Trip Report - Reader's Digest version

[ftwildernessguy]

Got back this aft from 9 glorious days at the Fort. I have a couple pics but they aren't going anywhere tonight. Here is what happened:

Left Tuesday night at 10 pm and drove all night while FWGirl and the wonder beagle slept. Uneventful trip to South Carolina. Stayed at New Green Acres on a couple Fiend's recommendations Wednesday night. Nice clean campground, wide and long grassy shaded spots. 26 bucks for a site with elec/water. Not a vacation denstination, but great for overnight and can't beat the price. Oh, and easy on/easy off of 95. For those travelling from the NEast - big construction going on 495 around DC with lane closures at night.

Got up early Thursday. Breakfast at the Barrel - they have a Fall Fest special with sweet potato pancakes that would make your mother cry for around 7 bucks. Worth the stop. Took the 9A bypass around Jax - I have used this 3 times now and would never go any other way. No more white knuckles thru Jacksonville. Almost got killed by a renegade trucker on 95 who passed me on the right in an acceleration lane going about 100. Ran into 2 small clouds of love bugs, nothing serious. Hauled into the Fort about 3pm. Girl at the Outpost told me the 1800 loop was closed for rehab (what? they did that a couple years ago) - liar. She gave me 1623 - Lar's loop. It was okay, though. Nice site except the water hookup leaked like a seive. Called engineering, mentioned Bobby and the plumber came right out and replaced the backflow protector. Did a quick set up of the trailer, rode my bike a little, grilled something and ate it, made a Kungaloosh and went to bed. The trip gets more exciting. More later.

 

[ftwildernessguy]

For those interested in TV's and TT's - 2009 Outback 210rs weighing in at just under 6000lbs loaded with hitch weight of just under 500lbs. Reese WD hitch with 600lb bars and a single Reese friction sway control. Say what you will about my set up, Larry, but it works like a charm and I will defend to the death using only 600lb bars and can give you a reference to some scientist fellow who goes into the physics of these things and why bigger isn't always better. TV is a 2005 Ford F150 super cab 5.4l with factory tow package and Class 4 receiver. I got about 11-12 mpg on the trip, kept the speed about 55-60 mph the whole trip. I started out with a greased ball but ended up with only about half left. My appoligies to the mom's of the kids with white shorts who rubbed up against it in the parking lots at the parks.

 

[Born 2 Fish]

Sorry ya'll had to come back Jim, But, welcome back anyways.
At least ya'll had a 9 glorious days at the Fort,

Look'n forward to your pics

And don't forget to tell us bout all the manly stuff,,you know, hunting, fishing, wilderness exploring ,

 

[disney4dan]

Stayed at New Green Acres on a couple Fiend's recommendations Wednesday night. Nice clean campground, wide and long grassy shaded spots. 26 bucks for a site with elec/water. Not a vacation denstination, but great for overnight and can't beat the price. .

I agree, certainly not a destination by itself, but easy to get in, stay connected and move on in a day or two. Can't beat that price.

For those interested in TV's and TT's - 2009 Outback 210rs weighing in at just under 6000lbs loaded with hitch weight of just under 500lbs. Reese WD hitch with 600lb bars and a single Reese friction sway control. Say what you will about my set up, Larry, but it works like a charm and I will defend to the death using only 600lb bars and can give you a reference to some scientist fellow who goes into the physics of these things and why bigger isn't always better. TV is a 2005 Ford F150 super cab 5.4l with factory tow package and Class 4 receiver. I got about 11-12 mpg on the trip, kept the speed about 55-60 mph the whole trip. I started out with a greased ball but ended up with only about half left. My appoligies to the mom's of the kids with white shorts who rubbed up against it in the parking lots at the parks.

Can't wait to see the setup in the pix. I hate getting that grease on things, but it does keep the noise down and save the trailer. How did you like the trailer overall? We're settling into ours nicely and I love the way it tows. Although, the spacing between the axles is different and I notice that it barely stays on the driveway when we pull out, with the drivers side tires going over the storm drain and almost catching the handles for the waste tanks.

Looking forward to more!

 

[Lil' Lisa]

Glad to hear that you made it home safely. It was really great meeting you and Carol. We realized that we never took any pictures of the four of us together. What were we thinking!!!

 

[ftwildernessguy]

Okay, I'll knock out Friday since it's an easy one before I pass out.

I got up early and finished setting up camp - put out the awning and mat, camp chairs and table, awning lights, easy up, discovered the easy up lights were missing a critical part so had to go lightless there. Took the wonder beagle over to Best Friends and checked him in - I will make a separate post on my review of them. Then off to the best of all events on the first day - the trip to Publix and the Big Giant Orange.

Publix was great - lots of food and I was able to locate 3 containers of the famous Publix frosted sugar cookies, the best in the land. FWGirl would only let me buy one, however. The big giant orange was a disappointment - no oranges! A handful of ruby red grapefruit for a buck a piece - passed on that deal. Did pick up some awesome coconut candies in key lime and mango flavors.

