2024-25 Trip to the Southeast, Day 166

Day 166, Thursday, April 3, 2025, Smith Mountain Lake State Park, Huddleston, VA, Day 4 - 0 Miles, 4,732 Miles for the Trip

A warm night at 55°F. A short burst of light rain around 3:00AM, but just cloudy this morning. 

A quiet day mostly spent outside reading. Same books as yesterday. Around 3:00 I headed for a shower. 4 individual shower rooms, 2 that are designed for the disabled. The two smaller ones were in use, so I used the disabled shower without a hand shower head. A large drying area with a movable stool/bench, and 4 double hooks well out of the way of the shower. The shower head is perpendicular to the drying area, but no shower curtain & the same level floor. A 3" fine spray shower head with lots of pressure (just short of needle like) and plenty of adjustable temperature hot water. 2 shelves in the shower area and a permanent bench opposite the shower head. While the drying area is large enough that the shower spray doesn't cover the floor, it gets wet anyway because there is little ventilation in the room. It quickly steams up the room and the cold walls & floor condense it making everything wet. Still a solid B overall.

Around 4:45 I headed to Alessandro's for their Thursday special, Chicken Marsala. Far more than I usually eat. The salad & Marsala was good but the garlic bread served with it was not impressive - Italian bread buttered toast sprinkled with garlic powder.

Since it was still in the 70's when I got back I sat outside and read until 6:30, then headed in to do my eye drops and post my journal.

Until Next Time -

2024-25 Trip to the Southeast, Day 165

Day 165, Wednesday, April 2, 2025, Smith Mountain Lake State Park, Huddleston, VA, Day 3 - 0 Miles, 4,732 Miles for the Trip

Another cool morning; 49°F for my morning walk. I wore my photo vest rather than the quilted jacket, but with a long sleeved shirt. OK for a walk, but I wouldn't want to sit outside wearing that. During my walk I saw folks in shorts & "T" shirts sitting around drinking coffee outside so it is just me. 

By the way, if there is a campfire ban it isn't being followed - there were fires in about 1/3rd of the campsites last night.

I'm sitting inside reading this morning. Still 49°F at 10:30AM and cloudy. At least there is little or no wind.

Around 2:00 I headed to the nearest Kroger's, about 17 miles away. A long wait for construction on White House Road & for some reason my phone number didn't work at the store. It worked at all the other Kroger's I shopped at so I dug out my phone & used my CardStar app which has all my store cards on it. That worked fine and saved me $20.00. A short wait for the construction on the way back. 

After putting the food away I did more reading. Still too cool at 53°F to comfortably sit outside. I finished Here One Moment by Liane Moriarty and started a non Kindle library book - Ace Atkins' Dead End Street. I usually try to avoid reading a book & listening to an audio book (currently listening to Slow Burn by Ace Atkins (a continuation of the Robert B. Parker Spenser series)) by the same author, let alone the same genre, but in this case they are different enough that it might work.

Since it was a cool day I decided to fire up the trailer oven & bake. So, dinner was a Boston Market Chicken Pot Pie.

Until Next Time -

2024-25 Trip to the Southeast, Day 164

Day 164, Tuesday, April 1, 2025, Smith Mountain Lake State Park, Huddleston, VA, Day 2 - 0 Miles, 4,732 Miles for the Trip

Last night's storm wasn't. A bit of rain off & on, but by the time the front reached us, no lightning or thunder. I will add that as much as I like most Impossible Foods meals, the Chicken Enchilada Bowl is a bit too spicy for me. 

47°F at 8:00AM. Our host left this morning. According to the rules we can no longer have campfires after midnight (they are only allowed between 4:00PM & midnight) since the campground is hostless. I don't ever remember being in a campground where a campfire was still going after midnight, but I guess folks having a party might have one. Then again, there is a state wide burn ban between February 15 and April 30th.  Glad I don't like to have a campfire.

Lots of other folks left this morning. It was still only 47°F during my morning walk, back to the quilted jacket but at least no gloves. The campground is a circle with the bathrooms located on a cross road in the middle. A very nice design, however the walk is a workout since the entire loop is built into the side of a hill, much like Fort Yargo State Park; the only flat parts of the park are the campsites.

After breakfast I read some forums & journals, then downloaded a new audio book. I finished Michael Connelly's The Crossing, and downloaded Slow Burn by Ace Atkins (a continuation of the Robert B. Parker Spenser series). On the Kindle I'm still reading Here One Moment by Liane Moriarty. 

Still only 52°F outside at noon so I'm still reading inside the trailer. Around 1:00 a large class A pulled into the host site so we now have one.

While it did finally warm up to 65°F, I never got outside. I decided to hit the local restaurant for dinner.

Dinner was a plate (3) Alaskan Shrimp Tacos at Alessandro's. Not sure what was Alaskan about them, but they were OK. Total with a sweet tea was $21.37 plus tip.

Until Next Time -

2024-25 Trip to the Southeast, Day 163

Day 163, Monday, March 31, 2025, Smith Mountain Lake State Park, Huddleston, VA - 212.2 Miles, 4,732 Miles for the Trip

Another warm night - it didn'y go below 63°F. I unhooked the water & electric and headed out of the park at 9:15. Lots of secondary roads, some time on I 40, US 220 & VA 122. I stopped for gas at Hardys Mart in Hardy, VA ($2.84). Of course there was a Love's 50 miles down the road. 

I arrived at the campground around 1:30. I'm in site 48, a back in site on gravel with water & electric with a hanging pole, fire pit (currently there is a burn ban) and picnic table. The bathrooms are next door, as is the host. All for $42.83 including reservation fee & taxes per night for 7 nights. 

Site 48

After setting up I set my chair outside to dry (it got caught in the start of yesterday's rain) then checked internet speeds. Verizon at 33.38Mbps down & 6.5Mbps up, while AT&T was 31.96Mbps down & 4.3Mbps up. Since I'm within 3 days of the start of a new cycle and have only used 28GB, I went with Verizon.

By then the chair was dry enough to sit in so I enjoyed the 77°F partly cloudy afternoon to read. Current book is Here One Moment by Liane Moriarty.

While the afternoon started out OK, heavy rain & thunderstorms are predicted to hit around 5:00. I thought about heading to a near by restaurant for dinner, but will put it off until tomorrow. The rain started right on time.

Dinner was aa Impossible Chicken Enchilada Bowl.

Until Next Time -

2024-25 Trip to the Southeast, Day 162

Day 162, Sunday, March 30, 2025, River Pointe Campground, Morganton, NC - 158.7 Miles, 4,519.8Miles for the Trip

A warm & wet night. Very light rain for most of it with a couple bursts of heavier periods. I finished breakfast & packed up the trailer, heading to the dump station around 9:30. One 5th wheel ahead of me that was almost finished. I dumped and headed out of the campground around 10:00. Most of the drive was on US 23 & I 40. I arrived at River Pointe Campground around 2:00. On the way I stopped at an Ashville Ingles for gas ($2.74) and a couple of grocery items - I even found a package of Thomas' Corn Toasties, but forgot a microwave baked potato. The one I had in the trailer grew many sprouts.

I'm in site 3, a long back in site on course gravel. A picnic table & fire pit (although the entire state is under a burn ban, not that I make many campfires). Water & Electric for $50.00. A long walk to the bathrooms, which are individual rooms. I'm here for one night.

Site 3

I checked AT&T - no data connection, and Verizon - 52.31Mbps down & 13.63Mbps up. No trees, so Starlink would work great but I didn't set it up & went with Verizon.

Around 4:30 I made the long walk to the showers. As mentioned, they are family restrooms (5 of them) each with a shower, sink, toilet etc. The shower has a 30" shower stall with a large shelf high enough to be out of the spray, 5" fine spray shower head, and a shower curtain. Plenty of hot water once it gets there, and the entire room as a drying area. 2 large double hooks next to the shower and a 9 hook strip near the door. Overall, an A.

Back at the trailer I ate dinner, then read outside for a bit. Outside didn't last too long - heavy rain started at 5:10.

Dinner was a Healthy Choice Cafe Steamer Chicken Alfredo bowl. 

Until Next Time -

2024-25 Trip to the Southeast, Day 161

Day 161, Saturday, March 29, 2025, Moccasin Creek State Park, Lake Burton, GA, Day 6 - 0 Miles, 4,361.1 Miles for the Trip

A warm night, although my furnace came on around 4:00AM. Seems the electric heater wasn't quite flat on the floor so its tip switch had it shut off. I have the trailer propane furnace set at 62°F while the electric heater thermostat is set for 64°F. Both thermostates are next to each other so if the electric doesn't come on, when it gets a bit cooler the propane furnace does. I reset the electric furnace and in 10 minutes or so the propane furnace went off for good.

Only 3 sites open during my morning walk. Almost got run over by a youngster on a small bike with training wheels. Other than that, a quiet walk. Warmer than yesterday, hitting 65°F at 3:30 and heavy clouds. I sat outside and read - current book is Ace Atkins' Don't Let The Devil Ride.

Around 2:00 I got a notice from my weather app telling me a light rain was going to start in 20 minutes. I decided to hook up the trailer since the site is level enough that I can leave it on the truck. I still left the side to side Anderson levelers in place since there is a 2" side to side difference. Since it suppose to be raining in the morning, I'd like to have as little as necessary to pack up.

The predicted rain was light enough that for the most part people kept doing what ever they were doing outdoors. Around 4:30 it got heavy enough that you could see it on the windows. The weather app said it would stop soon - it got heavy enough to hear on the roof. When it stopped I put away the water hose.

Dinner was an Amy's Enchillada with Rice & Beans Bowl.

Until Next Time -

2024-25 Trip to the Southeast, Day 160

Day 160, Friday, March 28, 2025, Moccasin Creek State Park, Lake Burton, GA, Day 5 - 0 Miles, 4,361.1 Miles for the Trip

Around 11:00 I made a trip to the Walmart in Clayton. I'll be heading that way on Sunday with the trailer. Quite a bunch of twists & turns and ups & downs the first 5 miles or so, but at least I know what to expect. 

Lots of new arrivals throughout the day. I now have neighbors on all sides of me. Current book is David Brin's Sundiver.

I took a walk around the campground around 5:00 and there were 6 empty sites with folks still arriving. 

Dinner was a from scratch Plainville turkey burger and salad.

Until Next Time -

2024-25 Trip to the Southeast, Day 159

 Day 159, Thursday, March 27, 2025, Moccasin Creek State Park, Lake Burton, GA, Day 4 - 0 Miles, 4,361.1 Miles for the Trip

A cold night, down to 34°F, and 36°F for my morning walk. After breakfast it was still a bit chilly to sit outside so I spent the morning reading in the trailer. Only 53°F at 12:00.

The results of some internet speed tests: AT&T 18.83Mbps down, .41Mbps up, Verizon 10.15Mbps down & 3.12Mbps up, Starlink 63.38Mbps down & 10.37Mbps up.

After lunch I wandered over to the fish hatchery. Not a lot going on, and the "tour" consisted of walking along the holding tanks, but I took a photo or two:

Back at the trailer it warmed up enough (62°F) by 2:00 that I sat outside and read.

Around 4:00 I headed for the showers. The building was still cold from the low overnight temperatures, but plenty of hot water. Two showers, one disabled with its own sink & toilet and an extra hand held shower head. The smaller one has a small bench and one combined door stop & hook. The shower head is a 3" diameter low volume version that is aimed at the drying area. While there is a shower curtain, it is 6" above the floor. Three quarters of the drying area gets wet. There is a soap dish in the shower. Overall, a C.

Back at the trailer I read until dinner time.

Dinner was a Deep Indian Kitchen Chicken Tikka Masala bowl.

Until Next Time -

2024-25 Trip to the Southeast, Day 158

Day 158, Wednesday, March 26, 2025, Moccasin Creek State Park, Lake Burton, GA, Day 3 - 0 Miles, 4,361.1 Miles for the Trip

Down to 42°F overnight. Lots of sun & 55°F by 11:00. After my morning walk & breakfast I sat in the trailer and read forums & journals. 

I received the weight values for a 2017 Scamp 16 Deluxe and added them to the Trailer Weights in the Real World Spreadsheet. This is a spreadsheet version of the long thread at the Fiberglass RV Forum started by Frederick L. Simson. With his permission I keep a downloadable version that can be filtered for trailer make, size, etc.

I decided to hike out to Hemlock Falls. You can either start from the park or drive a half mile to a parking lot at the head of the trail. I opted for driving. Not a terrible mile long waterfall trail; the ones along side the streams at Ricketts Glen in PA are more difficult, but I sure felt my 80 years. Trails with rocks & roots are getting to be a pain because my left eye has pretty much been destroyed by Glaucoma so I have little depth perception. I spend far too much time looking at the stuff in the trail rather than looking at the scenery. I did stop for a couple of photos of cataracts and small falls on the way. I even included one image shot at a fast shutter speed for those that hate silky water shots. The last image is Hemlock Falls.  More photos at today's LakeshoreImages page.

After I got back to the trailer I loaded the photos into the laptop & ran them through Lightroom. 62°F outside at 4:18. At least it was cool for the hike. I would rather have had clouds, but the day was/is clear, making the contrast between the white water and the surrounding rocks a bit too much for posting.

After that I read until dinner. I finished David Brin's The Practice Effect and started another of his novels, The Postman. I read both of them in the 80's, but since I remember little of either, for the most part they are new books.

Dinner was an Innovasian Sweet & Sour Chicken Bowl.

Until Next Time -

2024-25 Trip to the Southeast, Day 157

Day 157, Tuesday, March 25, 2025, Moccasin Creek State Park, Lake Burton, GA, Day 2 - 0 Miles, 4,361.1 Miles for the Trip

I ignored the sign at the entrance that told me to unhook my water before 10:00PM because of freezing. It did go down to 38°F which was the predicted low. I didn't see any disconnected water lines during my morning walk. A sunny day, 71°F as of 2:00. 

I decided it was time to do laundry (my indicator is when I'm down to one pair of socks left in the cabinet). While there is set of machines in the nearest bathroom, the more distant has 2 washers & 2 dryers. Since I needed to do 2 loads, I went there. $1.25 to wash & $1.25 to dry. One cycle of the dryer did a complete job. A very small folding table in the laundry room half covered with books. I used it as well as the tops of the dryers to fold my clothes.

While waiting for the dryer to finish I sat next to Moccasin Creek, and with the iPhone took a couple of photos of a pair of mallards & the fish hatchery across the creek:

The Hatchery

Mallards

A couple more photos at today's LakeshoreImages page.

Back at the trailer I sat outside and read. Current book is Death at Charity's Point by William G. Tapply. 

Around 2:00 I grilled a chicken thigh that, combined with a bowl of macaroni & cheese was a late lunch/early dinner, or what I prefer to call, linner (although I've also seen it called dunce). 

Some snacks around 5:00.

Until Next Time -

2024-25 Trip to the Southeast, Day 156

Day 156, Monday, March 24, 2025, Moccasin Creek State Park, Lake Burton, GA - 86.5 Miles, 4,361.1 Miles for the Trip

A warm night with a low of 55°F. Light rain started around 2:00AM and continued off & on until 9:00AM (stopping just in time for my morning walk). Since I didn't have a long drive, I hung around the park until 11:00. When I hit the dump station it was empty, and a "across the way" neighbor in an Airstream from New Jersey pulled into the dump station as I left. Perfect timing!

A mix of roads - My Garmin is back to crashing if I ask it to show me alternate routes so I just took the one it suggested. US441 & I 85, then a bunch of state & county roads. The last 20 miles with lots of twists & turns. I arrived around 1:00 and checked in. 

I'm in site 47, a pull through with enough of a side to side slope to need 2" of lift on the Anderson levelers. Water & electric on fine gravel with a picnic table, fire ring & wooden hanging thing. The site is about as far as you can get from the nearest bathroom and still be in the park. I'm here for 6 nights - with a 20% senior discount and daily park pass, $35.39 per night. 

Site 47

After lunch I sat outside and read for a bit. Cooler here with a 3:30 high of 62°F, but the sun is out so it feels warmer. 

Dinner was a turkey sandwich & chips.

Until Next Time -

2024-25 Trip to the Southeast, Day 155

Day 155, Sunday, March 23, 2025, Fort Yargo State Park, Winder, GA, Day 7 - 0 Miles, 4,274.6 Miles for the Trip

44°F at 8:00 this morning. Lots of folks packed up and left, although quite a few arrived throughout the day. The high was 77°F at 4:00.

Around 11:00 I headed to Tractor Supply for propane. I always feel a bit guilty getting my 1 gallon tank filled - just as much work as filling a 5 gallon tank, but buying less propane. In any case I now have a filled tank for my stove & grill. 

