US tour - eastern states 2015
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Topic: US tour - eastern states 2015
Posted By: techntrek
Subject: US tour - eastern states 2015
Date Posted: 03 Jul 2015 at 11:40pm
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In 2013 we toured the southern states, 2014 we toured the western states. Now we will do the entire east coast. In 2016 we'll do the west coast and northern states. We left this morning and are currently just south of the NC/SC border (but not at South of the Border) at a rest stop for the night. The short-term plans are to camp tomorrow night at Lake Louisa just west of Orlando, then 2 nights at Fort Wilderness at Disney (not going into any park, just hanging out), then we pick up my wife on the 7th at the end of a conference she is attending near Disney, and head to the Everglades. After that we'll wind our way up the coast, spend a night at home, then continue north to Niagara. I wanted to then do a loop into Canada but I couldn't justify $450 for 4 passports. We could get the cheaper $30 passport cards, but my luck the Euro will crash next year making a trip overseas dirt cheap and then I'll have to buy the full passports anyway. No big deal, Canada is only a day's drive away so we can shoot for it in a few more years. Eventually we'll make it up to Acadia, Maine, and then work our way back down the coast. Three observations for today. One, the Virginia State Police were out in force 120%. No exaggeration there were some stretches of I-95 where they had someone pulled over on the side of the road every 1-2 miles for 15 miles. Kept slowing down traffic because they were everywhere. I'm guessing with the terror threat they canceled all leave and told them to pull over anything that didn't smell just right. Two, we stopped for dinner a few hours ago and made some soups in the microwave. Just as we were finishing up my younger daughter spilled what she had left across the table and onto my lap. Next time I sit uphill from her! Three, we were only on the road an hour or two when I was passing someone stopped on the side of the road and suddenly they darted back into my lane and not nearly at full throttle. Either he didn't see me or, considering the condition of his car, it may have been an insurance ploy hoping I would hit him. I nearly did. A good test of my brakes and Prodigy slowing 12,000+ pounds from 65 to 10 just as fast as possible.
------------- Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1723 - Pod instruction manual 
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Replies:
Posted By: Leo B
Date Posted: 04 Jul 2015 at 7:29am
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Psst Doug I know few roads along the border that are wide open👍
------------- Leo & Melissa Bachand 2017 Ford F150 2021 Vista Cruiser 19 csk Previously owned 2015 Rpod 179 2010 Rpod 171 |
Posted By: fwunder
Date Posted: 04 Jul 2015 at 5:04pm
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One day on I95 is like a week on I90 out west. Sounds like a great trip! Keep us updated. Just got back from three days in Boston - driveway camping. Know that the lobsters and steamers are plentiful and great! I left a couple for you when you get up that way! fred
------------- 2014 RPod 178 => https://goo.gl/CV446f - MyMods and Buying Habits 2008 4Runner Limited 4.0-liter V6 Yes, those are wild ponies dining on grass while dumping tanks! |
Posted By: techntrek
Date Posted: 04 Jul 2015 at 11:15pm
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Leo - with my luck they would be doing a spot check on the day and hour we decide to come back! Fred - thanks, I hope to have one or three while we're up there. Today was long and... long. I didn't expect to be on the road as long as we were. Partly it was because we hit several bucket-pouring storms, during one of them dozens of cars pulled over for 10-15 minutes because it was impossible to see, including us. And of course I found another idiot on the road that has no idea that pulling right in front of a large rig and then slamming on the brakes is a Bad Idea. This time she was on her cell phone and I think she just wasn't thinking, but dang she almost won a Darwin award. Pulled from the left lane into the right just 10 feet in front of me and then hit her brakes as she half-heartedly tried to pull onto the shoulder. Couldn't pull onto the shoulder first, no. So my Prodigy and brakes got another good workout. My horn, too, both days. And I NEVER use my horn. But we arrived safely if a bit late to actually enjoy this state park. It is raining too so even a walk around is out of the question. ------------- Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1723 - Pod instruction manual
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Posted By: Leo B
Date Posted: 05 Jul 2015 at 10:37am
