Life's A Trip

This cute luggage fabric has been my closet for over 15 years. It was intended to become a shirt back when I worked in the tourism industry, but I never got around to sewing it.

Now it's a travel quilt! I found several red, blue, and gray fabrics to coordinate with the busy pattern. I designed the square in a snowball block in EQ8, with different dies in mind (listed below) to cut all the pieces and sashing.

Life's A Trip is 41” x 52” in size. I quilted in 1” vertical rows with dark gray thread. I used the luggage fabric for backing.

Life's A Trip

We didn't take any trips in 2020 and I do miss camping. When I feel safe enough to get on the road again, this quilt will make a nice addition to our gear in our truck/fifth wheel.

Accuquilt dies used:
55000 6 ½” square
55180 Spool 6” finished (trapezoid shape)
55006 3 ½” half square triangle
55017 Strip 2 ½”
55059 2 ½” multiples

“On the road again
Just can't wait to get on the road again”

Willie Nelson

Granville Quilt Festival

On Saturday, we took a road trip to Granville, Tennessee. Our destination: a quilt show, part of their annual fall festival. Oh the quilts! Amazing designs, outstanding stitching, fabulous colors, and a combination of modern and old standard designs, all draped over the pews at Granville United Methodist Church.

My favorites were the antique and hand-quilted categories. Tiny, perfect hand stitches, in narrow rows only ¼” apart made me feel totally inadequate but inspired. The quilters featured in the show are all artists. I'll let the pictures speak for themselves.

The festival was spread over the entire little town on the Cumberland River. Quilts were draped over porch rails on most of the historic homes. The E.B. Sutton General Store, the Granville Museum, and Sutton Historic Homestead featured 1950's quilts along with their regular displays.

Demonstrations of frontier life, spinning, weaving, blacksmithing, wood carving, basket weaving and more went on all day. Live music at the gazebo and a lakeside stage for Jazz on the Cumberland kept everyone entertained. Booths were nicely curated (no tacky cheap stuff or yard sale junk here). Most were Tennessee and Kentucky craftspeople. 

As a former tourism director, I want to congratulate Granville for an excellent festival. This was the most organized event I have ever seen in a little town. There were helpful volunteers everywhere, excellent signage, trams & golf carts to and from convenient parking areas, all the shops and homes were decorated and I'll bet all the residents were participating in some way.

If you want more info, www.granvilletn.com has details.

So What If It's Cold?

We've been camping at Defeated Creek. We made the reservations six months ago to get a choice spot on the lake. Yeah, weather after the first few days was predicted to be cold, with rain and wind and snow flurries. So what? We went anyway.  

We packed hoodies, thermals, and quilts. We had firewood and a comfortable, well heated fifth wheel camper. We had plenty to do inside: TV, movies, internet access, library books, hobby gear.

One day we drove the scenic route up Highway 70 to Cookeville for lunch, some shopping and the required stop at Ralph's Donuts. We rode our bikes, hiked around the campground, took photos, sat by the fire, and even fished a little bit when it wasn't raining. 

I started and finished two new crochet bags. We made homemade soup and chili. We saw seventeen deer grazing together right behind our campsite.  

We watched a lot of people leave. We could have come home early, but we didn't. So what if the weather wasn't perfect? If we waited for things to be perfect, we might never start anything or go anywhere. 

So what if people say we're nuts for camping in winter conditions? We were cozy and warm, relaxed and happy. And that's all that matters. Life's too short to wait...so what if it's cold?

Are We There Yet?

After this very stressful winter, I am more than ready to take off in the truck with Jerold. Soon we're going to hitch up our fifth wheel and head to our favorite lakeside campground, where we can sit by the fire and relax. Or fish. Or read. Or do whatever the heck we want. 

We've been restocking the trailer with food, clothing and supplies, probably more than we need. The bikes and hiking boots are loaded, along with hobby gear for us both. Early spring is a fabulous time to camp. The air is fresh and cool, there are no mosquitoes, very few kids, and poison ivy hasn't sprouted yet.

My mama is eager to house-sit; it's a welcome change for her to be up here in the country. Her room is always ready. I have magazines, books, music and movies for entertainment. Her favorite foods are stocked in the pantry and refrigerator.

We're good to go, so let the 2013 travel adventures begin...are we there yet?

Useful Notion:  Let spring be a natural tonic for all that ails you.  Get outside, enjoy the sunshine on your face, smell the fresh rain, notice the budding plants, listen to the chirping birds.  Discover the inspiration and peace that comes from nature. 

And by the way, Happy Birthday Jerold! 

 

Venture Off The Trail

Cummins Falls

Normally routines are good to keep us on track, but sometimes you have more fun if you deviate from them. We camped at Defeated Creek last week, and enjoyed a wonderful, relaxing stay. We spent most of our time stargazing, sitting by the fire, fishing from the bank, reading in the shade, talking to other campers, walking and biking around the campground--our regular camping routine.

One morning we started out for Cookeville to eat lunch and to pick up our favorite Ralph's Donuts. At the end of the campground road, we saw a yard sale sign pointing away from our regular route. We looked at each other and said, “Let's go that way!” We knew Highway 85 came out in Gainesboro, but we'd never taken that road. Off we went. We never found the yard sale, but it was a beautiful drive through river farmland, hills and hollers.

As we drove from Gainesboro toward Cookeville, we saw a sign for Cummins Falls, Tennessee's newest state park. We smiled, the blinker went on, and down that road we went to check out the new park. Thankfully we had bug spray in the truck for our half mile hike through the woods trail to the overlook. The falls are 75 feet tall, and at the bottom is a large deep pool. We did not hike the long path to the bottom to swim, but we did trek down a tiny steep path to walk out on rocks at the top of the falls. If you go, make sure you have good shoes. The park is not completely developed yet so there are no buildings and the trails are marked with plastic tape. We walked back to the parking lot on the gravel access road, which is where the porta potties are hidden. We took some great photos and spent two hours having fun outdoors.

We did finally get to Cookeville, bought our scrumptious donuts and had a bite of lunch. We got back to camp later than we planned, but so what? We had a fabulous day exploring new places.

Useful Notion: You can't find adventure sitting on the couch or staying in your regular routine—you have to venture off the trail now and then.

“A good traveler has no fixed plans and is not intent on arriving.” – Lao Tzu

Closing Down The Campground

Today we got home from our last camping trip of the year, nine wonderful fall days at Cordell Hull Lake. Although Defeated Creek Campground was full over the weekend, we were one of the fifteen or so who stayed over to pull out right before they closed the gates. We started our season there back in April, so it was fitting that we'd end it there as well. At least this time we weren't running for cover during a tornado warning.

What a fabulous first year in our Sabre 5th wheel. We've had a good balance of camping and being at home.  I'm thankful for safe trips, mostly great weather, and the perfect traveling partner. I appreciate Sam, my sweet mama, for house sitting while we're away. She considers it a relaxing retreat, and spoils our Rowdy dog with long walks and snacks.

We're busy planning next year's itinerary, and already made reservations for Defeated. I think I'll search for campgrounds near my favorite fabric stores. Next spring's a long time to wait, though. Our traveling feet may get itchy enough this winter to take off for the warmer climates of the Gulf. 

And, the best part is, we can if we wanna! 

Oh my, how I love retirement!

Some national parks have long waiting lists for camping reservations.  When you have to wait a year to sleep next to a tree, something is wrong.  ~ George Carlin