Helen and I often get asked if we have considered living full-time on the road in our RV. The truthful answer is, yes, we think about it, then quickly dismiss the idea. As lifelong Knoxvillians, we know how important it is to stay connected to our friends and family. We love that we have the freedom to leave our home for three or four months at a time, but returning home can be just as sweet as our adventures on the road.
Another reason we feel the tug of home is because we love our church and the people who are a part of it. Sequoyah Hills Presbyterian has been our church home for well over thirty years, and we have no intention of moving away from it. Although we can view Sunday services online, it isn’t the same as joining our friends in the sanctuary.
One of the highlights of every year for us is the annual camping trip for church members in the Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area near Oneida, Tennessee, on the Cumberland Plateau. I have to admit to readers that Helen and I are usually the oldest campers in the group, and one aspect of the weekend that makes it so much for us is that we can be around many young adult members of the church and spend time with their children. The campout for this year took place last weekend, and Helen and I arrived on Thursday afternoon to join a few others who couldn’t wait until Friday to begin the fun.
It is peak leaf season in the Tennessee hills, and we have received an abundance of rain this year, so the leaves have held fast to the trees a bit longer than usual, putting on a colorful show for all to enjoy. We drove to Big South Fork in anticipation of a bright display. The display was there…but so was the rain–lots of it.
I parked Dora in campsite number one and set everything up in a misty rainfall. There are no hookups in the group campground, so I brought a generator for electricity, ensuring Helen had plenty of hot coffee available first thing on her damp Friday morning. The generator fired up on the first pull (whew).
That evening, Jennifer and David, the campout organizers, prepared a gourmet Surf and Turf dinner for about 12 early attendees. In addition to delicious beef tenderloin filets, Jennifer sauteed fresh diver scallops and smothered them with a mixture of crumbled bacon and maple syrup. The word delicious doesn’t come close to describing the taste. After our meal, we retired to Dora and let the gentle rain lull us to sleep.
There was no letup in the rain on Friday, but the families drifted into the campground throughout the day. That evening, Jennifer and David served a meal of homemade potato soup, supplemented by a pot of homemade chili prepared in front of the fire by Richard. Fortunately, there is a sizeable screened-in pavilion in the group campground, complete with a massive fireplace for everyone to gather around. After dinner, the children scrambled outside to play games in the dark, rain notwithstanding.
Saturday is usually a day for hiking during this event, and, in previous years, we have enjoyed fantastic hikes in Big South Fork in glorious fall weather. The pictures above are a good illustration, but we missed out on this year. Instead, smart-thinking parents brought several crafts and games for everyone to enjoy. Face-painting stations, beadwork tables, card games, and jigsaw puzzles, including three furnished by Helen, were included in the activities. Except for a few rainy-day bike riders, the children remained busy all afternoon. It was fun to watch them entertain themselves without cell phones and Ipads.
The rain held up long enough to hold a worship service around a large bonfire on Sunday morning. We sang hymns accompanied by a skilled guitarist, and Mark, one of our pastors, led both a children’s service and one for the entire group. He did well. When the service ended, everyone huddled together for a group photograph behind a veil of smoke. With that, a wonderfully wet, woodsy weekend concluded.
The sun broke through less than an hour later.
Joe, what a happy, upbeat post, even with the rain! Malcolm and I were lamenting recently that we need to be around young people more often. I think it does the soul good to take in all that exuberance and joy.
Thank goodness the camp ground had a covered pavilion and the parents came well prepared.
Good morning, Suzanne,
A church friend made the comment that “The best way to remain young at heart is to be around young people!” So true!
I loved reading this, Joe, I miss my church family in Sacramento. Ironically, the pastor of that church is originally from Spokane! We attend a larger church now but there is a smaller church closer to us. Still deciding… But how fun to do a camping trip with church family! You live in such a beautiful area that I’m sure you were all blessed being outside enjoying creation. And I bet everyone appreciated your professional and well-honed camping/RV skills! Have a wonderful week!
Good morning, Terri,
Many years ago, Helen and I went in search of a church home after we returned from an Army tour in Europe. We made a couple of stops, then God led us to the perfect place to continue our walk of faith…a mid-size church of 1200 active members. He will do the same for you and Hans. Our campout is always a highlight of the year. Helen and I were the first RVers, but two families rented trailers this year, and, after all the rain, another couple bought a trailer this week. I suppose we’ll have a home tour next year! Thanks for stopping by! Joe
Hi, Joe – I read your post right after reading some of Dan Buettner’s books on Blue Zones. Right off the bat your post listed top lifestyle habits that researchers attribute to living longer and experience more happiness.
Topping the list are:
•Staying connected to our friends and family.
•Being part of a faith community.
• Regular outdoor activities.
• Purpose.
• Eating healthy but also allowing ourselves celebratory meals.
• Regularly getting a good nights sleep. (I would give bonus points for being lulled to sleep by rain on your RV). 😀
Good Morning, Donna,
So thankful you checked in this week. Somehow that list was not found in my latest Nelson DeMille mystery novel. When Easin’ Along was created, I penned a slogan for it that read “Slow Walking Through the Golden Years with Faith, Family, Food, and Fun.” Staying true to that purpose has provided material for my blog when it might have faded long ago. I never dreamed we would travel as we do. RV travel was simply a by-product of a desire to be outdoors. Honestly, Helen is the motivator–she never sits or misses an opportunity to gather with people, otherwise, I might not have done so well with Mr. Buettner’s list. Thanks so much for sharing–my morning coffee suddenly tastes better. I’ll have another cup before I leave for the gym! 😘
That’s quite a turnout, Joe! It speaks volumes about the commitment to this annual activity. Good friends, good food and fun activities will continue to deepen the bonds within your church community and provide the kids with positive reinforcement on the benefits of both church membership and outdoor activities. Everybody wins. Love the group photo!
Hi, Mary,
It is always a treat to be among such happy children enjoying the outdoors. I salute the parents for introducing them to camping at a young age. My parents rarely took us camping, but I had the Boy Scouts to fall back on and learn the ropes. We love our church, and the annual campout is always a highlight. We slipped in the group photo before another rain cloud moved in. An hour later, the rain moved out. We’ve had blue skies every day since. Oh well, rain is one reason why they make RVs. Have a great week! Joe
Hi Joe, in reading your post, I understand why you wouldn’t want to travel full-time. You have such a rich life at home, and it’s so important to nurture those connections. Although Eric and I were (and still are ) deeply connected to our community of friends in Southern Oregon, we felt like full time travel was the best way for us to spend time with my parents in Florida to help them in their later years. It wasn’t an easy decision! And now, as you know, we find ourselves living in Florida. Life certainly unfolds in mysterious ways.
I enjoyed reading about the delight that you found, even in the rain. It sounds like a fun (and delicious!) weekend!
Good morning, Laurel,
You and Eric have found a lovely place to live while continuing to enjoy the RV lifestyle, even if it’s a part-time endeavor. It works for us and there’s no doubt it will for y’all as well. Your memories (and your blog) of full-time RVing will be with you for a long time. Now you have another adventure in front of you, building a new life in a somewhat familiar place. Remember, if it gets too hot down there, you’re not too far from a cool stream in our mountains, and we would love to join you there. Thanks for checking in–we had a lovely time with our church folks. Joe