STS wrapup

At rest at Seminole Campground

3,209 total driving miles, 2,011 total towing miles, 39 nights in 12 hops.

This, of the 5 long-distance trips we have taken, had the most stress per mile. Yes, our first trip (GTW) began with a month of ding-a-day mishaps, but evolved into a very pleasant and relaxing 3-month cross-country adventure. This one began with badly timed (and very expensive) truck problems which resurfaced less than 1,000 miles into the trip. More than any other trip, we had to rearrange, reroute and reschedule. It wasn’t a lot of fun.

Both Jett and I also had to deal with serious family issues and tenant problems along the way. So when the truck wasn’t presenting us with issues, family and tenants were.

And I had to work my way through the maze of Medicare enrollments.

Retirement? Hardly.

The lowlights:

• The “check engine” / “limp mode” truck problems at the start and in Virginia.
• The noisy campsites in Pennsylvania and Virginia.
• The rain in South Carolina and Georgia.
• The total lack of TV reception in Bushnell, FL.
• The near-collision north of Tampa.
• The loss of about $300 in campsite deposits due to our need to alter our original schedule.
• Failing to get our residency chores completed in Bushnell.
• Family issues.

The highlights:

• Chester Carter, the mechanic who saved the trip by correctly diagnosing and fixing the engine problem.
• Charleston, SC – what a great city!
• Myrtle Beach – camping next to the surf is a treat, even when the weather isn’t great.
• Visiting with family in Virginia.
• Visiting Steve and Elaine, our friends in Georgia.
• Meeting a bunch of new Escapees friends in Bushnell.
• Getting the rig weighed.

We are now in North Fort Myers where the plan is to remain until mid-April.  However, the site is very cramped (see above) and we will have to look into options, including moving to another campground.  So the need to alter our plans continues.