Stacey & Michael’s Excellent Adventure

Last time I saw a laundry room like this was 1983.  It did not bring back great memories, I hadn’t saved quarters, and I wasn’t looking forward to doing laundry here, but the room is clean, the machines work well, and there are a lot of them.  I’ve done laundry twice and it isn’t so bad.  #1 I don’t have a lot of it (1 machine full) and #2 the walk to the laundry room is short.  I’m approaching this like I approach waiting for my car for an oil change.  It’s about an 1 - 1 1/2 hours that I have to just sit and read, catch up on phone calls or knit.   More random thoughts: 1.  Florida drivers are as bad as I remember them.  I’m glad I’m driving around in a truck. 2.  Sunshine works better than drugs.  I’m sleeping great in my 8 x 7 “bedroom” even without Michael being here.  And, getting up easier in the AM (Theresa will be happy about that when it’s time to walk here.  We can get out at 7:30-8 instead of 8-8:30).  ...

The crowd here is somewhat different than what I expected.  Many of the people who are here for the winter or for a few months seem very young to be here.  I wondered whether they are younger than I thought or we are older than I think we are.  Sharon (used to be my good friend) said it is probably the latter.  She used to be so nice. The Airstream crowd is kind of interesting.  One guy told us that Airstream Royalty was here last week.  Apparently, the royalty is a guy who posts on Airstream Addicts on FB and also paints pictures that always have an Airstream in them.  I have heard of him on the Airstream Addicts page. Another couple that has an Airstream stopped by and invited us over and I realize that this is like the VW thing and people feel connected.  BTW, this couple is an example of folks who I think are younger than us.  They spend most of the winter here and own their site (sites are privately owned - kind of like condos).  I...

The St. Augustine Farmer’s Market is huge in terms of popularity and size.  We waited in a line of cars for about half hour just to get off of A1A and into the parking lot.  Getting through the lot was difficult due to the many old Florida drivers looking to get a close parking space.  Just let us get through to the back so we can park.  This Farmer’s Market rivals the Boulder Farmer’s Market and once inside, the crowd was young, families, older folks, etc.  Great produce, crafts, baked goods, etc.  As we walked from the parking lot, we heard a Mike Cross song, Rocky Top (for those of you Dukies).  A live band of about 20 random people were playing together on a make shift stage (think Pickers Shed at Albert Music Hall).  The atmosphere was relaxed and fun.  We will be back every Saturday. BTW, I am still working on trying to get the videos to play.  Perhaps, one of the boys or Kathryn or Jess will help me with that. Then, we e...

Getting acclimated to living in our small space together.  It’s not that hard since I am very easy to live with and quite accommodating (I do want Michael to learn to love this).  I’ve been making French Press coffee every morning - the best, small option for coffee (and, no electric needed if we are off the grid).  We carry 100 lbs of Propane which will power the stove top, frig, hot water heater and heat if needed, but not an electric coffee maker.  On the afternoon of Day 5, Michael actually said that he is enjoying himself.  I think it must be because he is living in 200 sq ft with me.  Easy access to back scratching may also be a factor. Michael’s office is all set up and it includes a mobile, wireless printer.  He seems happy with it, though when he paces while on the phone, he has to make a lot more turns than when he is in the office or at the beach.  He is adjusting. And, then there is the afternoon cocktail....With our neighbors R...

Explored the small town of St. Augustine in the afternoon.  And oddly funky, cool town for Florida.  Maybe because it is a college town (Flagler College) and also an old town (oldest in the US)?  Very dog friendly with outdoor seating areas in bars and restaurants.  Narrow streets and charming old buildings. And, a distillery tasting with none other than Sweet Tea Vodka - what else would you expect in the South - and this is the South, not Boca.  I haven’t seen Mah Jong or Canasta yet.

