On the Road Again - 2018

Anna & Megan - Christmas baking

Happy New Year 2018!  We spent about a month away from our RV during the holidays, leaving it in safe keeping in North Carolina.  After arriving in Michigan, holiday cookie baking kicked into high gear with Megan and Anna.  We appreciate the time we spent staying with Dan, Christie and girls.  A quick trip to Maryland to see Beth and Kevin a few days before Christmas was great.  They took us to the National Shrine Basilica in Washington DC and the Smithsonian Air & Space Museum in Chantilly VA.

Basilica of the National Shrine, Washington DC

National Air & Space Museum, VA

The extremely cold weather in Michigan during this time made us feel good about our decision to NOT bring the RV to Michigan. 

Ellie - Shopping outing

We flew back to North Carolina in early January and spent a week at Jordan Lake near Cheryl, Darren & Ellie.  It was good to see how much Ellie had grown and changed; they are doing well.

Unfortunately, the bitter cold snap that gripped most of the eastern United States in early January, made it's way to North Carolina including a couple of inches of snow waiting for us when we arrived.

Winter Camping - Jordan Lake, NC

Usually cold snaps in North Carolina don't last too long, so we were ready to put ourselves and RV to the cold weather test.  Due to the extreme cold we had to rely on our gas furnace (propane) and a electric space heater. Both worked well, but we emptied the propane tank within a few days and had to go get it filled.  Staying below freezing for days and single digits at night, the park was having trouble keeping water lines from freezing, so no water was available at the sites.  The Park Ranger let us fill up our tank at the Park maintenance building and it was enough to get us through.  After 5 very cold days and nights, the weather started to break.  We passed the cold weather test, but would prefer not to repeat the experience.  You may have guessed, there was only two other "campers" in the park during this time; so it was very peaceful and if we could stand the cold, star gazing was really good.

Harbor Lakes - Port Charlotte, FL

A few days later we headed south!  We modified our January plans to take us to southwest Florida for a few weeks before heading to the Destin/panhandle area.  After two days on the road and staying one night in southern Georgia, we made our way to Port Charlotte, FL.

Harbor Lakes - Port Charlotte, FL

Tampa Bay Rays Spring Training Park

Harbor Lakes RV Resort is a large RV Resort with lots of people here escaping winter.  We like the layout and location of the park, full hook ups, and a few extra amenities including a pool area.  They also have tennis and volleyball courts and of course shuffleboard.  It is a combination of permanent winter homes as well as sites for RV's to pull into for a night, month, or winter season.  We started exploring the area and found that the Tampa Bay Rays spring training park is about two miles away.  There is excellent shopping, restaurants and beaches nearby.

Englewood Beach, FL

Ft. Myers Beach, FL

We enjoyed our time in Port Charlotte.  Jim was able to get some maintenance done on the RV; I began doing some work on my tax and accounting remote business; and we got in some beach time.  We visited nearby Englewood Beach for the first time and one day we drove down to our familiar Fort Myers Beach.  Weather has been a little up and down, but mainly up as far as we are concerned.
 

Cypress Trail Resort

Our next stop in Southwest Florida was south of Port Charlotte, in Fort Myers.  A little farther inland - Ft. Myers Beach (Estero Island) is about a 20 mile drive, and the increased traffic and people in the area this time of year is significant.  The trade off is we are staying at Cypress Trail Resort which is a newer resort and probably the nicest we've stayed in so far. In additional to the pool area, there is a club house, exercise facility, tennis courts, etc.

Cypress Trail Resort

Cypress Trail Resort

Cypress Trail Resort

Cypress Trail Resort is mostly made up of people who have purchased lots and stay here during the winter.  There is a smaller number of lots available for short term stays; we stayed 8 days.  There are strict association rules regarding landscaping and upkeep.  Even though it is VERY nice, I have to say I like the Port Charlotte location better.  I was interested to try a "resort" like this, but it's too pricey for our budget to do on a regular basis.  It was a treat to stay and enjoy the amenities.  Don't think we are ready to consider a permanent winter location.

Lunch with Melissa & Randy at Doc Ford's

We enjoyed a visit from good friends Randy and Melissa who are spending winter months in Naples.  They drove up to see us at Cypress Trail and take a look at our home on wheels.  It was a great visit and we enjoyed lunch at one our favorite places - Doc Ford's Rum Bar & Grille in Fort Myers Beach.  A really nice day!


We will be heading north next; first stopping north of Tampa for several days and then up to the Florida panhandle and Destin area for most of February.  Looking forward to seeing more friends and family while we are there.