Saturday, August 31, 2013

Chiefland, FL To DeBary, FL and We're Living In The House

DeBary, FL.

75 deg. clear, no wind.
Forecast = Partly cloudy with a chance of a thunderstorm and a chance of rain. High of 95F. Winds from the SSW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 30%.

After dumping and flushing the black and grey water tanks a much as possible, we pulled out of the Chiefland RV Park about 9:40 yesterday morning. Once back on US 19, we followed it South for a few blocks and then turned off on Alt US 27 which took us over towards Ocala. A little Williston, we turned off on FL 326 which took us around the North side of Ocala and to Rt. 40. 40 then brought us East to Barberville where we turned South on US 17/92, which brought us down to DeBary and the Highland Country Estates where the house is located.

It was 12:30 when we pulled up in front of the house so it took us 2 hours and 50 minutes to travel 120 miles and stop near Ocala and  get Bobbie T a drink of 87 octane.

Yes, Jim and Linda did decide to head straight to the house instead of going to Laura and Lindsey's. There really wasn't any reason not to even though Bobbie T. was parked on the street in front of the house for awhile. The streets are wide enough for cars or even trucks to get past.

Jim and Linda had called Laura and Lindsey and told them of our change in plans, so a little after we arrived at the house, they came and everyone went to work, moving food and "stuff" out of Bobbie T. and into the house.

Jim and Lindsey were outside in Bobbie T.. Jim packed things into tote boxes and Lindsey would carry them into the house. Meanwhile, Linda and Laura were busy trying to get everything put away inside as Lindsey brought things in.

Jim and Lindsey took breaks every once in awhile as the temperature was up in the mid 90's, but by about 3:00, most everything was inside the house and Jim was driving Bobbie T over to the storage lot and backing her into site #2.

Lindsey followed Jim to the lot and helped Jim get backed in, and soon they were back here at the house, enjoying a cold drink. ;-)

Laura invited Jim and Linda over to their house for a spaghetti dinner, so about 5:30, Jim and Linda took CLT and headed over there, stopping at Winn Dixie to pick up some bread to bring back here and some Italian Bread and a Banana Cream Pie to take to Laura and Lindsey's to have with the meal.

About 8:00 CLT brought Jim and Linda back here to the house where they relaxed until about 10:00, and then went to bed, very tired.

Again, Laura and Lindsey came through when Linda and Jim needed help. Thank you so much, all your help will be remembered. ;-)

So,  ,  ,  ,  ,  ,  that officially ends our time as Full-timers. It's been 12 years and 3 months since we pulled out of the driveway up in Illinois and it's been a blast!!!!  Oh, there's been times when things haven't been too good, but the good times far outweigh the bad times. After things settle down around here a little, I'll try to do a recap of those 12+ years on the road in a few posts.

In the next few days, Jim and Linda will try to get things organized here in the house. They also need to buy a TV and a few other items, so they'll be busy, busy, busy. Then, on Thursday, Linda will have her first doctor's appointment that will determine what medical procedures need to be done.

Keep your fingers crossed!!!!

Would you believe that it's been 12 years and 3 months since Jim, Linda or I have slept in a house?

Woof!!!

Friday, August 30, 2013

A Doctor Located and GA To FL

Chiefland, FL.

73 deg. clear, no wind.
Forecast = Partly cloudy with a chance of a thunderstorm and a chance of rain. High of 90F with a heat index of 95F. Winds from the West at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 50%.

Finally after many telephone calls, including calls from Laura to some connections she has, a doctor was found that could take Linda in for an appointment. Yesterday, an appointment was finally made with a doctor in Daytona Beach for next Thursday. This is a preliminary visit to do further tests to see just what has to be done, and also to find out for sure if there is cancer or not. Then the report will be sent to the doctor that Laura originally found for Linda and decisions about further procedures will be made.

Again, things started to happen after Laura started calling people. Thanks, Laura!!! :-)

We left Thomasville, GA about 9:50 yesterday morning and headed South on US 19. Following 19 brought us down into Florida and eventually here to Chiefland and the Chiefland RV Park.

It was 12:20 when we pulled into the park, so it took us about 2 1/2 hours to travel 127 miles.

The Chiefland RV Park is nothing special, but we have a full hook-up site with cable TV at the Passport America rate of $17.44. We're also parked under a huge live oak tree that gave us some very nice shade that was greatly appreciated, as the temperature was in the mid 90's when we arrived here.

Being that we had a back-in site, Jim had to unhook CLT from the back of Bobbie T for the first time since we left Rantoul. So, since CLT was unhooked, for dinner, Jim and Linda took him and went to Mya's Chinese Restaurant for dinner. They said that the food was good and the service was very good.

And it gave them a chance to get out and about a little. ;-)

Today, we'll get to DeBary. Jim and Linda have decided that they're going to try get enough "stuff" moved into the house so that they can stay in the house tonight. They may not have quite everything they would like to have for the house, but by temporally taking some items from inside of Bobbie T into the house, (that normally would stay in Bobbie T), they should be able to make the house livable. By doing that, they won't have to worry about running the AC on a 20 amp circuit at  Laura's tonight.

