Well it's that time of year again when Mark, Joy and I head south. We're a little slow this time. My batteries are being charged up but nothing has been packed. We'll be ready by January 3rd though - that's when we plan to start out. We'll get into Mars Hill, NC on the 5th, stay there a couple of days then head for the Ocala National Forest in Florida. From there we'll plan our next moves.
Mark wants me to take this opportunity to let you all know that there have been some problems with their email address - perhaps you already know that! He said to tell you that it should be fixed now (or maybe not) but if your mail still bounces back undelivered, you can use my address. (He's pretty upset with the vanity address provider for allowing their servers to be used for spam thus causing AT&T to block all mail coming from them. And then virtually shutting down for the 2 week holiday!) There may be a new address in the future but for now continue to use continue to use our main address.
Getting Ready - #71-00
Breast Cancer Quilt
Morning at the Beach
Home - #63-06
September 29, 2006 (Fri) South Londonderry, VT to Hedges Lake, NY (71 miles today - 1903 total) - It rained during the night and as we broke camp this morning. We finally got off at 8:55 (57°). Instead of heading west, which would have been the most direct route to Hedges Lake, we went south to Bennington, VT. where we could get propane, do laundry, and pick up a few supplies. The poor guy at Aubuchon Hardware where we got propane got soaked (it was pouring rain at the time), the laundry facility left a lot to be desired, but the Price Chopper supermarket (next to a Wamart) was beautiful.
Hildene thought that the fastest route to North Bennington, and therefore to Hedges Lake, was through the campus of Bennington College. Apparently so have a lot of people over the years. A stone wall has been built across the road to discourage cross-campus traffic! It's a beautiful campus and worth the extra driving to see it. We ate lunch in the Bennington Battlefield park, where Mark used to picnic when visiting his grandparents and arrived at Ruth and Gordy's camp on Hedges Lake, NY at about 2:30. The rain has moved on and the sun was out.
September 30, 2006 (Sat) Hedges Lake, NY - The neighbors up the hill have guests - apparently young folks, to help take in the dock for the winter. As is the duty of young folks (and some not so young) they played their music loud enough to drown out their own conversation unless shouted. Fortunately, Q's sound dampening qualities are good when closed up, so sleeping wasn't the problem we thought it might be.
The Manchester Craft Festival had been going on a couple of years ago when we were here and we'd enjoyed going, so we were excited to learn that it was here this time too. So, after breakfast, we all headed out for Manchester (VT). Craftsmen from around Vermont (and the northeast) provided plenty of inspiration (and a few sales) and condiment merchants handed out samples of candies, jellies, and dips. By noon the food vendors were mobbed, so for lunch we went to a popular sandwich bar in town. We got back to the loud music at about 2:00.
Q033542 Ruth & Gordy's Driveway (x2)
October 1, 2006 (Sun) Hedges Lake, NY to Home (236/2139 miles) - Again no problem sleeping. In fact it quieted down at a little after 10:00. Apparently two days of partying (and lifting docks) is tiring. The Burger Barn (with Ruth and Gordy) was our breakfast venue. Two fried eggs, two large sausage patties, a big dish of home fried potatoes, and two cups of coffee is way more than we are used to eating for breakfast! We felt stuffed as we climbed into Q at 10:00 (51° and rainy) and headed for home. Thanks Ruth and Gordy for the great breakfast as well as your home cooked meals. As always, we had a great time with you.
The trip down the New York Thruway and the Garden State Parkway was uneventful. We got home at about 3:00.
Q033849 Home
South Londonderry, VT - #63-05
September 24, 2006 (Sunday) Crown Point, NY to Hague (29 miles today/1571 total) - We were up at 7:00. Our priority for the day was finding a laundromat which we did in Ticonderoga, NY. We were happy to find that our phone worked fine there, but finding a WiFi connection (actually there were 5 to choose from!) was a real bonus. While Joy sat guard over the washer and drier, Mark sat in Q and downloaded our email, our personal financial data and a firewall update. He also took the opportunity to clean up the server holding our large email files and spam.
We pulled into Roger's Rock State Park at about 12:30 and set up camp in the same site we were in back in 1997. Our big picture window in the living room looks out on a small beach and several miles down the length of Lake George. Beautiful!
September 25, 2006 (Mon) Hague, NY - This is a huge park - second largest in the state according to the gatekeeper. It allowed us to give our slowly atrophying leg muscles a real workout this morning as we tried to walk past all 315 sites. We covered 4 1/4 miles (and we didn't do all the loops) of hills - mostly up! There were maybe 7 other camping units in the whole park - discounting the few that left this morning. In the heavily wooded far reaches at the other end of the park we passed a couple of fellows who could have passed for residents of the back woods or mountains. One was heavy set with long white hair and beard, the other thin, clean shaven and wearing knitted hats. Both wore flannel shirts and jeans with suspenders. They asked if we'd like to hike up Roger's Rock (the "mountain" in the park) with them. We said thank you, but not today.
When we took our chairs out to the beach, the sun was warm but the wind was too chilly. So we came back to our yard where the trees gave some shelter from the wind. By 4:00 pm only one car and three people on foot (the two "mountain men" and a fellow from Highlands, NJ that we'd met) came by on the road and only 4 or 5 people walked the beach. At 4:30 an older man, stoop shouldered with a big belly, parked nearby, stripped to a bathing suit, and took his mask and snorkel tube out into the water. 10 minutes later he came back, got into his car and drove away (soaking wet). Other than that, it's been a peaceful day in a beautiful setting.
Q033352 Roger's Rock State Park #1 dry $18.00 (+2.75) (x2)
September 26, 2006 (Tue) Hague, NY to South Londonderry, VT (161/1832 miles) - Up at 7:00 (52°), and after showers, breakfast, and dumping (Joy woke a raccoon who had taken up residence in the dumpster) we got on the road at 8:45. The foliage in the mountains down along Lake George is showing more color making for a beautiful ride. In Lake George Village we downloaded our email (no WiFi this time) then set out for Glens Falls where we were going to do some food shopping. The shortest and fastest route would have been down I-87 but the entrance ramp was closed for construction. Rather than turning around so that we could get on the interstate from the other direction, as Hildene was insisting we do, we stayed on 9N thinking it ran parallel to I-87. It didn't! We didn't need to add the extra 15 miles when we were trying to stretch our gas to make it into Vermont where we could save $.20 to $.25 a gallon.
The address we had for Winhall Brook Campground turned out to be the ranger's office. A sign there said the campground was 7 miles back. We'd passed it?! We drove back paying closer attention this time. 10 miles later - no signs of a campground. Long story short, it was on another road. It would have been helpful for the Army Corps of Engineers, the campground manager, to have posted an appropriate sign at the turn!
September 27, 2006 (Wed) South Londonderry, VT - It got cold last night - down to 38°. Needless to say we eagerly looked forward to the sun making its way up over the trees. It finally did and it did warm up - to a relatively comfortable 66°. There are several trails in the park. We chose the "wilderness" trail that works its way through the woods to the other end of the campground. There we picked up a well graded trail that may have been an old railroad right of way. This afternoon we concentrated on enjoying the warmth of the sun in our own yard.
September 28, 2006 (Thu) South Londonderry, VT - Our exercise for today was to walk up to the registration office - twice. By up I mean truly up. It was about a half mile walk most of which was a very steep hill. It got the lungs working and the old heart pumping. The first time was to find out that it didn't open for another hour, the second was to re-up for another day here. We were reluctant to sign up for three days all at once without knowing if we really wanted to stay here that long. It really is a nice campground, peaceful and quiet. So another day would be a pleasure.
We have been pretty much alone here - no close neighbors - until mid afternoon. A pickup camper with a dog has set up next door and a friend of theirs is visiting, also with a dog. So far they and their dogs have been good neighbors.
Q033542 Winhall Brook Campground #26 w/e $8.00g + $4.00 A (x3)
To Crown Point, NY - #63-04
September 18, 2006 (Mon) Twin Mountain, NH to Waterbury, VT (130 miles today/1364 total) - The overnight low was 47° but it had gotten all the way up to 48° by the time we got up at 7:45. Actually it didn't feel all that bad. Maybe we're getting used to living in the north.
The Flume is a deep split in the Conway granite (the rock of choice in this area) caused by seismic upheavals, glacial action, and erosion from the flow of the Pemigewasset River. After visiting Franconia State Park many times over the years, we decided to bite the bullet and fork over the $10 each to see it. It was well worth the 3 1/2 mile walk (round trip including side trips and the parking lot). Visually it was spectacular. Physically it was quite a workout! The trail was either steep inclines (or declines) and stairs most of the way.
We headed for a campground near Bethlehem, NH with a Passport America discount but passed it by because it didn't look very inviting. We stopped in Bethlehem to do a laundry then blew out of New Hampshire and across Vermont. Little River State Park is at the end of a 3 mile dirt road. The dust we kicked up will mix with that from Alaska still lingering in Q's cracks and crevices. It's a nice little park though and worth spending a couple of days if things work out that way.
September 19, 2006 (Tue) Waterbury, VT - We didn't do much today. We got up late and poked around taking showers and eating breakfast. The rain started about mid day in the form of sprinkles, just enough to keep us inside. Then in the afternoon and into the evening it rained off and on. We managed to get a lot of reading done and we squeezed in a couple of games of RummiKub. There is no TV reception here so we had to settle for the radio (for news) and CDs (for background music).
Q033174 Little River State Park #4 dry $18.00 A (x2)
September 20, 2006 (Wed) Waterbury, VT to Johnson, VT (37/1401 miles) - I don't believe we only drove 37 miles today! It seemed much further. We were up at 7:00 (41°) and at the dump station by 8:20. Then after a tour of the rest of the campground (area B - a short hilly drive away) we started back down the 3 mile dirt road to civilization.
