Looper Reunion

Acworth, GA - Dutton, AL
4/Apr/24 - 6/Apr/24

Miles Traveled     103
Trip Total              542
Travel Time         2:25

States visited: FL, GA,  Alabama

Dutton Alabama is the first destination stop on our trip.  The first two nights were just stops to break up a long drive.  Dutton is the located at the top of Sand Mountain that overlooks the Tennessee River, and is the home of Nick & Ginger (Ginger Gale) who we meet on the Great Loop.  Their house is on a bluff with the most incredible view overlooking the river.  As incredible as the view is during the day, the sunset is more spectacular.

Traveling from Acworth to Dutton we had a neat surprise, As we were coming down a mountain road, I saw a woman in a bright yellow jacket franticly waving her arms in the air from a parking lot  My first thoughts were either someone was in trouble or there was a problem on the road ahead of us.  As I slowed down looking for somewhere to pull over, Angel shouted that's Steve and Jane (Sabbatical).  They had been tracking us on NEBO and saw that we would be crossing their path so they wanted to wave to us as we passed!!!!

Overlooking the Tennessee River

Nick & Ginger were kind enough to open their house, driveway and yard to us and several other loopers for the weekend.  Three of us came by RV; Mark & Karen, Angel & I, and Ken & Cheryl (Turn The Paige) we stayed around the yard.  Steve & Jane (Sabbatical), Dan & Cherri (Cherri Baby II) and Teresa (Part time crew on Ginger Gale) filled all the spare bedrooms in the house.  

Nick and Ginger planned a fun and busy weekend for us that started with a wedding renewing ceremony for Angel & I.  When Angel & I, decided to get married we wanted to have Ginger marry us overlooking the bluff. (Ginger has been trying to convince us to have her marry us on the bluff since our first visit to her house in 2022!)  We would have waited and got married but getting all of the paperwork (drivers license, social security, healthcare etc.) done while traveling over they next four months would have been very difficult.

After we all arrived at Wellness Ways (Nick & Ginger's house) they put out an incredible spread featuring Ginger's brother Jimmy's famous BBQ pork.  Dinner was followed by our quick sunset vows ceremony and some wedding cake.  In addition to the great food and company Nick & Ginger had their friends Dean & Mary over.  Dean, Mary and Nick entertained us all night playing guitars and singing.  Occasionally Steve and Dan joined in playing and singing. 

Friday started out with some of us going to the Unclaimed Baggage Center.  It is a very interesting store where if you have the patience you can get some great deals.  They have everything you can imagine.  It is all stuff that comes from unclaimed airline luggage.  After that we headed to Desoto State Park, where we spent the afternoon enjoying the waterfalls and surrounding area. When we got back to Wellness Ways we finished the day off playing Mexican Train.

Saturday's highlight was cruising the Tennessee River on Fourth Quarter, Nick and Ginger's new boat.  The cruise was followed up with an enjoyable dinner at "The Dock" overlooking the river.  The Dock is a local restaurant at the marina where they keep their boat.

With everything we did, the best part of our time at Wellness Ways, was the time we spent with our friends.  Hours of reminiscing about the past and planning future trips.  

Sunday morning everyone  packed up and headed out.  We all have plans for watching the eclipse and need to travel to get where were watching from.