Headed Home

Going home

Trip coming to an end, we are heading home starting today March 14th, 2008. After the normal morning routines we packed up and headed north. First stop was a Flying J just over the line in Gorger to refuel and have lunch. From there we headed to Reed SP in Gorger for our final RV park. This SP would be very nice in the spring when things are in bloom and the sun is out, but right now it is sort of depressing.

The next day we visited a Wal-Mart just to have something to do, not on the road today because the weather is really bad just north of us, so sitting out the storm for one more day. Will get back on the road tomorrow. I think I will take a nap now!!!

Did try to get a camp fire going, and for a little wile it was looking good, then the wind came and poof the fire was gone..

Early morning wake up and we hit the road, all of six miles later we stop to have breakfast and fuel the RV. Breakfast at huddle House is not my favorite, I like hot sauce on my eggs and the stuff I was given had to be nothing but colored water, it had no taste at all.

After breakfast it was my turn to drive so I got behind the wheel and down the road we went. One Hundred sixty miles later we pulled into a Flying J for coffee and refueling the RV. Also had to walk the dogs and play with them before getting back behind the wheel.
This time we only went one hundred twenty miles before coffee and fuel stop at another J. Now we had to pick a spot to stop for the night, checked the exit book and found a Wal-Mart thirty miles down the road that also had restaurants close by.

You guessed it we are staying at a Wal-Mart for the night, ate dinner at a Panera (good food and an internet Hot Spot)

We are hoping to get back to the house tomorrow afternoon if possible.

Last day on the road for this trip, we are headed home. Not much to say except we drove only breaking for fuel and food.

We did stop at the RV dealer to look at larger RV’s, trailers and fifth wheels. If we do this again or go full time it will have to be in something bigger.

RV test trip day 20

Not such a normal day, could not sleep last night had problems breathing. I spent most of the night sitting on the sofa watching television. By the time morning came around I was not feeling very good, my back hurt, and I had a cough. This of course would be the day we go food shopping and exploring the area.

Went to the local Wal-Mart, always one close by not matter were you are. First thing I did was to find the drugs needed to control the cough and clear the congestion in my chest. Then went and sat and had apply pie and coffee with the meds. By the time I was done shopping I almost felt human again.
Next stop was the forest service office to get information and maps of the area. Then drove around and visited one or two places. Would have like to go to others but all of the places charge a day rate just to go in and look around, and at 6 bucks a pop that can add up. We Settled on Salt Springs Park and Mill Dam for today. Did get some pictures of the dogs on the beach (not the ocean) so that was sort of cool.

Believe it or not this simple adventure took the better part of the day.

Day 19 Not a great day

Morning wakeup, feed cats/dogs, walk dogs. This park is an old farm site in the mist of farms still in operation, lots of dogs loose in they yards so had to keep tight control of our two.

After the walk I had some coffee then walked around alone taking some photos so that I could put some on this blog. Also found out we had a wireless connection at this place that we did not know about. Having the wireless will make getting online a lot easier.

Checked out a fifth wheel trailer that is on the market looks a lot nicer then the thing we are currently using. I often feel like I am back on the boat with no place to put anything. I will put something down only to have it disappear, never to be seen again.

I do not believe what has happened, we have been going south trying to find warm weather, yes?? Well today as soon as the temperature got over 70 degrees Kay turned on the F^%&^%^%$ air conditioner. Now I am in the back inside my sleeping bag trying to stay warm. Makes no since to me… Why did we try to get warm if she wants to be cold????

Other thing is we had agreed to go to town today to look around, but she decided instead to stay here to have some RV repair man look at the leak in the toilet. So now I am bored, cold and hungry.. Having so much fun I can not stand it…

Ahhhhhh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! After wasting the day waiting for this RV repair man, once he does show she decides it would cost too much so nothing gets down,. It is now 5pm so I go ahead and fix myself something to eat and that is when she says she wanted to go to town to have dinner, I said too late I did not know she wanted to go so ate.

