A HEARTY BAH HUMBUG to ALL

[FtW Mike]

Okay I know I are late in getting this going but sorry I have had other concerns on my mind. This year we are in site 1805. Right loop wrong site. More on that later.

We started down on Sunday the 4th. Actually pulled out of the driveway just when I wanted to. Our destination was the Kings Dominion KOA just north of Richmond VA. Lucille had read about the drive thru light show Kings Dominion put on several years ago and we said one day we would do it. Over the years several things prevented us from doing just that. First there were the years they didn't do it. The years the Campground didn't stay open year round and of course Covid.
This year, think January on our way home we saw part of the display still up and when we checked in found it it had been brought back. I kept checking and when it was advertised I book the campground and entry. The $30 entry for a carload of up to 6 people was reasonable for the drive. The syncronized radio program was paired with the theme of each new section. I have to say we were very impressed. The SANTA's VILLAGE at the end was kind of bare but the did have a Mechanical Leroy the Redneck Reindeer for the kids to ride on the lines of a mechanical bull that was fun to watch.

 

[FtW Mike]

Our night at KD made me happy I had our onboard propane tank filled before we left as it went below freezing that night. Also I left the Gray tank open and let the bathroom faucet drip to keep the feed line from freezing.
We skipped our normal 1st night stop Carolina Crossroads at Roanoke Rapids since it is only 100 miles away in favor of South of the Border. Yes it is exactly what it brings to mind for most of us a TRUE ROADSIDE TOURIST TRAP. The campground however is nice and secured with a fence with electronically controlled gates and locks. Here I discovered I was unable to use the over the air antenna for the TV. I figured we were out of range so we engaged the satellite system for news and weather. Dinner at the Peddlers Restaurant was okay, last year when we tried it it was far more gooder, but still worth another shot.
Day 3 was a just a series of mishaps. We got 30 miles away to Florence SC and our intended fuel stop at the Flying J at exit 170 SC. and discovered my wallet is missing. We searched the RV 4 times and no joy. I know I had it SOB so back we go. They couldn't have been nicer. Security came and escorted me to our site where I looked around and retraced where I had walked the dogs to no avail. when he heard we knew i had it ath the restaurant he tried to call the staff with luck but showed me where I could park without being haselled until the staff came in. At 3pm the cook showed and knew instantly who I was and why I was there they had found it right after we left on the floor but were unable to contact me. Back on the road for what we know as Camp Lake Jasper Rv Park in Hardeeville SC
The office was closed but our Packet was waiting for us . The site I had arranged 6 months earlier is not where we are currently assigned . Apparently the new owners upgraged the computer and reservation system and this was lost. When I tried to connect to their cable system i got nothing but attributed it to the connection port looked damaged so i just stayed with the DISH SYSTEM and adjusted our local channel reception to their address.

 

[garneska]

Happy belated birthday Mike.

 

[FtW Mike]

Happy belated birthday Mike.

THANK YOU KRIS I'll cover that day soon.

 

[FtW Mike]

Both of us were happy to have 2 nights here. Between the late arrival thanks to lost wallet and lack of dog parks the previous 2 nights we needed some extra down time. Had a decent meal at Cracker Barrel that night. The next day I did explore more of the property than I normally do. If we go back I'll need to bring my fishing rod with me as the walkway to the gazebo on the lake looks very promising.
We left there after 2 night for the KOA Jacksonville North St Mary's KOA at exit 1 in Georgia. We stayed here last year on the recommendation of SJM9911. A brochure for the area we picked up told me about a SUBMARINERS Museum in St Mary's and when I checked on line I learned by staying an extra night the town was holding a tree lighting ceremony of the trees in the local park decorated by assorted agencies and organizations in the town.
So a 3 night stay here was our intent. The site with the private dog park was was already booked so we too a site closer to the regular one.

 

[FtW Mike]

Our 3 day stay here in Georgia was nice. On day 1 went to the Museum and it was Interesting. Located in a small building just off the Main drag that runs along the waterfront it was well worth the $8. regular entry fee and a bargain at $6. Sr discount ( Keeep that in Mind Ed ) The store didn't have the reserved parking placard my neighbor wanted but did offer some other interesting and nice things along with the patch for every Submarine that has served in the US NAVY.
As we went out of town we saw the VISITOR and INFORMATION CENTER so we pulled in for info on the Tree Lighting. We learned there would be a Santa Flotilla preceding it as well the next day.
the Flotilla was a bit small. According to some people we spoke with in years past it was open to all and would last up to 2 hours. This year with the addition of the Tree lighting they limited it to 20 boats that needed to pre register. Unfortunately only 8 signed up. We did hit the Museum before hand and picked up Patches for each of the Boats my neighbor served on. During our museum visit I did come across a Picture of Pres. George H.W. Bush and the crew of the USS FINNBACK that rescued him after he was shot down during WW II . I mention that as a friend of mine Chuck B. Served in his squadron and almost flew with him that day as his gunner. Day 3 was a sit back day and outside of a quick trip to PUBLIX we just hung out. While the pool was heated it had gotten a tad too cool for a dip.

