Week of September 11th through 17th - Prep Week
In preparation for this years Smokies trip, we took the camper out to Oak Mountain and stayed the week out there. We packed and prepped the camper for the haul and week of boon-docking to come at Mile High Campground. Boondocking means no hook-ups (electricity, water, sewer). So, we strictly rely on 6 gallon water jugs to fill up the camper water tank; 12 volt batteries to power lights, fans, certain controls, water pump, radio, TV (via an inverter which converts 12 volt dc power to 120 volt ac power); propane gas to run stove, oven, water heater, refrigerator, and heater if needed.
This year we ran a long pair of #4 cables from the 12 volt camper battery located on the tongue of the trailer to the cabinet under the dinette seat. This way we could place our extra batteries (extra 12 volt deep cycle and two six volt Trojan golf cart batteries) in the cabinet and hook everything up for boondocking without having all the batteries hooked up outside in the weather under the tongue. Of course the extra batteries increase our amp-hour capacity - thus we can run the electricity (lights, TV, fans, radio, etc.) longer in the camper without needing to recharge the batteries. When needed, we charge the batteries by running the truck and hooking up the camper battery to the car battery with a set of thick jumper cables - thus the alternator charges the batteries.
It sure was nice to stay at Oak Mountain and drive into work everyday. At night we cooked camper food and relaxed outside listening to the radio and crickets. The outdoors sure do quickly relieve stress and bring a great night of sleep. We always say we should do that more - it's not a long drive to and from work and is not too much trouble...and if anything it seems to put a little more work pep in the step!
Saturday, September 18 - Driving, Arriving, Setting Up, and Groceries
We left out Saturday morning early after dropping sweet little Amy Grace off with my parents. It sure was a nice drive up without a restless screaming baby. We were able to relax and enjoy the nice weather and views on Highway 64 around the Ocoee and through the Nantahala Forest. We had no trouble until made the final long haul up the windy mountain road (Highway 19) from Cherokee to the Blue Ridge Parkway. One of the camper tires seemed to be rubbing some on the fender and the truck started burning oil and what later turned out to be steering fluid. But we got there on the last leg, set up, filled up on water and went and got groceries for the week. Our set-up on T-0 again this year with a nice view right out of the camper windows/door. 
Sunday, Septemebr 19 - Road Prong Trail, Campfire Cook, and XM Auburn Football
Sunday, Septemebr 19 - Road Prong Trail, Campfire Cook, and XM Auburn FootballWe decided today to get out and stretch our legs on a short but steep trail to test ourselves for the planned crown jewel of this years trip - hiking upto Mount LeConte for the night (Wednesday night). We choose the Road Prong Trail which climbs about 700 feet in a mile on the steepest portion of the trail. We did it in two sections - first we started out from Clingmans Dome Road off the A.T. and hiked down about a mile then back up. Then we went down to the bottom of the trail at the Chimney Tops Trail head and hiked up before turnign back down to the car. It was a good leg stretcher for sure with some nice views of old forest and multiple rock hop stream crossings.
Starting out at the top:
Then straight downhill for a over a mile:
Then straight downhill for a over a mile:Old knarley ghosty tree:
The trail took off down through these fallen trees. We turned around here and headed back up the mountain.
After getting back to the car we drove around to the Chimney Tops Trail, where we hiked up the rest of the trail from the low side.
View down from the trail:
Nice rocky creeks in this area of the park:
Junction of Road Prong Trail and the Chimney Tops Trail:
After getting back to the truck, we went back to camp and listened to some college football on the XM Radio. That was our big purchase before this trip and well worth it...we trully enjoyed being able to listen to football and the music stations were great by the campfire everynight. We cooked some wonderful turnip greens on the fire tonight to go along with some leftover steak.
The trail took off down through these fallen trees. We turned around here and headed back up the mountain. After getting back to the car we drove around to the Chimney Tops Trail, where we hiked up the rest of the trail from the low side.
View down from the trail:
Nice rocky creeks in this area of the park:
Junction of Road Prong Trail and the Chimney Tops Trail:
After getting back to the truck, we went back to camp and listened to some college football on the XM Radio. That was our big purchase before this trip and well worth it...we trully enjoyed being able to listen to football and the music stations were great by the campfire everynight. We cooked some wonderful turnip greens on the fire tonight to go along with some leftover steak.
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