Back in the Lone Star State!

 

On the 19th of October we arrived back in Texas and settled into the Shady Creek RV park located between McKinney and Denton on the far north side of Dallas.

 

From Decatur to Dallas is about 650 miles so we split the difference and stayed in Little Rock at the North Little Rock KOA we have been to before. We departed Decatur on US 72 to the west on a really pretty sunny Sunday and that trip to Memphis was really relaxing. Then onto the boring Interstate for the rest of the trip to Little Rock and the next day ending up in Dallas.

 

The book below is the trashed remnant of this year's Good Sam RV directory reflecting its constant use over this summer's travel. We're calling this summer the Great Circle Trip from when we left Dallas in April to our recent arrival back here now.

 

The Great Circle part of the journey began in Dallas in the spring and we put on about 2200 miles getting up to Barrie Canada. For the trip from Barrie back to Dallas we went 5539 miles in 30 days, consuming about 650 gallons of diesel; added to the trip up is about 8000 miles of roadway adventure. We now have 48,000 miles on the Flying Scotsman II and it has performed admirably yet is now due some much needed cleaning, inspection, and normal maintenance .... and rest.

We'll also rest a bit and see the Texas part of the family and begin planning the next part of the adventure.

Huntsville

We were headed for Huntsville to see our friends Todd and Diana who work for the Army at the Redstone Arsenal post there ... actually now just Todd as Diana just retired. We tried to get onto the post in their fam camp but it was booked way in advance due to the space camp and other space activities in the Huntsville area.

 

We had stayed at the Point Mallard RV park in Decatur which is about 20 miles to the west of Huntsville before and so we went over there. They have added a couple of new rows of big-rig back in sites which were sort of level so it worked out OK. Their senior rate for the two nights was a whopping $40 ... total ... $18 a night plus tax ... cheaper than the base.



 

Diana whipped up a fantastically fresh baurenfruhstuck (sp) German farmer's breakfast the next morning and we had to have a long nap after that. Later we went back to their place, actually in Madison, for the evening.

Here's Todd and I sharing a toast before we went out to destroy some meat on the BBQ.

And then Jo-Anne also by the massive bar. This thing is a free-standing walk through mahogany bar that they brought from Germany. We enjoyed it in their house in Germany and it fits perfectly in the place here in Alabama. It had to be disassembled, pieces numbered, and then reassembled upon arrival in the States. I don't think we have ever seen anything similar in a home ... priceless piece of woodwork!

And then the boys with the brats getting them ready to mush with the sauerkraut with ample wine and beer ... yup it's October.

Lastly our super hosts with the wine toast of the day. Actually our dinner was early as Diana was shorty beginning to prepare another dinner for several relatives that began to arrive as we were departing ... long day in the kitchen for her.

Good food and good friends. They were just stationed in Egypt before coming back here and still own a house in Piesport Germany right on the Mosel river that we have visited and talked about before ... maybe next summer we might get back to that beautiful place.

Lake Martin Alabama

 

Lake Martin is located in east-central Alabama and about 60 mile northeast of Montgomery. It is a large lake an recreation area popular with fishing, camping, and other water related activities.

 

The view below is from the Maxwell-Gunter Rec area after we finally found the place and got settled into our new lot. I was out on the dock by our site and the evening and views were beautiful.

 



When we checked in the attendant said that it should be quiet on this point of land as we were the only ones planned to be there. There were about a dozen sites and three cabins and as he departed he said that he would leave us alone and lock the gate to the park behind himself as he left about 7 PM ... cool.

For the night we renamed this piece of property "Gunn's Point" as we were the only residents. This is one of the major advantages of our type of travel and we were rewarded with our very private lake location for the 20 dollars. The picture above is as you looked down the point of land past the RV sites to the cabins and the lake in the distance ... man, where is that kayak or canoe now?

And below, as you stood in front of the cabins, the view up the hill to the entrance of the place.

As we took our nightly walk along the shore we happened upon this guy looking for some dinner near our dock.

On the 16th we pulled the hoses and plugs from this really neat site and again headed north along US 431 toward Gadsden and our next destination of Huntsville and friends there.

