#140 (71): To Florida once again in November 2024: Arkansas, South Carolina, Galveston, etc.
#140:
To Florida
Friday,
Nov. 1 - Left the most beautiful weather in Santa Fe to drive as far as
Littlefield in Texas, a bit before Lubbock. Of course just before we left my
toilet busted a hose on the last flush and squirted all over the floor so that had
to be mopped up.) Stayed at Waylon Jennings City RV Park, right next to Ace,
how cool. Take a free pumpkin they said, so we did. Best gray-blue punkie ever.
Weather was kinda nice and cool that evening, so after walking to Ace we did a
short walk in the neighborhood, cutting it a bit short when it felt like
someone was following us. We cut thru the projects and ditched him. Weird.
Maybe we have vivid imaginations, but he did follow us. Went to sleep listening
to trucks racing up and down the boulevard.
Saturday,
Nov. 2 - Littlefield to Lake Arrowhead, south of Wichita Falls. The rain
started in Littlefield and never stopped. Mostly took hwy 82 past Guthrie,
stopped along the way in the little town of Benjamin for a quick break only to
find water was leaking in the front window; no wonder, it was being blasted
with water for 2 hours. A quick tightening of the latches did fix that, then
the overhead fan was leaking, also no biggie but something to caulk someday.
Sitting there in Benny, seeing the skinny water tower, all I could think of was
Twister, or the MGM studio lot tour, that kind of tower. All gray skies all
day, finally made it to the park later in the day, perfect spot #11, water and
electric, and level! Which was good because the rain started and didn't stop,
well, maybe for 5 minutes as we tried to take a walk but that didn't last long.
Went to bed early, it was daylight savings turn clocks back night, only to be
awakened at about 1:30 with the loudest crack of thunder and pouring rain and
lightening. All I could think of tornadoes, so I checked online only to see one
had just touched down outside of Oklahoma City without warning (later found out
there were 3, an F3, 2 and 1. No one killed, but destroyed neighborhoods.) So
with that on my mind, who could get back to sleep? It was loud as hell, and
stormy as all get out. Finally did get to sleep...
Sunday,
Nov. 3 - Happy birthday dad! Expected rain in the am, but it wasn't as bad as
all the storm chasers said it would be. Of course we did try to outrun the
yellow and red radar blob, but we seem to always be on a collision course with
the radar. We got some rain near Gainesville, once again on Hwy 82, but as soon
as we turned south at Bells we FINALLY got out of the storm path. Whew. Getting
tired of this shit. And I'm not driving. Set up at Lavone Lake (this is outside
Dallas; Wylie actually) where the host at the gate for this army core park his
MAGA hat! Readied for the visit to Rick & Molly's then headed over to their
place for a most delicious dinner, which we appreciated since we have been
eating pretty lousy lately with all the rain and no grilling... our Cinderella
selves had to be back by 10 or get locked out of the CG (spot #39) which we did
with about 20 minutes to spare. Had some 'excitement' at Ricks with a medical
emergency, nuff said there. Scary to say the least. A warm and windy evening,
did a lake stroll to calm our nerves and off to bed after writing this; phone
says more rain is expected any moment. Just a few things to keep my mind off
the election.
Monday,
Nov. 4 - One more day till election day!!! Can't wait for this to be over, with
a win, of course. And a sunny, breezy morning with clue sky on the lake today,
feels like the keys. Slept with the windows open, a rarity but had to. Takes a
bit to get used to it (will someone crawl thru the window?), but I finally fell
asleep after 12:30. Just a quick note of Bill's day from hell, sorta. Not his
best. First in Greenville, the roadway was wide but he thought it was narrow
with the far lane open, which he took, then I look up only to see three lanes
of cars coming at us -- he turned the wrong way. Fortunately everyone was
letting us know and left us room to do a big U-ee and continue on our merry
way. Reason I wasn't looking was I wanted him to go right, then the dumb bitch
gps said left. She was WRONG. So after getting gas in the tightest of Walmart
stations, he was able to drive out perfectly, until I said, hey did you put the
cap on? Nope, he didn't. That's 2. Midday I navigated us onto Good Water Road
in Oklahoma, it was FINE, paved but rough, not even potholes, but he whined the
entire way probably cuz he couldn't drive 65. Hey, Apple Maps said to do that.
