Spring Break 2007

We are a little behind since we don't have access at the state park so we will add more when we get to a hotspot again and pictures will follow.

I bought Verizon Mobile Office so I can make posts when I get Verizon cell phone access.

Wednesday April 11^th

We had some rain overnight but not very much.

We drove to Savannah and after a short driving tour found Mrs Wilkes and a metered parking place. I put $1.00 in the meter and we headed to Mrs Wilkes to get in dinner line. We arrived at about 10:35 and wondered if we would get in and out before the meter expired. After a most excellent lunch we returned to t he car to find that we still had 20 or 30 minutes left.

Next we went to the visitor’s center. After making about 2 tours of the lot we found a parking place. After picking up a new city map we walked to the Savannah Shops a couple blocks away to see the restoration work on the Round House Railroad Museum. It was a nice tour and will be interesting to see how the restoration progresses in a couple of years.

We used the trusty GPS to find Juliet Low’s birth place. Juliet Low was the founder of the Girl Scouts in the USA. We did not take a tour of the house.

Since we found that there was a Camping World at I95 x102 we took a trip there and looked at patio rugs and some neat towing mirrors that I had seen earlier at Myakka. We bought the mirrors and passed on the rug for now.

On the way back to the park we stopped at a Verizon store an picked up a copy of “Mobile Office” so we could use the cell phone to connect to the internet. Some of the free WiFi hot spots are good places to pick up a computer virus.

After supper we took a walk to the observation tower.

Tuesday April 10^th

Travel day today. Near noon we stopped and changed to jeans and jackets, ate our lunch and headed for GA. On our way across US301 we hit a FL high point of 320’ from what the GPS said. Another pit stop at the GA welcome center and picked up new maps and guides.

When we got below ¼ tank of fuel I started getting concerned so we got off I95 at exit 87 and put in $87.09 of fuel. Thirty gallons in a thirty four gallon tank. About 12.6 MPG.

We arrived at Skidaway State Park and found a site. All sites are large pull thru sites and have water, electric, and cable TV. This is a very nice park and we would recommend it. It is about 10 miles or so from Savannah and easy to get to from the interstate.

Travel time: 8 hrs.

Miles traveled: 398

Fuel Mileage: 12.9 mpg

Monday April 9^th

After breakfast we packed a lunch and headed to Turtle Bay to get in a last few hours of kayaking. We had a very nice paddle from the park boat launch to the Gulf ICW. We saw many shore birds and we went ashore and over the dune to the Gulf shore side of Siesta Key. As we paddled back we saw an Osprey perched in a dead tree. There was a little lagoon that allowed me to get very close and take pictures with our disposable water proof camera.

We then stopped by Steins to meet a few IBM folks and pick some grapefruit. Since we had to pack up to travel tomorrow we didn’t stay for lunch.

We picked up a few groceries and fueled up as we headed back to Myakka.

After dinner the camp hosts, Keith and Linda stopped by and we had a nice visit and exchanged addresses. They were also bikers in their prior life.

Sunday April 8^th

Today we biked to the main gate and back and saw several feral hogs close to the road. After our ride we walked Logan to the Myakka Outpost to watch folks and make a gift shop stop. Two new ‘T’ shirts to commemorate our 2 week stay at Myakka.

On our way back to our camp site I stopped to ask one of the UWTC just what that was all about. Well it is a group of folks from the Ft Myers area who call themselves “Upper White Trash Campers”. The tackier the campsite decorations the better. We had a very nice visit and she clued us in on a Coleman griddle that will fit our grill. She uses hers to cook bacon, bake biscuits, pancakes, etc. We also discussed the patio rug she had and she said it was a good purchase and thought we would like one. So thanks Jackie of the UMTC.

We changed clothes and headed to Steins, with Logan, for Easter Dinner of Lamb. Roy, Jean, Matti, Judy were also there. We had a wonderful dinner and nice visit.

Saturday April 7^th

We woke up to a cold morning, 50’s, but better than the snow in Virginia. What to do on a cold sunny day? Laundry seemed like a good idea. That done we headed to the population centers and decided to wash the truck which was covered in dust from the campsite as well as road grime. We decided to go to Fort De Soto in St. Petersburg. Along the way we decided to look for a restaurant that Ray Morris had told us about. Suzette punched the name into the GPS and the computed route would have taken us to San Diego. We didn’t go.