Hildene, in her attempt to reduce our time on the dirt road to Barbara (a quilting friend of Joy's) and Mike's house north of Stowe, VT, routed us the long way around. That's why we couldn't find any road names Barbara had given us in her directions. We got there anyway and after a quick tour of their little red house (nice) we took a somewhat longer auto tour of the surrounding area - Barbara at the wheel. Stowe is a well known ski (in the winter) and summer resort destination - very touristy. They are between seasons now so we got the flavor of the area without the crowds. The scenery was magnificent, the atmosphere rural and very "Vermont". The foliage is just beginning to brighten. We had a late lunch at the Shed in Stowe - Vermont Reubens with a tray (actually part of a ski) of 6 different beers. The Shed is a micro brewery. After a quick stop by home to drop Mark off, Joy and Barbara headed to the local quilt shop. Dinner was a delicious potato and leek soup the Barbara made.
Q033211 Barbara and Mike's driveway
September 21, 2006 (Thu) Johnson, VT to Vergennes, VT (86/1487 miles) - It rained heavily off and on during the night but clear (though cloudy) and cold (41°) this morning. We got off at about 10:00 (thanks Barbara and Mike for the use of your driveway and electricity. And thanks Barbara for the tour of the area) and headed down out of the mountains. The Ben and Jerry's ice cream factory is on SR100 just before I89. We had to stop for a tour and a free sample! The tour was interesting and the sample, about a half scoop of American Apple Pie, was great (Mark had a second). We added another Costco, in Burlington, to our life list and turned south on US7.
The Shelburne Museum, in the village of the same name just south of Burlington, is several acres of buildings, including a lighthouse and covered bridge, and the restored side wheeler steamboat SS Tigonderoga. Of particular interest to Joy was their excellent collection of old (and some not so old) quilts. We especially enjoyed the model of a looong circus parade - the carved pieces (people, animals and wagons) seemed to go on and on! - the tour of the steamboat, the temporary exhibits of Georgia O'Keeffe and Tasha Tudor paintings, and several others. It was too much to see all in one afternoon. We were exhausted by the time we got back to Q.
Q033297 Button Bay State Park #56 dry $18.00 A
September 22, 2006 (Fri) Vergennes, VT to Crown Point, NY (55/1542 miles) - Mark thinks Vermont state parks are overpriced for not having any hook-ups so it's almost like usury to have to pay for a shower - even if it is only 50 cents for 5 minutes. But pay it we did or risk offending other tourists - few as they are.
On the way back to the Shelburne Museum - the ticket is good for two days - we stopped at the Vermont Teddy bear Factory where we learned how teddy bears are made. Again, an interesting tour but no free samples this time! At the museum we walked through some of the old buildings, including a lighthouse, brought there from around the area and rehabilitated. Joy wanted to see the quilts again so we also did that.
Crown Point is at the southern end of Lake Champlain. We've camped at the state park several times. It's a beautiful little park with many sites (all occupied this time) overlooking the lake. We can see the lake through the trees - and hear the boats, which lends a certain atmosphere - and there are no other units near us at this time. We'll be here two nights so we can recover from our wild touristing activities.
September 23, 2006 (Sat) Crown Point, NY - It rained off and on during the night but it didn't get as cold as we expected it to (54°). We got up late and spent the day reading, napping, and wishing it were a better day. The phone signal here is very good but it doesn't seem to work - it doesn't ring through. We don't know if it's a peculiarity with the area or the phone itself. We'll see tomorrow when we get on the road again.
Q033352 Crown Point State Park #32 dry $14.00 (+2.75) (x2)
To White Mountain NF - #63-03
September 14, 2006 (Thu) Camden, ME to Casco, ME (120 miles today/1034 total) - Joy wanted to stop in Camden to pick up a few more Christmas gifts at one of the stores we were in yesterday so we took our time getting off. The showers in the rest rooms were terrific although the room was a bit small and the concrete floors gave the impression of not being as clean as tile. We drove up to the Summit of Mount Battie and spent some time enjoying the view of Camden and the harbor far below. After shopping and winding around some back "streets" in Camden, we picked up US1 and followed the coast south.
Outside of Rockport we saw a sign announcing The State of Maine Cheese Co. We thought that looked interesting so we stopped. It was and we ended up buying some cheese. Another stop in Wiscasset resulted in renewing our supply of clean clothes at a local laundramat and still another in Freeport's L.L. Bean augmented Joy's closet with a new sweater. And yet another in North Windham boosted our food supply. We pulled into Sebago Lake State Park at about 4:30. We are parked a couple of hundred feet from the lake shore. It should be a nice place to hole up for a day.
September 15, 2006 (Fri) Casco, ME - There is something about the call of a loon on a lake that brings real atmosphere to a camping experience. In a way it's a lonely sound but it's also the sound of wilderness and that is one of the nicer places to be when camping - for us anyway. There were several loons swimming and diving just off shore from where we were sitting on the beach. The sun came out this afternoon, after a night of drizzle and a morning of damp gloom, which made the 68° temperature seem quite warm. Sport fishermen were out on the lake most of the day but as the afternoon progressed the number of power boats increased - a sign of the approaching weekend.
The campground is almost empty. There are only a few units scattered here and there in the 250 or so sites - nice! We took a walk around the campground this morning (3 1/4 miles) and found the site we were in the last time we were here (#203) - we weren't recording site numbers back then.
Q032844 Sebago Lake State Park #5 dry $13.00 A (x2)
September 16, 2006 (Sat) Casco, ME to Campton, NH (115/1149) miles - Yesterday we watched the camping units on either side of us break camp and leave. It took them both - one a tent, the other a travel trailer - over 3 hours from the time they started till they drove away. This morning, it took us 5 minutes, but who's counting? At 8:45 (69° and sunny) we pulled away from our campsite. Hildene hadn't found a satellite by the time we reached the first critical turn. Rather than hold up traffic while we pulled out a map, we made a guess. Only then did she figure out where we were and let us know in no uncertain terms that we'd made a wrong turn. We ended up making a big circle and coming back to within a couple of miles from where we'd started.
Our stop in North Conway, NH, home of several discount malls, was a bust. We weren't able to find anything to buy - even at the L.L. Bean outlet! In Moultonborough, NH we hit bumper to bumper traffic. This seemed strange because there had been hardly any traffic on the road up till then. It turned out to be an accident a mile or so ahead. It took 45 minutes to get by it. It must have been worse than it looked because what we saw was little more than a severe fender bender.
In Center Harbor, Joy went off to Keepsake Quilting to do some shopping while Mark caught up on some internet related jobs needing high speed access - he picked up a WiFi connection in the parking lot.
We're back in the White Mountain National Forest - having passed Ta Da Dump Road on the way in and a pheasant on the campground road. The sites are small, the road very narrow and winding (not 40' class A with car in tow friendly), most of the sites are small and have a sheen of green from new grass or moss, and there is hardly anyone here. It doesn't seem to be a popular place - except for bears. There are warnings posted everywhere.
Q032959 Campton Campground, White Mountain NF #58 dry $9.00g B
September 17. 2006 (Sun) Campton, NH to Twin Mountain, NH (85/1234 miles) - We were up early this morning (53°) and took our time with breakfast and getting around to go. We only had a short distance to go so there was no need to hurry. At the campground entrance, Hildene said to turn right. We knew from consulting Henry and studying maps that turning left might be a more scenic route. So we turned left, accompanied by Hildene's objections. According to Henry and our maps SR49 loops back to the larger highway SR175 but we couldn't find our way through the Waterville resort complex and finally gave in to Hildene's constant demands to go back. We were headed for Russell Pond Campground in the White Mountain NF but our guide put us onto a dead-end road that should not have been. We turned around and headed for Franconia Notch State Park. The campground there was on the side of the mountain without any level sites. In fact the road getting to them was so steep, narrow and pitted with erosion that Q had a rough time making it around the loop to get out. (Your Tracker would have felt right at home E&K.)
Franconia Notch is where The Old Man of the Mountain (seen on all New Hampshire road signs) watched over the surrounding landscape. The distinctive rock formation at the top of one of the mountains collapsed a couple of years ago. We took the short hike out to where tourists used to be able to view it.
This area of the White Mountain National Forest has three small campgrounds within a mile of each other - Zealand, Sugarloaf 1, and Sugarloaf 2. We chose Sugarloaf 2. Most sites are flat and quite large. And the sun gets through to some in this one - the reason we chose it. All three have pit toilets and none have dump stations or facilities for taking on water. But all in all a more pleasant place to be than Campton CG (last night)
Q033044 Sugarloaf 2, White Mountain NF #22 dry $8.00 B-
To Camden, ME - #63-02
September 9, 2006 (Fri) Brandon, VT to Gilead, ME (182 miles today/616 total) - Man, was it dark around here last night! The rock cliff on one side of us and the heavy forest all around blocked out all traces of light. Looking out our door we could see a point of light from a camp site several yards down the hill but that was it. Quite a change from sleeping under a street light while at Indian Lake.
We left our campsite at about 6:30 (60°) and went down to the parking lot near the lake to eat our breakfast. Before getting on the road, Mark had to access the internet to correct our email setting - a very long process (49 minutes) on a cell phone! Rain is predicted for today but it was partly sunny when we finally took off at 9:30. Although our destination was slightly north of due east, we seemed to do a lot of Southerly driving until the compass finally began to show north and east more often - a beautiful drive though. There were lots of motorcycles (well over 100 before we gave up counting) and bicycles on the road. It seems to be that way in this area.
