My Florida Trip Book

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Day 54 – Home Sweet Home

We got a decent nights sleep and were back on the road at 8:30 am arriving home by 9:30 am. Ron was concerned about getting the MH in the yard but was pleasantly surprised with a clear driveway and spot to park the MH. That was until he tried to back it in. The thaw had caused the ground to be mushy so there was no way to get the MH in without getting stuck . We had to put the MH in the driveway on a downward angle. The angle made it difficult to unload and we could not open the slides to get  the remaining food and clothes. Will have to wait until the ground hardens a bit then park in its normal place. We had the same issue a couple of years ago so no big deal.

Jewel was very happy to be back and was ready for her jaunt in the Flea Market parking lot.

New Solar panels at Flea Market

 

MOTORHOME 3,567.1 MILES

 

JEEP 1,037 MILES

 

TOTAL 4,604.1 MILES

 

 

THE END!

Day 53 What a Day!!!

Well, since we went to bed sooo early we woke at 3 am and decided it would be a good time to get through the beltway in DC and avoid all of the traffic. So off we went in our PJ’s at 3 am to avoid the rush hour traffic. Yes, we are crazy!!  Despite the early hour there was still a lot of traffic on the road. Once we cleared the beltway Ron decided it would be a good idea to get through Baltimore as well. Again we managed to traverse that without a problem. We took a different route, 695 W and avoided paying the huge toll on the Scott Key Bridge.

It took us two hours to get around both DC and Baltimore (usually a 3-3.5 hr. drive) and we were ready to settle in and get a little more sleep. Of course the Maryland House was closed for renovation so we had to drive another 22 miles to get to another rest area. We arrived at 5 am and there was only one spot left, just for us. By the time we resurfaced at 7:30 am we were the only ones there. All rest areas look pretty much alike but Ron makes me put in the picture anyway. LOL

We had hoped to get into Newark NJ in time to stop to see Kelly before she returns to Washington but our timing was off and they have been keeping her pretty busy at Audible. We did speak with her this morning and she is flying out later today. Hopefully, she and her family can get out here on a vacation in the near future.

We left the rest area and had planned to take I-295 N then 84 home to avoid the exorbitant tolls. It was not in the cards for us because as we were approaching the exit for I 295 there was a sign stating that I 295 was closed due to an accident. And boy was there an accident. A 20 year old man was exiting I 295 at a high rate of speed on his motorcycle, lost control and was ejected and unfortunately died at the scene. We saw the motorcycle then the body covered on the side of the road. Such a sad day for his family.

So we continued our journey down I 95 thinking about the tragedy and how fortunate we were to still have choices. The  first 800 or so miles were a piece of cake but that all changed the farther North we got.  The roads in this part of the country are terrible and tolls equally as bad. The slowdowns were brutal and at one point it took us 45 min. to travel 3 miles because of a truck broken down in one lane.  So much for making good time.The NJ Turnpike cost us  $42.50, the GW Bridge $60.00 and that was only 2 of the five tolls we paid for a total of $126.75. And we skipped a toll by taking 695 W. OUCH!!!

We finally got through the heavy traffic in NYC and into Connecticut. It was after 4 pm and the traffic had picked up and slowed down to a crawl. Ron was really tired so we pulled into a rest area to wait out the traffic. Any hope of getting back on the road would have to wait until the traffic cleared.

Jewel has been traveling really well. We think it might have something to do with us bringing her bed with us. She was even relaxed when we were bouncing over the ruts in NYC. LOL

So we were nicely settled in and I thought it would be a good idea to stay where we were for the night but Ron had other ideas. He wanted to drive  a little more and get closer to home, but he did not want to get  home in the dark. So we drove another 100 miles and pulled in at the Pilot Truck stop at exit 93. The truck stop was definitely not set up for MH’s so we parked across the street in a vacant gas station. It worked out well and since the Connecticut State Police drove by us twice we figured we would b OK parked there for the night. 

It had been an unusual travel day for us with many stops and starts but overall OK. Will be home in the morning and then the unpacking begins.

Day 52 Travel Day

It was a quiet night in the Santee rest area until a refrigerator  truck pulled in and parked right next to us. The reefer unit ran all night and was pretty loud. We did manage to get some sleep but woke fairly early and were up by 6:30 am and on the road by 8 am.

Again, the traffic was light so we made very good time. Ron was in a driving mood so he drove and drove  and drove. After  330 miles we decided it was time to call it a day. The first place we stopped was a Flying J Truck stop off exit 104 in Virginia that also accommodates MH’s. Unfortunately, the place was difficult to get to, no signage and also a mob scene. We left there and traveled  to a rest area 40 miles down the road. Nope, that wasn’t going to work either because of the angle of the parking lot. Once parked we were on such a steep angle we had difficulty walking in the MH. Although we have leveling jacks its never a good idea to extend them in a rest area. If one had to exit in a hurry it would be a hindrance.

