Friday, May 12, 2017

Wet Williamsburg - May 12, 2017

We woke to a damp cool day.  It was easy to agree that this probably wasn't the day to walk around Colonial Williamsburg.  This recreated historic town is 1/2 mile wide and 1 mile long.  We concluded that with any luck at all we would have ample opportunity in the future to visit here again.


Before lunch we decided to go find our friendly local Walmart.  Allan wanted a washer for the water hose and some cup hooks to put up by the door to hang his keys on for easy access.

As you can see in the picture it was a dreary day.

We went to Walmart and noticed that Lowe's was next door.  We ended up walking over there to find the items he was looking for.  I walked up and down the aisles to get in a little walking since we would soon be returning to the camper for the day.

We strolled through the bathroom aisles and saw just the rig we could use to replace our bathtub in Maine and turn it into a shower.  Nothing like a project or two for our summer in Maine.

Before returning to the campground we drove to the Visitor's Center at Historic Williamsburg.  We picked up a few brochures and are eager to return in the future. Jamestown and Yorktown also look like interesting places to visit.

Shortly after our return to the campground we heard a train whistle.  I got my phone and went outside and took this short video.  Allan estimates that we are 20 yards from the track.


Soon after we got back to the campground the rain started and it is raining steadily.  

We have had multiple requests to bring sunshine and dry weather to Maine with us when we arrive.  Hang in there folks, we are due on Tuesday and I'm still hoping to fulfill your requests. 




Thursday, May 11, 2017

Richmond Hill, GA to Williamsburg, VA - May 11, 2017

Yesterday we traveled 403 miles in 8 hours.

We had a quiet night in the campground.  It was hot and we had the air conditioner on and slept great. However, for no apparent reason we woke at 5:30 am. We enjoyed the fact that there was no line and no waiting at the showers.  We were on the road by 7:30.  


The rest stops in North Carolina were very nicely landscaped.  I just had to take this picture of the Magnolia blossom.  When we get much further north we won't see any more of them.  I don't think I've ever seen a Magnolia in Maine.


These roses in full bloom were at the same rest stop.  I don't imagine the roses in Maine are quite in bloom yet.


I've never been a fan of billboards.  I think that it is really nice that we don't have them in Maine.  When we are traveling on these interstates we see them frequently.  I got this picture while we were still in North Carolina.  I guess Virginians think they have better peanuts than others.


Soon after crossing the boarder into Virginia I noticed that the temperature had dropped from a mid day high of 87 to 58 under a heavy sky.  I looked pretty silly in my shorts and flip flops!

I got this shot as we crossed over a Virginia bridge.  No drought here.  This river is full to overflowing.


We arrived here in Williamsburg, VA at 5:30 pm.  We were on the road for 10 hours and Allan drove 536 miles.  We are staying for two nights at the Anvil Campground.

This is in a rural location but the campground is very snug.  You can almost reach out and touch your neighbors.  And the same is true of the nearby Amtrak train tracks.  A million car freight train is going by just now. "Trailers for sale or rent, rooms to let for 50 cents, third boxcar midnight train, destination Bangor, Maine..."

The weather here is dreary with showers.  It could be rainy tomorrow, a day we plan to spend in Historic Williamsburg.  We will review that plan tomorrow.

I'm loving trailer camping so far.  Let's just say I'm happy that I am not traveling on a motorcycle and not sleeping in a tent!  Hot temperatures, cold temperatures, and rain, I've been there and done that.


Wednesday, May 10, 2017

Venice, FL to Richmond Hill, GA - May 10, 2017

Yesterday I took my final, for now, early morning walk along the Intracoastal Waterway Park.  It was another beautiful morning with lots of sunshine and temps in the high 60's when I started out at about 7:15 and mid 70's by the time I got home.  We've been walking 3+ miles most mornings and it takes us over an hour.



You will notice that my FL pictures all show bright sunshine.  That's what we've had for the past 7 months. It only rained briefly a few times.  It is very, very dry.

This past winter there was a lot of red tide and we didn't go to the beach much.  This spring it has been quite windy and rough.  The beach is delightful and the water temp. is hovering in the high 70's.


Last night we enjoyed our "last night supper" at the Crow's Nest.  It was a magnificent sunset.


We dined with Allan's sister, Terry, and her good guy, Ernie.  It has been great fun to have them in Venice all winter.  We look forward to many more.


We go through quite a process to ready our house for summer.  It takes about 2 full days of cleaning and closing inside and out.


This morning we were up at 6:00 and on the road before 8:00.  We stopped for a quick breakfast at the Wee Blew Inn and headed north on the highway.  Below is a picture of us at our first rest stop.  All is going well with the truck and trailer.


Shortly after crossing over into Georgia we saw a plume of smoke ahead.  When we got close we were astounded by the sight of this tractor trailer with the cab burning.  Lucky for us it was on the south bound side of I 95.


It was very hot today while we were driving.  At one point the thermometer in our truck registered 97 degrees!

We are spending the night in Richmond Hill, GA in Fort McAllister State Park.  We arrived at about 4:30 and got set up.  Then we contacted Allan's sister, Elvira, and she and Sal met us for dinner.  It is always nice to squeeze in a short visit with family.

We will be off again in the morning, headed to Williamsburg, VA.