The three mile approach to the Hastings Campground in the White Mountain National Forest is winding and very narrow - about the width of one lane on an interstate highway - with a yellow line down the center to indicate that it is a two way road. Luckily we didn't meet any trucks coming the other way! The campground is rustic with hand pumped water and pit toilets. The sites are nice though and most are level and long enough for the biggest of rigs. There are only tents and pop-up trailers (and Q) here though. It's so dark because of the trees that we could barely read without lights even in the middle of the afternoon. The approaching rain clouds made it worse and lights became an absolute requirement.
Q032257 Hastings Campground, White Mountain National Forest #22 dry $8.00s B-
September 10, 2006 (Sun) Gilead, ME to Hermon, ME (148/763 miles) - A sunny 48° when we got off at 8:10. We followed US2 across Maine to Bangor. (US 2 is the same road that we took through Stevens Pass through the Cascade Mountains in Washington state in June 2005 and the route we followed east from Montana on our way home from Alaska. We think we have driven more miles of US2 than any other single road including interstates.) On the way we stopped at a Walmart in Rumford to pick up a few supplies. Also, along the way we saw the vanity license plate "GROUCH1"
Last night we were the largest camping unit in the campground and surrounded by trees. Tonight we're the smallest and the trees are small and scarce. The Pumpkin Patch, about 6 miles northwest of Bangor, ME, is a beautiful RV resort and because it's a Passport America park, relatively inexpensive. (Have you stayed here Ed and Kathy?) The spaces are widely enough spaced that another site could be put between each and still be more spacious than many RV resorts we've stayed in. There are two laundry facilities and the rest rooms and showers in the same buildings are spotless.
We will definitely stay here again when we're in the area. We almost didn't this time though! When we turned into the drive we found ourselves at the end of a line of 4 or 5 class A motor homes waiting to register and what we could see of the campground looked about full. We considered going on but Mark walked up to the office - past all the motor homes and their toads - to ask about the situation. "No problem," he was told "These guys all have reservations and there are sites still available. Why don't you pull up to the head of the line and we'll process you right in."
There is WiFi here ($1.00 for 24 hour usage) so we dug deep and bought access so Mark could our financial data and do some other internet maintenance needing a fast connection while Joy did the laundry. It turned out that he was able to access the internet without needing the password he paid $1.00 for. Oh well, we're legal anyway.
Q032577 The Pumpkin Patch RV Resort #67 w/e/i $15.50p A+
September 11, 2006 (Mon) Hermon, ME to Bernard, ME (60/827 miles) - There was frost in some areas of Maine last night but here it only got down to 40°. After showers (great) and breakfast (normal) we got off at 8:25 (46°). On the way through Ellsworth, we stopped at the LL Bean factory store where Joy picked up a $50 dress for $3 (a combination of a couple of good discounts and our agreement to have an LL Beanie credit card).
We got to Dick and Ruth's at about 11:00am. It was so good to see them again after almost two years. Ruth finds it difficult to fix meals these days so we all went out for lunch in Southwest Harbor. While there, Joy went to a wonderful yarn shop and bought yarn to finish a pair of socks she's working on. In the late afternoon, we went into Bar Harbor for dinner at Galyn's where we've eaten before. It was a great meal with a beautiful view of the harbor. The rest of the day was filled with much visiting and friendship renewal.
Q032637 Dick and Ruth's driveway
September 12, 2006 (Tue) Bernard, ME to Camden, ME (87/914 miles) - After breakfast we went in to say good bye to Dick and Ruth, then set Q on a course for the mainland (Bernard is on Mount Desert Island off the coast of Maine). Before leaving the island, we stopped for gas and paid the least we have for a long, long time - $2.49/gal.
The Big Chicken Barn is a used book and antique place outside of Elsworth that we've wanted to explore from the first time we saw it. Today we did. A wonderful place with many books and interesting odds and ends. We brought in some books to exchange - they took about half of them - and bought some future reading. On the way through Searsport, ME, we saw a sign for BlueJacket Ship crafters model ships. It turned out to be a place that sells model ships, model ship kits (good ones - not plastic) and fittings. Joy hopes that Mark will be inspired to go back to working on the model he started 40 years ago. He picked up a catalogue - a good start.
In Camden, ME we called an old friend and went to her house for a short visit. It's been over 20 years since we've seen Sally.
September 13, 2006 (Wed) Camden, ME - Camden Hills State Park has 50 some wooded - though not as dense as the National Forests are - spacious sites and 6 in a mown grass field. We opted for the field so we'd have the benefit of the warming sun during the day. Our site backs up to the woods so we can see them out our dining room window and lawn out the living room window.
When we were here in 2004 we hiked up Mount Battie, one of several trails in the park, this year we hiked down into Camden. By the time we'd perused several of its many shops (touristy and otherwise), had lunch and walked back to the park we'd covered 5 1/4 miles. This afternoon we napped and read.
Q032724 Camden Hills State Park #55 dry $13.00 A (x2)
Indian Lake, NY - #63-01
September 5, 2006 (Tue) Home to Indian Lake, NY (290 miles today/290 total) - Those of you who have been interested enough to figure out the newsletter numbering scheme may have noticed that this is our third trip in 2006. You may also wonder about our second trip (or maybe not!) It was a weekend trip to Joy's hometown of Suffern, NY to attend her 50th high school reunion. We went to a cocktail party Friday evening, took a long walk through the neighborhood where Joy grew up on Saturday morning, joined her classmates for a picnic lunch and attended a dinner banquet for all classes in the evening. Then on Sunday morning her class got together again for a breakfast. We camped out in a classmates driveway Friday night and in a Walmart parking lot Saturday night.
We got off this morning at 9:35 - cloudy 66°. The trip up the Garden State Parkway and the New York State Thruway was uneventful but at the Amsterdam, NY exit we found ourselves in the wrong toll booth. All along the highway approaching various exits large signs touted the convenience of all booths accepting both cash and EZ-Pass. The toll booths at Amsterdam displayed a HUGE sign to attract us to a particular lane. We don't need a wide lane but find it easier when available and traffic free. This one turned out to be EZ-Pass only. We had no way to pay our $12 toll! The helpful man who answered our phone call explained how to pay it when our citation came in the mail in a couple of months.
Our daughter Jennifer, Dave and grandson Shane have been renting a cabin on Indian Lake in New York state's Adirondack Park for two weeks. We're spending a couple of days with them.
September 6, 2006 (Wed) Indian Lake, NY - Their cabin is at the bottom of a very steep and narrow driveway. Q could have made it down (and more importantly, back up OK, but the owner didn't want us down there - although he was willing for us to park near one of his unoccupied cabins at the top of the drive. It's really nothing more than a wide shoulder on the road. It's quiet though - barely any traffic.
Shane (2 1/2) has really been enjoying the freedom of being able to walk out the door and into the yard anytime he wants - almost anytime. Unfortunately (for Shane's freedom) a small beach and the lake are just beyond the yard. He has a whole fleet of construction vehicles - and some pails and shovels of his own - that he uses to build roads (and holes) in the sand. He also likes the water which keeps his parents (and grandparents) vigilant.
This morning we all went over to Blue Mountain Lake (the village) to the Adirondack Museum. This is a complex of several buildings in a park like setting, each focusing a different aspect of history and life in the Adirondack mountains. Beautifully done! We each took turns with Shane who has little interest in museum displays.
Last night we went to the only open restaurant in Indian Lake and found it so crowded that we left before ordering (Shane would not have tolerated the long wait for service). Since we'd already decided what we wanted, we decided go back tonight - the other restaurants would be open so the crowds would be spread out. It was closed! So much for the Adirondack version of fish and chips.
September 8, 2006 (Thu) Indian Lake, NY - The weather forecast for today called for it to be warm and partly cloudy. We haven't seen weather like that for over two weeks! So the activity of the day was to bask in it. We dragged chairs and books to read down to the beach (Shane brought construction tools). Partly cloudy also means only partly sunny. That part was delightful. The breeze was a bit too cool, although it kept the gnats at bay. It was a pleasant, relaxing day though and the warmth of the sun was very uplifting.
Q032114 Roadside, Burkes Cottages. (x3)
September 9, 2006, (Fri) Indian Lake, NY to Brandon, VT (143 miles today 433 total) - We said good bye to Jennifer, Dave and Shane last night so we were able to get off at 7:30 (49°) this morning - in fog! It was still foggy when we stopped at an overlook for breakfast so we didn't see much. Today was a "memory lane" (of sorts) day. We headed for Olmstedville, NY to see the house, Fliffhaven, where Mark's father started his retirement. It was hard to find because of the way the trees have grown up around it since we were last there. (It's up for sale again, David.) Then we headed for Hague, NY where he had his last church. The church and parsonage haven't changed but the community around them has grown some new buildings and businesses.
We had planned to spend the night in the Green Mountain National Forest but after three days dry camped we needed a campground with a dump station. There was no indication that we'd find one where we were headed and it looked to be out a long dirt road. So we have stopped at Branbury State Park near Brandon, VT. We are way off by ourselves in a heavily wooded site, having opted not to camp near the more populated lake. Except for a few mosquitos and an occasional car on the road not too far away, it's very pleasant and peaceful.
Q032257 Branbury State Park #41 dry $16.00 B
http://kyue.home.att.net/wanderlog/default.htm
And Home - #61-13
March 25, 2006 (Sat)
New Bern, NC to Greenville, NC (128/3836 miles)
We left the Walmart parking lot at about 9:05 (34° overnight!), got gas and headed south to look at one of the campgrounds in Croatan National Forest we considered going to last night. It turned out that there would have been plenty of room for us. In fact many of the sites had young (pale green) grass covering them indicating: a) very light use, b) very light maintenance. We discussed getting a site there for the night but decided that since it was so cold (54°) and threatened rain, (and there was a vicious sounding dog barking somewhere) we may as well spend the night in the Greenville Walmart parking lot 50 miles north. But first we drove on south to Morehead City, sightseeing - very interesting area but is probably crazy in the summer like most beach resorts.
