Home Is Where We Park It:  Suwannee State Park, Live Oak Florida

September 10, 2020

Temperature 90 Degrees

Travel Day

Just a heads up

We have very limited internet – impossible to upload pictures, have to copy stock photos

We have very limited satellite reception

Our phones work and they don’t work – calls drop just like that

Other than that all is good!

We had another easy travel day. Traffic was light and there was no construction the whole way.

The foretasted rain never materialized until well after we arrived and were set up.  Then we had thunder boomers and a steady rain for about an hour.

The park is a mixed bag.  We’ve been here before and it is truly a quiet and peaceful place to hang out.  However, it is an old park, the roads though paved are narrow and a bit difficult to navigate.  The worse, though, is that there are more overhanging branches than ever.  Come on now, what would it take to trim them back.

We are in an ADA site meaning we are on a concrete pad that is reasonably level.  All the utilities are right where they need to be.  We are surrounded by trees, to the left, the right, overhead and everywhere.  More as a joke we activated the satellite antenna not expecting it to find even one satellite.  Boy, were we ever surprised when it found one of the three that are required.  So, we have maybe four or five channels instead of the normal one hundred thirty or more.  Such is life we are only here a week.

So what about future blogs?  Probably every other day.  There is not really much to do in this area that we have not already done.  This is for us just one of three hops on our way back to our summer home in Sumter Oaks.

That was our day on The Road of Retirement.  Not a bad day overall.  A bit of a disappointment in terms of internet and TV.  Let’s face it, this is our home and, yes, we are spoiled.  I guess I’m going to have to look into a wifi booster for times like this.

Thanks for traveling with us today.  We always appreciate your company as well as your comments and suggestions. Keep safe, keep healthy, enjoy the days that God gives you.

These are the voyages of  Elvira and her two intrepid travelers.  Our continuing mission: to explore as many new states as possible, to seek out new acquaintances and make new friends, to boldly go where we have never been before.

See you on down the road!

Places We Have Called Home In 2020

(We’ve Added A New Stop To Our Link)

Home Is Where We Park It:  Hitchinpost Corral & Campground RV Park, Cottondale, Florida

September 9, 2020

Temperature 89 Degrees

Travel Day

Ah, what a great nights sleep.  I’m ready, willing and able to get on the road today.

The plan was simple, take it slow and easy and on the road by 10 am.  So we did just that.  We got up at our regular time, had bagels for breakfast and then by 8 am we began to take care of the final items necessary for departure.  We actually did better than we expected, we had the car on the tow bar and we’re rolling by 9:30 am.

So, the GPS said go this way but thankfully I had checked the route it was suggesting and knew it was taking us the wrong way.  I went my way and we were on Route 10 heading east within thirty minutes from the time we left the park.

Within due time we left Alabama behind and

we were in Florida.

A little further on we crossed over Pensacola/Escambia Bay.

Coming out of the one rest stop we passed the Blue Angels monument.  We had the privilege about a year ago of attending one of their practice sessions.  It was a thrilling experience which we will never forget.

Next we crossed over the Blackwater River.

And in due time we were getting off Route 10, a quick left, then a quick right and

we were home for the night.

Down the entry road to the office which is where we met Vonda.  How I wish I had thought to take a picture of her.  She is truly one of God’s beautiful people.  She has a smile a country mile long and immediately makes you feel like you’ve come home to family.  She and her husband first opened the campground many years ago.  Unfortunately, she lost her husband a month before hurricane Michael struck.  She has been on her own since.  What a fantastic job she does with the park.  It is immaculate, well taken care of and is pristine.

This is our home for the night.  We are in a pull-thru, hard packed gravel and it is perfectly level.  Two things to note: the small picnic table and chairs which were hand made; and, the green mat outside our front door which Vonda placed there for our use.  She told us if we have any garbage just to leave it on the mat tomorrow and she will be around to pick it and the mat up.  Talk about service with a smile.

Our neighbors behind us.  We were told that they are various individuals who are working in the area this summer.  Just look how clean and neat this whole area is.  This is really a gem of an overnight stop if you are traveling on Route 10.

That was our day on The Road of Retirement.  We had a pleasant trip from start to finish.  The road was smooth.  We had no traffic to speak of.  The only negative, and a small one at that, the stop on our entrance door broke when we opened it once we got here.  Ah well, one more thing to fix in the near future.  Things like that keep me busy and my hands occupied.  No problem with that.  The good Lord truly blessed us with a spectacular day.

Thanks for traveling with us today.  We always appreciate your company as well as your comments and suggestions. Keep safe, keep healthy, enjoy the days that God gives you.

These are the voyages of  Elvira and her two intrepid travelers.  Our continuing mission: to explore as many new states as possible, to seek out new acquaintances and make new friends, to boldly go where we have never been before.

See you on down the road!

Places We Have Called Home In 2020

Home Is Where We Park It:  Escapees Rainbow Plantation, Summerdale, Alabama

September 8, 2020

Temperature 84 Degrees

Preparing for Travel

Only one goal for today, preparing for travel tomorrow.  No rush, though, since we probably will not leave until around 10 am.

