travel

Home Again. My Favorite Vacation Find. Come See!

Posted November 12, 2016 by Barbara Techel

We are home again. While it was hard to leave Tennessee because we had such a fantastic time, I’m happy to be home, too. Sadly, North Carolina, part of Tennessee, and Kentucky are under a state of emergency. Two days before we left, there were forest fires burning near Knoxville and it continues to spread. We found out from locals that it has been extremely dry for quite some time.

We have visited Tennessee twice before this giving thought to possibly being a place we could live part time, but until this trip, I wasn’t so sure. But Northeast Tennessee is absolutely beautiful and I could see being there part of the year should we be able to do that when we retire.

The blue ridge mountains and being in the tri-city area of Johnson City, Elizabethton, and Jonesborough offered lots of variety, while still quaint and felt like home in many ways.

My favorite part was driving along Watagua River past the Wilbur dam, though I did get a bit nervous when we drove higher into the mountains and signs that said, “You are now entering Bear country.” I can’t tell you how often I silently said to myself, “Just surrender and let go, Barb.” I’m not a big fan of heights, but I did my best to overcome it so I didn’t miss out on the stunning beauty that was all around us.

On Tuesday we drove part of the Blue Ridge Parkway express through the mountains from Johnson City to Asheville, North Carolina – wow – that was absolutely gorgeous! There truly are no words describe the beauty, but it is breathtaking.

There were many moments I silently paused and gave thanks for this beautiful land Mother Nature has given us.

And driving along Blue Ridge Parkway, when the mountains were clearly before us, I found myself in a state of feeling quite verklempt, wanting to weep for the pure beauty of it all – it just overcame my heart!

Our destination this day was the Folk Art Center which is home to the Southern Highland Craft Guild. The center showcases the finest in traditional and contemporary crafts of the Southern Appalachians.

And this is where I found my favorite find – a hand crafted hummingbird house! I was so excited I almost squealed out loud! Here it is hanging in my writing cottage until next spring when I can put it outside.

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The instructions that came with it say to hang it under the eave or overhang away from rain, wind and predatory birds or insects. There is no guarantee a hummingbird will build a nest, it states, but I’m going to hope like all get out that I get little baby hummingbirds! It says that once a hummingbird does build a nest that the hatchlings return the next year. And get this? The nests are about the size of a penny and the eggs are the size of a Tic Tac!

I have a good feeling about this – that I will have a wee family of hummingbirds – and heck, one has to think positive right?

I’ll be sharing more photos in upcoming posts. But back to laundry and catching up on email, etc. But I’m really happy to be back and get to work again next week on projects!

And oh! Kylie and Gidget did very well on vacation – it just made my heart so happy to know they adjusted well, but I also sense that they too are happy to be home again, too. But isn’t that what vacation is all about? Happy to go, but happy to come home again. Makes one appreciate life all the more!

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On Leaving. On Staying.

Posted October 31, 2016 by Barbara Techel

The other night I was gone for awhile so John was in charge of looking after Kylie and Gidget – not that they need much looking after. When I walked through the front door a few hours later this is the sweet scene I was met with. John said they snuggled like this the whole time I was gone, which of course melted my heart.

As we get ready to head out Wednesday morning to Tennessee for a long overdue vacation in our van we’ve converted to a camper (well, phase one is done!) I’m glad that Kylie and Gidget can make the trip with us. While it has caused some extra effort getting everything packed for them (meds, food, leashes, blankets, beds, kennels, etc.) and then adjusting as we make the trip, I’m sure, it reminds me to be patient, and go with the flow.

While I love going on vacation, I am a homebody also. It is effort to go on vacation, let’s face it, but I know we will have a good time, and I really am excited about this trip. But then yesterday afternoon I had the urge to re-arrange our living room, which I wasn’t planning on doing until we returned.

After it was arranged in what I call our “winter” look with the sofa and over-sized chair centered around our wood stove, I sat down and a delicious warm, cozy feeling overcame me. It felt like my little house was wrapping its loving arms around me, whispering in my ear, “don’t go.”

And I was torn about leaving and staying. But alas, I can’t be in two places at once. And this is the beauty of leaving…coming home again and appreciating even more what home means to me. But also in leaving and seeing what is happening out in the world that inspires me and refills my creative well.

I won’t be blogging while we are gone but will likely post some photos on my Facebook and Instagram pages if you’d like to check it out.

As for me, back to my list and last minute preparations while John finishes up making a make shift bed for us and getting everything in order so come tomorrow we can begin (creatively) packing the van, making the beds, and taking care of any last minute details.

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Have Van Will Travel Journal: Flooring Is In (Video)

Posted October 23, 2016 by Barbara Techel

John installed the flooring in our Vamper, “Second Chance” today! We recorded this video, though it cut out part way because the batteries died on my camcorder. But I was trying to say wheel wells, and those are also insulated.

Next comes insulation on the side panels. And that is as far as we will get for our trip to Tennessee which is only a little over a week away. But I bought a king size piece of 4″memory foam which we will put down for our bed this time around until this winter when the bunk beds get built.

On Friday we took a test drive to a nearby Cabela’s to check out their awesome camping section. The dogs rode with us so we can continue getting them ready for this adventure. It was about an hour drive there and back and we stopped for lunch, too. Kylie and Gidget did very well and this makes me feel very good that they will travel well with us, which does my heart good.

It’s so fun to see it coming together now!

And just as I went to post this today, I’ve learned of a young woman’s passing from cancer. Deb was one of the first people who invited me to be on the radio when I came out with my first book and I was invited back again when I came out with my next book. My heart is so sad hearing of her passing – she was such a kind, beautiful soul. And oh, how it reminds me to enjoy the ride while we are here. I plan to do just that with this trip to TN and each day after – for you, Deb. For you. God Speed beautiful lady. God Speed.

Past posts for Have Van Will Travel Journal

The Adventure Has Begun. New Home on Wheels. Who’d of Thunk?

The Conversion Begins

Inspector Approves of Phase One Conversion

She Gets a Name

First a Name and Now Mascots

Cozy Comfort

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