Off To Season Nine

Greetings, Happy New Year and welcome back. The itinerary for my Winter 2023 RV season is listed in my LAST BLOG of 2022 in case you missed it. I'm proud to say that 77 people have expressed interest in receiving these tidbits of thoughts, sightings and information gathered as I travel. These folks have boarded my "Train of Life." Neighbor, Bob, passed this video along to me and I found it so appropriate in this context.

 

Thanks for being on My Train. As mentioned in previous blogs, these blogs serve as a journal for my future and will allow me to look back on moments I may not remember. 

The time spent at home from October to early January has been terrific and full. Celebrations of Thanksgiving, Christmas Day, New Year Eve and New Years Day have been filled with great memories of being with family, friends and sharing incredible dining experiences too numerous to mention here. And now, January 4th, 2023, I'm off for my ninth RV season and eager share it with you.

First came the tedious chore of emptying my apartment with the necessities of (my) life. Food supply was to be a challenge. Yes, I know there are supermarkets all across this great land of ours but I have a freezer and fridge to empty and I cannot run to the store on a whim when I need something. Where I'll be in Clermont, FL, there's a Publix right at the entrance and is a terrific shopping experience, if you can believe such a thing. Yes, laziness is a trait I'm working on. But would what I had all fit into my 7 cubic foot refrigerator/freezer?

It did!!

As in the past my enjoyment of driving makes the journey as interesting as the final destination of that day. It continues. Once out of the pot-hole ridden, neglected roads and highways of New York State, the driving was pleasurable. Think of driving on glass; smooth without swerving or dodging. I've submitted receipts for two damaged tires to NYSDOT with hopes of reimbursement. One is on the way to Albany, the other must be referred to the Town of Cortlandt. $600+ for new tires damaged because of pot holes is costly.

The fog lifted in Briarcliff and the temperature rose to 71° mid-New Jersey.

The  map above shows the first six stops on my itinerary taking me to the end of January. This blog will highlight the first three:

#1 - Sun Outdoors Rehoboth Bay. In mid-December, I received word that this campground that I reserved in June was closed for the season. The gal who called couldn't understand why I was able to reserve a spot. With a full refund, I was successful in booking two nights at Cape Henlopen State Park in Delaware. The map should show me traveling the Jersey shore south to the Cape May-Lewes Ferry The senior rate for my RV was $41.00. I did not plan this route but that's what the GPS calculated for the "fastest route." I arrived at the Ferry at 3:30 pm. Ready for the bad news? The next ferry was at 6:00 p.m. Yes. Made my self a cup of coffee and got a lot done in my RV as well as on my iPhone for the next 2½ hours. For my RV friends who want to know more about using the Ferry service with your RV to save wear and tear on their RV while enjoying the cruise across Delaware Bay, CLICK HERE for the video. I figured I saved a tank of fuel. And for other readers, a reminder that any text printed in RED indicates more interesting information if you follow the link. I'd rather have readers be better informed than me plagiarizing and increasing the length  of my blogs.

I've made this 90-minute, 17 mile trip years ago coming home from FL but this trip to the State Park was at night; it was relaxing and I'm guessing saved a bit on fuel had I taken Route 9.

Not my RV but you get the idea. Upon boarding, I was told to straddle the yellow line in the center aisle. From there, a short walk up the stairs to the main deck and restaurant. At 6:00 pm, sight seeing was not an option.

The  State Park was a mere 1.5 miles further beyond the terminal. Being off-season and at the late hour, there were no personnel to check me in, few other RVs, and the weather overcast and very foggy. I was happy to get settled in on site A-20 after the long day's drive. The sites were spacious with electrical and water but no sewer or Internet; the dump station was on the way out. The history of this park due to its strategic location played valuable roles throughout our history. The lighthouse, designated as Station Number One in 1775 alerted the Continental Forces. In 1938, Camp Henlopen conducted artillery exercises prior to WWI and in 1941 the first fortification and garrison, Battery "C" of the 261st Coast Artillery was established and in that year, the base officially became Fort Miles. The Coast Guard tower shown above is a photo by William Kuta. The original lighthouse completed in 1767 was one of the six erected in the colonies and almost destroyed by the British in 1777. Finally, a storm in 1926  undermined the shore and it collapsed into the sea.

