TRIP #2: Pre-Trip for Going West

March 10th to March 29th (2011): Three Weeks Prior to Getting On the Road West

We left home early in the morning on Thursday, March 10th during a mild snowstorm. A nice parting gift to the never-ending winter this year in Maine. We were facing a three week truck-only trip prior to actually leaving with the trailer for our trip west.

It took five days to get to Florida, with a few stops along the way, for a week-long visit with our dear friend, Connie. After Florida, we stayed a week plus with my sister, Ginger, and husband, Lou, in South Carolina. The trailer, Four-Bit Room, had wintered near Ginger and Lou in SC, and she needed to be summerized before putting her back on the road.

Day 1 was a revisit and overnight at my cousin's home in NJ. Rob and Sue were so accommodating on our fall trip that they were lucky enough to have us return. That's what you get when you are mighty great hosts! Don is still dreaming about that delicious pot roast dinner Sue made for us.

Northern Jersey was having major flood problems. Here's where we stopped for gas.

Day 2 and 3 took us south to outside of DC to good friend's (Bob and Sharon) home. Once again this was a return stop and the "B&B" was still spectacular. Here we saw some spring flowers in bloom and warm breezes for a walk without hats, gloves, scarves, snowshoes, etc.

The boys comparing their trucks.

Day 4 we made it to Florence, SC, and spent the night in a Springhill Suites. Behind the motel they had a great nature walking path, so we were able to get in some exercise. My Lenten challenge this year is to get 30 minutes of exercise at least five days a week. When traveling and just sitting for days on end, this seemed like a good, healthy goal for me as well as for Don. We also had been fed so well by our gracious hosts these past three days, we practically rolled along the hiking paths.

We did make a quick stop before getting to the motel at the famous or "infamous" South of the Border. I remembered the signs spread out along the highway pulling people in from when my family drove to Florida back in 1961. Nothing has changed, as it is still a junk haven of cheap souvenirs. [Hint - Do not stop here unless you truly need to stretch your legs or have kids along who want to buy junky toys.]

Day 5 got us to Connie's by early afternoon. The door to her lanai (Florida term for a screened porch) was open and we had dinner outside! What a beautiful and rapid change from winter in Maine.

Our week with Connie was busy and fun, with perfect, if not HOT weather. Naturally we made it to the beach a few times and were lucky enough to see four fan propelled para-gliders. What a show they put on for us. I think I want to fly, too!

Don was in heaven in Florida, as he had two absolutely super play days. The first was when we went to St. Augustine and dropped him off at his old Navy buddy's house for a guitar practice session. Bert Hodge and Don sang together as Two-Way Street in Brunswick, Maine, back in the 70's. Bert is now with a band, Lonesome Bert and the Skinny Lizards, and they were performing later that evening at the Florida Cracker Cafe and asked Don to join them!

Former Navy pilot, now "Lonesome Bert"

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While the guys sang, Connie and I worked on the pitcher of Sangria that's sitting on the table. Fun night!!!

Don's second play day was going to Universal Studios in Orlando to visit the new Harry Potter theme park. Once again we stayed at the military resort, Shades of Green, on the Disney property. The first evening there we went and saw Blue Man Group at Universal. Quite entertaining and worth seeing at least once.

 Our son, Donny, told us that he read that Harry Potter was the #1 destination of the year in Orlando. We found this out. The day was very hot, pushing 90 degrees, and we fortunately arrived when the park opened. By noon they were restricting people from entering that part of the park due to crowds. We enjoyed seeing Hogwarts School of Magic and Diagon Alley brought to life. If you are a Potter fan, you do want to see this.

At Olivander's Wand Shoppe, this wizard will help you select the perfect wand for you.

On March 22nd we left Connie's and drove eight hours to Anderson, SC. It felt so good to get out of the truck and take a long walk around Ginger and Lou's neighborhood before dinner. For me, having these weeks (fall and spring) with my sister is such a gift. Our whole adult lives have been a few days or a week here and there together during the past forty years. Ginger and I did get sneak-away time to go shopping and just hang out, while Don and Lou got Four-Bit out of storage and readied for the trip. Before hitting the road west, the four of us drove up to Pigeon Forge, TN, for a long weekend to return to Dollywood.  Ginger and Lou had never been there and we knew they would enjoy the clean entertainment factor presented at this pleasant theme park. Unfortunately the weather turned drizzly and borderline cold, but we were inside for the shows during the worst of the rain. We still had a great day and plan to return together again in the fall as we all purchased yearly passes.

We drove back to South Carolina via the Smokey Mountain National Park. We wanted to stop for a hike, but the road west was calling and we had a lot of last minute prep to do with the trailer. Wednesday, March 30th, was DEPARTURE DAY and Don was itching to get going.

Scenic Overlook Stop to say "Hello" to the Smokies - Ginger & Lou

The afternoon and early evening after returning from Dollywood was beyond full getting everything set in the camper. Eventually when I got tired, I just started tossing things in the cupboards. Don noticed that the water pump wasn't working. Oh dread, now what????

We were up early on the 30th with a plan to swing by the RV dealer that summerized the trailer and see if they could remedy the messed up water pump. Out by 9:00ish, the pump problem was minor, air in the water line, so we were FINALLY on the road by 10:00. This was two hours later than our ETD, so we adjusted our goal point from Meridian, Mississippi, to McCalla, Alabama. Once again, "flexibility" is the golden password for this type of trip. WESTWARD HO!!!