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
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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
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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
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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.
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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
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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
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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
- RV Campgrounds from TrailerLifeDirectory.com
- Family Camping Directories from Woodalls.com
- Free campsites website
- Info on finding BLM Campgrounds
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:
