The gypsy is in Swannanoa, NC!

I left PA at 8:00 am and it was only 12:15 by the time I arrived at my planned stop. I didn't want to stop that early - I wouldn't have anything to do so I would probably put the steps down, slides out, drink a beer, and then waste the whole afternoon on the computer. So I just wanted to drive a little further down the road, maybe an hour or two. A fine misty rain began falling when I fueled up a few miles before the VA/NC border and someone told me it was going to continue until morning. I still had to go through Fancy Gap, a stretch of road that is a 6% descent for about 7 miles, and normally there is some fog present as well as strong crosswinds. I hated to take it on after all the miles I had driven, and was really sorry when I hit the dense fog and heavy rain. I made it and just kept rolling along in the rain, which stopped when I got up the mountain from Old Fort on I-40. I was crawling along with the trucks at about 38 mph by the time I hit the top and the brilliant sunshine. It has rained up here in heaven today, but not now.

I drove a little over 8 hours today, and 465 miles! I was feeling great, especially after I got a little ways into Virginia. The foliage is gorgeous, with lots of reds and red-gold leaves. The mountains are beautiful although a bit difficult due to the grades, which don't seem so steep but they go on and on. I'm sure my fuel mileage today was shot to pieces.

I called the campground when I was back in Virginia to tell them I expected to be here late this afternoon or tomorrow, knowing the office would be closed. They told me to just find a space and take care of the registration on Monday morning. When I said I wanted to stay 3 weeks, I was told I should take a spot with concrete slab, which happen to be only back-ins. After driving so many miles today in rain and heavy traffic I am in no condition or mood to try backing into a space, so I am in a nice pull through. The woman in the office said maybe someone can back me in on Monday. I'm going to try to convince her to let me stay where I am, but if they want to hitch up and back into another space, that is ok with me, except I will have to bring in the slides and do all the other things necessary to move.

I should have hot water by now and the shower is calling me! I'm just so glad to be here, and I am remembering how beautiful the eastern part of the country is - from NY through PA and all the way to the Carolinas - it has been lovely and I've been away too long.