We crossed the Sunshine Skyway bridge over Tampa Bay and made our way to Ft. Desoto. We stopped at the camp office and picked up a flyer and then took a tour of one of the camping areas. Nice park and sites but far from everything. We then toured the fort remains and bought lunch at the snack bar. The museum was interesting and there were several video presentations that you could choose at the kiosk.

On our return we decided to stop at the North fishing pier which is the remains of the north end of the old bridge. We got a rude awakening when we found that a tour pass was $3.26. We paid the tariff, took the drive, watched people fish and made use of whatever facilities we could to get the most from our $3.

Could UWTC be the United Women’s Traveling Club?

Friday April 6^th

Happy birthday Suzette. Son James called but with the poor cell signal we were only to get the voice mail he left. I set up the cell antenna on the truck and we returned his call but only got his voice mail, tag you’re it.

While walking the dog we saw 4 wild turkey’s in the field across from the campsite. We had heard them calling on several mornings but this was the first we had seen them.

Rich and Linda arrived and Linda gave Suzette a birthday present which was a homemade kit to create a stained glass mosaic on a bowling ball. After visiting for a while and showing them our home on wheels we went for a bike ride. We choose to take the same route we had taken earlier with a stop at the birdwalk. The only exciting happening on our ride was a Red Shouldered hawk flew up from the trailside and almost flew into Linda. Only Suzette saw the action since she was following Linda.

After we returned to the campsite we rested a bit and fixed lunch. Then it was off to the weir to watch people and alligators. No one fed the alligators or became food for the alligators. After more visiting it was time to eat again so we fixed supper and celebrated Suzette’s birthday with a key lime pie and a candle that played “happy birthday”.

Since it was almost sun set we decided to go to the canopy walk and view the sunset from the 74’ tower. It was awesome. We saw one deer on the forest floor below. After returning to the parking area we said our good by’s as Rich and Linda headed for home and us to our campsite.

The day was caped off with a call from son Mike which again went to voice mail. I again set up the cell antenna and we were able to return his call. Mom was happy, a call from each son on each end of the day.

They arrived today but just who or what is UWTC? There are 4 or 5 campers with these signs.

Thursday April 5^th

Awoke to an Owl hooting away. After breakfast and packing lunch we headed back to Casperson Beach canoe launch area so Suzette could get some time in the mangroves. We found our way to the Gulf ICW at Day Mark 53. We followed the ICW down to Day Mark 52a. Several boats went up or down the ICW but that didn’t cause us any problems. We kayaked for about 2 hours and had lunch after getting the kayaks stowed back on the truck. On the way back to the park we stopped to tank up so I could check mileage, 17.4 mqg, not bad. Then a stop at WW to get more food and drink.

We choose to celebrate Suzette’s B’day today by having dinner at Phillippi Creek and follow that with a trip to Siesta Key to get more beach time and watch the sunset. But it was too overcast so we just enjoyed a walk on the beach. Then some B’day shopping and return to the Park.

Wednesday April 4^th

Following breakfast we loaded up the kayaks and went to meet the Steins and do some kayaking at Casperson Beach as well as some beach time. Wally and I took the first hour and explored the mangrove area near Red Lake. When we returned to the launch area and met with Anne and Suzette and decided to take the kayaks to the beach and do some kayaking on the Gulf. Suzette got off ok but I took a wave over the bow and got a lot of water in the kayak. Wally and I got it drained and I got launched ok. Suzette and I spent maybe an hour kayaking and I went close enough to shore to suggest to Wally and Anne that we move a little further down the beach to a less rocky and congested area. When I attempted to return to shore I didn’t pay attention to the wave pattern and a big wave lifted the stern, turned the boat sideways and swamped me. I lost my glasses in that move but enjoyed the “swim”.

After lunch Wally and Anne took a long walk down the beach while Suzette and I rested for a while. Suzette went back in the water to look for shells and shark teeth. I took some time to make a call to Burlington’s North Beach Park for reservations in August.

The wind and waves had kicked up by the time Wally and Anne returned so they choose not to kayak on the Gulf.

Tuesday April 3^rd

Ray and Ann arrived after breakfast and we headed for the concession area to take our air boat ride on Upper Myakka Lake. The captian/guide provided a lot of information on the lake and ‘gator’s. He positioned the boat so all could see some of the larger ‘gator’s. We all enjoyed the ride and decided to get seating “passes” for the tram ride in the afternoon.

