The end of one journey, and the beginning of another.....

After a long trip home from northern Minnesota, just 40 miles from the Canadian border, we parked the RV in our yard on Saturday, September 25, 2010. After an injury to his back, while playing golf in North Carolina, Bob had driven with a heating pad at his back as well as frequent stops to lie on the sofa and rest. Little did we know that his back injury was just a precursor to what lay ahead and had little, or nothing, to do with golf!

The following week, we made several visits to our Primary Care Physician. A referral to an oncologist, on October 7, 2010, resulted in a diagnosis of Multiple Myeloma. Myeloma is an incurable cancer of the plasma cells in the bone marrow. The "ups and downs" of his illness is recorded on our blog  Our Journey With Multple Myeloma.

Bob has responded well to chemotherapy, and after six cycles has been able to take a break. We're back "on the road, again".  We recently enjoyed a trip to the Outer Banks of North Carolina, and are now getting our "rolling motel" ready for another trip to a campground in the beautiful mountains of Virginia - near the Blue Ridge Parkway.

I'm sure the cool, fresh mountain air will do wonders both physically and emotionally. Not too many months ago, we weren't sure he'd be able to take more trips, but the man is a survivor!!

Beautiful Lake Junaluska...

On Monday, we were lucky to get to visit with family/friends, Charlie and Dimple Nicholson....family because Dimple and I are third cousins (on the Walker side of the house). And, friends because Charlie is a brother to my Uncle James (uncle by marriage). But, as honey said, we really feel like we're a part of the family.

It was such a wonderful day.....in their beautiful home (Charlie needs to start designing, and Dimple really needs to become an Interior Decorator), with great conversation and delicious food.

The lake, rippling in the cool morning air.....looked almost like a piece of glass.

The ducks provided quite a show....and we were just in time to catch this shot.

The doggie that couldn't bark!!

Flower garden at Inspiration Point

And, the pièce de résistance of Lake Junaluska .... the beautiful Cross on the Mount

Moonshine Creek Campground - NC Mountains

The entrance to the campground, in the "boonies" of the Smokey Mountains near Waynesville, NC.

It was little, but it was noisy.....peaceful and pretty. Great for sleeping.

Sitting around the campfire, with friends (the empty chair belongs to the photographer - me).

Roughing (???) it!!

Our Journey Begins.....

Early on the morning of Tuesday, August 17.....after several days of packing the RV and getting it ready to roll, and after our 50th Wedding Anniversary celebration, we headed out to see the world.....or the United States portion, anyway.

Traveling in an RV has its advantages. There's no packing and unpacking, once you get to a hotel, and all the conveniences (well, most of them) are right at your fingertips. But, it also takes lots of organization....everything has to have a place. Honey and I have a system......I'll take care of the inside, and the organization, if he'll take care of the outside....AND the driving. And, since I'm a "certified" backseat driver, he also gets the benefits of my instructions and directions.

We had reservations, beginning Wednesday, August 18, at Moonshine Creek Campground near Waynesville, NC. Because we had left so early, on Tuesday, we were able to make the trip in one day - even though it was almost 500 weary miles. It was one of those trips where you feel like you're too tired to continue, but too close to stop.

The creek runs through the campground, which sits in a valley, surrounded by the lush forests of the Smokey Mountains. Less than 5 miles away is one of the entrances to the Blue Ridge Parkway.