May 3, 2015, Sunday, Gaffney, SC

Day 3

After a very good night’s sleep, we awoke to a 61 degree coach. Ok, so a little slow to learn.  Turned on heat to warm up coach. Departed about 9 am and turned on a/c within an hour.  Arrived Gaffney, SC, and filled up with diesel.  At $2.62, it felt like stealing compared to the $4.23 last year.  64 gallons meant 10.1 mpg fully loaded, I’ll take it!  Arrive at Freightliner Service Center around noon, fill up water tank, dump wastewater, pick a site and plug in. After lunch we visit the Cowpens National Battlefield.  The battle took place in 1781 and the Patriots, outnumbered 2 to 1, routed the British in a crucial battle to turn the tide of the war in the south. After a brief film, a nice walk of a few miles around the battlefield. Then its off to the Outlet Mall for Rosemary.  Unfortunately (or maybe not) we never made it.  Tire blowout on the Honda in a fairly rural area.  It was really incredible the number of people who stopped to help.  Before I knew it my spare was on and all I did was watch.  Offered payment but was refused.  Southern hospitality at its best.  Dinner in the coach and early to bed since we have to be at Camp Freightliner at 8 am.   

May 2, 2015, Saturday, Danielsville, GA
Day 2

Good night’s sleep and whoa! 46 degrees in Lake City and 64 degrees in the coach.   We left highs in the 80's and lows in the 70's so no way did I even think about setting the heat.  Oatmeal and hot cocoa did the trick without the heater.  On the road before 9 am, first stop after about 2 hours is a rest area in Georgia to wash the front of the coach which is covered with Florida love bugs which seemed to subside in Georgia.  Lunch in Macon Walmart parking lot and pleasant drive to Boutier Winery, near Danielsville, GA, north of Athens. After a 319 mile day, we arrive about 4 pm and begin our tasting.  Boutier is a Harvest Hosts member so we do not have to worry about driving away since we will spend the night at the winery.  Beautiful area and quiet. What a great deal Harvest Hosts is.  Dinner in coach is panang shrimp and tofu skin with bamboo shoot.  After dinner I washed the front of the coach again, damn GA love bugs.  A walk around the vineyard and early retirement to the coach for reading, blogging and relaxing.  The vacation mode has set in quickly this trip and without the exhaustion of past trips.

May 1, 2015, Friday, Lake City, FL
Day 1

Today we began “Big Trip Number 2” which is destined to head west.  A 164 mile trip north to the Lake City, FL, Walmart, a familiar spot.  On the way, a quick email to our neighbor to please close the side gate to our backyard which I forgot to close.  Brought beer and wine but so far the only thing we forgot to bring was my liquor.  Well I’ll have to remedy that on the trip - google southeast distilleries here we come!  Lake City is where we meet our good friends, Tim & Marilyn.  Out to dinner (yes, Rosemary had chicken) and then a walk to a classic car show next to the Walmart.  Yes that’s a 1958 ‘vette, a very good year to me for personal reasons.  We all go back to the coach to catch up on our lives.  After sanitizing the fresh water system the weekend before the trip, I flushed the system once and did not notice any bleach odor so I thought we were good to go.  The ole schnoz ain’t what it used to be.  First night showers had a bit of bleach odor but not enough to cause any problem or so I thought.  But when I got out of the shower, my beard was white!  Next year, two flushes.