 

[bama_ed]

Mike, glad you got your wallet back.

Yes, keep those discount notices coming.

Must be nice to tak your time travelling between destinations. I am not there yet.

Stay safe and i love the updates. But please hit the "Return" key once in a while. I'm getting old and need mental breaks every few sentences.

Meanwhile i am . Tks Ed

 

[Part-Time Paradise]

Stay safe and i love the updates. But please hit the "Return" key once in a while. I'm getting old and need mental breaks every few sentences.

Find those specs, Ed

Thanks for taking us along Mike

 

[FtW Mike]

I forgot I did get a picture of Leroy The Redneck Reindeer . This young lady was one of the few people who braved his savage fury

 

[FtW Mike]

After 3 days in Georgia it was on to Florida. First stop was 5 nights at Camp Margaritaville in Auburndale. We stayed here last year when it was still Cabana Club. While pricey it has some other things that make it work for us and I will touch on the in due course.
We did stop here on our way down


Can I get an AMEN Brothers and Sisters as we have once again been to the PROMISED LAND. We topped off our fuel tank and did a quick tour inside and some how managed to restrict ourselves to travel coffee cups, a bag of BEAVER NUGGETS and some Brisket sandwiches.

After arriving in Margaritaville we did our nominal set up took the girls to the dog park and checked out the new snack bar for dinner. Setting up the TV I realized the likely problem was with our equipment. After 2 tries to set up to access the cable system and getting a message that No Signals found it had to be us, Dish would have to do.
Our site.

 

[FtW Mike]

Happily day 2 here was a Monday and TIFFIN parts and service was open. I spoke with a tech who figured the Over the Air Antenna was DOA. He recommended removing 2 of the cables from the Signal boost switch land using a barrel connector to Join them leaving the antenna cable connected to booster switch and thus enabling us to connect to the cable system. It didn't work.
I decided the Security guys were the ones most likely to know who has come in to do repairs and checked with them. They made a recommendation and I called him. He called back and advised he was doing work in Tampa and was headed for Margaritaville the following day for another job and would come by afterwards to see if he could help. We had Dish so okay for now.
Considering how things had been going I figured I need a session with my fellow members of the Good Mommy and Daddy's Club Happily the local club house hadn't moved and I found it easily. I also found a Drive thru light show Lucille had read about.
Tuesday the weather was forecast to turn bad Lucille sent me off to PUBLIX for a food shopping trip. While I was in there the heavens opened up. My drive back was a 20mph affair with maybe 100 yards visibility ahead of me. Happily things settled down as I arrived back at our site. Lucille wanted to go out to eat but the Italian place she wanted to try was booked every night of our stay. She settled on take out from a place in town. Neither us was that impressed

 

[FtW Mike]

The Best part of day 2 at CM was the repair guy while hung up on his other job did stop by to get a better idea of our problem. I took him thru our set up procedure and he saw what we were getting . I explained what Tiffin tech had advised and he now had a good understanding of what were dealing with.
The next as he was still finishing his other Job we took the girls to the dog park and decided it was a good idea to check out the Doggie SPA. CM has 2 of these. One , on the perimeter corner of the newly expanded cabin and back sites area. The other was adjacent to the and behind the pool. This is the one we chose. The Girls were not happy to get a bath but at least they still smell better.
As part of her research into local restaurants Lucille found a place , THE TEXAS CATTLE COMPANY. The reviews she read were glowing. They also weren't wrong. I would caution you that the desserts are HUGE and should be considered for sharing or to be consumed over 2 days.
On our way back we decided to try the Local Drive Thru Holiday Light Display. After the One at King's Dominion we were hoping for much better. The Nicest thing I can say is they discounted the price as the SANTA's VILLAGE was closed.

 

[Stratman50th]

If you like Chinese Mike, there's a really good carry out about a mile or so up Berkley Rd towards Walmart called (don't laugh) Freddie's.

 

[bama_ed]

If you like Chinese Mike, there's a really good carry out about a mile or so up Berkley Rd towards Walmart called (don't laugh) Freddie's.

Don, Mike is from the 1st state in the Union, the great state of Delaware. He may not understand why you added "don't laugh". Why, I bet he knows SEVERAL guys named Freddie back home.

Ed

 

[Boomer1]

We stayed at the KOA in St. Mary’s on Dec 30th this year on our way down. We found it convenient. I saw the site with the enclosed dog park; it was empty when we were there. The traffic through South Carolina was heavy. Today we checked into Fort Wilderness and are at Site 1733. Will your travels find you here this year Mike?

 

[garneska]

@Boomer1 how long are you staying?

 

[Teamubr]

@Boomer1

Some one posted on another forum saying the little boats started running to WL/CR today. If you are down towards the marina, can you check it out for us?

j

 

[Boomer1]

We are here until February 1st. Today Epcot is on the agenda. Going to try to snag virtual line for Guardians of the Galaxy. We will try to make a trip down to the marina to verify if the resort boats are running again.

 

[Sj disney]

Have fun boomer we just left site 2731 on the 30th great loop

 

[Sj disney]

1731