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Florida 2018

April 2018 - April 2024
We are looking for sunshine and warmth. We're hoping to find it in South Carolina and Florida! Read more
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  • TravelerFlorida 2018
    Day 12

    Tuesday, April 17

    April 18, 2018 in the United States ⋅ 🌙 20 °C

    Another beautiful day, very cool in the morning, but warms up nicely as the day goes on.

    We shop at Belks for a couple of hours. We have lunch, and then wash the camper at Davis Shores Car Wash less than 2 miles from the campground! How did we miss this yesterday? It has everything we need; a change machine, soap and water!

    We return to the campground, wax the Rialta, and wash the windows. I do 4 loads of laundry at the machine here in the loop. $1.50 per load for the washer and the dryer. They are clean and work well.

    We have dinner and rush to the beach because we've heard there is a rocket launch at Cape Canaveral and we will be able to see the plume of smoke as it lifts off. 6:32. We walk and watch, but nothing. Must have the wrong night!

    We return to the camper, finish up the dishes, put away all the laundry, and then relax. Lots of housekeeping today!

    I read a book sample I have downloaded called The Forgotten Kennedy, the story of the eldest Kennedy daughter, Rosemary. I don't find it particularly interesting, so delete! I start rereading a book I have on my iPad called Icy Sparks. It is set in Kentucky, and is the story of a girl with Tourette's. Well written and enjoyable.    Read more

  • TravelerFlorida 2018
    Day 12

    Wednesday, April 18

    April 18, 2018 in the United States ⋅ 🌙 20 °C

    Another clear sunny day!

    We organize ourselves to move back to Site 64 today. It is our last day in Florida!☹️

    We have a 12:30 starting time at Augustine Shores Golf Course, about 5 miles south of here, for 9 holes. We arrive early, hit a few balls, and then tee off. The tees and greens on this course are quite green, but the fairways are brown and dry and hard. They are also narrow and surrounded by lots of water. Houses and condos border almost every hole. It is a short course, which is good for me! People here are very polite and friendly.

    $47.50 US for 2 people and a cart. Not bad, but we weren't keen on the course, so probably won't return.

    On the way back, we stop at the shopping center. Tony drops me off at Bealls, and he goes grocery shopping at Publix. I didn't buy much at Bealls this year. Not enough time to really get into shopping!

    We go out for dinner at Redfrog and McToad. Tony has bangers and mash, which he loves, and I have fish and chips. No cooking or clean up tonight! Yeah!

    We see on the news that the rocket launch is tonight, so we rush back to the beach for 6;52, and there it is! The plume of smoke off to the south. We take a short walk on the beach, but it's chilly so we return to the site to prepare for our trip tomorrow to Hunting Island State Park, South Carolina.

    Time to read , relax, and rest up for tomorrow. Still rereading Icy Sparks.    Read more

  • TravelerFlorida 2018
    Day 13

    Thursday, April 19

    April 19, 2018 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 23 °C

    Leaving Florida today!☹️.

    We have really enjoyed Anastasia State Park. The sites are surrounded on 3 sides by beautiful tropical natural vegetation, so very private and quiet. The washrooms and showers are clean and quite up to date. The washer and dryer and clothesline are very handy and only $1.50 per load.

    We had planned to get up around 7:30 and leave by 9:00, but the campers next to us had other plans. They are up at 5:00 and leaving at 6:00. We are awake, can't get back to sleep, so we get up! We really take our time, and still end up leaving at 9:00!😀

    We take US1 to 295 north to 95 north. There is construction on 295, but it's not too slow. It should be finished by the time we return next year.    Read more

  • TravelerFlorida 2018
    1
    Day 13

    Thursday, April 19

    April 19, 2018 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 28 °C

    The drive from Anastasia to Hunting Island goes well. We travel through miles of "low country" to arrive here. Lots of salt water marshes, big bridges, little bridges. Beautiful country.

    It is hot and humid here today. 29 degrees Celsius, feels like 33!

    SITE 186 -HUNTING ISLAND STATE PARK! Do NOT take it again. It is hilly and strangely set up - hard to figure out where to put the camper. We ask to change sites, but are told the park is fully booked tonight. We return to 186, move the fire pit and level the camper with 4 blocks in the back and 1 in the front on the passenger side. It is hot work. Tony relaxes after with a beer and a book. I stay in the camper with all the windows closed and the air conditioner on! I need to chill!

