2011 CATCH-UP September

Wow, has this been a fast year or what, the Fall Season is upon us and this is the first entry I have made this year.  Let’s see, where do I start?

February found Roz and I heading for Florida with the intent of eventually attending the Palatka, Florida Bluegrass Festival in late February, which we did.  Enroute we made several stops, Maxwell AFB in Alabama, then a COE park on Lake Seminole, near Bainbridge, Ga.  From there we went on to  a place called Ross Prairie near Dunnellon, Florida.  This was a neat campground catering primarily to horse folks, however we really enjoyed the place.

All spaces were very wide and drive through.  Lot of walking (horse) trails surrounding this park.

There were several very scenic parks in this area.  We spent a couple of days just  exploring and enjoying the area.

 

This is one of the natural springs feeding a nearby river.

 

 

From here we proceeded to Ortano South (COE) campground near Labelle, Fl.  This was a terrific location on the banks of the Lake Okeechobee waterway.

While staying here we took the opportunity to visit Roz’ sister, Ellen, living in Ft Lauderdale, about 100 miles to the SE. 

 

 

Perfect location and the weather was typical Florida, outstanding, while Kentucky folks back home were enduring VERY cold temperatures.

After leaving here we wandered a little further up North to a place called Salt Springs, a NFS campground located in the Ocala National Forest near Palatka, Florida.  FHU facility in a beautiful area.

Roz and I really enjoyed our visit here, such beautiful scenery and terrific temperatures.  However, the true reason for our trip to Florida was near, the Palatka Bluegrass Festival.

After spending a week here we moved a little further North to the campgrounds at Rodeheavers’ Boys Ranch at Palatka, the site of the Festival.  We were to be here four days. 

 

Joining Roz and I at this event was her sister, Ellen, a real newbie at both camping and Bluegrass.  Roz and I were thinking this could be a true event if Ellen were to dislike both camping AND Bluegrass…We were both relieved and elated that she truly enjoyed both experiences, so much so she made her reservations for the upcoming year in advance.

 

A look at the upscale “conveniences” located within the campground.

 

 

A beautiful sunrise out our back window.

 

 

Ellen arrived from Ft Lauderdale via AmTrack at this station in Palatka.

 

 

 

After the Festival was over we all said our good-byes and Roz and I started our venture back towards Kentucky, and winter.  First stop just up the road about 200 miles or so to one of our favorite places, Kings Bay Naval Sub Base.

This is near several areas of interest, Jekyll Island, St Mary’s, Savannah to name a few.

After a week here it was On The Road Again.

 

We eventually arrived back home, all safe and sound, to much colder weather.  However, we were loaded with terrific memories of this wonderful trip.  Now…where to next?  That is the dilemma…

January 2011 On The Road To Warmer Weather

As much as it hurt us, this is the weather we were leaving in Kentucky for someplace South offering warmer weather.  Our first overnight was at Maxwell AFB Famcamp at Montgomery, Al.  We spent two nights here and enjoyed our stay very much.  Great walking trails, FHU, close to Exchange shopping, quiet and secure. 

Did have an issue with a brake adjuster coming loose and flopping around inside the wheel on the RV causing us to locate a repair facility for the fix.  Prattville RV and Auto repair did the job, quickly and professionally.  We were in and out within two hours, minus about $285. 

Leaving Maxwell Thursday we travelled about 200 miles to beautiful Lake Seminole, Ga located a few miles south of Bainbridge, Ga.  This is a COE campground located on the waters edge at the very south end of the lake.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By Kentucky standards this is a huge body of water, somewhere in the area of 16,000 acres of water impounded.  A large COE lake in Ky is typically in the 5000-6000 acre range and fluctuates wildly from winter to summer pool. 

 

 

 

 

 

All this peace and quiet, some of the best bass fishing in the country, for $10 a night(with the Senior Pass).   Only thing missing is our boat and motorcycle…Yep, I could live here.

Off To South Florida We Go

 

I am a little slow in my updates since this is January and our bike ride took place in early November 2010, but, who cares….

 

 

 

 

 

The plan was to load the bike in the enclosed trailer and trailer it to Panama City, Florida, which is what we did.  Leaving Kentucky Roz and I made it to Montgomery, Alabama where we overnighted at Maxwell AFB.  The next day we were on the road again arriving in Panama City around noon or so and then at our destination of Tyndall AFB shortly thereafter.

We finished the day prowling around the Base Exchange and hit the Commissary for a few essentials then back to our room in the Lodge.  Had a nice relaxing evening getting the bike packed and ready for departure in the morning.

Morning arrived in glorious fashion, about 45 degrees and beautiful Florida sunshine.  The temps were forecast to rise to about 70 or so during the day. 