As a matter of corporate policy, Walmart allows and even encourages, overnight RV parking in their parking lots. Sometimes local ordinance - usually sponsored by local campground owners - overrides this policy. So for that reason, and as a courtesy, we always check with each store before settling in. We called the Greenville store, got transferred to management, and were assured that there was no problem. But just before we were about to fix supper the night security (small pickup) truck stopped beside us. He wanted to know the name of the manager Mark spoke to. Of course he didn't know. "Go inside and speak to a manager and let me know."
The clerk in Customer Service got on the phone (to a manager?) and was told that Walmart doesn't own the parking lot. It's OK for us to stay, lots of motor homes do, up toward the McDonalds but the police might give us a ticket. Mark flagged the security truck down and relayed the message. "What was the name of the manager you talked to?" Well, of course, Mark didn't know. "Walmart owns the parking lot and the buildings, all the buildings. Go back in and talk with a manager in person, not a little guy on the bottom, a manager. Talk to Barbara, or Robert, or Bill. Talk to Barbara." "If I get the OK, do you need something in writing?" "No. Just tell me who you talked to." (??) Joy was getting a little upset at this point. This was VERY unusual. Mark traced Barbara down (no easy task) "No Problem at all." and relayed the message to security, including her name, and received assurance that we would not be hassled by him or the police. It was all very strange. Everyone was smiling and friendly. There was never any indication that we weren't welcome but it was strange.
Tomorrow we'll be meeting Nephew Jake for lunch.
Q031084 Camp Walmart, Greenville, NC
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March 26, 2006 (Sun)
Greenville, NC to Franklin, VA (140/3976 miles)
The security guy was good to his word, we got through the night without either him or the police knocking on our door. And we slept pretty well to boot. We were up fairly early (35°), showered, ate breakfast, and wandered around the Walmart store for an hour or so. At at 10:00 we called Jake and he came over. He showed us pictures of his recent trip to Japan (what an adventure that must have been for him!) and he endured our pictures of our trip to Alaska. Then it was lunch at Ham's Restaurant and Brew House - delicious "bacon cheese fries" and hamburgers (high carb pig-out!). It was really great being with him and getting to know him in a way impossible in larger family situations.
At 2:30 we were back on our way again headed up SR-43 toward Rocky Mount, NC. Another couple of miles west we picked up I-95. Traffic was heavy and fast interrupted only when a reported car fire - we saw no evidence of a recent one - slowed everyone to a crawl. We did enjoy seeing the emerging wild flowers along the roadsides and median - daffodils, narcissus, and a beautiful large field of what looked like light blue violets. It looked like a bit of sky had fallen.
"No problem." was the friendly response at 5:30 when we asked if it was OK to spend the night in the Franklin, VA Walmart parking lot. So here we are. We haven't seen any sign of a security truck.
Q031224 Camp Walmart, Franklin, VA
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March 27, 2006 (Mon)
Franklin, VA to Home (406/4382 miles)
Up at 6:00 (32°) Clear. Several trucks came in last night (noisy) but no other motor homes. After breakfast at McDonalds down the street we were off at just before 7:00.
The 17.6 mile long Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel is the largest bridge-tunnel in the world and in 1964 was selected as one of the Seven Engineering Wonders of the Modern World. We've driven it several times and we did today. The water was very choppy and green. A few miles north of the Delaware Memorial Bridge in New Jersey we filled Q's tank with the cheapest gas we had seen since we left home - $2.23/gal at the Flying J. We got home at about 4:00 and found everything ship shape.
Q031630 Home
To New Bern, NC - #61-12
March 19, 2006 (Sun) Stephen C. Foster State Park (3) - We had thought that we'd have a campfire last night but we decided that the mosquitoes had had enough to eat for one day. They aren't bad during the day but we didn't bother to go around and collect wood left by departing campers this morning because we won't have a fire tonight either. Most of the tent campers (and their dogs) left well before noon so the campground was relatively quiet most of the day. Since we're practically across the road from the rest room/laundry room, Joy took the opportunity to hobble over to do some laundry. An indication that concessionaires have not yet taken over the Georgia state parks, this one at least, is that it costs only 75¢ a load.
It's been cloudy most of the day but there has been a little sunshine warming up a small patch here and there. At 65° finding a spot to sit in was a priority and meant that we had to keep moving as the sun did. The park has two nature trails (in addition to many miles of water trails through the swamp). For our intentional exercise today we explored one of them and stopped by the camp store to see what they had to offer.
Stephen C. Foster SP, Okefenokee (Swamp) National Wildlife Refuge#44 (x3)
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March 20, 2006 (Mon) First day of Spring!
Fargo, GA to Savannah, GA (192/3354 miles)
Up at 6:30 (54°) - because we were awake, not because we were in any hurry - and pulled out of our campsite at 7:45. The hardwood trees have begun to leaf out giving them all a pale green glow. And the azaleas are in full bloom making even the poorest of landscaping a touch of class. We told Hildene to avoid "highways" so we were able to stay off I-95 without taking a lot of abuse from her. That gave us the opportunity to do some needed shopping and to eat a high-carb lunch at Taco Bell. We also stopped at several auto supply stores and a Radio Shack looking for a proximity switch for Q's rear step monitor light. No luck!
According to our travel notes we spent one night in Skidaway State Park back in 1998. Neither of us remembers it nor does being here spark any memories. The campground is quite full even for a weekday because, the gatekeeper told us, this is the season and the "Spring Breakers" are here. Oh good!
In the "People Are Interesting" department: The class C Lazy Daze motor home from Nevada that followed us into the park took considerably longer to find an acceptable site than we did. They even unhooked their toad after a while and drove it around the campground. They finally settled on the site behind us. 20 minutes after parking the motor home there they moved it (with the satellite dish deployed) to the site across from us. Then proceeded an interesting "settling in" routine all the world like a dog circling round and round in his bed before lying down. The leveling jacks go down, the satellite dish twists this way and that, the jacks go up, the motor home moves a few feet, and the jacks go down again. This went on for several cycles then the TV antenna went up and began to twist this way and that. (What makes all this even more curious is that there is a cable TV jack in each campsite.) Finally they moved the motor home closer to the utility post - but they didn't hook anything up. A couple of hours later the fellow came out and hooked up the shoreline for electric power and the cable TV cable and disappeared again without hooking up the water.
Q030602 Skidaway Island SP #4 w/e/c $22.50s +$3.00 entrance fee A+
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March 21, 2006 (tue) Skidaway Island State Park, Savannah, GA (2) - This is a beautiful, though expensive (even with a senior discount), park. Walking through the whole campground this morning we saw that the campsites are all pull-through and very large. Some are even big enough for two 40' motor homes with room left over to park their toads and Q. We didn't see any doubling up though. Although open and roomy there is plenty of vegetation and enough trees to keep sunburn from being a concern.
It got very dark about mid morning and thunder rolled off in the distance but there wasn't much rain to go with it. After it cleared in the afternoon, we hiked out into the salt marsh. The gnats are really bad this evening. They seem to be coming in with impunity even though we're well closed up. It's probably just as well that we'll be leaving tomorrow
Skidaway Island State Park #4 (x2)
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March 22, 2006 (Wed)
Savannah, GA to McClellanville, SC (167/3521 miles)
We got up early (47°), showered (great showers), ate breakfast and were ready to go by about 7:30. But we planned to stop at the Costco (because it's there) in Charleston, SC and didn't want to get there before they'd let us in so we hung out until after 8:00. Sanitary duties (dumping and flushing) took up more time and we finally got off at 8:40 (51°). The road off the island took us over Moon River (among others) and into outskirts of Savannah. The traffic wasn't nearly as heavy as we'd expected. The streets through Savannah are among the most beautiful in the world. Along our route, huge live oak trees heavily draped with Spanish moss shaded not only the street but also the large old southern mansions lining both sides. Giant azalea bushes in full multi-color bloom only add the beauty of the route. Once out of the city I-95 took us North to Point South where we turned East onto US-17. After doing our duty at Costco and picking up some groceries at a Lion King - oops, a Food Lion, we proceeded through Charleston and on up into the Francis Marion National Forest.
Bumper sticker: "God told me she doesn't like Bush."
Q030769 Buck Hall Campground, Francis Marion NF #8 e $10.00s A
We've been at this campground twice before - once before 1997 when we started documenting our travels and again in 2003. We don't remember it being quite so buggy. The gnats attack in swarms the minute we step outside and in fewer numbers inside - they are small enough to come right through the screens! Almost too small to see, they pack a wallop when they bit and tend to leave welts that itch for hours (if not days). We used the vacuum cleaner to keep them at bay inside and waited until they decided to move on before venturing out for any length of time.
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March 23, 2006 (Thu) Buck Hall Campground, Francis Marion NF (2) - It got cold last night! 34° The local weather reports say that it went below freezing inland from here. This is South Carolina. It's not supposed to get that cold - especially in late March. It got over 55° during the day making outdoor activities a bit undesirable. The good news is that the gnats don't like it much either.
This campground is open and grassy much like many private parks except that here the sites are well spread out. And there are free trees standing scattered about. The parking pads are plenty long enough for any rig and are paved. Only electricity is provided at the site. We are across the loop from a channel that is part of the Intra Coastal Waterway. Occasionally a boat passes by in one direction or the other. Last night Joy saw the lights of what must have been a rather sizable yacht moving up the channel.
