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RV Travels with our pets’ comfort in mind We have been asked how we can travel with our three cats and leave them in the RV while we shop or visit a restaurant when it’s 90+ degrees outside.

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Notes from the road!

From

Timber Trails Campground 1276 Matts Lane, Mulberry Grove, IL

2 1/2 hrs/170 miles to

Stopover #6 on our RV trip – a “loop” from Clearwater to Terre Haute, Indiana

– Cape Camping & RV Park 1900 N. Kings Highway, Cape Girardeau, MO 63701 (1.5 miles from I-55, Exit 99) 573-332-8888 Toll Free: 1-800-335-1178 $34/night with Good Sam 10% discount. https://www.goodsam.com/campgrounds-rv-parks/details/default.aspx?cgid=250000347 Blogbook Entry Restaurants: https://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurants-g44207-Cape_Girardeau_Missouri.html Lambert’s Cafe I, 2305 E. Malone, Sikeston, MO https://throwedrolls.com/lamberts-cafe-i/

Very friendly and accomodating Hostess who parked us beside the restroom/shower facility – very clean and comfortable – when we asked. We have stayed here in the past and liked it. The FHU sites are drive-throughs with good TV and WiFi reception. There are many restaurants a short drive away (Mexican within walking distance) and a short drive to downtown and the Mississippi riverfront for shopping and sightseeing. If you are up for a short road excursion you’ll find a Lambert’s Cafe – “The Home of Throwed Rolls” and some pretty good down-home cooking. Lambert’s is not only a restaurant it’s an experience. We had planned a trip to Lambert’s but it was too blooming hot (feels like 105!) we opted for KFC instead and stayed indoors at our site. August is not the optimum time of year for Rving in the South as is February camping in the North. Heat wave passing through here currently.

This is a review and notes from a previous visit we made to Cape Girardeau on the

Mississippi River. www.snowbirdrvtrails.com/capegirardeau.html and our previous Blogbook Entry More about Lambert’s (unique) Cafe: Lambert’s Cafe I, 2305 E. Malone, Sikeston, MO https://throwedrolls.com/lamberts-cafe-i/ ———————————————————————————————————-

3 hrs/208 miles to

Stopover #7 on our RV trip – a “loop” from Clearwater, FL to Terre Haute, Indiana – Notes from the road! Memphis South RV Park And Campground 256 Campground Drive, Coldwater, MS 38618 Passport America $25/Cash https://www.passportamerica.com/campgrounds/data/2856/Memphis-South-RV-Park-And-Campground/0#top Restaurants: https://www.yelp.com/search?cflt=restaurants&find_loc=Coldwater%2C+MS+38618

We have stayed in several campgrounds in Mississippi in the past and when we found Memphis South in 2012 I thought we had a winner for this stretch of road. That was then and this is now. The long road in and around the Park is pitted with potholes so badly you cannot find a path where one or more wheels and we were thankful we weren’t towing Big Bertha this time. The long entrance road is horrible. The Passport price is cheap at $25/cash per night but no longer worth it. One of very few Passport America campgrounds we would not stay at again. The WiFi was non-existent even though we had a line of sight to the repeater less than 50 yards away. The over-the-air TV channels consisted of PBS and children’s programs unless your antenna was directed just so. Ours is fixed so it meant we would have to park backwards on the site. We did that the second night were able to receive the Network channels.

The staff was cheerful and friendly before and now it’s lacsidaisical at best (being kind) – and showing little interest in our TV or WiFi problems. This could be and once was a great little stopover on I-55 but enter at your own axle’s risk. There is a Subway and Shell gas near the entrance and we can’t honestly recommend either of those either.

Observation: Trying to write on the road has its obstacles like when I glance over and Stanley has a paw in my fresh brewed coffee. Yes, he likes coffee too when he can get away with it.

Normally we head South from here on I-55 toward New Orleans and Bay St. Louis (two of our very favorite places to visit) and then East towards Florida. I-55 through Mississippi is one of the nicer Interstates we travel but this time we will be angling in a Southeasterly direction to pick up I-75 again just above what was our first stopover on this trip near Valdosta Georgia.