Then, hopefully by tomorrow, most of rest of the "stuff" will be moved into the house and Bobbie T can be parked in the storage lot.

Did you know that today is "National Toasted Marshmallow Day" ?

Woof!!!






Thursday, August 29, 2013

Alabama To Georgia, Doctors and A Plan

Thomasville, GA

69 deg. clear, no wind.
Forecast = Partly cloudy with a chance of a thunderstorm and a chance of rain. High of 88F with a heat index of 93F. Winds less than 5 mph. Chance of rain 50%.

After a pleasant stay at the Deer Run RV Park near Troy, AL, we continued heading SE on US 231. Just before getting to Dothan, AL, Jim pulled Bobbie T into another Gas station and topped her tank off with 87 octane. (Priced at $3.29 per gallon). Taking the belt route around Dothan, brought us to US 84 where we turned East and followed it into Georgia. When we got to Thomasville, we turned South on US 19 and followed it here to the City Of Roses RV Park.

We've been coming to this park for a long time. It's an older park, with a bunch of permanent RVs around the edge of the park. Some people don't feel comfortable with the people who are living in these older RVs, but we've always found them to be friendly and have never caused us any concern.  It's a Passport America Park, so for a full hookup site with 30/50 amp service and free cable TV, we're only paying $15.00.

It was 9:00 when we left the park in AL, and 12:30 when we arrived here in GA. so  it took us 3 hours and 30 minutes to travel 160 miles and stop for Bobbie T's drink.

Linda has been talking to doctor offices, trying to set up appointments. It's starting to look like it will be awhile before she can get in to see anyone.  So far, the earliest appointment that she has found would be about 3 weeks from now. :-(

Jim and Linda have also been talking to Laura. She's going to do some inquiring and see what she can come up with.

Speaking of Laura, it's been decided that we take Bobbie T to Laura and Lindsey's house on Friday and park her in or along side of their driveway. Then, the plan is to take most of Jim and Linda's "stuff" over to the house from there, hopefully getting all the essentials moved by Friday night, so that we can stay in the house.

You know, I've been thinking. When we move into the house, it'll be the first time we've lived in a house for over 12 years!!! It's going to be quite a change for me, and I'm sure it'll be a big change for Jim and Linda too. I think one of the things that I'll have to get used to is the amount of room that I'll have to roam around in. That house is so much bigger than any RV!!

Oh well, I've lived in 4 different RVs in the past 12 years, I'm sure I can get used to living in a house again. ;-)

Did you know that in Atlanta, GA, it's against the law to tie a giraffe to a telephone pole or street lamp?

Woof!!!

Wednesday, August 28, 2013

Poor Internet Connection and Still In Alabama

Troy, AL.

64 deg. clear, no wind.
Forecast = Partly cloudy. High of 91F. Winds less than 5 mph.

My Internet connection is not good here at the Deer Run RV Park near Troy, so this will be a short post.

Before we left the Cullman RV Park, Jim drove Bobbie T over to the Propane filling tank and had the men from the park fill Bobbie T's propane tank up. By the time this was done and the propane paid for, it was 9:15 when we pulled out of the park.

Once back on I-65, it was a straight shot down to Montgomery, where we turned East on I-85 for a few miles to Exit #9. There, we turned back South on Taylor Rd and followed it until it dead-ended at US 231. Then, we just followed 231 down here to Troy and the Deer Run park.

Along the way, we stopped and got Bobbie T another drink of 87 octane and pulled into the Alabama Welcome Center for a "pit stop".

It was right 1:00 when we arrived so yesterday, we traveled 187 miles in 3 hours and 45 minutes.

All of the roads yesterday were pretty good except coming through Birmingham. There, the road was terrible!! It was cement, and it should have been resurfaced about 5 years ago. There was also a lot of construction, so maybe they're trying remedy the problem.

We've been to the Deer Run RV Park before. It's easy to get to, has nice sites and the lady in the office is friendly.

Today, we'll head into Georgia where Jim has a Passport America Park picked out.

Did you know that today is "Race your Mouse around the Icons Day"?

Tuesday, August 27, 2013

Clarksville TN to Cullman AL and Plans For Our Arrival In DeBary

Cullman, AL

64 deg. clear, N. wind @ 4 mph.
Forecast = Clear. High of 86F. Winds less than 5 mph.

Because we had a longer day ahead of us, we pulled out of the Clarksville CG about 9:05 and continued SE on I-24 towards Nashville. It took us about an hour to get to the city, and by the time we arrived, the rush hour traffic had subsided and we pretty much made it though without even slowing dow. ;-)   In Nashville we turned South on I-65 and followed it down into Alabama and to the Cullman CG in Cullman, AL.

It was 12:35 when we pulled in so we had traveled 190 miles in 3 hours and 30 minutes and that included a "pit stop" at a rest area along I-65.

