Isolated Thunder Storms

Another entry written in the back of the van...

Saturday 1 August, 2009

Trek Day 4

It's OK. There were no bears. Kate thinks she heard an animal of some sort, but it didn't eat us so that's the important part.

We struck camp, the trailer was loaded and we were back on the road. We'd be staying entirely in Tennessee today, moving from Bristol in the North of the State to Ocoee in the south. This also meant we were only on the road for around two and a half hours.

Brandon's Water Shoes

We'd pitched camp just after lunch time and the more intrepid of the group went white water rafting. I wasn't feeling adventurous or energetic enough to paddle and crash down a raging river, so I selected option B and went swimming in a lake. On the short drive to the lake we did get proof positive that there are bears around when a young cub crossed the road a hundred yards ahead of us. And, no, I don't know why the bear crossed the road.

The lake was actually a reservoir created by a small damn, and had a purpose built beach area with steps down into the refreshingly warm, fresh water.

We bobbed and swam around for an hour or so and watched the locals at play. Our favourite exchange of the day went thus.

Mom (yelling from the beach): "Brandon! Do you have your God-damn water shoes on?"

Brandon (a strapping 16 year old in the water): "No!"

Mom: "Then get the hell out!"

So, another new experience... well, two actually. Firstly, I swan in a lake. Secondly, I peed in a lake. *giggles*.

S'mores

Refreshed from the swim (where, it turns out, I got really rather badly sun-burned) we got back to camp where Fajitas were promptly and deliciously prepared. Kelly and I were on washing up duty today so were keen to make sure as few pots and pans as possible were used.

We'd just put the plates and pans away when the rain started. A marquee was erected above the picnic table and a camp-fire started beneath it too. Kate then introduced us to an American delicacy of which I had only heard of recently... S'mores.

Here's the recipe. Take two marsh-mellows, and heat them over the camp-fire on a long skewer. When sufficiently hot, take two Graham Crackers (sweet, biscuit-wafers) and two squares of Hershey's chocolate and sandwich the chocolate and marsh-mallows between the crackers. Eat. Lick sticky fingers clean. Yummy!

As we ate our S'mores, it became clear that the rain was getting worse and rapidly turned into a torrential thunder storm.

I ventured to our tent to find a not inconsiderable puddle outside and inside our door-way. I decided to forget about changing into night-clothes and just laid down on top of my sleeping bag and spooned the big pile of baggage safely stacked in the middle of the tent, away from the worst of the wetness.

The rain stopped over night, but managed to start exactly in time for a damp breakfast.

Stats, Day Eight

Distance travelled (as the crow flies) – 150 miles? (tbc) - Bristol, TN to Ocoee, TN

State count – 6 + DC

Thunderstorm count – off the chart