Don't forget to visit my photo album which you can view as a slide show, it is at
http://picasaweb.google.com/arthur.croasdell/TravelingTheEastCoast#
Sunday 16th November 08
South from Myrtle Beach and on to Charleston, South Carolina, a pleasant visit even if the weather did turn cold. We had a nice site with KOA (Kampgrounds of America) again and after a sunny visit to the historic town centre we retired for the evening. We knew that the following day was going to be extremely cold, 10ºC (50 F) but with chilly winds of 25 mph it was a day to wrap up.
We chose to visit Patriot Point and spent a very cold day at the naval basin there inspecting all the ships, the main exhibit being the WWII Aircraft carrier USS Yorktown. Strange to relate, the previous evening we had watched the film about the Battle of Midway which featured the “Yorktown” getting a real bashing from the Japs. That one was sunk during the battle in 1942, and the one we visited was in use by 1943.
The following day was a little more civilised as the wind had dropped and Mr Sun was out to play. We had a boat ride out to Fort Sumter which guards the entrance to Charleston Harbour. The first battle of the American Civil War was fought here. During the evening, we visited a local park for a festival of lights. I was not really looking forward to this but one has to please the “little woman” occasionally. The event was astonishing and we were glad to have ventured out to a local park for a three mile drive past beautiful Christmas lights.
Onwards and another cold day but we were in the truck so it was not a problem, further south to Beaufort and Hunting Island State Park.
We did not expect to have internet here, but it was good. Wifi is becoming more and more important as we normally use “Skype” for all our outgoing telephone calls, and internet to deal with mail etc. Today we have an irritating problem with our fifth wheeler that needs attention next time we move so several frantic phone calls were the order of the day.
Always plenty of wildlife to see here. When we arrived there were wild deer wandering nonchalantly round the camp site, not at all bothered about the campers. Earlier this week we saw Dolphins swimming alongside the aircraft carrier.
20th November
We had a good day “getting away from it all” and rode our mountain bikes along the forest trails for a mile or three, loads of strenuous fun bumping over the tree roots. Freda also ascended an old lighthouse; I had more sense!
Early morning start tomorrow to go and see the repair man after manually adjusting the “landing gear” front legs. Hopefully we will have the front legs working electronically by the end of the day. Good exercise for the arms though.
My eyes are struggling a bit. It is only eleven months since I had new windows but I am having problems, so I have had my eyes tested and ordered new glasses at Wal-Mart (where else?) I will collect them on my way north after we have left Florida.
November 21
We are now in Savannah, Georgia, and another state park. We have 30 amps electric, cable TV, water on our site (not seen in England) and a very large area with fire pit (for our camp fire) and BBQ all for twenty dollars per night, what good value! We do have to go to the office area to use the very fast internet but you can’t have everything. It has been nice to use the internet to have a video call or two with our friends in Spain and France, and friends and family in England too!
The weather is much milder today and the internet tells me that it will improve when we move to Daytona on Wednesday and that Orlando will be just great at 26c on Sunday.
Shoppers may like to note another new shopping trend; as you go to collect your shopping cart (trolley) you are encouraged to collect a “wipe” to disinfect the handle of the shopping cart just so you do not catch anything!
November 25th
On our way to Daytona the RV dealer network sorted our electrical problem and our “landing gear” works just fine now, all done with no fuss.
Since we are trudging down the coast, fish is in abundance and always on restaurant menus. We have decided that crab cakes are super, we were not inspired with oysters, and we both like Grouper which we are having tomorrow. There is so much good food to be had that it is difficult to make a choice sometimes.
Tomorrow will be a day at camp here in the woods doing those domestic chores that sometimes get left to mount up but we have planned a bit of a bash on our pitch with a nice lunch and a bottle of wine in the early afternoon sun. It should be good! First of all we have to go and cycle a 4 mile nature trail.
Thanksgiving day 27th November
Florida at last, we are at Daytona Beach, the birth place of NASCAR racing. We have steady sunshine and whilst the temperature is below the seasonal norm of 76f, it’s ok.
The Americans are great coupon clippers, and we found one for “Free Balls” on the driving range (golf!), well we had to do that, didn’t we?
Today we have the “Turkey Run” – America’s largest custom and classic car show taking place two miles down the road at the Daytona Motor Speedway. We just had to go! Last year there were 5000 cars on show, and according to the TV report, this year was about the same. It goes on for four days. Our feet are tired but we both had a good day in the sun and saw some amazing stuff. I have painted a lot of cars in my time, and done some custom stuff, but some of the paintwork was mind-blowing!
The campground we’re on has a lot of Canadians (the Americans call them “snowbirds”) and very wealthy Americans. There are many 45ft buses, with double rear axles towing large (usually matching) trailers containing their toys, beautiful classic cars. They are making us feel like the poor people and our stuff is all new!
Off to Kissimmee tomorrow, the weather gods are promising a return to traditional Florida weather so all should be good
Sat 29th
Kissimee and it’s great, so it should be the price they charge to park our American house here.
