Falling Waters State Park was a place to stay the night on our way to Tampa. It was the first of three Florida State Parks on this trip. The park has Florida’s tallest waterfall, which is 73 feet. A gristmill was powered by the waterfall during the Civil War.
Camping at Falling Waters
This trip was primarily to visit family in Tampa, but we did not want drive the ten-hours to get there in one day. Falling Waters State Park is roughly at the half-way point, which worked very well for us.
We reserved site #3 and were very happy with it. It was on a pull-through concrete slab and, for the first time, I parked us at our campsite. My husband is the back-up king and getting us installed at campsites has always been his job.
This was our first Florida State Park and we really liked it. It was a small campground, but very well-maintained. Typical of state parks we have visited, it has electrical and water, but no sewer or cable. There is an older bathhouse and two newer family bathrooms with heat. There is also a dishwashing area.
We did not disconnect from our tow vehicle as we were not leaving the park until the next morning. We had a late lunch in Dothan, Alabama, at the Thai House, so dinner was only minimal snacks. By the way, the food at Thai House was delicious.
Site #3 Falling Waters State Park
We removed items stored in the cabin and set them under the galley door to protect from moisture. We did not set up any tents, not even the privacy tent, as the bathhouse was very close. In the photo below, you can see the bathhouse from our site.
Bathhouse in the background
The Waterfall and Sinkhole
We had a couple of hours of daylight left, which we used to check out the waterfall and the sinkhole into which it flows. It was an easy walk to the waterfall with a path that was mostly level trail with an abundance of boardwalks along the way.
Trail to the waterfallBoardwalks along the path
We had inquired if the waterfall had very much water and already knew it had been dry in the area and it was only a trickle, so it was not a disappointment. It was interesting to see it with the sinkhole below. It was certainly worth the pleasant walk to get there.
The waterfallThe sinkhole
The sign below reminded me that we are in Florida and alligators are everywhere. Not a pleasant thought when you think about getting up in the middle of the night and walking to the bathhouse. I kept my flashlight close.
Alligators have been known to attack humans
Our Evening
We showered when we arrived back at our camper and had some snacks, then we settled in for the night. We are off daylight savings time and it gets dark early. It was cool to be outside, but very comfortable in our camper.
We tested our little makeshift air antenna and were pleasantly surprised to see that it pulled in ten stations, all with a great picture. Of course, results would vary greatly by location. I like it because it is so small and easy to store and retrieve.
Air antenna
There was a gentle rain most of the night. We had our fan vent slightly open but rain did not penetrate our cabin. We were warm and comfortable.
On the Road Again
The next morning, there was very little to do before leaving as we were having breakfast on the road. Next stop, Hillsborough River State Park, which is in the Tampa area. This link will take you to our main page if you would like to follow our adventures.
This trip included a solar eclipse, two waterfalls, two campgrounds, more cooking than I have ever done while camping, a fabulous play, and lots of games with some wonderful friends.
A Campground for the Eclipse
A good friend proactively booked us a campsite in the path of totality for the solar eclipse that occurred on August 21st. We viewed the eclipse from Deer Run RV Resort in Crossville, Tennessee. The campground was packed with moon gazers, but very nice.
We scored a couple of the last available sites and they were great, except for being in full sun. Temperatures were in the upper 80s and we really felt the impact. Our 10×10 screen room and a new awning were utilized this trip, more equipment than is typically used. It was great having the shade, but putting the screen room up and down in full sun was miserable. We have decided that summertime camping in the South is not for us. (Looking for recommendations for summer camping locations that are not hot.)
Campsite 18 at Deer Run RV Resort
Deer Run has full hookups, a beautiful lake, swimming pool, and very nice bathhouse. It was more expensive than the state parks we usually visit, but we received a 10% Good Sam discount. It also has a restaurant and grocery store with limited options.
