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East Tennessee holds a special place in our hearts. It’s where we made our first full-time friends, explored an Amish market, tasted fried dandelions, and visited Gatlinburg—all for the first time! It’s also where Scott interviewed for his first job outside of California. With stunning trees and rivers as our backdrop, East Tennessee was full of unforgettable firsts.
Nestled in Limestone, Tennessee, our campsite at David Crockett Birthplace State Park came with full hookups and a prime spot right on the Nolichucky River.
This is also where we met our very first full-time RV friends, who happened to be the camp hosts. Our friendship has taken us to Kentucky, Michigan, Arkansas, and Florida. They even introduced us to the Carnivore diet and inspired us to keep living the full-time RV lifestyle.
For those interested in camp hosting, this park offers a fantastic setup with one week on and two weeks off, plus free camping and laundry. It’s a great home base for exploring the Smoky Mountains and the Bristol TN/VA area!
While staying in Limestone, you must visit Troyer’s Mountain View Country Market. They make the best sandwiches, donuts, and pretzels. Not to mention the market is full of baked goods, local produce and dairy, and even bulk items. My kids still reminisce of the pretzels and donuts to this day!
We loaded up the dogs and hit the trails in the Smoky Mountains, which honestly reminded me a lot of Big Bear back in California. Based on that, I figured Gatlinburg would be a charming little mountain village—but I was way off!
We hadn’t even heard of Gatlinburg until we were in Louisiana, where people kept telling us it was a must-see. When we got there, it was packed with people! The town was buzzing with attractions like Ripley's Believe It or Not stores, an aquarium, the Sky Lift park, and more.
Unfortunately, it was also Spring Break, and our anxious poodles weren’t up for the crowds, so we just drove through without stopping. But it’s definitely on our list to return and explore, along with Pigeon Forge and Dollywood.
We also visited Panther Creek State Park in Morristown, which offered beautiful scenery, tennis courts, trails, and more disc golf. It was a special treat to catch up with friends from California who had recently moved to the area. Seeing familiar faces in a new place always feels great!
Bristol is a unique town that straddles the line between Tennessee and Virginia. It’s not only celebrated as the birthplace of country music but also renowned for the iconic Bristol Motor Speedway. Nestled in the Appalachian Mountains, Bristol offers stunning green spaces and scenic beauty just waiting to be explored.
Scott had been eyeing a job opportunity at Bell Helicopters in Piney Flats for a while. When we first started our full-time adventure, our plan was to stop after a year to find a new place to live and explore job options.
After falling in love with the area, Scott decided to apply, not really expecting much to happen in the two weeks we were there. To our surprise, he landed an interview, which meant scrambling to find interview clothes and a way to print his resume.
Come along as we explore the Smoky Mountains in our fifth wheel, and maybe you’ll be inspired to add this beautiful spot to your travel list!
David Crockett Birthplace State Park
Nestled in Limestone, Tennessee, our campsite at David Crockett Birthplace State Park came with full hookups and a prime spot right on the Nolichucky River.
This historic park is where the legendary Davy Crockett was born in 1786. One of the highlights was Homestead Days, a time-period event where everything, even the food, stays true to the era. The rangers made it extra fun for the kids by frying dandelions in bacon grease—a huge hit!
This is also where we met our very first full-time RV friends, who happened to be the camp hosts. Our friendship has taken us to Kentucky, Michigan, Arkansas, and Florida. They even introduced us to the Carnivore diet and inspired us to keep living the full-time RV lifestyle.
For those interested in camp hosting, this park offers a fantastic setup with one week on and two weeks off, plus free camping and laundry. It’s a great home base for exploring the Smoky Mountains and the Bristol TN/VA area!
Troyer’s Amish Market
Great Smoky Mountain National Park
We loaded up the dogs and hit the trails in the Smoky Mountains, which honestly reminded me a lot of Big Bear back in California. Based on that, I figured Gatlinburg would be a charming little mountain village—but I was way off!
We hadn’t even heard of Gatlinburg until we were in Louisiana, where people kept telling us it was a must-see. When we got there, it was packed with people! The town was buzzing with attractions like Ripley's Believe It or Not stores, an aquarium, the Sky Lift park, and more.
