4. The Return Trip

Day 32: Wednesday, June 13

Can't really say that I'm ready to head for New Jersey. But there is a business trip to Canada that I have to prepare for. Packed up the van yesterday, filled up the gas and water tanks, and restocked the pantry.

Was on the road by 9:30 AM. Beautiful sunshine, temperature of 93F and humidity of about 90%. If it weren't for air conditioning, I don't think Florida would be viable in the summer. Oddly enough, I remember driving to southern Florida during the summer of 1963 -- in a convertible, top down, no air conditioning. It didn't seem all that bad then.

Anyway, headed north on I-95 and made it through the multitude of construction sites between Miami and Palm Beach without significant delays. Jumped off at Palm City to get a feel for Palm City, Stewart and points north along A1A. There are some neat looking residential areas with townhouses and single family houses. Hutchinson Island offers much access to good beaches.

Back on I-95 and high speed travel to the Jacksonville area. Jumped off to go to Mayport, an attractive little beach town that dates back to the sixteenth century. Took the ferry across the St Johns river ($2.75 for passenger cars/vans, slightly higher for RVs) and then the very beautiful A1A/Heckscher Drive to Fernandina Beach and the Ft. Clinch State Park.

The park is beautiful, the restored fort is worth a visit, and the campground is an overpriced ($20.67) and crowded facility. The sites are OK: good shade trees, water, electricity, picnic table and fire ring are provided. An abundance of cigarette butts and candy wrappers spoil it a bit.

It was too hot and too humid to spend the evening outdoors -- I really appreciated my 110VAC air conditioner. I have mounted a small fan near the A/C and it really helps move the cold air to the front of the cabin. Microwaved a couple of hot dogs for dinner.

Was on the road for 7 1/2 hours, dove 405 miles. Spent the evening watching TV.

Day 33: Thursday, June 14

Slept reasonably well -- the air conditioner did a good job of cooling the cabin and reducing humidity. Woke up at 6:30 AM and headed for the bathhouse. An OK shower, a bit dirty and very narrow stalls, good supply of hot water.

Was ready to roll by 9:30 AM -- temperature already in the high seventies. Checked out the second campground of the state park, the one along the Atlantic coast. Good access to an attractive beach, but very poor campsites -- essentially an unpaved parking lot without hook-ups or shade trees.

Took SR A1A to US 17 and headed north. Passed through Woodbine and Waverly, traveled a few miles on I-95, and then headed northwest on US 25. Switched over to US 341 at Jesup to go to Baxley. From there it was a surprisingly pretty US 1 that took me to I-16 for about 20 miles of interstate driving. US 221 brought me to Harlem, Appling, and McCormick -- essentially an attractive backroads trip.

From McCormick I took US 378 and Highway 7 to get to Bordeaux, and then drove the scenic SR 81 to get to Calhoun Falls, Iva, and Starr. US 76 through Anderson to Clemson was just a busy highway with construction sites, and then the pretty little SR 133 brought me to SR 11 (the Cherokee Foothills Scenic Byway) and the Keowee-Toxaway State Park.

This small park only has 10 RV sites (water and electricity) and 14 tent sites. It is very well kept, clean, and the sites are level and reasonably private. For $11.99, a bargain. BTW, this was the fourth South Carolina state park I've stayed at -- and all of them have been very attractive and well-kept.

Grilled a cheeseburger for dinner, had cookies for desert. Drove 420 miles, was on the road for 9 1/4 hours. Bought gasoline in Jesup for $1.379/gal. Averaged 16.6 mpg on the last tank.

Day 34: Friday, June 15

Slept very well in this quiet and peaceful park. A camp neighbor came by to invite me to join his family for a breakfast of potatos and sausages -- unfortunately I had already had my cornflakes and coffee. Was on the road by 9:30 AM, temperature of 69F.

Took the attractive SR 11 -- the Cherokee Foothills Scenic Byway -- all the way to I-26. Stopped at one of the rest areas on the interstate to take advantage of a strong Sprint PCS signal. For once was even able to connect to my ISP and catch up on e-mail.

Drove around Asheville a bit. Heavy traffic, lots of construction work, aggressive drivers. Avoid the city center, if you can. Took SR 694 (Town Mountain Road) out of town. It's a lovely road, twisty with a fairly steep climb up to the Blue Ridge Parkway.

One of the attractions of the parkway are the rhododendrons. Peak bloom time seems to be in early June, I missed it. However, at Craggy Gardens I managed to get some good photos...

Made a small side trip to the Mount Mitchell State Park. It was too cloudy to get good views. Mount Mitchell, at 6,684', is the highest point east of the Mississippi River. Its dieing trees look as if there had been a major forest fire, but instead we see the impact of air pollution and acid rain.

Was running a bit low on gas, so jumped off the parkway to take SR 80 through the Buck Creek Gap down to Marion. A narrow, twisty road through the Pisgah National Forest that would have been beautiful had it not taken me through heavy rains and thunderstorms.

Took US 221 from Marion back to the parkway and to beautiful sunshine. Enjoyed the parkway for a while and got off near Grandfather Mountain to travel some eight miles on dirt and gravel roads to make my way to internet friend GBinNC. He and his wife were wonderful hosts -- great conversations, great food, and a perfectly level spot on the driveway for parking the van and getting a good night's sleep.

Drove 240 miles and was underway for 8 hours. Bought gas in Marion, NC at 1.499/gal and averaged 15.9 mpg on the last tank.

Day 35: Saturday, June 16

Slept very well -- it's incredibly quiet and peaceful in GB's little hollow.

After breakfast GB took me to Grandfather Mountain, a privately-owned International Biosphere Reserve which harbors 47 rare and endangered species. An excellent road leads through the park and ends at the visitors' center. From there it is an easy hike to the mile-high swinging footbridge and an overlook point.

From time to time the clouds would lift to reveal magnificent vistas of the mountain top, Grandmother Mountain, the surrounding mountain ranges, and the valleys far below.

Went to visit The Habitat. Eagles, bears, otters, deer and panthers are kept in a beautiful natural setting.

Thanks again, GB, for introducing me to Grandfather Mountain. It's definitely a place that one should visit when taking the Blue Ridge Parkway.

Continued north on the parkway for about 150 miles into Virginia and to SR 8. Headed for Christiansburg and I-81. Got off again at Buena Vista for a second visit to the Glen Maury Campground. Found a site with water and electric hook-ups for $16.00 and called it a day.

Was on the road for 6 hours and covered 280 miles.

Day 36: Sunday, June 17

Slept late. Chatted with a campground neighbor who came by to check out my van. Cleaned house, emptied out the refrigerator, drained water and grey water -- in other words, did all the "last day" chores. Then headed for home. 410 miles (7 hours) of interestate driving: I-81 to Harrisburg, I-78 to New Jersey and I-287, and I-287 to I-80 and home.

Bought gasoline in West Virginia at $1.599/gal (Virginia would have been about 10 cents cheaper) and topped off at home at $1.639/gal.

* * * * *

Summary

Was away from home for 36 days, 12 days on the road and 24 days on Key Biscayne. Drove 4,230 miles and used up 261 gallons. Total fuel cost was $404, or $1.549 on the average. Fuel consumption was 16.2 mpg. Stayed at 8 different campgrounds and got freebies at Hunter's and GB's. Spent $128 for camping

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