Trip Back to FL

Sunday's squeeze

As much fun as San Antonio was on the way out it would be skipped going back to gain a few more miles to the east. Using the Good Sams 'plan a trip' tool, the Riverbend RV Park in Luling, TX was entered into the GPS. This park was nestled under multiple highway bridges that traversed the San Marcos River. There was full hook up into a very tight cement pad site that provided just enough room for slideouts and the car.

Monday modifications

Finding a level place in the small park to hook up the Toad was a challenge. The team worked together to disengage the transmission, attach the tow bar, electrical cables for lights and turn signals, break away cables, and automatic breaking system. Upon completion of those tasks Kevin checked that the car would move freely while in neutral, but it did not move. He attributed this to the fact that the RV was on a slight uphill grade. Then the normal checks were performed to ensure that the car lights performed as well wheels turned as corners were rounded. As gas was applied and the the RV entered the highway, Kevin felt like the RV was dragging the Toad. Pulling off the road all connections were rechecked and the Break Buddy reapplied hoping that would alleviate the issue. With a strong head wind the gas mileage dipped to just above the 6MPG range, this was better than the 3-4 MPG range before the stop. So hopefully that did it. Halfway into the day's trip, all of the sudden Kevin felt the RV dragging something. Being one with the vehicle he looked in the rear camera to see the Toad still in place and then panned the dash to see that the BreakBuddy monitor was flashing that for some reason the breaks had been engaged! How did this happen? Kevin cleared some articles accumulated around the lever that would trigger such a emergency and the break was released! Whew, he was astonished that it took so little to depress the small but powerful lever. Care will be taken to keep that area clear on this and future trips!

Finally Texas was in the dust and the boggs and bayous of Louisiana lay in the path with rain on the way. The plan was to stay for 3 days to resume work days, however this was altered upon the arrival at the destination site of Cajun Palms RV Resort Breaux Bridge, LA. In the heat of the summer season the park was sure to be a happening place, however in the winter months the pool was closed as well as the bar and not much was open nor was the internet all that whippy. The alternate plan would take the remainder 650 miles and split it into 3 rather than 2 days and we would get a later start to cover meetings and do the rest of the work day on the road. A thunderstorm rolled in thru during the night which only validated the change in plans.

Tuesday timing

Meetings were taken early in the AM before the 11am check out time. The drizzle was on and off and made for a dismal drive. Theresa did not notice much as she was heads down working, taking calls and doing emeetings during the 4 hour drive. Timing of gas fills and rest stops needed to be condensed into the short time between calls and meetings. The port for the day would be Hilltop RV Park Robertsdale, AL (just outside Mobile). Calling ahead was a good idea as there was only 1 site left for a pullthough. The storm front promised a return thru the night so just a few items were pulled out from the cargo bays to allow for a evening beverage before indoor dinner prep.

Wednesday whatever

Since Theresa had lots of meetings, Kevin was left with all the driving on this new shorter day plan. As the Florida boarder welcomed the Smitanic to 'The Sunshine State”, the RV wipers were still clearing the massive front window. Alas the Eastern zone was entered 50 miles prior to the Florida destination of Tallahassee RV Park, Tallahassee, FL. This park was the highest priced place for full hook up that was paid during the entire trip. The sites were narrow and called for skilled navigation to thread the RV between 2 large pine trees on either side of the site. Dinner would be more erkie-lerkie (as Theresa calls whatever she can find in the fridg) in an attempt to reduce the refrigerator contents.

Thursday triumph

Only 200 miles left for the final FL destination of Alliance Coach RV service center in Wildwood, FL. Kevin had prepared a lengthy list of repair/estimate items for potential service. The AM obligatory work calls were completed and the departure was made in a 2 hour window between meetings. The route finally deviated off of I10 onto S75 towards central Florida. The sun was finally out and promised clear skies and pleasant temps. Arriving early afternoon for check in put us 3rd in line for a campsite that night at the Service Center Campground. (free to those there getting service). Theresa turned on the generator to supply needed charge for her MAC to conduct the remaining meetings and calls for the day. At 5pm the assignment was given … Space #9 Now that had the two singing the Space #9 song they recalled from the comedy play they attended in Hemet, CA ! Too Funny! After docking and hook up it was time for Dinner out on the town to celebrate the completion of the cross country trek!

The weekend was spent with Kevin's Mom and sister catching up on mail and other items that have been awaiting the teams return, items like how to get the Fax machine to work and such. On the trip from the RV to Kevin's Mom's house he detected a shimmy in the steering and could feel a thumping/bumping sensation and noise coming from the toad as they drove to his mothers house. Kevin speculated that either the brake disks had become warped due to dragging the toad or some other issue with tires or alignment was at play. Knowing they had about 1200 miles to go in the next week Kevin recommended they work to get the issue diagnosed. Theresa placed several calls on a Saturday morning to determine who could provide the diagnosis and potential fix with short notice. The Honda dealer in Ocala Fl was very accommodating. Theresa took the Toad into the nearest Honda dealer to have them check the tire/breaks to see if there were any issues (leftover form monday's unexpected breaking incident). After a 30 mile drive and 3 hours of waiting the findings were a bald spot on the front driver's side tire. $200 for a new tire and 2 more hours later Theresa was back in The Villages in time for dinner at Kevin's Mom's house.



Homeward bound for a short stay

Feeling a bit safer on the road,on Sunday, the voyagers left the mother ship behind and headed north in the Toad towards Cary, NC. Everything was smooth sailing all the way up the I95 corridor. The entry into the hood was around 7pm and all was no worse for the weary winter weather that hit harder than usual for the area causing many school snow days to be used, power outages as well as the clearing of bread, milk and eggs from the local store shelves.

There were no cobwebs as Kevin anticipated nor mold or corrosion in the house, just a few Malibou lights that were out and lots of yard clean up to do. A BIG Thanks to our neighbors for checking in on the place during the trek.

It is so nice to be back home. Although not for long as the plans are to head back to Florida next week to continue the repair work and to celebrate Kevin and his Mom's b-days as well as St Pattys day! The Smitanic will hopefully be finished and finally ready for the journey home after March 18th. It will be a 2 day trip back to NC as to minimize the hours on the road and be able to enjoy the final leg of this epic adventure.

More posting when we finally dock the Smitanic into the bay (storage shed). Until then, we hope the remains of winter are easy on everyone and spring will bloom into new found adventures!