Deer Run Resort Lake
The Eclipse
The eclipse was the big event for this trip and it was amazing. The full process of the eclipse lasted about three hours and I expected it to be gradually getting darker until fully dark and then gradually lighter. Wrong! We were viewing the sun through the special glasses and could clearly see the moon as it blocked the sun, but it remained very bright outside until the sun was completely blocked. I did get an interesting photo (below) of gravel with sunlight coming through the trees that showed the crescent shape of the sun. The coolest part, of course, was the two minutes of total eclipse. It was like nighttime and the temperature dropped significantly. The two minutes went by very quickly and then it looked like normal daytime again.
Sunlight Through Trees During Eclipse
Falls Creek State Park
Crossville is near Fall Creek Falls State Park and we went to see the waterfall and walk across the hanging suspension bridge. The area was beautiful, but the waterfall did not pack very much power and bridge was very shaky. We sat around for awhile and watched people trying to coaxe their dogs to walk across. The dogs were not interested! Lunch at Gaul’s Gallery Restaurant in the park was excellent. It had the best banana pudding I have ever had at a restaurant.
Fall Creek Falls
Entertainment and Food
While in Crossville, we saw the play, “Lying in State”, at the Cumberland County Playhouse. It was a hilarious political satire with flawless performances by the cast. The theatre is a “must see” for visitors to Crosssville and people come from all over to visit.
Most of our Crossville time was at the campground. We spent an afternoon in the pool and played games with our friends most evenings in the 10x 10. It was very nice to be outside with lights on and not be overrun by bugs. I cooked a couple of dinners while there and omelettes one morning. The teardrop galley did well overall, but it was very hot cooking in the evenings. Crossville camping was four nights.
Camping in Gadsden
The second leg of our trip was in Gadsden, Alabama, at the River Country Campground. This time we were right on the river with a gorgeous view and afternoon shade. There was a downside though; the campground does not allow tents, not even my small privacy tent. It would not have mattered if the bathhouse had not been about three blocks away. Therefore, our campsite was very simple, but it was pretty. How could it not be with that view?
Site P12 at River Country
While in Gadsden, we visited nearby Noccalula Falls, which bears the legend of an Indian princess who jumped to her death over a tall ledge because she could not marry her true love. Her father had promised her in marriage to one from another tribe.
Noccolula Falls
The park was lovely with beautiful landscaping, a quaint little train, a Pioneer Village and a petting zoo with a lioness. It was a relaxing and inexpensive way to spend a few hours.
Train Ride
River Country Campground has the nicest pool area of any campground we have ever visited. There are actually three pools: an infinity pool, regular pool, and kiddie pool. The infinity pool is right next to the river, which creates a striking effect. We spent a very peaceful afternoon at the pools and then had a delicious dinner at Top O the River.
River Country Infinity PoolRiver Country Pool
We loved the time with our friends at both campgrounds. The distant bathhouse at River Country was not fun when I had to get up in the middle of the night, but the amazing view was worth it.
Lessons Learned:
Our cooking equipment needed to be updated. We inherited our son’s camping utinsels, which are geared to cooking over a campfire. Recently, we purchased some items more suited to our cooking methods.
We love, love, love our KingKamp awning. It was easy to set-up and provided much needed shade.
It is just too hot to camp in the South during the summer months. We will have to find cooler areas to visit.
We should confirm the tent policy for future camping at commercial campgrounds. Better to know before you go.
If you would like to follow our adventures, please click the following link.
This post is not about teardrop camping. Instead, it is about a road trip to try out our new convertible. Monroeville, Alabama was our destination, a city with deep literary roots.
Harper Lee
First of all, I have always admired Harper Lee and her incredible book, “To Kill a Mockingbird” (TKAM). So when we were ready to take a road trip in my husband’s new car, Monroeville was the destination.
Greg and his New Car
We chose Monroeville because it is near and a place I have always wanted to visit because of its association with Harper Lee. So, a few facts about TKAM:
Pulitzer Prize winner
First book published by a Harper Lee
40 million copies sold
Voted #1 on many lists of must reads
Academy award winning movie adaptation
Translated to over forty languages
Voted best novel of the twentieth century
Taught in many schools in and outside the U. S.
