The drive to Red Bay included the states of Tennessee, Georgia and Alabama. Undulating hills and wide rivers lined with lush greenery. A favorable time change to central time zone added 1 more hour to the day. It was a long 230 miles by the time the Smitanic pulled into the Allegro Campground around 3pm.
This is the second visit the Smitanic 2 has been to Red Bay for warranty work. Warranty work is provided free for the first year of ownership. The new Smitanic had been purchased in Sept of 2017 so this is its last time to get minor issues addressed. In the March visit Site 5 gained notoriety as was host to many parties with many other Tiffinitesin attendance. “Site 5 is alive” was a common greeting! This trip site 5 was occupied so site 9 would be fine :). Water and electricity were hooked up, sewer would be hooked up later for the weekend. The repair punch list items were printed out and returned to the office. The wait starts.
As Theresa settled into her chair she looked up and noticed a fellow camper settling up his chair and table outside the front of his coach. When he sat down and lit up his cigar, Theresa called to Kevin “isn’t that the guy who was here in March whose Chevas you drank?” Kevin gave one quick glance and said “sure is! How funny!” Kevin headed outside and as he approached the guy asked him “Do you have any Chevas?” Jeff (the guy), immediately recognized both Kevin & Theresa. Chairs from the Smitanic joined the a now growing circle for an unofficial ‘happy hour’ at Jeff’s and Katherine Myers site. Conversations picked up were they were left back in March as if no one had left.
As in a group therapy session, stories of past occupations, kids, dogs and RV repairs and status were shared between the circle of Tiffinites. The night temps were pleasant, so the discussions continued as moon and stars filled the campground sky.
Norris stopped by around noon the next day. Norris makes the rounds to each new arrival to review the punch list and ask if they want a full service bay or a 3 hour bay with two technicians. The Smitanic elected a full service bay as the punch list might take longer than 6 man hours to complete. Kevin was informed that the Smitanic could get into a 3 hour bay at the next and said it was 1-1.5 weeks to get into a full service Bay. There was no rush so the full service bay was selected.
Theresa made a grocery store run and returned in time for the repeat evening therapy session in Jeff’s site.
The next day since no service was planned, it was a good day to drive to Toshomingo state park 25 miles away in MS. The park had several trail choices. The entry ranger recommended a 2 mile trail that started at a swinging bridge and included stream crossings, rock formations and a waterfall! The trail was nice and shaded, grandpa even was able to take a dip in the river to cool off. The park also had camping sites (not big rig friendly) and a very nice swimming pool!
Jeff’s site hosted the final evening therapy session, turning over the lead to the new arrivals in an adjoining shaded site. Evening shade for the sessions was critical as temps rose into the 90s in Red Bay. The Smitanic site 9 had the morning shade, but cooked in the mid-afternoon and evening. Jeff and Katherine got finished with all their needed repairs and were heading home in the morning. Safe travels. The Smitanic waits for the infamous call from Wanda, who schedules the service bay work.
Grandpa cools off https://youtu.be/DxKkxvwx0Rc
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