After lunch and visiting we were off to the tram for our tour of some of the back country and get more history of the park and early Florida crackers. Most of Sarasota county was owned by Mrs Palmer from Chicago. She had quite a large cattle ranch and introduced many changes to 20^th century ranching. Following the tram ride we took a walk to the weir to look at alligators and of course get more pictures.

Following dinner we went to the birdwalk to watch for birds and the sunset. While we were there a Bald Eagle flew in and landed on one of the mud flats. We watched it for about an hour.

Monday April 2^nd

Now that both tubes and one tire have been replaced on Suzette’s bike it was time to take a ride around the park. We quickly left the pavement by turning on the Ranch Road. After many twists and turns at various junctions we arrived back on pavement and made a stop at the birdwalk. The ranger, “Yogie”, had a spotting scope set on a bald eagle across the lake. It was sure beautiful. We continued on back to the campsite. Along our 6.8 mile ride we did see two deer, a Red Shouldered hawk, Swallow tailed Kite, rabbits, squirrels.

After lunch, a rest and feeding the dog we left for Stein’s to have dinner at Phillippi Creek. After an excellent Grouper dinner we headed for Venice Beach and then on to Caspersan Beach to check out a kayak launch site. Back in Venice we stopped for ice cream and then continued to Stein’s and the park with a stop a Publix for some supplies.

Sunday April 1^st

Off to the Sahib Shrine for pancake breakfast with the Stein’s and then buy another tube and a spare. That should insure that I don’t get a flat. Then to North Port to visit former Vermont neighbors Rich and Linda for the afternoon. We had a good visit and they will visit us at the park later in the week.

After dinner I put the new tube in Suzette’s bike and we went for a ride out to the Birdwalk. The ride was uneventful, however some other riders on the road had stopped to look for an owl that they heard. I finally saw it but before they could zero in on its location the owl flew off. Met up with a couple from Vermont at the Birdwalk. They also have kayaks and are camping at our campground. Suzette’s bike made it back to camp with no more tire issues!

Saturday March 31^st

This morning we took in the canopy walk to see what we could see. The canopy walk consists of a 25’ tower with an 85’ suspension bridge to a 74’ tower. It was very nice although we didn’t see much wild life. That is until about 3 vans or college students arrived. We left. Next was a bike ride on the ranch trail. About 50 yards down the trail the front tube on Suzette’s bike went flat. We didn’t want to travel to town for another tube so we decided that this should be a laundry day. While doing laundry we were treated to arriving campers backing their travel trailers into their site. We talked to them for a while and thanked them for the entertainment.

After dinner we put the kayak rack back on the truck, loaded up the kayaks and headed for the lake to see how the gator’s liked plastic. They didn’t even take a sample bite. That’s a good thing. We spent more than an hour paddling up the lake and into a head wind. On the return leg we again had a head wind. We did see some gator’s at a distance, 50 yds or so, and they didn’t seem interested in us at all. At this time of year the lake is quite low, only a couple of feet at its deepest and most of the gator’s are heading for deep hole which is south of Little Myakka lake. One of the rangers told us the river was so low that we would drag bottom if we attempted to paddle it so we didn’t try.

Friday March 30^th

Changed Suzette’s rear tire and tube and all was fine after a short test ride. Then off to the visitors center to see what there was for flora and fauna and watch some videos about the park. Made a phone call to Rich and Linda, only marginal service, but we agreed to call them again Saturday to make visit arrangements. Then to Ed Smith stadium to watch the RED’s play the Tampa Bay Devil Rays. There we met the Stein’s and Toom’s along with Wally’s sister and her husband. It was a fun game with the RED’s scoring 4 runs in the first inning. The Devil Rays were never able to catch up however the RED’s only won by 1 run.

Following the game we went to a vegetable stand on Fruitville Rd. with really good locally grown stuff.

After supper we went for a bike ride to the concession area and the trail to the damn and weir to watch the sunset and birds.

Thursday March 29^th

Today was off to get fuel and do some shopping to replenish some supplies. Where’s a super Wal-Mart? We found it near Osprey. After returning to the park we met up with the Stein’s and family, visited for a while and made plans to meet for dinner Dutch Heritage. We decided to go for a bike ride before leaving for dinner. We traveled about a mile when Suzette’s rear tire went flat. I rode back to the campsite to get the truck to pickup Suzette and her bike. After removing the tire I found that the valve stem had separated from the tube so there was no fixing that. So following dinner we went in search of another WM to get a tube and tire.