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Doug. While you are up that way if you need any translations give me a yell I grew up in Massachusetts. Things like
Park tha kar etc other driving tips : in Boston expect to get lost. They usually throw up a detour just to make driving interesting. When driving in the rotary or the round-about as they call them in Vermont. Just aim at the nicest car as you enter they will usually back off! ------------- Leo & Melissa Bachand 2017 Ford F150 2021 Vista Cruiser 19 csk Previously owned 2015 Rpod 179 2010 Rpod 171 |
Posted By: fwunder
Date Posted: 05 Jul 2015 at 10:43am
 That is so true! After spending 25 years in South Florida where every street, avenue or terrace runs due N, S, E or W; I find driving around Boston impossible! I think it comes from turning every cow path into a highway! fred ------------- 2014 RPod 178 => https://goo.gl/CV446f - MyMods and Buying Habits 2008 4Runner Limited 4.0-liter V6 Yes, those are wild ponies dining on grass while dumping tanks! |
Posted By: Leo B
Date Posted: 05 Jul 2015 at 11:16am
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Love Boston, the only place where being a wicked pissa is a good thing! ------------- Leo & Melissa Bachand 2017 Ford F150 2021 Vista Cruiser 19 csk Previously owned 2015 Rpod 179 2010 Rpod 171 |
Posted By: fwunder
Date Posted: 05 Jul 2015 at 11:47am
Don't mean to hijack Doug's adventure, but this is how I like spending a holiday in Boston...or Maine or NH or VT or anywhere! $11.99 a pound for 2 pounders! ------------- 2014 RPod 178 => https://goo.gl/CV446f - MyMods and Buying Habits 2008 4Runner Limited 4.0-liter V6 Yes, those are wild ponies dining on grass while dumping tanks! |
Posted By: ronahue
Date Posted: 05 Jul 2015 at 5:38pm
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When in Boston be sure to pak your caa in havad yad and go to the baa to have a bea. Oh ya enjoy dim lobsta's From a true Bostonian ------------- Ron & Sharon 2015 R-Pod 179 2022 Nissan Frontier No trees were harmed in the sending of this message but a billion electrons were really agitated |
Posted By: Leo B
Date Posted: 05 Jul 2015 at 7:17pm
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------------- Leo & Melissa Bachand 2017 Ford F150 2021 Vista Cruiser 19 csk Previously owned 2015 Rpod 179 2010 Rpod 171 |
Posted By: techntrek
Date Posted: 11 Jul 2015 at 11:46pm
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I'm baaack. Before I forget, here is my wife's blog, which includes posts from the last 2 year's trips. With very limited internet access over the last week there aren't any pics yet, and only a few posts for this trip: http://gaede4inthepod.blogspot.com - http://gaede4inthepod.blogspot.com We had a great trip down to the Everglades and back. We took an air boat ride (great) and swamp buggy tour (meh). We literally had the campground to ourselves the 2nd night - Midway campground run by the NPS. No more idiots on the highway. Just an idiot in the driver seat, more on that in a bit. We made our way up to Little Talbot Island State Park east of Jacksonville. Very neat place, lots of seclusion between sites, definitely want to go back again. Just watch out for the killer branches. Until now I've always had my girls spot me as I backed into our campsites, but this time it was a pull-through and it looked like I had a ton of room. But I needed another inch or two on the left side apparently since a branch drug down most of the left side leaving a long dent and then caught on the rear corner trim and ripped a whole section of siding off of the back wall. Yeah, not a happy Doug. I spent some time banging it back into shape and doing a temporary duct tape fix. Today I got a roll of white Gorilla tape (after hearing about it for years) and I'm sold, I will never be without it. Super sticky, very thick. Covered up all of the open edges nicely and I'm not worried about water intrusion or it ripping off on the highway. When I get home I'm going to have to look up RV siding and corner trim and I'm sure it will be most of a Saturday getting the rear wall back in shape. Not hard, just will take some time. Excuse me while I beat my head on the nearest wall. Oh, and we've had problems with our fridge. The freezer is staying very cold, down to 12 F, but the fridge got up to near 60 at one point. Deja-vu, same as last year. Let me beat my head on that wall again. I think the problem has been with the temperature sensor and I've been playing around with it. Tonight I finally saw it down to 38-40 so I think I'm on the right track. I also fixed the baffle behind the fridge since it was falling apart. Don't get me wrong, we are having a great trip. Tomorrow we are off to see Magnolia Gardens and Fort Sumter in Charleston. ------------- Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1723 - Pod instruction manual
