Mon., Dec 31/12

Charlotte was up and ready early and departed with Liz for their 9:30 am appointment to get their nails done. I told Charlotte to treat Liz. Liz had the same idea and treated. Great children are a blessing - we are blessed with Liz and Kat.

The girls returned before noon. Charlotte was now sporting dark cherry coloured toenails - all set for sandals. They also did some grocery shopping.
.
Today the temp is in the low 70's F and sunshine.  There is a light breeze and a few very light clouds. Temps will be moving up to the high 70's by Wednesday. LNM headed for the outlet malls in Orlando a few minutes before we took the top off the Del Sol and set out to explore area RV resorts for our long term stay.

We had a few choices that we had explored on the internet. We also stopped at several that we spotted along the way, We were looking for a park with a high proportion of RV's. We found that this would mean a more active and friendly resort. Whne the resort is mostly park models they tend to be filled with older, less active folks that are also less likely to mix.

We found a few parks that had most of the amenities; however, we were looking for the "deal maker" - quilting. We settled for Clerbrook Golf and RV Resort - an Encore Resort near Clermont, FL. They had a nice list of activities including a day (Friday) for quilting.

We toured the RV resort on our own and picked out several potential sites. We were looking for shade and a lot that did not point the huge motorhome windshield into the sun. Rather than wait until we left Fort Wilderness (Disney World's RV park) we decided to book and pre-pay today to get the ideal site while it was available. We though the little extra for the premium lot was well spent for the location we reserved.

Another bonus is the Clermont area (US-27) isn't in a traffic overload situation. It will be easier and more enjoyable to get out and go places compared to the 24/7 crush of traffic around 1-4 near Orlando, Kissimmee,  and the Disney World area. We will be an easy half hour drive to the Disney Entrance at World Drive.

I knew Charlotte was too tired to cook after such a busy day touring (I'll use anything for an excuse) so we stopped at Golden Corral on US-192 just north of the I-4 (near the Disney World turnoff) for supper. Nothing like a great buffet to fed a hungry soul.

After eating our fill (literally) we were back at the RV in less than an hour. Again, a little TV before bed.

We are tired from the fresh air and sunshine and won't make it until the Ball Drops in Time Square!

Happy New Year Everybody!!!

Sun., Dec 30/12

All 4 RV's pulled out from Ocean Grove RV Park at the same time \(mid-morning) all heading for the Orange Blossom KOA in Apopka, FL.. As usual traffic and stop lights soon seperated us.

For the most part I was only a few cars behind LNM when I wasn't directly behind. Bob was soon a good distance back and Linda was nowhere in sight. We took SR-312 to US-1 to I-95 and the I-4 at Daytona Beach, FL.

The travelling was good. Despite the heavy traffic there were no slow downs. LMN pulled off I-4 about 10 miles from Apopka. We thought they were headed off to gas up.

We arrived at the KOA first. LMN (Liz, Nick & Marty) were in a few minutes behind us. There GPS just took them on a different route.
Bob was right behind them - his GPS took him on a route different than both of us. A few minutes later Lynda was in line at the registration office as well.

Our lot was beside LNM and Bob and Lynda were at other lots somewhere else in the park. We couldn't be all together as the park was full. We got the last 4 availabe sites. Soon we were set up. We and LNM were right across from the office & pool.

I came in a different way than LNM and spotted a Harbor Freight (Tools, etc.) a few miles before arriving.

Naturally, I did my duty and told Nick and soon we were off shopping. We both made purchases there and at Lowes. Next a stop at Walmart for some food items. We were too late at the quick lube for Nick to get an oil change for his truck. The front was open; but they were in the process of closing early and the back (entrance) was locked.

Back at the KOA I helped Nick wash his RV. We just kept on going and washed the Del Sol and then my motorhome.

Charlotte made supper in the RV - Macaroni Tuna Casserole - mmmm good! The we watched a little TV.