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2 1/2hrs/164 miles to

Stopover #8 on our RV trip – a “loop” from Clearwater, FL to Terre Haute, Indiana – Notes from the road! Togetherness Works RV Park 3161 State Hwy 253,Guin, Alabama Reservation: 205-487-6092 $25/Cash

Every now and then we find a gem – a treasure hidden in plain sight waiting for anyone to find it. On this trip it’s clearly “Togetherness Works RV Park”. Rv Park building is not Junior’s real job. He calls it more of a hobby that started 20 years ago on a piece of Alabama mountainside his Mom called home. Just forest on 20 acres when he began to turn it into a beautiful, rural retreat it is today.

Junior turned lumberjack for part of the “hobby” carefully turning the acerage into some beautiful camping spots. He did some road building to assure good gravel roadways and drainage. He ran city water and sewer lines to each site as well as power. He turned sawyer and built a small sawmill to build a deck and bench for each site. He built a very nice cabin for their kids when they came to visit. His wife, the Alabama Gardener in the family, planted flowers and gardens throughout.

He had lumber left over after he built the cabin and his wife mentioned it would really be nice to have a shower house – so he built one. The shower house (all knotty pine and tongue and groove inside) turned out large and spacious so his wife said it would be even better if they could have a laundy room. Sure enough you’ll find washer and dryer in the building.

Junior doesn’t advertise so it’s mostly word-of-mouth and not the easiest place to find on the ‘Net but it’s off Alabama Exit 26 from I-22. Then turn right to the stop sign, then left to a “Y” in the road. Left at the Y for 3 miles to the campground.. Phone 205-412-7554 from the stop sign and the owner will meet you at the end of his road.

This one took some research! Though there are campgrounds along I-22 in Alabama there are very few with good reviews near our stopping point. So it was this one with good reviews or a Walmart Super Center parking lot nearby. We made the right choice and if ever you find yourself RVing on I-22 near Guin Alabama you’d do well to give Junior and his wife a phone call and stop on in. This place also has to be gorgeous when the Fall foliage breaks out!

Now it’s on to Troy, Alabama.

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Notes from the road:

3 1/2 hrs/225 miles to

Stopover #9 on our RV trip – a “loop” from Clearwater, FL to Terre Haute, Indiana and back again.

  Walnut Creek RV Park

222 County Road 5516

Troy, Alabama 36081 334-482-3532

Passport America $17

https://www.passportamerica.com/campgrounds/data/3767/Walnut-Creek-RV-Park/0#top

Restaurants: https://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurants-g30887-Troy_Alabama.html

Things to Do: https://www.thecrazytourist.com/15-best-things-to-do-in-troy-al/

150 RV sites, can accommodate any size RV, 20/30/50 amp, dump station, water, sewer, full hookups, pull thrus, tent sites, restrooms, showers, Cable TV, biking, ATV, picnic area, nature watching, fishing, 10,000 square foot indoor pavilion w/stage, sound system, handicap facilities, full kitchen, ice machine, and tables and chairs. Lighted and secure area, 20 acre stocked spring fed lake with daily fishing permits available. 29 sites overlooking Lake Promise. Covered picnic area adjacent to pavilion. Peaceful and country atmosphere minutes from Troy.

We do recommend

Sisters Restaurant 13153 US-231, Troy, AL

It’s a Southern style buffet filled with “homemades” and totally delicious. The $12.50 pp price can’t be beat either!

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3 ½ hrs/200 miles to

Stopover #10 on our RV trip – a “loop” from Clearwater, FL to Terre Haute, Indiana –

Loop complete and back to our first stopover 3 weeks ago.

Eagles Roost RV Resort

5465 Mill Store Road, Lake Park, GA 31636

229-559-5192

$32/Night. Good Sam -10%.

4 hrs./225 miles

Stop # 11 Back at Home Base – Clearwater, Florida.- with Jasmine the new addition to our family.

You will be able to trace our entire loop by visiting our Blog at

https://snowbirdrvtrails.wordpress.com/2019/08/10/travels-with-niki-new-3-week-adventure/

SUMMARY:

Our Roadtrek Simplicity SRT “Sunset Princess” completed the journey with no issues or malfunctions of any kind.

Total Miles: 2,678

Total Camping Cost: $608.

Saved $225 with Passport America

Saved $21 with Good Sam discount.

Total Gas cost: $489.

Average MPG: 13 (The roof AC really hurts the mileage!)

