Our last day of campground work was Friday, November 13th. That Saturday we packed up and got everything ready to go and on Sunday we enjoyed the beach and hot tub and relaxed on the coast one more time. On Monday we left and went back to the main land! We got to Florence, South Carolina (had to get to SC to scratch it off our map) and stayed there two nights. There was definitely a “we’ve come back to the real world” moment and it was honestly a little overwhelming. We’d lived in a town of 250 people for almost four months. The nearest Walmart was 45 minutes away the only franchise store/gas station/fast food etc. in town was a Dollar General. Being there for four months just kind of made you slow down, it was amazing but literally there was nothing to do (besides beach, pool, hot tub, playground etc.). By the time we set up our camper the sun had set and as we went for a little drive there were sooooo many lights- street lights, business lights, stop lights. It was a bit overwhelming having had no idea feelings like this would happen it was quite an experience to say the least. (When leaving North Carolina headed south on interstate 95 there are about a million billboards about “South of the Boarder” aka a Mexican themed tourist trap right over the boarder in South Carolina…hence the giant sombrero!)
Campground review:
Swamp Fox- Florence, SC
Cost: $36/night full hook ups
Site: all would be the same
Details-Had a playground and cheap laundry. Right in town off the interstate. Decent neighborhoods to walk around near by. Campground itself no real appeal.
After Florence we trucked through the entire Smoky Mountains all the way to eastern Tennessee to the “peaceful side of the mountains.” We ended up in Townsend, TN. Townsend has about 500ish humans- way more our jam than our South Carolina experience had been. We LOVED Townsend. We stayed less than a mile from the entrance to Smoky Mountain National Park. There was a creek/river that ran alongside the campground and all the way up into the park. It was BEAUTIFUL! We did a little loop called Cade’s Cove- that is where Big M fell in love with all things “old fashion.” We hiked back to Laurel Falls right before sunset and it was gorgeous. We would highly recommend Townsend and would consider going back again one day ourselves! We were there for four nights before we went to Nashville, TN.
Campground review:
Townsend KOA- Townsend, TN
Cost: Free (thank you KOA employee discounts)
Site: 33– employee village
Details: Creek runs alongside it, quiet and peaceful. Great playground. Beautiful spot. Has laundry, propane, and a small store.
Nashville will forever hold a special spot in our hearts. While there our baby started using to the toilet and our big guy turned 5! On his birthday, per his request, we toured the Belle Meade plantation to go for the “old fashion” theme he wanted. We went downtown for lunch and had pizza per his request. We walked around downtown and over the pedestrian bridge before calling it a day and coming home for hamburgers, again his request. He received tons of cards mailed to the campground and was ecstatic to check the mail every day. (Again thank you to all who sent cards and wished him Happy Birthday from afar!)
The campground backed up to a wooded area with farm land and right outside of our camper turkey and deer would show off everyday. One night we walked around the Christmas lights at the Grand Ole Opry. As we approached, big M spotted a huge nativity set “Mom Mom there is Jesus.” As we walked up to see it they were playing the Christmas story over the loudspeaker and it was a sweet, albeit cold moment.
Campground Review:
Nashville Resort KOA- Nashville, TN
Cost: Free (thank you KOA employee discounts)
Site: 425– back by the open field
Details: The KOA bought a neighboring RV park. We were placed in the back of that park. No golf cart made it a trek to the playground but it was great. Propane, laundry, store on site.
We have now scratched off South Carolina and Tennessee. We are planning to add Mississippi, Louisiana and Arkansas to the list before going back home for the holidays.