Day 19 - Soggy Charleston to Hendersonville, North Carolina

October 20, 2019

Today was a travel day. We left a very wet Hollywood, South Carolina (just south of Charleston) and drove 250 miles to a campground near Hendersonville, North Carolina. We have driven 2,045 miles so far.

We still can't get over all the traffic out here. Note the steady stream in the east bound lanes as well as all the traffic traveling west with us. This was typical from about 50 miles east of Columbia until around 30 miles west of Columbia. Traffic was heavy for all of todays 250 miles.

Got the worst fuel mileage of the trip today as we climbed from a low of 8 feet below sea level to over 2,000 feet above sea level. I26 is constantly uphill 110 feet then down 100 feet, then up 110 feet and down 100 feet, and up 110 feet and down 100 feet. Most of the grades are moderately steep with a few steep enough where semi's were going 40-45 mph. As a side note, on the way to Charleston, as we drove around the west side of town on the Interstate loop we were as much as 30 feet below sea level. Why would anyone build an Interstate highway 30 feet below sea level?

The campground here is interesting. A LOT of the folks appear to be permanent residents. Sites are relatively close together. People are friendly and helpful. James, who, with his family, is camped next to us, jumped up to help direct us into our site. He also knew the site had problems with the 30 amp outlet and asked if I had a 50 amp to 30 amp plug. When I told him I didn't have one with me he called the lady who checked us in and she brought one to us.

We are close to a highway. Between the highway noise, that combined with the noise of families just having fun, makes it NOISY!

Our cheap indoor digital indoor antenna allowed us to get the NASCAR race (figuring out why our crank up ourdoor antenna doesn't work will be on my to do list when we get home). Kathy watched most of the race, I watched the last few laps.

The weather is supposed to be nice tomorrow. We plan on looking around Hendersonville tomorrow and maybe even Asheville.

One of the Scriptures in today's Daily Devotional was Joshua 1:9 "The warriors of Ephraim, though armed with bows, turned their backs and fled on the day of the battle." I was not in the military, but I am supposed to be a soldier. It made me wonder, what type of soldier am I? I’m afraid that I’m not a very good one. Most of the time I refuse to acknowledge that I am involved in a battle. I tend to hide my head in the sand. At other times I tend to cower during a skirmish, probably because I’ve forgotten to “wear” my weapons and armor (Ephesians 6:10-18).

Oh that I would always boldly “march” to the old hymn “Onward Christian Soldiers”.

Onward Christian soldiers, marching as to war, with the cross of Jesus going on before!

Christ the royal Master, leads against the foe; forward into battle, see His banner go!

At the sign of triumph Satan’s host doth flee; On then, Christian soldiers, on to victory!

Hell’s foundations quiver at the shout of praise; Brothers, lift your voices, loud your anthems raise!

Like a mighty army moves the church of God; brothers, we are treading where the saints have trod; we are not divided; all one body we, one in hope and doctrine, one in charity.

Onward, then ye people, join our happy throng, blend with ours your voices I the triumph song; glory, laud, and honor, unto Christ the King; this thro’ countless ages men and angels sing.

(The hymn was written by Sabine Baring-Gould in 1865, the music was composed by Arthur Sullivan in 1871. It is the Salvation Army’s most used processional.)

God is good. May He bless you and yours.