Florida 2012

Have just come across our travel notes of our first motor home trip from New Bern NC to central Florida. Herewith, a 'readers digest condensed version' of our journey.

February 4 2012: On this Thursday early morning we began our southernly trip to Florida with plans to stop in Myrtle Beach and Beaufort SC, Titusville, Orlando, Kissimmee and Frostproof FL. We arrived at Ocean Lakes Campground in Myrtle Beach. We caravaned with the Flynn's; and after an uneventful drive to Myrtle Beach we set up at site I07. We patroned Nacho Hippo for a delicious Mexican fare and thirst-quenching ‘ritas.

February 5: Super Bowl Sunday- NY Giants vs. NE Patriots: After a day of scouting the flea markets we settled back and cheered on the Giants win over the Pats 21-17 and knotched on meatballs, cheese sticks, nachos and pigs n a blanket.

February 6: Monday morning began with overcast skies and temperatures in the low 50s. We left Myrtle Beach about 10 a.m. and arrived at Hunting Island State Park in Beaufort SC about 2:30 p.m.  On the way Roberta found a sweetgrass basket from a roadside weaver. After settling into our site 118 on Loop 5 we ventured out to the island’s end and checked out the lighthouse and pier.  The campground is welcoming and sites are spacious. However, the primitive roadways through the park  make for a nail-biting departure. A quick-burning fire at the Flynn’s site closed the evening.  

February 7: This morning we bid farewell to the Flynns, as their journey continued down the coast. In the meantime, we set off for Parris Island about 10:15 am. And stayed the entire day at the base. We sat on the bleachers at the Parade deck and watched Lima Group prepare for their graduation. The highlights of the day included seeing 3^rd Battalion Barracks, base museum and parade grounds. On the way back to camp we enjoyed a dinner of steamed clams, tilapia and gumbo soup at Lady’s Island.

February 8-11: We got up with the ghost crabs to get ready for the trip to Titusville. After difficulties with the kitchen slide we got on our way. As we approached the Georgia state line the weather neared the low 70s. We arrived at Titusville KOA in Mims FL onto site 31. Not overly impressed with the KOA; seems to need attention on aesthetics. Sites are small and close. Parking is limited on the site; laundry facilities are old. During our stay in Mims we discovered Cape Canaveral, Cocoa Beach, Merritt Island. We dined at Milliken’s Reef with Gerri and Ron Butler and at a happy hour by ourselves.

February 11-15: We found ourselves traveling to Disney’s Fort Wilderness to check in for our week of nostalgia. Setting up at Loop 800 on site 848 we were reminded of everything perfect of Disney World. We made our first excursion to Downtown Disney, where we found ourselves freezing. During our stay at Fort Wilderness we spent time at Hollywood studios (formerly MGM), Epcot, and dined at our favorite place Teppan Edo; we met with LeeAnn DiBello and Brian Palesch and renewed old acquaintances; we enjoyed our return visit to Disney World after so many years.

February 15-17: We traveled just a few miles down the road to Kissimmee KOA so that we could visit with the Hoxie’s.  We had a wonderful visit with Judi and Dave and renewed memories.

February 17-28: We drove to Rainbow Campground in Frostproof to set up on site 272. We spent time with The Brown’s and Stephen’s and learned to play bocce ball and shuffle board.

February 28-March 3: We met back up with The Flynn’s and caravanned to Longpoint Campground in Melburne at site Q17. A culmination of mechanical problems on the motor home finished off with the arm of the awning spronging and having to tie it down to make our ride home.

March 5: After a day at Crooked River State Park in St. Mary’s Georgia, we drove straight home, totaling a nearly 600 mile trip from Georgia to NBNC. Our total driving miles on the motor home was 1,769.

On March 15 we took the motor home to Plemmons in Raleigh for extensive service and repairs.

Friday November 2 in Myrtle Beach

Dancing with Wool Lampsocks 

Live Oak tree draped in Spanish Moss

Myrtle Beach SC at low tide

On this second day of November our temperature was in the comfortable low 70s, with blue skies, wispy clouds and sunshine. After a morning strolling the beach and talking with rv'ers in our group we traveled with Betsey and Don to Conway SC. This quaint, little town, about 20 miles up the road from Myrtle Beach was settled in the early 1700s and many area residents fought in the Revolutionary War. The town's oldest residents are live oak trees with the southern spanish moss and resurrection fern adding to the natural architecture of the trees, that are over one hundred fifty years old. After getting our bearings at the Visitor Center, which was a private home built in 1860, we strolled through the neighboring churchyard and along the main street and then lunched at Skip's Grill. We meandered along the Riverview walk. We were visually entertained with “Dancing with Wool”, an outdoor art display of yarn bombing lamp posts with multicolor crochet and knitted artwork and was like looking at knitted or crocheted graffitti. We returned to the campground and enjoyed happy hour with the group and dinner with the Harris' and Flynn's.

Thursday November 1st in Myrtle Beach

Ocean Lakes Site HH21 with our own palm tree

Thursday, November 1, 2012
We welcomed the first day of the month traveling southbound to Myrtle Beach South Carolina, where we have met up with some members of our RV Club. After the usual setting up we headed to one of our first stops in MBSC...Camping World! then on to Wal-Mart. Temperatures today warmed to a balmy 72 and then plummeted to what seemed to be 32 below during happy hour. It was good to see our camping buddies after several months and miss those who were not able to join us at this outing.  We learned today that this area of the coast were not heavily affected by Hurricane Sandy, but for some winds and a few hours of rain.