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Published: January 7th 2012
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Fresh Produce
You know you're in FL when the vegetable man arrives with these! Friday January 6, 2012 Savannah, GA to Bushnell, FL
I slept like a log last night, once I figured out how to post this blog, send out a few emails to those I know are computer challenged, and took Winston for one last walk.He never calmed down yesterday; he was high anxiety until I turned out the light.He woke me up at 6:00 wanting to go out.IT WAS STILL DARK!He was not to be quieted, so walk we did.When unplugged the power ‘land’ line I was thrilled to note that my gauge said all batteries were fully charged.I tried to start the generator and it went easily!I guess scrubbing the terminal that I could reach, tightening it down again and putting a little water in it did the trick.I will hang in there and try to avoid buying a new battery for a little while longer.
I dawdled after that and got on the road at 8:45, first stop McDonalds for $2.65 oatmeal and senior coffee, a really good deal.The first McD I turned into I was lucky I got out of the parking lot!There was no room for any type of truck to make any kind of turn in their lot.I was happy to make it out of there safely.The 2
nd one fared better; it was attached to a Love’s which is a chain of truck stops.Very clean, very neat places and I noticed they have free water, RV dump and tire air.Tuck that tidbit into the back of the brain for futures, as I hear Pilot/Flying J is now charging to use their RV dump.
Traveling down I95 from Savannah to Jacksonville the road is populated by 4 things.
• 1. RVs of all shapes and sizes. Heading south. I guess, like me, Christmas Holidays are over and time to get out of the northeast. There were many from Quebec, more so than I have seen previously.
• 2. 18 wheelers that just about blow me off the road. I travel at 62 mph, they go 80 at least, and the wind forces of them as they pass me keep my hands on the wheels tightly at all times. No txting for this Nana. I use my Bluetooth headset when on the phone.
• 3. Trucks filled with logs going north.The road this morning was full of them.The sky was hazy, too, and smelled; between I95 and the ocean there are numerous operating pulp plants, and it constantly smells like a forest fire.They kind of look funny, too.Very long pine tree logs that hang off the back of the truck with the obligatory red flag waving from the longest.They are stacked with base of tree over the cab, narrowing to tip of tree hanging off.
• 4. Car carriers.Not NEW CAR carriers, but those filled with all sorts of cars traveling south with license plates from all over the northeast, I guess for the snowbirds to pick up at the FL destination.Filled to the brim, they are, too.I guess these folks fly south and pick up their car when they land at their final destination.
Once to Jacksonville, FL I turned south west on I295 to west on I10 to south on US 301 to south on I75 to Bushnell, FL.I traveled about 270 miles and it really was a pleasant trip.The first part of 301 put me thru many small Florida towns, yup, traffic light, church, grange hall, Dollar General.But, once you get to the Ocala area the topography changes to rolling hills filled with stunning horse farms.These are big properties that border the road with huge statues of horses, some appeared gold, guarding the gates.The grass was green and lush.It has been my observation over the years that from Ocala and south the danger of prolonged frost is minimal.I even saw sprinklers watering lawns.No red flamingoes for this neighborhood.There was more traffic on I75 than I have seen so far on this trip, all heading south filled with white hairs, like me.
Now, I don’t want you to think I am addicted to Walmart, but I did stop again today.The reason I frequent them while on the road is their parking lots are very RV friendly.They are so big, the roadways are wide enough to turn easily, and I can always find a place to take up four spaces.I picked up a few staples, and gambled on a pound of chop meat to make hamburger helper for dinner.(Velveeta has several new varieties, I tried cheeseburger something or other and it was better than the Betty Crocker brand by far.They also had tuna and chicken flavors as well, and I will try them for sure.)
My gauge said my propane level was low, so I headed first to the local propane dealer and filled up.I was very surprised when my 12 gallon tank only took 3 gallons.The gauge still doesn’t say full, but I am comfortable I will not run out soon.Guess I am going to have to let it run dry then fill it and see what my gauge says vs their meter.
I noticed today that the level on the rear of my rig looks like it was tampered with.It is attached with double sided tape which was ripped off and the glass was broken and liquid all gone.Growl.I wonder if that happened at the storage place?It’s always nice to know I am level as the refrigerator works much better when the rig is level.
I arrived at Florilow Oaks campground around 4 and was greeted by Judy B, my Monmouth University professor friend from Long Branch NJ who is here on vacation, and Judi C, also from NJ, who lives here in the winter.They were walking dogs, and we joined them.Winston was wonderful, as he knows Charlie and Noah, and walked nicely.Boy, I was sure surprised.It was like he recognized this place from previous years visits, and calmed down just a little.
Florilow Oaks is in Bushnell, FL, halfway between Ocala/Gainesville and Tampa, on the western side of the state, about an hour in from the gulf.The temperature was 82.I am a happy camper.The campground was started by some members of my camping club, Loners on Wheels, who wanted a campground for single campers over 55.There is a group of shareholders who own ‘lots’, have semi permanent structures on them for full or part time living.There are seasonal singles who come just for the winter, and snowbirds like me who can always squeeze in.The campsites are nice and level, have water, sewer, electric and concrete patio.I snugged in right up to the patio, and I can walk out my door and not get grassy/dirty feet!A real luxury.The interior roadways are paved, and there are some beautiful homes here, and there are some teeny tiny old trailers that have had porches built on, that definitely need some updating.Judi C has a permanently mounted 5
th wheel that she has updated and added a porch complete with swing to, and she calls it home from October to April.Judy B’s site is right across the road from me.I will stay here until Thursday when the 3 of us will take off for Tampa for the RV show.
The vegetable man came today, and thoughtful Judy B bought me some wonderful tomatoes, cucumbers, strawberries and oranges, picture herein.
Not sure what we are doing tomorrow, Judy B wants to return to the manatee viewing area, or go sit on a beach, or perhaps we will attend the battle re enactment annual event – that could be kind of fun, I have never seen one of them.
Kat out
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Tim
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My comment is about the comments
I can't see other peoples comments. Is it possible that no one is commenting here? After I hit submit comment the is a notification that the owner of this blog will reviews all posts. So if I make a comment and it does not make it to the blog what am I to think? I know what we age getting you for Christmas next year, WALMART gift cards. Travel Safe!