We are currently at the Volunteer Park Campground in Heiskell, TN. Located 12 miles North of Knoxville just West of I-75, this place has exceeded all expectations. We originally booked for a 2 week stay, but have extended for a full month.
One of the blessings of our full-time RV lifestyle is the freedom to take things one day at a time. If we feel like moving to a new location we can go without anything holding us back. If, like this stop, we feel comfortable and wish to extend our stay we can for as long as we desire. It is hard not to stay in a place like this when it offers so many amenities; level concrete pads, full hookups including sewer, a well-stocked store, a superb laundry room, cable with over 70 channels, good wifi connection and a genuinely friendly staff. The trees are at peak fall colors, the weather is warm during the days and cool at nights, there is a grocery store within a ten minute drive, a gas mart for minor supplies within walking distance and long-term residents who make us feel welcomed to the area. It feels like home and we are in no hurry to leave anytime soon. After traveling through 15 states in five months, it is nice to slow down for awhile.
For us a "typical" day is much different than when we were employed at the resort. Without the need to meet job schedules or social obligations, what is it that fills our new life so completely that we don't feel the need to make definitive plans or hurry anywhere? Part of the answer is that we simply have the freedom to finally live without constraints. Our children are living productive lives on their own, we have a stable monthly income and are blessed to be able to widely travel while still relatively young and healthy. Another part of the answer lies in the adventure of experiencing new places and meeting new people. A few days ago we had a very interesting conversation with a man from Australia who shared stories of his travels through vast areas of America, Canada, Mexico and Thailand. We have enjoyed superb seafood in Boston, looked upon endless stars in the mountains of New York, visited the wonders of Biltmore House in Ashville, NC and the caves of Kentucky. No day is ever the same as the one before.
That is not to say that we don't have routine obligations like everyone else. Groceries still need to be purchased, laundry needs to be done, repairs and cleaning of the RV need to be attended to on a regular basis and bills have to be paid. Two days ago I spent an hour fixing the water pump after foolishly letting the water tank run dry. Our daily pace of life has slowed down, but there is always something that needs attention or new experiences to be discovered. We have had to adjust both mentally and physically to a different way of life but, so far, this journey has been good to us.
copyright 2009 Lane A Geyer
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