Early termination and final trip to the Keys

Got all hooked up this morning and was starting to head for the next campground in FT Lauderdale when my phone rang. It was my friend Joel from Florida Bay Outfitters telling me I had two kayak tours this week if I was back down. I told him I would be and we canceled going anywhere but straight down to the keys. So that is the end of the trip. We made it in a short run, 140 miles and are now all set up for the next 5 or 6 months. Things were pretty good at the Elks and right now it seems like we never left. The pictures below are of Lynda looking out towards Lake Okeechobee. So till the Magic Bus rolls again we close. David

Leaving Tampa for Lake Okeechobee

Waited around for a bit in the morning for the Tiffin Tech to show up to look at our one hatch cover that has a slight leak. We had to leave at 11 am so never got to see him, spoke to Bob Tiffin about it and we will email him a picture of the door so he can build a new one and ship it as he said he would. No big deal. Drove over to the east coast of Florida using back roads and it was a nice ride. Only around 160 miles or so. We set up in another Passport America campground for a couple of days in Clewiston. We plan to go to Ft. Lauderdale for a few days after to see the ocean. This place is full of Quebec folks escaping the north. The lady that runs it says in the season 75% of the campers are French Canadian. Wow. Lynda speaks it a bit but I'm at a loss. I remember up in Lake Placid how they came across the border to my sister Jackie's motel. Anyway I'm sort of in a funk. Don't really like south Florida at all and miss traveling. Kind of wish we could continue out west somewhere instead of planting ourselves for so many months. But I guess it's great not being cold. Isn't it? The French folks play boccie ball behind our camper and you can see them in the picture behind our Magic Bus. Glad right now to be in our camper. We will take a ride in a bit to check out the area and to get a watch battery at where else, Wal Mart. Trying to stall a little before heading to Keys as there is a large bunch of campers staying there now that are heading to a rally after. They no doubt have overrun the place as they know each other and I'm cringing at having to arrive in the middle of that. They should be almost gone by the time we get there I hope. Sharla and Jon I'm sure you can relate to what I'm feeling me being so "Type A".

No the first picture is not Lake Placid New York, maybe that's why there are so many Frenchy's they followed the signs.

Full day at Rally

Didn't get to post yesterday about the full day we spent at Rally. First off in the morning I took off to George Steinbrenner, alias Legends field, where the Yankees have their winter headquarters and bought some T shirts of the Championship. I mailed one to Justin and one to David and wore mine proudly all day. I later went to a question and answer tech thing with Tiffin about problems people have with their coach's. It was informative and I got a few things out of it. Later Lynda and I went to the BBQ dinner with entertainment. It was just great. The ribs and chicken were prepared dry with spices but the sweet sauce was on the side so I could eat them. They were so good. Along with salad, corn, toasted thick buttered bread, and desert which Lynda said was great, they had open bar. All the beer, wine, ice tea you could drink for the whole night. I noticed several types of beer and wine also. Lynda enjoyed the wine. The entertainment was a Chap playing keyboard and singing who was really good. We met some nice folks at the table and had a nice time. Well worth the money.

Pics of Yankee spring training camp in tampa, and a Teddy I wanted to buy Lynda. Ha.

Lazy Day at Lazy Days

Woke up early and biked over for some breakfast but there wasn't much I could eat. Did the usual peaking at all the stuff in Camping Word and then biked back to Lynda. Her I and I went shopping then to a talk by the Tiffin coach folks and Bob Tiffin on the history of the company. I had seen and talked to him earlier when I was biking around and he is sending a tech tomorrow to deal with the leak we have in our storage bin. One of the pics is of me with Bob Tiffin. Old Pals. How many companies could you do that with the owner. Had a dinner and DJ music later in the evening and met some nice folks. We also looked at a bunch of new coaches again. Oh the Rally bag had two coffee mugs, schedule, tickets for food, and name badges along with some catalogs. Check the picture of me with our new Tow car. Getting some good information from other owners about different experiences, problems, etc. Now watching Yanks. David

