Sunday, Nov. 6, 2016. We did not have far to go today (about 50 miles), so we lingered away the morning and left camp at about 1 pm, right after lunch. I selected a Google route that looked like it would be more scenic than the short, fast way the map suggested. I was right! We started out going through a few small towns (Farmington, Wheel, Shelbyville). On the way, I kept seeing great old houses and barns I wanted to take pictures of but was too slow to capture as we whizzed by. You’ll just have to imagine the immaculate white Victorian house with an old refrigerator on the front porch.

After Shelbyville, we veered even further off the suggested route, where we soon encountered a stampede of highly-manicured, exquisitely-fenced horse farms, probably specializing (Brad says) in breeding and training five-gaited Tennessee Walking Horses and high-stepping Saddlebreds. We came upon the George Dickel distillery and amazingly did not stop for a tour. Judging by the prosperous equine estates lining the small country roads, we were traveling in high cotton. After the picturesque village of Normandy, with some trendyish shops and an old railroad crossing, Google and I directed us down a really tiny winding road called Old Stagecoach Road. As soon as we made the irreversible turn, we got a little nervous, as it turned out to be a four-mile mountainous, curvy, single lane road – ideal for a convertible MG on this beautiful sunny autumn day, but more precarious for a monster pick-up truck hauling a 28-foot, 7600-pound, rolling house with a full refrigerator, queen size bed and all our other worldly goods.  Fortunately we did not meet anything coming the other way. Quick as a flash after emerging from that nail-biting wonderland, we arrived at Old Stone Fort State Park in Manchester TN at about 3 pm.

The campground here is stunning. The sole access road takes you over a 19^th century aquamarine colored steel truss bridge that is about two inches wider than the average 21^st century RV. No problem for us seasoned needle-threaders! The other amazing thing is that on a Sunday night in November, we were the ONLY ones here! We have not seen a soul other than one ranger who came by in a truck to empty the trash can in our loop, which was full of refuge from the busy weekend here. Our camp site is on the edge of steep cliff above the Duck River, with a beautiful view of the woods, the river and the old bridge over which we arrived. Brad managed to maneuver the trailer so that our DirectTV gizmo could find its three satellites, so I am happy on all counts. It was very dark and a tiny bit creepy to be the only people for miles around. But we survived the night just fine and are now cooking breakfast of coffee, biscuits, eggs and bacon.

Starting the chili in the slow-cooker this morning before we head out on foot to explore the features of this interesting archeological park, where will spend two nights. We have company coming for dinner! We convinced our great friend Marrie from Murfreesboro (originally from West Point) to drive down to visit us in our Airstream tonight. Can’t wait to see her!