On The Road (Blog)

Ozark Travel Park, Ozark, AL

Thu, 29 Oct 2009 09:59:00 -0400

Miles Traveled: 222

Total Traveled: 18,470

We're in one of the nicest parks we've stayed in. Although the lots are small, the park is immaculately maintained, and includes a lake with a fountain, a bridge over the creek, an enclosed dog run, and full service -- including pickup and delivery of propane tanks you want filled. They also have great cable and Wi-Fi service. The park's actually so nice we decided to take our next day break today instead of tomorrow.

Cullen, Alabama

Tue, 27 Oct 2009 18:45:00 -0400

Miles Traveled: 148

Total Traveled: 18,248

We left Tom & Liz's yesterday with high hopes. We're ready to get south for the winter. The fates, however, wanted us to slow down and enjoy the weather, apparently.

Twenty miles after we started, we pulled into a Love's travel center to dump our week's accumulation of waste and fill the truck's fuel tank. That's when Lori noticed the low right-rear tire on the camper. Uh-oh. A quick check showed 45 lbs of pressure, instead of the recommended 80.

Since we were by an air hose, I ran the pressure back up where it belonged and started dumping. By the time I was done dumping, the tire was back down to 60 lbs. Not a good sign. When I took the gauge off, though, I heard a slight hiss. On closer inspection, the valve stem was loose and leaking air.

I tightened the stem and refilled the tire. A half-hour later, after eating lunch, the tire was still at 80 pounds. Of course, between the dumping, fooling with the tire, and lunch, we lost almost 1 and a half hours at the Loves.

Although we planned to make it south of Birmingham, we called it a day in Cullen, AL, about 50 miles short of our intended goal. We'd both had enough of a day, and we've got a week or more to get to Florida, so there's no rush.

Since Lori had checked weather before we left, we were expecting a very rainy Tuesday, so I just registered for two nights instead of one. All day it's been a fairly constant rain, so we made the right call. We'll head south again tomorrow.

Franklin, TN

Mon, 19 Oct 2009 09:43:00 -0400

Miles Traveled: 190

Total Traveled: 18,100

A milk run down the interstate from mom's house to Tom & Liz's, Lori's sister.

Mt. Washington, KY

Sun, 04 Oct 2009 10:42:00 -0400

Miles Traveled: 305

Total Traveled: 17,910

The longest towing day ever, both in miles and time. We left the campground around 9:30, and arrived at mom's house 7 hours and 305 miles later, after a half-hour lost north of Dayton (trying to get diesel) and an hour in a traffic jam outside of Louisville. Taking a couple of days off and visiting family before heading on to Florida. Lori says we're going to be in a really nice campground down there, I can hardly wait to get there.

Pleasant View Campground, Van Buren, MI

Fri, 02 Oct 2009 15:57:00 -0400

Miles Traveled: 270

Total Traveled: 17,605

Well, this is going to be an interesting trip. Lori had to fly back to Bradenton on short notice, so I've only got Baby as my faithful co-pilot. I left the park about 9 this morning and arrived here around 3 this evening. Tomorrow evening should find me at mom's house, in Mt. Washington, KY.

Michigan City, MI

Tue, 21 Jul 2009 19:46:00 -0400

Miles Traveled: 154

Total Traveled: 17,335

Michigan sure is a big state. Made it to St. Ignace, then took the 5-mile drive over the Mackinaw Bridge. We're in the Mackinaw City KOA for tonight. On to Alpena, MI tomorrow.

Park Places of the North, Escanaba, MI

Mon, 20 Jul 2009 18:12:00 -0400

Miles Traveled: 135

Total Traveled: 17,181

A pretty drive along Lake Michigan, and we're camped about 100 yards from the water. Tomorrow we arrive in Mackinac City, MI. We'll be arriving in Oscoda on Thursday.

Pine Grove Campground, Shawano, WI

Sat, 18 Jul 2009 18:05:00 -0400

Miles Traveled: 235

Total Traveled: 17,046

You'll have to check the Current Location or 2009 Travels Map to figure out where we are. We're here, and I don't have a clue where "here" is. :) We're taking tomorrow off before heading on to Escanaba, MI on Monday, St. Ignaces, MI on Tuesday, and Oscoda, MI on Thursday. We may take a trip to Mackinac Island on Wednesday, or may just relax for the day.

Lebanon Hills Campground, St. Paul, MN

Fri, 17 Jul 2009 16:10:00 -0400

Miles Traveled: 176

Total Traveled: 16,811

We're in a very nice park run by the county government. The park is nestled in the middle of a large urban greenbelt. Too bad we won't be here long enough to explore the many hiking trails.

Jackson, MN KOA

Tue, 14 Jul 2009 16:06:00 -0400

Miles Traveled: 163

Total Traveled: 16,635

A very windy traveling day. We stopped a bit short of a full day after fighting a strong crosswind. We'll take a couple of days off before traveling on.