Back at the trailer I spent most of the day sitting outside reading. I have a new neighbor with a homebuilt trailer:

Home Built Trailer

That was about it for the day other than my usual afternoon phone calls. The Guido's are calling off the trip to Scamp at Backus, MN. A friend that lives in Massachusetts that will be attending the Spring Fling Rally in New Hampshire has done quite a bit of fiberglass work, has the stuff to fix the trailer, and is a lot closer. They also discovered that it is really too late to make reservations for two adjoining sites, plus more than one of the ones we looked at want at least 2 day stays. So, we will head to MA after the Rally. 

Dinner was a Saffron Road Chicken Tikka Masala bowl.

Until Next Time -

2024-25 Trip to the Southeast, Day 154

Day 154, Saturday, March 22, 2025, Fort Yargo State Park, Winder, GA, Day 6 - 0 Miles, 4,274.6 Miles for the Trip

A little warmer at 43°F this morning. Lots of folks must have moved in yesterday. During my morning walk the entire section (Campground #1) was full. I didn't see them arrive since I'm only 2 sites away from the end of a one way loop and the two sites after me already had RVs. 

There were a few leaving, including what may be a new record for time at the dump station. There is only one, and around 10:00 I took a bag of garbage to the dumpsters which are next to the dump station. There was a 5th wheel starting to dump. I walked back around the entire loop, stopping at the bathroom, then back to the trailer. A little later I discovered that I forgot the beans for my chili. Since I'm not from Texas, beans belongs in chili, so I headed to Publix 5 miles away around 10:45. The 5th wheel was still at the dump station. Shopped, bought my can of beans & a Boston Market Chicken Pot Pie, did a long time driving back to the campground with a number of multiple waits to get through lights & turns. As I drove by, the 5th wheel was still at the dump station. At least an hour, probably more.

I finished J. A. Jance's Remains of Innocence last night and started Greg Bear's Foundation & Chaos. It eventually got warm enough to sit outside. Around 2:00 I started my white chili on the outdoor 2 burner stove. Made with white kidney beans, turkey, and chicken bone broth along with the usual onions, peppers & seasoning. There was a little wind, but not too much; I was able to run the stove at a low setting. After an hour the setting got even lower - my 5 pound propane tank ran out. I moved indoors to the trailer stove to finish off the chili.

Since there was little chance of wind blowing out the flame under the chili, I headed for a shower. 2 stalls, one larger with a fold down table. The small one is small. No bench, 1 hook, and a small drying area. I used the larger one. One hook & a small bench in the drying room, no hooks or shelves in the shower. A adjustable temperature high pressure, low volume shower head. There is a moldy shower curtain and crud in the corners of the shower. The drying area is worse - the drain is clogged with crud and a cigarette butt on the floor. Definitely, the dirtiest shower I've seen on the trip. To the good, plenty of hot water and a warm bathroom. Still, the best I can give it is a D. 

After the shower, more sitting outside reading. It hit 73°F around 4:00.

The chili came off the stove at 4:00. Not bad if I say so my self. I have 3 servings left and I'm not sure I can fit them in the freezer. If not, at least one will end up in the fridge for future meals.

So, an early dinner of white chili.

Until Next Time -

2024-25 Trip to the Southeast, Day 153

Day 153, Friday, March 21, 2025, Fort Yargo State Park, Winder, GA, Day 5 - 0 Miles, 4,274.6 Miles for the Trip

Back to cool nights - it was 36°F this morning. I wore my knit hat & gloves for my morning walk. While there were folks out, some cooking breakfast on grills, none were in shorts! My next door neighbor who was car camping left this morning. During my walk I found my other next door neighbor (the one that was using his Class A as a toad) parked on a site on the lake. Maybe his trips in the RV were to scout for a site he'd fit in. While the lakeside sites are well filled, the rest of the park is fairly empty - lots of available sites. I did see a few reserved signs put up by the campground host this morning, in fact I have new neighbors on both sides of me, one in a class C and the other in a class B & tents for the kids. There are still many empty sites.

After breakfast I sat in the trailer reading. Current book is J. A. Jance's Remains of Innocence. I am listening to The Hangman by Louise Penny. I finished it and started listening to Exposure by Ramona Emerson.

It was still only 46°F at lunch time so I'm still in the trailer reading. 

Around 1:30 I headed to Walgreens. The back ordered meds came in so I was able to pick up everything in one stop. After that I headed ti the Winder Ingles. A huge store with just about everything I was looking for except Thomas Corn Toasties. 

Back at the trailer it was warm enough to site outside as long as you were in the sun. 62°F at 6:00. 

Dinner was a grilled turkey burger, and the rest of the Bush beans.

Until Next Time -

2024-25 Trip to the Southeast, Day 152

Day 152, Thursday, March 20, 2025, Fort Yargo State Park, Winder, GA, Day 4 - 0 Miles, 4,274.6 Miles for the Trip

A warm night, only dropping to 54°F by morning, but it never got much warmer. 

Sure glad I checked my prescriptions. I received the usual text, email, and phone call that my prescriptions were ready. None of them said where, but since I ordered them on the webpage for Winder, and set my pharmacy for the Winder Walgreens, I figured that that is where they were going to end up. 

Nope - they are ready for pick up in Milton, FL. The only reason I caught the mistake is because I got a notice that one of the prescriptions was a last fill & to contact the Milton FL Walgreens to have them contact my doctor to get new scripts. 

I called the Winder Walgreens, talked to the pharmacy department & they said it happens more often than they would like, particularly for those that travel & switch between different Walgreen locations and use the on line ordering system. A bunch of key clicks on her end and they will be ready in Winder this afternoon. 

Around 11:00 I received a message that one of my medications was out of stock and 2 were too early to fill (one of which is also listed as ready for pick up)? I think I'll wait until tomorrow to see if the out of stock medicine arrives.

Two of my neighbors moved out this morning, including the Class A that was being used as a toad. I watched the other one pull in last night & it made me appreciate traveling solo. The woman danced, waved, and shouted as her other half backed the trailer into the site. I could not figure out what she was doing, (and apparently neither could the driver) since it didn't seem to help backing - he got out of the truck every couple of feet to check. Three kids and a big dog in a single axle trailer a little bigger than my 21. 

A cool day with the noon temperature at 55°F. The predicted overnight temperature is 34°F. Not a lot of folks sitting outside since along with temperatures in the mid 50's, there is a strong breeze. By dinner time it was down to 50°F.

Dinner was a Scott & Jon's Shrimp Alfredo Bowl.

Until Next Time -

2024-25 Trip to the Southeast, Day 151

Day 151, Wednesday, March 19, 2025, Fort Yargo State Park, Winder, GA, Day 3 - 0 Miles, 4,274.6 Miles for the Trip

While sitting outside late yesterday afternoon I noticed some interesting shadows on the trailer cast by the bare branches, so I took a photo:

Tree Shadows

Another cool night hitting 43°F at 8:00AM. It warmed up quickly, hitting a high for the day of 78°F. I spent most of it sitting outside reading. The guy next door has a large diesel bus type Class A that he takes out every day even though there is a normal sized car in his site. Not sure why, but to each his or her own.

The sun hits full blast on the passenger side of the trailer in the afternoon, so around 3:00 I turned off the MAXX fan, closed the windows and fired up the AC, trying to keep the inside of the trailer under 80°F.

More afternoon reading, then a new brand of Teriyaki Chicken - Gochujang by Ester Choi. Pretty good; I hope I can find it again since this Publix is the only place I've seen the brand.

Until Next Time -

2024-25 Trip to the Southeast, Day 150

Day 150, Tuesday, March 18, 2025, Fort Yargo State Park, Winder, GA, Day 2 - 0 Miles, 4,274.6 Miles for the Trip

43°F at 8:00AM. I wore my quilted jacket for my morning walk although I did see some dog walkers in shorts. More challenging walks than the previous few campgrounds - lots of hills, in fact the only flat areas are the individual campsites.

I did some speed tests for the internet - Verizon was 16.25Mbps down & 4.43Mbps up, AT&T 31.87Mbps down & 4.14Mbps up. I'm glad I have cell coverage since the surrounding trees would make Starlink very slow with lots of gaps. I went with AT&T.

Since I found a Walgreens here in Winder, I called in a couple of prescriptions that are due. I could probably wait until I reached Oswego, but I try to keep a month or two in stock for those times there isn't a Walgreens near me.

I finished The Mighty Red by Louise Erdrich. and started The Bee Sting by Paul Murray. Still only 59°F at 1:00, so the morning was spent inside. 

