Back In Virginia

Until last Wednesday, we had never heard of Pooler, GA. We learned about it from our Wal-Mart directory as we neared the end of our first travel day from Florida to Virginia. Savannah, GA is roughly halfway between Crystal Lake and Fawn Lake, and we have stopped there in years past. Pooler is south of Savannah approximately 473 miles from Crystal Lake and 542 miles from Fawn Lake. Ideally, we preferred to stop after 350-400 miles, but could not find a suitable location. Pooler was a great choice.

We saw the Sam's store before we saw the Wal-Mart; stores were on opposite sides of the raod. The sun had set, and we wanted to be parked before dark. Far to our right, as we entered the Sam's parking area, we spotted other motor homes already parked. We found a vacant area on the lot's outer edge next to a pond, and we could not believe our good fortune. It was level, quiet, and offered a beautiful view over the pond. Of the four RVs that stayed the night there, we had the best location.

Thursday was another perfect weather day for travel. We knew we had a dilemma: with 500 miles plus yet to travel, how would we break the trip into two more days? We could have stopped again, but we knew early on that we would press on for home. We parked at Fawn Lake as darkness descended. It was a long day, and we were exhausted.

Two observations from Thursday's travel seem noteworthy: I-95 through South Carolina rivals I-10 through Louisiana for roughness, and the DOT in North Carolina should re-think closing one lane of traffic for re-paving when it results in 7 - 10 mile traffic back ups. We shook and rattled as we rolled through South Carolina. We took an extra 90 minutes to travel through two separate "roadwork" back ups in North Carolina. We were not as unhappy as many truck drivers who vented their frustrations on the CB radio. Which poison do you prefer: rough roads or re-paved roads with traffic back ups?

Friday was a day to unpack and re-settle. Fatigue was upon us, and we tried to pace ourselves. By Friday evening the coach was back in its storage site. and we rested. Yard work would have to wait until Saturday.

We leave for Virginia Beach next Thursday for an ODC camping weekend. More about that later.