Winter Excursion 6, Day 211

The drive today was easy, Rt 12 to home, no issues.

So here are the stats for this years trip.

We only stayed at 13 different campgrounds, as we were Camp Hosts for four months at George L. Smith State Park

We drove a total of 10579.9.
The camper now has a total of 28777.2 miles on it (in five years)!
Average MPG was 11.4 for the whole trip (towing and when not). So we used 927 gals of gas, at an average of $3.50/gal (estimate) we spent $3244 on gas! The lowest we saw for a gas price was $2.30/gal in South Carolina, although in some states it was much higher and as the year progressed it just got more expensive. When we got to New York it was $4.89!
Here's a pic of our route this year.

It was a good trip this year, however this was the year Cath had her accident. We only stayed at one new campground, Douglas Dam Tailwater TVA.

We are already planning next year's trip and have most of our reservations already made, including our camp host position at George L. Smith State Park in Georgia (1 Jan 23 - 30 Apr 23).

We have two trips planned for this summer, The Forest River Owner's Group (FROG) Rally at Chenango Valley State Park and a late summer trip to Eel Weir State Park, so the next blog posts will be 11-18 Jul 22 and 27 Aug - 5 Sep 22.

It's good to be home!

Winter Excursion 6, Day 210

So I decided we needed a few more fish, so I got up at 0500 and went fishing. Trout always bite better first thing in the morning. The fishing was good and I had my limit by 0730. These are going into the freezer.

While fishing I got to see an Eagle, a Beaver, a Snake, and a Turtle. I was the only person there at that time of the morning. Here's a few pics of my view.

We did a few errands, got some gas, (prices SUCK) and picked up some Stromboli for dinner.

It's hard to believe it's our last night on this years trip. It went really fast! 

 

Winter Excursion 6, Day 209

Left camp early this morning for a little trout fishing. Caught three and probably lost ten, but the three are gonna be good! Smoked them all afternoon.

The campground and the park are almost empty. I'm guessing it fills up for the weekend. Here's' the view from our site.

We drove over to the "Candy Store". It's only a few miles away and we've been there the last time we camped here. They have every kind of candy we can remember from our childhood, plus candles and nick-knacks. We picked up a new wall picture/sign for our RV bathroom. Here's the pic! It hangs right over the toilet. 

Two more nights and then back home. All is well in the Boss Camp!

 

Winter Excursion 6, Day 208

We left Pine Grove Furnace around 0930. It was an OK drive north on I81. Hit a traffic jam just before Harrisburg, but the rest was OK except for the terrible roads. I think PA is trying to get everyone to buy a new RVs because their roads destroy the one we own!

Got to Chenango SP, NY around mid afternoon. Here's Site #119.

The neighbor showed us some trout he caught today, so I might do a little fishing tomorrow.

Winter Excursion 6, Day 207

We slept in.

Watched TV all day.

Temps were in the 90s.

Glad we had AC!

We are expecting thunderstorms later today and tonight, so we got it all packed up before bedtime.

Off to New York tomorrow! 

Winter Excursion 6, Day 206

We did some shopping at a local store (not a chain) called Saylor's. It is one of the nicest grocery we have seen in our travels. It is located in Newville. PA about 12 miles from Pine Grove Furnace SP.

They had all the stuff I remember from growing up in this area, pickled eggs, scrapple, Martin's Potato Chips, and tons more.

Back at camp we got ready for Kristen and the Kiddos to arrive, Grilled some steaks and had fun with the Kids.

 

Winter Excursion 6, Day 205

Pine Grove Furnace has almost no cell service. If you try around 0630 you might be able to read the news..LOL.

It is a nice CG and is the halfway point of the Application trial. We were here for the start of this years trip. The weather was a little different. Temps have been in the high 80s today. When we were here in Nov 21 our dump valves were froze.  

Winter Excursion 6, Day 204

It was a long drive, but not really too bad. It was Interstate all the way and that is not our favorite way to travel. We arrived at our new CG around 1400. Pine Grove Furnace SP, PA.

We relaxed after the long drive, had a nice dinner, then hit the sack.