Around 3:00 I made linner (a combination of lunch & dinner) grilling a Butterball Turkey Burger, some Bush Beans and a dish of applesauce. I've decided I prefer home made turkey burgers to the Butterball. I make a bunch of 1/4 pounders, wrap them in Saran Wrap, and freeze them. Far less additives doing them from scratch.

So, that was dinner. Afterwards I sat outside until my 7:00 eye drops. Still 73°F at 5:30.

Until Next Time -

2024-25 Trip to the Southeast, Day 149

Day 149, Monday, March 17, 2025, Fort Yargo State Park, Winder, GA - 73.2 Miles, 4,274.6 Miles for the Trip

Back to cold nights. 45°F at 7:00AM & only 46°F when I went for my morning walk. Should have worn my quilted jacket, but only wore the vest - not quite enough to be comfortable.

After breakfast I read journals & forums sitting in the trailer. Still only 48°F at 10:30. I don't need to leave before 12:00, and since I'm only going 75 miles, I'm in no hurry. Lots of folks are moving out this morning so there will be a line at the dump station(s) - there are 2. 

I left the dump station (no waiting) around 12:15. I skipped the interstates & headed up US, state & county roads to Fort Yargo State Park. Arrived a little after 2:00. My GPS wanted me to turn into a service entrance. Unfortunately, the sign that said it was a service only (with a gate blocking it) was small enough that I turned in anyway. A bit tough to get turned around & drive a quarter mile down GA 81 to the actual entrance. stopped at the office & got my 20% senior discount. $31.10 per night for 7 nights. I'm in site 25, a gravel back in long enough for both the truck & trailer and level side to side and front to back. It is a bit tough to get into; a pine tree wanted to eat my passenger mirror. Sure glad it swivels. The site has a charcoal grill, fire pit, and picnic table, as well as the usual hanger thing.

Site 25

After setting up I headed to Walmart to get some supplies. I also stopped at a Publix for a few things, including a fried chicken leg & thigh. Lots of traffic - I had to wait a couple of cycles to make it through a couple of lights. The chicken was quite greasy - I'll probably be paying for it at 3:00AM.

By the time I got back to the campground it was dinner time, which was the chicken.

Until Next Time -

2024-25 Trip to the Southeast, Day 148

Day 148, Sunday, March 16, 2025, High Falls State Park, Jackson, GA, Day 11 - 0 Miles, 4,201.4 Miles for the Trip

A long night worrying about the line of storms heading our way. Lots of thunder & lightning and heavy rain, but the predicted 60MPH wind gusts didn't happen. I finally got to sleep around 3:00AM. 

A warm morning, 60°F for my morning walk. Lots of folks packing up and heading out, including some very wet tenters. The sun is peaking out around clouds, and while there is still some drips from the tree leaves, it is nice for sitting outside. I finished Sorry I Missed You by Suzy Krause, another excellent book, and started The Mighty Red by Louise Erdrich.

While sitting outside I listened to the traditional sounds of a campground. The chattering of squirrels, the chirping of birds & the yelling of kids at the playground. Of course there is also the "new" campground sound - the leaf blower. As folks move out volunteers attack the leaves on the site with a leaf blower. Some folks in larger RVs bring their own. In any case, a morning sound at most state parks.

After lunch, more sitting outside. I chatted with one of my neighbors from Hungry Horse, MT about Glacier National Park - he volunteered there for 4 years but stopped as it got more & more crowded.

Around 3:30 I headed to the bathroom for a shower. Still cool from last night, but if the front passing through last night spawned tornados, I sure would have appreciated the concrete block construction.

Dinner was an Amy's Enchilada, Rice & Beans Bowl.

Until Next Time -

2024-25 Trip to the Southeast, Day 147

Day 147, Saturday, March 15, 2025, High Falls State Park, Jackson, GA, Day 10 - 0 Miles, 4,201.4 Miles for the Trip

Another warm night. During my morning walk I only found a couple of empty sites. Lots of tents, including a Cub Scout group.

After breakfast I sat outside and read. Current book is Sorry I Missed You by Suzy Krause. Still listening to C. J. Box's Battle Mountain. After lunch, more reading. I took another short walk around part of the campground, still near full. A windy afternoon, but warm enough that even with little sun it is OK sitting outside. 77°F at 4:00.

While I was sitting outside reading a campground employee stopped by to let me know about the weather front that is coming through tonight and point out where the bathrooms are. I'm not a fan of thunderstorms, and less of tornados, but there isn't all that much I can do about it other keeping an eye on my weather app. At least the bathrooms are close!

Dinner was a Chef Ramsay's Chicken Marsala Pasta Bowl.

Until Next Time -

2024-25 Trip to the Southeast, Day 146

Day 146, Friday, March 14, 2025, High Falls State Park, Jackson, GA, Day 9 - 0 Miles, 4,201.4 Miles for the Trip

Like last time, a number of folks arrived after I posted last night's page. On my morning walk I discovered that this section of the campground is around 3/4 full. A few tenters and Class A's, but mostly medium sized travel trailers.

After breakfast I read for awhile. Another new neighbor arrived in a large 5th wheel. I'm now a bit hemmed in with RVs on both sides of me. Maybe they will help block the wind from the predicted thunderstorms this weekend.

It did warm up throughout the day. 73°F by 3:30. More RVs and tents arrived - we are up to around 30 occupied sites. I moved outside and read for the afternoon.

Dinner was an Impossible Teriyaki Chicken Bowl.

Until Next Time -

2024-25 Trip to the Southeast, Day 145

Day 145, Thursday, March 13, 2025, High Falls State Park, Jackson, GA, Day 8 - 0 Miles, 4,201.4 Miles for the Trip

Another early morning in the high 40's & t50°F for my morning walk. We had a number of folks move in after I posted yesterday - this morning there were 14 sites occupied.

After my walk I started a load of laundry. $2.00 per wash or dry, but if you pick heavy duty wash it charges an extra $.50. A front loading washer. After breakfast I read on line journals & forums while I waited for the washer load to finish. Heavy clouds & 55°F at 11:30AM kept me in the trailer. I finished Barbara Kingsolver's Unsheltered (an excellent book) and started a collection of Science Fiction Hugo Award Nominations The Long List Anthology, Volume 5 collected by David Steffan. I don't usually read short stories, however I have a couple of collections of them in my library so I decided to try this one. I also finished listening to Heads You Win by Jeffrey Archer and started Battle Mountain by C. J. Box, Joe Pickett #25. I usually read the Pickett series by Box, but I needed an audio book and this one was available. It will need to be a fast "read" since it is coming from Boward County Library and they only do 14 day loans rather than the 21 day loans that the NY Public Library offers. While I do have the reading speed set at 1.25 any faster destroys the pacing. 

I guess my load of laundry was OK for the washer (they spun dry well) but too much for the dryer - I had to run it a second time, both on high heat.

Back at the trailer I sat outside and read. Not much sun, but little breeze & it hit 70°F. I have a new neighbor next door. A long trailer for the narrow road with a ditch across from the site, but he got it in. Looks like a total of 18 sites filled, 3 with tenters.

Dinner was a grilled chicken thigh and creamed spinach.

Until Next Time -

2024-25 Trip to the Southeast, Day 144

Day 144, Wednesday, March 12, 2025, High Falls State Park, Jackson, GA, Day 7 - 0 Miles, 4,201.4 Miles for the Trip

Warmer at 40°F this morning, 48°F for my walk. After breakfast I did some on line reading. The Verizon internet was slowing down, so I set up the Starlink Mini. Not much better. While it tested out at much higher speeds, the shading of the antenna from the trees caused it to shut down for 10 - 15 seconds at a time. I went back to Verizon.

Around 11:30 I headed to Dillard's Barber Shop in Forsyth, about a 20 minute drive. No wait for the haircut; $20.00 plus tip. An Ingles grocery store was not too far away, so I stopped there as well. I found individual fresh bagels, something that Walmart & Winn-Dixie don't seem to carry.  Still have not found my Thomas Corn Toasties in quite awhile.

Back at the campground I trimmed my beard then headed for the showers. Still a bit cool from the nighttime temperature, but still a C+. 

I spent he rest of the afternoon sitting in the shade reading. The tenters & a couple of RVs left while a couple others moved in. There are still 8 campers visible from my site. Afternoon temperature was 77°F, still 76°F at 4:45.

I had a larger than usual lunch - a pork chop & applesauce so dinner was simple - another salad.

