Monticello FL
Today was a quiet day – not much to report. Our friends from Sarver, Linda and Debbie, called to tell us they’re planning a trip to Gatlinburg, Tennessee, in mid-April. They asked if we’d like to meet up with them. Without looking at a map, or a calendar, we agreed.
After talking with them, we started doing a bit of research, which resulted in a big,”Yikes”! Less than two weeks to travel 445 miles. We really weren’t sure we could do it, but decided to try anyway. If we purchase a new trailer, we’ll have less set-up to do and we’ll be able to stay at WalMarts along the way. That’s a good thing. We would be very unfamiliar with the new trailer and that’s a not-so-good thing.
We decided to wait before making too many plans.
Saturday, April 3, 2010
Friday, April 2, 2010
Day #129 – Wet Gear
Monticello FL
The last couple days were pretty hectic, so we decided to stay close to home today and do some chores. We keep two big boxes of kayak and camping gear in the bed of the truck. Today, we discovered that they leaked in the last big storm. We laid all our tarps out under the pollen-ful trees and spread wet gear everywhere. Our dry bags worked, so most of our gear was fine. Still, there’s got to be a better way.
The nice folks at Travel Country RV Center (http://www.travelcountryrv.com ) called today to let us know we’d been approved for financing. We liked their trailer best and they made us the best offer – combination of trade-in for the TrailManor and price reduction on the new unit. If they like the TrailManor when they see it, we’ll take their deal. Stay tuned!
Yesterday, on our way to make Final Trailer Decisions, we saw a fifth-wheel wreck on the Interstate, in the oncoming lane. Neither of us saw the beginning of the crash – don’t know what caused it. I saw the last half and Kelly saw the very end of it. Naturally, we each saw something different. I saw an RV crumble onto its front corner and turn over, taking its towed truck vehicle with it. Kelly saw a fifth-wheel or trailer, being pulled by a truck, jack-knife. Reality depends on whether the truck was towing or being towed. Either way, the rig went off the road, down an embankment, and crumpled like paper. We pulled over immediately and called OnStar. Several people stopped to help so we decided to not cross the highway – we weren’t needed at that point.
We’re still shook up about what we saw. We even paused for a moment to consider not using a trailer at all anymore. But, accidents happen, even when you’re being careful. I try to avoid math thoughts – how many days are we on the road? What is the probability, on any given day that we’ll be in a wreck? What is the probability, over the course of a year, that we’ll be in an accident? Then, I stop myself, remind Kelly where I keep my will, and remind her that drivers in our truck do not use cell phones. Ever. Period.
The last couple days were pretty hectic, so we decided to stay close to home today and do some chores. We keep two big boxes of kayak and camping gear in the bed of the truck. Today, we discovered that they leaked in the last big storm. We laid all our tarps out under the pollen-ful trees and spread wet gear everywhere. Our dry bags worked, so most of our gear was fine. Still, there’s got to be a better way.
The nice folks at Travel Country RV Center (http://www.travelcountryrv.com ) called today to let us know we’d been approved for financing. We liked their trailer best and they made us the best offer – combination of trade-in for the TrailManor and price reduction on the new unit. If they like the TrailManor when they see it, we’ll take their deal. Stay tuned!
Yesterday, on our way to make Final Trailer Decisions, we saw a fifth-wheel wreck on the Interstate, in the oncoming lane. Neither of us saw the beginning of the crash – don’t know what caused it. I saw the last half and Kelly saw the very end of it. Naturally, we each saw something different. I saw an RV crumble onto its front corner and turn over, taking its towed truck vehicle with it. Kelly saw a fifth-wheel or trailer, being pulled by a truck, jack-knife. Reality depends on whether the truck was towing or being towed. Either way, the rig went off the road, down an embankment, and crumpled like paper. We pulled over immediately and called OnStar. Several people stopped to help so we decided to not cross the highway – we weren’t needed at that point.
We’re still shook up about what we saw. We even paused for a moment to consider not using a trailer at all anymore. But, accidents happen, even when you’re being careful. I try to avoid math thoughts – how many days are we on the road? What is the probability, on any given day that we’ll be in a wreck? What is the probability, over the course of a year, that we’ll be in an accident? Then, I stop myself, remind Kelly where I keep my will, and remind her that drivers in our truck do not use cell phones. Ever. Period.