This was a wasted day as far as I am concerned.. Not sure what is going on we do not talk anymore and we are getting on each others nerves. Is it the tightness of this RV or something else?? As things stand at this moment, I do not want to go full time, so have to really really think about what I have to do next..

RV test trip days 16,17 and 18

Day- 16

Okay, normal morning, walking the dogs and just looking around. At noon we went to town to find a hot spot so we could connect to the internet and check email and whatever else we wanted. Drank coffee and surfed the net for about two hours. Found a Wal-Mart to restock pet supplies and a few odds and ends for us.

Back at the RV park we walked the dogs, ate, watched television and talked about were we will be heading next. Only thing we know at this time is we will try going a bit further south in Fl.. Will try checking for RV park/sites tomorrow.

Day- 17

Mornings seem to have developed into a Patten, wake up, feed cats, walk dogs, feed dogs, and have breakfast. After that is when things change, today it was doing the ever fun wash you dirty cloths time.

By the time the laundry was done it had warmed up enough outside to give the small dog a much needed bath. This was lots of fun, we still do not have hot water so could only use cold and had to use gallon jugs refilling as needed. He did put up with it very well, only tried to escape four or five times. Took him for a walk to dry him off, and he just ran wild as much as the leash I use allowed.

Well we have returned to the hot stop to once again check emails and search for the next RV site. I think I will wait to update the blog until tomorrow or the next day.

After checking email and doing some surfing we left the coffee shop to go look for some shorts. Walked around the strip Mall we were in going from shop to shop looking for shorts that cost less then the price of gold and would fit a lady over the size of a 2… Seems this is not an easy task when you are in the land of skinny folk. But just when we were about to give up, we found a pair that would do nicely. So now if the temperature gets over 70 we have shorts to were..

After the shopping trip we went and purchased food , drinks and ice, before heading back to the Park for the night. Tomorrow we head for the last stop on this trip before heading home.


Day- 18

Here we go, same morning routine, wake up, feed cats, walk dogs, feed dogs, and have breakfast. However today we pack up and move on to the next location. Headed to Ocala Fl. For our final stop before going back to Ky. I thought we pulled out at 08:10, only to find out when we fueled that it was already 09:10. The drive takes at least 5 hours by car so we estimate it would take us at least 8 hours.

Next stop is a Flying J to get fuel and eat lunch. When we sat down I made a phone call and noticed that the time showed 13:10 pm. This confused me more because I thought it was only 12:10, so now we have lost two hours somehow. I figure the first hours we lost was just looking at our clock wrong, and the second hour was the time zone change, but that does not help when you are trying to get someplace before it closes. At this point I called the RV place we were headed to and let them know we were behind schedule but on our way.

For the second time this trip I got to drive, so that helps to pass the time. Driving again reminded me of how much I enjoy driving on the open road and started me thinking about going back to it.

Had to stop for fuel again and this time before we wanted to. As luck would have it the place we stopped had the highest prices in Fl $3.45 a gallon… When we started this trip just over two weeks ago you could still get gas for $2.99, now the cheapest is $3.19. How high will it go??? LOL…

Made it to the Park no problems other then it was further then expected… Place is small but clean and the people here are very nice. When walking the dogs had more people talk to us in 15 min then the entire time we spent in any of the other places. Also noticed the campers and RV’s here are older and less expensive then the other parks we have been to. Seems the people here are just plan folk, I like that and feel more relaxed here then any other place. Now to see if the first impressions last, tomorrow will tell..

Days 12 through 15

Have been away from internet connections for a few days so going to do a copy/paste from my daily logs..

Day- 12

Interesting day today, it started out in the RV Park in New Orleans with the normal morning walk of the dogs. Left N.O. at 10am and started towards Fl. Park reservations are not until Friday so no rush to get there.

