CLAYTON, NC; Catching UP

We returned to Clayton on Thursday, November 15.  We stayed at Tom Johnson's Camping Center longer than we originally planned because we added some items to their "to-do" list.  These included installing 2 vent covers on the roof, resealing the marker lights on the top of the front of the coach, replacing the TV antenna control and lubricating the mechanism, and checking out the diesel motor thermostat.  This was all done after the slide motor gear was replaced and the turn signal problem fixed.  On Saturday, November 17, we went to a local hamfest and sold a bunch of stuff.  Today we caught our breath after some very busy days.

We won't be traveling again until close to Christmas.  We have lots of projects to tackle so we'll be busy most days.  There may not be any blog posts until we hit the road again. Since we're not making our Thanksgiving visit to Florida this  year, Selene will be cooking Thanksgiving dinner for the first time in 12 years.  Let's hope she remembers what to do!

Happy Thanksgiving to all.  Christmas will be here before you know it!

Marion, NC: A Better Day

Today started early for us as we had Little House in line at the Service Center by 7:15 A.M. We had some breakfast in the Cafe, then met with Eric, our service writer.  Shortly thereafter, Little House was driven into the service bay and the tech started looking for the problem with the big slide.  After lunch, we explored the inventory of new and late model RV's on the dealer's lot.   A couple of hours later the service writer said the slide-out problem was resolved.  The problem was a broken gear tooth on one of the 3 motors required to extend or retract the slide.  Eric showed us the broken gear that had been replaced

When we left Oak Plantation yesterday, we had problems with the left turn signals.  This afternoon, the Tom Johnson service tech found that an old jerry-rigged wiring fix had been removed by the mobile techs who (incorrectly) diagnosed the slide-out problem.  Proper repairs were made by the Tom Johnson service tech.

 Because it was late in the day, we're staying here tonight, and plan to head back to Clayton tomorrow..

MARION, NC: We're Back!

Yep! We're back in Marion at Tom Johnson's Camping Center.

Today, the RV tech and helper arrived about 10:15, and after working 1 1/2 hours, determined our problem was  a bad control board for the large slide.  They also found some blown fuses.  They were able to get the big slide in all the way, and locked in place so we could travel.  We left Oak Plantation about 1:30 P.M. headed for Tom Johnson's Service Center in Marion.  We arrived about 6:40.  Since we know this campground so well, it wasn't a problem getting Little House settled in the dark ( there is some lighting around).  If  TJ's comes up with the same diagnosis tomorrow, we may be here a couple of days a as the part will probably have to be shipped in. 

We'll see what tomorrow brings.

CHARLESTON, SC: Unexpected Layover

The Good Sam chapter rally officially ended this morning.  The weather was cool with clear skies all weekend.

Our activities included:

Friday - drive to Battery Point and old Charleston, walking through the city market and surrounding streets, and having dinner at Wild Wings.

Saturday - chapter meeting in the morning, drive to marina area for dinner at California Dreaming on the waterfront, followed by a visit to the Holiday Festival of Lights at James Island County Park.

Today (Sunday) was to be our departure day.  As we prepared Little House for the trip back to Clayton,  the long wall slide decided not to retract.  Hank looked at the instructions for manual operation, and talked to a mobile RV tech, but had no luck in getting the slide in.  The mobile tech will be here tomorrow to diagnose the problem and, we hope he'll be able to fix it without waiting on parts to arrive.  Tonight we enjoyed a campfire with a couple in our chapter who were spending some extra time here.  Most of our friends left for home this morning.

CHARLESTON, SC: First Night

The RV-Dreams Carolina Clan gathering is over.  It was a great time in a lovely setting, with everyone doing their own thing, or getting together in small groups as they wished, and gathering around the campfire every evening.  Yes, it was downright chilly at night, but the smiles and the campfires were warm as we sat under mostly clear, starlit skies. 

Here is a picture of almost all of the attendees..  Most of them are full-time RVers, mostly retired, but some are still working.  There were more fifth wheel owners than motor home owners. We arrived knowing just a few, and we left with friendly hugs from many, and a heartfelt "see you down the road".  

Today we left Huntington Beach State Park and made the 2 hour trip south to Charleston, SC to Oak Plantation Campground for a campout with our local Good Sam Chapter.  If this campground sounds familiar, it's because we were here the first week in October with the Escapees chapter.....and the ants.  The office person assured us the ants are no longer a problem since the weather has gotten colder.  We took no chances, and spread Comet cleanser everywhere we touch down. Ants don't like Comet and our site smells very clean!  We'll be here until Sunday.  Tonight we had a pizza dinner together in the pavilion.  There are 32 people here with our group.  There's sure to be more good times ahead.

Murrells Inlet, SC: Taking Life Easy

We're enjoying our stay at Huntington Beach State Park.  We're not doing anything exciting, just getting to know others in our group, and enjoying our time in this scenic setting. We get some exercise walking to the dumpster and campground office, which takes about 10 minutes one way.  The beach is also about a ten minute walk away.

 

Here's a picture of Tuesday night's circle:

 

 

 

On Wednesday, firewood was delivered and we all chipped in to pay the bill.  Wednesday night we had a campfire.

 

Last night (Thursday) we had two campfires because the air was quite chilly and our group was very large.:

,

 

:   That's the back of
Selene's head in the foreground.

 

 

Yesterday we headed to Pawley's Island, just down Hwy 17, for lunch, then some sightseeing along the beach, followed by a grocery visit.

 

Today, Selene spent an hour sitting on the nearly deserted beach with Dee watching the pelicans demonstrate their diving skills.  "10's all around!

 

Tonight the campfire gang was much smaller.  About 15 couples went kayaking today, so some folks just needed to recuperate tonight instead of enjoying the night air.  The resident raccoons  paid another visit to the group tonight, but there wasn't any food being passed around, so they left early. 

 

Looking forward to more enjoyable days ahead.

 

 

 

Murrells Inlet, SC: First Night

Today dawned with a little drizzle and some wind gusts leftover from Sandy.  We left Clayton at 11:23 A.M. for our journey to Huntington Beach State Park in Murrells Inlet, SC.  The traffic was fairly light, and we saw large numbers of  power company trucks northbound.  Our journey was somewhat complicated by the frequent  high wind gusts, especially in open areas, so it was not a relaxing drive for Hank as he kept Little House in the proper lane. The winds eased up some by the time we entered northern South Carolina and we arrived at the park around 4 P.M.

  This campground is nice, although most of the sites do not have sewer hookups, and there's only 30 amp electric service. The beach is a short walk away, and the roar of the breaking waves was easy to hear tonight.  I expect the ocean is still churning from Sandy's visit.  Our site is conveniently located near one of  the bath houses.  Luckily, Little House has fairly large grey and black tanks, so we should be able to cope without making a trip to the dump station before we leave here on November 8.

About half of the 45 expected attendees for the Carolina Clan of the RV-Dreamers gathering are here. It will be a challenge to remember which names go with which faces, and to match up the couples, but this is a fun group and everyone has stories to share.  We enjoyed the ever-expanding conversation circle until the cold night air and pending darkness motivated everyone to return to their RVs for the night.  Many of these people are avid cyclists, kayakers or hikers, but I'm sure our most strenuous activity will be walking.