From Key Biscayne, FL to New Jersey
Monday, November 22, 1999
Key Biscayne, FL to Santee State Park, SC
I wanted to stay in Florida as long as possible yet make it back to New Jersey before Wednesday, the day before Thanksgiving. In the Northeast, traffic is awful on the day before Thanksgiving, and on Thanksgiving as well. So Monday morning was really the latest that I could leave. As you would expect, the weather forecast indicated that it would be the warmest and sunniest day for the Miami area in weeks.
Left the Key at 8 AM, and the weather already was beautiful and the temperature at 80F. I-95 out of Miami wasn't too bad. Nevertheless, switched over to the Florida Turnpike (now renamed the Ronald Regan Turnpike) to avoid the horrible traffic and construction sites that stretch from Hollywood to Palm Beach. Then back on to I-95 for a fast and uneventful trip to Jacksonville. Traffic wad fairly light, so made good time. Buzzed through Jacksonville - the eternal construction site - in record time. Georgia was no problem, either - they're doing a great job of adding a third lane for each direction without slowing down traffic.
After 98 miles into South Carolina hit the exit for Santee State Park. This park, on the shores of Lake Marion, is definitely not recommended for summer use -- hot, humid, lots of biting bugs -- but it is a great place in the Fall. Good facilities, nice sites, and a price of $16.63 that includes electric and water hook-ups.
The temperature is unseasonably warm, 70F at 5 PM. Found a nicely leveled site, grilled a cheeseburger, and spent the rest of the evening working on the journal and watching TV.
Drove 608 miles today and was on the road for 9 hours. Bought gasoline in Florida at $1.259 per gallon. Prices in Georgia were a lot lower, but didn't want to risk exceeding the "safe" range of 500 miles.
Tuesday, November 23, 1999
Santee, SC to home, NJ
Woke up around 6:30 AM, dawn. Outside temperature just around 60F, the night's low had been 58F. Unbelievable, after all - it's Thanksgiving week. Big breakfast, on the road by 9:00 AM.
Picked up I-95 northbound, fairly light traffic, beautiful sunshine. Partly cloudy in North Carolina, rain and fog in Virginia. Hit Richmond around 3 PM and figured I'd hit Washington at the top of rush hour, if I stayed on I-95. Diverted on to I-64 and headed west for the Shenandoah Valley. A bit of a detour, but it's worthwhile to spend two to three hours to avoid the Washington, DC traffic.
Picked up I-81 near Staunton, VA and headed for Harrisburg, PA, I-78, I-287 and home. Arrived at 10 PM, 13 hours after getting on the road. Drove 842 miles, bough gas in NC for $1.219/gal, for $1.269 in PA, and for $1.199 in NJ.
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Summary: Added a total of 2,935 miles to the odometer. Spent $230 on gasoline and averaged 16.2 mpg. Stayed at three fairly attractive campgrounds at a total cost of $45.89.
This was the last camping trip for 1999. Since the start of my travels in May 1998 I have driven close to 60,000 miles and stayed at 96 different campgrounds. Stay tuned for the 2000 journals!
I hope that you have enjoyed this journal and your virtual trip with me. Why not send me an e-mail and I'll be happy to let you know whenever a new or modified journal (section) has been uploaded. Just make sure that I always have a valid e-mail address for you.