The Full Time Dream! - Page 10

chockwald · 03-24-2012, 02:45 AM

As much as we loved our stay in Thibodaux (Forest's RV Resort and Spa) it was time to escape the gravitational pull and move north to Baton Rouge....we had intended to drive up in the T'Bird, but the 3 days of rain kind of nixed that, but here we are now at a Walmart Supercenter in Prarieville, just south of Baton Rouge a few miles. Tomorrow we will fuel up the Newell ($3.85/gallon at Murphy Gas), repark the Newell, then drive the 'Bird into Baton Rouge to see the sites. We'll then head east toward the Mississippi state line stopping just short....about 95 miles. Then into Mississippi on Sunday. Our current goal is Gulf Shores in Alabama. Rained hard again last night most of the night, and a lot more lightning and thunder.....much closer this time.

chockwald · 03-26-2012, 11:37 PM

We've covered a lot of ground since Saturday....we are now in De Funiak Springs, FL. We have been dry camping in Walmart Supercenters the past 4 nights....the solar panels are doing great, even with me watching a lot of NCAA March Madness the past few days. We'll head to just past Tallahassee tomorrow, and then south to Cedar Key. Our trip is evolving, and we are going to get further into Florida than we first planned. Love being able to make it up as we go. Having a blast, and life is good! We're doing a little over 100 miles per day....nice pace, and taking time to explore where we stop each day by bicycle.

tuga · 03-28-2012, 01:14 PM

Clarke and Elaine,

As you travel further south down into Florida, try to go to Captiva and Sanibel Islands. They are located on the west coast of Flordia and are really neat. I think using the T Bird to tour the islands would be the best way to do it; the roads are 2 lanes and congested in places.

It has been years since I have been there, but from what I recall it is a beautiful place. I passed thru traveling by boat the first time and then went back by car a few years later. Truly a unique place!

fulltiming · 03-28-2012, 01:40 PM

Concur with Tuga. We traveled that area with friends in 2008 and it was great. Some photos of the area can be found http://www.patrick-irish-wolfhound.com/flphoto.html beginning about 1/2 way down the page including close by excursions to Darling National Wildlife Refuge and Corkscrew Swamp.

chockwald · 03-28-2012, 10:07 PM

We are now in Cedar Key, FL (on the west coast about 150 miles south of Tallahassee).....beautiful place! Don't know if we will get that far south this trip, but we will be back next winter after Xmas, and will definitely hit those places! Coach is running great!

chockwald · 03-30-2012, 01:06 AM

Went Kayaking today with new friends we have met here in Cedar Key, and then to a potluck at the Tiki Bar a block down the street.....this place really has a great vibe, and I wish we weren't leaving tomorrow.....BUT, we will be back, that is for sure!

chockwald · 04-02-2012, 12:24 PM

We arrived in Stuart, FL (about 60 miles south of Kennedy Space Center) on the east coast of Florida, and are courtesy parked at a friend's home for the week. We just finished our 2nd month on the road. From here we will journey north on I-95 to St. Augustine, then continue north to Savannah, GA. After that is still up in the air....all I know for sure is that come June 15th we will be in Spokane, WA....what route we take is yet to be decided, but we are having a blast.

chockwald · 04-04-2012, 02:41 AM

Made a compilation video of random video I have shot on our transcontinental trip:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gg9Ko...1&feature=plcp

chockwald · 04-14-2012, 01:37 AM

We are now in Savannah, GA.....what an amazing city! Most streets have a tree canopy over them. Spent some time down on the Savannah riverfront, and then in a local brew pub called the "Distillery".....great local brews! Staying at Red Gate RV Park....what a cool place.....like parkland.

tuga · 04-14-2012, 03:03 PM

Clarke,

We took a tour of Savannah a few years ago and one of the things that I was most impressed with was St. John the Baptist cathedral that was on the tour. It was one of the most beautiful churches I have ever seen. That church and the tree lined streets really make Savannah stand out as a beautiful city.

It was funny, we were in the Newell pulling a toad when we exited the interstate to do some sightseeing in Savannah. The exit we took brought us to the historical district, and as luck would have it, we found 5 parking meters that we vacant. So I just pulled over and occupied all 5 spaces! Luckily we had $10 in quarters for the parking meters. It's funny how you remember the odd little things on vacations.

