Mon - Dec 30/13

We slept in!

Needless to say - the 3 travel days just caught up with us.

Lunch was the slices of pizza that came home with us last night - still as tasty!

 

After lunch we walked to the office (Sunday the office is closed) so we had to return to pay and take care of the details. Payment was made, a post office key picked up and we booked a tour of the resort.
They had a few more check-ins at the gate so they will come and pick us up at our lot as soon as they were done.

Our lot is perfect! A nice large 8 x 20 concrete patio on a 40 x 60 lot. It is in the original part of the park. Oak trees line the paved streets in this area - elm tree in the new area. Unlike many resort "parking lots", the RV's in our area are all on large angled lots. There are more than 400 sites and all are immaculate - many with small storage sheds, wooden decks with flower gardens and landscaping.

A half hour later our tour guide arrived!

The park is privately owned and our first stop was at the owner's garage. The owner often drives his '29 Buick through the park to talk with the guests.

He also may be out in a Model T or Model T "Woody".

Army Jeep w/Machine Gun or Truck hauling a Howitzer. Both used for events - not keeping the residents in line!

RV groups have a dedicated area with a Rally Host provided by the park. There was a large group in today. They come every year for the park's New Year's Eve Party! Should be fun - we already have our tickets.

Unlike corporate parks, the owner really cares about the park and the residents. He meets with all once a month, the suggest box is expected to be utilized and there are little extras in the park that I have seen nowhere else.

There are several building throughout the park for activities and events. Even though certain areas in the park do not allow pets (on the ground - they can ride or be carried) the other parts are pet friendly.
There is even a pet washing area.

There is an excellent fenced-in pet park with an obstacle course and a gazebo to shelter the owners from the sun when the pets are playing.

Besides the usual shuffleboard, bocce ball, ping pong and pickle ball courts there is a runway for model airplanes (electric motors only - less noise) and RC cars.

 

A heated pool (84 F) has the cover opened on days when the temperature surpasses 70F.



 

 

The large recreation hall, along with Bingo, features entertainment (from Branson or Vegas) on a regular basis (complimentary snacks, soft drinks and beer provided). Pool players have 3 tables available for play. There is an exercise area with aerobics/water aerobics sessions available. There are rooms for crafts, wood carving and quilting.

 

Group Excursions are also on the calendar (e.g. Tampa Casino).

 

There is a huge library, reading and game area with a great view of the lake.  There is a large screen TV with a Wii game system and a large screen movie night w/popcorn. Want to bake a cake for someone - use the oven in the large kitchen area. Pancake Breakfasts, Ice Cream Socials, Pot Luck Suppers and special meals are a regular event on the social calendar. A commercial ice maker provides free ice to all guests.

 

 

The washrooms and showers are immaculate and the laundry area features commercial grade equipment for reasonable rates. There are 3 large paved clothesline areas for those that like that fresh dried smell!

 

 

Guests can even borrow certain medical items like a wheelchair or crutches if needed while at the park.

 

 

Metered Propane is available 3 times a week (M-W-F). Pay for the fill at the office - they will pick up, fill and return your tank. Try and get that kind of service anywhere else. They also provide 4 paved car wash areas with vacuums for guest use.

If you are a long term resident and want grass they will provide the seed. Once it needs to be cut they will deliver a lawn mower (gas included) for you to use and pick it up when you are finished. Need any basic equipment (shovel, rake, etc.) - just call the office and it will be delivered! Wow!

Lake Pearl is a private lake with excellent fishing. They will even put your boat into the water and remove it when you leave.

The Wi-Fi is not only free - it is the best I have found anywhere!

With all this (and some things I am sure I forgot) - no wonder the tour takes an hour!

Sun - Dec 29/13

We woke and got on the road by 5:30 am. We wanted to get ahead of the congestion, especially with a full day of rain ahead.

Even at this time of day the traffic was heavy. I travelled at 55 mph most of the morning due to the rain.

As we entered GA I-95 widened to 6 lanes. I spent most of the morning in the middle lane.