So off we went again looking for a better place to spend the night. Open CG’s that far North are hard to come by so we knew we would be spending another night in a rest area somewhere. We finally settled in a really nice rest area with flat spaces that were set up for MH’s about 28 miles South of DC. Looking for a place to stay added another 100 miles to our travels and Ron was quite tired. We went to bed at 9 pm and promptly fell asleep. Another travel day planned for Friday.

Day 51–Leaving St. Augustine arriving Santee, SC

Well our fantastic winter trip is coming to a  close and we packed up the MH for our 1,174 mile trip back to home base. Jewel was not in the mood to go so she made herself small and hid under the MH parked in the next site.

We left St. Augustine around 10:30 am but not before a nice walk around the park and  a  last look at the beach we love. The cold front had moved in and we realized that wearing our summer clothes was coming to a fast end.

    

The drive was uneventful and the traffic very light so we made very good time stopping in Santee around 6 pm for the night. By time we arrived in Santee we had donned our jeans and fleece jackets. The projected temp for the night -  low 40’s. BRRRR

Day 50–Bryn Mawr CG–St. Augustine, Florida

The rain stopped late last evening and it was a quiet night. Ron was up early this morning and took Jewel for a walk on the beach to catch the sunrise. He was able to get some spectacular pictures.

      

Shortly after Ron got back from his walk with Jewel the  rain started  and it poured. Ron says I’m a tornado magnet because all morning we were hearing about tornado watches that quickly progressed to tornado warnings. Of course the storm front with the  hooked cells representing tornadic activity was expected to pass right over our heads. So, now what to do. Everyone is saying get out of trailers, MH’s etc. and take shelter. Good info but there is NO shelter here, so we just wait and hope for the best.

Nothing but tornado talk on the TV and looking at the red spots on the storm map was disheartening.  10:49 am --- Here comes the storm right over our head with gusty winds,  sideways rain and black clouds overhead moving at 55 MPH. WOW, never saw black clouds move so fast. Thank goodness no funnel appeared but the weathermen were right on the exact timing of the storm moving over us. That is as close to a tornado as I want to get. This story is getting old. It seems that we have been followed by tornados for the last several trips we have been on. I need the tornado curse broken.

The site to our left is flooded because there is very little drainage in  this area. The guy came out and was walking in three inches of water.

   

The rain continued until around 2 pm. Tornado warnings were still in effect until 3 pm but were discontinued once the second front passed over us. Right after the rain stopped the sun came out and the rest of the day was beautiful. So beautiful that we spent a couple of hours  getting sun on the beach. Most of the flooding in the CG had resolved and people were beginning to come out and again feel the kiss of the sun instead of the darkness of the storms.

  

After basking in the sun it was time to get back to business and clean the MH for our return trip home. Ron did his outside stuff and I inside. The temp was beginning to drop as predicted so we were able to keep all of the windows open for fresh, cool air.

While I showered, Ron took Jewel for a walk around the CG. There was an accident  right out in front of the entrance. A mobile dog groomer was coming into the CG and was taken out by a speeding car. People drive like crazies around here and never heard of the right of way. Getting into the CG is confusing because when you see the sign you think the driveway next to it is the entrance but it is the exit, with the entrance another  30 feet away.

Ron got more pictures of the CG. Most of the people own their sites and can decorate as they wish.

         

We went out to dinner at a local Mexican restaurant.  Kelly, who happens to be in New Jersey at Audible for some meetings gave us a call. She had just gotten back from the 9/11 Memorial and was settling in the for the evening at her hotel.  We had hoped to get back there in time to see her before she leaves  but not sure if driving 500 miles a day will be doable.  When we returned we took Jewel for a night time walk and got a great picture of the moon.

From sunrise to sunset it was a very interesting day!!!!!!

Day 49 – Bryn Mawr Ocean Front Resort, St Augustine, FL

Our plan was to stop in St. Augustine for a couple of days to soak up a little more sun before we left Florida. We lucked out and got one of the only two sites available at the CG.  The ride to St. Augustine was cloudy alternating with sun so we were hoping for the best.

When we arrived it was overcast, 74 degrees but with a blustery wind making it feel much cooler. Once settled in we took Jewel for a walk on the very beautiful beach. She was able to run for as long as she wanted and really enjoyed herself.

   

 

We walked for over an hour on the beach and thought – yeah – we will be OK with the weather!!!!!! Not so much.

         

As we walked around the CG we noticed that some  people have a great sense of humor.

          

  Later that evening the rain started and continued on and on. Then – the TORNADO watches. Yep! Here we go again – Tornado watches for our area. This was our fourth time in St. Augustine and Bryn Mawr and  as usual rain, cold, storms. We’re beginning to think that stopping in St. Augustine in the future will be crossed of the list. LOL

What the heck!!!! All they are talking about on the news is the tornado potential. Get me out of here!!!!

On a lighter note – we are surrounded by miniature schnauzers. There are two to our right and  one to our left and couple more prancing with their owners. It’s cool to see them all and how they all act similarly.

OMG – can’t keep listen to the TV – constant tornado talk with a watch in effect until 8 PM.  Hope Tuesday will be a better day.