When planning a twenty nine day trip, nine stops, forty five hours of driving covering 2,870 miles, there are a few variables (the negative term is "wrenches") that can be thrown into the mix that can cause much grief. This does not include hoping that you've packed everything you may need for the trip; perishables, dry goods, equipment and supplies. Over the years, some of this worry has faded because I'm still in America and I know where to go if I need a loaf of bread. We're pretty well stocked here along the east coast.
I decided to blog in three sections: The Trip down to Florida (WV, NC, FL), My Stay in Florida (Clermont, Delray Beach, Hollywood/Miami) and My Trip Back Home (SC, NC, WV). Hopefully, this will make reading short and sweet. Remember, for me, it's my diary.
This year marks my twelfth year visiting Florida. In prior blogs I've written about the six years when I drove to Daytona Beach Shores in my Caddy and stayed for the month at the Emerald Shores Hotel. Because it just turned "off season" and the snow birds left, I enjoyed morning sunrises daily from my balcony facing east, fifty yards from the surf for just $50.00/day.
In 2015 and for the next four years, the RV world opened up to me once again as Winnie One and I made memorable trips providing me with more long lasting and special memories.
And so, starting Saturday morning, February 8th, I started on the five hour trip to West Virginia.
This year marks my twelfth year visiting Florida. In prior blogs I've written about the six years when I drove to Daytona Beach Shores in my Caddy and stayed for the month at the Emerald Shores Hotel. Because it just turned "off season" and the snow birds left, I enjoyed morning sunrises daily from my balcony facing east, fifty yards from the surf for just $50.00/day.
In 2015 and for the next four years, the RV world opened up to me once again as Winnie One and I made memorable trips providing me with more long lasting and special memories.
And so, starting Saturday morning, February 8th, I started on the five hour trip to West Virginia.
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| Saturday's Drive |
The route I chose was more inland on I-287 to avoid I-95, so the map depicted above isn't quite accurate. I include those maps/routes just to remind me of how much territory I cover in a day. Saturday traffic was light, the weather overcast and chilly. Trip was made without incident. Like all the KOAs I stay at, this one was clean, spacious and the folks at the desk friendly. I had a back-in site next to one of their unoccupied rental cabins. My chores included flushing the water system of the RV antifreeze that sat in the pipes since October, filling the on-board fresh water tank and setting up the inside for my comfort. Temperatures dropped to 27° overnight so I had to take in my water hose and use my small electric space heater. The roof top heat exchange unit doesn't work with temps below 38°. It was a cozy night nonetheless. I turned in early as I wanted to be on the road by 9 am Sunday for the next six hour leg to Lumberton, NC. I must confess I still found time to catch up with my online addictions: Words With Friends, Differences, Crosswords with Friends and Solitaire.
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| Sunday's Drive |
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| Cirrus uncinus or Mare's tail = fair weather |
Sunday's drive was most pleasurable...if you can believe driving I-95 could be such. Yes, the route eventually intersected I-95 but I missed the big cities of the north. There was light traffic, the temperatures rose into the mid 50's, the sun was bright and warm coming through the windshield and my Pandora selections were coming through the speaker system of the RV loud and clear. The roads were smooth as glass, not a bump or hole to be seen or felt. Hey, Cuomo, your roads suck big time. I saw the characteristic fair weather clouds, the "horsetails" or "mare's tail" that gave promise of good weather to come. Texts from my friends in Clermont say temps will be in the 80's when I'm there. Like yesterday, I had to stop twice to fill my tank with diesel. Prices went down as I traveled south. NJ = $3.39, PA = $3.37, VA = $2.59, NC = $2.38. So far, $180.00 spent on fuel and I'm not even in Florida yet. The good news is I'm averaging 18 mpg and can travel almost 300 miles on a tank which I think is awesome. Those prices listed above reflect $.10/gal discounts for using the brand's gas card. I have ten of them. There is no more guess work or wonder which brand of diesel fuel I'll find when I get low. All of them have rewards programs that offer the discounts.
With the hundreds of billboards that still mar the landscape along I-95, food started to invade my thoughts. A little factoid for you. Last year during this same time period I lost seven pounds during my Florida travels. I know, hard to believe. This year I'm beginning at that weight and am eager to see the loss I expect this year. I have breakfast, skip lunch, then dinner. The night grazing as well as my appetite are diminished and eliminated. Can't forage for what isn't there. Anyway, back to food. With all the fast food chains available at practically every exit, I had a craving for BBQ pulled pork. None of the fast food chains specialize in such things. I took a chance at the exit before the one to the campground an found 
But...do they serve pork? Why, yes they do. My dinner for the night was set. Thank you Smithfield. Yes, they're a chain down here but I'm in the south now and that makes a difference when it comes to food.
But...do they serve pork? Why, yes they do. My dinner for the night was set. Thank you Smithfield. Yes, they're a chain down here but I'm in the south now and that makes a difference when it comes to food. |
| Monday's Drive |
Another mid morning start today with a full tank of fuel. Brunch will be on my mind. Today's drive through South Carolina and Georgia was a tad different but still enjoyable. It was, after all, a Monday. Traffic throughout each day saw more traffic going north than south; more 18-wheelers northbound and more RVs northward bound. I thought it a bit early for "snow birds" but who knows. My ride was comfortable with a "brunch stop" at a Waffle House in Georgia and a fuel stop in Port Wentworth, GA. Beside the temperature climbing nicely into the 80's, signs of spring were also a welcome experience. Buds started appearing on trees as I drove through Georgia into Florida. I caught several quick glimpses of turtles sunning themselves as they perched atop partially sunken logs or clumps of grass in the marshy, flooded areas along the side of I-95. I averaged 70 mph most of this trip so to be able to just glance to the side of the road into a ditch and see these critters attest to their numbers. The KOA in Starke, FL was another enjoyable overnight stay. It's location nestled off the busy, commercial route 301 was a surprise complete with a freight line perhaps 200 yards to the east. Fortunately for me, I'm used to the 2-long, 1-short, 1-long whistle blowing at public crossings. I hear it in Peekskill. As soon as I set up, I treated myself to a G&T.
And finally, Tuesday, the home stretch to Thousand Trails - Orlando in Clermont, FL. My home for a week. Because I cannot check into the campground until after 12, I can relax with breakfast and then have a leisurely 2¼ hour drive that allows me to leave after 10 am. There's a lot planned and it will all be the subject of my next blog, "My Stay in Florida - Clermont". Check in again next week. Stay well, safe and happy.
