Peppy's Dream Moving Adventure Blog

Eric and I realized something for SURE this morning: Campgrounds are usually near a railroad.  I guess it’s because land near a railroad track is cheaper than elsewhere.  I really don’t know.  All I know is that we were RIGHT near a railroad AGAIN last night.  This one was the closest and loudest yet.  I slept better than I thought I would, considering how often that loud horn was blowing.

We checked out of the Allatoona Landing Campground and found a place to have breakfast.  Eric and I have been trying, since we left New York, to find interesting, off-the-beaten path places to eat, rather than eating at chain restaurants.  It’s not always easy, and we have eaten at chain restaurants, but – once in a while – we hit on a real gem – and today that was DOUG’S PLACE RESTAURANT.  I can’t even give you their address, because it’s not on their business card, but it was right near the Allatoona Landing RV Resort, about 6 miles from Cartersville, Georgia. 

The second I opened the door, I knew we were in for a treat.  It was 11:30am, and they were no longer serving breakfast, but the place was filling up fast for lunch.  The restaurant had tons of antiques and collectibles and looked like it had been there -- looking exactly the same way -- for at least 50 years.  The walls were lined with photos of ancestors, friends and family of the owner, Doug, who is no longer with us, but lives on in spirit and in the hearts of his friends.

I asked our lovely, young waitress if it would be okay to take some pictures and she said she’d ask the owner.  She came back and told me the owner said she’d be honored.  So, I took a few pictures.  It was really hard, because every table was filled with hungry patrons, but I managed to get a couple of shots without bothering anyone.

People were interested to know why I was taking pictures and asked if I was from a magazine or newspaper.  I told them that we were traveling the country and I was documenting the wonderful places we had been.  Everyone was so friendly.  I always worried that people didn’t like New Yorkers, or at least might not be too nice to us, but I was wrong.  Everywhere we’ve been so far – Massachusetts, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Kentucky, Tennessee, Georgia and Florida – people have been so kind and helpful, so sweet and friendly.

They didn't have many non-meat items on the menu, and I don't eat meat, so I ordered a grilled cheese sandwich and Eric got a grilled chicken sandwich.  We also got sides of macaroni and cheese and baked beans.  We finished the meal with a peach cobbler with vanilla ice cream.  The check came to $12.67.  Can you believe it? 

After our lovely lunch, we got on the road and headed south on I-75 through all of Georgia and into Florida.  Not the most interesting drive, but we were really interested in making good time.  I did some driving, too – about 90 miles.  I know Eric doesn’t really relax while I’m driving, but at least he’s getting a break.  We arrived at GRAND LAKE RV AND GOLF RESORT in Orange Lake, Florida (between Ocala and Gainesville) and stopped at a place called Rocky’s Villa for some delicious Mexican food. 

If it sounds like all we did for the last two days is drive and eat – you’re right!  I am getting absolutely FAT.  It’s not like I was ever big into exercising, but lately, unless we’re walking a lot while sightseeing, it’s mostly been eat and drive, eat and drive, eat and sleep, then start all over again.  We’ve also been indulging in desserts everywhere we go.  Eric feels like he’s gaining weight, too, because he’s used to eating whatever he wants, but riding his bicycle 7 days a week.  He’s now down to riding about once a week.  It’s been very hard for him, but he knows when we get to San Diego he’ll be back to riding every day (and riding 12 months of the year, too!), so he’s not too upset about it.  As for me, if I keep up the current pace, I should gain 10 pounds by the time we hit San Diego and it will be VERY hard for me to lose it all.  Boo hoo!

We will be driving all day tomorrow, too, because we want to get to my parents’ house by 5:00pm.  We will be going out to dinner at 6:00pm with my parents, our cousins, and my parents’ friends.  There will be 10 of us, so it should be a lot of fun!