Got back to camp, had a cookie, rode my bike, grilled up some stuff and ate it, had a Kungaloosh or two, picked up the dog and went to bed. FWGirl had a Pina Colada.

It gets better on Saturday.

 

[ftwildernessguy]

Glad to hear that you made it home safely. It was really great meeting you and Carol. We realized that we never took any pictures of the four of us together. What were we thinking!!!

Tell me about it. I always think of pictures after the fact. Hope the weather isn't too wet for you guys now.

 

[kazlac4]

I started out with a greased ball but ended up with only about half left. My appoligies to the mom's of the kids with white shorts who rubbed up against it in the parking lots at the parks.

Had to laugh when I read this.. (been there, done it!). We will be leaving in a few weeks. Hope the construction around DC is not as bad by then (but there ALWAYS seems to be some construction going on somewhere along the route!). Anyway, anxiously awaiting the rest of your TR!

 

[mgsmom]

 

[anolefan]

My appoligies to the mom's of the kids with white shorts who rubbed up against it in the parking lots at the parks.

I can relate to this.

It only took me about 6 trips to smarten up and remove the ball from my tv. I finally got sick of cleaning grease off of the kids.

I hope you had a great trip.

 

[OK GRUMPY]

You start off like I do in the dark driving! We have an 8 hour drive and find it more enjoyable to drive at night and get half way there and find a campground to sleep and go! Can't wait to read more!

 

[DebbieT11]

 

[ftwildernessguy]

Saturday - still no pics, hidden in camera. I hope to have time today to mess with them and post some.

Took Mickey to the kennel. Deb stopped by for coffee. FWGirl didn't pack Kona, but had some Guatemalan stuff that brewed up pretty nice. Had a great visit with Debbie over coffee. Sure was good to see her again. I must have lost more hair or something because she cruised right past the campsite and never even slowed down the first loop around.

Met up with my buddy Andy and his wife Sue for lunch at Sanaa. Andy and Sue are part time CM's at Disney we have known for years. We always get together for some meal and he lets me choose the restaurant from a list they get a pretty decent discount at. We ate at Jiko last year. I like Sanaa better. More casual and I liked the food better. I highly recommend the Tandoori Chicken - grilled spiced chicken over a salad on top of a large flatbread. To top it off, it is on the level of the the Savannah and you get to see some giraffe and ostrich up close, unless that sort of thing freaks you out. Talked with a girl from Botswana coming to the end of her Disney experience. She was anxious to go home but will miss Florida and Disney. Our waiter was Randall - very personable and has quite a history with the mouse. Prices were pretty reasonable even without the discount. I would go back.

Andy and Sue came back to the trailer and hung out for a while. I took them back to their car and Care and I grilled some more meat of some kind, had a Kungaloosh and went to bed after a bike ride and puppy pick up.

Sunday was okay. By the way, weather was in the 90's all days, no rain until our last day. Nightly highs in the 70's. Beginning of the vacation was breezy with low humidity. Great Florida weather. Sunday stayed at the camper. I rode bike, Care read a book. Had a Southern Smothered Hot Dog at the poolside snack bar. It was crazy good. 8 bucks but worth every milligram of sodium. Came with these really good potato chips, too. Watched some guys doing survey work between the road and the Settlement by the golf cart sidewalk. They put up these really neat survey markers with long red white and blue ribbons going into the trees. I didn't get a picture but they're still there if you want to see them. I have no idea what they were doing. Picked up the puppy, grilled some meat and ate it, had a Kungaloosh and went to bed. Monday was Epcot day and make your own Food and Beer Festival. Hey, maybe I'll have some pics, too.

 

[DaveInTN]

Glad you made it home in one piece. Carry on, please.

 

[des1954]

Jim - the pleasure was all mine. Thank you for sharing a couple of hours of your vacation with me. You & Carol are great peoples. The coffee was yummy, too! Did you ever get the lights working in the screen room?

 

[kampfirekim]

I'm lovin' this Readers digest TR! Can't wait to see the pics.

 

[auntie]

So far..sooo good! Can't wait to read more.


___________

 

[Tri-circle-D]

FWG-

As my friend, Bill Shakespeare, said, brevity is the soul of wit.

I am enjoying your TR!

My comments thus far:

1. TMI on your greasy ball.

2. Love the details on your dining experiences e.g. : "grilled some stuff and ate it." You have such a way with words. It's like we are right there with you!

3. Congratulations on your purchase and consumption of a SSHD! :thumbsup I know this was a difficult decision for you.

I'm looking forward to more!

TCD

 

[Lil' Lisa]

Tell me about it. I always think of pictures after the fact. Hope the weather isn't too wet for you guys now.

It's a good excuse to meet up again some day! Other than Friday it has only been raining briefly now and again during the late evenings.

 

[doombuqqy]