Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. Live the life you have imagined.

Henry David Thoreau

On the Road to Warmer Climes

Saturday October 24 to Monday October 26, 2015                           Most Recent Post:
Walkabout RV Park                                                                           Last Days in Charlottesville
Woodbine, Georgia

 

Hold on to your hats, I’m zooming up to the present.  We don’t normally drive on week-ends but we have to be in Florida by Tuesday so David does not miss a Wednesday Cancer Treatment.  You do what you’ve got to do, even a 300 mile day.  Since nothing much but driving happens on travel days, I group the three together to get caught up.  Not that I’ll stay caught up of course. LOL!!

 

SATURDAY October 24

 

We leave in the early afternoon in order to stealth camp about 155 miles away near Roanoke Rapids.  We don’t want to arrive until nearly nightfall.

We head east on I 64 and take it to I-95 south out of Virginia and into North Carolina. On the way we enjoy the color along a not too busy I-64. 

 

Good bye to fall or at least its colors.

 

 

Timed perfectly, we’re almost there as the sun sets.

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The next morning it is just coming up when we are up to start on our way further south.

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SUNDAY October 25

We’re out early since we have nothing to do but bring in the slides and raise the jacks.  We drive a couple of hours and then stop in a rest area and fix breakfast.  We’re reading Diana Gabaldon’s Outlander aloud as David has never read it. You’ll remember Gabaldon from my trip to the Maryland Renaissance Faire.  If not, see this post.  The book is nearly 900 pages so who knows when or if we’ll finish it reading over breakfast and dishes.

Not much sun today as we drive through North Carolina and into South Carolina where I must say, the pavement of I-95 is much worse than in either Virginia or North Carolina.  We stop a second time to gas Winnona up at a Pilot near Florence for $1.809 a gallon.  That’s nearly as good a price as as the $1.739 in Charlottesville which always seems to have the least expensive gas prices of anywhere.

At  the end of our 300 mile day, as close to PDD as we’ll get, we pull into Jolly Acres RV Park in St. George South Carolina.  I check in and they use their darling little electric car to direct us to our site.  This is the 3rd electric car they’ve had since we’ve been stopping here over the years.  first white, then red, now yellow.  It fits just fine right under the eaves of the check-in building and you can it plugged in on the side with the blue plug and cord for charging it up.

 

 

 

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Our site is 50 amps, full hook ups, Passport America $20.   Sounds great until we have continuing problems with low voltage which we have never had here before.   Do those of you with progressive industries protection find that you often have it cutting off your power claiming low voltage?  Or have any ideas why we might? 

 

 

The gang likes the view out the front.  The duckies get especially excited as they are sure some of their relatives are out there.  Actually we can all hear them.

 

 

 

 

 

There are two ponds out our front window on either side of the archway so I go out to take a look.  Sure enough, there are four ducks.  Unfortunately they are so much larger than Moby and Handy that I don’t think it’s safe for them to go out and swim with the big boys.

 

 

 

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The four swim right over but when they find out I have nothing for them, they lose interest.

 

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I know most people think the drake of the mallard pair is the more attractive of the two but I’ve always been partial to the subtle beauty and intricate patterns of the female.

 

 

I don’t remember from our previous stays the train here which blows its whistle LONG and LOUD every two hours starting at 10pm and finishing at 6am.  Nor do I remember the rooster who starts predicting the sun is going to rise at 4am when it doesn’t actually rise until 7:30.  Maybe both of these are new additions since our last stop here.  In any case it was not a very good night’s sleep to say the least. Sure wish I wasn’t such a sound sleeper.  I even had ear plugs in.  I may have to scout around for another place to stop in South Carolina coming south on 95.  If you have any suggestions of nice easy stop over on the way from Virginia to Florida please let me know.

 

 

MONDAY October 26

Not a big hurry to leave today as we’ll travel around 185 miles to near the Georgia/Florida line, we pull out around 10am.  Traffic seems more congested than on Sunday or perhaps it’s just that we are further south.

Just as we are about to leave South Carolina I spot a clump of its state tree in the median of I-95 and shortly we pass the Welcome to Georgia sign.  David says these are not the first palm trees we’ve passed but they are the first I’ve seen and always signal “THE SOUTH” to me.

 

 

 

 

We’ve stopped at Walkabout coming to and from Florida any time we are moving up and down the east coast having discovered it shortly after Troy and Suz bought the park some years ago.  Their business has really grown and this time we’ve had to make a reservation to make sure they have a spot for us.  A far cry from the first time we were here when we just drove in and had our pick of spots.  Still a Passport America park so our full hook up site is $17.60.

The sites are all grass and no frills and very close together.  But for over night it suits us fine and the price is right.  Our site is so level we don’t even put our jacks down for the one night. We’re counting on no big winds.

Since I mentioned in a previous post putting together a list of places that permit you to wash your RV, this is one of them.   I find that surprising since the sites are all just grass and it would seem that enough water for washing and rinsing would make a muddy mess. But Troy and Suz are the friendliest and nicest of people. 

