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I Made it to New Jersey

PostPosted: Wed Aug 25, 2010 10:38 pm
by Acadianmom
I made it to New Jersey tonight. Three long days traveling. I had a heat sheild that goes between my propane tank and the drive shaft break and start dragging in Mississippi. Coach Net had a guy come unbolt it and I was back on the road in an hour. I feel like Sparkle, just throw the pieces that fall off inside and keep on trucking. lol I did call Coach House and ask if I was going to blow up.

I went through Washington DC in rush hour traffic. I can quit complaining about Houston traffic now. I stopped at a KOA last night and I could probably have stayed at a cheap hotel for the same price, $49. I know they are usually higher than most places but good grief. And their Wifi didn't work but they did have cable. The first night I had Wifi but no TV.

I didn't stop to see anything and there were signs for a lot of things. I hope going back I can take my time. 500 mile days are rough.

Martha

Re: I Made it to New Jersey

PostPosted: Wed Aug 25, 2010 11:07 pm
by Forestgal
Wow, Martha! You're a marathon driver! I hope you have a great time with your son and PLEASE take your time going home. Hopefully the homestead will still be standing when you get back. ;)

Laura

Re: I Made it to New Jersey

PostPosted: Wed Aug 25, 2010 11:18 pm
by VickieP
Good grief, Martha, we're gonna have to rename you Speedy Gonzales! Don't overdo it, you know what you can comfortably do, rest when you need to, have fun, glow with pride for your son and enjoy yourself. Oh, don't forget pics! (thought I'd forget that, huh :roll: )

Re: I Made it to New Jersey

PostPosted: Thu Aug 26, 2010 4:41 am
by Liz
Glad you made it safely in spite of the traffic & long driving days. I haven't spent a lot of time in NJ in my RV, so do show us some sights when you can.

Re: I Made it to New Jersey

PostPosted: Thu Aug 26, 2010 7:17 am
by Nasoosie
Martha, DC in rush-hour traffic, without missing your route and circling the city once or twice, deserves a medal! That is really a mess down there! And 500 miles a day with an RV sounds like a nightmare! When I do those 3 days of 500 miles per day to get to FL in just my truck, I arrive sort of shell-shocked! No longer necessary for me to have to do that, thank heavens! NO more school schedules to have to meet!

Have fun with your son, and take your time going home!

Re: I Made it to New Jersey

PostPosted: Thu Aug 26, 2010 7:32 am
by bluepinecones
Glad you made it safely; sorry you had to do it in such a hurry.
I agree you deserve a metal for getting thru D.C. in rush hour. One of the things I do not miss since retiring is driving in D.C. - I used the subway as much as possible when there. I found it easier to drive the freeways in L.A. than the streets of D.C., but hated both. If I ever get an RV, I'll go way out of my way to avoid big city traffic - actually I do that now. ;)
Hope you enjoy your stay and get to make a slow sight seeing journey on your way back.

Re: I Made it to New Jersey

PostPosted: Thu Aug 26, 2010 7:54 am
by BirdbyBird
Glad you made it this far....and I know that you will keep wondering about all those road signs that could have lead to some unknown/known treasure.....One treasure at a time....enjoy the son! LAter you can go explore :)

Re: I Made it to New Jersey

PostPosted: Thu Aug 26, 2010 10:23 am
by Acadianmom
I don't know that I will do much rving in New Jersey. Will visit with my son and grandson and head South. I want to travel on the Blue Ridge Parkway but don't know if I will have time to do it all. I would like to see the Biltmore house too. I am trying to figure a way out of New Jersey without going back through DC. To get out of New Jersey I will have to cross one of the bridges and there aren't too many options. Liz, I need your navigational skills to find the back roads. I just hope that one of the storms in the Atlantic doesn't head for the Gulf and I have to beat it home. The anniversary of Katrina and Rita are coming up and the weather channel is showing stories about them. Don't really want to relive all that.

I have to say I love my GPS. I have had issues with it on other trips but this trip it didn't miss a beat. So nice to know which way you have to exit ahead of time. The "book" that came with it doesn't tell you how to operate all the functions. I learn something new every trip by accidentaly hitting the screen. People were pretty nice most of the time about letting me change lanes. People in some states are not so polite.

Martha

Re: I Made it to New Jersey

PostPosted: Thu Aug 26, 2010 11:15 am
by AlmostThere
Glad you checked in and are safe. Good grief, I'd have a meltdown driving in DC. Good for you!! Enjoy your stay! Looking forward to pics.

Re: I Made it to New Jersey

PostPosted: Thu Aug 26, 2010 11:34 am
by Bethers
Martha, I avoided DC both times I went south - and if you go via the VA Skyline to Blue Ridge Parkway - you pretty much avoid it. And to make you feel better - DC is not much better ANY time of day, except late at night. So, yes, I recommend avoiding it, if you can. The skyline to the Blue Ridge is a beautiful ride. And you'll go right past where the Biltmore is.

I avoid all KOA's - not worth their prices for me. But that's just me. I know some others believe in them. Why, I can't figure :)

Have a great visit - and please, yes, take your time coming back. 500 miles a day - every day - too much wear and tear on your mind.

Re: I Made it to New Jersey

PostPosted: Thu Aug 26, 2010 12:55 pm
by kelpie
I'm not crazy about KOA's either and find them mostly overpriced. That said, I do have one on my itinerary for the New England trip in Vermont. But I found that the whole New England region, in general, has far fewer options and higher prices.