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Posted By: fwunder
Date Posted: 12 Jul 2015 at 8:42pm
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Sounds like you're having a great time Doug! Gorilla Tape - never leave home without it. Good tip on the white. I've only been carrying the black. So you really did do the Everglades in July?! Wow, you are a brave group! Skeeters didn't have toll booths setup along Tamiami Trail (41)? Not surprised you had campground to yourself! Did you get to Shark Valley? Airboat thing is fun, especially for kids like you and me. At Billy Swamp Safari you can watch the alligator wrestle. Is kinda depressing cuz the alligator wrestler only has four teeth and the gator two. Stop beating your head against the wall. Don't want to hurt the wall! Keep on keeping on. By the time you get back crab prices should be coming down. Have fun! fred ------------- 2014 RPod 178 => https://goo.gl/CV446f - MyMods and Buying Habits 2008 4Runner Limited 4.0-liter V6 Yes, those are wild ponies dining on grass while dumping tanks! |
Posted By: techntrek
Date Posted: 13 Jul 2015 at 12:05am
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Not too hot, and no problems with mosquitos. We did load up on the sunscreen and bug spray when we did the Wooten's tours, but even back at the campsite after taking showers (so no bug spray) I had no problems with bugs. Now on the way up to Charleston we hit 104 yesterday and it sounds like Florida got up to about the same temps. Didn't go to Shark Valley. Oh, and fridge is down to 34 as I write this so i hope that holds. Gotta run, the computer battery is low.
------------- Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1723 - Pod instruction manual
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Posted By: TigerPawd
Date Posted: 13 Jul 2015 at 10:52am
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Doug, please be sure to let us know if any miracles turn up on the fridge temperature sensor...?
------------- Joan, Jerry and the two Pugs 2015 R-Pod 179 |
Posted By: techntrek
Date Posted: 13 Jul 2015 at 9:49pm
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Uneventful today, just slept in and drove to Carolina Beach State Park, we are hanging around a campfire right now. Fridge temp is still good. Final solution was to pull as much of the wire into the fridge then get the tip where the sensor is as high as possible. Temps in the 30s since yesterday, yay!
So far the Gorilla tape is holding. Hope it is keeping the water out, we hit some big downpours again today. ------------- Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1723 - Pod instruction manual
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Posted By: techntrek
Date Posted: 15 Jul 2015 at 10:47pm
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Had a great time touring the USS North Carolina, that was really interesting, and then we made our way to Williamsburg. Had a lazy day today, a little pool time and getting supplies. Tomorrow we'll tour Williamsburg. ------------- Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1723 - Pod instruction manual
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Posted By: fwunder
Date Posted: 18 Jul 2015 at 9:17am
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Where did you stay in Williamsburg Doug? Are you gonna share with us the picture of you in the stockade? fred ------------- 2014 RPod 178 => https://goo.gl/CV446f - MyMods and Buying Habits 2008 4Runner Limited 4.0-liter V6 Yes, those are wild ponies dining on grass while dumping tanks! |
Posted By: Leo B
Date Posted: 18 Jul 2015 at 10:48am
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Pictures= evidence !! ------------- Leo & Melissa Bachand 2017 Ford F150 2021 Vista Cruiser 19 csk Previously owned 2015 Rpod 179 2010 Rpod 171 |
Posted By: techntrek
Date Posted: 21 Jul 2015 at 12:16am
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There's a KOA nearby, two downsides though. A fairly busy road on one side of the campground, and an active rail line on the other. Trains maybe every 1-2 hours. Not horrible especially with a hardside camper as long as you are camped by the road (opposite side from the trains). I've experienced worse at the campground owned by Hershey - that one they couldn't pay me to stay at again. I would camp at this KOA again if necessary but I would explore other options. Great staff, everyone we met was truly happy and helpful. Ha! Yeah pics have been scarce on the blog since internet access has been either very bad or non-existent at many of our stops. I'm only barely online tonight. I'll tell her you are looking for the stockade pic! Good time at Williamsburg, we were there from open to close. Then a night at home (laundry, oil change, resupply the camper, nice long hot showers), then on to a state park near Steamtown, then a day at Steamtown including a train ride and museum tour. On to a state park near Niagara (4 Mile Creek, I would come here again) and a full day around the falls today. ------------- Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1723 - Pod instruction manual
