The blog will continue!

Thank you to everyone who took the time to comment on my last post. I sincerely appreciate your feedback and all of your kind words. Marcela, you are so right follow your heart. Anne, Colleen, Lisa, and all of our dear friends you are a big reason I blog. I know you enjoy hearing of our adventures and seeing our photos. James, a fellow blogger and traveler your advice was on point. I do enjoy sharing our travels via the blog. If I get to a point I no longer find enjoyment in blogging, I will re-evaluate then. Lastly, thank you Bruce for your kind text.

So that answers that, Ralphie Rough Road: The Blog will go on as we continue our travels. As such, I am a bit behind but I have a plan of attack to share and catch you all up. On our travel days (usually every 1-2 weeks), I will upload photos I wish to share to the site. Then when inspiration strikes (like right now) I will set to writing a short blurb of what’s on my mind, followed with photos and memories of the places we travel to. I like to keep them in the order of when we visited because I actually enjoy going back to see our treks as well. Hence, this post includes our spring travels back to Indiana & not where we are currently.

And in case you are wondering, Shane is pretty busy these days with remote tuning cars. As he has the time or feels compelled you may hear from him here on the blog.

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Today’s little blurb from the brain of Amy.

While sitting outside at our campsite, I noticed the typical mass exodus of the weekend campers going home. Many of the places we go are fairly quiet and under attended Monday through Thursday. Then on Friday campers start rolling in and back out again on Sunday afternoon. That made me think how lucky we are that our time in the woods is not over on Sunday afternoons. But instead we get to “camp” and be in nature all the time (unless we are parked in the driveway of family or friends). And I have to say it’s pretty damn cool!

The kids are currently on a trip out west in their tear drop camper they purchased recently. They will be heading back soon. I know they had a wonderful time. But I can’t help but think how they will soon be back to “normal” life again.

I love that being on the road, camping in forests and finding ourselves immersed in nature is our normal/regular life. It’s all the more special to me. We do laundry, get groceries, make meals, spend rainy days inside, watch movies, read books, practice yoga + Qigong, enjoy cocktails, work, and enjoy exploring all along the way. It is a lifestyle that I can honestly say we both love. I have immense gratitude for this journey we are on. Thank you all for following along as we explore new places and return to old favorites. Which brings me to the adventures of Gorge Hopping. One a brand new place for us and a return trip to another.

New River Gorge, West Virginia

On our trek back north to visit family and friends in Indiana and Michigan we stopped at the New River Gorge in West Virginia. A first time visit for us required some homework and a little we will see what we find when we get there. From what I could tell the campgrounds on the river had little to no cell service. However, a designated free campground on the ridge top looked promising. Upon arrival we parked the RV and drove down to both river side campgrounds. Confirmed no internet and then scoped out the ridge top one. Which had just what we needed. Internet and no one camping there. That’s right we had the whole place to ourselves (about 10 or so sites).

During our stay, we occasionally had 1 or 2 other campers, usually for a day or two. Otherwise two weeks mostly to ourselves. Each site was fairly level and came with a picnic table, fire ring, and lantern hook. All of this and completely free!

To reach the campground one must traverse down into the gorge then back up again. Finishing on a narrow and fairly steep road up the mountain side. At the base was a hairpin turn, which Shane managed with no problem at all. If Ralphie were any longer it might have been a bit more work. I mention our route in because we managed to make a rookie mistake here. We failed to fill up our propane on board and yes we ran out. Making it necessary to pack up the rig and drive back into town to fill up for the rest of our stay (down the steep road, down into the gorge, back out again & reverse to return). Still to this day I am not sure why we didn’t think to fill up before arriving at the campsite.

Time to explore the New River Gorge Area.

Thurmond, WV

The ghost town of Thurmond was well worth the stop. The drive in was very scenic. For the most part the road followed train tracks and a stream.

For those looking to explore this area, leave the RV/camper behind. This is a day trip by regular vehicle. The shared bridge coming into town was pretty cool, crossing the New River. One side for a train the other for 1 vehicle at a time.

To see the old buildings, houses and the still operational tracks running through town, it felt like stepping back in time.

Back in the early 1900’s Thurmond was a thriving town. To learn more check out this link from the NPS.

On our way out of Thurmond, we were treated to a train coming through. The first photo is from a side road leaving town. The second is us crossing back over the bridge in the Jeep right alongside the train. The third, the train going through Thurmond. It was pretty cool!

The New River was quite picturesque, although the photos do not do it justice.

New River Gorge Bridge

This was a sight to see. Before this bridge was built, it would take over 45 minutes to cross the gorge and the New River below. Today, it takes 45 seconds.

Driving the old road and hiking provided us with various views of the New River and the bridge. It was quite spectacular. Breathtaking views made it hard to leave.

Grandview

Exactly as the name describes. The view here is quite grand. This was early spring so the trees weren’t flushed out yet with their leaves. We finished here with a nice hike and amazing views of the New River below.

Needless to say New River is on our list to visit again when we travel south for the winter. What a beautiful and wild place.

Red River Gorge, Kentucky

Our last stop before arriving back to Indiana. This was also our first stop out of Indiana the first fall being on the road. That first trip we spent 2 nights at a developed campground with 1 day to explore. This time around would be a longer stay boondocking in the Daniel Boone National Forest. Not knowing if we would have internet or what to expect we went for it. It paid off as we scored a nice open spot right alongside a beautiful flowing creek.

This spot was idyllic to say the least. We will be back and it was hard to leave!

We kayaked down the Red River on a beautiful, warm, and sunny day. Groups that put in a few hours after us beat us back. We took our time and enjoyed ourselves stopping to play in the shallow water and eat some lunch.

We did some off roading on the Daniel Boone Backcountry Byway (DBBB). One section was very scenic with multiple creek crossing. The other section was much more challenging. Shane is still disappointed I did not get a photo or video of him with three wheels on the trail and one up in the air on a very difficult downhill section. (I was more concerned about him making it down without flipping the Jeep than to take a picture.) I’m just happy Josie and I decided to get out before that section. It was a bit over the level for our Jeep, but we managed to make it down.

And we hiked. So many beautiful trails with 100+ arches throughout the Red River Gorge. It is truly an amazing place.

Shane refilling our water by hand. This is why we conserve our water usage. Every drop must be added in either by hose (when a spigot is available or by hand while boondocking).

During our stay we had a visit from our Indiana friend and his dog, Buddy. And the chalkboard on our last day (part of it was the goodbye message from the kids from late March). I was determined to keep it up until we returned to their house.

A few photos from both Gorges.

Free Folk (a brewery and dining spot in New River Gorge). Margaritas in Red River Gorge.

Two quotes I found, one at each Gorge.

And finally my feeble attempt to paint at both places.

Up Next: Summer Travels