Thursday, April 1, 2010
Day #127 – Ending the Angst?
Monticello FL
We’ve been shopping for a new trailer. There. I said it. Sometime in the last couple weeks, we moved past denial and got down to the business of finding a workable solution to the problems we’ve been having with the TrailManor. We’ve been at it for several days, both prowling the lots and searching the ‘Net. As usual, we inched ourselves into a larger and larger unit, saw the absurdity of it all, and came back to earth. With the help of a seasoned RVing friend, we narrowed our choices to trailers with solid reputations for quality and customer service.
We decided we wanted a trailer with bunk beds that could be converted to shelving for our gear. Most bunk areas can be closed off from the rest of the trailer, so we wouldn’t have to live with our stuff all around us. Trailers with this layout include a couch that folds out. This means visiting friends would have a place to sleep and I’d have a place to play my dulcimer. These trailers have a bed that is designed so you can walk around it – no more climbing up a ladder, or over each other. They also have “pass-through” storage that runs under the back and/or front of the trailer. That area would be perfect for all the kayaking and camping gear we’ve been hauling in the truck bed. We decided we really wanted a trailer with a slide-out, which would give us more living space. If we get the financing, and if a dealer takes our current trailer as a trade-in, we could be much more comfortable on the road.
I fully expect to have some maintenance-related expenses at the beginning. I doubt even a new trailer will be bug-free. But, once we get settled in, I’m hoping the money we’ve been putting into maintenance will pay the monthly installment.
By the way, Kelly and I found five more ticks on each other this morning. (I am way too grossed out to give you links for tick pictures – either use your imagination or initiate your own search.) Debbie, our friend from Saver, told us we had two options – make friends with Deet or return to the ‘Burgh. Apparently, ticks are pretty common in the South. The good news: there is no Lyme disease down here. We’ll be instituting several precautions, including long sleeves on walks, light-colored clothing, Off, and regular skin checks. Yuk.
We’ve been shopping for a new trailer. There. I said it. Sometime in the last couple weeks, we moved past denial and got down to the business of finding a workable solution to the problems we’ve been having with the TrailManor. We’ve been at it for several days, both prowling the lots and searching the ‘Net. As usual, we inched ourselves into a larger and larger unit, saw the absurdity of it all, and came back to earth. With the help of a seasoned RVing friend, we narrowed our choices to trailers with solid reputations for quality and customer service.
We decided we wanted a trailer with bunk beds that could be converted to shelving for our gear. Most bunk areas can be closed off from the rest of the trailer, so we wouldn’t have to live with our stuff all around us. Trailers with this layout include a couch that folds out. This means visiting friends would have a place to sleep and I’d have a place to play my dulcimer. These trailers have a bed that is designed so you can walk around it – no more climbing up a ladder, or over each other. They also have “pass-through” storage that runs under the back and/or front of the trailer. That area would be perfect for all the kayaking and camping gear we’ve been hauling in the truck bed. We decided we really wanted a trailer with a slide-out, which would give us more living space. If we get the financing, and if a dealer takes our current trailer as a trade-in, we could be much more comfortable on the road.
I fully expect to have some maintenance-related expenses at the beginning. I doubt even a new trailer will be bug-free. But, once we get settled in, I’m hoping the money we’ve been putting into maintenance will pay the monthly installment.
By the way, Kelly and I found five more ticks on each other this morning. (I am way too grossed out to give you links for tick pictures – either use your imagination or initiate your own search.) Debbie, our friend from Saver, told us we had two options – make friends with Deet or return to the ‘Burgh. Apparently, ticks are pretty common in the South. The good news: there is no Lyme disease down here. We’ll be instituting several precautions, including long sleeves on walks, light-colored clothing, Off, and regular skin checks. Yuk.
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Day #126 – Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park
Monticello FL
Today, we drove to Gainesville to meet up with Carolyn and Nina (friends from Pittsburgh) and visit Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park (http://www.floridastateparks.org/paynesprairie/default.cfm).