Took a detour to see the Gulf coast of Mississippi that was hit by “K” only to find most of it has been rebuilt but not enough to allow RV overnight stays “yet”. I would have loved staying at one place along the coast. Just to have been able to walk on the beach at sunset. We will stop some other time in the future when things have improved just a little more maybe.

Stopped at a Flying J to refuel and eat, then it was on to a Casino for the night. Or so it was planed. When we arrived at the casino took the dogs for a walk that ended up being a lot longer then planed. A sudden attack of the loose poo, and plans changed. Had to find a Wal-Mart to get some meds, lucky one was just up the road and allows overnight parking. So once again plans are changed. We will be staying at Wal-Mart dry camping tonight. LOL

Hoping to return to the casino area tomorrow and find the beaches, and maybe stay and check out the casino tomorrow night. Time will tell.

Day- 13

Went to bed way to early last night, stayed at a Wal-Mart and did not have any television or internet so went to bed. Problem with that was waking up early 0400am. Dogs had a real early walk then went into Wal-Mart for pet supplies.

Went back to the Casino for breakfast and to play for a few min. (lost $20 in about 30 seconds ) Then went for a walk on one of the beaches that are making a come back. Things are not 100% but looking a lot better then N.O., I say things in Mississippi will be back no later then next year, N.O. on the other hand may still take years if ever..

Back on the road at about 10am headed east to Fl. Left I-10 and taken the us98 along the coast. Just puttering along not sure were the next stop will be, nothing lined up until Friday (day 14) looking as we go. Did check out one State Park in Al. that may be used at a future date, but was full today.

Ended up staying in the Blue Angle RV Park, this is a Federal reserve that can only be used if you are active or retired Federal employee. It does not have cable TV hookup or internet but the price is right and it came along at the right time. So this will be my second night of not being able to update the blog, not that important.

So how do I feel about RV life after two weeks?? I am not sure, some of it I like but there is also a lot I do not like.. I think if I was retired I would like it a lot more then I do knowing I have to live on a boat when not in an RV.. So all in all I still have not reached a finale decision.

Day- 14

Day started out okay, walked the dogs, had breakfast, and took a shower. Things went south when I had a disagreement with my friend. I swear she is getting hard of hearing, because I have had to repeat myself several times more then once, then today I told her something and she not only said I did not tell her she said I only imagined I had said anything. This has caused a bit of a strain. We have not spoken except when we have to, this makes the close quarters in the RV no fun at all..

Moved sites, now staying at a place close to a beach so will see what happens.

I will have to do some thinking on this RV life…. Really not sure it will work for me. So were to go from here??

Still no internet connection so not sure when I will post again.


Day- 15

Cold front moved in and it is cold! Using two sleeping bags and still could not stay warm last night. Tried turning on the furnace, but it does not want to work. So now we do not have a frig, water heater or furnace. Seems to me like that this is becoming more and more like old fashion camping all the time.

Took dog out for morning walk found out Shelby has worms, so will need to get that treated as soon as we can. Because pets are not allowed on the beach I had to bring the dogs back to the RV before taking a long walk on the beach, and exploring some of the back trails. I must have walked at least 15/20 miles today, took over 200 photos, only kept around 30.

Day was not bad but wish we had internet connection so that I could check email and catch up on things. Looking around at the RV’s in this Park, the one I live in is a poor cousin, very, very, poor.

Day like today makes me think this life style could work, but still not convinced it is something I really want to do. I think if I was not still working this work be fine, but living on the boat then RV???? Just not sure how I feel about it at this time.. Then they is the question of how high will the price of gas go???