Until Next Time -

2024-25 Trip to the Southeast, Day 143

Day 143, Tuesday, March 11, 2025, High Falls State Park, Jackson, GA, Day 6 - 0 Miles, 4,201.4 Miles for the Trip

A definitely cooler night at 36°F, but the clouds have cleared and bright sunshine & 40°F for my morning walk. 

After breakfast I checked to see if I could make some reservations for my Arizona trip next year. I did, then discovered that there is both a Village Creek State Park in Texas & Alabama, and a Palmetto Island State Park in Louisiana as well as a Palmetto State Park in Texas. Of course I made reservations at the wrong ones. Easy to do since I had stayed at the AL & LA campgrounds on past trips and I wasn't paying all that much attention to the state they were in. I managed to cancel both reservations, and will have to wait until 6 months before the arrival date to make them for the Texas parks. So far I've found states with as short as 3 months to as far out as a full year for on line reservations. The most interesting was 340 days. Not sure why the number since it doesn't come out to exactly any number of months. A pain to count 340 days before to make a note on my calendar to make the reservation.

I don't know if it will hit the predicted 73°F since it is still only 56°F at 12:30, but with the sun it is nice enough to sit outside. I discovered that the men's bathroom was turned into a family bathroom - the husband singing in the shower & his wife changing a couple of babies on the sink counter. They may have been the family in a tent on the other side of the bathrooms.

After lunch I sat outside reading. I finished Everything I never Told You by Celeste Ng and started Barbara Kingsolver's Unsheltered. It did manage to hit 72°F during the afternoon.

Dinner was a salad.

Until Next Time - 

2024-25 Trip to the Southeast, Day 142

Day 142, Monday, March 10, 2025, High Falls State Park, Jackson, GA, Day 5 - 0 Miles, 4,201.4 Miles for the Trip

A bit cooler last night, going down to 45°F. Rain off & on all night as well as all day. I did get a short dry spell (well not exactly dry, but a heavy mist) and made a run to the dumpsters with a bag of trash. By the time i got back the rain graduated from a mist to droplets, so I skipped the rest of my morning walk.

Since it is raining, and still cool at 46°F at 1:30, the day was spent inside the trailer. The campground is mostly empty with 8 RVs that I can see from my site. I sat around reading. I went through part of one of my trips (my 2017 trip to pick up my Escape 21) and read on my Kindle - I finished Len Standiford's Bone Key, and started Everything I Never Told You by Celeste Ng.

The rain makes it feel colder than it is. My indoor thermometer says 71.7°F with the electric heater cycling every 10 minutes or so, but I ended up putting on a sweater. 

That was about it for the day. I watched my neighbor take his portable tote holding tank off the ladder on the back of his motorhome and hook it up to the trailer drains. I guess at least one of his tanks was full; can't think of any other reason for doing it in the rain. He was here when I arrived and is leaving on the same day (March 17th). I can manage 2 weeks between dumps, but while large 5th wheels & motorhomes usually have larger tanks, they may not be a conservative when it comes to water management as I am after spending time dry camping in the desert. 

Tomorrow is suppose to hit 73°F and sunny; I hope so since today's high was 47°F. Maybe I'll be able to sit outside.

Dinner was a Boston Market Chicken Pot Pie.

Until Next Time -

2024-25 Trip to the Southeast, Day 141

Day 141, Sunday, March 9, 2025, High Falls State Park, Jackson, GA, Day 4 - 0 Miles, 4,201.4 Miles for the Trip

Another warm night going down to the mid 50's. It actually got cooler as the day went on, down to 51°F at 2:30. All my Apple products recognized the Daylight Savings Time change, as did my 2 Szfzmz indoor/outdoor thermometers. My F 150, microwave, & Kindle didn't, so I had to set them by hand.

My prescriptions were ready so I headed to the McDonough Walgreens. As long as I was there, I got the CDC recommended Covid 19 shot. Stopped at Walmart on the way home & found an Impossible Teriyaki Chicken Bowl, another favorite frozen meal that I can rarely find. Stopped for gas on the way back at Loves $2.79 per gallon with a $.10 per gallon discount using their app. Rain going both ways, light to heavy. Back at the trailer there is light rain.

I used the Covid shot, rain, and an hour less sleep last night as an excuse for a rare afternoon nap.

The nap didn't work, so I got up and microwaved a bag of popcorn. Still raining and I watched a new arrival next door set up in the rain. So far on the trip I've managed to miss setting up or breaking down in the rain. Talked with my son Kyle & things at work should slow down a bit since the hockey season is over. Most of the snow has melted from the roof so neither of us is worried about needing to shovel. Still lots of snow on the ground. The Guidos are visiting great grand kids in Michigan. Brother David is hanging out in the Catskills, and daughter Karin & family are doing the same in Takoma Park.

Dinner was a P. F. Chang's Chicken Teriyaki Bowl.

Until Next Time -

2024-25 Trip to the Southeast, Day 140

Day 140, Saturday, March 8, 2025, High Falls State Park, Jackson, GA, Day 3 - 0 Miles, 4,201.4 Miles for the Trip

Back to warm(er) nights; down to 54°F at 8:00AM, although it was in the 40's around midnight. After my morning walk & breakfast I headed to see the falls. While I prefer cloudy days to lower the contrast between the white water & surrounding rocks, it is suppose to rain tomorrow, so I took some photos today. All but the first were with a 6 stop filter & the ISO set at 16. Shutter speeds ranged from 1 second to 4 seconds.

I'm not sure why they call it High Falls since Amicalola Falls in Amicalola Falls State Park near Dawsonville is listed as 729' high, much higher than High Falls which is 30' with another 110' of cascades. In any case, there are a number of pretty cascades both above & below the falls. The trail is listed as Strenuous, and while my somewhat limited visual depth of field makes any natural trail a bit strenuous, the combination of stairways & natural rocks wasn't all that bad.

A couple more photos at today's LakeshoreImages page.

It did warm up. By 1:00 it hit 73°F. After lunch I sat outside and read. I'm currently reading the third book of the Yesterday's Kin Trilogy by Nancy Kress. Not as impressed by the second book as I was with the first - we will see with Terran Tomorrow, the third in the series. 

Around 3:30 I headed for the showers. 2 stalls each with a bench and 2 hooks, a soap dish in the shower. I used the one that had a larger drying area that consisted of 2 sections at right angles to each other with the bench in the corner. A shower curtain separates the drying area from the rest of the bathroom; no shower curtain between the shower & drying area. The shower head is a 2 1/2" multi function with lots of volume. It aims at the drying area and about 3/4 of the floor gets wet. Plenty of adjustable hot water. Overall, a C+.

After showering I finished Terran Tomorrow, which was better than the second book. Started Len Standiford's Bone Key.

Dinner was a turkey burger & succotash.

Until Next Time -

2024-25 Trip to the Southeast, Day 139

Day 139, Friday, March 7, 2025, High Falls State Park, Jackson, GA, Day 2 - 0 Miles, 4,201.4 Miles for the Trip

A much cooler night, hitting 36°F at 8:00AM. By the time I got around to my morning walk it was up to 38°F; I wore my quilted jacket. Lots of empty sites in the campground; less than half filled.

After breakfast I called in a couple of prescriptions to the nearest Walgreens. They are in McDonough, 24 miles up I 75. I could have gone with a CVS that was closer, but transferring prescriptions usually removes all refills, and is not always a smooth process. By the time they are ready I'll need to do some food shopping anyway.

Saw a sign of spring this morning, a robin. Actually, even in Oswego, 1000 miles to the north, robins are now a year round bird so I guess they don't work as indicators. It is still too cold at night for the hummingbirds - I haven't seen any or even tried a feeder.

After lunch it warmed up enough to sit outside, 69°F by 4:30. I watched the ground crew filling in washed out sections of some of the nearby sites and read - current book is If Tomorrow Comes, the 2nd book of the Yesterday's Kin Trilogy by Nancy Kress. As to audio books, I'm listening to Jeffrey Archer's Heads You Win.

Back in the trailer I flipped the arm in the Lagun table mount to put the stress on less worn fittings. I'll be glad to switch to the EZ-Reach table mount when I get back to Oswego. While the basic design of the Lagun mount is OK, the plastic bearings do not hold up to normal use. I guess it is possible I use my table more than most RVers, but I've had to replace the bearings yearly. When they fail the table ends up well out of plumb making it easy for things to slide off.

Dinner was an Innovasian Orange Chicken Bowl.