(Can you tell I’m a fan?)
Storyline of the Book
Lee wrote about “small town middle-class southern life” and Monroeville was her home. Her father was the inspiration for Atticus Finch and Monroeville became the inspiration for the fictional town of Maycomb. Another famous writer, Truman Capote, was her childhood friend who was portrayed as Dill in her novel. I so loved the novel that going to the birthplace of its creation was very exciting for me.
Traveling to Monroeville
However, my image of riding down the highway with the top down on this first road trip with the wind blowing in our faces did not match reality. It rained off and on the entire trip to Monroeville and that first day in town.
We arrived in time to have lunch at a popular restaurant, The Prop and Gavel. It was at this restaurant in 2015 that Harper Lee received published copies of her second book, “Go Set a Watchman” from her U.S. and U.K. publishers. The decor is dedicated to aviation and the legal profession, an odd, but interesting combination. We had Barrister Burgers with sweet potato chips, voted one of the “Top 100 Dishes to Eat in Alabama.” They were quite tasty.
Prop and Gavel Restaurant
It was too late to go to the Monroe County Heritage Musem after we had lunch and checked into our motel. Fortunately, our innkeeper had copies of “Walk Monroeville II”, which has a lot of information and history about the town and sites referenced in Lee’s books.
The Town of Harper Lee
So we began the tour late that afternoon. Most stops on the tour were at or near the courthouse. Its lawn was beautifully landscaped with many references to Lee’s books. The sculpture below is “A Celebration of Reading”, by Birmingham sculptor, Branco Medenica.
A Celebration of Reading
Every year in April and May, there is a TKAM play. However, we just missed seeing it. Act I is in the Otha Biggs Amphitheater, which is on the courthouse grounds. The set has the houses of Atticus Finch, the Radleys and Mrs. Dubose. My Big Guy is below in front of the set.
Set for Act I
It was interesting to me that the Alabama Bar Association has erected a monument to Atticus Finch: Lawyer – Hero. This plaque is on the courthouse grounds.
Alabama Bar Association Monument to Atticus Finch
We also checked out the sites a few blocks from the courthouse where Lee and Capote grew up. Capote spent his summers in Monroeville with his cousins. Lee’s old home has Mel’s Dairy Dream in its spot, which is referenced in Lee’s “Go Set a Watchman”. A plaque dedicated to Truman Capote’s life is next to Mel’s. But, there is nothing but a stone wall from the original house of Capote’s cousins. Note the dark sky in the photographs because the rain was rolling into the area again.
Mel’s Dairy Dream, former site of Harper Lee’s childhood home
Former site of Truman Capote’s childhood home, next door to the former Lee homeMarker for Truman Capote
We had a milkshake at Mel’s and headed back to our motel to beat the rain. Consequently, we had ice cream for dinner. We’re seniors–it’s allowed. Our evening ended with a movie and a bottle of wine.
The Courthouse
After a very good breakfast at the motel, we headed to tour the old courthouse. It did not disappoint! Built in 1904, it stands majestic in the center of town. It was in danger of being torn down several years ago, but was ultimately preserved. There were exhibits for both Lee and Capote. It also has rooms set up as they would have looked in the 1930s, the years depicted in TKAM.
Old Monrobills County Courthouse1930s-Style Legal Office
The courtroom looks just like the one in the movie because the movie version was based upon it. So it was a most gratifying end to our tour at the courthouse. Anyone familiar with the movie can see the striking resemblance. There is a second story overlooking the main floor, just like the movie and the book. You can almost see Scout looking down from the second floor. The courtroom is where Act II of the annual play is performed, with members of the audience as jurors.
The CourtroomView of the Upper LevelThe Witness ChairThe View from Above
The trip to Monroeville gave me a much stronger understanding of Harper Lee and her hometown. In a sense, I found her, but in many ways she is even more a mystery.
