Our very first official trip fort wilderness over christmas 2013

[serenitygr]

Well here we are- this is the official beginning of our actual trip report! We are beginners at this, so hopefully I'll do a good enough job at this trip report that you will all enjoy it! This is only our families 2nd trip to Disney - our first trip was in Feb of 2012. We ended up staying at a cabin at the Fort, simply because I was trying to find an affordable resort for our family of 6. I never DREAMED I would so totally and completely fall in love with the Fort... But as so many of you know- that is what happens.

So we came home and I found an old Pace Arrow motorhome on Craigs list. We got it, and have been saving for this trip ever since.

We are a family of 6- Joe and myself, our 11 year old twins Korey and Kody, and our 8 year old twins Sammi and Scotty. Joining us on this trip is my mom- Darla! She is riding down in the motorhome with us, and then she'll have a room at POP for most of the time until we head back home to MN. Also flying down and staying for a week is my brother Steve- he's also from MN.

We are beginning our trip by heading to a campground called Camp Macks, which is about an hour from Disney. My oldest brother Bobby, and his family, are staying there- he was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer about 2 months ago, and was not given a good prognosis. But we are a family of believers, so he proceeded to pack up his family and his life, and move from St Louis to his favorite campground in Florida and he is right now living his dream. We are going to spend 3 glorious days there with him until we head to the Fort Sunday morning. Not sure which is going to mean more to me this vacation- I have a feeling this time with my brother will be something I treasure forever....

We left MN last night- made it to EauClaire, WI at about 2:30 am amidst a snowstorm, an empty propane tank (so no heat) , and a lot of tiredness. Found a truck stop, snuggled under the covers, and dozed off and on until about 8:30 am. I have never woke up and been able to see my breath before this morning. LOL But we then found a place to fill up the propane, got things warmed up and headed out. We've been putzing this morning, and at almost 2pm we are still in WI heading out finally. Hoping to get to KY by tonight. There is a cave tour we really want to go on before heading out on the 2nd half of our journey....

 

[nwcaninecenter]

Have a safe trip! Find flying j truck stops. Most are VERY RV friendly. You can dump tanks, have propane filled, Denny's for eats and if you need to a hot shower for a few bucks. Valdosta GA is a nice one and Resaca Georgia too.

 

[RDawn]

You are off to a very good start on your trip report!

 

[serenitygr]

You are off to a very good start on your trip report!

Thank you RDawn! We are having a ball! About one more hour and we'll be entering Illinois! We estimate about 20 more hours to go! Glad Joe is a truck driver- he's used to long days of driving. Taking a break from a coule hours of board games now---we are noticing our windows are no longer all frosted up!! Warmer weather is already upon us!



Planning on having supper somewhere tonight to have a break from "motorhome" lunches....Loving this!

Thank you everyone else for all the well wishes!

 

[tiggerdad]

First off, glad to hear you were able to get out of the yard!

Prayers for brother and your family during this trying time.

Safe travels, and congrats on the heat. Seeing your breath in the morning can be depressing, unless of course you are camping!

Oh yeah, I found that shirt that I purchased in MN, and it was Cotton, MN where I got it.

Be safe and don't let the report get in the way of the trip. Vacation first, report later.

 

[snowmedic]

Good to hear that you got your propane filled and all is warm again. Drive safe and I will keep reading as time allows.

 

[CDNCruiser]

Glad to read that you are underway Shelly!

I look forward to hearing all about your Christmas adventure!

Gary

 

[bama_ed]

Oh boy! I'm in on the first page. Bama Ed

 

[RVMH]

Savor every moment!!

 

[North of Mouse]

Glad to hear you are off to a great start! Have a 'wonderfee' and filled trip!

 

[Born 2 Fish]

Very, very cool
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[serenitygr]

tiggerdad;50282120]First [/COLOR]off, glad to hear you were able to get out of the yard!

Prayers for brother and your family during this trying time.

Safe travels, and congrats on the heat. Seeing your breath in the morning can be depressing, unless of course you are camping!


Oh yeah, I found that shirt that I purchased in MN, and it was Cotton, MN where I got it.

Be safe and don't let the report get in the way of the trip. Vacation first, report later.

Thank you Tiggerdad! So glad we got out of the yard too! What a long winter it's going to be! I have a good friend that lives near Cotton-that is pretty cool! Remember us if you come that far north again- the coffee will be ready! And thank you for the continued prayers

Good to hear that you got your propane filled and all is warm again. Drive safe and I will keep reading as time allows.

Thanks snowmedic!

Glad to read that you are underway Shelly!

I look forward to hearing all about your Christmas adventure!

Gary

Hi Gary! Isn't it wonderful! I am so excited that the time is finally here! I will try to share all this fun with you and everyone else following along!

Savor every moment!!

Thank you RVMH! We are doing just exactly that!

Glad to hear you are off to a great start! Have a 'wonderfee' and filled trip!

Thank you North of Mouse!

Very, very cool
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Thanks Born 2 Fish! I hope you can follow along with us!

