August 25 Day 6

We worked on engraving that had come in and took it to the Post office in Hico, WVA and then headed down I81 to Bristol, VA. We had not had any internet service for a few days and when we stopped for the night at Lee Highway Campground we were able to get on the internet and printed off the work that had come in. This is also the reason I am making up for lost time with my blog.
The roads have really been good but when we got to the toll road and paid our toll, the road was really broken up and rough until we got off when the roads were really nice blacktop. Go figure, you would think that a toll road would be really in good condition but we have seen that before. On to Pigeon Forge tomorrow after some work.

August 23 & 24 Day 4 & 5

We were camped at the Jackson's Mill campground and got up early as hamfests usually get starter early in the morning, some as early as 6am. There was a good crowd and we were busy all day. Most of the activities were over about 5pm and they had a BBQ for those that attended as well as all of the vendors. We got a good nights sleep and there was not much going on Sunday morning, so we decided to pack up what we did not sell and head out for points south. We made some changes on the brake controller on the van and finally got away about 2pm and headed south. We took US19 south to I81 toward Beckley WVA and spent the night in a really remote campground called Ray's Place Campground off of Sunday Road near Hico, WV. Sunday road is two lanes wide with one strip of blacktop down the middle and gravel on both sides. Not much road for a rig of our size, but we made it with out any problems.

August 22 Day 3

We left the Broken Wheel Campground and drove the short distance to the Jackson's Mill Conference Center. This place has really changed since we were there some 30 years ago. They have really cleaned it up and restored many of the buildings. This is the site of the training grounds that Stonewall Jackson used for his troops. Many of the original buildings are there as well as working demonstrations. It is really an educational facility for those that enjoy history, especially of the Civil War. We were there for the annual Jackson's Mill Hamfest, a gathering of Amateur Radio Operators (Hams) that gather to talk about radio communications and attend seminars on various subjects, among some are public safety and communications regarding emergency situations and disasters. One of the vendors there was Federal Signal Co. They manufacture many of the warning sirens you hear every week at a specified time. They demonstrated their portable PA system, a unit that goes about 40' in the air and can be heard many miles away and we were within 100' of it and you could understand every word they said even though it was defining in volume.
We were there as vendors and got set up that afternoon for the show on Saturday.
I will say that West Virginia has some beautiful mountains, so much different that the Rockies out west, but beautiful in their own way and a treat to drive through.

August 21 Day 2

We got away a little late and traveled across US 40 and I70 around Columbus and picked up US33 a really nice 4 lane divided highway. Lots of nice scenery and across the Ohio river at Parkersburg, WVA on US50 on east to Clarksburg and down I70 to Weston, WVA, A 376 mile day which is a lot farther than I really like to drive. We camped near Weston at the Broken Wheel Campground, a very secluded wooded area near a state road that had maybe 4 or 5 vehicles an hour and nearly none after dark. Maybe afraid to drive after dark as there could be a lot of animals out there. Looked like a great place for bears to live. We did not go out after dark either. On to Jackson's Mill tomorrow.

August 20, 2008 Day 1

We got a late start from Fishers, it was almost 4pm. I had only towed the van a short distance a few days ago however it was uneventful. After getting on the highway I found it handled very well and the van almost tracks the same as the RV. It does not cut the corners and does not run over any curbs.
We headed east on I70 toward Ohio and stopped at Tom Raper RV to get some parts to make an extension for one of the cables to the van as the original was just a bit too short for my liking. The brake conrtoller on the van will need some adjusting, but we will get that sorted out in a day or so of towing.
We were headed for a campground just north of New Paris, Ohio. When we got to New Paris, we found it was another 9 miles to the campground. The roads got smaller and smaller and the last road was a 1 lane blacktop. It wound through a big valley with corn and soy beans everywhere and when we finally got to the campground it was a beautiful setting with lots of trees and a small lake. The only problem was that the county fair was going on and they did not have any pull through spaces left, only one small backin space. So back across this beautiful valley and south to US40 and east toward Dayton where we found a Wal-Mart for the night. It is cool and we do not need AC anyway.
So, tomorrow, on toward West Virginia across the back roads of Ohio, which is where we like to travel away from all of the traffic and big trucks.
Remember, it is not the destination but the beautiful scenery you see on the back roads of this great country.