So we finally make it to the camp, Crater of Diamonds about 3pm, the typical Arkansas
we know, thick spindly trees where you hide the bodies. I pulled the truck
hitch off the trailer as always, but bozo forgot to undo one of the 2 chains so
we stuck. The hitch head turned in the process so there was no backing up or
pulling off. Fortunately he could unscrew the chain hook and release it that
way. What a day for Billy. But he totally redeemed himself by being able to set
up the Dish for FULL coverage of the election tomorrow. With these thick, tall
trees I was very afraid I would be spending tomorrow night in a bar in
Murfreesboro. And I would too. Other exciting things today including see some
amazing old houses in Paris TX, wow, an old city going back to 1844. We went to
the Red River Valley Stadium of some college, no idea, to see the Eiffle Tower.
No exactly worth a special trip, but we hit the Kroger there so no problemo.
Snap snap move along. As I type this, the news is saying Idabel in OK is under
a tornado warning -- we just went thru this afternoon, now they say 1"
hail. Yikes! Oh, and btw, there might be a hurricane, Rafael. WTH? And, We are
on the edge fringes from some activity tonight. Believe it or not, we are
running the A/C right now here in Diamond Crater CG (#44, inside the loop, WITH
A VIEW FOR THE DISH, FULL hookups, incl sewer. And 2 nights! We need a rest, we
have flat asses. Took a short walk on the paved trail to the river here at the
park, exciting and damp. And just now my Storm Shield went off with an alert
for TORNADOES IN THIS COUNTY & CITY. PERfect. Wouldn't take much to make
any of these thin branches to snap off -- In fact, we heard a crack while
walking and saw something fall, weak stuff, probably water soaked. So, probably
won't sleep much tonight between worrying now about falling branches, hail and
yes, 'nadoes. The good thing is earlier I paced off the run/walk to the
bathroom/shelter and it's 100 steps, in case we can't see our hands in front of
our faces. Good to be prepared, then nothing happen, right???? Yes??? Yes.
Tues
- NOV 5 ELECTION NIGHT, till 3am! WE WON! I stayed up late till three in the morning to
make sure it was real and that they didn't steal it. Took the day to go on the
park’s crater of diamonds dig, what a muddy waste
of time! I had not the boots or equipment or will to take the full day it would
require to even come close to finding anything. So after trudging thru the
field of mud my work was done in 45 minutes. Never even made it to the wash
tables. You MUST have boots here. Ugh. awful
Wed
- "JOY IN THE MORNIN'!" Weird Hot Springs, site 5, full hookups gray
skies. Took a while to figure out what Hot Springs was all about, the most
unusual of National Parks, more about buildings and it's part of a city, by day
2 we will have this figured out. A visitor center is one of the buildings,
while others are hotels or shops or pools. My guess is that Mr. Mather liked coming
here and started the ball rolling for the government to take it over, which
they did. Later the mob moved in, Capone liked it here too. Guess they all
thought they were hiding out in the woods. Adding to our confusion was that we
went to Bath House Row (even that sounds weird) from the campground the back
way which felt like we were climbing in altitude, but then it dumps out back in
the city town, never not a confusing moment here. Couple of rock shops and no
marbles, while twice Bisbee has come through. I need to message Asia, the
supplier. Anyway, had dinner out, chose an Italian place -- fine dining -- and
it was very nice, very dark, very mob feeling, very busy after we were the
first ones there, and the prices were all $10 higher than they show online. Oh
well, I think I got a box of pasta so had it for lunch and dinner the next day.
Thurs
- Day 2 Hot Springs, started cloudy, ended blue skies low 70s. Learned more
about this place with some reading, so knew a bit more as we walked the
Promenade walk saw hot spring mountain springs, some shops, and found a Trump
CBD store, finally got some election swag. Bike ride, screaming match, dinner
Fri
- heading to Tupelo. Got 3 days to wing it to Charleston. Early start, 8:30 and
light rain. Good time to go. Pretty good roads on this highway, I think though,
that I've had enough of Arkansas. Maybe it seems better if the sun is shining,
but that has never been the case when we are there in the fall.