Before you get on 431 though you pass near Mount Cheaha which is the highest point in Alabama. The road leading up to this scenic overview point is about 20 miles of steep curvy road but very spectacular terrain. That's Mount Cheaha in the distance on this 68 degree day. Lunch in Gadsden in the JC Penny parking lot and on to the Point Mallard park in Decatur near Huntsville.

Rollin' North

 

After departing our friends in Punta Gorda we pointed the Flying Scotsman northward. We always favor the two lane roads so after a bit of I-75, north of Tampa we moved over to US-27/19 for a more Florida type of adventure. I had been down this piece of road in 1962 and 63 and the towns and scenery was refreshingly similar ... wow 50 years goes quick, eh!

 

Highway 19 is really great and we have been down it a few times before ... nice road surface, higher speed limits and very few little towns to slow you down but lets you enjoy the trip.

 

After a pretty good day we arrived in Perry at their KOA. This was a new one for us and was sort of average. Nice level gravel lot with sat coverage but rather uninterested management and a view of Florida farm poverty out the front window.

 



When you leave you get a nice view of the moss covered very old trees and some of the more permanent homes here. Bottom line is that it is OK for a night's stop but not much more.

Along 19 on the next day we burned up some of the almost 300 miles through little towns like Camilla below. Really pretty entrance and main street with court house and easy to pass around and out the other side.

And then we searched for our next stop ...

We had picked the Maxwell-Gunter Rec Area at Lake Martin Alabama as it was on our route to friends in Huntsville and it was $20 a night and we had talked about it for years and had never been there.

It was great ... but first.

The description in the military leisure pub put it in one place, our GPS put it in another, and the GPS coordinates said, "no accessible location exists by road." My kinda place.

We went down the road provided by the MWR (military) guide book and finally got to where the less than one lane road turned into a personal driveway ... OK done.

Unhook the car, back very carefully around until we are headed back the way we came ... with local residents watching. Then re-attach the car to go back and try to find out where the Maxwell Fam Camp is.

Fortunately a Superior Propane truck driver named Ricky knew where the camp was and told us to follow him. Here we are following him for about six miles through the loose gravel, tar, and spewing dirt toward our new home ... an RV owners dream ... nightmare.

He did know where the camp was and honked and waved as we moved off the road for a more peaceful night near Lake Martin in Alabama.

Fat Point (Punta Gorda) Part II

 

For our stay in Punta Gorda we chose the Gulf View RV park just to the south of town. Nice concrete slab with table and a nice view of the canal and its gators. Very difficult to back into but once in, convenient to grocery and gas and our friends.

 

Pat and John then toured us around Punta Gorda itself and we ended up at a quaint shopping area called Fisherman's Village. There are many shops and restaurants all lined up so that you have access by either boat or car and it is right near the downtown as well.

We settled into one of the restaurants on the marina and enjoyed a couple of beers and great company with our hosts. Here's the black and tan toast from Pat and John.

And in the little mall we got our obligatory picture next to the plastic fish ... hah.

Then back at the Neely's place in their awesome pool (85 degrees) I posed with a Texas beer and was holding the little cruise ship thermometer under the waterfall ... Maid of the Malt, eh.

Lastly from the Punto every RV person needs an Airstream cooler like this.

Off to points north on Wednesday the 14th.

Punta Gorda Part I

 

Avoiding Atlanta on Friday we cut the corner and headed south on 441 and then joined I-75 near Warner-Robins. We've been down this piece of highway many times and it was an easy roll to our next stop at the Quail Run RV resort just north of Tampa. Spanish Moss, palm trees, live oaks, and high humidity greeted us at this first class resort.

 

For your $50 you are treated to a 100 foot concrete patio, two sewer hookups, 70 cable channels; and ironically if you look at the small street sign you will see it says, "Hurricane Lane."

That was a beautiful night and then we had another easy trip to our furthest south destination for this run and that was Punta Gorda. From Barrie we have traveled 4,235 miles in the Flying Scotsman so far and the bus and its crew are doing great.

