November 5, 2025 (Wed.) - Travel to Tennessee!
Today was a big travel day! We set out for Friendsville, Tennessee, where we’ll be staying with our friends Tom and Chris Branson at their beautiful home. They moved from California a few years back and have been raving about Tennessee ever since—so it worked out perfectly to include a visit with them on our journey.
We were both up early: Lynn at 6:00 AM, greeted by a chilly 49° (though the app said it “felt like” 39°) and a stunning pink sunrise. Kirk followed around 8:00 AM. After our usual breakfast routines, we packed up for the long drive—237 miles, about 4½ hours. Since Tom’s place can be tricky to reach with an RV, we arranged to meet him at a mall parking lot in Maryville so he could guide us the rest of the way on RV-friendly roads.
The drive itself was beautiful—rolling hills, bursts of fall color, and plenty of scenery to enjoy. At one point, flashing signs warned that vehicles over 8.5 feet wide couldn’t pass because of a wide load coming through. Cue a moment of panic! Luckily, our route shifted elsewhere and we dodged that drama. Then came another surprise: signs declaring “Blasting Zone Ahead, Turn Off 2-Way Radios and Cell Phones.” Seriously? Not exactly doable, so we just kept rolling. The only regret on the drive was missing the exit to Buc-ee’s in Richmond, KY! We saw it but we were too late and not willing to turn around. We’ll find another in due time.
We met Tom at 2:30 PM at the mall in Maryville and followed him toward Friendsville. Having an escort turned out to be a smart move—the roads were narrow, with dips and twists that kept us on our toes. At one point, a school bus headed towards us on a tight stretch, hugging the wall so we could squeeze past. Whew!
From there, Tom led us higher and higher until we finally reached the end of a cul-de-sac perched above Lake Loudon. His home was absolutely gorgeous, with sweeping views and plenty of space for both the RV and truck. Best of all, we had the entire second floor to ourselves—it was nice to have some extra breathing room! Kirk was especially relieved to shower without bumping into walls.
The afternoon was spent on their deck, catching up over charcuterie and drinks while the sun set in true Tennessee style. The weather felt almost Californian—warm, sunny, and perfect. Chris even helped Lynn find a local hair salon, and she was overjoyed to book an appointment for the next day.
By evening, we headed to a local bar called The Shed for dinner and “SINGO” night—Bingo with a musical twist. We didn’t win, but it was a blast, and now we’ll be keeping an eye out for more places that host this fun game. Note that it was perfectly acceptable to use Shazam in this game. Otherwise, it’d take us forever to get a bingo/slingo!
The drive back was pitch dark, with Tennessee’s winding roads making visibility tough. We spotted deer and even a red fox crossing in front of us, but thankfully avoided any close calls. By the time we got back, we were exhausted and ready to collapse into bed after a full, adventurous day.
Weather (Friendsville, TN) – High 69*, Low 40*. Wind 4-13 mph with 25 mph gusts. No rain or humidity.
Traffic – Nothing major.
Food – Charcuterie on the deck.
Notable – Visiting friends in TN, SINGO, gorgeous scenery.