We like the Cullman CG. We've been here before and have always been treated well. The CG is well maintained and the sites are full-hookup and level. We're in a different part of the CG this time because Jim asked for a shady site, as the temperatures were hovering around 90 deg. when we pulled in.

This is one of those parks that not everyone likes. It's what I call "rustic". It's an older CG that doesn't have all the amenities, some of the sites are fairly close together, and the road coming to the park definitely leaves something to be desired. (it's narrow, rough, hilly and twisty).

However, the owners are great people who will do their best to make you comfortable. The prices are reasonable, $20.79 for a 30 amp site, and for the most part, it's nice and quiet and out in the country.

Today, we'll continue heading South and then SE towards Georgia. Jim has a CG picked out SE of Montgomery, (near Troy, AL), and I'm pretty sure we'll head for it.

Linda called Laura after we got settled in yesterday afternoon. She and Lindsey are going to go over to the house and turn on all the electric circuit breakers and make sure the refrigerator is working. It was also decided that when we got to DeBary, we'd go to their house and park Bobbie T in or next to their driveway until all the "stuff" is unloaded and taken over to the house. (Laura and Lindsey will help with that). Then, when most everything is transferred and the house is ready to be moved into, Bobbie T will be taken to the storage lot.

Sounds like a plan to me!!! ;-)

Did you know that the word Alabama means tribal town in the Creek Indian language?

Woof!!!

Monday, August 26, 2013

Goreville, IL to Clarksville, TN

Clarksville, TN.

65 deg. clear, no wind.
Forecast = Partly cloudy. Fog early. High of 90F. Winds from the SW at 5 to 10 mph.

Because Jim "tweaked" the trip plan, yesterday was scheduled to be a shorter travel day, so there was no hurry to get on the road.  Because of that, we didn't leave the Hilltop CG in Goreville, IL until 10:25.

Once back on I-57, we headed North for 4 miles and then turned SE in I-24 and headed for Kentucky. 24 took us through Kentucky and into Tennessee where we turned off on Exit 1. The first stop we made was to buy Bobbie T a nice big drink of 87 octane, (at $3.29 versus about $3.54 per gallon in IL and KY), then went on to the Clarksville CG which is just down the road from the gas station.

It was 1:10 when we pulled into the CG, so it took us 2 hours and 40 minutes to travel 137 miles, buy Bobbie T's drink and make a pit stop along the way. Oh, and we had a lot of construction areas on I-24 in Kentucky, so that slowed us down some too.

We've been to the Clarksville CG before, and just like before, both Jim and Linda think that the sites are overpriced, but there's really not many choices to choose from in this area.  It's a nice CG with a pool and all the amenities, it's well maintained and the folks in the office are quite friendly.

Today, we'll head down into Alabama. It'll be a longer travel day than yesterday, probably around 4 hours. We have to go through Nashville though, so who knows. :-(

Linda's doing fine. She's been able to sleep better the last few nights, so she's not so tired during the day. I think that she may be thinking about moving into the house, and not quite so much about her medical situation.

Did you know that the name "Tennessee" originated from the old Yuchi Indian word, "Tana-see," meaning "The Meeting Place?"

Woof!!!

Sunday, August 25, 2013

Rantoul To Goreville and Tweaking The Trip Plan

Goreville, IL.

65 deg. clear, no wind.
Forecast = Clear in the morning, then partly cloudy. High of 90F. Winds less than 5 mph.

Both Jim and Linda were up early, (neither one of them have been sleeping to well lately), so by 9:05, Jim had Bobbie T unhooked from the electric, pulled out of the site, had CLT hooked to the back of her and we were pulling out of the Prairie Pines Campground.

From Rantoul, we got on I-57 and just stayed on it all the way down here to Goreville, IL., and the Hilltop Campground. We made one "pit stop" at a rest area along the way, and by 1:15 we were pulling up in front of the office.

It was 214 miles down here and it took us 4 hours and 20 minutes.

The Hilltop CG seems like a very nice park for an overnight stay. The rates are reasonable, $22.00 for a 30 amp full hook-up, pull-through site. Ron, the man in the office was very friendly and when Jim asked for a site with some shade, made sure we had a site that Jim was happy with. The CG seems to be very well maintained. The grass is mowed and the trees and bushes are trimmed so that they don't rub on the RVs.

In fact, I wouldn't mind staying here for a few days if we had more time.

As we were traveling yesterday, Linda and Jim were discussing what they needed to do at the house when we arrive down there. They'll need to get all the food and most of the clothes out of Bobbie T and move them into the house, along with a bunch of other stuff. There's no TV or Microwave oven at the house so they'll have to go shopping for those items. They'll also need to shop for some bedding, and by the time we get there, laundry will definitely need to be done.

Jim's been doing some "tweaking" on the trip plan down to Florida, and now it looks like we may not get to DeBary until Friday. There were a couple of days that we would have traveled farther than we normally do, and because there's really no great hurry to get down there, Jim rearranged the stops along the way so that we'll be able to travel our normal 3 to 4 hours a day.

Did you know that today is "Kiss and Make Up Day"?

Woof!!!