Later Marty knocked on the door to tell us they were having a campfire. We were sorry we could not accept the offer as  we were tired and were just heading to bed. Charlotte had to be up early as Liz made an appointment for both to get their nails done. A well deserved treat for the ladies.

The campground is right beside a major road (US-441). The traffic is continuous - even throughout the night. The rhythm of  the tires "slap-slapping" over the highway "seperator strips" was almost like rain on the roof. Being tired we were soon asleep.

Sat., Dec 29/12

We are at Ocean Grove RV Park until tomorrow.


LNM (Liz, Nick & Marty) left early in the morning to hit the St. Augustine Outlet Malls.

We didn't make the same move until almost noon. So nice to have the top off on the Del Sol allowing us to enjoy the warmth of the sun.

"Old Town" St. Augustine was packed. Folks come here not only for the Outlet Malls; but also for the "Nights of Lights" and the Fireworks on New Year's Eve.

It was much easier today navigating through the Outlet Malls without the 60 feet of motorhome with car in tow. A lot easier in the car. Our lesson from yesterday - go to the west entrance to avoid the "crawl" at the first entrance; but come out the East Entrance as it has a traffic light which the wst entrance does not.

Walked the mall and had a slice of pizza at the food court for lunch. Our only purchases were silicone oven gloves at the kitchen store and a set of Pyrex bowls at the Corningware store.

My plan for the "Nights of Lights" in Old Town was to stop at the Visitor Center (straight east (SR-16) from the Outlet Malls to Ponce De Leon (US-1). Here there is free parking and if you buy your ticket before 5 pm for the Old Town "Holly Jolly" Trolley it is $8 each not $9. A shuttle picked us up and brought us downtown to the "Nights of Lights" departure at the old town parking garage.

For the tour each person receives "Magic Glasses" that turn the over 2 million decorative lights into "Snowflakes". The glasses turn all lights into snowflakes - the best are the traffic lights. If you move your head "side to side" slightly the snowflakes will rotate a little in each direction.

The trolley snakes in and out of the streets (many - narrow and one way) in Old Town. A few stopping points let folks off and on. One venue offers free hot cider and cookies. The historic Bed and Breakfast homes were all beautifully decorated.  The trolley plays upbeat christmas songs and many join in singing. Everytime we pass a restaurant or other trolley everyone shouted "Happy New Year".

The shuttle returned us to the visitor center. From there we were able to take US-1 to SR-312 an avoid the crush of traffic in Old Town.

SR-312 at US-1 has virtually every major chain restaurant that exists. We ate at Chili's.

SR-312 to AIA and back to Ocean Grave RV Resort. Although we both travelled  on our own LNM arrived back within minutes of our return. They also enjoyed the  "Nights of Lights" Trolley Tour.

Soon we were bedded down as we had a busy day and will need to be up early to prepare for departure. Liz reserved for all 4 RV's at the Orange Blossom KOA in Apopka, FL.

Wed., Dec 26 - 29/12

Wi-Fi was bad last night. Everybody in the park was probably on-line. Waited until this morning.

We made it safely to Florida. We are now in St. Augustine for another day - then ???

Liz, Nick & Marty made it as well - we are beside them - they are on our right. Two of their friends that followed them are on our left.

 

Day 1 - Wed., Dec 26/12 (Boxing Day)

We made it through to the first Flying J (New Milford, PA) with no problems. We skipped breakfast there at Denny's as the storm was coming in from Ohio.

When the storm hit it was freezing rain. There were 2 solid lines of traffic going south on I-81. When we weren't stopped we moved at between 5 and 15 mph.

 

It was like this for the next 3 hours. A dozen or more cars in the ditch when we went through.

Finally, the snowplows were out in Maryland near Hagerstown. The roads were just wet and we were back up to 55 mph. Amazing how salt and moving traffic clears the roads.

