While we came out to this area in the Fall and stayed for 2.5 months, we never took any of the steps to become residents. Realizing our shortfall, we jumped in with both feet as soon as we got back to Greene County. Got my TN license, changed over the vehicle insurance, and got the plates changed on the Jeep and Pearl. Maverick has a permanent tag through our LLC in Montana, but I still have to change over the insurance on him. Got a PO Box and have done all the change of address requirements. Whew, it’s official now!
We’ve experienced some unique weather, not only being back in the mountain region, but our new campground is literally at the base of Mt. Tabor. The city of Greeneville is on the next ridge with a little valley in between (12 miles to the grocery store) and Greg is loving the weather patterns out here. He often says it is “fascinating” and tells me (in weather terms I can’t recall) how the warm air coming out of the valley is rushing up to meet the cold air on the mountain, causing a ton of variance in the wind patterns. We’ve seen why they are called the “smokies” quite a few times already and it really is pretty to witness. The wind up here is CRAZY! We’ve been back about 3 weeks and already had 4 major wind storms, 40+ mph winds. Our campsite is located perfectly for the wind rushing down the mountain and Maverick is holding strong. The little flag in front of our camper didn’t come out of the ground, but it spun around enough to unwind itself!
Honestly, I’m excited that he is excited about the weather here. With him being such a weather fanatic, I was hoping this wouldn’t be boring since we moved from tornado alley! We have the best view of sunset from our campsite, too. I could get a picture every evening!
I mentioned in a previous blog that our friends recently purchased this campground (beginning of January) and while it’s really pretty, the previous owners slacked on the upkeep the past couple of years. Greg has gone out with Gareth and Jessica a couple times and helped trim some trees and pick up around the middle of the campground where the kids play.
Tigger is an excellent supervisor, even though he tends to nap on the job. He definitely never lets Greg get lost or wander too far away.
Knowing there would be heavy rains coming in, I decided to tackle the drainage from the pond. The pond is spring fed, but the outflow hasn’t been cleared out in a couple years, making the backside of the pond area slightly mushy. I didn’t think it would be that much work, and it really wasn’t. I needed a rake and some garden shears to finish it, but I encountered something I have never dealt with before.
Sumac. Ever had a run-in? If not, be thankful.
From the picture, you can tell that none of the trees have any leaves, except the pines. I know what to look for in avoiding poison ivy and poison oak. Apparently, their super extreme cousin, Poison Sumac, is MUCH worse. AND they are trees or bushes that lose their leaves for the winter.
Who knew?? Well, now we have read tons of articles and watch multiple documentaries on this not-so-fabulous tree.
I wore gloves, but the rubber was only on the front side and it was cotton on the back (mud, etc., can get through). I had on a t-shirt, short leggings, and my crocs. I got muddy and so when I got back to the camper, I rinsed off with our hose and showered right away. I felt/saw mosquitos biting me while I was out there working, and swatted some away, but didn’t think too much of it. This was Tuesday later afternoon. By Wednesday morning, what I thought were bug bites on my forearms, had morphed into something a bit more. Jessica said it looked just like sumac poisoning and she had a poison ivy scrub that I used. Of course I googled Sumac and the internet told me I was dying, lol.
By Wednesday night, the itching was so intense, I couldn’t stop crying. I had purchased some poison ivy/oak/sumac scrub and anti-itch gel and that made my skin feel like it was on fire with ants biting me from the inside. By Thursday, the swelling started to increase and I discovered spots on my hands and stomach. By Friday, I was surviving off Benadryl every 4 hours and prayer every moment. I had also picked up some calamine lotion and so I (and my blankets) were covered in pink dust. Friday night, when I washed the calamine lotion off, I was shocked by how much worse it had gotten, especially in my inner left elbow.
By now, I’m not really sleeping at night, because I am so incredibly uncomfortable and wake up itching and burning. Saturday morning, we make the decision to see the Nurse Practitioner at the walk-in clinic. The NP brought in the doctor just so she could witness how bad my reaction was, and approve the steroid booster. The doctor said this is the “angriest” reaction to Sumac she has every seen.
Great. Yay me.
We picked up Prednisone, an anti-bacteria medication, and topical steroid cream from CVS. By this point, I’m in ridiculous amounts of pain. Sweet Greg is trying so hard to care for me, but there is not much he can do (he said he wouldn’t skin my arms the day prior, even though I’m sure that would have felt better). I’ve gone through having Poison Ivy a couple times, but I’ve never had this kind of reaction. The blisters are now weeping pus and I’ve taken to carrying a soft towel around with me so I don’t get that gross-ness everywhere. Since it’s on both sides of my arms, I’m building shoulder strength with having to keep my arms either suspended or at odd angles just to be comfortable.
Sunday morning, I had great expectations with all the steroids flowing through my system. I guess they don’t work that fast though. It’s so bad between my fingers on my right hand, I can’t make a fist or use my ring or pinky fingers. My left inner elbow is so bad, I can’t bring my hand to my mouth at all.
Today, Sunday, I did nothing. Seriously nothing. Finally, by tonight the steroids have kicked in and although it still hurts like a mother-trucker, I’m not crying anymore. Hey, after this full experience, I’ll take any win I can get. I praying this takes a turn for the better tomorrow!
I believe the spots have all arrived and I can get onto total healing now. My forearms are the worst and my left arm is so swollen the skin hardly moves when I press on it. I have spots on the tops of my feet and lower calves (crocs and short leggings), up my arms (t-shirt), and on my stomach, hips, and waist (we think from when I removed my clothes to shower). Google says it will take about 2-3 weeks to go through the whole process, and I’m only on day 5! Bummer. Please keep me in your prayers!
Lesson learned – long sleeves, not crocs, and SCRUB before getting underdressed and then again in the shower. Sigh. Well, at least the water is flowing better and when I’m all cleared up, I’ll take a rake to the rest of the leaves. No touchy! And yes, as soon as the trees start to bloom, we will identify the sumac trees and yank them out of the ground! We think I got the oil from the fallen tree leaves, since all the agriculture people indicate the sumac oil stays a very long time. Everything has been washed with HOT water and my crocs are baking in the sun daily. I’ll scrub them thoroughly before I wear them again.
At least the area looks cleaner and the water is flowing properly now!
~Katie
Chasing Adventure 
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