A blog of our adventures in our RV
We arrived at Mayberry RV resort mid afternoon today. A really nice campground that is well kept and keeps the memory of Mayberry alive.
We are very grateful to have our friends, Brad and Lisa, to join us on our latest trek. They picked up their new Jeep last year and knew the area well. We shared our foods together for a very filling supper. In the morning, we travel to Eden, NC.
After spending a couple days assisting our daughter to move into their new home, it’s time to go pickup our new Jeep Gladiator. The catch, we have to travel to Eden, NC to get it. The first day we are traveling about halfway to Lenoir City, TN and boondocking at the Walmart parking lot.
It’s time to make the final leg of this trip. We left out from Walmart around 8:00am. Around 11am, we stopped at this store called Sykes and Kohns, a little place between Troy and Montgomery. This store was quite unique. It had everything from clothes, shoes, hats, purses, to sunglasses. The inventory was massive. If you can’t find it here, you’re not gonna find it anywhere.
After eating lunch in the RV, we got back on the road. We arrived at the cabin around 3:30pm. After over 1300 miles, we are safely back home, again.
After breakfast at the RV Park’s Front Porch, we headed out about 9:30am. Would have been earlier, but we had problems with retracting our jacks and big slide. Our friends helped to troubleshoot the problem and came up with the solution. We started the engine and everything worked. Normally don’t have to do that, but now I know what to try if they don’t work in the future.
We got gas at a neighboring Flying J then headed out. After about 3 hours we decided to stop at a gas station to top off the RV’s with gas and eat lunch. We then traveled to Mariana, FL just south of Dothan and boondocked at a local Walmart. We ate at a little Mexican Restaurant that was full of people, even on a Tuesday night. Food was good. Headed home in the morning!
After eating breakfast, we traveled to a little quaint town called Mt Dora. It had several little shops and restaurants. We hoped to see some airplanes takeoff and land in a neighboring lake, but was too windy.
We also went through a large antique mall. Was nice and organized, but didn’t find anything to purchase.
On the way home, we travelled through Orlando and various suburbs. We had an early supper at Chili’s. That was good. Traveled back to the RV Park and turned in early due to having to get up early to head out going home in the morning.
No free breakfast, today. Decided to sleep in some. Found some banana bread to share at the RV. Then headed to lunch with Ken and Noreta Bish at the Pizzeria and Pasta Restaurant in Plant City, about 20 minutes from the RV park.
It was good to catch up with them. Went to Parksdale Strawberry for dessert. We are getting a little spoiled eating shortcake and milkshakes! After returning to the RV park, we sat outside and chatted with our friends, Brad and Lisa.
For supper we ate at Smokey Bones not too far from the resort. Renee had a hamburger plate and I had bbq ribs. All was good. I know I’ve gained some weight this trip.
Marley was excited to see us return. Took her walking and retired for the night.
After we enjoyed another free breakfast at the RV Resort,, we headed to downtown Tampa to see the Ybor Coty Farmers Market. It had handmade crafts and locally grown fruits and veggies. We bought a cute sweater for Marley from one of the booths.
From there we went to Dunedin and did some shopping in this little village. Stopped for lunch at another little hole-in-the-wall. Renee had a wrap and I had a shrimp basket. All was really good.
After eating we went to the Clearwater beach and strolled up and down the beach. Weather was beautiful but water was really cold!
Returned to the RV Resort and ate leftovers and snacks.
Started our day at the free breakfast at LazyDays RV. This breakfast was good and always feel full when you finish breakfast.
After breakfast, we traveled to Ft Myers, about 120 miles away. Visited a local RV Dealership to look at several RVs that were diesel-based instead of gas that we have. Several looked really nice. Was fun looking and wondering what it would be like to have such a nice RV.
That afternoon, on the way back, our friend found this restaurant out in the middle of the woods next to a swampy river called “Snook Haven”. Strange name and strange place.
After traveling through the cool woods, we arrived. We ate out on the patio looking out over the River and swamp land. Renee had a turkey club wrap and I had a delicious Shrimp Po-boy, the best I’ve eaten! We enjoyed the experience with our friends.
After dealing with rush hour traffic and various wrecks causing traffic jams on the interstate, and listening and laughing over our lovely governor burp in the middle of a press conference, we arrived back at the RV park to relax.
After eating our free hot breakfast, we headed out to the RV1 motor home dealership to allow our friends to checkout a new RV they saw online that they may consider purchasing.
Then we headed to Polk City, where the Bay Lake RV Resort was located. Our friends are considering purchase of a lot here to visit during the winter months.
This afternoon we headed to a unique fruit stand that sells all kinds of fruits and vegetables. Parkesdale Fruit Stand is a place that is visited by Presidents and bus loads of people on weekends visit regularly. However the draw is not their fruits and veggies, it is their desserts! Their strawberry shortcake was huge. It was piled high with strawberries, ice cream, and huge amount of whipped cream. It was absolutely delish. They also sold strawberry milk shacks that were really, really good!
We ended the day eating at a nearby Bob Evans Restaurant.
Started the day at The Front Porch, a restaurant on site of the Lazy Days RV Sales Headquarters. Breakfast was totally free and more than I imagined. Thought it might be a sales opportunity, but it wasn’t.
Just a good breakfast for free!
Travelled from the resort to Homosassa Springs Wildlife Park, home of all kinds of wildlife, including manatees.
Most of the wildlife was viewed from an expansive boardwalk throughout the park. The manatees were really cool! But there was all kinds of birds (bald eagles, cranes, flamingos, etc.) sleepy alligators, hippo, wolf, turtles, and much more. All surrounded by Florida greenery and florals. The ponds were packed full of fish, all viewable from the boardwalk.
Then we travelled to Tarpon Springs to cruise around a small town of shops adjacent to the bay and various shipping boats with nets full of sea sponges, right next to the street. Hit a couple antique shops then headed back to the rv resort. Ended the evening with hamburgers from the grill, fried chicken wings, and various sides. A busy day, but a fun day.
