On the winding hilly roads of West Virginia.

The day’s song isn’t by Jimmy Hendrix . . . . it’s . . .

🎵Drivin’ My Life Away 🎤

🎶 Well, the midnight headlight blind you on a rainy night
Steep grade up ahead, slow me down, makin’ no time
But I gotta keep rollin’
Those windshield wipers slappin’ out a tempo
Keepin’ perfect rhythm with the song on the radio
But I gotta keep rollin’

[Chorus]
Ooh, I’m drivin’ my life away
Lookin’ for a better way for me
Ooh, I’m drivin’ my life away
Lookin’ for a sunny day

Well, the truck stop cutie comin on to me Tried to talk me into a ride, said I wouldn’t be sorry, But she was just a baby
Hey, waitress, pour me another cup of coffee
Pop it down, jack me up, shoot me out, flyin’ down the highway
Lookin’ for the mornin’

[Chorus]
Ooh, I’m drivin’ my life away
Lookin’ for a better way for me
Ooh, I’m drivin’ my life away
Lookin’ for a sunny day
Ooh, I’m drivin’ my life away
Lookin’ for a better way for me
Ooh, I’m drivin’ my life away
Lookin’ for a sunny day, yeah
Ooh, I’m drivin’ my life away
Lookin’ for a better way for me 🎵

Do you remember the song? You got it !!! It’s by Eddie Rabbit 🐰🥕

It’s Tuesday May 12th and we’re at Kingsport, TN at Warrior’s Path State Campground.

Our site is #161 in the Moody Bluff area. Our friends Beth & Fran moved to this area in Tennessee last June. We got together at the campground to chat and walk around the park. Andy the park host was telling us about his vintage 1960’s rv.

On Wednesday May 14th we visited the Tipton Museum.

We are visiting this historic site because Dave’s 6th Great Grandfather lived here along with his Tipton ancestors. It’s exciting to be here with the McCarraher’s, and learn where it all began when . . . . .

His 6th great grandfather and 5th great uncle, Col. John Tipton came to eastern Tn, from Maryland. Then it was pure wilderness, they built a cabin, and as time went on his 5th great uncle was very influencial in founding the state of Tn, which then people were trying to call it the state of Franklin. In fact a 3 day skirmish happened right at the Tipton cabin.

The Tipton-Haynes home had three major transformations between the late 1700s to the mid 1800s. Colonel John Tipton bought the property in 1784 and built a simple story and a half cabin with a basement kitchen.  After his father’s death, John Tipton Jr. sold his home in nearby Blountville, TN and moved his family here.  Sometime in the 1820s, he expanded on his father’s cabin.  The western cabin wall was removed and a two-story extension with a brick chimney turned the cabin into a Federal-style farmhouse. A shed roof was added to to the front and rear of the house and the half story second floor ceiling was raised.  Symmetrical windows were added to the first and second floors. 

The original house had an underground kitchen. The job of the cook, well was to cook, he even slept here as you can see by the 2nd picture there is the cot behind Dave.

After the law office was no more, it was used as a place to sell eggs.

Dave standing by Anna our knowledgeable tour guide with a definite southern twang.

It was really a fun and educational visit to the Tipton historical site. It’s a very picturesque property with everything you could have wanted back at that time. It even had a still, springhouse and a cave to explore. So glad we got to see it on our second time through Kingsport TN. I would like to go back there and take part in all the activities the association puts on. Dave also gave them his family history leading up his great grandfather Tipton so he can know be on “The Tipton Family Tree”

After we left there, we went to see how our friends new house is coming along.

It’s lookin good! With magnolia color bricks and linen siding, up yonder there in them Tennessee Hills.

Thursday May 15th, Another great day so we got together at our site for chatting and dinner by Chef Dave. It was wonderful spending time with are great friends, till we pass this way again or they come out west to see us.

“Though miles may lie between us, we are never far apart, for friendship doesn’t count miles, it’s measured by the heart.” – Anonymous

We left Kingsport on Friday morning and drove 237 miles to Summersville Lake Retreat and Lighthouse. It started raining when we were part way there. We got there about 2:30, set up camp in the rain and thankfully it cleared up by 4:30.

Our site #30. We stayed here Friday night and Saturday night and left Sunday morning. Dave picked a good campground to stay at.

The park has all kinds of house styles to choose from. . . Huge cabins with lofts, regular size cabins and how about tiny cabins. Or how about trying out a retro rv? Or maybe even a tiny home?

One of the huge cabins

A tiny Cabin

 Shirley the1964 Joy camper

Wilma the 1969 Holiday Rambler

Betty the 1963 Shasta, I thought these were great, especially for going retro for the night.

They even have tiny houses. This one is a double and the red single is next to it.

A really nice roomy campground. If your ever in West Virginia checking out The New River Gorge National Park, check this place out too.

Our Rolling on the highway song for this drive is . .

It’s a newer song about driving down a Highway.

🎶Pearls and swine bereft of me
Long and weary my road has been
I was lost in the cities
Alone in the hills
No sorrow or pity for leaving, I feel, yeah

I am not your rolling wheels
I am the highway
I am not your carpet ride
I am the sky

Friends and liars don’t wait for me
‘Cause I’ll get on all by myself
I put millions of miles
Under my heels
And still too close to you, I feel, yeah🎵

On Sunday May 18th, we left and headed out to Mercer PA, a 248 mile jounry for a one night stay at this KOA.

When we got here it was damp and cold, something we haven’t experienced in awhile. I didn’t take pictures of our site and we stayed inside and waited till Monday morning to leave. 😄

The Hit the Highway Song for the Day ?? . . .

Driving all the way across country from Tucson AZ to Newfane NY, our last bit of driving the song that stuck in my head was Love Shack. I was thinking of all the awesome people we have met on our travels thru the years and the great people we left at our 2nd home at Voyager in AZ. Now driving to our first home in NY to see all our awesome family and friends. So Love Shack? What the Hey..

We’re Headed down the Highway with The B-52s! Who doesn’t love to sing and dance to this song?

🎶If you see a faded sign at the side of the road that says
“15 miles to the love shack”
Love shack, yeah, yeah
I’m headin’ down the Atlanta highway
Lookin’ for the love getaway
Heading for the love getaway

I got me a car, it’s as big as a whale
And we’re headin’ on down to the love shack
I got me a Chrysler, it seats about 20
So hurry up and bring your jukebox money

The love shack is a little old place where
We can get together

Love shack, baby (a love shack, baby)
Love shack, baby, love shack
Love shack, baby, love shack
Love shack, baby, love shack (love, baby, that’s where it’s at)
Love shack, baby, love shack (love, baby, that’s where it’s at)

Sign says (woo) “Stay away fools”
‘Cause love rules at the love shack
Well, it’s set way back in the middle of a field
Just a funky old shack and I gotta get back

Glitter on the mattress
Glitter on the highway
Glitter on the front porch
Glitter on the highway 🎵

After driving 195 miles, this is Our spot for the Summer of 2025. We have a lot going on and we know you do too! So have a Fun, Happy, Awesome and Safe Summer!