Until Next Time -

2024-25 Trip to the Southeast, Day 138

Day 138, Thursday, March 6, 2025, High Falls State Park, Jackson, GA - 246.4 Miles, 4,201.4 Miles for the Trip

A cool morning at 45°F. I did a shortened morning walk and a quick breakfast, then finished packing up the trailer and headed for the dump station. I'm done with jumping around the panhandle of Florida and starting the drive north to home. I'm taking over a month to get there, trying to avoid snow & freezing weather.

I headed out of the campground at 9:00. Lots of state roads, then US 19, and finally I 75 (taking the I 475 loop around Macon, GA). I arrived at the campground around 4:00 after crossing into the Eastern Standard Time Zone. I'm in site 35, a water & electric back in site that is long enough for two of my trailers. Needed 1" side to side & 5" drop on the front jack. The site is gravel with a picnic table & firepit next to a bathroom. $31.44 per night with taxes & a 20% senior discount. A large campground with 89 sites spread across a couple of loops in this section and 16 in a lakeside section. I'm here for 11 nights.

Site 35

After setting up I went for an afternoon walk to replace my shortened morning walk. 

At 58°F and a good breeze it wasn't all that comfortable sitting outside although there was lots of sun, so I tried for about an hour. Back inside I found a Georgia NPR station & checked my cell modems for internet speed. AT&T showed 4.2Mbps down & 0Mbps up, and could not connect to a couple of websites I normally visit. Verizon shows 30.88Mbps down & .83Mbps up. I hope I don't need to use Starlink because there is a wall of trees to the north, the direction the Starlink Mine needs to point. 

Dinner was a Benihana's Hibachi Chicken & Rice Bowl.

Until Next Time -

2024-25 Trip to the Southeast, Day 137

Day 137, Wednesday, March 5, 2025, Three Rivers State Park, Sneads, FL, Day 7 - 0 Miles, 3,955 Miles for the Trip

A front went through with predicted thunderstorms. Rain started around 1:AM, fell off & on until 7:00AM, and a bit of thunder & lightning around 5:00AM. It had stopped and mostly dried up by my morning walk at 9:00AM. Only one empty site in the campground during my walk.

After breakfast I tried to sit outside reading, but the wind was still strong enough to make it uncomfortable. I finished Octavia E. Butler's Clay's Ark, not one of her best books, and started Nancy Kress's Tomorrow's Kin. I'm listening to Kristen Perrin's How to Solve Your Own Murder. I'll probably get through it, but not a favorite.

I didn't get a call from the Niagara Conservation Area's web service, but did get one from the park. Unfortunately, all they could do is insure that I got a confirmation of my reservations. They will let their web service know I'm having a problem, but I haven't heard from them. Sure hope they don't make my reservations disappear!

I'm having a problem with the left rear turn signal lamp in the F 150. I did some checking, and it appears to be the socket. I went to Marianna, about 24 miles away and tried 3 auto parts stores with no luck. Since I was there, I hit both Walmart & Winn Dixie for some stuff. I bought a couple of Innovasian Orange Chicken Bowls since that was the only place I've seen them in a year or more. While I have an insulated bag, the usual happened - on the way back to the campground on US 90, a slow (40 - 45MPH) driver only sped up when we reached an open passing zone. It only added a couple of minutes to the trip, but somehow that always happens when I have frozen food.

Back at the campground I did get a chance to sit outside & read. I also hooked up the trailer since I have a longer than usual drive tomorrow so I want to leave as early as possible. While sitting outside I got a bad photo of a Northern Mockingbird, the most prevalent bird in the park. Very noisy with a wide   "vocal" range.

Northern Mockingbird

I feel sorry for the guy in the site behind mine. He pulled in, leveled & set up (including inside) then discovered he was in the wrong site. Unfortunately, he couldn't just switch sites with the person coming into the site because they were staying a couple of days longer than him. So, back up & move. Been there, done that, although my little trailer is a lot easier to pack up & move.

Dinner was an Amy's Enchilada Bowl.

Until Next Time -

2024-25 Trip to the Southeast, Day 136

Day 136, Tuesday, March 4, 2025, Three Rivers State Park, Sneads, FL, Day 6 - 0 Miles, 3,955 Miles for the Trip

A warm morning, 65°F by the time for my morning walk. After breakfast I changed the sheets on the bed & packed up the laundry. 

The first project this morning was to make reservations at Long Beach Conservation Area for September 2 for our trip to the Algonac Rally. I have 2 accounts with niagara.gotocamp.com, the website that deals with their reservations. I started the second when the first stopped working. Today neither worked and "forgot your password?" didn't work for either account. I finally called the park, talked with Mike and made the reservations. I couldn't get one of the sites I wanted because it was in my basket from the attempt to make on line reservations. Eventually, the basket cleared & Mike was able to fix it. I sent an email to the organization that handles their reservation system asking for help either fixing my accounts or eliminating them so I can start over.

So, we have a stop on the way that has 15 amp hookups. The last time we made reservations the website stated both our sites were 15 amp, however in reality, both were the same 15 amp receptacle. The campground attendant insisted that we could both draw 15 amps; we did and popped the breaker in the office. This time they are two separate receptacles so we should be OK to use the AC or electric heaters, which ever, if either, is necessary. 

Went to the Lake Seminole Laundry next door to Piggly Wiggly. Lots of machines, all front loaders. I used a 6 load machine since the 2 load looked too full with even half my laundry basket. $6.00 for a load. Dryers were 8 minutes per quarter; 40 minutes on high dried half a laundry basket load. Clean, with a bathroom, but only 2 carts and the usual uncomfortable wire benches for sitting. 4 small metal & 2 wooden folding tables. 

Back at the trailer I fired up the AC since it hit 80°F in the trailer. While it is 75°F outside, it isn't all that pleasant sitting out because of strong winds. Around 4:00 I headed to the bathrooms for a shower. Still a bit cool from last night, but comfortable.

Dinner was an Innovasian Orange Chicken Bowl.

Until Next Time -

2024-25 Trip to the Southeast, Day 136

Day 135, Monday, March 3, 2025, Three Rivers State Park, Sneads, FL, Day 5 - 0 Miles, 3,955 Miles for the Trip

A little bit of color in last night's sunset. I used my iPhone to take a photo:

Last Night's Sunset

38°F this morning, but early sun. It was up to 48°F by the time i took my morning walk. After breakfast I did the usual journal & forum reading and got a text from Anne that I'll be in site 86 for the Algonac Classic Egg Scramble Rally in September. She made the reservations for both of us since I wasn't sure I'd have fast enough internet, and I still am one time zone earlier. They rebuilt the campground and 86 used to be an electric only site; now it is full hookup. We were hoping to get sites along the road & river in order to watch the boats go by, but the first two rows were already taken.

I tried sitting outside, but is was cool at 60°F and a breeze. It was OK when the sun was shining, but clouds moved in and so did I. I'm still reading Jo Nesbo's Blood Ties. Not one of his Detective Harry Hole novels which, evidently is coming to Netflix next year. While I have enjoyed the Harry Hole character and was hoping for a new one, I am still enjoying this novel.

I found my first weighing of an Escape 23 and added it to the "Trailer Weights in the Real World" spreadsheet I maintain.

Dinner was a Scott & Jon's Shrimp Alfredo Bowl.

Until Next Time -

2024-25 Trip to the Southeast, Day 134

Day 134, Sunday, March 2, 2025, Three Rivers State Park, Sneads, FL, Day 4 - 0 Miles, 3,955 Miles for the Trip

I did, along with 2,800 others, arrive at the correct answer to the Sunday morning Weekend Edition puzzle. Like I mentioned last Sunday, it was an easy one. I didn't do as well with the on air puzzle and have no idea on the answer to the one they presented for next week. 

Some kind of front must have moved through since it was still 50°F when I went for my morning walk, cooler than the last couple of days. By 2:30 it was still only 61°F, but lots of sunshine.

After breakfast I did my usual forum & journal reading, then set up reminders for making reservations for some planned future trips. Since different states have different "earliest reservation dates" ranging from as little as 3 months ahead to over a year, I put reminders in my calendar to let me know when I can make a reservation. I do miss the old days when you could always find an open site, but while I have found open sites at most state parks during the week, many weekends are booked solid. 

After lunch I made my usual Sunday phone calls. While I didn't reach Karin, everyone else is doing OK. Eventually, I reached Karin just before dinner.

Around 3:00 I made a quick trip to Piggly Wiggle, the local grocery store. While large, a somewhat limited stock. I was hoping to get some Corn Toasties, but they didn't have them or any English muffins. I did pick up a Boston Market Chicken Pot Pie, the best frozen pot pie I've found.