Winter Excursion 6, Day 203

We left camp today enroute to do our laundry. We got to the laundromat we have used when we’ve camped here before. When we went in there was another older couple and they started complaining that the dryers were not getting hot or even warm. Seems the owner is in the process of installing new machines, but even the newly installed ones were not working properly. The other couple gave us directions to another laundromat only a few miles away. We now have clean, dry clothes!

The check engine light on the truck came back on again. While Cath was doing laundry, I went to the local O’Riley’s parts store. The guy checked the code with his scanner. It was same code as before, (302, misfire on #2). He cleared the code for me and I asked what a scanner cost. They happen to have a nice one on sale for $79 and it now lives in my toolbox. I can clear my own damn codes now!

Back at camp we got everything packed up, ready to go in the morning. Ordered our traditional “last night pizza”, and hit the sack early. Drive tomorrow is 300 miles!

Winter Excursion 6, Day 202

We spent most of the morning in camp. After a nice breakfast we left for a few errands. First stop was for gas.

This is in Virginia, can't wait to see New York!

Back at camp we played some cards and people watched. 

The weather as been great, but there is a big warm up coming. 95 degrees forecast for Saturday.

One more week and we will be home.

Winter Excursion 6, Day 201

We left Douglas Dam campground around 0900 and arrived at our new campground around 1230. The drive was easy as we are using I-81 the rest of the way home. We've been to Claytor lake in past years and the camp host even remembered us because he liked our truck. Here's a few pics of the new site.

It's a nice shady site and the weather here is perfect, high 70s and low humidity with a nice breeze.

We got a call from the car dealer and another pic of our new truck. It is waiting for us and we should have it by 1 Jun. We are defiantly looking for ward to that! 

Winter Excursion 6, Day 200

Yesterday when we started the truck for our daily trip and the "check engine" light came on. It stayed on for the entire drive. This morning I took it to the local Ford dealer. They checked it out with a scanner and cleared the light. Seems #2 cylinder misfired yesterday when I started the truck. They didn't charge me for the fix. We feel a lot better towing the rest of the way home.

Last night we had an eclipse of the moon. We stayed up until 2300 watching it. I tried to get some pics, but they didn't turn out very good. All I got was a pic of the moon rise over the river.

Cath found this time lapse pic. This is what we saw!

Today we took a drive to the Bush's Best Welcome Center and General Merchandise Store.

Here's a few pics.

Nice Ford Pickup!

And Cath could be on the TV!

We picked up a few things to include a new T-shirt, a Cookbook, and an Apron.

Back at camp we just relaxed and started getting ready for our drive to Claytor Lake SP in VA.

Winter Excursion 6, Day 199

We left our dam campsite around 1000 and headed to Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg. We will never do this again!

If you like Myrtle Beach, SC, Disney World, or Orlando, FL, then these places are for you...but not us! The traffic was some of the worst we have ever seen. Granted it was Sunday morning and everyone was leaving from the weekend, but the locals say it is like that everyday year round. We feel it is a shame as the Smoky Mountains National Park is really pretty. The only thing we saw that peaked our interest was the trout stream along the 3 lane highway going into the park. I guess we can punch the ticket that we've been there, but no stamp in the passport as the visitor center was so crowded there were no parking spaces.

Back at the dam camp we relaxed. played some cards and had a nice dinner. We did get to see the resident dam buzzards. They even got on the back of the truck. YUK!

   

Winter Excursion 6, Day 198

We were up at 0600 CDT and got started on our drive around 0800. We took the backroads and for the most part was on RT 411. It was a long drive, 288 miles. We arrived at our new campground around 1500 EDT.

Our new dam campground is Douglas Dam Tailwater Campground. On the way in to the dam campground we saw the Dam Store. It is just off the dam road. Reviews I've read say it's food is dam good.

Here's a pic of our dam camp site.

And here is the dam view from our dam camp site.

And here is the dam view looking the other way.

All in all it is a dam nice site, but it is a little dam unlevel.

Next year we will stay a the dam Headwater campground. We will check it out tomorrow.

 

Winter Excursion 6, Day 197

Early to rise, makes us healthy, wealthy, and wise. Maybe none out of three! But we are having a good time!