Wednesday March 28^th

This is our last travel day for a while. We are headed for Florida’s Myakka River State Park, 292 miles. This was a combination of interstates, US and state highways. I had decided to try and keep the top speed to 65 mph and see what the fuel mileage would be. Our first rest stop was when we reached I75 which was a little farther than we wanted. That is one thing to think about when towing on “local” roads, where to take a rest break. We did go by a large shopping area that would have given us a place to stop for a few minutes but we passed it by.

At Myakka we were able to extend our stay until April 10. We did this so we would not be traveling on the day after Easter as we had been told that that was a heavy travel day for snowbirds and others returning north. We are at Big Flats campground which is about 3 miles from the park entrance but close to the Upper Myakka Lake and the activities. Myakka was Florida’s first state park and is quite nice and there are number of things to see and do. After we were all set up and had supper we went to the birdwalk to watch the sun set over the lake and look at various shore birds.

Travel time: 5.25 hrs.

Miles traveled: 292

Fuel Mileage: 13.2 mpg

Tuesday March 27^th

Today was a travel day from Lumberton NC to Kingsland GA. a distance of 327 miles. At six hours this is our longest travel day. Since we were past the towing break-in distance we motored along on I95 in the 65 to 75 mph range. Most of the time near the upper end. Our fuel mileage took a hit since we only averaged about 11 mpg.

We learned something today. Keep to a routine when setting up at a campsite. I broke my routine and discovered that the towing safety chains are strong enough to pull the trailer off the tongue off the block it was resting on and drag the trailer a few inches until the tongue jack sank in the sand. The camper in the next site said not to feel bad he had done the same thing. Perhaps there are two kinds of trailer haulers, those that have forgot to disconnect the safety chains and those that will. It was a rookie mistake so I guess it is a good thing I still have the yellow tape on the trailer bumper to show that I am a rookie.

The campground was a little farther from the I95 than Sleepy Bears but there was still a lot of road noise.

After supper we went to historic district of St Mary’s and the Cumberland National Sea Shore visitors center, of course it was closed and the sidewalks were almost rolled up. Quiet town. Then it was off to get fuel to the tune of $78.68. Yep right up there but we would have spent more on two tanks of regular gas with the old truck.

Travel time: 6 hrs.

Miles traveled: 327

Fuel Mileage: 11 mpg

March 26

This leg took us from Staunton River SP to just south of Lumberton NC. Our route took us thru Raleigh-Durham where we picked up I40 then I95. It was tough keeping the speed down to 60 to 65 which was still over the recommended speed for towing break-in. Again we managed about 13.2 MPG which is not bad based on what I have found on various internet posts for a new engine.


This park looks like an old Jellystone. It is close to I95 so there is quite a bit of road noise. Ok for a one nighter.

Here we are part of a 5'er sandwich, lots of bun but not much meat.

You might get a good buy on this toad.

Oh, did I say I really like the new truck? That Allison 1000 transmission is fantastic. In tow-haul mode it kicks in engine braking when it is necessary to slow down. It works really great with cruise control on.

March 25

Tonight we are in Stanton River State Park just north east of South Boston Virginia. Mileage for this leg was 13.3 and I can be happy with that. The weather was sunny and 60 degrees so it was a good drive. We took US15 so we were on 2 lane roads for the most part. There are some 4 lane sections where US15 runs with US460 and US360. Since we are still in break-in mode we kept the speed to about 50mph.

The campground has nice sites that are not one on top of the other. Of course since it is a State Park sites only have water and electric. There is a large pool, tennis courts and a couple of boat launch areas as well as playground and picnic areas. There is also an area for folks to park their horse trailers along with marked horse trails.
As we toured the park we cam upon these 2 signs and thought they were just to funny.



It got cold over night, about 40, so we put the furnace on somewhere around 0230.

March 24

Well we are getting ready for our trip. We have most of our clothes and non-perishable food on board. The truck is fueled, kayak rack is built, mountain bikes are cleaned up and tires hold air. Now just a few loose ends and we will be ready to leave.

This will be our first long trip with the new truck and I am looking forward to the drive. That 650lb-ft or torque should do the job just fine. I hope the fuel mileage isn't to bad. I understand it improves and the Duramax gets some miles on her.

We will post as we can find WiFi or other internet service.