JACKSONVILLE, FL: Hanna Park

Wet weather was forecast for yesterday, so Hank emptied our tanks in the sunshine on Monday. Yesterday, it was raining lightly by the time we started the rest of the departure process at an early time for us.  We were all finished and running off the generator by 9:30.  Our checkout time was 11 A.M. and check-in time at Hanna Park, an hour away, wasn't until 1 P.M., so we weren't in any hurry to leave.  We pulled away about 10:45, and although it continued to rain for the whole drive, the I-95 traffic was not too bad.

We arrived at Hanna Park at noon and were allowed to check in early.  That's a good thing, because the site they assigned us was too unlevel for us to use, even with an automatic leveling system and boards for under the jacks We scouted some other sites, returned to the office where they gave us a list of the few unreserved possibilities for large RV's, and we did some more scouting, before deciding on a very level, long site that was available. After another trip to the office to update the staff, we moved to site 241 and were all hooked up by 3:30.
3 1/2 hours to get set up is very long, but at least the raiin had stopped and we were able to get an alternative site during a holiday week at a very busy campground.

We've stayed at Kathyrn Hanna Park several times in the past.

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 This large Jacksonville-owned park sits on the ocean next door to the Mayport Naval facility.  The large, wooded campground is on the inland side of the property and is just a small part of the recreational facilities available. Hookups are good, over-the-air tv reception gives us many stations and there's strong signals for our Verizon Jet Pack.  This is not a good park for satellite TV users because of the abundance of trees.

We are in this area to visit with Karen and family for the next week.  After arriving at the Steele residence and saying hello to  Karen and Samantha, we received a wonderful surprise - Kathy was also visiting Karen thanks to a few days of "me" time as a gift from her husband, John.   Sean was away on business and Montgomery was still at college. We enjoyed a delicious dinner as well as catching up on family news.

WOODBINE, GA: One More Day

While it's fun to move to different places, it's also very nice to stay in one place for awhile, enjoying our surroundings and each other's company.  Walkabout RV Park is not a resort or a glamorous park, but it's convenient to I-95, with good hookups, adequate free wi-fi (most of the time), and nice people running the place. Our camp site is directly across from a chicken coop, whose large, brightly colored occupants are given freedom every afternoon. It's nice to hear their gentle clucking (no rooster crowing) and watch their antics,  and fresh eggs are offered for sale. 

We went exploring one day to Brunswick, GA riding out to a couple of the Golden Isles, and visiting Fort Frederica. This fort's heyday was in the mid-1700's.  Selene enjoys reading historical fiction, and it was interesting to see some of the everyday items from that time in the visitor center.....brings a new life to the stories, that's for sure, as well as an appreciation of their lives in VERY small houses.
Lots of pictures here.....http://images.search.yahoo.com/search/images?_adv_prop=image&fr=moz35&va=Fort+Frederica%2C+gA

We have the National Park's Service Golden Age Pass - a bargain at $10 for lifetime free admittance at many federal and some state parks, monuments, historical sites, campgrounds, etc.  The visit to Fort Frederica was our first opportunity to use this pass.

The weather has been very nice most of the time since our arrival with some very warm days, some very cool nights and rain on the way for tomorrow,  when we'll be heading to Florida.  Luckily we only have an hour to drive so won't have to battle the traffic or weather for very long.

WOODBINE, GA:

We're enjoying our stay in Woodbine, GA, just relaxing and doing what we enjoy - keeping busy with our computers.  Monday night, we were invited to a short ribs dinner at Patti and Fred's.... ham radio friends we were camping with last week.....who live about 22 miles from here.  We had a very enjoyable evening visitng with them.

Yesterday afternoon, we went in search of a bank to get some paperwork notarized and stopped for dinner at Ship to Shore in Kingsland, Fl., which was recommended by the bank personnel.   The food was delicious, service was good, and prices were reasonable.  Today, we have to go to the post office and may do a little exploring in the area.