    This park was hit by Tropical Storm Irma last year and Hurricane Matthew the year before. Many oceanfront sites were wiped out and won't be rebuilt. Others have been restored but have no shade. The sand dunes were completely obliterated by Matthew, so when Irma arrived, more trees were blown down, and the entire area was flooded. The camp store was damaged, washrooms had to be rebuilt, and roads were washed away. They have spent the last 2 years rebuilding and there is still lots to do. The park was closed for several months.

    Our site is further back, and we do have trees and shade, but I'm a little nervous about these tall old trees. It's breezy!

    After dinner, we ride our bikes on the beach, which is wide, flat, hard-packed sand. It is warm and there is a light breeze. It is a beautiful hour and a half long ride. We stop at the camp store on the way back. It's nicely set up with souvenirs and everything a camper might need.    Read more

  • TravelerFlorida 2018
    Day 14

    Friday morning, April 20

    April 20, 2018 in the United States ⋅ 🌙 12 °C

    The temperature has dropped by at least 30 degrees overnight. It is very cool and windy. Back into jeans and sweaters and jackets!

    There is a lighthouse about 1.5 miles from here, within the park. It is open to the public. We bike there, taking a 1.6 km hilly leaf covered bike path. Challenging for the legs, for sure! I fall once, but no harm done!

    $2:00 each gets us in, and we have a long conversation with the volunteer there. He and his wife are from Illinois. They volunteer here regularly, in exchange for a free campsite and a small stipend. This year they have been here for 6 months, helping to repair the damage from Matthew and Irma. He is full of information about the park, the lighthouse, the surrounding area, barrier islands, etc. He takes our photos, and then we climb the 167 steps to the top of the lighthouse. There is a landing every 20 steps with information boards so we stop to read. Lots of interesting info about the lives of lighthouse keepers and their families.

    It is very windy at the top, but what a view! On a clear day, you can see 40 miles off into the horizon!

    We descend, and tour the grounds. Again, more interesting info about lighthouses and their keepers.

    We bike home on the road this time. Much more level and easier to navigate than the path!    Read more

  • TravelerFlorida 2018
    Day 14

    Friday afternoon, April 20

    April 20, 2018 in the United States ⋅ 🌙 13 °C

    After lunch, we drive 15 miles to the city of Beaufort. It is the second oldest city in South Carolina. It reminds us of a mini Charleston.

    We wander through the historic downtown section, and then over to the point where all the grand old homes are. Beautiful architecture and gardens. Live oaks form a canopy over the streets. The salt marshes and water all around smells so fresh.

    We walk back downtown and have dinner at Old Bull Tavern. The menu is impressive and the food is delicious. We'd like to come back here again, but sit inside next time. The bugs just won't leave us alone.

    We return to the campground and go for another bike ride on the beach. Tonight, it is colder and the wind is strong. Red warning flags are flying on the beach. Still a good ride. Packing up tonight and heading for Myrtle Beach tomorrow.

    Still rereading Icy Sparks!    Read more

  • TravelerFlorida 2018
    Day 15

    Saturday, April 21

    April 21, 2018 in the United States ⋅ 🌙 15 °C

    Saturday, April 21
    We leave Hunting island at 9:00. We've enjoyed this area and would like to return someday to have another look, in spite of the uneven campsite, other campers' constant campfires, and the bugs. I have several insect bites.

    OUR ROUTE TO HUNTINGTON BEACH STATE PARK, MURRELL'S INLET
    ROUTE 21 to IS 17 North
    526 East to bypass Charleston
    17 North to Murell's Inlet

    A fair amount of traffic all the way, but it flows smoothly.

    A scenic drive. We travel through lots of salt water marshes and low country. We cross 2 major rivers near Charleston, the Cooper and the Wamdo. The bridges are impressive. Highway 17 from Charleston to Myrtle Beach is sometimes called Sweetgrass Highway, due to all the little Sweetgrass Basket Stands set up along the side of the road.

    We arrive around 1:00. There is no vacancy for tonight at Huntington State Park, so we are at Lakewood Camping Resort, where there are at least 1000 campsites! There are quite a few campers here tonight. $58.00 for the night. Lots of amenities which we probably won't use!

    We unload the bikes, then drive 14 miles to Golf Shoes America where Tony buys his golf shoes. We drive through the heart of Myrtle Beach. It is quite the beach city. Shops, discount beachwear stores, restaurants. . .mile after mile. Traffic is slow. I think I prefer the quiet life in Murrell's Inlet!

