Saturday, May 30, 2015

Jamestowne Settlement, Virginia

Jamestowne Settlement, Virginia Norfolk, VA, Library
    After a long drive from Richmond and a walk across a hot parking lot I was surprised to learn that it would cost $16.75 to tour the Jamestowne Settlement. Since it's a National Historic Site I assumed my Senior Golden Age Pass would give me a free visit. So I drove off a bit steamed -- but I did take some photos of the island itself, the first of which you see just below.
    [Photos taken on 7 Jul 2015]

 

    Here's a shot of Jamestown Island, using its current spelling.
    In checking the National Park service site below I learned that I could have visited the settlement for $5, a Virginia state add-on. Or, I might have visited on a Fee-Free Day such as 11 Nov, Veterans Day.

 

 

 

    Panning left....

 

 

 

 

 

 


    It's unclear whether Glebe Land is a separate island or merely part of Jamestown Island; the latter appears to be the case. In other words the clergy were well-treated.

 

 




[Return to the top of the page]
Links:
  • National Park Service website on the Jamestowne Settlement
  • Wikipedia article on the Jamestowne Settlement (long, but interesting)


  • Routes:

    Th 2 Jul Actual Route: Galax W/M - Lowe's - Hillsville Lib - Stuart W/M

    F 3 Jul Actual Route: Stuart W/M - Martinsville McDs - Danville - So Boston W/M

    Sa 4 Jul Actual Route: So Boston W/M - Lowe's - Brookneal, VA - Lynchburg - Appomattox W/M

    Su 5 Jul Actual Route: Appomattox W/M - Charlotteville - US29 TradingPost - KOA RV CG

    M 6 Jul Actual Route: Charlotteville KOA RV CG - Monticello - Richmond W/M

    T 7 Jul Actual Route: Richmond W/M - Williamsburg - Jamestown Island - Hampton News - Norfolk W/M

    W 8 Jul Actual Route: Norfolk W/M - Lib - Lowe's - Lib - Norfolk W/M

    Th 9 Jul Actual Route: Norfolk W/M - Lowe's - Lib - Virginia Beach P.O. - Norfolk Lib - Virginia Beach W/M

    F 10 Jul Actual Route: Virginia Beach W/M - Lowe's - Virginia Beach Lib - Virginia Beach W/M

    Sa 11 Jul Route: Virginia Beach W/M - Virginia Beach Lib - Virginia Beach W/M


Finding Campgrounds:

N.B. I receive nothing from Trailer Life, Woodalls, or FreeCampsites.net for including links to their free campground lookups.

Monday, May 25, 2015

Greenville's Mississippi River Bridge

Greenville's Mississippi River Bridge Bristol, VA, Library

    The last time I crossed the Mississippi at Greenville, Mississippi, on US Hwy 82 was in Nov 1961 on my way to Fort Gordon near Augusta, GA, to report for active duty. Back then it was a much lower concrete and steel structure which I crossed after dark, worrying that there might be ice on it; there was not.
    [Photos taken on 10 Jun 2015]

 

    The above shot shows the tops of the supports as I approached the bridge.
    This photo was taken as I drove up the west side of the bridge; fortunately the windshield was relatively clean.

 

 

 

 

 

 

    Is the bridge flat at the top?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


    Oops! Cable supports got in the way.

 

 

 

 



    While not a totally unobstructed view, the size of the Mississippi River is clearly apparent here. (Compare it with the Ouachita River at flood stage in the post below.)

