Starting North - #31-04

March 1, 2003 (Sat)
Penney Farms, FL to Richmond Hill, GA (205/2422 miles)

Woke up to another severe thunderstorm this morning. Mark watched the solar panel monitor to see if the light from the lightning produced any electricity for our batteries. He couldn't tell. The TV news weather report from Jacksonville, as we ate breakfast, predicted more to storms to come. In fact Penney Farms, population a only few hundred, was specifically named as being in the path of a big one with possible tornadoes. When it did come through it brought hail as well as thunder, lightning, and rain - but no tornadoes. We and Q survived in tact.

An accident on I-95 north of Jacksonville had traffic all backed up on I-295. We debated passing the ramp to I-95, if we ever got to it, and taking US17 north but the the traffic began to move faster as we got there so we took the chance. Normally we would have preferred the smaller road but we thought I-95 would be better in the heavy rain. The congestion let up (some) but the rain didn't. It was a horrible drive.

The price of gas was running around $1.67 in Florida. We knew Georgia would be better so we coaxed Q to run on fumes for a while and he came through for us again. What a guy! The first station in GA was selling gas for $1.48 and everyone from FL was there to take advantage of it - including a big fifth wheel pulling a boat. The layout of the pump area made getting in and out a challenge - even for Q. The fifth wheel had himself a real problem and we had entertainment while we waited in line. We saw gas a few miles later for $1.45 but we were happy with our $6.40 saving. We're here at Fort McAllister for a couple of days. We hope to do some bicycling tomorrow if the rain lets up.

Q048317 Fort McAllister State Historic Park #12 e/w $15.64s A
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March 2, 2003 (Sun) Fort McAllister State Historic Park (2) - It rained most of the night last night and by the looks of Q's tires (mud splattered) it must have rained quit hard at times. The morning was dreary - dark and threatening but not much in the way of rain - so we hung out inside and read. The afternoon cleared some to allow the sun to peek through now and then. We took advantage by taking a bicycle ride. The campground is small for bicycling so we ventured outside the park into the community and thoroughly explored what goes for a development in these parts. The houses were quite interesting and the dogs friendly. The street names were interesting too - NY/NJ oriented - Montauk, Passiac, etc.

There is hardly anyone in the campground. We can see several sites from where we are but, after two trailers left this morning, can only see one other camping unit. It sure is quiet!
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March 3, 2003 (Mon)
Richmond Hill, GA to Buck Hall, SC (189/2611 miles)

We saw someone on the TODAY show this morning holding up a sign that said "03 03 03". It took a while to realize that it was today's date. While we watched the show - several experts were discussing the Iraq situation - the temperature up there in New York went from 12 degrees down to 10. We're not ready to go back to that!

It was mostly sunny with a few clouds and a sweltering 56 degrees when we left Fort McAllister this morning. A beautiful day for traveling. We headed north on US17 (parallel to I-95) and got lost in Savannah. It was kind of fun driving around though. It is really a very pretty city - most places. The cool weather seemed a little out of place as it's always been hot when we've been here. But the huge Live Oak trees hung with Spanish Moss were as beautiful as ever.

The Lowland Visitors Center and Museum looked like an interesting place to stop, so we did. They would have liked us to buy something but settled for giving us a guide book and South Carolina road map. Joy called it a rather nice tourist trap. A little further on we saw a sign for "Old Sheldon Church" so we took a side trip there. It turned out to be the ruins of a large, for the time and area, church that had been burned down twice - once by the British and again by the Federalists. Nothing but brick walls now. Sad!

Q048506 Buck Hall Campground, Francis Marion NF #14 e $7.50s A
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March 4, 2003 (Tue)
Buck Hall, SC to New Bern, NC (241/2852 miles)

We woke up this morning fully expecting to stay another day. We lounged in bed a while then got up to a leisurely breakfast. We watched a flock of 14 or so cardinals scrounging for tidbits in the next camp site (empty) and discussed how we would spend the day. It was quiet, we were only one of 4 units in the park and 2 of them were getting ready to pull out, and the view was great, the inland waterway with empty marshes beyond.

But it wasn't the kind of day to sit around camp and nap or read. It was a chilly 56 degrees and dreary, threatening to rain. We agreed that we'd rather spend the day moseying along the back roads than to be cooped up inside and pushing for home on I-95 later. So we backed up and took off.

The Myrtle Beach bypass has become one LONG "strip". There must be 25 miles of miniature golf, fast food, and tourist traps. How can it all possibly be supported? And it's not even the main drag! Amazing! Except for that stretch and a few small cites to wind through, US 17 was quite a pleasant drive. We pulled in here about 4:30.

Any port in a storm. This is one of those kinds of campgrounds that we would, and have, rejected. It's very strange - junky and run down looking from the road and no better from our camp site. We appear to be the only transients, all the other rigs look to have been here for years. Diesel pickups are the vehicle of choice -a confederate flag bumper sticker on one bumper. Our only other choice is a National Forest Campground some distance out of our way that may or may not be open this time of year. Our curtains are down and the doors are locked although we don't really expect problems.

Actually, it isn't as bad as it sounds. There are ducks wandering around, and a small, homemade toy train for the kids. No kids though!

Q048747 Neuse River Campground #26 e/w $20.00 D