Still only 61°F outside and a light breeze, enough to make it uncomfortable sitting out, so I read inside.

Dinner was a Boston Market Chicken Fettuccine Alfredo bowl.

Until Next Time -

2024-25 Trip to the Southeast, Day 133

Day 133, Saturday, March 1, 2025, Three Rivers State Park, Sneads, FL, Day 3 - 0 Miles, 3,955 Miles for the Trip

Another mid 40's night. A few RVs left and a few more arrived - there is only one empty site in the campground. After breakfast I adjusted my tentative plan for a trip from the Spring Fling to the Scamp factory in Backus, MN to avoid driving through Chicago. The last time I did that it took me over 2 hours to drive 10 miles on I 90. I'll let the Guidos make any adjustments & the reservations. 

I did pretty much today what I did yesterday - sat outside and read. A different book - #7 in the Warwick series by Jeffrey Archer, An Eye For An Eye. The last in the series is going to have to wait until September when it is released. I also received a notice from the Libby app that my reserved copy of Jo Nesbo's latest book Blood Ties is ready so I downloaded it & will read it next.

I did a second walk around the campground around 3:30; still one empty site, but there are folks in the one cabin & the one overflow site.

A warm day, hitting 77°F during the afternoon. Light wind helped make it feel cooler, particularly in the shade. 

Dinner was a Chef Ramsay's Chicken Marsala Pasta Bowl.

Until Next Time -

2024-25 Trip to the Southeast, Day 132

Day 132, Friday, February 28, 2025, Three Rivers State Park, Sneads, FL, Day 2 - 0 Miles, 3,955 Miles for the Trip

It did eventually cool off, hitting 44°F by morning. I made two loops of the campground to get a little over a half mile for my morning walk. After breakfast I sat outside much like yesterday, moving in & out of the shade. A bit cooler hitting a high of 73°F. 

I finished Jeffrey Archer's Next in Line, and started Warfield #6, Traitor's Gate. I took a photo of some signs of Spring:

Flowering Tree

Around 4:00 I trimmed my beard & headed to the showers. I made a report the last time I was here: "3 showers, one disabled. I used the center one which has a soap dish, medium volume low pressure shower head (the same one I carry with me) and a 2" lip between the shower & drying area. A shower curtain between and the shower head 180° to the curtain.

10 hooks in the drying area as well as a large bench. A little water gets around the stiff shower curtain, but most of the drying area floor stays dry. Plenty of adjustable hot water. Overall, a B+ (an A if the room was warmer)." 

This time I used the right most shower which is a mirror image of the center one. Same pluses, and the complaint last time was the lack of heat - no problem today. I give it an A.

After my shower I spent the rest of the afternoon sitting outside reading. The campground still looks full. I did watch a record dump at the dump station. The guy was there for over an hour (although there was no one behind him). They even dusted the floor mats and swept out the truck. 

As the sun set I moved inside & made dinner, which was a Lean Cuisine Sesame Chicken Bowl.

Until Next Time -

2024-25 Trip to the Southeast, Day 131

Day 131, Thursday, February 27, 2025, Three Rivers State Park, Sneads, FL - 28.2 Miles, 3,955 Miles for the Trip

I hung around Florida Caverns as long as possible. Dumped the tanks, packed up the trailer, sat & read for a bit, then pulled out of the park at 12:05. I arrived at Three Rivers State Park around 12:45, and while normal arrival time is 2:00, my site was empty so I pulled in. Site 26 is a back in water & electric site on gravel & dirt that is deep enough for both the truck & trailer. I found a section level side to side, and unhooked. The site has both a fire pit & charcoal grill, as well as a picnic table. The bathrooms are across the street. $26.83 per night including tax. I'm here for 7 nights. I was here in site 2 towards the end of January. I'm pretty sure I left out the utilities fee of $7.00 per night in the January posts because I had only listed $18.70 per night. There is a sign at the entrance station stating the park is full.

Site 26

After setting up, including the Starlink Mini (both AT&T & Verizon are slow to non existent) I sat outside and read. The high for the day was 76°F, and still 75°F at 5:00. Currently reading Jeffrey Archer's Next in Line, the fifth of the William Warwick series. There are a total of 8 in the series & fast reads.

Dinner was a grilled pork chop & spinach.

Until Next Time -

2024-25 Trip to the Southeast, Day 130

Day 130, Wednesday, February 26, 2025, Florida Caverns State Park, Marianna, FL, Day 7 - 0 Miles, 3,926.8 Miles for the Trip

Cooler last night at 45°F, but it warmed up quickly, hitting 78°F by late afternoon. After my walk & breakfast I sat outside moving between the sun & shade. It got warm enough that I ran the AC in the trailer to keep my medications under 80°F. 

Around 11:00 I headed to Winn-Dixie for some things I forgot on Monday, then sat outside for the rest of the day. I'm reading Jeffrey Archer's  Over My Dead Body, the fourth of the William Warwick series.

I didn't do any early packing since I only have 24 miles to go tomorrow so I want to leave as late as possible. No worries about a frozen water hose!

I picked up some fried chicken at Winn-Dixie, and had that for both lunch & dinner.

Until Next Time -

2024-25 Trip to the Southeast, Day 129

Day 129, Tuesday, February 25, 2025, Florida Caverns State Park, Marianna, FL, Day 6 - 0 Miles, 3,926.8 Miles for the Trip

A warm night, only going down to 55°F. The campground only had 4 empty sites during my morning walk. There is an Oliver down the way, and the largest tent I've ever seen across from me. I also discovered that there are three other RVs from NY here in the campground, including the couple that went on the cavern tour with me yesterday. 

An Oliver

The Big Tent

After my walk & breakfast I sat outside, first in the sun, then as it hit 74°F, into the shade reading. I'm reading Jeffrey Archer's  Turn a Blind Eye, the third of the William Warwick series. 

Around 4:00 I decided the bathroom was warm enough for a shower. It really wasn't, but probably as warm as it was going to get. Three showers, one disabled. The standard showers are large with a good sized drying area. A bench & 2 hooks in the drying area & a shower curtain between it & the shower. The shower aims at the shower curtain, wets about 1/3 of the floor, and the control is a good 10' of plumbing away from the shower head located on the wall in the drying area. Adjusting the temperature is difficult since the long plumbing run takes a long time to make a change plus you have to reach around the shower curtain to get to it, putting more water on the floor. The temperature also goes up & down with other bathroom loads, but there is plenty of hot water. A 2" fine spray low volume shower head. At least with the control in the drying area you can leave the shower running while you towel dry to try to keep the area warm and not get your arm soaked when you finally shut it off. Overall, a C+.

After my shower I sat outside until 5:30, then grilled a turkey burger along with a salad for dinner.

Until Next Time -

2024-25 Trip to the Southeast, Day 128

Day 128, Monday, February 24, 2025, Florida Caverns State Park, Marianna, FL, Day 5 - 0 Miles, 3,926.8 Miles for the Trip

Last night a light rain started around 6:45 and continued until around midnight. 

50°F around 8:00 this morning. The campground is about half empty when I went for my morning walk. After breakfast I read forums & journals, then read the Kindle until lunch. 

I had a busy day after lunch. The first stop was a visit to Florida Caverns. There were 3 of us on the 1:30 tour, and quite a coincidence; the couple on the tour were from Rochester, NY, about 69 miles from my home in Oswego. Lots of duck walking to clear 4' ceilings during the 1 hour / three quarter mile tour.

I put together a page with a bunch of photos. Here are a few:

After the cavern tour I headed into Marianna, first to the Post Office to mail Anne's birthday card, then a stop at Allstate to get new insurance cards for the next 6 months, and finally a stop at Winn Dixie to pick up a few items I didn't find the other day at Walmart. One of the things I found was Innovasian's Orange Chicken bowls. I haven't seen them in over a year at any of the stores I've shopped at and they are my favorite frozen orange chicken.

Back at the trailer a read for a few minutes, put together the cavern page and today's journal post.

Dinner was an Innovasian Orange Chicken Bowl.

Until Next Time -

2024-25 Trip to the Southeast, Day 127

Day 127, Sunday, February 23, 2025, Florida Caverns State Park, Marianna, FL, Day 4 - 0 Miles, 3,926.8 Miles for the Trip

A bit warmer, only going down to 44°F overnight. I listened to the Sunday morning puzzle on NPR this morning & I got most of the individual answers the current contestant solved, as well as what I hope is the correct answer to next week's puzzle. I'm not going to send it in since I really don't want to do the "on air" contest, but it is one of the few times I got the weekly puzzle, not that I am all that serious about solving it. Then again, Will Shortz said it was an easy one.