Sat,
Nov. 9 - Trump still your president. From Whitten Park in Mississippi for one
night, not an easy thing to do on a holiday weekend - Veteran's day so most
parks wanted a 2 - 3 day reservation. Drove to Franklin, GA to Brush Creek
Park, waaaayyy the heck down from I-20. SW of Atlanta. Nice place, very quiet yet
very busy with 5th wheels who look like they like it here, lots of fishing. The
drive here: a Baptist church every 4 blocks and beautiful rolling hills with
what I don't know, small farms? Former farms? Read the land is not good for
growing. So cows. Warmer today and 83% humidity as always, with a stop at east
of Birmingham, AL at a Buc-ees, and then a Walmart. (Time to make kitty
blankets, very boring in the passenger side.) Saw the first Publix semi on the
highway...
Sunday,
Nov. 10 - 63 this am, 86 humidity. Glad we left the truck on the hook, just get
in and go, to.... where ever... toward Aiken, GA, last one-nighter before 3
days in Charleston. In Sandy Aiken State Park, arrived very late about 4:30
parked in time for it to get dark. It rained all night starting about three so it
looks like a sandy wet mud bog out there but this is sand without clay so
hopefully not like crater of diamonds mud! There's a river somewhere around
here but we'll never get to see it this time around. Gotta move on to Charleston!
Then about a steady 63° and was 83% humidity I gotta check it now. Yes 93%.
Monday,
Nov. 11 - Left a foggy Aiken SC to head to Charleston. Another long-ish country
drive on hwy 78 until we cut up to I-22. Many navigation fights as usual; I am
always right, he just hasn't figured that out yet. Messed up the 526 bypass
exit when we had to choose to go left or right (east or west), so went thru the
edge Charleston once again to get to James Island. Anyway, the sun is shining
and we made it safe and sound, which is what's important. Will get up to 80 so
we took a park bike ride. The park is all set up with it's annual holiday
festival of lights so we can walk that on Wednesday, our last night. This is a
huge park, we rode all over the paths and roads, but still not enough with an
e-bike! Gotta try it without power, but it weighs a million pounds. Had dinner
at Florences's Low Country Kitchen; somewhat lame, rushed service tho it was
half empty. Why can we never find the good places, thought I had with this one,
and it's right in the area. Afterward, got in our first stop at a Publix, yes
prices have climbed, so now they do the 2 for 1 deals. Can't hide it that way
Pubes! Went to bed early, stressing over maps & routes makes me tired
apparently.
Tuesday,
Nov. 12 - Morning in Charleston: 65 degrees and 90% humidity; thought it rained
but it didn't. Today we go to town and see what's shakin'. Just can't get
myself (or ourselves) into any of the tours... a horse carriage, Sumter which
is mostly a boat ride, I've read not much is left over there, a plantation (we
did the smaller FREE Pinckney one last year), so we will walk. Looking at the
incredible mansions and houses is pretty cool. Last time we did the coat, this
time in this cooler weather (low 70s) we just walked around aimlessly, but
really enjoyed Anson Street, one mansion after the other. The Visitor Center on
Meeting Street says the style of narrow side facing the road with a long
balcony the length looking in to the neighbors yard is a style that came from
Barbados. Went to the City Market on Meeting, saw a vagrant cause a ruckus with
police and ambulance arriving (he looked rough, not sure what happened), other
than him we felt pretty safe. Had lunch on the roof at the crab restaurant,
then hit the streets again going toward the old city jail. Again, no thanks on
the tour. Just wish this place has a hop on hop off bus tour but they don't
allow that here, weird. Just as we found our parking garage at The Charleston
Place, I noticed a small graveyard jammed in next to what turned out to be the
oldest Church in Charleston, from the late 1700s. Bill found Jean Eugene
Passailaigue who died in Indian Key in 1846 at the age of 28. I spent the
remainder of the night researching what could have happened! No answers, but
learned a LOT about Indian Key, coolest little 10 acre island.
Wednesday,
Nov. 13 - Vic's birthday and another Charleston walk. This time parked at the
Visitor Center lot on Meeting and headed to the visitor center for Sumter, as
close as we'd get. Gorgeous day, the coolest yet, prob high 60s - cool by the
water in the wind. Had lunch at Juanita Greenberg's on King, discovered King
for the first time, shop and shops and restaurants. Came back to camp about
3:30 and later did a short walk in the Christmas lights for the first day of
the annual walk/run for those who find that fun. Last day here, tomorrow we
move on. Been nice in one place for 3 nights.