The reason for the Punta Gorda destination was that our friends from New Braunfels had sold their house there and moved to be near family who live around the area. We popped over to Pat and John Neely's house in a beautiful gated community to the south of town and were shown around their new place. The community boasts all forms of living from smaller condos to free standing homes like theirs below. The place came complete with screened in pool, outside furnishings, and of course the mandatory golf cart to get you to the marina club for afternoon happy hour.

Later that day we went into the town of Punta Gorda and enjoyed the evening at a tiki bar right on the bay. It was partly cloudy, about 85 and a nice breeze .... good for margaritas or spiked cider, eh. Here are the ol' guys with Pat and John.

And the setting sun was spectacular over the beach and bay as the clouds moved more to the east ... beautiful place!

I think one of the markers on this mile post says that Dallas was 1,550 miles ... and we'll be off that direction on 14th.

Clemson South Carolina

 

We continued our run down I-85 to the southwest and chose to land at the Crooked Creek RV park on Lake Keowee just outside the quaint little college town of Clemson. One of the reasons we picked this place was that we had come here for a visit to Bruce's mom and dad while Clare taught a semester at the University as a guest professor.

The Crooked Creek park was large and had decent gravel sites mostly for seasonal folks and overlooked Lake Keowee near where Bruce's parents had rented a condo. Very quiet place but rather devoid of landscaping for a higher rated park ... more designed for the fall tailgater customers than temporary folks like us wanderers.

Below on College Street in Clemson is the old theater now repurposed into a store for game day gear for the students and parents.

If you turned around from the theater you could get this view of the iconic bell tower on the campus. This is a really nice campus and adjoining town in the hill and lake region of South Carolina with views of the southern Appalachian range just to the northwest.

Being lunch time and strolling down College Street we ran across the small pub called Loose Change. OK, sounds like us. Obviously a quirky hangout for the locals we decided to see what they had to offer. As you come in and sit down the view of the walls and ceiling covered with signed dollar bills and college memorabilia greeted you.

We had a couple of their signature chicken wraps accompanied by zucchini fries and two very nice glasses of pinot noir, which became our toast of the day. Great friendly service and great tasting food for about $20 including the wine.

Leaving on the morning of the 8th we snapped this one below of the fog burning off Lake Keowee about 100 feet from our parking site.

Not a bad pick for the ol' guys and gave us a bit of time to relax and make sure the Flying Scotsman was performing the way it should. Now that our plans had changed to a more westerly route we plotted our next run more to the south toward Punta Gorda Florida and friends there.

Back in the "Road Mode"

 

When we are motoring down the highways and byways we have a three distinct modes of existence; park mode, road mode and tourist mode. After Boston we adapted our road mode and looked for places that were less expensive and that could contribute to our well being.

 

Again, at about 200 miles from Boston was the Army Military Academy at West Point New York. Near West Point is a Camping World and as the first since entering Canada we needed some RV supplies we just hadn't been able to get.

 

After stocking up we rolled onto the West Point military reservation. The property here is huge and offers a tremendous history of our military leadership for this country. Unfortunately I had no idea how big the place was and where the Fam Camp might be. Well, we were in the Round Pond campground several miles from the main part of the historic post. Had we been closer to the main campus we might have ventured over to take in the history but here's what we had.

 

The Round Pond camping area offers seven temporary parking spaces for your $20; no sewer, no Wi-Fi, no cell reception, and no TV reception sat or off air. Really pretty spot on the top of a mountain but in a deep hole; quiet, dark and extremely remote.

 

We had a great night, hit the dump station on exit, and then the exit road. "I'm sure the sign said this was the way out but do they realize that I'm piloting 20 tons and 60 feet of powered machinery up that golf cart trail?" Yup and hope no one is coming down.

After escaping the north woods we had some major decisions to make. With Baltimore and Washington DC looming on the horizon do we stop between the two at the 200+ mile mark when we are already tired, or press on through DC as it was Sunday, to avoid the really bad traffic we had endured there many times before?

Press on the military mind said, and after 333 miles and $100 in tolls we landed at the Aquia Pines RV campground just south of the DC area ... whew, long day for the old guys. It was a decent gravel spot in a very hilly and treed park with the weather still about 60 and rainy; not a great place but a welcome wide place on the road, eh.