Yes, it is Day 10 and I am writing Day 4’s blog.  I’ve been very busy so have not had time to write plus the internet sucks and it is a little frustrating using the computer or Ipad.  Not bad during the day, but at night, it is slow. It is very sunny on this Super Bowl Sunday and we are settling in. The dune walk is 50 ft away and the beach is beautiful and wide.  The sand is very dense - people are riding bikes on it and cars are driving on it.  We can’t quite understand the driving part.  There is one lane that only goes south.  So, you can get on and only take a right and then get off at various ramps along the way.  We will not try that.  Manny and I are loving the beach.  Michael likes it,but the sand is very fine and seems to get all over.  We brought a broom with us, but it soon becomes apparent that if Michael is going to be happy we will have to order a rechargeable stick vacuum.  Luckily, we can get packages deliver...

Now that the rain is over and it is light out, we see the lake.  It’s huge (that’s what she said) and beautiful.  Lake Marion.  We make a note to come back some day.  240 miles to our final destination.  We forget that it is Saturday and stop at the local Cracker Barrel.  The wait is 20 mins, but we really have no choice if we want to eat.  While waiting we decide to buy Cracker Barrel stock.  Lots of collagable people here.  We definitely need to make Cathy a new collage. Uneventful ride to Bryn Mawr Ocean Resort - our new home for the next month.  It is a gated community - we need a card to open the gate - who would’ve thought.  Michael drove the last few hours, but of course on entering the “resort” we change places so that I can back into our site which we have heard is very tight.  Once there, Michael calls me and we use our phones as walkie-talkies so we are not screaming at each other.  The nice guy across the way...

We soon realize that we will not arrive at the campground until after dark - about 6 PM.  Yes, today we violated both covenants of the 330 rule.  But, Michael was driving in the afternoon and was happy. Arriving in the rain, after dark.  Campground is packed and, we notice, very festive with many RVs decorated with many lights.  Is this a SC thing? Paul escorts us to our site which is luckily, a pull-thru.  We decide to plug in the electric and keep the trailer hitched since the site is fairly level and it is pouring.  Then, we set off for the restaurant we can walk to (since we have no transportation) a half mile away.  We have no expectations, but the Lake House is great!  Craft beer and great, pub food (perhaps anything is great after Cracker Barrel).  But, really it is good.  And, we remembered to turn on the heat and hot water heater before leaving for dinner which means warmth and a hot shower when we return.  Yay.

400 miles to drive today to Palmetto Shores RV Resort in Santee, SC (disobeying the 330 rule already). Supposed to be lakeside, so we are curious.   Good idea, Michael!  He decides to put the infamous (story for another time) hot water heater plug in now so that when we arrive in SC, we can just start it up.  He is happy that I made him bring his hat (that I made for him). First stop is breakfast so no one is hangry.  Bob Evans sounds good - and it is in a large shopping center which means parking for the trailer (not an easy feat - we are about 45 ft long, end to end).  We are happy to see that there is ample parking in the Target lot near Bob Evans.   Very skeptical.... Haven’t been to a Bob Evans in ages.  Now, I feel bad.  Great breakfast, great coffee.  No one is hangry anymore.  On to SC.   We are finding that a gallon of gas doesn’t go very far and we are hoping that Pam will get the electric truck (a...

1/30/20:  Leaving Lawrenceville at 6:30 PM to try to get to Lake Fairfax Park Campground by a decent hour to get some sleep.  The campground is about 15 miles west of DC (who knew?).  Manny is excited to be joining us - he has been nervously sitting by the door wondering if it will be Camp Bow Wow or Camp Stacey.  He is happy it is the latter.  Of course, pre-trip dinner is WaWa sandwiches - trying to mimic our sailing journeys and hoping this will be as successful a journey as those are. 10:30 PM - Arrive in the dark - very dark in the campground which is about a mile into the park and finally find our campsite to see that I have to BACK IN in the very dark.  We are surprised to see about 10 other campers near us.  We quickly learn why there is a 330 rule (arrive in your campground by 3:30 and/or do not drive more than 330 miles a day).  It is COLD - 30 degrees to be exact and when we enter the trailer and put on the heat, it takes a long time t...