Controversy
In recent years, controversy has surrounded another published book by Harper Lee, “Go Set a Watchman”. But, I must admit it is a little hard for me to reconcile the two books in my mind.
It is my understanding that the town is divided over the second book and some legal action that occurred in the later years of Lee’s life. She died in 2016 at 89 years old. Therefore, questions have been posed as to whether Harper Lee in her late 80s had the mental capacity to authorize the publication of the second book.
Consequently, the controversy adds to the mystery of Harper Lee, the brilliant writer who only wrote one book in her lifetime with her second publication being a draft of her first novel. But, she was a very private person, who remained silent to the public for most of the time after TKAM was published. However, I find her fascinating. If you have not read the book (TKAM), you are really missing something. There is also an audio recording of the book by Sissy Spacek that is excellent. She was wonderful as Scout!
Goodbye Harper Lee
Finally visiting Monroeville, I am even more of fan of Harper Lee.
Returning home, in contrast, we had sunshine for the most of the trip. So we were able to have the top down on the car. Such fun! We have another road trip coming, then it will be back to our Tiny Trailer.
If you are a camper, there are several campgrounds nearby. Don’t miss Monroeville if you find yourself going through southern Alabama. You don’t have to go in a convertible. Follow us at, Retirement and teardrop camping!
This trip had several “firsts”–first porta potty usage for camping, first successful execution of rainy day plan, and first time our food was stolen by animals.
We reserved a site on Holt Lake at Deerlick Creek Park near Tuscaloosa, Alabama weeks in advance. When it was time to go, it was evident that a rainy day would likely occur at least once. However, we decided to go anyway as we felt we could easily handle one day.
Our site was right on the lake with lots of shade. There was a concrete slab for the trailer with a wooden deck and bannister. It also had a circular pull through. Lastly, a picnic table on a wooden deck and a graveled area with a grill were at a lower elevation. We could not attach our 10×10 tent because it rain would be raining late the next evening. So, we decided to forgo the tent.
Deerlick Creek Site 37
Porta Potty
This was the maiden voyage, however, for our privacy tent and porta potty. The restrooms were quite far away and up a steep hill, so we really needed them. I have to say that I loved having this equipment so close.
Our Leapair privacy tent went up and down very easily and the tissue inside remained dry in the heavy rain that followed. The porta potty worked well and was really no big deal. I don’t know why I resisted it so long. I am now “porta potty trained”. Here is a link to a similar model of the tent.
Privacy tent/toilet
It was good to just have the camper and the privacy tent. Set-up was minimal and quick and the site was very comfortable.
Things That Go Bump in the Night
On our first night, I was startled by a scraping sound near our teardrop. It sounded like something was moving around at our campsite. My husband was asleep and I did not awaken him. I opened the door and shined a light outside. I could see that one of our large Hefty plastic food bins was away from our table by about a foot. However, I did not want to get out and move it by myself. (I am a bit of a chicken when it comes to unknown things in the dark.) The scraping continued a couple more times and each time, I opened the door and shined the light. The last time, I caught a glimpse of the culprit. Its eyes were shining in my light and I could make out the form of a quite large raccoon.
Later, my husband woke up and we went out to survey the scene. The box had been moved about eight feet. That raccoon was planning to take our entire box away! We moved it to the top of the table with the other two boxes and we were glad to see that it was there the next morning.
Perfect Day
The first full day we were there was glorious! A beautiful, sunny day with lots of cooling shade. The temperature was perfect. We had a leusurely breakfast and just sat in our chairs and enjoyed each other’s company and nature. We used our phones as hotspots and kept up with email, Facebook, etc. In the afternoon, we went biking through paved trails. It was a truly uplifting and peaceful day, the kind of day that just happens occasionally that you can’t order up or force. It felt a lot like some of those past perfect days I have experienced at the beach.