Again, a traditional Flying J stop at Brunswick, GA. Charlotte picked up a coffee while I filled and we were soon back on the road.

We opted to not make our traditional stop at the FL Welcome Center for a glass of OJ. We could not have found a parking spot as they were lined up on the ramp.

We also passed on our regular stop at the Camping World in St. Augustine for the same reason.

I decided to continue on I-95 to Ormond Beach and would turn onto US-40 towards the RV Resort as I wasn't sure of the road from Bunnell. FL. I knew US-40 was a good road.

This decision lost us an hour and a half.  A few miles past the exit we didn't take we were slowed by an accident.  The 3 southbound lanes were at a standstill. A Car Transporter had caught fire. Luckily, the were able to disconnect the rear part to save the last 6 autos. The front 5 were burnt to a crisp!

The fire happened at 8:30 am closing all I-95 Southbound Lanes! It was still stop and go when we came through about 11 am. It took an hour and a half to go 15 miles.

Once on US-40 it was about an hour and a few road changes and we arrived at the Old Mill Stream RV Resort. We arrived at 1:30 pm - nice to be in before dark!

The office is closed on Sunday; however, someone is available 24 hours a day. By the time we stopped at the entrance gate someone was at the office door. Julie gave us a fantastic welcome. Long term stays receive an unbelievably comprehensive guide to both the park and the area - in ring bound booklets. I did a lot of research in choosing this park. The welcome alone was enough to know I made the right decision.

After unhooking the car, we were guided to Lot #39 and Ron helped us park - perfectly! Soon the RV was automatically levelled and the 3 slides were put out. Sewer, Water, and (50 Amp) Power were hooked up and we began unpacking and setting up. By 7 pm we had the inside under control (the outside storage will be a different story).

Since it was still raining we took the car to go directly across the road to the Pizza Hut for supper. Charlotte had wings and we shared a large Thin Crust Super Supreme Pizza! Just what we needed!

After eating we stopped at the Save-A-Lot Grocery store in the mall behind the restaurant. It is set up like Costco (box lots) - except nothing is a known brand name. Milk, bread, tomatoes, lettuce and a jug of vinegar later we headed back to the RV.

Asleep again by 9 pm -we were wiped!

Sat. - Dec 28/13

Up and on our way by 7:30 am.

Travelling was much better in clear weather. Nice to see the sun!

We leave I-81 after 15 minutes as we turn Eastbound onto I-66. Less than a half hour later we turn onto US-17 towards Warrenton, VA. Outside of Warrenton I was a little confused when the GPS said "Exit Left" towards Fredericksburg. It had always been a Right Turn at the upcoming stoplight (at least for the last 30 years or more) - it was left - with a new dedicated overpass making the right hand turn over the highway. Much easier!

It is shorter going from Harrisburg, PA to Frederick, MD and around Washington, DC; however, the traffic can be horrendous. I would not trade the 40 extra miles for a route that allows filling at the Flying J, overnighting at Walmart and is much less hectic - especially in an RV towing a car. With less traffic congestion the travel time is probably similar.

Some folks go farther down I-81 before using other Interstates to connect with I-95. That route is longer and more mountainous which adds to lowering the fuel mileage and strain on the motor and transmission. It can also be worse in poor weather in an RV. I-95, in comparison, is relatively flat and more chance of rain rather than snow or freezing rain.

I-95 was slow when entering at Fredericksburg last year. This time - no problem. Being a Saturday, we stayed on I-95 around Richmond, VA rather than take the bypass like most of the other traffic.

The Factory Premium Outlet Mall at Smithville, NC was packed with shoppers looking for after Christmas specials as they headed south.

We encounter a few more stop and go sections as congestion increased as other major interstates joined I-95 which added about 2 hours to our travel time. Sometimes, I go backwards! I have to leave room to stop - idiots like to cut in to gain 30 feet.

Flying J at Latta, SC was our next fuel stop. The best price of the trip at $3.03 per U.S. gallon. We had to wait for a few minutes as a Flying J tanker was in refilling the RV tanks.