 

Unfortunately, Maryland in this section is very narrow - less than a half hours worth of travel. West Virginia wasn't quite as good; but at least plowed. WV is only about 15 minutes wide in this section and soon we were into Virginia.

Filled up at the Flying J (Clear Brook, VA). It was now raining. This created 4-6 inches of wet slush.

We pulled into our traditional Walmart SuperCenter stop at Winchester. Liz pulled in about 15 minutes later. All 4 RV's were in within a half hour. Another 2-3 RV's here with us. This is not a "No Stay" Walmart - it is a "No permission" Walmart. For legal reasons they can't give "permission" to stay. In other words - don't ask - just stay! 24 Hr. SuperCenters - especially on the first night - allow us to shop or use the washroom at any time - great! We don't leave with anything that freezes so it was Walmart shopping for these essential items.

Nick got an email picture from Bernie (neighbour) - Wow! We just made it out before the major dump!!! Hwy 401 and Hwy 2 were closed, as well. Don't mind missing a few feet of the white stuff!

Day 2 - Thu, Dec 27/12

Another tradition - breakfast in Liz's trailer before we head out - mmmm, good!

Normally, we wave good-bye to Liz where I-66 to Washington, DC meets I-81 and we head to Arizona. This year we are going to Florida for a change.

I-81 to I-66 then US-17 through Warrenton, VA to join I-95 at Fredericksburg, VA is the best route for RV's. It gets us out of the mountains and potential snow quicker. It is also a lot less of a strain as the terrain is a lot more level and we miss the crush of traffic around Washington.

This just means less time in the crush. It was 3 lanes of stop and go traffic on I-95 from Fredericksburg until to near Ashland, VA. No accidents - just real slow downs at every on ramp. I-95 at Richmond isn't too bad on the weekends. We take I-295 around being this is a weekday. Travel from here was fairly normal except for a few slowdowns to 5 mph due to rubberneckers. One slow down was 8 miles long due to them slowing down to look at a cop with a car in the median - unbelievable!

We filled at the Flying J at Kenly, NC and had a late lunch at their Denny's (2 pm). The food has improved at Flying J's since Pilot bought and brought then out of bankruptcy. This lead to many getting Denny's as well. NC also has the cheapest gas - $3.09 a (US) gallon.

Good driving all the way into another tradtional stop - Walmart at Walterboro, SC. Still down to freezing at night. This Walmart does not allow Transports - RV's are OK. There were around 30 RV's in here for the night.

Day 3 - Fri., Dec 28/12

On the road again for day 3. We filled up at the Flying J in Brunswick, GA just before the FL border. Florida fuel is more expensive. We all met at the Florida Welcome center. Then all left for Camping World at St. Augustine. Amazingly - I was the only one of the group that didn't make a purchase - I must be slipping. I'll catch up soon.

 

We had lunch in the Food Court with Liz & Family at the Outlet Mall near Camping World. There is a much larger Outlet Mall on the other side of I-95 as well. We went in with the RV before going to Camping World. It was totally packed. No room for an RV to park. One RV that did park had cars park directly in front and behind leaving them no space to pull out. So considerate!?

 

We decided to reserve 2 nights at Ocean Grove RV Resort in St. Augustine, FL for a break.

 

 

St. Augustine is the oldest city in the USA. Ponce De Leon landed here looking for the "Fountain of Youth". It was stop and Go through "Old Town". St. Augustine is rated by National Geographic as one of the Top 10 places in the world for Christmas Lights. Once under Spanish rule, this 16th-century city fetes its heritage. Single white candles once flickered from colonists’ windows; during Nights of Lights, the 144-square-block historic district twinkles with two million bulbs (each white, per city ordinance). November 19-January 31. (See Attachment)

 

Day 4 - Sat., Dec 29/12

Liz is off to the Outlet Malls at I-95. We may decide on our next stop tonight or tomorrow. We plan to visit the lights in Old Town this evening.

Next update - probably from our next stop on Sunday - someplace south of here ????