Restaurant Cost: $568.

——————————————————————————- To start this 3 week loop from Tampa to Terre Haute, IN from the beginning click here: https://snowbirdrvtrails.wordpress.com/2019/08/10/travels-with-niki-new-3-week-adventure/ ——————————————————————————-

  Our Trip Continues: Cape Girardeau, MO to Tampa, FL Notes from the road! From Timber Trails Campground 1276 Matts Lane, Mulberry Grove, IL 2 1/2 hrs/170 miles to…

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TODAY IS THE DAY WE'VE TRAVELED 1,000 MILES FOR!

TODAY IS THE DAY WE’VE TRAVELED 1,000 MILES FOR!

TODAY IS THE DAY WE’VE TRAVELED 1,000 MILES FOR!

2 ½ hrs/121 miles to

Ouabache Valley Felines & Friends 7300 E Devonald Ave, Terre Haute, IN 47805 https://ouabachefelines.wixsite.com/ouabachefelinerescue

One of the main purposes of this trip was to bring a tiny feline rescue named Jasmine home with us. Ouabache Valley Felines & Friends (pronounced “wabash”) is where we adopted our Stanley two…

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2 ½ hours/160 miles to our next stop

Stopover #4 on our RV trip a “loop” from Clearwater to Terre Haute, Indiana – Notes from the road – Mission: Jasmine

Yogi Bear Jellystone Resort at Raintree Lake 4577 West State Road 56 Scottsburg, IN  47170 Passport America: $26/Cash Toll Free: (800) 437-0566 Local: (812) 752-4062 Located 4 easy miles off from I-65. Website: www.jellystoneraintreelake.com Email: yogisburg@gmail.com https://www.passportamerica.com/campgrounds/data/1260/Yogi-Bear-Jellystone-Camp-Resort/0#top Restaurants locally: Cracker Barrel Puerto Vallarta Mexican – Very good Mexican food. Ponderosa Roadhouse USA (Skip this one – not worth the price.)

This is a beautiful RV Park, well maintained by owners Erik & Kari Leander. From a big Yogi Bear welcome to the fairly level FHU, drive through sites. The restroom/shower rooms are clean and of good size and there is a clean laundry room. There’s plenty of weekend activities for the kids.

They have a nice stretch of greenspace along the very small but attractive Rainbow Lake where fishing is allowed. There’s a large gazebo and playgrounds for both toddlers and older children.

They have lakeside cabins to rent as well. Wi-Fi is free and reception is excellent.

Next stop – the big day has arrived!

Stopover #4 on our RV trip a “loop” from Clearwater, FL to Terre Haute, Indiana 2 ½ hours/160 miles to our next stop Stopover #4 on our RV trip a “loop” from Clearwater to Terre Haute, Indiana -

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Stopover #3 on our RV trip - Clearwater, FL to Terre Haute, Indiana Loop

Stopover #3 on our RV trip – Clearwater, FL to Terre Haute, Indiana Loop

Stopover #3 on our RV trip – Clearwater, FL to Terre Haute, Indiana Loop Notes from the road – Mission: Jasmine

OH! Kentucky RV Park 562 Paint Lick Rd., Berea, Ky 40403 (859) 986-1150 $29. FHU. From I-75 take exit #76 turn left if you are headed northbound or turn right if you are headed southbound. They are 1/4 mile on the right. Big sign out front – can’t miss it. http://www.ohkentuckyrvpark.co…

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Work Campers needed!!

(Rec’d 8/18/19) Beautiful, 5 star resort on the Colorado River in Californiais seeking couples or individuals for RV work camper opportunities starting immediately and running through April 1st  2020.  Positions include: store clerk, housekeeping, night time security patrol and facilities lock up. FHU and/or hourly wage negotiable. We are located in Needles, Ca which is close in proximity to Las…

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Stopover #2 on our RV trip from Clearwater to Terre Haute, Indiana

Stopover #2 on our RV trip from Clearwater to Terre Haute, Indiana

5 hours/358 miles to Holiday Travel Park of Chattanooga 1709 S Mack Smith Rd, Chattanooga, TN 37412 Phone: (706) 891-9766 (Mailing address is actually Rossville, Georgia) Rate: $44.10/night with Good Sam discount. http://chattacamp.com/?utm_source=GoodSamPrevious dash cam video: http://192.168.1.1:8181/http://www.snowbirdrvtrails.com/holidaytravelpkchattanooga.mp4

We had previously planned to…

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Travels with Niki -New 3 Week Adventure.

