All About April (Part 1)–Saturday, April 5 to Thursday, April 24, 2014

Our winter travels in Florida ended when we arrived back at Huntington Beach State Park in Murrells Inlet, SC on Saturday, April 5th. We will be in this area until June 25th except for a few side trips.  The map below is where we traveled in April.



                      A – Huntington Beach State Park, Murrells Inlet, South Carolina
                      B – Buck Hall Recreation Area, McClellanville, South Carolina
                      C – Magnolia RV Park and Campground, Kinards, South Carolina
                      D – River Plantation RV Resort, Sevierville, Tennessee


(A) Sat, Apr 5 to Thurs, Apr, 17 – Huntington Beach SP, Murrells Inlet, SC
I guess we consider this our “Home” park as it is just a few miles from my mother’s home.  We spend a lot of time here.  However, getting a site at Huntington is getting more and more difficult.  If you don’t reserve well in advanced, you will be shut out.  Doesn’t seem to matter that the prices are nearing $40 per night with tax!! 

 

Our site, 104 was a new one to us and a bit tight.  But, you take what you can get;-)

 

 

The first thing that we noticed as we drove into the park was all the broken trees!!

Just a couple weeks ago, they had a major ice storm and it was a real mess!!  So many trees were broke and damaged that the roads were blocked.  No one could get in or get out.  Two weeks after we could still see much of the damage.  Also, by now, Spring is usually well on its way here.  However, like everywhere, the cold weather keeps hanging on;-(

 

 

We did see the beginning of Spring as the Wisteria and Tulips were beginning to bloom:o))

Our 12 days here were spent catching up with Mom and Friends.  We also needed to just chill and take time to do those tasks you neglect when traveling.  We were hoping to be able to stay through Easter on Sunday, April 20th.  However, Huntington Beach was booked solid.  So we headed just 40 miles south to Buck Hall Recreation Area in McClellanville, South Carolina.
 

(B) Thur, Apr 17 to Mon, Apr, 21 – Buck Hall Rec Area, McClellanville, SC
Since we couldn’t stay at Huntington, we moved to Buck Hall so we were close to my mother and could spend Easter Sunday with her.  We also needed to do a major inside cleaning to get rid of all the pollen we had gathered.  We seemed to be constantly moving into new pollen as we headed north all winter;o((

 

 

Just after we arrived at Buck Hall, the rains began;o((

 

It rained all day Friday and Saturday:o((

 

Well, that did wash away the outside pollen;o))

 

So it was the perfect time to do inside cleaning work!!

 

We emptied every closet and attacked the pollen with the vacuum!!!

 

The cleaning got finished and the rains ended.

 

Easter Morning woke to a beautiful day:o)

 

We spent most of the morning watching the boats on the inter-coastal

and

our new hummingbird friend!!!

    

 

In the afternoon, we headed to Mom’s for a wonderful Easter Brunch!!!

 


(C) Monday, Apr, 21 – Magnolia RV Park and Campground, Kinard, SC

Monday morning we began our travels to Sevierville, TN near the Great Smoky Mountain National Park.  The total distance is 400 miles, so we split it in half and did 200 miles each day.  Magnolia RV Park and Campground is an easy on/off  Passport America Park along I-26 in South Carolina.  Nothing fancy, but clean with nice washers and dryers for only $20 per night PPA rate!!

 

(D) Tues, Apr, 22  to Thurs, April 24 – River Plantation RV Park, Sevierville, TN

 

Our trip to Sevierville, TN was Baby’s first trek through the mountains. 

 

She didn’t bat an eye and Bill loved the Jake Break!!

 

Click on any photo to enlarge or hover your mouse on any photo for a description.

 

The reason we came to Sevierville, TN was to attend the RV-Dreams Rally.  However, we decided to come a week early to have time to do some hiking in GSMNP!!  We were fortunate to have our friends, Dan & Tricia and Gin & Syl join us for a great pre-rally week:o))

Site 436 - River Plantation RV Resort, Sevierville, TN – our home for two weeks!!

  

 

On Wednesday, April 23rd, we planned our first hike to Abrams Falls. 

The trailhead begins in Cades Cove.

Round trip the hike was about 5.5 miles!!

Click on any photo to enlarge or hover your mouse on any photo for a description.
 

Bill, Trica, Syl, Dan, Nancy

 

   

  

The Perfect Lunch Spot

 

On Thursday, April 24th, Dan, Trica, Bill and I drove to the Porter’s Creek Trail.

This hike is on the northeast side of the park and was one of my favorites:o))

The trail guide says it is 4.o miles roundtrip to Fern Branch Falls.

However, we hiked closer to 6 miles since we explored some off trail areas!!

Mid April to Mid May is wildflower season in the Smokies.  This trail is a wildflower lovers delight:o))

Since all the trails have many wildflowers,

I will do one post of the wildflowers we have seen at the end of the hiking posts.

Click on any photo to enlarge or hover your mouse on any photo for a description.
 

   

   

There were several of these little log bridges along the trail:o)

In the early 1900s, there were settlers who had a farm in this area.
 

Hard to imagine how you could farm and raise cattle in such hilly, rocky terraine!!
 

   

The condition of the barn and well house were amazing!!

It felt like we were stepping back in time :o)
 

   

 

Just behind the old homestead, the Smoky Mountain Hiking Club

built a hiking cabin that was used as an overnight facility until 1981.

 

 

As you get closer to Fern Branch Falls, you must cross Porter Creek :o)
 

Our first view of Fern Branch Falls.

 

Dan hiked up to save our lunch spot on the downed tree in front of the falls!!

Such a perfect spot for lunch.  Just the sights and sounds of nature!!!

When we returned to the campground, we gathered at Dan and Tricia's campsite for Dinner.  Dan grilled all-beef and veggie burgers and we all supplied some side dishes.  You’ll have to take my word for it that the food was great.  I was too busy eating to take photos;o))
 

After dinner and dessert, we put our feet up and sat back to watch Dan and Gin solve the engineering issues with Dan’s refrigerator.   We call Dan, MacGuyver and Gin is our Easy Button.  Between the two of them, there is nothing that can’t be fixed.  So if you are just starting into your full-time adventure, be sure to pick some very handy friends.  We are so lucky:o)))