Endless Roads, Miles of Wonder

Every RV trip seems to develop a personality of its own. What starts as a carefully planned route inevitably becomes a collection of unexpected adventures, weather delays, mechanical surprises, and moments that remind us why we love life on the road. The Florida hurricane changed our RV route to a departure to the north. We had an appointment in Tishomingo, MS end of October to work on our RV so we needed to slow roll it until then before heading west. We planned to have a few weeks exploring Florida, so we took out the maps and made a new plan. Our journey through Georgia turned out to be one of those trips that perfectly balanced adventure with much-needed downtime.

Our first stop was the fascinating Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge, one of the most unique ecosystems in the country. The vast blackwater swamp seemed to stretch endlessly in every direction, creating a peaceful and almost otherworldly landscape. Wildlife was everywhere—from alligators basking in the sun to countless birds calling from the cypress trees. It was a reminder of how wild and untouched parts of America still remain.

While exploring the refuge, we also visited the historic Chesser Island Homestead. Walking through the preserved homestead offered a glimpse into what life was like for the early settlers who carved out a living on the edge of the swamp.

From there, we made our way to Elko, GA. We uncovered that the local fair was in town and it provided a convenient stop during our travels and gave us a chance to experience a little local Georgia hospitality. Sometimes it’s these simple stops along the way that make RV travel so enjoyable.

The highlight of our Georgia adventure, however, was our stay at Talona Ridge RV Resort near Ellijay. We had planned several activities in the area, including a scenic drive to Fort Mountain State Park, where we enjoyed beautiful mountain views and explored a bit of the park’s history. But what surprised us most was how much we simply enjoyed staying at the resort itself. Talona Ridge is one of those rare places where the destination becomes more enjoyable than the itinerary. The beautifully maintained grounds, mountain scenery, and peaceful atmosphere encouraged us to slow down and appreciate the moment. We spent hours walking the resort’s winding roads and trails, soaking in the views, chatting with fellow RVers, and enjoying the kind of quiet that can be hard to find in everyday life.

Our next adventure led us to Chattanooga, Tennessee, which turned out to be a delightful stop in the Southeast. No visit would be complete without exploring Ruby Falls, hidden deep inside Lookout Mountain. Descending into the cave and following the winding paths to the underground waterfall felt like stepping into another world. We also spent time wandering through downtown Chattanooga, enjoying the vibrant atmosphere, local shops, and scenic riverfront. A visit to Lookout Mountain Battlefield added a fascinating glimpse into Civil War history while offering incredible views of the surrounding landscape.

From Chattanooga, we made our way to Sevierville. As always, neighboring Pigeon Forge was bursting with activity, flashing lights, attractions, and enough entertainment options to keep visitors busy for weeks. The energy of the area is unlike anywhere else.

One of the highlights of our stay was spending an afternoon at Anakeesta. High above Gatlinburg, we enjoyed breathtaking mountain views, peaceful walking trails, and the unique atmosphere that makes Anakeesta such a special destination in the Smokies.

Next came Nashville. Even though we’d visited before, there was no way we were passing through without spending some time downtown. The live music poured out of every doorway, and we found ourselves happily people-watching as musicians entertained crowds from morning until late into the night. Some places never lose their charm, and Nashville is definitely one of them.

Our route then carried us west to Memphis, where we stayed at Tom Sawyer RV Park. Located right on the Mississippi River, this campground gave us front-row seats to one of nature’s greatest shows—the endless parade of cargo ships and barges traveling up and down the river. We explored downtown Memphis, although we didn’t spend much time away from our truck due to concerns about theft. One destination we thoroughly enjoyed was the enormous Bass Pro Shops at the Pyramid. Even if you’re not an avid outdoors person, it’s worth seeing simply because of its incredible size and unique setting.

One of the most memorable stops of the entire trip was Cleveland, Mississippi. We parked in the parking lot at Delta State University and spent quality time with Todd and, of course, Zoey.

The simple moments often become the most meaningful. Morning coffee chats in the parking lot quickly became a daily tradition, while afternoons filled with activities and adventures with “Zojo” created memories we’ll treasure forever. Sometimes it’s not the destination that makes a stop special—it’s the people.

For a few days, Tishomingo State Park became home. The park was absolutely stunning, with the first hints of fall color beginning to emerge across the landscape. The peaceful surroundings, beautiful hiking opportunities, and crystal-clear night skies made this one of the most relaxing portions of our trip. There is something magical about sitting outside an RV beneath a sky full of stars with no city lights to compete for attention. While staying in the area, we made a trip to Tuscumbia, Alabama, to visit the legendary Rattlesnake Saloon. Calling it unique would be an understatement. Built beneath a massive rock overhang, the saloon feels almost magical. The atmosphere alone makes the visit worthwhile. Adding to the experience was Aaron’s incredible pumpkin carving, which somehow made the entire stop feel even more memorable.

Eventually, reality caught up with us, and it was time to get “Big Phat V” worked on in Tishomingo, Mississippi.

What we expected to be a relatively quick repair turned into four days in the shop. Fortunately, the technicians took good care of us, even allowing us to stay inside the RV overnight while it sat in the service bay.

Evenings were spent watching the Yankees lose in the World Series before falling asleep inside the shop. It wasn’t exactly how we planned to spend those days, but life on the road teaches flexibility.

With repairs complete, it was finally time to begin the journey home. Our first planned stop was St. Louis. The intention was simple: stay two nights and continue west. Naturally, Mother Nature had other ideas. Aaron managed to find an amazing RV park right on the river, and suddenly our short stop became much more exciting. We attended a fantastic Lainey Wilson concert and unexpectedly found ourselves at a 3 Doors Down concert as well. After enduring a major storm, we eventually pointed the RV toward Oklahoma.

I had hoped to spend time exploring Oklahoma City, but severe weather and tornado activity convinced us otherwise. Instead, we continued to Fort Smith, Arkansas, where we found another excellent riverside RV spot. While there, we visited one of the most impressive museums we’ve encountered anywhere: the U.S. Marshals Museum. The exhibits brought the history of law enforcement in the American West to life and quickly became one of the highlights of the trip.

The original plan was to take our time getting home. However, once we were back on the road, both of us began feeling like we might be coming down with COVID. Suddenly, our leisurely return transformed into a mission: get home as quickly as possible. We stopped for a few nights in Durant, Oklahoma, allowing Aaron some much-needed rest before continuing. Once he felt strong enough to travel, we hit the road and began the final push home. Our final RV stop of the season was a KOA in Wilcox, Arizona.

After months of adventures, countless miles, unforgettable landscapes, incredible friendships, unexpected concerts, mechanical delays, cargo ships, waterfalls, mountains, and more than a few weather surprises, we finally arrived home.

The RV was parked away for the season.

And just like that, another chapter of road life came to an end.

Home, sweet home.