Last night was Karaoke around the camp fire but that’s to save for another time!
http://picasaweb.google.com/arthur.croasdell/TravelingTheEastCoast#
Sunday 16th November 08
South from Myrtle Beach and on to Charleston, South Carolina, a pleasant visit even if the weather did turn cold. We had a nice site with KOA (Kampgrounds of America) again and after a sunny visit to the historic town centre we retired for the evening. We knew that the following day was going to be extremely cold, 10ºC (50 F) but with chilly winds of 25 mph it was a day to wrap up.
We chose to visit Patriot Point and spent a very cold day at the naval basin there inspecting all the ships, the main exhibit being the WWII Aircraft carrier USS Yorktown. Strange to relate, the previous evening we had watched the film about the Battle of Midway which featured the “Yorktown” getting a real bashing from the Japs. That one was sunk during the battle in 1942, and the one we visited was in use by 1943.
The following day was a little more civilised as the wind had dropped and Mr Sun was out to play. We had a boat ride out to Fort Sumter which guards the entrance to Charleston Harbour. The first battle of the American Civil War was fought here. During the evening, we visited a local park for a festival of lights. I was not really looking forward to this but one has to please the “little woman” occasionally. The event was astonishing and we were glad to have ventured out to a local park for a three mile drive past beautiful Christmas lights.
Onwards and another cold day but we were in the truck so it was not a problem, further south to Beaufort and Hunting Island State Park.
We did not expect to have internet here, but it was good. Wifi is becoming more and more important as we normally use “Skype” for all our outgoing telephone calls, and internet to deal with mail etc. Today we have an irritating problem with our fifth wheeler that needs attention next time we move so several frantic phone calls were the order of the day.
Always plenty of wildlife to see here. When we arrived there were wild deer wandering nonchalantly round the camp site, not at all bothered about the campers. Earlier this week we saw Dolphins swimming alongside the aircraft carrier.
20th November
We had a good day “getting away from it all” and rode our mountain bikes along the forest trails for a mile or three, loads of strenuous fun bumping over the tree roots. Freda also ascended an old lighthouse; I had more sense!
Early morning start tomorrow to go and see the repair man after manually adjusting the “landing gear” front legs. Hopefully we will have the front legs working electronically by the end of the day. Good exercise for the arms though.
My eyes are struggling a bit. It is only eleven months since I had new windows but I am having problems, so I have had my eyes tested and ordered new glasses at Wal-Mart (where else?) I will collect them on my way north after we have left Florida.
November 21
We are now in Savannah, Georgia, and another state park. We have 30 amps electric, cable TV, water on our site (not seen in England) and a very large area with fire pit (for our camp fire) and BBQ all for twenty dollars per night, what good value! We do have to go to the office area to use the very fast internet but you can’t have everything. It has been nice to use the internet to have a video call or two with our friends in Spain and France, and friends and family in England too!
The weather is much milder today and the internet tells me that it will improve when we move to Daytona on Wednesday and that Orlando will be just great at 26c on Sunday.
Shoppers may like to note another new shopping trend; as you go to collect your shopping cart (trolley) you are encouraged to collect a “wipe” to disinfect the handle of the shopping cart just so you do not catch anything!
November 25th
On our way to Daytona the RV dealer network sorted our electrical problem and our “landing gear” works just fine now, all done with no fuss.
Since we are trudging down the coast, fish is in abundance and always on restaurant menus. We have decided that crab cakes are super, we were not inspired with oysters, and we both like Grouper which we are having tomorrow. There is so much good food to be had that it is difficult to make a choice sometimes.
Tomorrow will be a day at camp here in the woods doing those domestic chores that sometimes get left to mount up but we have planned a bit of a bash on our pitch with a nice lunch and a bottle of wine in the early afternoon sun. It should be good! First of all we have to go and cycle a 4 mile nature trail.
Thanksgiving day 27th November
Florida at last, we are at Daytona Beach, the birth place of NASCAR racing. We have steady sunshine and whilst the temperature is below the seasonal norm of 76f, it’s ok.
The Americans are great coupon clippers, and we found one for “Free Balls” on the driving range (golf!), well we had to do that, didn’t we?
Today we have the “Turkey Run” – America’s largest custom and classic car show taking place two miles down the road at the Daytona Motor Speedway. We just had to go! Last year there were 5000 cars on show, and according to the TV report, this year was about the same. It goes on for four days. Our feet are tired but we both had a good day in the sun and saw some amazing stuff. I have painted a lot of cars in my time, and done some custom stuff, but some of the paintwork was mind-blowing!
The campground we’re on has a lot of Canadians (the Americans call them “snowbirds”) and very wealthy Americans. There are many 45ft buses, with double rear axles towing large (usually matching) trailers containing their toys, beautiful classic cars. They are making us feel like the poor people and our stuff is all new!
Off to Kissimmee tomorrow, the weather gods are promising a return to traditional Florida weather so all should be good
Sat 29th
Kissimee and it’s great, so it should be the price they charge to park our American house here.
Last night was Karaoke around the camp fire but that’s to save for another time!
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