Our 2006-07 Florida Trip 00112-27-06 At the Bridge Tunnel Rest Stop
It was a good day. We started the day out by going to Mass and saying goodbye to Fr. Darcy. Frank told him that instead of getting the 8 track tapes out to listen to the Christmas music Frank was looking for his old 78’s. That is when Frank learned that it just might be possible that Fr. Darcy had been reading our blogs.
We left Mass and went home to finish up our last minute packing and chores. Frank was able to take a last ride on the Harley-lite as he had to top off the one gallon fuel tank. He told Kay that it is still chilly on the motor scooter at this time of the year.
We left home at 1:10 PM! Seems that we had more to do than we thought. Frank assured himself that the chocolate covered cherries that Linda Casto gave him earlier in the week were packed. Linda said that the candy was to be eaten on the trip, as the chocolate would help to keep the driver awake.
The ride down to the Bay Bridge tunnel was pleasant and uneventful, unlike other years. No flats! We used Frank’s new hand held GPS unit for navigation and discovered how to get to Rt 113 by going through Bishopville, MD thereby bypassing Selbyville and its 25-mile zone. Life is good in small ways. When we arrived at the Virginia line rest stop and stopped to use the facilities Frank noted that we were still in the cold. Frank decided that it was time to take one of his "nodoz" chocolate candies and found that they worked as he did not fall asleep.
Go south young man, go south! We did and arrived at the rest stop where Frank hooked up the DTV and was able to learn about President Ford, it was interesting to note that many of the taking heads did not live through the Nixon years. Memories come with age, but then too so do retirement and the chance to spend another winter in Florida.
Our 2006-07 Florida Trip 00212-28-06 En route to Camp Pedro at South of the Border
It was another good day. We left the Bay Bridge Tunnel rest stop at 8:00AM with the sun to our back, which is a lot better than driving into it as we have done on other occasions. Once we got out of the Norfolk area we discovered that three cotton fields in VA had not been picked, which is a very pretty sight. A field of white that is not cold to the touch! We got diesel in Suffolk, VA and checked on the location of the group who were behind us. We then head west to I95 with a stop at the last rest stop in NC for lunch. Frank had another "nodoz" and was heard saying that they seem to work, as he was still awake. After we had driven about 249 miles the truck slowed down. Frank checked all the gauges before he noticed that the front fuel tank was empty. Frank switched to the rear tank and WOW the truck regained speed. Frank noted that now we will know exactly how much fuel the front tank holds! We arrived at Camp Pedro, parked, and Frank lay down as he is coming down with a cold. Rest will cure everything and the "nodoz" had worn off.
Our 2006-07 Florida Trip 003
12-29-06 En route to Kingsland, GA from Camp Pedro, SC
A most interesting day to say the least! The day started off with Boots Mason knocking on the door to see how Frank was doing. Frank told him he was fine, and would be ready to leave at 8:00 AM, but that he needed fuel so we would stop at Flying J about 5 miles down the road. When we got to Flying J we discovered that the pumps were not working, therefore we headed to another vendor across the street. Then we headed back onto I95. Surprise, as Frank pulled the trailer down the road at 60 miles an hour the trailer was swaying noticeably. Frank pulled over on the shoulder and discovered that he had lost a pin, which holds one of the struts, thereby allowing the trailer to pivot on two points. Frank told Kay that it was like pulling a farm wagon, which was no fun. We got back into the truck and slowed down to 50 miles an hour, which allowed the trailer to pull in a straight line. We called Hensely, maker of the hitch and ascertained that there was no dealer in SC and that even if there were the dealers do not have spare parts. After talking on the cell phone with Boots we both decided that we would head to Don Mar Airsteam dealer and get a regular hitch while we had Hensely send the parts needed to repair the hitch to Travelers Rest.
