Mon - 9 Mar/15

Hi Folks:

It's been a while - I will give a synopsis of what has transpired since our last blog. (Hey, The Wi-fi is now working again!)

We planned on being back south in less than a week. We were all packed and set to go at 5 a.m. Our days are split almost evenly - 750 miles a day.

Unfortunately, our initial schedule had to be cancelled. I ended up with an unreal case of the Stomach Flu that started about 1 a.m.

After 4 days I thought I was back to normal. We planned a family meal with Liz's family (Kat had to work - she was just transferred to as manager to a larger store only a few days before - kind of hard to take time off).

That meal had to be cancelled! An hour before the stomach flu returned with a vengeance. I actually ended up in the hospital for a day. I needed intravenous to get rehydrated despite drinking almost a gallon of liquids a day.

We planned on resting a bit longer until we checked the weather. We had to leave on last Friday if we hoped to get south as we only had a two day window of good weather over the 1500 miles.

Once again, we stopped at the Super 8 in Christiansburg, VA. Unlike last time, we did not have supper at the Cracker Barrel next door. We stopped at the Cracker Barrel in Troutville, VA about a half hour before. This was a strategic move as I-81 was stop-and-go from there past Roanoke, VA. This is a usual happening during rush hour. We enjoyed a nice meal, fueled up for tomorrow and cleaned the windshield. I-81 was back to normal when we returned.

The 2 day drive was perfect. Sunny skies and clear, dry roads all the way. The previous day; however, was no picnic for folks on our route. There were still dozens of transports and plenty of cars in the ditch from the day before. There was a 10 vehicle pile-up: a transport with all new cars had rolled. (grin) (no grin for the driver). I-81 was closed for hours due to the number of wrecks and the 6 inches of snow. We didn't see any real collisions - they just slid off the road.

We passed on taking I-26 on the way back. We did not wish to be in wall-to-wall 90 mph (145 km per hr) traffic like when we went home. Instead, at Charlotte. SC we took I-20 to Augusta, GA and then on US-25 over to Claxton, GA (for fruit cake).

On the way home we discovered the Claxton Bakery was closed on Sat-Sun. We did see another fruitcake bakery. It had a sign - "Now Open on Saturday".  They were; but only until noon and we arrived at 2 p.m. At the McD's ($2 Big Mac's) I asked the cashier and she said the "Fresh Food" grocery up the street had a display.

We stopped and they did. I went in and bought Three 3 x 1 lb boxes and a 1 lb single for the road. Comedians always joke about fruitcake; however, this is a delicious as it was over 40 years ago when we stopped at the bakery. In those days there was no I-95 all the way to Mickey. US-301 brought us then; as now, through Claxton. You don't stay in business for over 100 years if you're not doing something right.

US-25 and US-301 are a treat today. Well maintained and still 4 lanes, the drive is really peaceful due to the light traffic and scenic breaks through the little towns. Not a lot of time differences as they are shorter distances.

We diverted off US-25 to I-95 so we could fill up at the Brunswick Flying J - a usual stop just before Florida (higher gas prices).

Being it was the weekend we took I-95 through Jacksonville. We usually go around on I-295 (East is less busy) if it is a week day to avoid heavy downtown traffic.

We then take the first I-95 exit to Bunnell. It brings us to US-1. Again a nice 4 lane road that was the main road before I-95. This route is shorter with little difference in time; but a big difference in traffic. We take a few jogs that eventually got us back to Olde Mill Stream RV Resort in Umatilla, FL by dusk.

As usual, supper was at the Pizza Hut directly across from the RV Park. Charlotte likes the boneless wings with mild sauce. I had a Super Supreme with thin crust. We brought half back to the RV.

The office was closed; however, the "Night Staff" took us to Site #103 where we stayed until Monday when our usual spot (Site #39) opened up again. We will be here until April 8th. Then we will take 3 weeks to get back home, No - we aren't driving really slow (grin). We will be touring on our way home.

We moved the RV just before noon. Charlotte helped me get the basics set up then went to crafts in the afternoon. The "Gang" were happy to see she had arrived back - they were beginning to wonder as we were gone for 3 weeks rather than the few days we originally had planned.

Charlotte was too tired to finish the project - an apron made from a man's shirt. (I made a donation to the cause this morning.). She did a great job and will finish it when she has time.

Now that we are "settled" we will go out for supper and do a light shopping for the food basics. Then it will be Jeopardy and TV this evening. We missed TV and news while at home as our cable, internet and home phone are "On Vacation" until May 1st when we get home again. We did watch a lot of movies so it wasn't a total loss.

P.S. the extra hour of sunlight sure feels great!