The countdown has officially begun

[jbrostek]

I hope everyone enjoyed their Thanksgiving weekend. I got to enjoy mine at what has become a seasons end for me for the past 5 years at a 3 day vintage race event called Turkey Bowl. It was the last official use of the RV for 2013, shes been winterized and cleared out and stay in storage mode for the next few weeks. But while its the end of the 2013 season for me, it is the start of the countdown to my vacation to FL and 2 weeks with close friends and the mouse. We have 33 days till we start our treck south, and while I wish I was joining my friends in our little RV convoy, I will be leaving about 8 hours behind them after I attend my nieces sweet 16 party.

The excitement has been steadilly growing already. I am starting my lists for both the trip and the Christmas holiday does not get neglected or forgotten. From packing to pre trip inspections and maintinence, it will find a place on one of the lists.

It's still a long way off and work is as busy as ever, but finally being so close to the date I am sure it will help me find the energy needed to make it to the years end.

 

[1Grumpy9]

My countdown also has begun to be a LOT more realistic. I am at 17 days until I arrive and 18 days until my parents arrive with the camper at FW. My parents are getting more and more excited and we are getting things to display for Christmas decorations outside. Now I just have to pack my clothes and get it in the camper for my parents to bring down and I will be all set!!

 

[jbrostek]

That is usually when my big push starts where day by day I try to get more packed and purchased and start loading the RV with stuff every few days. Right now I am just starting the lists to make sure I do all the pre trip maintinence on both the running gear of the new trailer and the truck. That generally follows the weather where I will tackle that on warmer days. The rest is just to make sure I pack everything I want or need to bring down with me.

 

[1Grumpy9]

My parents are still waiting to get the 5th wheel back from getting fixed (the hitch started coming apart...factory mistake) and detailed. We should have it back by next week and we can load things up then.

 

[loislane]

Hope you both enjoy your trips!

 

[1Grumpy9]

Thanks!! This trip is something new for my parents and I...spending it away from home. When I was younger we would bring my grandmother down to Daytona the week between Christmas and New Years, but this is the first time I have not been home for Christmas. It should be lots of fun!!

 

[jbrostek]

Hope you both enjoy your trips!

Thanks! I am wishing but not expecting the awesome weather we lucked out with last year (low to mid 70's all day, 60's at night.) And have learned to pack 3 season just in case. I actually have less to do with the new 5er vs. the old bus (no oil changes for genset and engine.) Also with the new 5er just look over and greasing of specific parts and pieces is all I will need to do this year.

The truck is close to ready too, it will see a full oil/lub service. And then the fun part of rebalencing all of the tires myself (suckers are heavy, but its better then having to pay someone else to do it.) I will probably splurge a bit and have the truck giving a wash and wax closer to the departure date with my normal detailer. Then its just make it through the holidays and hit the road.

 

[2goofycampers]

Safe travels, magical times and warm dry weather.

 

[Born 2 Fish]

Sweet !!
Lotta Fort Magic coming to several friends soon. Love the count downs.
Safe travels to all. Don't forget the green Dis signs,

 

[jbrostek]

I will try not to become a weather hawk, I know what seasonal temps should be and I am sure I will be staring at 10 day forecasts by new years to to see how much magical weather we actually get.

Spent some more time last night working on reservation plans for when we do plan to dine out. We don't like to get too full of plans and reservations, but we been going after some of the harder to get reservations. The group has 3 reservations planned, the rest we plan to wing for now. This works well with out relaxed style of enjoying the magic.

We will be there from the 5th to the 19th of Jan, requested 300 loop (we like its proximity to the dog park.) If my time allows I will try to drop in with updates from time to time. Till then, im sure ill be posting up my little plans for packing and otherwise.

 

[1Grumpy9]

Thanks! I am wishing but not expecting the awesome weather we lucked out with last year (low to mid 70's all day, 60's at night.) And have learned to pack 3 season just in case.