Congratulations NEW YORK YANKEES World Champions

On to Lazy Days by Tampa FL

Small ride today. Took our time leaving this morning. Lynda went off with the telephoto camera to try and get some pics of the Eagles but they were out hunting and she couldn't get a good one. We hooked up and jumped right on route 4 west for a short 122 mile ride to Lazy Days RV dealer right out side of Tampa FL. This RV dealer is the largest in the world and where we are going to attend a Tiffin Motor home rally. It will be our first rally but we have heard they are good. The cost for three days with meals, tax, entertainment, seminars and site is $211. Not bad I say. Read this morning about the economy getting to Lazy Days as they filed for bankruptcy in Sept. It said they will still be around just restructured. Tough times for the recreational vehicle industry, many companies have gone down. Some pictures of today. The city picture is of Orlando, Mouse land highway sign. Smiley Lynda, and me on bike by the Magic Bus in Lazy Days. Tomorrow we will see what's up with the rally. We claim our rally bag what ever that is then. We did look at some new rigs today but I'm afraid look is all this pair will do unless we hit the lottery. We are grateful we have our "Magic Bus" besides Lynda loves her desk and chair in the bedroom and they don't offer that anymore. If we hit the lottery I will have to have a coach customized with that feature. David

The Sunshine State

Finally we got off early even though I was beat from staying up watching the Yankee game. We got out at 930am. Did a bit over 300 miles and ended up in Daytona Beach. We have stopped at this campsite many times and it goes for $18 a night. Lynda really loves the fact that it has the largest group of Eagles we have ever seen together. On our walk today we saw over a half a dozen. One of the pictures shows several in a tree and one in the air. We are concerned that the campground we are in is growing by leaps and bounds and might infringe on them. There is over 250 sites and tonight they are just about full. Many many snow birds and also a lot of people from Canada. Their dollar is doing great against ours at least compared to the past. The city in the picture above is Jacksonville. Nice sky line. Tomorrow on to Tampa for a Tiffin rally, the folks that made our Magic Bus. Go Yanks.

Into the Deep South

Lord did it rain last night. I lost my view of the world series and had to continue on my Blackberry but the Yanks won. We left at 1038am and did about 325 miles today through the mountains in Virginia and North Carolina. Nice country. Should have been quiet on a Sunday but there was a bunch of traffic. Passed a huge pile up of wrecked cars at one point. The rain slicked roads can cause an accident. Glad it was on the other side of the road and we just got slowed up by rubbernecking. Filled up in NC for $2.61/gal. Lynda did the math and we got about 11 miles per gallon. That's not bad towing a car with two boats on the roof and dealing with the many mountain upgrades.

Got to Shumanns RV park here in Canaby South Carolina by 430 pm and he was there waiting. We filled up the propane as I like to give the old chap some business. When I called I asked for a site that had no trees to block the satellite and he had put a reserved sign on our site. I had to help him with the propane as his sight is going and he couldn't see the gauge. I don't know how old he is but it's up there. We have been coming here for years and his price for full hook ups with 50 amp is only $15 a night, not bad. We are right across the street from a state park that is really nice. It is on a river with plenty of cypress trees and Spanish moss. Tomorrow we should make it to Florida for another night stay before heading into Tampa. So far enjoying the trip a lot. David

Through Four States today

Had a good night sleep even though we were parked next to a truck terminal that had lorries moving about all night. Its the grey noise from the AC fan that helps that. Woke up to a beautiful morning with warm weather and lots of sun. Chatted with the neighbor campers like I always do and learned some things. The one fellow across from us was going to Arizona for the winter and that sounded good. We left with no problems and had a straight shot down route 81 for about 270 miles to our next passport America in VA. Filled up the tank a few miles after starting at $2.89/gal and of course was so happy to see it was twenty cents cheaper in the next state. Oh well. We had to use BP as I had a $50 gift card they send you for using their credit card. I get a discount from them like that. Lynda didn't get a chance to do her daily work out this morning so did it all while we were buzzing down the road. She lifts weights and puts leg weights on doing lift on the back bed. Worked out great for her. She also has been happy doing cross word puzzles while we drive. Charley just relaxes most of the time.

