Camping & Four Wheeling

We went camping over the July 4th holiday. It was my (Desiree) first experience camping as an adult.

Our trip started out exciting as most of us met at the Shoney's in Alcoa. We were quite a sight with all the raised Jeeps, duelies pulling car trailers loaded with Jeeps, Jeeps pulling trailers loaded down with baby strollers...we took two vehicles ourselves. (Jeff driving his dad's truck pulling a box trailer and me driving the Jeep.) As we were eating breakfast, one of the guys snorted and I looked up in time to see a guy with hair JUST LIKE Joe Dirt's. The funniest part was this guy was in his 50's and driving a Buick. Of course, every one spotted him and we were all questioning whether or not this guy was for real. He kept walking back and forth in front of Shoney's. We all smothered giggles (some better than others). As he was getting into his car, I saw his shirt. On it, written in black sharpie, were the words "ROGAINE WORKS". It was HILARIOUS! It was a great way to begin our adventure.

We got to the camping sites with no problems. (Other than me looking up in the rear view mirror of the Jeep only to the see the guy behind me locking up the brakes on his truck/car hauler and heading towards the shoulder of the road.) We set up camp, hung out, ate dinner, and then went to bed. The next morning, we woke up and everything was so damp because of the dew that fell overnight. I'm sure it didn't help that we camped right in front of a small river. Jeff commented on how we had the sound machine LIVE overnight rather than the prerecorded one we use at home...same sound.

Mid-morning Friday everyone lowered the air on their tires, packed some sandwiches and off to the bumpy trail we headed. We didn't get too far before the excitement began. We stayed in one spot almost three hours because of someone breaking an axle AND drive shaft. Plus, everyone had to wench out of the spot. Jeff was the first one up the trail, so that left him to doing much of the wenching for the guys without one. (Side note: I do find something funny. Right when Jeff and I first starting dating we took this same trail. I rode up this difficult spot - eyes closed, butt clenching the seat - but I RODE up it. This time, Jeff heads towards the Jeep after making a preliminary plan of attack and says, "I'd rather you not ride up this part". I just laughed on the inside...guess he's got nothing to prove now that we're married ;P.)

Saturday, we woke to rain and everyone agreed that it was best not to ride. Everyone packed up and headed out in groups of 2-3 families. We were in the last group to leave. Again, on the way down the mountain, a different driver/truck/car hauler combo was following me. We had to stop at one spot to let some cars come through and all of a sudden I hear screeching tires and see the truck behind me all loaded down sliding towards the sheer rock face being pushed by the trailer he was pulling. He stopped only feet from it. LESSON LEARNED: I will not drive in front of the car hauling trucks the next time we travel in a convey.

Overall, it was a good weekend. Jeff didn't break anything, no one got hurt, and we were back home in our bed with the A/C Saturday night.