The Exciting RV Lifestyle - Newsy Protion

THE EXCITING RV LIFESTYLE - Issue 13 - Newsy Portion

Diary published weekly since 2001
Read a different version of this Diary Here

Hi guys: Greetings again from sunny south Florida! Saturday, we began our slow trek north. This past two weeks we’ve enjoyed the most appealing aspect of RVing – taking our home with us to meet up with family who are also vacationing in the south. On our next leg of this interesting winter adventure, it also feels good because we are again on our own, doing our own thing – I have to have time to play – write a few articles – plus I must finish adding our taxes to the spread sheet to send to our accountant (Cdns have till 30 Apr to submit). If I can fit it in I hope to also update some of my website stories.

Traffic on I-75 was at a frustrating stop and go crawl on Saturday – mainly because of the number of snowbirds and students that were migrating north. We were happy it was a short travel day of about 350 miles, although it took us till 4:30 to reach our Saturday night stop of 2-days at a real Gem – ‘Lee’s CG in White Springs Florida’ (386 397 4132). This park offers a wooded environment but with a clear sky for TV Satellites, Free WiFi, full hook-up level pull-thru sites with 50/30Amp connections ($13.00 – Rec USA/Happy Camper member parks – see RVLiving.net/home.htm for link details) – definite repeat stop. Our future travels will be Monday at Twin Oaks CG in Perry ($10.00-Rec USA). Beginning Tuesday we’ll enjoy 6-days at Carolina Landing in Fair Play, SC (RPI/ Thousand Trails Membership parks for $10.00 per night). Staying at discount campgrounds helps to diffuse the gas/fuel prices. Thankfully we have managed to fuel-up at under $4.00 per gallon. (In this area gas is fluctuating at $3.30).

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A REVIEW OF THE PAST WEEK

EASTER SUNDAY we, along with numerous others enjoyed an uplifting Church service accompanied with guitar and piano music at 3 Flags RV Park in Wildwood, Florida (another RPI Park at $10. p/night). Their Easter Egg Hunt and Pot Luck added to Park celebrations. However John created a decadent Fajitas feast for us – much easier for me to stay on a proper eating regime when we avoid Pot Lucks.

While in Wildwood, I had to have a trip down memory lane with a visit to the giant Webster Flea Market on MONDAY. It was colder than normal and we only bought some fruits and vegetables, but it was fun to see all the available goodies.

TUESDAY was moving day and we couldn’t arrive at our next stop in Venice till Wednesday so we overnighted at Bushnell Wal*Mart. Good friend Barb was also wintering in this area and she spent the afternoon with us. She too writes a regular column reference travelling in the RV Single Lane for the RV Gazette. Barb drives her 38’ Bounder motorhome, usually on her own, to venture south each year. Frequently she joins other singles at rallies and the Escapees parks. Thanks for taking the time to stop by Barb; it was fun to play catch-up in person.

That afternoon and evening we three visited my sister Nancy and hubby Bud at the Red Barn CG before we all headed to Beef O’Gradey’s for dinner. This outstanding restaurant was not open when we wintered in this location last year. What a fantastic eatery. The menu was loaded with choices at very good prices – and the portions were normal, not super sized. We highly recommend one of these eateries for those who want to enjoy a great meal. After dinner Barb went her way and Nan and Bud joined us at our motorhome for an extended farewell visit. So great our paths crossed this winter. They plan to return to Nova Scotia early April – hopefully the cold/snow will soon be gone for all of us.

WEDNESDAY we ventured further south to Florida Pines RV Park in Venice ($37.00 for a posh park). It is close to John’s sister Marilyn and hubby Arnold’s condo in the beachfront community of Englewood. Our 3-day get together was jam packed with warm wonderful visits, tasty meals and a variety of activities. Marilyn is such a decadent cook, plus this area overflows with great restaurants. That night we dined on delicious seafood at The Fishery in nearby Placida. They are noted for Redfish dishes – a rare menu choice offer in most restaurants. Dining alongside the water was an added treat.

Climate for the 3-days was superior, so THURSDAY morning, John and I grocery shopped and early afternoon we joined our hosts for a few most enjoyable hours on their spacious beach. That evening it was Marilyn’s turn in the kitchen. Their good friends Maggie and Ralph joined us for her tasty Chicken Pot Pie creation. We took lots of pictures – eventually I will get them posted.

FRIDAY it was our turn to provide lunch (Croissant Turkey Sandwiches and more). Our site at Florida Pines was beautiful with a paved parking spot and attached patio – sorry, we forgot to take luncheon pics. It was another perfect day so our hosts took us on a driving tour of Venice. We ended up at the versatile Venice Beach and sat on a bench for a spell to take in the surroundings. What a most interesting stop to walk the pier; check out the Osprey nests; watch several Para sailors; fishermen; plus a stream of numerous boats – all sizes, shapes, and designs. I did take photos. Our finalé feast at the Gold Rush BBQ in Venice – famous for their Baby Back Ribs – my grilled Shrimp was also tasty.

Only problem with this entire stop was I had no Email & Internet contact for 2-days. To pick up Dish signal this far south, I would have had to log onto a different satellite – since our stop was only 3-days, I decided not to go through the hassle. All day Wed and Thu morning I easily picked up email via the cell phone, but something happened that evening and all day Fri – my cell would not connect. I had heard rumours that some RVers can no longer connect to Data calls via a Verizon cell phone plan – plus when I last talked to my ISP they relayed they no longer supported cell phones – in my numerous attempts to connect – I may have also inadvertently clicked or modified a program on my computer; who knows? Not sure what happened, but I am again on line with a fast Free connection at White Springs – Sat evening was catch-up for my numerous email, so I do apologize but the Diary is a day later than normal.

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FINAL THOUGHTS

We’ve enjoyed our very fantastic winter and although it is sad to be heading north we cannot wait to bring two more 4-legged ‘babies’ into this house. We miss Katie big time and this place is soooooo empty without her. Sure hope all that snow up north goes away real soon or at least on the roads, Travel safe all, watch out for those ‘Road Gaiters’ and ‘Orange Barrels’. Take care P&J