Birthday Girl

Lisa's 55th Birthday was one to remember.

With some time in between events in the USA, Lisa and I have spent time doing what we love, camping, outdoor cooking, walking and swimming in waterfalls. Does it get any better?!

We pitched the tent, erected our tarp (the kitchen) and slid on the walking shoes and enjoyed a couple of quiet days just soaking it all up. 

The days running up to my birthday we camped in Falls Creek Falls State park in Tennessee; a small park in comparison to some here in the USA but it really is worth a visit.  The falls were quite spectacular, especially as this state has had quite a bit of rainfall over the last few months, making the falls full and dramatic!  Good for us! 

The primitive camping overlooked a secluded wooded area and so the days leading up to my birthday I was able to enjoy camp cooking, sleeping in our hammock, walking the wonderful trials to the waterfalls, even managing to swim in one.  Boy! that was COLD!

It's been a while since we've been able to 'down tools' and do the other things we enjoy.  For both of us, being able to camp for more than just practicle reasons (ie not being able to afford a hotel) was a real break and took us back to our begining years of being on the road.

After 4 days in Falls creek we moved onwards, heading north to get closer to our next presentation, Hermys BMW in Port Clinton PA. However, we had given ourselves extra time to get there in order to ride a different part of the US:  Kentucky.  Yeah, i know that sounds a bit strange as Kentucky, for many riders, doesnt seem to have a lot to offer but it was an area we had only just quickly passed through before.  I had intended to stop at one of the larger parks (Daniel Boone)  but, with it being main vacation time, everything was booked-up, but I really wanted to camp!

Heading further north we came across Carter Caves State resort park, a very small area but a beautiful ride to get there.  I really hadnt realised just how green everything would be here and with the rolling hills, it reminded me very much of where we used to live in the UK,  the county of Somerset.  This area has the highest concentration of caves  in Kentucky and over 20 miles of great walking.  That sounds exactly what I wanted!

We spent 5 sunny days there enjoying the trails and caves - what a perfect way to enjoy my 55th birthday.

I wanted to express a sincere thank you to the incredible number of people that wished me a happy birthday via Facebook and our other social media channels. The birthday wishes and notes made a great and turned it into a perfect one. I was very touched, thank you.

Check more photos from Lisa's big day below.