We had looked forward to camping here but the campground has deteriorated in the last few years. The rest rooms, although clean, are badly in need of physical maintenance. So much so that we felt uncomfortable using the showers. So it was Q to the rescue. And the fresh water spigot at the dump station had no way to be turned on so we had to find a source in the campground. The one we chose had a problem! It sprayed as much water straight up into the air as it supplied to the hose. When we got off at 8:20 (43°), Mark was soaked!
Buck Hall Campground, Francis Marion National Forest (x2)
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March 24, 2006 (Fri)
McClellanville, SC to New Bern, NC (187/3708 miles)
Overnight low 41°. And it rained off and on. The sky this morning was overcast and dreary as we headed up US-17. We chose US-701 rather than staying on US-17 to avoid the ultra heavy traffic through Myrtle Beach, SC but after doing laundry in Conway, we decided to have lunch at an Atlanta Bread Company (sandwich shop chain) in North Myrtle Beach. The traffic turned out to be much lighter than we'd expected but much worse through Wilmington, NC. We don't remember it being anywhere near that bad other times we've been this way.
As we approached Jacksonville, NC, we began to think that our chances of getting a camp space in the National Forest late Friday afternoon were very low. (Buck Hall CG was almost fully booked when we left this morning). So we decided to go on and stop at the Walmart there. It was super crowded - no place at all to park, much less spend the night. The Walmart in New Bern, 28 miles Northeast, is much better and although the highway is not far away, it is going to be our home for the night.
In a couple of more days we really will be home. We are thinking Monday, if we decide to push, or Tuesday
Q030956 Camp Walmart, New Bern, NC
Starting for Home - #61-11
March 11, 2006 (Sat) Lakeland, FL (2) - This has been another beautiful Florida day. They say that the temperature is above normal. That's all right with us. It got a little uncomfortable in the afternoon (86°) but that was all right too - better than being uncomfortably cold.
Mark spent the morning disassembling the automatic step mechanism, replacing the broken part, and reassembling it again. It wasn't an easy thing to do, especially since he had no idea what he was doing
Ed & Kathy's yard (2)
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March 12, 2006 (Sun)
Lakeland, FL to Englewood, FL (118/2814 miles) - Bright, breezy, and beautiful at 9:30 when we pulled out of Ed and Kathy's yard headed for Joy's mother's home. The clouds looked like big puffy balls of cotton. The temperature, when we thought to look, was 78°. There was only one small annoyance to mar the atmosphere. The step monitor light in the cab was glowing red indicating that the rear step was still down. It wasn't. It was/is a circuit malfunction. (They abort space shots for things like that don't they?)
We made a stop at Costco in Brandon but otherwise it was an uneventful trip down I-75. Bom and Gail (Joy's mother and sister) were waiting and happy to see us.
Q030062 SunTrust Bank parking lot - parked (x3)
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March 15, 2006 (Wed)
Englewood, FL to Lakeland, FL (114/2928 miles)
Our time with Bom and Gail (although she left to start her trip home to Seattle, WA Tuesday evening) was fun and relaxing. Joy went swimming with her mother each of the three mornings we were there (Mark went once) otherwise the activity was pretty much what you'd expect when family gets together.
Well almost. Yesterday afternoon, during a rousing Skip-Bo game at the kitchen/dining area table, a 3 foot long 2 inch diameter Water Moccasin (poisonous) snake slithered up onto the apron outside the floor to ceiling sliding door type window next to them. Joy was able to chase him (or her) away by banging on the window but he was back again this morning as we were packing Q getting ready to leave. The president of the condo association (with some assistance from Mark) was able to put an end to the threat. The details of the battle are best left undocumented. (But we will be happy to fill you in on it in person. Needless to say it was scary and gross. Now, everywhere I walk I look in the grass!! -J-)
After a stop at a discount mall in Ellenton, FL - where Joy bought 2 pairs of Easy Spirit sneakers at a discounted discount price - we arrived at Ed and Kathy's at about 5:00. We played dominoes in the evening and retired early.
Q030176 Ed and Kathy's yard
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March 16, 2006 (Thu) Lakeland, FL (2) - Our big adventure today was to go The Book Bazaar, a used paperback book store, to cash in the books that we have read for some we have not. We have found this to be the best of any book exchange stores we've found. They will take almost any book in half way good condition - they have yet to refuse any book we've brought in, even those that have been turned down by other stores - and they pay a good price for them. We are always surprised at the number of books we can buy for the credit we earn from the books we take in.
For lunch we went to a Chinese Buffet (Ling's) and made brief stops at Circuit City (Hildene's former home), Staples, and Home Depot on the way home. We played Dominoes in the afternoon as Ed and Kathy had to be out in the evening.
Ed and Kathy's yard. (x2)
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March 17, 2006 (Fri)
Lakeland, FL to Fargo, GA (234/3162 miles)
It was 58° when we got up at 6:30 this morning and 64° at 9:10 when we got off. We had planned to take SR 471 between US 98 and US 301 to get to I-75 north recommended by Ed and Kathy - it was a more direct and more scenic route - but decided to stay on US 98 into Dade City in order to get gas at the Flying J station there. It turned out to be a good decision. We paid $2.35/gal whereas the lowest we'd seen getting there was $2.49. (The price was $2.63/gal at a station in Lakeland where it was $2.53/gal yesterday!)
As Lunch time approached along 70 MPH I-75 (our speed was 60 MPH) it dawned on us that we'd forgotten to take the flags in off the back of Q. All that was left was one of the suction cups that secured the flag holder to the motor home. Oh well. It was time to get new flags anyway. We're sorry to have lost them though as they have flown over our campsites for several years in states and provinces from Prince Edward Island, Canada to Florida to Alaska.
Stephen C. Foster State Park in the Okefenokee (Swamp) National Wildlife Refuge is much more crowded than we expected it to be. The last time we were here there were very few sites occupied - but then, it wasn't a weekend and apparently the "season" begins here on the first of March.
On the way in we were stopped at a police road block. We were told that it was a spot check of driver's license and vehicle registration. We suspect that there were other reasons. It was at the end of the 17 mile road, the only road into the the park. The trooper took Mark's driver's license and walked around behind Q (to call it in?) but did not ask for the registration. He expressed concerns about there being any campsites left in the park and wished us a pleasant weekend after giving back the license.
The lady in the registration office asked if we minded being in a handicapped site. "We don't, if you don't but a camper who IS handicapped might have a problem with it." "We have two others." was the response. So our plan of action is for one or the other of us to always be in the motor home playing the part of a handicapped camper so we won't be getting nasty looks.
Q030410 Stephen C. Foster State Park, Farrago, GA #44 w/e/c $17.60s A+
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March 18, 2006 (Sat) Stephen C. Foster State Park (2) - Georgia state parks don't have the restrictions on pets that the Florida state parks do. And the people here seem to be taking advantage of that big time. There are dogs in many sites. We are completely unaware of most of them, as it should be, unless their owners walk by with them. But there is one dog up the way that has been barking all afternoon. It became aggravating enough that we finally moved inside. (The fact that the air is chilly helped our decision some.) There are 5 dogs in the campsite across the way but we rarely hear a peep from them (much less a bark) even though their owners have been away from the site for several hours. We think they are in the process of being trained. When the people are around, there are two cars in the site, they seem to be unusually attentive to the dogs.
Mark spent some of this morning looking for the reason that the step monitor light doesn't work. With Joy's help he even removed the motor assembly and completely dismantled it - in less than half the time it took him the first time. The conclusion is that part of the proximity switch that turns the light off was thrown out with the broken part. A stop at an auto parts store should turn up a replacement for that.
Every time the ranger truck goes by we expect it to stop out front so that we can be thrown off this site. We have both been doing quite well practicing our "hobble". By the time we leave we should be very convincing.
Back to Lakeland - #61-10
March 4, 2006 (Sat) Juniper Springs Recreational Area, Ocala NF (6) - The whole campground has filled up with young adults (20ish). Fortunately most of the large groups are in another area of the campground loop. We can hear them - and their loud music - but they are far enough away not to be intrusive. There is a young family across the way whose teenage son likes to have the radio on the pickup loud enough to be annoying. It doesn't last too long though and we can close ourselves in Q when we go into overload.
Nothing else of interest to report other than it has been cold in the mornings. The sun warms things up nicely though so sitting out has been enjoyable.
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March 5, 2006 (Sun) Juniper Springs Recreational Area, Ocala NF (7) - Most of the young people have gone. They packed up and left this morning. We had a few hours of peace, even the fighter jets were quiet, but this afternoon the motorcycle enthusiasts started to come in - most with their bikes on trailers. (It is "Bike Week" in Daytona Beach a few miles east of here.) There have been a few around all week and we have found them to be considerate neighbors.
It was cold again this morning (40°) but the sun has been hot. We took advantage of that and the peacefulness by spending most of the day reading and taking a short hike to watch the canoes and kayaks being put into the water.
Just before supper we heard the sound of a low flying helicopter. When it seemed to be hanging around we went out to take a look. It appeared as if the door was open and a man was leaning out and looking down. About then a park ranger driving a golf cart pulled up and walked over. He asked if we'd seen a young fellow come by wearing blue shorts and a white shirt (Mark was wearing denim shorts and T-shirt) "No. What's going on?" "The store was robbed." (the concession stand at the springs). Apparently Mark didn't fit the description close enough - old age has its advantages - because he said thank you and went on to the next campsite. The helicopter circled until it began to get dark then all was quiet again.
Juniper Springs Recreational Area, Ocala NF #22 (x2) #15 (x5)
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March 6, 2006 (Mon)
Silver Springs, FL to Altoona, FL (31/2556 miles)
It wasn't as cold last night, 45°, but the weather forecasts are calling for a cold front to move in tonight or tomorrow. It would be depressing except that the sun really warms it up during the day. We got off this morning at about 8:00 and turned west on SR-40 then south on SR-19. We did laundry in Umatilla then went on south into the outskirts of Eustis to a Publix supermarket.