At this point we were still hoping to continue our trek southward on I-95 to the Hilton Head area and see friends from Barrie there but the weather made us think twice. Those folks had just arrived in Hilton Head, GA, after a pretty rough trip through the intense rainfall event and flooding which closed parts of I-95 and with a quick email to us we moved our trip to the west.

We then took a right turn out of Richmond after getting lost a bit there thanks to the GPS (pilot error) and headed down I-85 toward Atlanta. With a comfortable 250 mile day we arrived at the Greensboro RV park. Obviously a former KOA it was OK with a fairly level lot but too many trees to get the sat reception and again an OK spot to rest on the highway ... about it. The weather the next day was finally to break from the 50-60ish gray stuff to sunny so we were hoping.

Family Time

 

On the first of October we left Maine and stayed on 95 south toward Boston where Bruce's cousin Virginia lives in the neat little borough of Wayland with her husband Colin Steel.

 

Entering the Boston area and near the exit we wanted was this accident and this picture was pretty constant for about 30 minutes. If you blow up the picture below you will see the redi-mix concrete truck on its side with all its wheels facing us. The yellow crane is trying to upright it in the 4 pm traffic. You have to hand it to the response team as there are about 20 emergency vehicles trying valiantly to extract this 40 ton mess before the 5 pm rush. I don't think the guy in the concrete truck was hurt as it landed on the right side but he probably wasn't having his best day at work.

 



After that excitement we landed again on Hanscomb AFB near Bedford MA. We've been there before and it affords a nice large level lot quite near Boston for our $20. The day was rainy and about 50 so pretty cool.

We popped over to Virginia and Colin's place in Wayland. About a month ago she had just undergone open heart surgery to replace a bad valve and is looking absolutely awesome and fit for such an invasive operation.

Lunch was in Wayland at a neat place called the Local where they buy their food products locally and really craft them into some wonderful dishes; great choice and super food and company.

There are times like this that we wished we had more time and money to just stay here for a week or so and enjoy all that Boston and these folks would like to show us but the reality is that there is about 4,000 miles more before we are back in Texas and three more locations that we want to visit before that.

Back in the USA

 

About this time each year we herald our arrival back in the USA and again this year it was on a different stretch of road, US 1 into Calais, Maine.

 

Below is the customs border stop in Calais. This is Tuesday the 29th of September and we are the only vehicle in sight .... I mean no one else behind or approaching. All the vehicles you see here belong to the Border Service or Customs.

 

For only the second time in our RV history the customs official said, "I need to come into the RV to look around." Like in Duluth a couple of years ago we readily let the customs guy come peek in the Flying Scotsman ... probably the highlight of his pretty quiet day, eh.

 



He said have a nice day and soon we were not having a very nice day. US 1 was being fixed in many places and even where it was fixed it was a pounding nightmare ... more screws falling from the fixtures in the bus. I mean, when you are piloting 20 tons of bus pulling a car and the road looks like this you have to hold your breath as well as the wheel as you try to stay between the barrels.

And then we looked at the weather. Jeez. We were trying to get as far as Brunswick when I took the below picture but due to the nastiness of the weather we opted for a closer stopping point. While this disturbance was a different event, hurricane Joaquin was in the news and we were aware of the potential to really affect our fragile existence in the roaming bus.

A few more two lane roads later and being a bit weary of the pounding road we arrived in Harrington Maine at the Sunset Point RV park. We had asked for a pull-thru as usual and 50 amp service and were given a spot which had both of those requirements ... aaahh but we naturally assumed it would have a sewer connection as well ... nope. OK, walk back to the owner's house, ring the bell, say I gotta go potty, get pointed to a new site with sewer, unhook the car, move over there, re-hook stuff up ...  Hey, level site and very quiet and about $35.

Off on the last day of September again in a pretty hard steady rain. We finally hit Interstate 95 and motored uneventfully toward Augusta Maine.

We picked the Gardiner KOA near Augusta and weren't disappointed with the choice. The park was on a pretty steep slope but the sites were nice level gravel and again it was quiet and dark ... our kind of place. The sites were about 65 feet long and we were in a pretty heavily treed place ... pretty. Off the next day toward the Boston area.