Later, as we got farther down I-95 it began to rain. It was now dark. There were periods of heavy downpours with high winds. Often speeds were down to 40 mph. A few idiots that refused to slow down ended up parked upside-down in the ditch.

We arrived at our next traditional Walmart stop at Walterboro, SC. We were happy to arrive as we were once again in a congested slow down. We lost another hour in this section of I-95. As usual, there were close to 30 RV's parked on the East side.

Supper was the China Buffet in the mall area in front of the Walmart. It had a good selection. Cost w/tip was only $20 for two.

Again, we were asleep by 9 pm.

Fri - Dec 27/13

The adventure starts again.

We are heading for the Olde Mill Stream RV Resort in Umatilla, FL. We were up at 5:30 am packing the items that would freeze into the RV. All loaded and departed at 7:30 am.

Our first stop was to pick up Egg McMuffin Breakfasts at McDonald's (at MacEwen's Gas Bar) in Morrisburg, ON. This is our traditional trip start.

 

 

We are leaving just after an ice storm. We had to use a hair dryer to thaw the locks to load the RV. We were lucky - most of the storm passed us by. I tried to have the snow and ice removed from the RV roof at the Truck Wash. We got some off; but most remained as it was frozen solid! Hopefully, it will not do any damage to the car as it thaws.

 

 

As my wife says, "At least Ice-Storms are pretty. No moments of shear terror and destruction like tornados or hurricanes."

 

The travelling on Hwy 401 was fine until we pulled off to cross into the USA at the Ivy Lea Bridge. There was a back-up of traffic from the bridge toll booth to the Hwy 401 Exit! It took us 2 hours to clear customs and start heading south on I-81.

 

 

 

As usual it was snowing from Watertown to Syracuse. It snows here in clear weather due to the "Lake Effect". The road had a very light coating and thankfully, no "Black Ice".

 

We turned south on I-481 to bypass Syracuse and reconnected with I-81 after about 13 miles. The bypass adds 3 miles; but it is an easier drive with less traffic. The snow stopped a short time later as we headed south.

 

 

The travelling was good to our first stop - the Flying J at New Milford, PA. Gas prices in each state vary. We always fill-up before leaving the USA. Making it to PA saves about $0.15 over NY and $1.00 per gallon over Ontario.

 

Charlotte help by cleaning the mirrors while I filled with fuel. She picked up a coffee and sandwiches in the Flying J and was back before I finished. Travelling wasn't too bad. There were off and on spots of snow/rain that froze to the windshield. Only the very ends of the wipers froze up; but the vision was good for the most part.

 

We lost another hour approaching Harrisburg, PA. The first time in this section we had thought there was an accident or construction; however, it is just congestion as I-83 comes in from the East to join I-81.

 

Speed improved from the stop and go North of Harrisburg to moderate South of Harrisburg, then normal once we got past Carlisle, PA. In Less than 45 minutes we passed into Maryland, 10 minutes later - into West Virginia and less than a half hour later into Virginia.

 

In less than half an hour we were fueling up at the Flying J at Clear Brook, VA. We fill at Flying J because they have RV lanes that make it easier to fill. Often the convenience store gas bars have the gas pumps too close to the building meaning 60 feet of RV w/Car-in-tow can't turn after filling.

 

 

Our last stop for the day was 15 minutes later at the Walmart in Winchester, VA (@ Exit 313 (2350 S Pleasant Valley Rd) - the other Walmart doesn't allow overnighting.) This, again, is our traditional stop for the night. This Walmart doesn't have a McD's or Subway, so we pick up a box of Cinnamon Buns and a box of Apple Fritters for the next day's breakfast.

 

 

Supper tonight was Five Guys Burgers and Fries (located near Walmart - over by the Home Depot).

 

There were dozen other RV's at Walmart tonight. That is about usual. No snow like last year and much warmer. Despite being slowed by 3 hours (customs = 2 / congestion = 1) we were in bed by 9 pm.

 

Even though we could have put the slide out and turned on the generator and the fireplace heater or one or both of the propane heaters - we like sleeping in the cold under a pile of blankets. It's just part of the adventure!

 

All in all - not a bad day!