Once replenished we headed back north to Alexander Springs Recreational Area where we were a week ago and found that Ed and Kathy had gotten there only a short time before. We had reservations this time to ensure that Ed and Kathy got a site big enough for their motor home. As it turned out it wouldn't have been a problem but this way was safer. We are across the road from them and are the only two camping units on the loop. The rest rooms are being rebuilt in this area which means a longer walk (or bike ride) but it's not too far.
As we sat out visiting, Bill and Margaret - our neighbors the last time we were here - came walking by and stopped for a short visit. Dinner was spaghetti and meatballs in Ed and Kathy's motor home - there was an evening chill in the air and we were going to play dominoes inside later anyway.
Q029804 Alexander Springs Recreational Area, Ocala NF #9 dry 8.50g (+ reservation fee & tax) B
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March 7, 2006 (Tue) Alexander Springs Recreational Area, Ocala NF (2) - It has been an interesting experience looking at campsites and trying to determine which, if any, are large enough for Ed and Kathy's 40' long class A motor home. And it produced an interesting phenomenon. As we researched the three National Forest Campgrounds - Alexander Springs, Juniper Springs, and Salt Springs - our perception of how big 40' is grew and grew until we became convinced that there were very few sites big enough. But as soon as we let Ed and Kathy know that Alexander Springs presented the best hope with one, perhaps two sites, the sites all got bigger. Even at Juniper Springs, where the maximum pad length is 35', we saw a few sites that might actually take a 40' motor home. This morning we and Ed and Kathy walked around the whole Alexander Springs campground and learned from those who know best that there are very few they could NOT get into. It was also determined that the one they were assigned - the one we had recommended was unavailable - was the best.
This afternoon we spent reading, knitting and working on our sun tans (while trying to stay warm at 67°). This evening it was another game of dominoes.
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March 8, 2006 (Wed) Alexander Springs Recreational Area, Ocala NF (3) - Another cold (for Florida) night last night, 41° but again it warmed up nicely during the day. At about 10:00 we took off with Ed and Kathy (in their toad) for Silver Springs (the village). On the way we took a short tour of the Juniper Springs campground and found many of those sites - though not nearly as many as at Alexander Springs - were also big enough for their motorhome. In Silver Springs Ed and Mark went to a model trains store while Joy and Kathy did some of the clothing and consignment shops in the shopping center. The net result of this was two new railroad cars for Ed's G gauge train layout. Lunch was Chinese buffet (very good)
After we got back Bill and Margaret - our former neighbors - stopped by to tell us they would not be having the campfire they'd invited us to - too cold - so we had to resort to another game of dominoes in the evening.
March 9, 2006 (Thu) Alexander Springs Recreational Area, Ocala NF (4) - It did get cold last night (39°) but they say this is it for a while and maybe for the winter. That would be nice. As always, it warmed up and became a beautiful day. Bill and Margaret again invited us to their campfire but we decided to have one of our own.
Alexander Springs Recreational Area, Ocala NF #9 (x4)
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March 10, 2006 (Fri)
Altoona, FL to Lakeland, FL (140/2696 miles)
Our thermometer recorded 57° over night. That's more like it! (51° in New York City.) After getting ready to go we loaded our leftover wood onto Q's rear step and took it down to Bill and Margaret's site. They are a nice couple and we look forward to seeing them again, if we stop at Alexander Springs again next year.
On the way to Lakeland we stopped in Umatilla to do some laundry and to replenish our propane. In Eustis Hildene gave us a late prompt causing us to miss a turn and unnecessarily get caught up in road construction. (It was really our fault. We knew the turn was coming up and didn't get ready for it.) We stopped at a familiar Chinese buffet restaurant in Lakeland for lunch and then went on to the Camping World store in Seffner. In Kissimmee Prairie Preserve State Park the mechanism that operates Q's rear step broke and we have had to deploy it manually since. We were able to get a replacement for the broken part at Camping World.
Ed and Kathy generously offered their yard as our next campsite even though they wouldn't be home. So here we are. They plan to be home early Sunday morning so we may see them then and maybe not. Either way, thank you, guys.
Q029944 Ed & Kathy's yard
Juniper Springs - #61-09
February 26, 2006 (Sun) Alexander Springs Recreation Area, Ocala NF (6) - What a difference a day makes! Yesterday was warm and busy. Today it's too chilly (61°) to sit out unless in the direct sun (not much of that) and by early afternoon the campground was deserted. Our neighbors who like to have a campfire every night went out on their bicycles and collected all the wood left by the departing campers. It took several trips with it stacked and bunged to the bicycle racks. We went out to help, to repay their hospitality some, but by the time we realized what they were doing they had it all done - no wood left anywhere in the campground.
Tomorrow we're off to do laundry, some shopping and to check out another campground.
Alexander Springs Recreation Area, Ocala NF #47 (x6)
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February 27, 2006 (Mon) Altoona, FL to Silver Springs, FL (59/2431 miles)
The priorities for today were to refresh our holding tanks (dump and take on fresh water), grocery shop, and do laundry. We went to a laundromat in Umatilla, FL (8 miles south on State Road 19). Among the discarded reading material there was a discount coupon for a used book store in Eustis, FL in a mall with a Publix supermarket. So we drove another 5 miles south. Then, fortified with food (including lunch at Applebee's), clean clothes, and new books to read, we headed back north into the Ocala National Forest and to Juniper Springs Recreational Area.
Q029659 Juniper Springs Recreational Area, Ocala NF #22 dry $8.50g A
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February 28, 2006 (Tue) Juniper Springs Recreational Area, Ocala NF (2) - It was the coldest night so far in the current cold snap - 40° - but it warmed up nicely. This campground seems neater then the Ocala NF campgrounds we've been in. We can't put our finger on why. Maybe it's the better condition of the paved roads through the campground, or the wider spacing of the campsites, or the openness, or the lushness of the greenery, or maybe even that the rest rooms are newer. At any rate it's enjoyable here. The fighter jets we heard from Alexander Springs fly over here too but here we can hear the explosions of their practice bombs. They do wonders for an afternoon snooze!
One of the reasons we came here this trip was to rent a canoe and explore Juniper Run through the forest. We did that this morning. It was 7 1/2 miles from the source of one of the springs - the stream barely wide enough and deep enough for the canoe - to a pick-up area in a wider and deeper river. Along the way we zig-zagged back and forth to follow the sharply meandering waterway. There has been minimum effort put into clearing fallen trees so in addition to constantly working to avoid hitting the banks - not always successfully - we had to duck under downed trees - many very low and one so low that we had to literally lie down in the canoe to get under it. Mark has bruised ribs from hitting a branch at another obstacle and a lump on the head from not ducking low enough at another. And we both have exhausted arm muscles that will be lame and sore tomorrow. But the beauty of the scenery and the abundance of wild life made the experience well worth while. Among other things we saw, maybe, 100 turtles, several species of of bird, 3 or 4 white tail deer and two alligators - one a 14 footer so close to the canoe that we could have touched him with our paddles.
We spent the afternoon, guilt free, doing nothing.
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March 1, 2005 (Wed) Juniper Springs Recreational Area, Ocala NF (3) - We didn't actually go anywhere today except from one campsite to another even though Q's odometer shows 94 more miles. In the process we checked out Salt Springs Recreation Area north of here and went into Silver Springs to do some shopping and get fuel.
The Salt Springs RA is huge, at least the camping area is and we assume the rest of the area is too. There are 106 full hookup sites that is full all the time. The gatekeeper said that there was one site opening up in about an hour if we wanted to wait. We asked about the non hookup sites. "Oh, no problem," she said. "I thought you'd want hookups." She gave us a 10 minute pass to see the site that would be opening up and the "primitive" tenting area. The primitive area was practically empty but a little too primitive for our liking right now and more set up for tents than RVs. The RV area, on the other hand, was a typical RV campground - sites packed together in rows - and not really to our liking right now either. We had thought this might be a good place to meet up with Ed and Kathy next week but we discovered that there may or may not be space for one or both of us there at the same time. There is no maximum stay limit so the turnover isn't as predictable as it is in most places. We decided that Alexander Springs RA might be a better place.
Our trip to Silver Springs, after registering again here at Juniper Springs RA, wasn't at all exciting. We got gas and a few groceries. The Six Gun Plaza (a small shopping center) just east of the Walmart Supercenter on SR40 is worth stopping at sometime.
As we sat out reading this afternoon a cute little raccoon wandered into our campsite. Mark chased him away but he came back a few minutes later to retrieve his mate who had apparently been watching from the safety of a tree.
Q029753 Juniper Springs Recreational Area, Ocala NF #15 dry $8.50g A
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March 2, 2006 (Thu) Juniper Springs Recreational Area, Ocala NF (4) - We hiked another part of the Florida National Scenic Trail this morning (the other part was at Alexander Springs RA). This is an area hit by a couple of the hurricanes in 2004 so there was a great deal of damage done to parts of the forest. The National Forest Service sold off the trees, downed and otherwise, to commercial interests which has left some areas very barren. There must have been some control because the areas are few and small. Unfortunately many of the downed trees were not harvested so the places that were clear cut look pretty bad. Most of the time we were in the forest though which made for a pleasant and scenic walk.
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March 3, 2006 (Fri) Juniper Springs Recreational Area, Ocala NF (5) - A few campsites down the road from us there are two motorcycle camping units - two motorcycles with trailers. The trailers, each about 6 feet by six feet, cleverly open out into fair sized fabric (tent) living quarters. We were a bit concerned when we saw them pull in but they don't at all fit the stereotype - except for the long hair and tattoos. They are quiet as are their motorcycles. About the worst we can say about them is that they seem to have cigarettes hanging from their lips all the time and they don't bother to pick their little dog's poops. Yes, one of the couples apparently carries a dog with them.