Mike has moved out of the house in NC, and it's in the hands of a realtor. Hank and Selene's mail is being sent to Debbie and Robert's home.....150 Creek St., Montevallo, AL 35115.  Our phone numbers and email addresses remain the same:

Hank     919-818-7455       hank@k4hm.net
Selene   919-818-2808        selene@k4hm.net
Mike     919-818-4233      dallas8605@gmail.com

We will be staying in Woodbine. GA until next Tuesday, when we'll move to Hanna Park, near Karen's house, for the Thanksgiving holidays.

WOODBINE, GA: Walkabout RV Park

Our stay at Little Ocmulgee State Park was very enjoyable as we visited with friends around evening campfires, and enjoyed meals together.

Today, it was time to make the 3 hour drive further south to Walkabout RV Park near Woodbine, GA. just off of I-95 near the Florida state line.  This is another membership/public campground and gives us a very inexpensive site rate with full hookups and free wi-fi as well as a flock of campground chickens. It's not a fancy place (gallery),  but very adequate for what we need as we make our way toward Florida.  Tonight  we walked on the boardwalk over the  marsh pictured at the top of the park's website and spent some time watching the water follow the outgoing tide.

We'll be here until November 26 and we'll do some exploring in the area, but mostly it will be a time to relax and enjoy life in Little House.

MCCRAE, GA: Little Ocmulgee State Park

Instead of leaving Briarcliffe RV Park on Sunday, we extended our stay until yesterday (Tuesday).  We pulled out about 10 A.M. to head further south, trying to beat the heavy winds expected for the area.  Our destination was Little Ocmulgee State Park near McCrae, GA south of I-16.  We wanted to meet up with some ham radio friends who were camping with their local club and had invited us to join them.  We kept Little House rolling all day and arrived at the park about 4:45 P.M., getting set up just as darkness fell.  This is a large park with a large lake, campground, golf course, cabins, and lodge with a restuarant.  Another couple invited us to join them for dinner at the lodge.  The food is reasonably priced and portions are large.

Today started with temperatures in the mid-thirties and windy conditions under clear skies - another beautiful fall day.  We explored a little of McCrae, what little there is to explore, and made a grocery stop.  This afternoon, the camping group invited us to happy hour around a campfire to share some hot soup and many other treats .  We stayed happy until about 6:30 when the temps dropped to the low forties and it was time to return to our warm RV's.  Tonight's low will be in the 20's so Hank unhooked our water hose to prevent freezing - we'll use the water in our fresh water tank.   Temperatures should be much warmer tomorrow.  We'll be at this location until Sunday.

NORTH MYRTLE BEACH, SC: Friday Morning Update

The weather this week has continued to be quite nice, although there was overnight rain on Wednesday

Briarcliffe RV Resort is located next to Barefoot Landing,  a shopping, dining, nightlife and attractions venue built around a lake on the Intercoastal Waterway.  There is a coded gate between the RV Park and Barefoot Landing for easy access, so we walked around about half of the property on Monday.

Tuesday, we went to a Wyndham Resort sales pitch and earned a $100 gift card and a free lunch for our time.  The  plan was interesting, but it was geared to those who like staying in resort hotels, but we prefer RV resort campgrounds.

Wednesday, we headed to WalMart to get two new rear tires for the HHR.

Thursday, we got up early and headed to the house to finish emptying it and complete a few other chores. The "For Sale" sign is in place.  Hank and Mike made multiple trips to the convenient/recycling center to dispose of many items.   3 pickups of other items were made.  Now the only things left in the house are Mike's, and he hopes to be out no later than next week.   The landscaper is coming on Saturday.  We all celebrated completing the final work by eating at our favorite Mexican restaurant.   The drive back to Little House seemed very long and we were glad to have the busy day behind us.

Today will probably be a day to relax and decide on our next stop when we leave here on Sunday. 

NORTH MYRTLE BEACH, SC; A Short Trip Today

After waves, handshakes and hugs, we left Huntington Beach State Park at 11:15 A.M. for the 29 mile drive to Briarcliffe RV Resort in North Myrtle Beach, SC.  This is a very large gated campground on the intracoastal waterway, with many permanent structures (park models) and many RV sites with lots of  amenities , including free cable tv.  It's a well-kept property, and the sites are very close together, but angled for easy access.  It's also a membership park and our rate is only $10 per night. Little House will be parked here for the next week.  We're on site 240.