We limped into Don-Mar RV Sales at exit 141 on I95 and Frank started to remove the hitch while the dealer brought out a Reese Hitch. Frank told them that he thought he could use a straight ball rather than the total hitch. They looked at Frank as if he was strange, but brought him what he wanted. Frank then removed the Hensely Hitch and hooked up to the straight ball, but Kay was nervous. To make a long story shorter, Frank had them put a full Reese hitch on the truck, with stabilizer bars for a price of $550.50. Frank learned that Don Brancato the owner was an ex AT&T employee, but Frank did not have enough time to pursue the connection. We left Don-Mar’s at 1:10PM with about 310 miles to go to in order to get to our next destination. We had to arrive at 6:00PM before the gates closed, so Frank set cruise control to 66mph and headed down I95. That is a lot faster than Frank and Kay like to travel, but it was the only way to get there on time. It was about 4mph less than the speed limit, so the cops would be no problem, but traffic could be. It was, at mile 21 in SC the traffic started to slow down to about 15mph. We got off I95 at exit 22 and got on US17, which parallels I95 at that point. It was clear and we rejoined I95 in Hardee, SC where the traffic jam no longer existed. So far so good!
Kay called the campground and was told to call at 5:00PM and let them know where we were, so they could make an informed decision as to how late they would wait for us to arrive. Kay said fine and we continued down the road. Then we hit the parking lot at exit 42 in GA. Once more Frank got off the Interstate and found US 17. Listening to the truckers on the CB we were aware that the back up was in place all the way to exit 36. We followed US 17 all the way to the Jekyll Island turn off and rejoined I95 at exit 29 which added about 11 miles to the trip. The road was open and we drove to exit 7 where the campground was. We arrived at 6:13PM, which was good, as they had promised us they would stay open till 6:15PM when we called back.
Now all that was left was hook up to the electricity and have dinner before heading to bed to rest up for tomorrow’s trip. It should be a lot better; Kay will look forward to restroom stops, as we only made one on the day’s run where Frank got a Reese Peanut Cup as his "nodoz" fix. Boots called and wanted to know if Frank was going to change over to the Reese hitch permanently, Frank just said no!
Oh yes, just in case you are wondering the front tank holds 18.895 gallons of diesel!
Our 2006-07 Florida Trip 004
12-30-06 Parked in Kingsland, GA at the King George’s RV Resort
A somewhat day to say the least! Frank awoke to the pitter patter of rain on the roof and told Kay that he did not feel that well so he was going back to sleep and we would leave later, not meeting the group at the rest stop in FL. Frank then went back to sleep. Kay called the group and let them know that they should not wait for us.
Frank awoke for the second time and observed that he still felt punk but we could leave for FL. Frank got up ate breakfast, solved the water problem (no fresh water in the fresh water tank). Then Frank told Kay he just was not ready to drive so she should go pay for another day. Frank then went back to sleep, only to wake up later to a sunny warm day and to find that Kay had found a ride to the local Wal-Mart. Kay came back with much cold medicine and Frank started to take it. The rest of the day was spent with both Kay and Frank sleeping and loafing. We are hoping to leave in the morning.
Our 2006-07 Florida Trip 005
12-31-06 Enroute to Travelers Rest from Kingsland, GA
We awoke to a very warm day with heavy fog on the ground. Frank felt much better and decided that we could continue on to Travelers Rest, with the traditional stop at the Florida visitors center to get orange juice. We had to get diesel first so we did and Kay neighbored with the driver of the RV filling up next to us. It seems that the couple was from Delmar, DE and this was their first trip to FL for the winter. We had much sage advice but shared very little of it. We got back on the road at 10:00AM and pulled into the visitor’s center for orange juice and a photo op session. Frank got two small cups of free juice as he told the clerk he was recovering from a heavy cold and needed the vitamin C. He got his juice and then told the lady he was thinking up the next excuse for two more cups. She smiled and when Frank went back for two more, she just poured the juice out.