We hiked the part of the Florida Trail we were on yesterday and also explored about a mile of it in the other direction. On the way back we stopped by the canoe launch area and watched a couple begin their adventure. There are signs all over warning that the canoe run is for those with experience only and not for beginners. We expect that that couple had a long tough go of it and probably got dunked more than once - it's a very rough course. As they started down the run the the park volunteer, also there watching, yelled to the woman in the bow to switch hands on her paddle. She was holding it backwards! We thought some of driving down to the pick up point to see how they made out but decided against it because it might have been a long wait.
To Alexander Springs RA - #61-08
February 21 (Tue)
Paisley, FL to Altoona, FL (91/2373 miles)
Our adventure started, as would be expected, when we got off (7:45, 60°). Rather than going deeper into the national forest as we'd planned we went south to Altamonte Springs, a traffic congested suburb of Orlando. Our first stop was a laundromat, then a Costco, the Verizon store, and finally a supermarket. We're set, now, for another few days in the wild.
Well we're back in touch with the world again. The delightful young woman, Penny, in the Verizon store who helped us said, when we told her of our problem, "You probably just need a software up grade. I'll do it for you." She opened the cover and punched in some numbers, put it to her ear, and said, "I don't hear a thing." She then looked at the phone and announced, "You're not getting a signal!" (I thought I had told her that.) Anyway we have a new telephone - free because we are such good customers - and most of the accessories needed to make it useful with the computer - not free.
We are at Alexander Springs Recreation Area, only 12 miles by hiking (and mountain bike) trail from Clearwater RA where we were last night but we drove 91 miles to get here. The campground is in a denser forest of a wide variety of trees and shrubs. Getting too much sun isn't likely to be a problem here although there are some sunny areas.
Q029601 Alexander Springs Recreation Area, Ocala NF #47 dry $8.50g B
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February 22, 2006, (Wed) Alexander Springs RA, Ocala NF (2) - We were promised as we came in to this campground that it would be quiet - we'd seen many ATV scars across the landscape as we approached the entrance. And it has been except for the trucks on the highway just out side the campground, the kid on a skateboard (motorized) going back and forth on the road past our site all night, the dog barking all afternoon in a campsite near us, and jets (military?) taking off from an airport not too far away. But we can't complain because we've used up our complaint allotment by asking to be moved from the campsite we'd been assigned because the pad was on too steep a slope.
The gatekeeper was cheerful and happy when we first came in but she did not want to give us another site. It's a strange situation here. The campground is mostly empty but has many - by far the greatest majority - of the sites designated as reserved sites. Meaning they are only for people who may call to reserve them. In most campgrounds these kinds of sites are available to drive-ins if they haven't already been specifically reserved.
This morning we walked down to the springs - where people were in swimming - and then took an interpretive trail through the woods. This afternoon we took a bike ride around the campground (to get away from the barking dog). Other than that we've enjoyed the warmth (75°) and what little sunshine manages to get through the trees.
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February 23, 2006 (Thu) Alexander Springs Recreation Area, Ocala NF (3) - We "re-uped" for another 3 nights here - until Monday. It really is pleasant here and our neighbors are such nice people - they are here from Michigan for the whole winter in a 23' BT Cruiser (Motor home). The cell phone works, although the signal is very weak, so we have communication and can access the the internet for email.
This afternoon we bicycled down to the spring and went swimming. It is not a "hot" spring so we expected it to be very cold. It wasn't. In fact it was really quite pleasant once we got in. Joy swam out to the source of the spring but couldn't see much - not even the alligator that has been seen in the area - even though the water is crystal clear. (Apparently there is a momma black bear and cub who frequents the campground too but we haven't seen them either. A neighbor's dog has though. He put up quite a ruckus one night a couple of weeks ago.)
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February 24, 2006 (Fri) Alexander Springs Recreation Area, Ocala NF (4) - This morning Mark fixed the flat tire on Joy's bicycle and this afternoon we walked part of the Florida Trail into the National Forest. We are happy to report that we didn't come across any serial killer wannabes. (This is the area - but not near here - where the original did his deed and was arrested earlier this year.) If we'd kept going for 12 miles - we only went 2 - we'd have come out at Clearwater Lake, where we were camped a few days ago.
Our neighbors invited us to join them at their (actually another neighbor's - the one with the barking dog) campfire last night but the rains came. It didn't rain all that hard but it was enough to make sitting around a campfire unpleasant to say nothing of damp! We accepted a rain check - so to speak - for tonight. As we sat around the fire we could hear someone nearby playing a guitar and singing - very pleasant. We could also hear a party in progress a way away in another camping loop. All in all it was a festive and enjoyable evening.
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February 25, 2006 (Sat) Alexander Springs Recreation Area, Ocala NF (5) - This place was really jumping (for a National Forest) today. We rode our bicycles around the the campground and found almost all the campsites occupied. More importantly for us, all the non-reservable sites are occupied. That means we couldn't have gotten in if we'd waited until today to come here. Loop D, with the most large sites and all reservation-only, seems to be overloaded with young single (?) adults in tents. College kids? We expected it to be noisy once the sun went down but it was surprisingly quiet. The greatest disturbance to our - actually our neighbor's - campfire atmosphere was the sound of jets overhead. Joy thinks they were more overflights of the small military jets that had been buzzing the campground all day - practicing bombing runs we are told! (We didn't hear any bomb detonations although they've been heard in the past. Nice quiet campground, this.) Mark thinks they were commercial airliners out of Orlando International.
To Ocala National Forest - #61-07
February 12 (Sun) The Great Outdoors (5) - It was cold (42° over night, low 50s mid morning) and windy so our activity for the day was to venture into the outskirts of Orlando to hunt up a super Jo-Ann's Fabric store and a bead shop. Dorcas is learning the technique of combining beading with knitting to make mini purses that Joy has been doing on this trip. We couldn't find the bead shop - it has moved - and Jo-Ann's came up short on needed supplies. But a stop at Barnes and Noble yielded a sudoku puzzle book - something for Mark to do while Joy is working crossword puzzles - and a copy of Knit.1 magazine which has a pattern designed by Dorcas. On the way home we had a late lunch at Chile's. (The Olive Garden was our first choice but the wait time was 30+ minutes.)
Watching the Olympics occupied our time during the late afternoon and evening.
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February 13, 2006 (Mon) The Great Outdoors (6) - Colder last night (38°) making for a chilly walk this morning. Other than that it has been a "inside" day - too cold to be comfortable outside - except for Mike who went golfing with some friends. Joy went over and spent some time with Dorcas, knitting and beading, while Mark stayed home to work on taxes and reconcile our bank accounts.
The Great Outdoors #443 Oak Cove Dr (x3) #440 Oak Cove Dr (x3)
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February 14, 2006 Valentine's Day (Tue)
Titusville, FL to Orange City, FL (149/2237 miles)
Even colder last night (36°) and again a cold walk! This is supposed to be Florida! It had warmed all the way up to 48° by the time we got off at 10:36. Dorcas and Mike have been super hosts - thank you guys, it's been an adventure.
Our destination was Blue Spring State Park about 35 miles north of Orlando. To get there we started north on I-95 but left the heavy traffic after only a few miles to head cross-country to Sanford and then to Orange City. Along the way we stopped in Geneva - a nice little town, very friendly - to mail a package.
When we made reservations last week we could get one night - we wanted two. As we checked in today we tried again for two nights and got them. Apparently there had been a cancellation.
This park is noted for its manatees. In the winter they come into Blue Spring run to hang out in the relatively warm spring's water. After getting set up we walked down to the viewing area, a long boardwalk beside the run, where 25 or 30 of them were doing just that. For those who don't know, manatees are large mammals (air breathing) who, like dolphins and whales, live in the water. They are the elephant's closest biological relative and, although not very pretty, are the original mermaids.
Q029465 Blue Spring State Park #31 w/e $22.50 A
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February 15, 2006 (Wed) Blue Spring State Park (2) - It just keeps getting colder - 32° when we got up this morning! We decided not to walk - because it was cold and because we had logged 8 1/2 miles yesterday. Even so we managed to cover 4 1/2 miles going back and forth to the rest rooms, the dumpster and the manatee viewing area. We took our first trip down to the spring at about 10:00, after it had warmed up some. We thought we'd be ahead of the crowd. Nope! Reminiscent of our trying to see the bears fishing for salmon in Hyder, Alaska, we could hardly get to the rails to see the manatees. It was more crowded than yesterday! There were a lot of manatees though and all kinds of fish in the clear water. We walked down again before supper and the crowds were gone. So were most of the manatees! There were a few though and it was fun watching them - although they didn't do much or move very fast. The water was so clear that we could even watch the cormorants swimming under water as they went after fish. A great blue heron caught and tried to swallow a big fish and a large alligator moseyed along the shore on the other side of the run.
Blue Spring State Park #31 (x2)
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February 16, 2006 (Thu)
Orange City, FL to Paisley, FL (45/2282 miles)
It was warmer last night, 42°, and had warmed up to 64° by the time we got off at 9:30. After restocking the cupboards from a Publix supermarket in Orange City we headed for Paisley (isn't that an interesting name?) where a new campground, for us, is located. Clearwater Recreation Area is located next to Lake Clearwater (appropriately) in the Ocala National Forest. The campground is small, 42 sites, and rustic (no hookups). Most sites are large enough for the biggest of rigs - although some would give automatic levelers a workout. In fact there is a bunch of snowbirds - as the gatekeeper called them - in one area, some with class A motor homes and toads. We are in a site away from most other campsites so it should be very quiet here - no nearby generator noise or late night parties. But we are right next to the day-use area so there may be some activity during the day this weekend. We can see the small lake through the trees from both our living room and dining room windows and a small sandy beach is only a short walk away. The showers - just big rooms, one for men and one for women - are reminiscent of locker room showers except that these are roofless. We have opted to use Q's on-board shower facilities. But it's really beautiful here in this forest of live oak trees decorated with swags of hanging Spanish moss and palmetto. This should be a good place to spend a few days. We'll be here until Tuesday.