Started packing up a little this morning. Then went to the Mex food store, picked up a few things, then headed to CC and Fergie's place. Spent a little time there, said our goodbyes again, and headed back to camp to finish packing up. As it is our last day here we are doing our normal last night supper...PIZZA!!!!

All is well, long drive tomorrow, but it is to a new campground that we've never been to.

A few more days and we will be home, looking forward to the new truck!

Winter Excursion 6, Day 196

We left camp this morning and went to the Middle School Awards Ceremony. Jacob received recognition for being an A/B student! The ceremony was crowded and many students were recognizes for various awards.

From there we did some shopping for needed supplies for the rest of our trip. Our last stop was the New York Butcher Shop and we picked up a super nice steak.

Back at camp we enjoyed the cooler weather, played some cards, and had a nice dinner.

One more day and we will be on our way slowly home.

Winter Excursion 6, Day 195

We spent the morning in camp enjoying the cool morning weather before it gets toasty! 

CC came over around 1100 and brought subs for lunch. We spent the afternoon yakking, but even better we got Jacobs plane reservations all done to attend the Family Reunion. We will meet him in Portland at the airport and take him back to the airport after the reunion.

We left camp around 1630 and went to CC parent's house for dinner. The meal was great and we had a good time yakking.

We got back to camp just after dark. It's been a fun day, but off to bed.

Winter Excursion 6, Day 194

We spent the entire day in camp.

Around 1600 we left for Ray & Melinda's for dinner. They made a really great pot roast with all the fixin's. Cherry pie for desert!

After dinner we played some cards, a new game called "Squeak". It was super fun and we will have to teach the Kiddos next year.

We said our goodbyes until next year, they have been some really good friends.

Back at camp it was bed time. It was a fun evening! 

Winter Excursion 6, Day 193

Laundry day! We had in all done by lunch!

We hung out at the camper and played some cribbage and people-watched (our favorite pastime).

We had some really good smoked sausage for dinner from our favorite butcher shop in Swainsboro, Pinetucky. Cath had some grilling cheese she had found at Publix. I'd never heard of it so I googled HALLOUMI CHEESE to figure out how to grill it. It had a strong taste before I grilled it, but had a mild, smoky flavor after it was grilled.

Cath made some cornbread and a salad to go with everything and it was a yummy dinner.

A little TV then off to bed,
 

Winter Excursion 6, Day 192

Happy Mother's Day!

It was a busy, but fun day and the weather was perfect!

We had a quick breakfast and I headed to the store for some dinner rolls. 

CC, Fergi, and his parents arrived about 1300.

We gave them a tour of the camper as they had never seen anything like it. They all left with Jacob just as Ray & Melinda were arriving.

Ray & Melinda's son, Andrew, arrived around 1500 after waiting in traffic at the park front gate. We spent the afternoon yakking.

The guys started dinner for the Mom's around 1600. We made shish kebabs and they turned out really great using Cath's Dad's marinade. Apple pie for desert and we were all stuffed. After dinner we got the UNO Flip out and played till 2100.

It's been a fun day! Even Kaylee liked it.

Winter Excursion 6, Day 191

We all slept in a little then had a nice breakfast.

Jacob and I left around 1100 for his first golf lesson. For his very first time he did really well.

Back at camp we enjoyed some cooler weather for a change. Temps stayed in the 70s!

Jacob did some e-bike riding and even Kaylee came outside.

We left camp around 1700 and headed to Margarita Grill for our annual Mexican dinner. The food was good as usual.

On the way back we picked up some firewood and enjoyed a nice evening by the fire.

A good day was had by all. 

 

Winter Excursion 6, Day 190

I picked up Jacob from school at 1530 and we headed back to the camper. It was good to see him again, we missed him all week.

Jacob and I played a round of cribbage, he whooped me and he celebrated his victory for the rest of the day!

We met CC, Fergi, and his parents for dinner at Buffalo Wild Wings and had a fun time.

Back at camp we watched a movie and then hit the sack.

Winter Excursion 6, Day 189

We never left the camper all day as temps are still in the 90s!