We jumped on the Honda and departed the Base headed down Hwy 98 Southbound, wind in our face and warming temperatures.  The miles just melted away and we were soon 100 miles down the road.  After about 200 or so we stopped for fuel and a snack break at some roadside convenience store, then down the road again.

Around 4 PM or so we arrived in Orlando and found a nice Quality Inn Motel across the street from Disney World, and checked in for the night.  Lot of dinning opportunities in the area, so we chose a Cracker Barrel, just across the parking lot.

Next morning, another beautiful sunrise, back on the bike and down the road we went.  We were loving this ride.

Our route took us down the center of Florida via U.S. 27, little traffic and great roads.  After a comfortable ride of about 300 miles or so we arrived at our destination of Fl Lauderdale, and the home of Roz’ sister, Ellen.  Now for a few days of “down time.”

 

 

 

 

 

We spent a week with Ellen, touring around our old stomping grounds toward Homestead and the Keys.  In our earlier lives we had lived in the Homestead area for several years.  Things certainly do not remain the same, but it was good seeing the area again.

After a very enjoyable visit it was time to reload the Honda and head back toward Panama City. 

Made it to the Ocala area for the evening for the overnight and early the next morning back on the road again through the beautiful countryside surrounding Ocala.  Great seeing this area on the bike.

Arrived back at Tyndall in mid afternoon in time for a little “kick back” time.  Spent the next couple of days doing mostly nothing, then, loaded the bike back in the trailer for our trip back to Kentucky. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We considered overnighting at a Corps Park we had stayed in the past, rolling the bike out and throwing down our mattress and sleeping bags in the trailer, but then,  we were passing near Maxwell AFB again  and the thought of spending the night in their Lodging won out.  We have camped in the trailer and did enjoy it.  We have outfitted it out with most of the basic necessities, stove, refrigerator, PORTI POTTI, ..and decided we can handle this lifestyle taking the bike along with us.  Anyway, I digress.

Arrived back at our home in Kentucky the next afternoon and were very happy with the outcome of this trip…Thought it may have been a bit ambitious initially with the bike, but looking back we ask ourselves,  When Can We Do This Again?  .

Till Next Time, May the wind always be at your bike, and never a crosswind. 

AUGUST 2010—Blue Ridge Parkway

 

It is a beautiful morning in late August when Roz, myself, David & Mary Doris Simon and Erv Moore get on the road towards Cherokee, NC and the start of the Blue Ridge Parkway.  We have discussed this ride most of the summer and it has now become a reality. 

 

 

 

 

 

This is Erv and his

 

machine.

 

 

 

 

And these two are David and Mary Doris. 

This is going to be a great trip.

 

 

Here the boys are enjoying a little break and snacks after refueling the bikes.

 

 

 

We have now made it to Gatlinburg, Tn, a distance of about 250 miles or so.  Been a beautiful day for a ride and now that we are entering the hill country of SE Tennessee and off the interstate riding is really becoming a thrill.

Our trusty steeds sit outside our room in Cherokee, NC, chomping at the bit to get on the road this morning. 

 

 

A terrific view as we start our climb into the Smokies.

 

 

 

Traffic was very light with there being more motorcycle traffic than I had expected, but then, this ride is absolutely at it’s best when on a bike.

 

 

We encountered these two gentleman on a footpath at one of the view points.  The lad on the left is the son of the fellow on the right.  They are both riding motorcycles, the Father is on a Honda Gold Wing and he is the young age of 85 years old/young.  We listened to them tell of their travels for some time and the Father was definitely a gentleman that was determined to grab life by the horns and enjoy every day as it came. He was truly an inspiration to me showing me what a person can do as long as the spirit and flesh are willing.

We took a little break at the highest point on the Parkway, a little over 6,000 feet.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We are giving the “steeds” a break for the evening as we stop for the night in Boone, NC.  We only covered about 150 miles today, but with all the views to see and the low speed limits on the road, this was still a good travel day.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We made a little side trip in northern NC and visited a place called Pilot Mountain, close to Mt. Airy, NC. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Do they look like “Hells Angels” rejects or what. 

 

 

 

After spending last night

in a place called Beaver, WV, near Beckley, we were off today to view the Gauley Bridge near Hawks Nest SP.  This is the Welcome Center for the New River Bridge area.  This bridge is a beautiful piece of construction, and is one of the highest bridges in the country. 

This foot path leads to numerous flights of stairs  that in turn lead to a terrific viewing area of the New River and bridge spanning the river.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Upon leaving Hawks Nest SP it was on towards Charleston via a road truly built with the biker in mind.  From Anstead to Charleston was about 40 miles of pure bike heaven.  Even my “backseater” was enjoying the ride.