When we finally got back to the Airstream Kay got a call from Iva Lee Carter wanting to know where we were. They had left Camp Pedro at 5:00AM and were crossing the Georgia-Florida border. We waited for them and welcomed them to FL. They were going to get their orange juice so we told them we were going on. They then stopped for lunch at Wal-Mart in Stark, FL while we kept driving. When it was time to get off of I10 onto US301 we missed the turn. Using maps Kay decided that we could get off at the next exit and get on US301 with ease so we did. Frank’s hand held GPS unit thought we should just turn around on I10 but soon agreed with Kay’s assessment. Kay likes the hand held GPS and is using it. She will not let Frank see it as she using it, and that is that.
We stopped for lunch at the first rest stop on I75 and the Carters passed us, we did not see them but Kay called them to see where they were and they were ahead of us. Frank got another "nodoz" chocolate covered cherry and noted how well they were working as he was not sleepy.
We arrived at Travelers Rest and pulled into our new spot, only to be greeted by the Masons. Boots helped Frank unload the truck and kept noting how nice the Reese Hitch was; he sees no reason to go back to the Hensely. Kay kept on neighboring as the Runyons came down to visit. At about 6:30PM Frank had finished setting up the trailer and sat down out side to enjoy the 80-degree weather with a very fine breeze. Kay told him that dinner was ready, but Frank allowed as to he had to enjoy the weather for a little longer. The rest of the evening was spent eating and getting ready for bed by Frank while Kay watch some TV. Neither Frank or Kay saw the New Year come in, but Happy New Year to all!
Our 2006-07 Florida Trip 006
1-1-07 Parked in Travelers Rest Airstream Park, Dade City, FL
We awoke to a very warm day with light rain. Our first day camped for the winter! We got ready for Mass at Sacred Heart Catholic Church where we have not been for seven months. After Mass we were pleasantly surprised as Father remember us. Our nametags helped but Frank’s hat is always a clue.
Then it was off to Wal-Mart where bought stuff, but forgot to get the items that we went there for. Old age creeps in! We left Wal-Mart and went back to the campground happy that we still remembered how to navigate the area. We had the GPS unit but it just confirmed what we thought was the route.
Frank went and took a nap while Kay neighbored. She did go to the old mailbox and picked up the stuff we needed for this season, namely the old TR Times and the phone directory as well as the schedule of classes and events. Frank checked regarding the renting of a golf cart and discovered he had to wait until tomorrow. Life can be sad some times!
Our 2006-07 Florida Trip 007
1-3-07 Parked in Travelers Rest Airstream Park, Dade City, FL
The days have gotten warm again and the rain has left the area. The golf cart was delivered today and we had our first weekly get-together of the DelMarVa group. Then it was off to the entertainment for the night. It was excellent! Kay has been busy going to various activities in the park while Frank has been doing chores. We have gotten our first mail in the Park, but Frank has not gotten his first ice cream at the country store. It will happen or so he thinks!
1-4-07 Parked in Travelers Rest Airstream Park, Dade City, FL.
Kay took the golf cart and went to camera class, later when she got back Frank and Kay went up to get the mail. Frank saw Boots at the maintenance shack in his truck, so he investigated why and learned that Boots was getting a lawn mower. Frank help Boots load the mower before continuing on his quest for mail. After getting the mail he stopped in the country store to see what was being sold and not being one to let an opportunity to escape had an ice-cream sandwich while noting "that life is good!"
He then went back to the Airstream and did some more chores. Later Boots pulled up in his truck and they both refilled the lawn mower with gas. Boots then proceeded to finish cutting his lawn. Later he stopped by to pickup his truck to get Franks help in loading the lawn mower back on the truck. Frank commented that he should leave the lawn mower with him and he would cut his lawn in the morning. Boots reminded Frank of the heavy dew and that he would not be able to cut the lawn until late afternoon, so Frank should just cut the lawn now. Frank looked at him and then agreed. Late when Frank returned the lawn mower he told Boots that this was the first time he had cut a lawn since leaving the state of Maryland to live in the state of Delaware!