I did manage to beat the socks off Cath in our daily cribbage game. I'm sure she will try to get revenge tomorrow.

One more day and we get Jacob for the weekend, let the fun begin!

All is well in the Boss Camp. 

Winter Excursion 6, Day 188

After breakfast we headed to Wally World for a few supplies. The rest of the day was spent at the camper enjoying the AC as it is about 90 degrees outside.

Cath managed to whoop me in cribbage today, but I'll try to remedy that tomorrow.

Dinner and a movie again.

We will be glad to get a little further north as these temps are brutal!  

Winter Excursion 6, Day 187

Left camp this morning and headed to Tannehill State Historic Park. We had been there in years past, but wanted to check it out for a possible campground for next year. It is only about 30 miles from CC & Jacob and will be more convenient than Deerlick CG. Tannehill has three large campgrounds. We liked the third one. It is shaded, on a stream (with trout), water and electricity at site, and the price is right. We plan on staying there next year for two weeks.

Back at camp we played some cribbage, had dinner, and a movie. Temps are getting near 90 degrees in the afternoon with high humidity, so we hang out in the camper.

Winter Excursion 6, Day 186

We are still waking up early due to the time change. I was drinking coffee outside at 0630.

After breakfast we headed to Horseshoe Bend National Military Park, AL.

This battle ended the Creek Indian Wars in 1814 and Made Andrew Jackson famous (7th POTUS). Cath and I had seen this park featured on Aerial America.

From Horseshoe Bend we headed to Wind Creek State Park, AL. This is a very big park (hundreds of campsites) on Lake Martin. We were interested in staying there next year until we checked prices, $54/night is out of our range for a two week stay! We will be back to Deerlick COE Campground ($11/night) next year as Oak Mountain State Park will be closed for extensive renovations that are badly needed.

Back at camp the temp is 87, so we are hanging out in the camper until it cools down this evening.
 

Winter Excursion 6, Day 185

We had a late breakfast with Jacob and spent the morning relaxing and playing cribbage. Jacob beat the pants off of me! It was an actual SKUNK!

We met CC, Fergi, and the boys at Guitar Center in Hoover where the boys were in a concert. Most of the kids did really well, especially the boys!

We followed CC to the new house and got the grand tour. It is really nice and will fit their family perfectly.

We said our goodbyes and headed to the grocery store for a few supplies.

Relaxed at camp late afternoon, had a nice dinner, then off to bed.

Winter Excursion 6, Day 184

On the road again!

We left George L. Smith SP just after 0900. It was a 320 mile drive to Oak Mountain SP. After the time change to CDT we arrived around 1500. We got camp set up and Ray and Melinda arrived with our dinner of KFC! Just after they got here CC and Jacob also arrived. We all got our fill. Thanks to Ray and Melinda for dinner. It great to not have to set up and then make dinner, especially after a very long drive.

After dinner CC left and the rest of us played UNO Flip and yakked till around 2100. Then the day, the drive, and probably the ABs caught up with us and we headed to bed.

We will sleep good tonight.

It's great to see Jacob again. We will spend as much time as his schedule allows with him for the next two weeks.

It's also good to be on the road again and slowly headed home.

Winter Excursion 6, Day 183 The Life of a Camp Host

Last day as Campground Host! Spent the morning doing "light duty". Had four campers leaving, and 10 arriving. The campground is full.

Here's all the Finds of the Day that I've not been able to post:

We find these painted rocks hidden all over. We just re-hide them!

It now lives in my tackle box.

This knife was part of a set. The spoon and for were nowhere to be found.

This was an easy find due to it's bright color.

This got added to our collection of tent stakes, straps, and tablecloth hold downs.

Looks like someone's camper is coming apart. I hope then have a rivet gun!

Probably from the same camper!

Not sure what this little reflector came from. I'm guessing a Kiddo bike.

And last but not least, more free fishing tackle.

We spent the afternoon relaxing and putting the finishing touches on packing up the camper. We had our traditional pizza for our last night in camp.

It's been fun and sometimes trying being a Camp Host, but we are doing it again next year (same park, same time).