Welcome to our Adventure!

Al and I are thrilled that you have found your way to our blog. We hope you enjoy reading our journal and viewing our photographs of the natural wonder of our United States of America. Let's hit the road together!
Homer, Alaska

Wednesday, March 30, 2011

Travel Days

Thank you so much to everyone who posted comments and well-wishes, they are very much appreciated :-).

Tuesday morning we departed First Landing State Park to continue our drive south. It was still chilly, but at least it was a bright sunny day for our drive. We took our time packing things up for departure, trying to go slow and make sure everything was done correctly. It's very important to be careful, especially when hitching the trailer to the truck; you don't want it to be done incorrectly, and end up dropping the trailer on the bed of your truck, causing damage to both vehicles. For the amusement of all you reading, today was the first time I tried driving the truck with the trailer hitched up! It was only through the campground, but still, I did it!

We were on the road by 11 AM, heading for our overnight stop at Bass Lake Campground, just south of the North Carolina/South Carolina border. It was about a 5 1/2 hour drive. That would leave us with a 3 1/2 hour drive to our destination, Hunting Island State Park, South Carolina.

It was a pleasant drive to Bass Lake, and we noticed alot of RV's headed north today...ALOT! This should have been a clue to me as to what I would find later, as we pulled into the campground. I went in to ask about a site for the night, and was told they had no empty sites. Uh-oh! They were very pleasant, and told me I was welcome to "dry-camp" in their field for the night. For the uninitiated into camping vernacular, that means no hook-ups to the trailer: no electric. no water. We could fill up our water tank at the spigot so we had water and the use of our bathroom. The battery would run our lights, and we switched the refrigerator to propane for the night. We figured we could manage, rather than drive further that night. So, on our third night into this adventure, here we were, dry camping!

In spite of the traffic noise (we were right off, I mean RIGHT OFF I-95), the train rumbling near-by, and the airport nearby! we slept pretty well, and were back on the road this morning around 9 AM. We knew it wasn't going to be a nice day, and we were driving right into heavy rain and thunderstorms. And, we did! There were a few times we really had to slow down quite a bit, the rain came down so hard. Luckily, there wasn't alot of traffic on the highway, and we still made decent time. We did get lucky in that the rain let up when we stopped for fuel and lunch, but then started again. It was raining as we arrived at the campground, but not the hard downpour; just a nice steady rain :-). We didn't do too badly, but the experience has led us to say if we don't HAVE to move on a bad weather day, we aren't going to. I did suffer my first crack on the head, as I ran around the front of the trailer to get something and misjudged the height..ouch!

I also have a question for those on the road. We have found each time we travel, that things are ending up on the floor. I thought the roads in New York were the worst, but man, the mess is getting worse! This time, we had several cabinet doors, that I KNOW were latched, open and dump everything on the floor. This almost botched up a slide, as we were opening it the open door got caught. Luckily we noticed it starting to come out unevenly, and stopped before any damage occurred. What do people use to tie the cabinet doors together to keep them from opening up during transit?

So here's out site #6 at Hunting Island.
There's plenty of room between us and the campers on either side. And th view from our living room is beautiful!

After we both took a nice hot shower and got into dry clothes, the rain had let up so we took the dogs for a walk down on the beach. It's so beautiful, the ocean is about 50 feet from my front door! Tomorrow is suppose to be another rainy day, but Friday is suppose to clear so I hope o have some sunny pictues of te park and beach to show you.

Friday we are receiving visitors, Al's cousins Bill and Denise. They live over in Hilton Head, and it will be great to see them. They travel extensively in their Class A motorhome, and share a love of all things Disney with us...it should be a great time!

Finally, a picture for Aunt Patti...this should make her very happy :-). Until tomorrow!