 

 

 

 


[Return to the top of the page]
Links:
  • Photos of the Old & New Greenville Bridge
  • Wikipedia article on the Greenville Bridge

    Routes:

    Su 28 Jun Actual Route: Sevierville, TN, W/M - Lib - Greeneville, TN, W/M

    M 29 Jun Actual Route: Greeneville, TN, W/M - Lowe's - Johnson City, TN, VA Med Ctr - Lowe's - Johnson City W/M

    T 30 Jun Actual Route: Johnson City, TN, W/M - Lowe's - Johnson City, TN, Bristol, TN - Bristol, VA, Lib - Bristol, VA, W/M

    W 1 Jul Actual Route: Bristol, VA, W/M - Lowe's - Damascus - Independence - Galax W/M

    Th 2 Jul Actual Route: Galax W/M - Lowe's - Hillsville Lib - Stuart W/M

    F 3 Jul Actual Route: Stuart W/M - Martinsville McDs - Danville - So Boston W/M

    Sa 4 Jul Actual Route: So Boston W/M - Lowe's - Brookneal, VA - Lynchburg - Appomattox W/M

    Su 5 Jul Actual Route: Appomattox W/M - Charlotteville - US29 TradingPost KOA RV CG

    M 6 Jul Actual Route: Charlotteville KOA RV CG - Monticello - Richmond W/M

    T 7 Jul Route: Richmond W/M - Williamsburg - Jamestown Island - Hampton Norfolk W/M


Finding Campgrounds:

N.B. I receive nothing from Trailer Life, Woodalls, or FreeCampsites.net for including links to their free campground lookups.

Wednesday, May 20, 2015

Flood Waters

Flood Waters Sevierville, TN, Library


    Each time I checked the weather forecast for Texarkana, AR, there were Flood Watches or Flood Warnings along with the forecast because of flooding on the Red River. But finally I decided to head east, crossing into Arkansas on 8 Jun 2015, which is when these photos were taken.

 


    When I crossed the Red River my camera was still in my camper and I missed a chance to take photos of a business near the Red River bridge where the water was between the tops of the windows and the roof.

    But when I crossed the Ouachita River I used the next extra lanes near a wildlife refuge to retrieve my camera from my camper. I drove back to the bridge and took some photos while driving and a few others while there was no traffic and I was able to stop at the top of the bridge.

 

 

 



    The flooding is most clear in this photo, which I'm guessing was taken from the crest of the bridge.

 

 

 

 


[Return to the top of the page]
Links:
  • Felsenthal National Wildlife Refuge website


  • Routes:

    Su 21 Jun Actual Route: Hendersonville W/M - Hm Depot -Big Lots - Walmart

    M 22 Jun Actual Route: Hendersonville W/M - Four Seasons Ford - Waynesville W/M

    T 23 Jun Actual Route: Waynesville W/M - Ashville, NC, VA Hosp - Blue Ridge Parkway - Marshall, NC, W/M

    W 24 Jun Actual Route: Marshall, NC, W/M - Ashville - Blue Ridge Parkway - Waynesville W/M

    Th 25 Jun Actual Route: Waynesville W/M - Lowe's - Gt Smoky Mtns NP, Pigeon Forge, TN, W/M - Gt Smoky Mtns NP

    F 26 Jun Actual Route: Gt Smoky Mtns NP - Pigeon Forge, TN, W/M - Sevierville Lib - Walmart

    Sa 27 Jun Actual Route: Sevierville, TN, W/M - Lib - Walmart

    Su 28 Jun Actual Route: Sevierville, TN, W/M - Lib - Greeneville, TN, W/M

    M 29 Jun Actual Route: Greeneville, TN, W/M - Lowe's - Johnson City, TN, VA Med Ctr - Lowe's - Johnson City W/M

    T 30 Jun Route: Johnson City, TN, W/M - Lowe's - Johnson City, TN, Bristol, TN - Bristol, VA, Lib - Bristol, VA, W/M


Finding Campgrounds:

N.B. I receive nothing from Trailer Life, Woodalls, or FreeCampsites.net for including links to their free campground lookups.

