6 Apr - Nashville to Walland TN

 <I am not current on the blog yet, but I will try to post the current day and a previous day until we are caught up.  Not sure how this will present in order but we will get it sorted out.>.

Travel day.  Headed south and east from Nashville to Walland TN, the Whispering River RV Park.  Had a close one on the way down as a rust-bucket straight truck passed us on I-40 and just as he got to my left front, he blew a tire and it really exploded.  Large chunks of rubber flying everywhere including just in front of our truck and over the hood from left to right.  I swerved the best I could and missed any direct contact. luckily.  Because of the swerve things "shifted" just a bit inside our coach, but luckily all is well.  No matter how carefully you drive and how defensive you are, something things like this happen.  It could have been a really bad deal.  Another reason our travel days are relatively short.  I am mentally drained by the time we reach our destination.

So we did reach Whispering River RV Park, located very near the Little River.  200 miles today, at 5 hrs 12 minutes travel time.  That included one rest area stop and one fuel stop (we were not full leaving Nashville) 

This is a scenic and quiet rural area.  The park is nothing fancy but the sites are gravel, flat and full hook up. You can tell these places are just getting spun up for the 2021 camping season.  Chilhowee Mountains can be seen in the background.  

The claim to fame here is the proximity to the Great Smoky Mountain National Park.  We plan to visit the Cades Cove visitor center tomorrow and drive the loop.  It is supposed to be beautiful and full of wildlife.  The campground owner said there have been many bears spotted as they emerge from hibernation.  Our weather is supposed to turn rainy after tomorrow so we will get our scenery sightseeing in tomorrow.  After tomorrow we will visit the Gatlinburg area, Dollywood, etc.  We may also visit Knoxville while we are here