From Charleston it was on the Huntington and then into Kentucky.  We were now about 250 miles from home, easily doable, however we had decided to spend another night on the road and this time we chose a beautiful State Park called Carter Caves State Resort Park.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

After a great nights sleep, a good breakfast, we were on the road again, next destination, home,  around 200 miles down the road.

This trip has been one of the highlights of our summer, riding bikes through the Blue Ridge Parkway with lovely bride and friends.  We have truly had a BLAST.

Next venture, biking to Florida?  We’ll see.

YELLOWSTONE to Kentucky June 2010

 

The best weather we experienced while at Yellowstone was the day we left for home.  Weather really not that bad, just not typical mid-June Kentucky weather…very windy, temps 30s at night, 50s by day(if the sun made an appearance) and light snow.  This did nothing to take away from the beauty of this place.

Once on the road our first stop was,of course, a Wal-Mart in Cody, Wy to stock up on a few supplies.  After leaving there it was south on Hwy 120 to Thermopolis, Casper,to I-25 to Cheyenne  then I-80 into Nebraska.

River in Wyoming running alongside I-25.

 

 

 

A little of the scenery on the road to Casper, which will be our layover for the evening..

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                                                                                                  

 

Our first KOA night was spent here in Casper, Wyoming.  We were very much surprised by this facility, very quiet, large sites, FHU, nice  rec/check-in accommodations, and most friendly staff.

 

After a good nights sleep, with very little wind, we were up and on the road again toward Cheyenne and points South.

On into Nebraska we went passing a place called Sidney, with what appeared to be the largest Bass Pro Shop I had ever seen located there.  I’m sure I could have spent a couple of days just touring this huge facility.

 

This was some sort of museum spanning the interstate, celebrating the early settlers and explorers of this part of the country.

We spent this night at a nice, quiet park in N. Platte, Nb.  The next morning we could see that this travel day may experience a little wet weather along the way with storm clouds approaching from the West. 

 

 

 

 

 

Roz and I plowed our way on eastbound, destination—Offutt AFB at Omaha, Nb where we were planning to spend a couple of days at the military FamCamp at Offutt.  The weather across Nebraska had been generally good till we were approaching Omaha, then we were in and out of thunderstorms for the remainder of the drive. 

Arrived at Offutt, got assigned our site and settled in for the evening.  The rains had subsided and the BBQ came out and ribs were cooked.  Had a nice evening, watching TV and the lightning in the Western sky that was approaching our location.

During the night the storms moved in and the next morning the forecast was for more of the same for the next 24 hours, severe T-storms all day.  So, it was decision time for the two of us.  Weather radar on TV showed this T-storm activity to be mainly located on a line East and West of us, moving East.  Since our plans called for a Southerly path, we decided to shorten our stay and move on down the road, hoping to be out of the stormy portion and south of this weather in about 100 miles or less.  I was not especially impressed with this FamCamp anyway, short sites and a gravelly/muddy access road, with white stuff that stuck to ones shoes, leaving a lot of tracks everywhere I stepped.

So, I took the truck for fuel, returned and between showers prepared the TT for travel, hooked up, and hit the road.

As we had suspected, in less than an hour all this bad weather was behind us and we were on our way towards Missouri.

Our route took us down I-29 to St Joseph then rte 36 towards Hannibal, Mo.  Our plan for the night was a COE campgrounds onMark Twain Lake, about 25 miles West of Hannibal.  This Park was a little off the beaten path, but well worth the extra drive.  This is a large park with several loops, and very few customers.  Probably over 200 sites available and no more than a dozen campers.  Quiet, peaceful, relaxing….

 

 

 

 

 

View out our back window..

 

 

 

One of our frequent visitors. 

 

 

 

Roz and I spent two very relaxing days at this beautiful park, and told ourselves that “We Will Return.”

We were still about 300 miles from home and as reluctant as we were to leave here, knew we would only be postponing the inevitable, we had to go home.  

The remainder of the trip was anti-climatic, a good, uneventful drive.  We arrived back home around 2:30 in the afternoon and decided most unpacking would be done “later.” 

Trip report:  5,000 miles traveled, a lot of diesel fuel consumed, the Ford could not have performed better, and the Arctic Fox, even though it now has a patched up hole in her roof and some other battle damage, still came through with flying colors.  No mechanical issues of either the truck or camper.  As much as we thoroughly enjoyed this trip and the company of one another, it is still good to be back home.  MY OWN BED TONIGHT!!

Next trip---Motorcycle trip through the Blue Ridge Parkway.