ended our exploring for the day for the sake of going back to the trailer for an afternoon walk, nap, and early dinner. I'm happy we did. The peacefulness of the campground was refreshing, and I found to the benefit of Benny and Vito that my need to keep strolling around the lake for sniffs and sunshine was well accepted, and in my desire to continue to poke my nose into every opportunity, saddled into the lending library adjacent to the registration office.
Life's Delights
Two walls with an assortment of books, one dedicated to mail, and an array of package deliveries included enough space on the floor for a rocking chair. A window let the sunshine in, and a camera was mounted on the wall to keep an eye on everyone's mail, serving as a reminder that this is a shared safe space. Browsing the wall, I found a copy of "My Favorite Murder," a book I read years ago. The sight of it on the shelf made me smile. The whole park created a sense of home that left my mind drifting to happy memories and smells of campgrounds over the years.
It all boils down to this. The healing feeling that nature brings is when I can set aside the rest of the rushing world for simple pleasures like hot coffee and walks in the woods. I'm healthy. Jamie is healthy. We are off on an adventure to rediscover the magic that is left in the world: the sunshine through the trees, the droplets of water when it rains in the spring—sleeping dogs on our laps, and good books to read. These are the luxuries in life, the ones that matter, and they sum up to time. Time to appreciate the color of the flowers and the stillness of travel when neighbors settle down for their meals and sleep.
So, for now, we're unhitched, about to unplug, and relishing our time to unwind. The road awaits us in the morning, and I look forward to our drive to Charleston, South Carolina, the next day.
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