Thursday,
Nov. 14 - On to St. Augustine, Anastasia Campground.
All
day drive, arrived about 2:30
Bike
ride, found lost dog.
Went
to Columbia for din and drove around the tight streets.
Daryl
hall concert next door to campground.
Friday,
Nov. 15 - St. Augustine FL
Big
day, walked all over town, screwed out of wandering Flagler college's Tiffany
stained glass, visited Castillo de San Marcos fort where they took some Apaches
(among other things), got Greek olive oil and smoked salt, had a fabulous Cuban
sandwich, went to a treasure salvage store, biked up the road to the quarry for
the Fort's Coquina construction, remembered this beach is hard packed so had a
nice bike ride among the seafoam, went on a wild bike ride around the Anastasia
Island park's perimeter trying to get a peek at the amphitheater which is
hosting another concert tonight after Darryl Hall last night but did get a peek
into a lot of backyards 😄, and made it over to the beach in time for a
moonrise!
Next two weeks in Pompano Beach
Saturday,
Nov. 30 - Big Cypress camping at Midway Campground on Tamiami Trail, 41. Site
#5, surprisingly few mosquitos tho one did find me later. Anyway, left Pompano
about 10 am after the great 2 week stay, got a lot done which was the idea.
Detailed 3 car interiors, cleaned up the den house, chopped/rearranged all the
vandas, misc orchid maintenance, reset some stepping stones, weeded, and much
more I could have done but heck, often it was 83 degrees with matching
humidity. Started out kind of cool, but worked up to almost 80 at one point.
After losing a lot of time in a traffic jam on 41 at Miccousukki rez we arrived
to camp about 2. Wanted to get that Everglades bike ride in so headed west on
41 to the visitor center, learned of some rides, and chose the famous Loop
Road. Well, being TGving weekend, it had some traffic (well some) so lots of
dust so took a pass on that, and moved a little more west to Monument Lake CG
where they had a service road heading north so we rode that out about 2.5
miles, going thru several little muddy "ponds" but made it thru no
problem. Good to see the swamp again! 5 miles total, would have loved to do
more, but the sun was dropping and being out here too late ain't an option!
Stopped at Clyde Butchers, was tempted by many pics, but moved on. Enjoyed
Cherise's Thanksgiving leftovers for dinner and me to bed early, before 9, I've
been so tired all day. Slept 10 hours!
Sunday,
Dec. 1 - 58 degrees in the swamp! Wow, the cool finally comes and we are
leaving. Oh well. Today we do the change of plan CG since Ft DeSoto still not
open due to Hurricane Helene, so tried to find a camp closer yet out of the
fray. Chose Little Manatee River SP, site 15 - unknowingly getting the smallest,
in side loop site in the park and sandy; not suitable for visitors, not to
mention is was (would be) VERY cold the first night, down to 27°. Got in a 5
mile or so bike ride before sunset, rode some equestrian trails. This is an old
park, est. 1974, without much upgrade since it seems.
Monday,
Dec 2 - St Pete day! Quite cool -- dare i say cold -- in the wind of the
bayfront, walking the residential canyons of downtown, seeing more Frenchies in
one place than usual. Arrived early prior to our 2pm Barb meeting place at
James Museum and randomly chose an Irish pub for lunch, Mary Margaret. Tons of
bars on this one block, looks like a fun place. Warming up on this perfectly
sunny day, so walked several blocks, went to the museum and caught up w/ Barb
as we were just about done. She took us on the grand tour out to the end of the
new pier, had a bev, then across the bayfront to the Vinoy, another bev (h2O
for boring me), then we met Roo for dinner at the Red Mesa Cantina, yet another
bev. Great day, great city, and growing UP like mad, residential towers fill
the sky. The city xmas decorations were up looking festive; also, an amazing
lack of bums, tho there were a few, makes the area safe, so I am told. All the
lone female dog walkers seemed to think so. Then the 40 min drive back to the
cold camp.