#2 - Spacious Skies at Sandy Run also known as Lazy Acres was my next stop. A good thing I had an early start from Cape Henlopen to Fayetteville, NC. It turned out to be a 9-hour, 315 mile trip. Two fuel stops and another GPS faux pax. Traveling on I-64, I wanted a long awaited Burger King for my lunch break. I entered and followed. I wound up in a cul-de-sac at the end of a residential community. Yippee; chalk up another "adventure into the unknown." No Burger King, cheese and crackers in pleasant surroundings instead. But, as there are only 132 Pizza Huts in New York State, I was happy to find one near where I pulled in for my second fuel stop in Fayetteville. That and a cold beer for dinner hit the spot and made up for life denying me a Burger King.

Today's journey took me south and another time-saver a trip over the Chesapeake Bay Bridge which leads into the two Chesapeake Bay Tunnels. Making this trip once again aroused nothing put pure astonishment at the engineering spectacle you witness as you drive the 17.6 mile distance across the Chesapeake Bay connecting Delmarva and Hampton Roads saving motorists 95 miles and 90 minutes while avoiding having to drive through the Washington-Baltimore area. Begun 58 years ago, its history is must reading you can find HERE. Toll for my RV was $21.00. Driving the 12 miles of bridges and the 2 1-mile tunnels you cannot help but wonder at the feat (and pray you don't have a breakdown). The plans are set for a dual tunnel set to begin in 2035.

The north-bound bridge

Entering the first of two mile-long tunnels

On-going construction. There's a restaurant and fishing pier
currently closed.

Entering the second mile-long  tunnel.

If you've never experienced the ride over (and under) this engineering wonder, you can click this link and take the 17 mile trip in 60 seconds!!

This is the third Spacious Skies Campground I've used. There are 13 in the Eastern United States with more planned. My site 11 was a pull through right behind the office.

Nestled under tall pines, the entire campground is sand littered with fallen pine needles and cones. Check the website link for amenities that I never avail myself to...like the jumping pillow.

I made the right decision by choosing to spend a couple, three nights at each campground on my way to my two-month stay at Elite at Citrus Valley in Clermont. The time to relax and "catch up" was most helpful and worth it.

Aptly named, Sandy Run, there wasn't a blade of grass. My site 11 had water, electricity, and spotty Internet service. The person checking me in was most pleasant. One of the few sites without sewer was okay as I would have no need to dump...yet.

Surrounded by tall pines, I made sure to gather an ample supply
of large pine cones for future campfires. They make good kindling.

#3 - Barefoot RV Resort in North Myrtle Beach, SC, was an easy 2-hour, 136 mile trip. The ride was good with very light traffic. I caught some interesting sights on the way. I forced myself to drive 55 mph as check-in time was 1:00 p.m. Arrived a little after noon and had no problems. 

And I thought I had a lot of decals. This beauty from NY take the cake
(So jealous; Wait. There's still time)

Ask a boat owner: "Is this overkill?"

With only 76 sites, this campground, right off  highway 17 is a half mile from the ocean and central to all sorts of shopping, dining and entertainment. The sites are all full hook-ups with city water and sewage. They have concrete slabs, long and spacious and are immaculate in appearance. It's gated and I was given a pass code prior to arrival. When I approached the gate "it" knew me and opened. I'm right near the front gate on site 16.

It looks like I was fortunate to obtain my site 16 as most others are reserved for
"snowbirds". I'm told a lot of New Yawkas come and stay four or five months.

I'm standing at the edge of my site on the road. Winnie is in about 20' from the other side

Laundry, bathrooms, and showers right across street.

Lots of room.

To conclude the blog of the first leg of my journey, I want to share one of my terrific Christmas gifts I'll be enjoying. Sister, Judy gave me a case of 'splits' (375 ml) numbered 1 to 12. So, in addition to my own case of Australian Chardonnay, I managed to squeeze in another case of wine. I plan to make a bottle disappear each month in numerical order. Each a different varietal, they include: Pinot Noir, Moscato, Meritage, Sauvignon Blanc, Syrah, Chardonnay, Merlot, Rosé, Pinot Grigio, Cabernet Sauvignon, Viognier and Zinfandel. Can't wait. Thank you again, Judy.

 

Each numbered Christmas themed picture corresponds to the label on the bottle of wine.

#1 for January is Pinot Noir. As described in an accompanying chart, it is...

..."A lovely companion to your charcuterie board this season with flavors of strawberry, cherry and savory, earthy undertones."

Thanks for joining me once again. My next stop will be 3½ hours south to Bluffton, SC where I'll visit fellow retirees from Blue Mountain Middle School, Roger and Wendy. Till next time, stay well. It's 51º here in Myrtle Beach and I do look forward to sunshine. So far...not so good.