Friday, May 15, 2015

Return to San Angelo, Texas

Return to San Angelo, Texas San Angelo, TX, Library


    On 14 May in Cocoa, Florida, I exchanged an empty propane tank for a full one at the Cocoa Walmart; after switching the tanks around I concluded that the propane system was NOP [Non-OPerational]. A sheriff deputy drove up as I was walking back to my camper; he told me where an RV park was located; I initially felt those who ran the park would know of a reliable RV repairman.
    By morning I had concluded that since the stove & fridge are the two most important parts of the camper it would be prudent (but expensive) to return to San Angelo where I trusted an RV repairman who had done previous work on my rig.
    Because I did not stop to take photos I've used links to photos others have taken in this post.
    Cocoa Beach Photo Gallery
--
    Though Orlando is only a short distance from Cocoa a heavy thunderstorm slowed the trip. And, like most of Florida, there are numerous toll roads. Indeed, Florida State Route 55 (which may also be known as Colonial Road) was being upgraded along most of its 15-20 miles through the city, which slowed the heavy traffic even more. (What better reason to to switch to a toll road -- though I did not.)
    Inside Florida Photos of Orlando & Vicinity
--
    After spending a night at an I-75 Rest Area near Ocala I opted to move west to US Highway 441 in hopes that there would be less traffic. There was less traffic; and the music on the local radio stations confirmed that not all seniors are living in the Miami Metroplex Area.
    Ocala Photos
--
    I returned to Monticello again (see first link below) and crossed into Georgia. At Cuthbert, GA, I also returned to US Hwy 82, which I had used in Nov 1961 to drive from Amarillo, TX, into Georgia. A heavy thunderstorm in Montgomery forced me to eat in a McDonalds [which delighted my siblings, who want me to "pork out."]
    Trip Advisor Photos for Montgomery starting with the Capitol Building.
--
    Most of the tourists in Selma were African-Americans who likely were visiting sites key to the Civil Rights Movement, starting with the March to Selma led by Martin Luther King, Jr.
    The Mississippi I-20 Rest Area at the eastern border of the state was one of the best state rest areas I've seen or used.
    Natchez Trace Travel Photos of Vicksburg, MS
--
    Eschewing the interstates again I followed TX55 to the southwest. For some reason the name Corsicana seemed familiar. As I was driving to the Walmart I passed the downtown store of the Collins Street Bakery.
    Our maternal grandmother used to send us their Deluxe Fruitcakes every year for many years. Yes, I know fruitcakes are known for their longevity; however, with seven of us, they never seemed to last that long. [See links below.]
    City of Corsicana, TX, Photo Gallery
--
    I thought about Whacko Waco as I drove through that city; but since I didn't bring a sidearm with me I skipped looking for biker bars and kept moving. While I thought I knew where both the library and Walmart were in Brownwood, I was mistaken.
    Fortunately, when I got to Ballinger there was a Walmart, for my left eye was sore from the amount of driving I had done. The 36-mile the next day to San Angelo was a "piece of cake."
    The two San Angelo RV Repair services I've used are in the links below.
        San Angelo, TX, Photos by Trip Advisor
[Return to the top of the page]
Links:
  • 15 Apr 15 Monticello post
  • Corsicana's Collins St Bakery
  • West Texas RV Repair/Freudiger RV Service; Contact Justin Salinas
  • American Truck & RV website

  • Cocoa, FL to San Angelo, TX, Routes:

    F 15 May Actual Route: Cocoa W/M - Orlando - Lady Lake W/M

    Sa 16 May Actual Route: Lady Lake W/M - Williston McDs - Perry W/M - I-10 Rest Area

    Su 17 May Actual Route: I-10 Rest Area - Monticello, FL - Thomasville,GA,- Albany - Eufala, AL, - Montgomery W/M

    M 18 May Actual Route: Montgomery W/M - Selma - Demopolis - I-20 - Mississippi Rest Area

    T 19 May Actual Route: Miss Rest Area - Meridian - Jackson - Vicksburg - Monroe, LA

    W 20 May Actual Route: Monroe, LA, W/M - Shreveport, LA - Tyler, TX - Corsicana W/M

    Th 21 May Actual Route: Corsicana, TX, W/M - Fairfield - Mexia - Waco - Brownwood - Ballinger, TX, W/M

    F 22 May Actual Route: Ballinger, TX, W/M - San Angelo - WTX RV Rpr



    Routes:

    W 17 Jun Actual Route: ??

