Over the hills and thru the woods….

Smudge loves the window view.

We left Red Bay, Alabama to work our way to Jacksonville for Christmas.  We traveled just about 150 miles to Talledega National Forest and Cheaha State Park.  In the park lies the highest point in Alabama,  2744 feet above sea level.  It was quite a climb to the campground which is at the top of the mountain.  Stunning views on the way up but I had to close my eyes at some of the drop offs.  No, I wasn't driving.

Mountains in Alabama….who knew?

Out our window.

Lovely hiking at Cheaha.

Then off we were to Adel, Georgia,  Reed Bingham State Park.  What a great park…serene and lots of trails and wildlife.

Baby Long Leaf Pine.

Timber rattler on trail.  Almost stepped on him but he was cold and not moving too fast.

Dang I need to lose weight!  I'll make this photo small.

On the road……In Georgia, they don't mince words.

Mobile Christmas Decor

Back at Camp Red Bay, having a few small items fixed on the coach, we got ready for our first mobile Christmas.  I got a little teary eyed thinking of Christmases past…...putting up outside lights in the snow, hanging wreaths and decorating two trees.  But all that can happen again.  Now is the time to travel, while our health is good and we have the desire to be free of a "sticks and bricks" home.
So, this is how we decorated and got ready for Christmas this year.  Lots of giggles and had a good laugh!

First Paul had to cut the enormous tree down.  It helps to have the blade guard off, Paul.

Then we had to tie it on top of the car and take it home.  Exhausting!

Then decorating…    

Stockings were hung by the fire.  Hope Santa doesn't come down the black tank vent.

And we drove to "downtown" Red Bay to see the decorations.  Small town America at its best.

Southern Times at the Hollow

I am reminded daily that we are in the soulful, serene southern part of our country.  Polite manners everywhere…I admire being told "Yes Mam" and I am in wonder that there are more syllables in the southern words.  How are kids in the south taught about syllables when words like "mile" become a "mi ell"?
And the more we have conversations with southerners, the more we talk like them.  The southern drawl is contagious!
While the coach was being painted, we stayed at other accommodations.  We found a wooded, pastural area with cabins, called Sleepy Hollow.  The 4 cabins were nestled in the "holler", peaceful and pure.  We could let the dogs off leash and we spent many hours walking the woods, Smudge peeing on every tree.  How does he do that?
The cabin was heated with a gas stove that gave a warm, buttery glow all night long.  We woke up to deer in the yard and a mist over the hollow.  This is why we are living the way we are.