FROSTY FRIDAY WITH SNOW FLURRIES

[Nasoosie]

GOOD MORNING ALL!

It's a bit below freezing this morning, with just a dusting, like confectioner's sugar, of snow on surfaces. I don't know why I am up so early, but I guess when I lie there and contemplate the things I still need to do, I have to get up! Molly was mouse-chasing this morning, but I don't see any carcasses lying around!

Today will be the day I transfer all my contact names and addresses, both real and email, and phone numbers to my address book I resurrected from my freshman year at college days. I have lots of free space in there! I will also call Direct TV to find out what I have to do to make my receiver work at my son's house when/if I can get the portable dish set up to grab a signal. I am keeping my bundled phone, DSL, and TV package this first year, even though the phone and DSL will be of no use to me. Mandy says she will help me pay for that package while I'm away, as they will use it. I will probably eventually buy a Verizon air card, one I can turn off for half the year, when I get settled into my son's yard. If I decide to stay in my house for any length of time, I will go for a bundled plan with the cable service in that area. Some have asked why haul my trailer if I have a house down there----because I love camping, want to explore FL state's campgrounds, maybe tavel around down there, and staying at my son's will be free with total hookups. (I'll have my own electric meter, water from a well, and septic system.) I also need the experience of hauling so I can again head out another year across the country to visit my daughter on the west coast and once again see the beauty of places I explored back in the 60s in my VW bus/conversion van.

If I decide to rent my house in the Orlando area, after I fix it up properly, it will be income for me until the value of it rises back up to where I can sell it. I just need to make sure that this time I get a competent rental agency to handle that property, if possible. And I love that place, as it's in a friendly neighborhood, has a swimming pool/jacouzzi, clubhouse with activities, lawn care, garbage pickup, biking distance to all the shopping stores I would need, situated on a pond where I can canoe the back rivers, and it's beautiful!

Yesterday I printed out a huge list of Pilot and Flying J truck stops along my route, and my plan is to now utilize those for overnights for free and for eating, thus saving quite a bit of money I would have spent on campgrounds. If the weather is nice,however, there is a super KOA campground in one of the Carolinas that has a covered, heated swimming pool and a pretty pond around which to walk with Molly. It might be fun to pull off there and spend a couple of nights, if they have a pull-through space, or one easy to back into. I usually stop there when I am alone and driving my truck and rent a Kamping Kabin next to the pond that they have set aside for those with dogs. It is a beautiful place.

As I get more and more useful things added to my travel plans, I am feeling a bit better. Knowing where those truck stops are has been a big help. I will plan to stop early and then leave from them early in order to find the best spots as I suspect they will be packed with snowbirds and truckers at this time of year. I love those Iron Skillet buffets at some of those, too!

Let's see---addresses this morning, then a good long walk in the woods for Molly and me, and then over to Issy's for supper and cocktails this afternoon. Oh yes, and bring in some more firewood---the never-ending chore of winters here in the north country!

Coffee is hot, so stop in and tell us what's what in your neck of the woods, so to speak. This trip has made me aware of how helpful it is to have friends out there on the roads with experience who can pass on some tips to newbie haulers like me!

Barbzee's tips have been invaluable to me! Thanks so much, Barb!

Happy Friday!

[cpatinjones]

Good morning to all,

Soos, it seems you are ready for the big day. It will be a gread adventure and learning experience! Remember, one day at a time!

I am looking forward to my camping trip this weekend. Leaving this morning and returning Monday. I will be attending the Wooden Boat Festival in Madisonville, La. It is just a few miles from the Fontainbleau State Park, where I will be camping with several friends.

Have a great day everyone!

[Liz]

Good morning! Today I'm packing up Silver Lining for a one-night boondock camp in my church parking lot. Tomorrow is the town's 1890 Days Festival (http://www.townofmcintosh.org/1890Day.html), and I will be a volunteer "gospel face-painter," /greeter all day. It is almost impossible to get to the church on Sat. morning as the police have all the roads blocked and traffic is heavy. So I decided to camp there overnight. The streets of the sleepy historic town of McIntosh fill with thousands of people once a year at their famous 1890 days.