I changed the sheets on the bed, then started a load of laundry before I went for my morning walk. $2.00 to wash, and the same to dry. 

After lunch I made my usual Sunday phone calls. All is well in Oswego, and for once it isn't snowing. The Guidos are recovering from a grandkids visit. 

More reading inside the trailer. 55°F outside, which would be OK for sitting out if there was sun, but with heavy clouds, too cool. It also looks like rain is going to start any second. 

I just finished Jeffrey Archer's Nothing Ventured, and started the second of the William Warwick series (there are 8) Hidden in Plain Sight. 

I used Trip Wizard to make a possible route for a trip from the Spring Fling to Bacus, MN to get the Guido's trailer repaired.  8 230 mile days. 

Dinner was a Saffron Road Chicken Biryani bowl.

Until Next Time -

2024-25 Trip to the Southeast, Day 126

Day 126, Saturday, February 22, 2025, Florida Caverns State Park, Marianna, FL, Day 3 - 0 Miles, 3,926.8 Miles for the Trip

It got close, but no freezing last night. 34°F at 7:00AM. There were a few empty sites when I did my morning walk, and a few left during the morning. Only a couple of arrivals, but it is early yet. I stopped by the bathroom during my walk and with an inside temperature around 35°F, someone was taking a shower. Better then than me!

Around 11:00 I headed to the visitor center to get a ticket for a cave tour on Monday. They only sell tickets for the next tour at the visitor center and told me to go on line for a Monday tour. So, I now have a ticket for the 1:30 tour. I thought about a Florida Caverns "T" shirt, but at $45.00, and while I like to support state parks by buying "T" shirts, that is a lot of support!

I continued on to Walmart, about 9.5 miles away, and picked up some supplies. 

A very nice day with lots of sun. Still a bit cool at 59°F, but little wind and sitting in the sun is comfortable. I ate lunch at the picnic table, dug out a folding chair and sat outside & read for most of the afternoon. By 4:30 it made it up to 61°F.

Dinner was a Lean Cuisine Chicken Teriyaki Bowl.

Until Next Time -

2024-25 Trip to the Southeast, Day 125

Day 125, Friday, February 21, 2025, Florida Caverns State Park, Marianna, FL, Day 2 - 0 Miles, 3,926.8 Miles for the Trip

While it only went down to 29°F rather than the predicted 28°F, it is taking its time warming up. At 11:45 it is still only 39°F. After my morning walk (twice around the campground loop works out to 3/4 of a mile) and breakfast I hooked up the water hose since no more freezing mornings are predicted for the rest of my stay. I also hooked up the sewer hose and dumped the black tank. 

During my walk I noticed that the campground only had a couple of empty sites, but by noon it was less than half filled. 

I checked out the bathroom showers. There are 3 including one disabled. Another bathroom with the shower temperature control on a wall well away from the shower head. I didn't try it because the big problem is there is no heat in the bathrooms (a big fan and ceiling registers, but if there is heat I can't feel it) and the room is good at remembering the morning temperature all day. 

Lots of sun, but still too cold to sit outside. I spent the morning reading.

I gave up on any chance of the bathrooms warming up, cranked up the heat in the trailer and used the wet bath shower. I hate to use it because the clean up afterwards means wiping down the entire bathroom (although I have to admit by the time I get around to using the shower the bathroom could well use a wipe down). In any case, I'd give it a C at best - small shower room with a toilet in the way, no shelf or hooks, but a very large drying room - the trailer. Nice shower head and adjustable hot water. While I've never run out, with a 6 gallon hot water tank taking a long shower is probably not a good idea. 

After wiping down the bathroom I did more reading. I'm now on the third & final book of M. K. Wren's The Phoenix Legacy series, House of the Wolf. Still only 48°F at 2:30. My weather app still tells me it is going to hit 52°F today and up to 60°F both tomorrow & the next day with 75°F by Wednesday.

I noticed that the friction hinges on the trailer door are wearing out, ie they don't hold the door in place even with a light wind. I guess that with 1,329 nights in the trailer I have open & closed the door more than most, but I'm glad I had Escape add a door hook when I picked up the trailer. It is possible to purchase a friction hinge kit, but with the already existing friction hinges I'm not sure there is enough room for them & the current hinges are riveted (not pop riveted) in place.

Dinner was a Healthy Choice Sweet & Sour Chicken Bowl.

Until Next Time -

2024-25 Trip to the Southeast, Day 124

Day 124, Thursday, February 20, 2025, Florida Caverns State Park, Marianna, FL - 182.4 Miles, 3,926.8 Miles for the Trip

Definitely cooler at 30°F at 8:00AM. I wore a regular hat for my morning walk, and while the brim was nice for keeping the sun out of my eyes, my ears froze. Along the way I saw a 45' Prevost Class A motorhome equipped for Florida. 5 air conditioners on the roof. While a $1,000,000.00 plus bus based Class A , running all five would be impossible with a 30 amp pedestal. Even a 50 amp connection (which is actually 100 amps at 120V) would be well loaded. It is not unusual for them to have a 20KW generator since many campgrounds only have 30 amp services. They are towing a Toyota minivan. 

After breakfast & coffee I packed in the Starlink Mini, rolled up the power cord, closed all the hatches, etc and headed out around 10:00. I stopped for gas at a Loves & with the $.10 per gallon discount using their app I paid $2.54 per gallon. Almost all the drive was on I 10 and I arrived at Florida Caverns around 1:30.

My site is next to the bathrooms and while labled on the park map as a disabled site, it wasn't listed that way when I reserved it on line or on my receipt. I hope I can stay. A bit tight to get into because the road is narrow & there are posts at the entrance. 

The site is a full hook up site on a concrete pad with a picnic table & charcoal grill. Level enough that I didn't need to use the Anderson levelers. Since the predicted low for the morning is 27°F, I didn't hook up the water & will run on the fresh water tank. It might be a good thing - there is a sign at the bathroom bulletin board saying boil water is in effect for Feb 14-16. Although it is the 20th, it does make you wonder. 

Glad I did a load of laundry at Meaher State Park yesterday. Two of the three washers are out of order, two dryers, and both the washers & dryers are outside (under a roof). $219.33 for the week or $31.33 per night with tax & reservation fee. 

Site 7

I checked the internet speeds for both AT&T & Verizon. AT&T shows 45.61Mbps down & 1.67Mbps up while Verizon clocks in at 7.83Mbps down & 1.87Mbps up. A fairly clear view of the north sky so I suspect the Starlink Mini would do well, but since AT&T looks good I'll use it.

Still cool. At 3:50 it is 48°F here in the campground, so other than a walk around the camping loop, I spent the rest of the afternoon reading in the trailer.

Dinner was a Barber asparagus & chicken, baked potato, and peas.

Until Next Time -

2024-25 Trip to the Southeast, Day 123

Day 123, Wednesday, February 19, 2025, Meaher State Park, Spanish Fort, AL, Day 7 - 0 Miles, 3,744.4 Miles for the Trip

A little warmer overnight hitting 50°F at 8:00AM. I watched the Escape 5.0TA pull out during my morning walk. While RVs are leaving, just as many are coming in. There are a couple of empty sites, but the park is near full.

I finished up making the reservations for the trip to Arizona in the fall that I could make. Texas has a 6 month window, and two of my sites are first come. I also made a tentative plan for the trip back home in February.

After lunch I headed to the laundry. 3 washing machines at $1.50 per load & 3 dryers at $1.00 per load. I met a couple from North Dakota in the laundry room that has camped at many of the New Mexico campgrounds I've stayed at. They also suggested some new places to try. and pointed out that the middle dryer runs hotter and longer than the 45 minutes posted. No folding tables so I used the lids of the dryers. 

After putting my clothes away I did my "day before" packing of the trailer. The site is level enough that I could hook up, and since it is suppose to be 32°F in the morning, disconnected the water & put the hose away and put the grill & 1 gallon propane tank in the truck. All I need to do in the morning is unhook the power and roll up the cord. At 32°F, rolling the cord will be a challenge. I believe the new Escapes use a cold weather electric cord; the older ones use a SO cable that is very still in cold weather.

Back at the trailer I sat inside and read. A bit too cool at 52°F outside for sitting.

Dinner was an Amy's Enchilada with Spanish Rice & Beans Bowl.

Until Next Time -