Georgia On My Mind
- thewanderwomanrv
- Jul 9, 2023
- 5 min read
14 April- 23 June 2023
I stayed in my hometown of Warner Robins for about two months, visiting friends and taking care of some business. I hadn't been back there in about a year and a half and can I just say how nice it was to not need a GPS to get around? And I knew all the shortcuts to avoid traffic. Yes!
I caught up with many of my friends while there and it was wonderful to see their faces and hug their necks. There really is no place like home. I wish I had pictures of Victoria & Travis, Cindy, Teresa and Jeannie and John but I was too in the moment and forgot to take them.
Kathy, Mary, Chuck; Debra; Lynn and Steffi
I was so glad I got to see my Uncle Bernard. He's my mom's 91-year-old brother. He's a very special man and it's been several years since we were together. He's in assisted living but doing well for his age. I told my sister, I never realized how many of his facial expressions and mannerisms were just like mama's. In a way it was comforting and in another way made me miss her even more.
This handsome guy is my Pastor, Jerry Walls. He's helped me through a lot of stuff and I've tried his patience many times but he loves me anyway! He stepped down as head pastor of Southside Baptist Church a few months ago but preached on Father's Day. I was excited I got a chance to hear him in person again. He's an awesome preacher.
My friend Richard (who I also can't believe I didn't get a picture of) had full hookups next to his house so I "moochdocked" in his yard while I was there. Sage is obsessed with him and just about every morning when I let her out to go potty, she'd go to his front door and stare at it like she could summon him out.
The kitties enjoyed keeping an eye on the neighbors. Sage can't make up her mind if she wants to lay in her bed or sit on my ottoman. Sage enjoying all the bones Jeannie gave her!
There were a few projects that I got completed as well. When I left Texas, my inverter wasn't working and one arm of my awning wouldn't close all the way. Anderson Mobile RV Repair in Fort Valley came out and fixed both of those issues. Water had gotten in the exterior box where the inverter connectors are and the arms/awning needed adjusting. My front exterior door wouldn't close all the way either (apparently wind can really jack doors up) and RCI XL RV Repair shop was able to fix it. I was so thankful it didn't need replacing! If you're ever in the middle Georgia area and need repairs both of these places are excellent.
My friend Dan came over one weekend and installed my MORyde CRE3000 suspension upgrade. Between that and the Rhino hitch tightener he told me about, towing is much smoother now. Thanks Dan!
The last project I did was add plastic covers to my screen doors. I like to have my exterior doors open for light and so I can keep an eye on the fur kids when they're outside in the "yard", but needed a way to keep my a/c or heat inside. My friends Guy and Angela, who you'll meet in a minute, gave me the idea.
They installed plexiglass pieces over their door screens. I needed something lighter and easily removable so I thought about marine grade plastic. I used velcro to attach them to the door and when I don't need it (like when it's cool enough and want fresh air in) I can roll them up and store them in a cabinet. The small piece in the middle by the sliding black panel is very thin plexiglass that will stay there permanently.
Twice I joined Guy and Angela at McKinney Campground at Lake Alatoona in North Georgia. Once in April and again over Memorial Day weekend. Wow what a beautiful place. It's a COE campground with electric and water hookups. Both times we were lucky enough to get waterfront sites near each other (thanks CampNab).
Let me veer off subject for a minute and tell you about this website. CampNab is a website that will search for campsites based on your criteria. I've used it several times and it's never let me down. You input the campground you want to stay at, your dates, length of stay, RV size, etc., and with the subscription I have, it searches every 15 minutes for cancellations. They text you when there's an opening that meets your criteria. I've gotten in 3 impossible-to-book campgrounds using it, so as a full-timer it's well worth the money. No, I'm not getting paid to promote it, it's just been a game changer for me and I wanted to share. Now, back to McKinney Campground.
I'm loving the portable fencing. Also a game changer
I could watch these sunsets every night
This is Angela's dog Lulu. Check out those crazy long eyelashes! I'm so jealous
Richard has some competition. Sage loves Guy too!
Guy and Angela had never been to Fort Mountain State Park so we took a side trip over there. It's only about an hour away from McKinney. We hiked around and took in the beautiful scenery. North Georgia is really pretty.
One of the roadside turnouts, Cool Springs Overlook
Waterfall on the Big Rock Nature Trail. Yes, Sage had to take a dip in the pool at the bottom.
Sage and Guy exploring. I know she's supposed to be on leash but we were the only ones on the trail. She's going to be a great hiking companion. She can help pull me up the hills!
Me and Sage beside a smaller waterfall
I'm always looking for a dog park to take Sage to because she has so much energy, walking doesn't satisfy her. This girl needs to RUN! I found Pitner Road Dog Park in Acworth.
It was nice and shady with wood chips which were a nice change from dirt (read mud). There's only one thing she likes better than mud and that's chasing her ball. The Chuck-it thrower and ball are the best thing I've ever bought for her.
There was a tree there with interesting bark that I'd never seen before. I looked it up and it's a Chinese Elm. Pretty cool looking if you ask me!
On the way back to the campground I came across this old barn. I love old buildings and often wonder about the stories those walls could tell.
The property it sits on was for sale too! I'd love to have a place like that in the country.
Guy and Angela took me to their favorite Mexican restaurant, El Charro in Cartersville. I don't know what they put in their margaritas but it was one of the best I've ever had! Cool way to serve them too in this pottery mug. The food was delicious too.
I bought and tried out an inflatable kayak since I had to leave my hard side one in Texas (I couldn't find a loader that would work with my truck topper).
It didn't go so well! It tracked okay and was easy to get into but getting out of it was a struggle. I couldn't push down on the sides to help myself out so I ended up having to roll out of it! It wasn't pretty.
Needless to say it went back to Amazon. In the meantime, I think I found a loader/rack that will work so I can get my other one back in the fall when I return to Dallas.
Well, I'm off to Alabama for a family reunion then start heading north to cooler temperatures. See you next time!
I loved our time together! I know we'll do it again!