There appear to be folks from “up north” as in New York and Michigan, who winter here.  Perhaps the long timers is the reason they have a pot luck “Thanksgiving dinner” that week-end and bingo every Wednesday.  Boy I’m sorry to miss that.  I do love bingo even though I never win.  

The view out the front window isn’t as interesting to the gang as yesterday’s ponds.  Today they overlook the entrance road and a nice field lined by short bushes turning their fall colors even though the high today is 79.

 

 

Once we get set up I make some kale and sauerkraut sandwiches for lunch.  They are delicious.  So much so that I forget to take a picture of them so I grab this one off the web.  Ours were actually much more attractive than this.  Next time I fix them, I’ll try to remember to post one before we’ve eaten them down to the last crumb.  They are made up of hummus, horseradish mustard, sauerkraut, kale and cherry or sliced tomato.

Kale and sauerkraut sandwich

 

Tomorrow’s drive is much more to my liking at 113 miles.  We’ll spend four days at Gamble Rogers State Recreation Area in Flagler Beach before heading further south to the Keys.

45 comments:

  1. Wow, that is a timely blog. Just happened, just written, just posted. Amazing. Wish I could manage that. Lovd the sandwich idea, or I would love it more if I liked sauerkraut more, but it still sounds good. Looks like you covered some good miles.

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    1. Hi Sue, as you and others who have been commenting for a while know, this being up to date thing is pretty rare. :-)

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  2. I guess I missed how you were able to work out David's treatments on the road. The important part is that you did. I am prepared to mark in Pinterest all the great places you find to stay. Maybe someday I'll get to Florida. Love seeing the scenery along the way!

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    1. Hi Karen, We stay pretty much exclusively in the Florida State Parks and Everglades National Park. We've been to most of them so if you want to check what we did where, just put the park name in the search box. Great to see you here.

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  3. Mighty reasonable gas prices, it was $ 2.79 in San Diego and $ 2.26 in Anchorage. Love those fall trees along the road.

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    1. Hi Tom,
      We were actually sorry to have to leave right at the height of the color in Virginia but to be in Florida in the winter you have to have reservations so we had to go.

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  4. I have to fill the rig's tank tomorrow, and I can't believe I'll pay less than $3/gal in California! I'm also going to try a PDD 320 miles tomorrow so I'll only have about 150 the next day through Los Angeles. I'm a bit nervous about the LA part. :P

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    1. Ouch at $3 a gallon Judy. Good luck on that LA part. Sorry you have to go there. I lived in the area for a few years and would never do a route through there. Nothing I want to see that badly. LOL

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  5. Moving right along. Sandwich looks really good and healthy.
    Gas here is down to 2.05

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    1. Hey Jo, so good to see you again. The sandwich was excellent. Don't be a stranger.

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  6. Welcome to the present. Hope you find it enjoyable. ;c)

    Wish we were tagging along. Never thought I'd see the day when you traveled more miles than we did! Enjoy Florida!

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    1. Yes Paul I find it quite depressing that I had to travel more miles than you. But it's past now so the present is great.

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  7. What a unique sandwich and sounds so delicious and super healthy. I wish I had more ideas for healthy meals from you as I often notice you mention your super healthy recipes. Feel free to share anytime! Thanks.

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    1. Welcome to the blog comments Joyce it's great to see you here. I've posted several recipes in the past on the blog and will continue to do it. Hope to see you here often and learn more about you.

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  8. We had the Progressive Dynamics EMS cut off the power due to low voltage at an RV park a couple months ago. We moved sites and it was fine. There may have been a problem with that particular power box. Of course the park said there was nothing wrong because someone had been in that site the night before and didn't complain. Bet they didn't have an EMS. We have always found ours to be correct in identifying low voltage or ground problems.

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    1. Yes we have too almost always found that the voltage was low and the park says not us, the last person had no trouble. It's just so aggravating to pay for electric and have it cut off all the time or not work when it's blazing hot outside while all around us are churning away in blissful ignorance..

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  9. A couple of days ago I filled my tank at Costco at $2.37/gal. I think the photos showing the beautiful fall colors are the very best. I'd cry having to leave such a lovely area.

    I read Outlander several years ago. I think I started skimming after a while - it's like Harry Potter - get through a death-defying incident, and then it keeps on going until it's incident after incident. I got bored before the end of the book. Tried to read one of the sequels but it was more of the same. I don't mean to offend those who love these books, but I just found them too repetitious.

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    1. I wanted to read it again after hearing her speak and then watch the series which all the folks in the audience said was great. Not sure I could read all 8 of them. But most books in a series I've found tend to be similar in format.

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  10. Wow, you are making great time getting to Florida! We actually put in a 300 mile day a couple of days ago when we left Lone Pine (very unusual for us, too). It's still going to take us until just before Thanksgiving to get to Florida, though. We're looking forward to seeing you guys! You sound excited and happy about being on the road. :-)

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    1. HA Laurel, we're not coming from the west coast. We only have to go through 3 states and we are there. See you soon!

