Spring Trip 2016: Starke, Florida and Gulf Shores, Alabama

Wednesday, 4/20:  195 miles and camped at the KOA in Starke, FL

Site 28, Starke KOA

We packed up and left Skidaway State Park about 10:00 AM.  The GPS mapping programs had us taking Interstate 95 most of the way, but after dealing with I-95 traffic a couple days ago, we decided to take some less traveled routes.  We ended up traveling Routes 17, 84, and 301.  It was an excellent choice.  The roads were smooth and had very little traffic.  The weather was phenomenal with sunshine and an 82 temperature. Today was also Judy's birthday, so we celebrated with grilling fillet mignon steaks for dinner.  It was a very peaceful and relaxing day.

Thursday, 4/21:  Starke, FL

Today was a duplicate of yesterday, sunny and 82.  This morning Judy and I drove to nearby Middleburg to visit Charmaine and Mark Gable.  Charmaine is a retired teacher who taught with me at Potsdam High School years ago.  Even though they moved to Florida, Charmaine and Mark have remained close friends.  We even brought some local maple syrup for a gift.  We had a great time chatting and catching up.  The four of us drove out to a favorite spot of theirs on the St. John's River. Later Judy and I went back to the camper to walk the dogs.  Then Susie and Al joined us and we all met at a local BBQ joint in Middleburg for dinner.  We bid farewell to Charmaine and Mark, and promised to return again with more maple syrup.  :-)

Friday, 4/22:  370 miles, camped at Gulf State Park, Gulf Shores, Alabama

Gulf Stae Park: Site 448

We had a long drive today, so we were on the road about 8:00.  The drive was uneventful, although we did drive through a couple brief spells of very heavy rain.  Glad the whole trip wasn't heavy rain.  It was hot, sunny and very humid when we arrived about 3:30 PM, Central Time.

Gulf State Park is HUGE.  There are nearly 500 sites, and every one is large, grassy, and reasonably private.  All of the roads and pads are paved.  This is an amazing campground.  After a slight snafu, the site we were assigned to was already taken, we set up and relaxed.  It was a long day.

Saturday, 4/23:  Gulf State Park

Another sunny and 80 degree day.  We are starting to get spoiled with this weather.  Let me explain, I woke this morning, and it was 70 degrees out.  So I sat outside and sipped coffee as the sun rose.

sunrise with coffee

Judy and I went for bike rides later in the morning.  With level and paved roads, this campground is a bicycle paradise.  It seems like everyone rides.  After lunch, Judy and I went shopping for groceries and fresh fish.  We ended up finding some fresh red snapper.  We stopped at Billy’s by the Beach for a drink.  Gulf Shores is full of beach bars.  Later, we cooked the red snapper and vegetables wrapped in foil over the BBQ grill.  Nice way to end the day.

Sunday, 4/24:  Gulf State Park

Would you believe, another sunny and 80 degree day!  Sue, Al, Judy and I all went to Billy’s by the Beach for Sunday Brunch.  We sat out on the deck and had a great late breakfast.  Then it was back to the campers for lounging, napping and reading.  It was such a relaxing day.  We enjoyed burgers at Sue and Al’s for dinner.

Monday, 4/25: Gulf State Park

OK, sorry, but another sunny and 80 degree day.  Judy and I did a bike ride, then some supply shopping in the morning.  We hit Walmart for some supplies in the morning.  After lunch, we went to the pier and beach that was a part of the park.  We stopped at The Hangout, a local beach bar, for a drink.  Later that day, we all went to Mikee's for dinner.

Tomorrow, Tuesday, we pack up, say "Good Bye" to the sunny south and start our trip back north.

Spring 2016 Trip: Gouverneur to Savannah, Georgia

Thursday, 4/14:  335 miles and camped at the Jonestown KOA in Jonestown, PA

Jonestown KOA, Site 55

 Well, time for another road trip.  We’re done making maple syrup and the lawn isn’t ready to mow yet. Its mud season here in NNY.  So we’re off to the sunny south with the camper for a few weeks. Today is a beautiful sunny and 60.  We are traveling with Judy's sister Susie and her husband Al.  We traveled with them two years ago when we took a Canadian Maritime trip together.

Friday, 4/15:  Still in Jonestown.  Today did not turn out like we planned.  Just as we were leaving, Al radioed me that he had no trailer brakes.  So we immediately pulled back into our sites.  Some amateur trouble shooting by us didn't seem to find the cause, so Al was able to find and call a mobile repair service. Long story short, by the time he had everything fixed and 700 dollars later, it was 3:30 in the afternoon. Tired and stressed out, we decided to stay another night rather than drive into the night to make the next stop. We rearranged our reservations and will make a couple of longer than planned drives to get back on schedule.  What a day!!!

Saturday, 4/16:  395 miles and camped at the Fancy Gap KOA in Fancy Gap, VA.

Site 26

It was a long day, but beautiful drive down I-81 to get to Fancy Gap, which is located in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia.  The weather cooperated again with sunshine and 65 degree temperatures.  Fancy Gap has such a unique name, so I Googled it.  This is what I found.  Interesting.

Sunday, 4/17:  377 miles and camped at Skidaway Island State Park, Savannah, GA.

Site 28

Today was another long drive, and traffic was a zoo, but we are back on schedule.  We followed Interstate Highways, taking I-77, I-26 and I-95.  95 was especially busy.  It was sunny and 72 when we arrived.  Wow, Skidaway Island SP is green and beautiful!  We will spend three nights here.  It will be a very relaxing stay.

Monday 4/18:  Still camped at Skidaway.

After two long driving days, today was a lazy, catchup day.  We were blessed with another sunny day and temps in the mid 70's.  This was the spring break we were looking for.  We all had lunch at a nearby bar and grill on the island.  Judy and I went for a bike ride on the Big Ferry Trail in the park.  

Tuesday, 4/19:  Today is our last day at Skidaway.

Charlotte Landon is a retired teaching friend from Potsdam High School, who now happens to live in Savannah.  She and her husband, Robert Trithart, moved here in 2009.  They bought a 1920's house in an old neighborhood and completely renovated it.  We met Robert and Charlotte at their place about 10:30.  Char is a certified tour guide for the Historic District of Savannah, so were treated to a first class walking tour of the district.  Here is another link for the historic district worth checking out.  My photos don't do justice to the beauty and charm of Savannah.

As we have become accustomed to, today was another sunny and warm day, with temps in the high 70's.  It was hot walking, so we cooled off with a late lunch and a brew at the Moon River Brewing Company.  We ended up buying a growler of Swamp Fox IPA.

We headed back to camper about 3:00 to walk dogs and take a break.  Then it was back to Char and Robert's house for a delicious pulled pork BBQ dinner.  It was a real treat catching up with Char and Robert.  I have not seen them in many years, but we renewed our conversation and friendship just like it was yesterday.  We got back to the campers about 8:30 and crashed.  According to the health app on my phone, I walked about eight miles today.

Tomorrow we leave Skidaway and move to Starke, FL to catchup with another longtime friend.