    Th 18 Jun Actual Route: Greenwood, SC, W/M - Calhoun Falls - Anderson - Greenville, SC, W/M

    F 19 Jun Actual Route: Greenville, SC, W/M - Easley - Perkins - Sassafras Mtn - Brevard, NC, - Hendersonville Big Lots

    Sa 20 Jun Actual Route: Hendersonville Big Lots - Lowe's - Four Seasons Ford - Mud Crk Baptist Church - Walmart

    Su 21 Jun Actual Route: Hendersonville W/M - Hm Depot -Big Lots - Walmart

    M 22 Jun Actual Route: Hendersonville W/M - Four Seasons Ford - Waynesville W/M

    T 23 Jun Actual Route: Waynesville W/M - Ashville, NC, VA Hosp - Blue Ridge Parkway - Marshall, NC, W/M

    W 24 Jun Actual Route: Marshall, NC, W/M - Ashville - Blue Ridge Parkway - Waynesville W/M

    Th 25 Jun Actual Route: Waynesville W/M - Lowe's - Gt Smoky Mtns NP, Pigeon Forge, TN, W/M - Gt Smoky Mtns NP

    F 26 Jun Actual Route: Gt Smoky Mtns NP - Pigeon Forge, TN, W/M - Sevierville Lib - Walmart

    Sa 27 Jun Route: Sevierville, TN, W/M - Lib - Walmart


    Finding Campgrounds:

    N.B. I receive nothing from Trailer Life, Woodalls, or FreeCampsites.net for including links to their free campground lookups.

Sunday, May 10, 2015

Key Largo, Florida

Key Largo, Florida San Angelo, TX, Library


    On the 8th of May with a full gas tank I decided to make a day trip to and from Key West. However, an increasingly sore left eye caused me to revise my plans, particularly after I saw the Key Largo Library in a shopping center on the island. [Photos taken 8 May 2015]

 

 

 

 

 

    Though I likely did not find the marina one of the librarians recommended for some photos (as you can see space is at a premium -- both for boats and cars) this is typical of what you'll see on Key Largo.

 

 

 

 

 

    One final quick shot along this basin or marina confirms what I had noticed while looking for a parking spot: many people live on their boats.
    For photos taken by others see the Links immediately below.

 

 


[Return to the top of the page]
Links:

Routes:

M 25 May Actual Route: Sherwood Way W/M - Visitor Ctr - Dollar Tree - Big Lots Sherwood Way W/M

T 26 May Actual Route: Sherwood Way W/M - Am Truck & RV [Rpr] - Lib - Visitor Ctr - Sherwood Way W/M

W 27 May Actual Route: Sherwood Way W/M - Lib - Visitor Ctr - Sherwood Way W/M

Th 28 May Actual Route: Sherwood Way W/M - Am Truck & RV - VA Clinic - Lib Visitor Ctr - Sherwood Way W/M

F 29 May Actual Route: Sherwood Way W/M - Wash Pot - Visitor Ctr - Lib - Sherwood Way W/M

Sa 30 May Actual Route: Sherwood Way W/M - Lib - Visitor Ctr - Lib - Dollar Tree - Sherwood Way W/M

Su 31 May Actual Route: Sherwood Way W/M - Visitor Ctr - Sherwood Way W/M

M 1 Jun Actual Route: Sherwood Way W/M - Lib - San Angelo State Park

T 2 Jun Actual Route: San Angelo State Park - Lib - Visitor Ctr - Sherwood Way W/M

W 3 Jun Route: Sherwood Way W/M - Lib - Visitor Ctr - Sherwood Way W/M


Finding Campgrounds:

N.B. I receive nothing from Trailer Life, Woodalls, or FreeCampsites.net for including links to their free campground lookups.