The four of us trekked first to the visitor center where we got maps and planned our day. We started with a walk to an observation tower. We looked out over miles of prairie. The colors were amazing – red grasses, lavender and yellow wildflowers, and trees in every shade of green. We saw some wild horses far off in the distance and, a bit closer, osprey nest.
From there, we hiked nearly two miles into the woods in search of Sandhill Cranes. We found a falling-down house, fungi, and swamp, but no cranes. We returned to the car and devoured our snacks.
Next, we drove to a different part of the park, again in search of the elusive Sandhill Crane. This time, we walked across a half-mile of boardwalk, observing alligators, turtles, and egrets. We sat for quite a while at the end of the boardwalk, just taking in the majesty of the prairie.
We then started walking out towards another observation tower. This time, there was no barrier between us and the wildlife. Alligators were “right over there”. Kelly did really well – she did not run or scream. It was very hot.
After about a half mile, Carolyn and I turned back. Kelly and Nina went on, but were stopped very close to their goal by an alligator sleeping in the middle of the trail. While they were off looking for cranes, Carolyn and I sat at the end of the boardwalk and watched the wildlife for a long time.
Kelly got a new stamp for her passport and I resisted the urge to purchase a small cookbook devoted to Native American cooking.
After we all got back to the car, used the port-a-jane, and ate more snacks, we headed off for dinner. We found a place in downtown Gainesville, a Spanish tapas restaurant. We each ordered something different and shared.
It was a long and wonderful day. I enjoyed a day away from the angst of the trailer, just quietly enjoying the company of these two good friends.
But wait, there’s more. You knew we could not have a comletely idyllic day. While driving home, I found a tick on my neck. It was about one-fourth the size of my little finger nail and strongly embedded in my skin. I totally freaked. I dug it out and threw it out the window. Later, when we got home, Kelly found another one on my flank. There is irony here – alligators and snakes don’t bother me that much, but I freak at a tick.
From there, we hiked nearly two miles into the woods in search of Sandhill Cranes. We found a falling-down house, fungi, and swamp, but no cranes. We returned to the car and devoured our snacks.
After we all got back to the car, used the port-a-jane, and ate more snacks, we headed off for dinner. We found a place in downtown Gainesville, a Spanish tapas restaurant. We each ordered something different and shared.
It was a long and wonderful day. I enjoyed a day away from the angst of the trailer, just quietly enjoying the company of these two good friends.
But wait, there’s more. You knew we could not have a comletely idyllic day. While driving home, I found a tick on my neck. It was about one-fourth the size of my little finger nail and strongly embedded in my skin. I totally freaked. I dug it out and threw it out the window. Later, when we got home, Kelly found another one on my flank. There is irony here – alligators and snakes don’t bother me that much, but I freak at a tick.
Monday, March 29, 2010
Day #124 – Wakulla Springs
Monticello FL
Today, we went to Edward Ball Wakulla Springs State Park (http://www.floridastateparks.org/wakullasprings/default.cfm). Like many of the Florida state parks we’ve visited, this one started out as a private park, owned by a wealthy family and given to the state. The movie “Creature from the Black Lagoon” was filmed here, plus some of the Tarzan movies. We saw the black lagoon – it was a beautiful blue with lots of green swamp land around it. Anything but scary.
We started with a three-mile boat ride from the spring through part of the headwaters of the Wakulla River. We saw lots of turtles, birds, and a pair of manatee.
All that fresh air made us pretty hungry and we’d had too many PB&Js over the last couple days to eat our packed lunches. We dined in style in the ballroom restaurant, sitting near a large arched window overlooking the wide front lawn and springs. We reviewed a menu from 1936, and then chose entrees from the modern one. The food was good and we wondered who else, over the years, had sat at that table and gazed at those springs.
After lunch, we hiked through the woods, toting binoculars and a bird book. Other than a few salamanders, we saw absolutely no birds. We heard a couple, but saw none. How can that be? Where were they?
You may be familiar with the passport the National Park Service started many years ago (http://www.nps.gov/history/heritageareas/INFO/passport.htm) to help get children interested in the National Parks. We’ve always been fans of the national passport. This year, to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the Florida State Park System, there is now a Florida Passport. Of course, we purchased one and got our first stamp.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)