 

[serenitygr]

Day 2 was the 2nd full day of our journey. Started out rough- woke up at 4:30am freezing cold- we had run out of propane again. This time we luckily found a place to refill within about 10 minutes, and got some heat going again. But then it was almost 5:30, so we decided to just start driving. At the rate we are going, we'll need to sleep about 24 hours once we arrive- just to catch up!

Started the day in WI----- went thru Illionois----- started having trouble with the motorhome- everytime we slow down it wanted to die. What a nightmare. Joe spent a couple hours working on it- decided something is plugging up with the fuel filter. Couldn't find a walmart or parts store to save our souls.... So he continued on- I am just thankful it was him driving, and he knows how to handle things like that. I was worried enough just sitting there hoping it wouldn't die and then not restart.... Our original plans were to stop at a place in Bowling Green, KY and go on a cool boat tour thru a cave. The way things were going, I never thought we'd make it, since they closed at 4pm. So I told the kids we'd try to find a different tour like that in Florida, or possibly do the KY on the way home- they were good about it- it's part of motorhome life being able to adapt to sudden changes in plans. (at least that's what I told them LOL ) But Joe said we will make it, and by gosh we did! So now I'll post some pictures of our adventures there.....

HERE IS ALL 4 KIDS IN FRONT OF THE GIFT SHOP SIGN


HERE IS SCOTTY READY TO BE SANTA!


THE CLOSEST THING TO SNOW WE'VE SEEN IN KENTUCKY (YAY)


JOE, SAMMI, AND SCOTTY GOOFING AROUND


KODY, KOREY, AND JOE AS WE GO THROUGH THE UNDERGROUND CAVE


UNDERGROUND- THE GLOWING STONE


UNDERGROUND THE CAVE AGAIN....


HERE IS WHERE WE ALL HAD TO DUCK TO GO UNDER THE LOW ROCK OVERHANG (SCOTTY DID BEFORE IT WAS TOO LATE )



THIS IS WALKING THE TRAIL ON THE WAY TO THE BOAT TOUR


AND HERE WE ARE ON OUR WAY AGAIN- SCOTTY'S HORSE APPLE DECIDED TO HELP WITH THE DRIVING

I am so glad we went to this place- it really was amazing! Then we were on our way again- still about 1000 miles to go and we have to check in Thursday- Joe did some more work on the motorhome at a walmart, and while it still is giving him trouble, at least going down the freeway it's good. We went through Atlanta about 1am- it was simply beautiful! Got about 5 hours of sleep and got going about 8am- we are down to about 350 miles, and are estimating arriving at Camp Macks at about 5pm.... Hopefully this big beast will keep running until we get there safely!

 

[snowmedic]

What a adventure you are having. Hope your travels get better, and the motor home stays running.

 

[jbrostek]

If you are running out of propane in a day, either you have the heat cranked, you have a leak, or the tank is freezing up so you only able to use some but not all of the propane. I would say after you get to Camp Mack and get unwind a bit, look into that.

 

[MsHershey]

Enjoying your trip report! So sorry the motorhome is giving you fits. I hope it is only minor and you have problem free travels going forward. Here's a little Prayers to your brother and family during this difficult time. Your kids look like they are having a blast! I hope you have a magical vacation.

 

[CDNCruiser]

If you are running out of propane in a day, either you have the heat cranked, you have a leak, or the tank is freezing up so you only able to use some but not all of the propane. I would say after you get to Camp Mack and get unwind a bit, look into that.

I agree . . . you are using way too much propane. Our rig has a 100 lb tank and it will run our furnace for 6 - 8 days in bitter cold weather.

I'd be checking for a leak somewhere.

Great pictures . . . keep 'em coming!

 

[serenitygr]

Thanks everyone! Just entered Florida about 1/2 hour ago! It is simply unbelievable how beautiful it is! All I can think is why do people live in MN??? PLEASE don't make me leave here in 2 weeks! At home right now it is about 5 degrees for a high

I agree we are using too much propane but I don't think it is leaking. We don't smell anything when we check... . It is only a 10 gallon size tank, I think, and the first 2 nights it was below zero the whole time, so I think that's part of the problem. And it's a huge area for one furnace to try to heat. (the back bedroom has a furnace, but it does not work) As of now our tank still shows full, and that's since yesterday morning, so it's so much better now that it's warmer outside.... We actually slept our whole 5 hours last night without waking up cold! LOL

We will be stopping at walmart on the way to Camp Macks to get supplies and the kids are each picking out a bike for their Christmas present from us, so we are getting closer to heaven every step of the way! And the motorhome is just a chugging along!

 

[jbrostek]

It sounds like the tank was freezing up then, because 10 gallons will last more then 24 hours of heating, even at 5F. I use my camper down to that level and it has just 1 40k BTU furnace.

 

[North of Mouse]

Glad you are enjoying your trip (adventure) in spite of your various difficulties!

The cave seems like a neat place - we lived in KY a few years - went through Mammoth Cave - not too fond of them anymore - weirds me out to be underground LOL

Yes, DH & I were just talking about MN yest. (have friends there) and wonder the same thing about why would anyone want to live there! Just jesting - 'Home is Home, no matter where that might be'!! (just glad it's yours and not ours

Y'all just enjoy our good 'ole south and soak up as much warmth as you can!