I have been trying to plan my warddobe out too, but I don't want to take my whole closet. As of right now, I have my capri's and t-shirts. I also have to take at least 3 hockey jerseys (one for a hockey game we are going to and the others for pictures). I am also planning on jeans and sweatshirts. I hope that will be enough.

 

[Born 2 Fish]

I have been trying to plan my warddobe out too, but I don't want to take my whole closet. As of right now, I have my capri's and t-shirts. I also have to take at least 3 hockey jerseys (one for a hockey game we are going to and the others for pictures). I am also planning on jeans and sweatshirts. I hope that will be enough.

Pack for Winter weather,,,then if it's warm when you get there , hit K-Mart &Wally Weird Clearance racks for for summer wear. (you'll feel and LOOK like a tourist)(uh,,I mean a million bucks)

 

[jbrostek]

For a 2 week stay down there, I take a little more then I need. But thats also due to taking shorts, pants, t shirts, polos, and some stuff for formal dining. Plus a pile of sweat shirts, fleeces and coats from my winter coat (which I need at home but hopefully not there) to a light windbreaker. Shoes wise is 5 pairs, 2 pair of sneakers, pair of boots, dress shoes and sandles. I just plan on doing laundry about a week into the stay.

 

[bama_ed]

I wish I could wrangle a two week stay at the Fort. The longest I've had so far is a week.

But I'm following your pre-trip thread closely.



We leave for a spring break trip in about three months and all these folks going like yourself have put me in the mood!

Bama Ed

 

[jbrostek]

Ed,

I travel with a group of families, one family is a small business owner and getting away is hard enough in general. But for 8-10 years they been taking 2 weeks during the slowest time of the year (mind you their Automotive shop is open, but work is slow so its a good time for them to take a break and get away.) It is also a great slow time of the year for me and I save my vacation up to go for 2 weeks.

Because of the timing of our stay, its actually no more expensive them staying elsewhere in FL for a week or two. While we are doing FW for 2 weeks, the cost is only about 100 dollars more then staying a week in Flaglar Beach, and a week at Disney. To control food costs we limit eating out to only a few nights and cook in most of the time. The 3 families actually start saving for the trip right after we get back from the last one, we usually decide on the time for stay, are we doing Disney FW only or splitting the 2 weeks between locations. By Feb we have our Dis reservations and grand gathering set. Then we have all year to save for the trip.

We still take other extended weekends trips together and do our own things as well, but not full week trips in the summer or anything.

 

[jbrostek]

T minus 26 days to departure. The group has started meal planning for back at the campground and who is responsible for bringing what. My lists are getting sorted and even some items are getting checked off already. This weekend was mainly holiday shopping and dealing with the little storm that turned everything into an ice cube around DC.

The magic bands shipped last Friday and are due to arrive today. Should be cool to check them out, but that is one item that will quickly get put into the trailer so it is not forgotten. There is still plenty to do between now and then, and not all that much time left. But like every year, we will make it happen.

 

[RVMH]

We will be there in just 30 days!! We have magic bands from a stay at end of Oct. and figured we could use them again. It seems that new bands are issued for every stay - no matter how close together.Both new and old bands will be active, or so they say. CM told me that people like to select different colors so they can coordinate the bands to their outfits for the day ....LOL.....

Hope for warm weather but bring the winter coat and gloves. I remember a Jan a few years back that was FRIGID for days .... all faucets at the fort left on for several nights to avoid freezing lines.

 

[Born 2 Fish]

Very cool for ya'll
I like to color coordinate,,I wonder if the bands come in "Trout"

 

[RVMH]

Very cool for ya'll
I like to color coordinate,,I wonder if the bands come in "Trout"

Not sure about Trout but SALMON should be a good choice.........

 

[1Grumpy9]

My parents leave tomorrow with the camper for the trek down (they are stopping in Daytona until Friday). I leave on a jet plane on Thursday!! We are packing up the camper of things that need to be packed (clothes and decorations) tonight!! I don't know how much longer I can contain my excitement!!!!!