1. FROM NEW JERSEY TO THE GULF COAST

Day 1: Sunday, March 11

It sure is great to be on the road again! Started the Spring 2001 trip at 7:30 AM - cloudy skies, temperature of 27F. Headed for I-287 and the run to the New Jersey Turnpike. Delaware Memorial Bridge, Delaware Turnpike, Maryland Turnpike, Harbor Tunnel at Baltimore (yes, even 'though I should have taken the bridge because I was carrying propane - haz mat), Baltimore-Washington Parkway, I-295 around Washington. Familiar roads, taken so many times that one might be tempted to turn on the autopilot and go to sleep. Then, a detour into southern Maryland, unfamiliar territory. Using back roads, found my way to Nanjemoy and the home of Ward and Diane - where delicious cookies and good coffee were the rewards for giving them a tour of the Westy. They are trying to decide between a trailer and a class B - I hope I convinced them to go for the convenience and mobility of a van rather than the plush comfort of a trailer.

Continued on US 301 to Richmond and I-95 to North Carolina. Spent the night at the Rock Ridge Campground - nothing special. Modest bathhouse, friendly manager, geese/goats/ostriches on a nearby pasture. $14, including water and electric. Not modem-friendly.

It was pleasant to see the temperature climb from the New Jersey low of 27F to the high sixties in North Carolina. The night's low was 46F but the furnace in the van kept me comfortable.

Drove 542 miles, was on the road for 10 hours, bought gasoline in North Carolina at $1.439/gal. Averaged 15.7 mpg.

Had an excellent steak tartare for dinner (thank you, Antje), watched a movie on TV until 11 PM, and then slept more or less fitfully until 6 AM - I usually don't sleep well the first night out.

Day 2: Monday, March 12

Woke up around 4 AM and then dozed until 6 AM. Cloudy skies, 44F. Decided against using the less-than-inviting bathhouse. After a plain but healthy breakfast of cereals, banana, and coffee hit the road at 8:15 AM. The day's objective was very simply to go as far and as fast as possible in search of warmth and sunshine. So, spent the day on I-95, I-295 around Jacksonville, and then I-10 westbound. Drove 554 rather boring miles and was on the road for 8 1/2 hours.

Saw the temperature climb into the mid-seventies once I hit Georgia and the low eighties in the Jacksonville area. Made my way to the Suwannee River State Park (near Live Oak, FL,) where $10.90 got me a level site with water. Electricity would have cost an additional $2, but I don't really need it.

The campground is quite attractive, and the bathhouse has a good shower, which I enjoyed. Evening rain brought the temperature down to a comfortable 70F and I think I'll sleep well tonight, after I've fix some soup for dinner.

Bought gasoline in Georgia at the unbelievably low price of $1.199/gal. Averaged 18.1 mpg on the last tank.

Tried to connect to my ISP with the Sprint PCS phone - no luck, despite the strong signal that is indicated. I can dial the ISP number and get their modem tone, but for some reason or other the laptop/Sprint/ISP don't communicate. It has worked in the past.

Day 3: Tuesday, March 13

Slept quite well. It rained during the night - I like the sound of rain hitting the roof. Woke up at 6:30 AM and was on the road by 8:00 AM. Night time low temperature was 53F, but it warmed up to 67F by departure time. What a pleasure to wear a short-sleeved shirt and shorts!

Stayed on US 90 in order to avoid I-10. A very pleasant highway with little traffic. Mostly two lanes, rolling countryside, tree farms, peaceful. Some pretty towns and county court houses along the way. Especially liked Monticello, FL. Ultimately took US 331 to the gulf shore and then traveled on US 98 to Navarre. Lots of construction and heavy traffic - not worth it, despite the "scenic road" designation. A better alternative is to stay on US 90 and then take SR 87 to Navarre.

At Navarre picked up SR 399, a very scenic road along the gulf. Tried to get into the Ft. Pickens NP campground, but all sites were taken - Spring break. Continued to Big Lagoon State Park - a great place off SR 292.

The park is modem friendly, so I was able to get my e-mail. $13.38 got me a site with water, picnic table, and fire ring. They have a few electric sites, but they were taken and I really don't need shore power.

Went to a nearby Winn-Dixie to buy some milk and strawberries, then spent the late afternoon and evening assemblying a small grill that I bought at Eckerds, reading and answering e-mail, grilling a couple of franks, and just generally enjoying the warm weather at 80F.

Was on the road for 7 1/2 hours, traveled 330 miles.

Day 4: Wednesday, March 14

Last night went to bed at 9:00 PM local time, 10:00 PM body clock. Slept well until 6:30 AM local time. Cloudy weather, quite cool. Drove to the nearby National Museum of Naval Aviation, which traces the development of American naval aviation from its very beginning to the present. Especially enjoyed the WWI flying machines. As a former private pilot, small airplanes have a special fascination for me.

A definite "must do" is to see the IMAX movie "The Magic of Flight." The presentation is so incredibly realistic that I caught myself leaning into turns and pulling and pushing the armrests to make the plane/seat pull up or dive.

All in all spent almost 7 hours at the museum. It was raining lightly when I got out, so headed back to the campground to finish the first section of this journal and to take care of e-mail. Hope for sunshine and warmth tomorrow.

Back to trip index or go to the next section