Unfortunately, it was also Spring Break, and our anxious poodles weren’t up for the crowds, so we just drove through without stopping. But it’s definitely on our list to return and explore, along with Pigeon Forge and Dollywood.
Tennessee State Parks
One of Tennessee’s many treasures is its stunning and free state parks. During our two week visit to East Tennessee in April, we experienced everything from snowy days to sunny 80-degree weather! On one of those snowy days, we decided to give disc golf a shot. Warriors Path State Park has an amazing disc golf course that’s a fantastic way to explore the park.
We also visited Panther Creek State Park in Morristown, which offered beautiful scenery, tennis courts, trails, and more disc golf. It was a special treat to catch up with friends from California who had recently moved to the area. Seeing familiar faces in a new place always feels great!
Birthplace of Country Music
Bristol is a unique town that straddles the line between Tennessee and Virginia. It’s not only celebrated as the birthplace of country music but also renowned for the iconic Bristol Motor Speedway. Nestled in the Appalachian Mountains, Bristol offers stunning green spaces and scenic beauty just waiting to be explored.
Piney Flats
Scott had been eyeing a job opportunity at Bell Helicopters in Piney Flats for a while. When we first started our full-time adventure, our plan was to stop after a year to find a new place to live and explore job options.
After falling in love with the area, Scott decided to apply, not really expecting much to happen in the two weeks we were there. To our surprise, he landed an interview, which meant scrambling to find interview clothes and a way to print his resume.
A few days later, it got even more real when we learned he got the job offer. But as we thought about it, we realized we weren’t quite ready to settle down—there were still many shifts and changes needed in our lives.
East Tennessee exceeded our expectations; we absolutely loved it! With so many families from California moving to Tennessee, we were eager to see what all the hype was about. The area was beautiful, felt liberating, and life seemed simpler with plenty to do.
However, we visited before Scott's sobriety, and looking back, I see how God had bigger plans for us. At the time, Scott was struggling with not working, and I was struggling with watching our savings dwindle.
Overall Experience
East Tennessee exceeded our expectations; we absolutely loved it! With so many families from California moving to Tennessee, we were eager to see what all the hype was about. The area was beautiful, felt liberating, and life seemed simpler with plenty to do.
However, we visited before Scott's sobriety, and looking back, I see how God had bigger plans for us. At the time, Scott was struggling with not working, and I was struggling with watching our savings dwindle.
The job offer was tempting, but with encouragement from new friends and guidance from God's still, small voice, we resisted the comfort of stability. Embracing the unknown and challenging journey turned out to be a tremendous blessing!
Psalm 62:5
Yes, my soul, find rest in God; my hope comes from him.
Reflection
- This verse resonates deeply with me. Looking back, I feel a pang of sadness for the inner turmoil I experienced. While my faith in God and the peace of salvation were present, daily peace eluded me. My thoughts spun chaotically, like clothes tumbling in a washer. I was gradually learning to trust God, but distinguishing between faith and trust was still new to me.
- Here’s an image that’s helped me grasp this concept: Imagine a professional tightrope walker preparing to cross a high wire while pushing a wheelbarrow. He asks, "Do you have faith that I can make it across?" You respond, "Yes, I believe you can." Then he asks, "Do you trust me?" Again, you say, "Yes." He replies, "Well then, get in the wheelbarrow, and I’ll push you across."
- I had great faith in God—I believed in His sovereignty, had a relationship with Jesus, and was secure in my salvation. But my life looked no different from anyone else’s. Trust was missing. It’s trust that allows God to shape our lives in ways beyond our imagination. Even through suffering, when we truly trust God, our lives can witness to others and bring glory to Him.
“Faith is the gaze of a soul upon a saving God, but trust steps forward, relying on that gaze.”-A.W. Tozer
Prayer
Heavenly Father,
Thank you for creating me, loving me, and providing for me. I am grateful for your care in bringing peace and rest into my life. Please guide our steps, our daily interactions, and our thoughts. Grant us the peace and rest you’ve promised, even in times of turmoil. Help us learn to trust you more each day. We seek lives that surpass our imagination—lives fully devoted to you and sustained by your provision. We love you!
In Jesus’ name,
Amen
- I would love to hear your thoughts and experiences, feel free to leave a comment below.
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