The campground we are in right now is under route 81. That is we are camped on a river and the bridge over it is right above us. Kind of noisy but the river and price is nice. Plan to use the gray noise again tonight. I'm happy now that I have my TV for the world series but sad that it is not going on do to rain in Philly. Pictures above should be self explainable. The last one is of the back view TV camera and the Honda with the boats behind us. Tomorrow off to NC and our old friend Mr Schumann,

From the edge of one state to the edge of another.

Left the Moose not that early. I had to do the bills on line as my pension came in. That is always fun. We hooked up and got on the road heading south west. We took the interstates down into New Jersey and I thought about the various areas I passed familiar as I lived in the state for such a long time. Good memories for the most. Too bad Jersey folks get such a bad rap, I never found the "What exit" joke that humorous. I am proud to be from there and feel the area I lived in offered a varied full life with plenty of exposure to all aspects of life.

We made a lot of miles today, over three hundred, and ended up right near the Maryland border for the night. It is a Passport America site our camping club and costs only $15 for the night. So nothing more than that. Lynda says she is not inspired to write anything yet. I'm thinking about tomorrows ball game and hoping I can see the game wherever we land.

I must say driving the bus is a nice thing for me. I'm high up, comfortable, and have my Lovely Lady and Charlie the ginger dog by my side. Lynda does the flight attendant thing and gets me bits to drink and eat as we zoom along. What could be better.

Night David

Finally some miles traveled.

Lynda and I were up with the birds and got to work packing, cleaning and doing all the last minute things we do to leave our home for 6 months in the cold northern winter. I spent a long time draining all the water out of the pipes, toilets, dishwasher, ice maker, sinks, etc. Every year when we get home there is another spot I have to fix and install a new drain and I hope this year I have gotten them all. We remove the mailbox and have informed our neighbors to keep an eye on things. The local Police also check the house on a regular basis. Nice thing about a small town.

We finally cleared the place around noon. Almost the same time as last year. The weather was sunny and clear and I felt good so decided to bypass the planned stop outside of Hartford CT and head for the Moose Lodge in Danbury CT. We have stopped there many times and it is real nice. We can plug into the building and I just give them a $10 donation for the night. I went over to eat at Red Lobster alone as Lynda passed on that. She had cold pizza while we were driving. I am a bit disappointed as there is a mountain or something that blocks the sat TV and I can't watch the world series. But I can get the radio broadcast on XM radio so that is working OK. Like the old days. Besides I can't stand all the close ups they do on Fox TV of guys spitting. Ugh. Lynda is in the bedroom watching taped shows and happy not to hear the game. We will try to make some miles tomorrow as I want to make Tampa by the fourth for the Tiffin rally.

Night before still in New Hampshire

As I sit in my comfy chair watching the "Big Screen" that I will be leaving behind, the world series is on, I am thinking of tomorrow's departure. It is a tremendous feat to close this house up and transfer all the Williams goings on down to Florida for the winter. Magazines, mail forwarding, banks, post offices, car registrations and inspections, draining the water, packing, and on and on.

Today was a rainy cold day and loading the kayaks on the roof my fingers were numb . I thought of how I would be sweating soon doing the same thing down in the Keys. It is always very hot when we first get there and it takes some getting used to. We will be thankful for our Magic Buses AC.

Always feel a bit unsettled leaving New Hampshire. You do get used to things and man is a creature of habit. I'm sure all that will pass quickly once we get on the road. We will be trying to make East Hartford CT and the local Moose club. They have a spot for us in the back of the building and it will be free although it has no hookups. We will use the inverter and generator as I want to watch the world series. Lynda of course will not. So that's my thoughts for tonight. Will get back tomorrow. David