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  11. Knowing David to be a fixer, I though he would pull out his trusty volt meter and check the voltage to see what it was? For some reason, I have a hard time getting the comment box to work on your blog, but I persisted and I finally got it to work, after about ten tries. :O)
    bob

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    1. Oh Bob he is and does and every time it says the post is fine. If he'd stand out there and just wait for it to go off perhaps we could see what's up but by the time he gets out there the coach is shut down. So sorry to hear you are having so much trouble posting. You are a real trooper to keep at it. I appreciate hearing from you. Could you have a weak signal? That's the only thing I've ever heard of that might cause the box not to work. Glad you don't give up.

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    2. Hi Sherry, My signal is good. The problem seems to be I see the stuff in the post box disappear before I get a chance to post. It did it tonight, as I went to the comments section, but a reply to your comment I had no problems. I'll figure it out eventually.
      I understand perfectly how murphy has things working ok when things are getting checked.
      Then as soon as you turn around, he's back at his stuff again. I'm an older fixer too.

      Bob

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  12. Our Progressive box has cut us off for too low and too high power. John will then go out with his volt meter and always finds that the Progressive box has saved us.

    Looks like you are making great progress moving south:) Hope the rest of the trip goes, as well!

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    1. Progressive always shows us that the voltage was low but checking the post shows that it's now fine and we do it over and over. Frustrating.

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  13. Interesting part where you mention "stealth camping". We presume it means overnighting where you aren't supposed to? If yes, we might have done that a few times, the latest was at the back of a USPS office in Baker/CA after we had to forgo our "official" roadside camping spot at the MNP due to finding it occupied by a lady who objected having any neighbours for the night... we ended up arriving at Baker after dark and sleeping behind the post office as we had business there next morning. We were pleased that no one bothered us, perhaps it was due to our arriving after sunset. If you can comment more on the subject, we will be grateful as we're beginners and trying to learn...

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    1. Welcome to the blog comments Vall and Mo. Great to see you. For us stealth means we are parked in a place that neither says you can nor that you can't stay overnight. We always just hope that someone doesn't report us and we get the knock on the door in the middle of the night. Arriving after sunset definitely helps I think. Hope to see you hear often. Safe travels.

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  14. Looks like you have had a nice UNEVENTFUL trip so far:o)) Hope the leg to Gamble Rogers is as pleasant and also hope the winds have diminished up there. They are still howling down here in The Keys!!!! Will be interested in hearing about the riverside campground at GR. Safe travels......

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    1. Yes happily uneventful Nancy. But today when we drove into Florida, the rains started. Winds too huh? Oh well............... We should be at the Riverside by noon. Will let you know.

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  15. Those sure are some low gas prices! Wish they would show up out west. Since we are headed to CA our ~$2.50 gal diesel is likely to go up.

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    1. Gas prices may be the only reason I'm not sad that we've missed all the wonderful hiking you and the various folks you meet up with have been doing.

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  16. What's the range of those electric cars? Would they be practical for towing on your journeys? Fall colors are beautiful. They'll all be gone in a few days. Safe journey

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  17. So inquiring minds want to know, do you use a Scottish brogue while reading Jamie's lines LOL? I love the Outlander books, but couldn't imagine reading it out loud to my husband :-0!! Please give us a shout if you'll be anywhere near our area this winter, we'd love to visit with you both!

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  18. You are up to date, have to get mine up to date but was waiting to see how our workamper situation turned out. Our Progressive EMS cuts off if the voltage is low, rather it did that than have an electrical issue. On a waiting list for the last book in the Outlan

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  19. Those sandwiches sound delicious! I will have to make them.

    Wave toward Orlando as you go past the Titusville exit at Route 50. We're just 9 miles from there, work camping at Christmas RV Park for the winter season.

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  20. Ready for the sun and some well earned rest - as soon as the sky clears of gray. Temperatures already looking up! Nice travel planning partner!

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  21. That sandwich looks yummy, Sherry! We'll definitely have to give that recipe a try.

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  22. On the road again!! :) Love the female duck. The train and way too early rooster don't sound conducive to sleep. That sandwich...horse radish, sauerkraut...ummm...I don't think I'd like that, but I'm pretty certain my husband would :)

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  23. Nice fall colors. I love sauerkraut, Kale not so much.

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  24. The fall colors are spectacular but I imagine you're looking forward to the warmer temps in FL. Love that little electric car. Sandwich sounds interesting.

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  25. Nothing like a couple travel days to get caught up! Love the fall colors along the highway, and that sunrise sky behind Winnona is spectacular!! We've been happy with our PA stays so far, especially love the prices at the end of the month :-))) Seems like our $3.59/gal in eastern CA is the highest in the country - glad we've only had to fill up the Jeep and not the rig ($3 for diesel)!

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  26. Glad to know you are current for now. George said we've had our surge guard protect us from low voltage as well. Of course campgrounds are never to blame!

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  27. Love your dashboard friends! The outside ducks are cute. Palm trees---ah......Florida bound. I wouldn't have thought about sauerkraut on a sandwich but I bet it's good. I often don't like sandwiches because they're dry. Drive carefully and have fun! XXXOOO

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  28. Its like a mad dash to FL :) but those beautiful autumn leaves are easing you out into some.

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