14 comments:

  1. Hi Guys,
    Camping trailers are nothing but rolling earthquakes! We try to keep as much of the cabinet contents as we can, in plastic 'shoe box' sized containers (in the cabinets) while traveling. So far, we have not had a problem.
    Have Fun,
    Rock

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  2. First I'm so glad Casey has his chair!!!! Now I'm far from being a camper as you know, but I am a grandma. My I suggest you look into child proof locks for kitchen cabinets Don't know if they'd work in the camper but might be worth a try. Only trouble I ever had with them was I needed a child to get them off the doors!!

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  3. Hi to you both,
    Love your blogging!! Makes me laugh and yeah even tear up a bit now and then!...Sounds like you're learning alot and having fun too. Good for you Karen for driving the "rig"..you've got guts girl!! Before you know it you'll be driving the highway..;)
    The site you're on looks really pretty. Have fun..Write the blog when you have time and keep all the great pic's coming.
    Oh and as far cabinets go...DUCT TAPE!! LOL 1001 uses!!! J/K..you'd never get the sticky stuff off...
    Luv to all, <3
    Beth & Bill
    P.S. Bill told me you brought the adorondack (sp?) chair just for the 'kids"...so funny!!
    They are furry "people" aren't they..I know ours is!!

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  4. Beautiful, beautiful site!
    As for the cabinets, we haven't had any come open, but I still keep a little ponytail rubber band around the knobs when we travel, just in case. Also, be sure you're using plenty of the no-skid rubber liners inside as well as some plastic shoe boxes for fragile or small items. Before we pull out, I stuff my throw pillows into the cabinets also. It keeps everything from shifting and when we arrive, I just remove them. Everything stays right where it should. It may be the shifting that's causing your doors to open. Good luck!

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  5. We use those little bungee cords, both those with hooks on each end and the ones with the ball.

    Also check the latches on the doors to see if they are adjusted correctly and positioned properly.

    Jim

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  6. Sounds like your doing great. Our house just sold and we'll be on the road in June.

    Travel Safe
    Dawn and Denise

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  7. It is always good when a campground will let you dry camp when they are full.

    We have not had a problem with stuff coming out of the cabinets, but as someone else mentioned, we keep most items in plastic containers and this may help keep things where we put them.

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  8. Sounds like you are making a good start of it,just like anything you will get used to it in a short time, just keep using those check lists when you hitch up and unhitch so you don't forget a crucial step. Be safe out there. Sam & Donna.

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  9. Hi Karen and Albert,
    Thanks for the picture of Casey. He looks like he is right at home and having a good time! And, Yes, the picture makes me smile and I am happy for all of you.
    Scared of you Karen....getting behind the wheel of the big rig and driving...good for you!
    Moseycat if doing well and told me to let you know he has been sleeping alot and Aunt Pattie does not have the cat food routine right. Aunt Ginny is helping alot.
    Remember to have fun and enjoy.
    Miss you and love you...Pattie

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  10. Love both First Landing and Hunting Island. Great state parks.

    I always tie the kitchen doors shut by running a rope through them all. We've never had anything fall out. Do the same thing in the back with the printer. I've found Bungie cords don't have the no flex rule needed. But that's just me.

    I can see you are having a great time! Good for you!!

    Sherry
    www.directionofourdreams.blogspot.com

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  11. Thanks everyone! I will post again tomorrow with pictures, someone was hogging the laptop tonight!
    We will be using cable toes on the cabinets Saturday as we move to Florida, and then a trip to WalMart is in order for, among other things, childproof latches and holding containers!
    Karen

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  12. Hey, Bass Lake is a great little campground! We spent about a month there last fall. Guy is a great host! Yes, they do get booked up with overnighters during snowbird migration season! As for cabinets opening, we have a rear kitchen and have had no problems, even with not using bungee cords or anything. Perhaps lining the shelves with the rubber liner stuff might help things to not dance around? Safe travels and enjoy! The adventure's just starting!

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  13. Hey guys glade your having fun and everything is going ok love reading your blog . Ashley

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  14. Give us a call in Homosassa.

    Stuyvie

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