Next weekend I'll spend 2 nights at Silver River State Park for their "Phantoms in the Forest" spooky story-telling event in the Cracker Village. I will volunteer to help set-up and bring baked goods for sale, but then plan to just enjoy the story-telling, presented by the local story-telling guild. Admission is free with a donated canned good for that event.

Can you tell, I'm looking for any excuse to go camping, as the weather is beautiful.

My E-Zee Lift, spare tire lift assist device arrived yesterday afternoon. The installation instructions look easy enough for a strong person, but I may have to hire it done. The continental spare on the RV has to be lowered to open the back door, then lifted back into place....(I hurt my back trying it at my walk-through), so I'm looking forward to having this device installed so I can store my kayak in the space I'll be able to access easier.

So, it's all about RVing today....so what if the stick house needs cleaning, the yard needs trimming, etc.!

[Readytogo]

Is it the KOA in Cherokeee NC?

[dayspring39]

Good Morning lady friends... it was in the mid 40s over night... will be 70 later... Beth is out with Peaches... what a nice guest and oh shadow loves Peaches... he goes to their door and sniffs when he hears a movement he barks for them to get up... not a good host he would make...

My son in law came over and got my fire place going while we were gone... when Beth and I got home from a wonderful chinese dinner it was out again... I called and they told me how to light it again... this morning the flames are dancing once more... what a peaceful morning it is... sun is out, Beth is taking Peaches for a walk, shadow and I are sitting here... I am sipping coffee he is patiently waiting Peaches return...

Next week will be my time to clean the carpeting and furniture in Bright Hope she is waiting to take me to FL...
Oh Liz I would like to be there for the festival... now I know where things are it will be easier for me to visualize where things are happening... have a great time... make many new friends... Soos keep plugging away and you will be on the road in a blink of time... Carolyn enjoy your planning hope the camping trip is nice...

I trust everyones day will be bright no matter the task ahead
Kathleen

[Nasoosie]

Is it the KOA in Cherokeee NC?

I just looked it up----it's the one in Florence, SC. I really love it there....right off 95.

I actually can't find the website for that one any more-----here's all I can find. It isn't listed on the KOA maps any more either. I sure hope they haven't gone toes up, as they were GREAT.

http://www.rvtoads.com/rvparks/florence-koa.html

[Acadianmom]

I am at the Fontainebleau State Park waiting for Carolyn. It looks like it's going to be a beautiful day. Last night it got a little cool, about 60. For some reason I have six pillows and only 2 blankets. I think some must have come out of my van when I was helping my son move. I was surprised to find that there is wifi at the park and I don't think they advertise it. It is the best connection I have ever had at a campground, even the ones you have to pay for. I came over a day early because I'm not known for an early start and I had all day to putz around. I got to stop at the Bass Pro Shop. That is one big place and I only saw about half of it.

Kathleen, I belong to a women's camping club in Texas and when they have a GTG I think there are more dogs than women. It's fun to watch the dog's meet up with their buddies.

Martha

[AlmostThere]

Good morning!

It rained a bit last night but heavier rain is on the horizon. It was bound to happen but we were getting so spoiled with the gorgeous weather we've had lately.

Little Missy is all winterized and snug in her storage slot for the winter. Kinda sad but looks like the left coast ladies are gearing up for their first GTG next summer! Woohoo! I was laying in bed thinking about my route down there etc. Whether to take the interstate most of the way south and then cut over to the coast or take the interstate just south of Portland (I have to go thru Portland no matter what), and cut over and drive down the coast, which would be a slower, but more beautiful drive.

Looks like Beth and Kathleen are having a mini GTG with their fur-babies. Also Carolyn and Martha hooking up for a great visit! What fun!

Played Bunco last night. I Buncoed 4 times and won $20! Cost $5 to play. They need permanent players and only meet once a month, so I think I'll join in. We use the banquet room at the bowling alley and there is an all men's league bowling at the same time. Just sayin'!

Guess that's all I have going...safe travels to my sistahs who are moving south etc!

[Bethers]

Soos, being smat people - that one is no longer a KOA - is called Florence RV Park now. But the reviews on it say "stil same tight koa spaces". I know you like KOA's - I hope by no longer being one, they'll be improving those kind of things! But the park is still there.

[Nasoosie]

Thanks for that info, Beth---I really, really love that campsite!