    We return to the campground, make dinner, and take a quick bike ride around this huge campground!

    Almost finished rereading Icy Sparks!    Read more

  • TravelerFlorida 2018
    Day 17

    Sunday, April 22

    April 23, 2018 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 17 °C

    Another nice day. We are moving today from Lakewood to Huntington State Park. We take our time packing up, not realizing that check out time here is10:00. (Most places it's 11 or 12). A stern looking older man taps on our door at 10:20 to tell us this, so we have to scramble!

    We drive to Tupelo Bay Golf Centre to hit practice balls. $20 for a large & a small basket! After, we shop for groceries and have lunch. We return to Tupelo Bay to play 18 holes. This centre offers a par 3 course and an executive course, all par 3's and 4's. It sounds easy but it's not! Lots of water and trees and narrow fairways! I struggle through the 18 holes, but Tony aces every one. He is on his game today! Lots of birdies!

    It's late when we finish so we go to Cracker Barrel for dinner!

    Time to relax now! I'm starting a new book, the Nest, one of Heather's Picks!    Read more

  • TravelerFlorida 2018
    Day 18

    Monday, April 23

    April 24, 2018 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 19 °C

    It is a very rainy day in Myrtle Beach. Heavy rain is forecast for the next 24 hours. It's definitely a shopping day!

    We drive 14 miles to the PGA Golf Superstore on 29th Avenue North. We walk the entire store and check everything out! This is a golfer's heaven. We try out some putters. I need a new one, I spend an hour trying on clothes, but buy only one item. I consider this research for future reference! We look at kid's clubs for Naomi. So many nice things! And the prices are reasonable, as prices for golf items go!

    Next, we go to the Coastal Grand Mall on Coastal Grand Circle. There is a Sears, Belk, and Dillard's, and we check them all out. Lots of looking, not much buying!

    Time for dinner. We go to Lee's Inlet Kitchen, a yearly tradition when we're in Myrtle Beach. 4460 highway 17 Business. There are restaurants and shops all along this road. This is a family restaurant where they serve seafood, chicken and steak. Salad, entree, a basket of hush puppies for $16.50 each between 4:30 and 5:30. Of all the hush puppies I've tasted these are the best! They are served hot, with whipped honey butter! Umm, so delicious!

    Back to the campsite to batten down the hatches! It's still raining, and will be until tomorrow morning!    Read more

  • TravelerFlorida 2018
    Day 18

    Tuesday, April 24

    April 24, 2018 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 18 °C

    Tuesday, April 24

    Site 65 - we really like this site. . .nobody behind us and quite spacious. It is near clean new washrooms. No TV reception in this park, though.

    The rain has stopped and the sun is out. The weather forecast is good for the next few days. Clear, dry, sunny, highs of around 75 degrees.

    Today is another housekeeping day. There is a clean air-conditioned Coin Laundry 6 miles south of the Park on Pawley's Island. $2.25 for a double load wash, $3.75 for a triple load, $.25 for 5 minutes of dryer time. While I do the laundry, and clean and organize the Rialta, Tony goes to Publix next door and stocks up on groceries for the next few days.

    I chat with a couple in the laundromat and they tell me about Assateague State Park in Maryland where all the wild ponies are. Their pictures show a beautiful beach and nice green flat campsites. I would like to stop there.

    Still more running around to do. . .shop at Tuesday Morning, and then go to the Walmart in Georgetown. It's a little further to drive but much less traffic! On the way back I notice that there are lots of really nice little shops along Ocean Highway on Pawley's island. I'd like to visit some of them next time.

    We have rotisserie mojo chicken for dinner. Tony bought it at the Publix in Pawley's island. Supposedly it has been basted or somehow cooked with citrus fruit juice. Anyway, it is juicy and tender and tangy! Very good!

    After dinner, we ride our bikes through the park. We discover there is a whole new campground on the south side. Concrete slabs, picnic tables on crushed rock, new washrooms, trees all pruned! Very nice! Tony is interested in Site 156.

    We ride the path along the ponds. The songbirds are chirping, the water birds are diving, and the frogs and crickets are singing. Everything is green and alive, and we think about how snowy and cold it was when we left Cornwall!

    Back to the campsite to settle in for the night!

    Not really enjoying The Nest so far. Usually I like Heather's Picks!?    Read more

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