I think they call it memories!

Hope you and Elaine experience many, many memories!

chockwald · 04-14-2012, 06:41 PM

Saw St. John the Baptist Cathedral today.....it is beautiful!

prairieschooner · 04-14-2012, 11:06 PM

Tricia saves my Quarters for Gambling, etc. I am going to have to find out where she hides them!

chockwald · 04-15-2012, 10:14 PM

And the world gets smaller......we are parked tonight in the Walmart in Macon, Georgia. I am sitting in Elaine's seat on my computer and see a couple drive up in a small SUV and get out and start taking pictures. I go outside to introduce myself and find out I am talking to a fellow Newell owner (1983) and member of this site....Slugbugrichard (Richard and Sheila). They are in town taking care of his mother's estate. Just finished talking with them for 30 minutes....Tom, they live in Scottsdale, and inherited their 1983 Newell 38' from Richard's father. He posted about a year ago about repairing his three Suburban gas heaters. Very nice couple. I love serendipity. Originally we had planned to overnight about 50 miles east of here in Dublin, but their Walmart is NOT RV friendly.....so, because of that we met Richard and Sheila.

chockwald · 04-19-2012, 01:41 PM

Spent Tuesday in Atlanta touring the site of the 1996 Summer Olympics at Centennial Olympic Park, as well as the World of Coca Cola building. Tuesday night we dry camped, again, in a Walmart Supercenter on the northwest corner of Atlanta, and were serenaded by rain on the roof all night.....very soothing. Wednesday we continued or westward trek back into Alabama where we will spend a couple of days with old college friends catching up. We are parked in the driveway of a neighbor of our friends. From here we will head north toward Michigan to see my sister.

larryweikart · 04-20-2012, 12:47 AM

Where in Michigan and when do you plan on being here. I'm here in South Mi. right off of I-69 at the 3 mile marker. I would love to meet you if you have time. I am leaving for Az on April 30th.

chockwald · 04-20-2012, 01:10 PM

We will be in Chelsea, MI by April 27th, or 28th at the latest Larry....we would love to meet you, also. Chelsea is about 20 miles west of Ann Arbor off I-94.....not that far away...in fact we will probably be coming up I-69 to I-64 on our way in to Chelsea.....where are you staying?

larryweikart · 04-20-2012, 05:15 PM

We live on an Island on Coldwater lake off of exit 3, First exit in Mich and about 30 miles before you get to I-94. The island can be seen from I 69 so it's very close.(right on your way to Chelsea, nice city) Have a building about 5 miles from house with 50amp. service if you wish to stay overnight.

chockwald · 04-20-2012, 07:21 PM

Larry we would love to stop by for a day/night and meet up. We would probably be there the 27th mid day....does that work?....would love to have access to 50amps. Been very cloudy lately which kind of impairs our ability to recharge via solar. In fact we are parked in a park today to get the batteries back up to 100% after 10 days dry camping and sporadic sun. Hoping for sunnier weather the next week, so. Send directions/phone to chockwald@gmail.com. You are on our itinerary!

chockwald · 04-27-2012, 12:00 PM

Elaine and I had a wonderful time visiting with Larry and Vanessa in Coldwater, MI.....one day was just not enough. Thank you Larry and Vanessa for your hospitality, food, and great conversation. As I repeatedly said here on this forum.....the unexpected benefit of owning a Newell is all of the amazing friends who come with the Newell experience. Larry and Vanessa are heading Tom's way in just a few days. We are now in Chelsea, MI....about 20 minutes west of Ann Arbor. Will be here for a week visiting with my sister and her husband.

chockwald · 05-02-2012, 09:13 PM

After a week at my sister's property in Chelsea, MI we are moving west again. I noticed yesterday that Hoosier Daddy, Dean Stoops, lived about 150 miles southwest of Chelsea, so I emailed him to see if we could stop by and visit, and he said "yes". So we have arrived at Dean's home in Kimmell, Indiana and are sitting here looking out at pastureland in all directions......what a magnificent view! Dean has a Bed and Breakfast on his property called Kimmell House Inn (http://www.kimmellhouseinn.com/) just outside Kimmell. If you are ever in northern Indiana give Dean a holler....he'd love to meet more Newell owners.