Off came the tire covers and tire pressure was checked to make sure it was correct.  I had to add a few pounds to the back tires.  When I was finished I did the same for the car.

The step supports were removed and put away.  The step stool will be the last item packed away.

The main patio awning, the door awning and the living room awning on the other side are rolled up and secured.

Checked fluid levels for the engine and the generator.  We’ll use the generator tomorrow to power the AC units and the refrigerator.  Best practice is to run the generator under load each month for two to four hours and since I haven’t done this recently it is time.

I’ve taken the cover off of the tow bar and checked it, and made sure there are no frayed cables and that everything moves freely with no binding.

The car is ready to go.  Did an inspection on the base plate and no loose bolts were found.

The privacy screens for the windshield and side windows have been removed.  The windshield, side windows and mirrors have been cleaned.

A friend of mine (thanks Carl) shared a tip about treating the windshield with a coating of Rain X .  Knowing that there is rain coming on Thursday I decided to give it a try.  It is a bit of a procedure and a bit labor intensive but if it works it will be great.  Time will tell.  I also did both mirrors.

Tomorrow morning I’ll dump the tanks and pack up the sewer hose.  I’ll disconnect and pack away the water hose, filter and softener; and,  the electric cord.  Of course we’ll bring down the satellite antenna. Then it will be time to bring in the slides and bring up the jacks.  Then we’ll go step by step through our departure list to make sure we didn’t miss anything.  Finally a complete walk-around by both of us to make sure all is in order and nothing is being left behind.  The last item to be taken care of will be to hook up car and check the lights.  Then, we’ll be on our way.

One more thing accomplished today.

I finally hung up the one sign that is so important to both of us.

And I absolutely had to hang this one!

That was our day on The Road of Retirement.  We’re ready to get on the road and let the wheels roll.  New places and new adventures await.  Who knows who we’ll meet – I’ve already met Mike the gentleman who owns the Newell.  Come to find out he is also going to be at Sumter Oaks in Florida the same time we will be there.  Time now to get some sleep so until tomorrow night, take care.

Thanks for your company today.  We always appreciate when you stop by as well as your comments and suggestions. Keep safe, keep healthy, enjoy the days that God gives you.

These are the voyages of  Elvira and her two intrepid travelers.  Our continuing mission: to explore as many new states as possible, to seek out new acquaintances and make new friends, to boldly go where we have never been before.

See you on down the road!

 

Places We Have Called Home In 2020

Home Is Where We Park It:  Escapees Rainbow Plantation, Summerdale, Alabama

September 7, 2020

Temperature 86 Degrees

So Which Rig Should I Buy 

No, we’re not buying another rig.  We’re quite happy with what we have and the upgrades we’ve made to date.  Of course there are much more to come in the near future.

But the question is one that comes up over and over again in numerous post on various RV forums.  The answer to that question is:  do what is best for you.  There is no one rig that is right for everyone.

Walking around the park today I saw examples of all kinds of rigs.  For instance:

Want something small and maneuverable?  Something fairly good on gas?  Maybe a Class C is for you.  They offer a lot of bang for the buck.

Or how about a Class A?  Something that offers a bit more storage room both outside and inside.  They also tend to have more room overall inside.  They range in size from 30 feet to 45 feet.

You could also go with a travel trailer.  If you already have the truck that can tow it, it could be your best buy.  They range in size from 16 to 40 feet.  There are also fifth wheel trailers that depending on the floor plan will truly give you all the comforts of home.

If money is no object then maybe this is for you.  It is a 2008 45 foot Newell that cost $350,000 used.  Today a new one starts at 2.1 million!  According to the owner this is their third coach.  He didn’t really want it but his wife did, so as they say the rest is history.

So which rig should I buy?

Research what works for you. Do you want a big class A RV with a lot of room and bling? Do you want a van RV that only fits a couple of people but can go anywhere? Do you want a class C with a lot of sleeping room? How will you use it? If you are boondocking will you need solar? Do you want a residential fridge? Floor plan? Chassis type? Gas/diesel? These are all considerations.

Which brings us to Elvira.  Small enough, lengthwise, to fit into state and national parks.  Diesel power for climbing hills out west.  Big enough inside so that we don’t feel like we are constantly on top of one another.  It is not the perfect rig but then again I don’t believe there really is one.  However, it is the right rig for us at this point in time.

So ends another day on The Road of Retirement.  One more full day and we are on our way.  Today we went for haircuts.  Then back home we came.  That’s what is nice about being here.  We know where everything is.  Moreover, today was one of the nicest in a long time.  Moderate temperature and low humidity.  Life is good.

Thanks for your company today.  We always appreciate when you stop by as well as your comments and suggestions. Keep safe, keep healthy, enjoy the days that God gives you.

These are the voyages of  Elvira and her two intrepid travelers.  Our continuing mission: to explore as many new states as possible, to seek out new acquaintances and make new friends, to boldly go where we have never been before.

See you on down the road!