Travels with Niki -New 3 Week Adventure.

Notes from the road. Project: Jasmine – Hop Aboard & join us on a Mission of Love

Stopover #1 4 hrs./225 miles from our Clearwater, FL Home base to Eagles Roost RV Resort 5465 Mill Store Road, Lake Park, GA 31636 I-75, Exit 5. 229-559-5192 Good Sam discount to $38.34/night Website: https://www.eaglesroostresort.com/ Dash Cam video we shot in 2016 and still the same today: http://192.168.1.1:8181/…

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Work Camping on an Island?

Work Camping on an Island?

Work Camping Position – Just in and they need someone now!   Ever thought of living and working on a beautiful island? You’ll find no friendlier people anywhere than in South Louisiana.

  “We have a small intimate campground on a small fishing island in the Gulf of Mexico. Owners need assistance while off the island for the day, cleaning the laundry and mowing the perimeter.

  Ten to…

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Planning the Next RV Trip - How To!

Quite regularly we are asked how we go about planning a road trip. We have one coming up and thought we might share how we put it together..

Our first tip is to always have a Roadside Assistance plan before you leave your driveway. Help will always be only a phone call away. Believe us when we tell you from experience that a breakdown will usually happen in the worst of places at the wrong time…

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Roadtrek Rally at Wilderness RV Resort

Roadtrek Rally at Wilderness RV Resort

Just back from a Meet & Greet Roadtrek Rally at Wilderness RV Park in Silver Springs Florida. Wilderness is located on the eastern shore of the Ocklawaha River and adjacent to the Ocala National Forest. The campground is an icon on Florida’s Highway 40.

Nice place, great people and good food. We spent three nights, had three catered dinners and several meetings. Sunshine State catered a BBQ…

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New Work Camper (rare!) opportunity just received for the Texas Hill Country! Couple wanted to live free at my beautiful, historical, ranch in Texas, for doing small jobs.  …

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New Work Camping Job Posting - Hershey Entertainment and Resorts

New Work Camping Job Posting – Hershey Entertainment and Resorts

New Work Camping Job Posting – Hershey Entertainment and Resorts (Received 11/21/18)   Job Description:   This position is responsible for cleaning, grounds keeping, and providing maintenance to all areas of the Hersheypark Camping Resort. This is a seasonal position available for the peak season which begins in March, and continues thru the fall/winter shoulder season. This is primarily a first…

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A visit to Florida's Lake Griffen State Park

A RV visit to Florida's Lake Griffen State Park

As some may know we purchased our new, 2018 Roadtrek Class B this past December but due to some medical issues we were unable to schedule our first trip to check out all of the systems until now. I am happy to report that we did finally get away for a couple of days to test out all systems in our “Sunset Princess” and our shakedown cruise went off even better than expected. All systems operated…

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Sunken Gardens - the must-see roadside attraction that may well live forever!

Sunken Gardens – the must-see roadside attraction that may well live forever!

Located in the heart of St. Petersburg, Florida is a leafy oasis and one of the longest running roadside attractions in the Country. In 1903 a plumber named George Turner, Sr. bought this four acre parcel that included an ancient sinkhole and a lake. He drained the lake to use the nutrient rich soil beneath to pursue his love of gardening and ornamental horticulture.

By 1924 his amazing gardens…

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New RV Park at Wind Creek located in Atmore, Alabama - Check these ameneties!

New RV Park at Wind Creek located in Atmore, Alabama – Check these ameneties!

We like to pass along info about new campgrounds when we hear about them and this one sounds interesting for sure. Find their website at https://windcreekatmore.com/resort/rv-park. We may well try them ourselves this Summer!

ATTENTION RV CAMPERS!

We are excited to announce that the new RV Park at Wind Creek is now open!

HOURS Every Day • 8am – 5pm Check-In: 12pm – 5pm Check-Out: 11am RATES Dai…

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Revisiting Our Favorite RV Campgrounds. Eagle's Roost is located just off Georgia Exit 5 on I-75 in Lake Park, GA. Five miles N of the FL Line.