Tuesday,
Dec 3 - Left Lil Manatee, aka Parrish aka near sun city center to head north to
White Springs aka Stephen C Foster SP, north of Lake City. Plenty of tree
damage here from hurricane Hellene. Yes hell-ene. Busy drive north on 75,
non-stop traffic but it moved. Passed G-ville, stopping in Lake City for swag,
leaving the self-checkout with the theft device on one shirt, crap. Cold here
too, but did a 4pm walk before that early sundown. This is the first of the 3 one-nighters
to get to Galveston.
Wednesday,
Dec. 4 - White Springs FL to Spanish Fort (Mobile). Low 60s and nice and
sunny. Good drive on I-10, not very busy. Been to this place before, got
site 7 full hookups. They are building a big new office, so place must be doing
well. Loud as hell w/ traffic on both sides. Caught a bit of sun, but clouds
moved in.
Thurs,
Dec. 5 - Mobile to Baton Rouge, about 210 miles. Cloudy and cool, 64°. Crappy
weather incoming soon. Not a bad drive to Baton Rouge a little bit of sprinkles
one traffic slow down in Mississippi, cloudy in Baton Rouge low 60s went to
coffee call in Walmart then walk to the levy and later went to dinner at Mark
Anderson or whatever the hell it's called
Friday,
December 6 - Sunny in Baton Rouge 40° with the extreme low of 33. Leaving for
Galveston. Drive was pretty good on 10, except for the 30 minute delay for a
bridge in Lake Charles. Sunny and low 60s. Got off interstate at WINNIE TX,
went south to Bolivar Island toward Galveston for the ferry. Perfect, yet wavy
ride over to the island, beautiful perfect cool day except now it's 4:30 and
too late to ride. Stayed in cuz we are freezing, and there was tons of traffic
out there. Tomorrow. Can see the Gulf from my seat, how scary this must look in
a huricane -- all the houses are on stilts, as they should be. Very tired,
being a passenger knitting and navigating all day is tiring. Highlight of the
day was picking at random a pit stop at the Iowa exit, and finding In-Law's
Cajun store next to the gas station! Stocked up on some frozens and dined on an
order of cajun fries--I hope the frozen gumbo and sausage are as good.
Saturday,
Dec. 7 - Pearl Harbor Day. Galveston for 2 more nights. The rain started about
7:30 am, it is now 11:15 and it hasn't stopped so I have on a full-ish face of
make-up, planned the stops and cleaned out a drawer, washed some makeup brushes
and still it is raining. Gotta just go out and get wet. Oh, and it's 49
degrees. Got my list ready: Tea and Spice Exchange, Gumbo Diner, East End old
homes restorations, Kettle House, Cordray's Drugstore (from the Restoring
Galveston TV show), The Strand, and hoping to see the historic seawall markers,
but not if it's raining. Found a street fair with a hefty price tag ($25 ea.)
but Bill found an unmanned entrance through a hotel lobby. It’s
the Dickens On The Strand... everyone dressed like Tiny Tim turn of the century
and pirates. Pretty cool with a parade and stuff. Stopped at dive on the beach
for Cajun food. Headed back to camp, at least we have 4 bars -- and lots more
out there. This place is shop after shop after restaurant along the coast, need
to see what's on the other side.
Monday,
December 9 - Leaving Galveston still in gray fog and mist, low 60s. Near
Freeport passed the first Buc-ees, the smallest regular looking gas station you
wouldn't have known that is where it started. On to the west side of San
Antonio and humidity is officially 35% just like it's supposed to be. and made
it to Blanco SP. Walked the park a bit
Tuesday,
December 10 – Blanco SP, edge of hill country. Walked the park a bit. But early
dinner and bed.
Wednesday,
December 11 - San Angelo SP, Walked the town streets but the Swig is gone. But got a tour of one boutique's incredible mosaic floor! Woke
up to frosty 27°.
Thursday
December 12 – Oasis SP, Portales. Went to town to get peanuts and to Walmart
for ENMU Greyhound shirts for Barb & Lou.
Friday,
December 13 – Homeward bound
5500 miles, 6+ kitty blankets
The
healthy menu for the ride home: M&M's, Buc-ees kettle corn, in-laws Cajun
fries, Mike Anderson Boudin balls, pretzel sticks, trail mix.
RIP:
Quincey Jones, Bernie Marcus (Home Depot co-founder), Michael Cole (Mod Squad), Duane Smith