Q029510 Clearwater Recreation Area #22 dry $7.00g B (x5)
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February 17, 2006 (Fri) Clearwater Recreation Area, Ocala NF (2) - This has been a lazy day of reading, beading, and napping. We tried to get our email but the cell phone signal here is marginal to none. We walked around the campground this evening and explored a trail that must go all the way around the lake. We turned back because it was beginning to get dark.
We don't normally watch television while we are traveling but we've really enjoyed the Olympics on this trip. Even here the TV reception (from Orlando) is excellent - we don't even need to put the antenna up - so it has become our nightly entertainment.
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February 18, 2006 (Sat) Clearwater Recreation Area, Ocala NF (3) - The day use people began to come into the area next to our site at just before noon today. Although there were several cars in the small parking lot very few of the dozen or so picnic tables were occupied. And then everyone spent most of their time down on the beach.
The trail we started to explore yesterday does go all the way around the lake. It was quite a pleasant walk. There don't seem to be any other trails in the area. that's too bad. There are "service roads" that we could explore but we're reluctant to do that as there are "authorized personnel only" signs posted.
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February 19, 2006 (Sun) Clearwater Recreation Area, Ocala NF (4) - The weather was chilly, high of 60°, overcast and dreary. Even the day-use people stayed home. We couldn't help comparing this President's Day weekend to last year when we were in the grossly overcrowded Highland Hammock State Park.
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February 20, 2006 (Mon) Clearwater Recreation Area, Ocala NF (5) - Again no one here to take advantage of this beautiful park - not that we are complaining. The sun came out in the early afternoon and the temperature made it almost to 80°.
We think our phone is having a problem. We should be getting a better signal here and surely should have gotten a good signal somewhere as we drove here Thursday but it remains at the lowest level (one bar). Even our booster doesn't help it. So tomorrow we're off in search of a Verizon store to, maybe, get a new phone. At over 5 years old it's about time anyway.
Clearwater Recreation Area #22 (x5)
To The Great Outdoors - #61-06
February 4, 2006 (Sat) Kissimmee Prairie Preserve State Park (4) - It rained all night! We were both awake off and on at different times and there were only a couple of times when there wasn't the sound of rain on the roof. This morning the puddles in the campground were big enough to be attractive to the alligators in the area - we didn't see any though - and to make lakes out of campsites. A fifth wheel trailer is sitting right in the middle of a big puddle in one campsite and the couple has to use their picnic table as a bridge to get in and out of it. During one of the breaks in the rain - when it was only sprinkling - we walked over to the office to see if any campsites had been freed up due to a cancellation - a real possibility because of the rain. There were, so we've moved into another site and are here for two more days.
Last night, knowing the rain wasn't likely to let up for a while, we'd picked up a jigsaw puzzle from the exchange table in the laundry area and we spent this morning working on that. At about 10:00 the electricity in the campground went out. This is not a problem for us, in fact we didn't even know about it for a while, but it is for the campground and the tent campers. The water - for spigots, showers, flush toilets, etc. - is supplied via electric pumps. And to make matters worse for the two fellows in the tent, a puddle dangerously close to taking over their site.
The rain stopped a little after noon and the electricity came back on soon after. The increased moisture brought out the peeping frogs which we heard as we walked around the campground and, as we ate lunch, a gaggle of turkeys came wandering through. But still no alligators near by. This afternoon we spent reading and watching for the sun to come out.
Kissimmee Prairie Preserve State Park #3 w/e $13.20 B+
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February 5,2006 (Sun) Kissimmee Prairie Preserve State Park (5) - The water has receded somewhat although a puddle still surrounds the fifth wheel. And on our walk this morning we came upon a spot in the road that must have been completely under water yesterday - we had to tip toe through mud to go around a big puddle still in the road. Not much happened the rest of the day. We tried to sit out this afternoon after it had warmed up some - to 60°. It wasn't too bad in the sun but our new site doesn't get much of that. After a while we retreated back inside.
We feel a little sorry for those folks in the double wide sized rig. It appears they don't have a kitchen in it. All day long they walked back and forth to the restroom/laundry building to wash their dishes. They even made one trip to wash vegetables. It's surprising what you see when camped close to the activity center.
Kissimmee Prairie Preserve State Park #3 w/e $13.20 B+ (x2)
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February 6, 2006 (Mon) Okeechobee, FL to Sebastian, FL (155/2088 miles)
This has been an interesting day. Since we only had 78 miles to go and didn't want to get to camp Walmart (because there's no hope of getting into any of the very few campgrounds in the area) too early, we lounged in bed until after 7:00 (43°) had a leisurely breakfast, showered and did a small laundry. At one point Mark noticed a piece of metal hanging down from Q's retractable rear steps. It turned out to be part of the mechanism that pulls the step up. Long story short, now we have to muscle it up and secure it there with a bungee.
We arrived at the Sebastian Walmart at about 2:00pm and while Joy went off to cruise the women's clothing area, Mark went to check with customer service about overnight parking there - even though we'd been told that there are always motor homes parked there. He was told that it was OK with Walmart but the police may chase us away. Not wanting that at 3:00 in the morning, we decided to go back to Fort Pierce, where the noisy motor home was the other night. It was less than 30 miles south.
We'd no sooner gotten there when Barbara, Joy's quilter friend in Sebastian, called and invited us to stay in her driveway. So back we came. 78 miles turned into 155.
We all went out to dinner at Ruby Tuesdays - Barbara and Jack (our hosts), Alison and Jean (more of Joy's quilting friends visiting Barbara) and us.
Q029316 Jack and Barbara's Driveway
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February 7, 2006 (Tue) Sebastian, FL (2) - Joy, Barbara, Alison, and Jean (and Hildene) went on a jaunt in search of quilt shops in the Sebastian area. They found a couple and, of course, relieved them of some of their most beautiful excess fabric. Jack was off to an appointment for some golf. Mark and Q just "hung out" for the day reading and napping. We all got together again for a pot luck dinner (turkey, salad, rolls, and ice cream) and conversation by Jack and Barbara's pool.
Jack and Barbara's Driveway (x2)
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February 8, 2006 (Wed)
Sebastian, FL to Titusville, FL (85/2173 miles) - We didn't have far to go today so we took our time getting ready to go. When the others were up and about, Joy went into the house to hang out while Mark did some work on the computer. At 10:40 (68°) we backed Q out onto the busy road. Thanks Barbara and Jack for allowing us to park in you driveway. It made things so much easier.
Instead of the direct route (I-95) we went south to Wabasso, crossed over the Indian River to SR A1A, then headed north. This was an interesting island drive. The atmosphere was definitely "Florida beach". The homes (and condos) were up-scale, for the most part, and ranged from small to large. As we moved north the wealth moved south until the roadside was cluttered with fast food restaurants and surf shops - Cocoa Beach was particularly "touristy". There were several small county parks all along the way - mostly on the ocean side. We stopped at one opposite Patrick Air Force Base for lunch. We pulled up to Dorcas (Mark's sister) and Mike's pad in The Great Outdoors Golf and RV Resort at about 1:30.
Road side establishments:
Oop-a-daisy (a florist)
Flea Be Gone (a dog grooming service)
Q029401 Dorcas and Mike's Driveway w/e/s/c
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February 9, 2006 (Thu) The Great Outdoors (2) - We were up at about 6:30 (42°) and walked around the loop of Plantation Drive (5 miles). It was interesting to see again this residential park that has been build for RV enthusiasts. This year there seem to be fewer fancy golf carts - looking like mini automobiles - and more kayaks on top of toads. The people are still very friendly. Every one waves, if passing in a vehicle, or says good morning (etc.) if on foot or bicycle. In the afternoon we went with Mike and Dorcas to the Orlando Wetlands Park for some bicycling. This could have been a pleasant 6 mile loop around a couple of ponds but for the wind. Even so we had a good time and saw lots of wildlife. For dinner Mike and Dorcas took us to a buffet for some good old American food - all we could eat. And we, of course, stuffed ourselves.
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February 10, 2006 (Fri) The Great Outdoors (3) - Our big activity for today was shopping (at Walmart and Bealls Outlet) after our chilly (43°) 5 mile walk. This afternoon Mark borrowed Dorcas' WiFi connection to update our financial information and do other downloads requiring a high speed internet connection. In the evening we watched the opening ceremonies of the Winter Olympics.
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February 11, 2006 (Sat) The Great Outdoors (4) - We got busted today. We were sitting here in Q, Mark working on income taxes and Joy doing a crossword puzzle, when a cop car pulled up in front. We were told we weren't allowed on Dorcas and Mikes pad, private property not withstanding. It seems there is a rule - only one RV per site. Dorcas and Mike knew this but since so many sites have more than one RV, they thought there'd be no problem. Wrong!
The three sites across the road belong to a family who is very seldom here. Dorcas was able to get in touch with one of the owners who kindly gave us permission to use the pad that was empty - the others have a 5th wheel each sitting there. So we moved across the street.
This site has a view of a small lake and the golf course beyond. The water, electric, and cable hookups all work. A sewer hookup is also available. We'll be quite happy here until Tuesday.
The Great Outdoors #443 Oak Cove Dr w/e/s/c