Day 11 RV trip

Well this is a day for re-supplying and not for going outside unless you have to. Storm came through last night and the temperatures dropped from the mid 70’s to the low 50’s. First thing to do as is true each day is to walk and feed the dogs. Next going to find a store that sells pet food and a few items for the humans. Now using ice/coolers to keep food seeing that the frig does not work at all anymore. LOL…

Went to a local store to get supplies, WOW the people down here are getting ripped off big time. After all the problems of the flood and rebuilding, they also have to deal with paying prices that are way above anything I have seen. Picked up just what we have to have until we can find a Wal-Mart to (yes I said Wal-Mart) to restock everything. Next stop was finding a Bank to get some cash and some quarters, cash for when it is needed and quarter to do laundry. Driving around this city is strange, you see houses side by side one is trashed and the other looks like it was never damaged. Glad I was not here when that storm hit.

Returned to the RV Park relaxed, did laundry, made plans for were to go next. The next RV Park on the list is in FL. As least that is what we are planning..

Day 10 RV Test Trip

Normal morning, up early, walk dogs. After walking the dogs made arrangements to catch the shuttle into New Orleans (French Quarter).

Shuttle left the Park at 10am, only four of us going to town so we got the tour of the 9th Parish. I was somewhat surprised to find so much still to be done after almost three years. Homes have not been rebuilt entire blocks are gone, only the foundations are to be seen. Could not get myself to take any photos, felt like it was wrong to take pictures of someone’s dreams that have ended.

Once dropped off in the French Quarter walked around just doing the tourist thing. Walked around the moon walk area then up and down several streets just rubber necking and taking photos. Asked about a good place to eat and was told about the Gumbo Restaurant. So went there for lunch and had some seafood gumbo, it was very good and I did enjoy it.

After eating it was back to rubber necking this time from a street car. This one went from the water (moon walk) all the way to the cemeteries. The ride itself showed areas of the city that have still not come back. One of the saddest to me was seeing people living in tents under a bridge. Then again we did see signs of recovery, new homes being built and banners advertising help wanted.

Once at the cemeteries, took a short self walking tour just to look around. One of the markers had my family name and was still being cared for, so I guess I “might” have some distant cousin living in N.O. LOL…

By the time the street car returned to the French Quarter it was just enough time to find something to take back for dinner and catch the shuttle back to the RV Park.
Day ended as it begun by walking the dogs, before eating and now writing this.

Day 9 RV Test Trip

Well today we once again woke up at 0630 thanks to someone on a motorbike riding around the park. We are now awake so might just as well take the dogs out for a walk, only problem Shelby got out and almost attacked another dog. The only thing that stopped her was I was able to step on her leash just before she was able. Then to make things more fun Pepper (black cat) escaped from the RV and had to be found and caught. He really came back on his own and all we had to do was open the door to let him back in.

After taken the dogs for a walk the RV was unhooked and made ready to travel. Today was mostly a drive day to the next location, New Orleans…. Arrived in an out of the way RV park at 4pm, set up camp, had dinner and waiting to see what the weather will be like tomorrow. We are hoping to go into New Orleans French Quarter for the day. Just have to wait and see…

Oh did I mention we stopped at aWal-Mart, to get coolers? Seems the frig in the RV is not working. LOL…

Day 8 RV Test Trip

Well today we woke up at 0630 thanks to someone on a motorbike riding around the park. We are now awake so might just as well take the dogs out for a walk. Took a nice long walk around the water and got a few photos of some birds I can not ID. Will have to look for a bird book next time we are in a Wal-Mart. :) lol.

In order to get connected to the internet I have to sit out side, because the signal is not strong enough to work when inside the RV. Glad it is not real cold, but it would be nice if the sun could come out. Sitting in a fog bank to work on this. That is ok, it is a challenge and sort of fun (this time). I will however talk to the office about this..

Interesting lunch, we decided to try crawfish only to find out it is not available except on Wednesday and Fridays, we missed it by a day. Some other time we will be in the right place at the right time. Today was a day of walks for the dogs, pictures of birds, ( as seen) and checking out the internet for were we want to go next. Still undecided at this time...

Turned out to be a very nice day, not what I would call warm but at least it is not cold so that is really good..