Robbed
That night, rain moved in and there were heavy winds. We had to close our star gazer window because it was difficult to sleep with the trees bending so much in the wind. It was also very noisy with heavy rain. We were a little concerned about limbs falling on us. Later in the night, my husband got up and discovered that two of our food bins were open in the middle of our outside rug and everything was strewn about. The next morning, we discovered that our chips, English muffins, and cashew nuts were missing. The bags were down the back of the ravine where we think the raccoon has his nest. We put our remaining food in the car. Not as convenient, but much safer. We did not see any more evidence or their visits after that.
Rainy Day Plan
The rainy day plan was in place when we went to bed the night before. We had researched the area for where to eat and how to spend our time. Our clothes were in the camper, so everything was ready for us to just head for the car with an umbrella. So, we had a leisurely breakfast at the Waysider, a Tuscaloosa landmark. The restaurant was established in 1906 in on old house. It is famous for the biscuits and coffee and both were excellent, as were the complementary beignets.
Tuscaloosa Museum of Art
Next on the rainy day agenda was a visit to the Tuscaloosa Museum of Art. It is a very interesting museum with gorgeous Japanese architecture on the outside and Early American Art on display inside. The art is a collection by Alabama businessman, Jack Warner.
Tuscaloosa Museum of ArtMuseum Gardens
George Washington portraits were abundant at the museum, more than I have ever seen in one place. The museum also featured many paintings and sculpture depicting early American life, a couple of which are included here. The museum staff were great and there was no charge for viewing the art. They also allowed photography as long as there was no flash. The art was beautiful and abundant, a perfect way to spend a rainy morning.
George Washington by James Peale“Magnolia” Loading Cotton by Moonlight in 1865 by Jack Stobart
Jemisin an De Graff Mansion
Another rainy day activity was a tour of the Jemison Van De Graff Mansion. The Tuscaloosa County Preservation Society owns the mansion and offers free tours at 1:30 daily. We had a little time to kill before the tour, so we did a little shopping at the local mall and had lunch at the food court.
Our tour of the Italianate mansion was given by a very knowledgeable docent. She gave us a lot of personal history of the mansion. Interestingly, a woman named Priscilla Cherokee Taylor ran several of the plantations from this home, which was the townhouse for the family. The family name, Cherokee, was explained by the docent. The lady of the house at the time helped heal the daughter of the Cherokee chief. He was grateful and later saved the family from a Choctaw uprising. They asked how they could thank him and he said by naming their first daughter Cherokee. They have given the Cherokee name to a member of the family in each generation, a habit that has continued to this day. A portrait of Priscilla Cherokee Taylor is below and it was her mother who healed the Cherokee chief’s daughter.
Mansion Yesterday and Today
The 26-room mansion opened in 1862. It was very technologically advanced for its time with running water and a coal heating system. The mansion is currently well-maintained and proported to be haunted. Our docent told us it has been examined by paranormal experts on several occasions. We did not see or hear any ghosts, but she had some stories to tell. Today, the house is a frequent venue for weddings and special events. It is truly beautiful! Below is the mansion and a couple of my favorite rooms.
Jemison Van de Graff HouseParlor in Jemison Van de Graff MansionConservatory
Conclusion
We really enjoyed our rainy day plan and were able to see some Tuscaloosa points of interest that we would have otherwise missed. I highly recommend our stops in Tuscaloosa and you don’t have to go in the rain!
Our visit to Deerlick Creek ended the next morning. It was our second Corps of Engineers campground. The volunteers impressed us because of the way they manage and maintain the park. They did a great job.
If you would like to follow along to see what we have learned in our travels, you might want to check out our resources page.
Lessons Learned:
Lock food in the car, even if not in bear country! Our habit in the past has been to put our table and food bins in our tent. If we had set up our new 10×10, the very persistent raccoon would likely have shredded it.
A Rainy day can be great because there is likely something nearby to do if you have a plan.
Corps of Engineer parks are great and very inexpensive. They also appear to have a similar look and feel. Especially relevant, the Senior Pass consistently provides a 50% discount.