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Posted By: fwunder
Date Posted: 21 Jul 2015 at 5:15pm
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OK, now I need a pic of you in your rain gear on the Maid of the Myst or in a barrel going over and yelling....Geronimo!! fred ------------- 2014 RPod 178 => https://goo.gl/CV446f - MyMods and Buying Habits 2008 4Runner Limited 4.0-liter V6 Yes, those are wild ponies dining on grass while dumping tanks! |
Posted By: Leo B
Date Posted: 21 Jul 2015 at 7:53pm
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I would pay to see that!! ------------- Leo & Melissa Bachand 2017 Ford F150 2021 Vista Cruiser 19 csk Previously owned 2015 Rpod 179 2010 Rpod 171 |
Posted By: techntrek
Date Posted: 21 Jul 2015 at 10:56pm
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My wife will check! May not have one since I took most pics with my phone (waterproof). ------------- Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1723 - Pod instruction manual
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Posted By: techntrek
Date Posted: 22 Jul 2015 at 9:56pm
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Ok, she posted the only pic of me in my blue poncho. Camped last night in the boonies of upstate NY, today we did the Ben & Jerry's tour and are staying at a Wal-Mart near the White Mountains. ------------- Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1723 - Pod instruction manual
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Posted By: Leo B
Date Posted: 23 Jul 2015 at 6:24am
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Doug, Watch out for the Ben and Jerry's. Rumor has it, that it can be addicting ------------- Leo & Melissa Bachand 2017 Ford F150 2021 Vista Cruiser 19 csk Previously owned 2015 Rpod 179 2010 Rpod 171 |
Posted By: fwunder
Date Posted: 23 Jul 2015 at 4:57pm
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Just a cast away from you, Tech, just outside Holderness, NH on Squam lake. Heading back down 93 over to 91 @ Concord and then back home tomorrow. Beautiful weather, huh? fred ------------- 2014 RPod 178 => https://goo.gl/CV446f - MyMods and Buying Habits 2008 4Runner Limited 4.0-liter V6 Yes, those are wild ponies dining on grass while dumping tanks! |
Posted By: Keith-N-Dar
Date Posted: 24 Jul 2015 at 7:52pm
We took the tour eastbound to Nova Scotia a few years ago, and again on the way home. I was a manufacturing consultant at that time, so it was for business reasons. Yea, that's it. Business reasons. ------------- Keith-N-Dar Boris & Betty (Boston Terriers) 2011 R-Pod 177 2010 Ford F-150 |
Posted By: techntrek
Date Posted: 27 Jul 2015 at 9:23pm
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A fun few days. We rode the cog railroad, spent 2 nights at Acadia in ME, then worked our way down to southern NH to visit with a distant cousin of mine, then on Plimoth (one of many old-time spellings). ------------- Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1723 - Pod instruction manual
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Posted By: fwunder
Date Posted: 27 Jul 2015 at 9:38pm
Yep, Doug. Drove right past Boscawen Friday, down to Concord and across to 91 via 9. Found some killer ice cream in Hillsboro! Hope you had some of the sunsets we had. Spectacular!  ------------- 2014 RPod 178 => https://goo.gl/CV446f - MyMods and Buying Habits 2008 4Runner Limited 4.0-liter V6 Yes, those are wild ponies dining on grass while dumping tanks! |
Posted By: Leo B
Date Posted: 28 Jul 2015 at 5:24am
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Nice pictures!! ------------- Leo & Melissa Bachand 2017 Ford F150 2021 Vista Cruiser 19 csk Previously owned 2015 Rpod 179 2010 Rpod 171 |
Posted By: techntrek
Date Posted: 29 Jul 2015 at 10:21pm
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We ended up with an unexpected free day and the need to "do something" in RI so we could stick its sticker up on our US map, so we did the Cliff Walk and spent some time in the surf until a thunderstorm closed the beach. But, the great thing about having our camper right there was a round of hot showers and dinner before we put a few hours under the wheels. Today we went to Thomas Edison National Historic Park - geek heaven. Made it to French Creek State Park in PA (where the annual winter campout is held) tonight so we can go into Philly tomorrow to see the Liberty Bell and a few other things. We'll be back here tomorrow night and then on to home. The original plan was to spend a night at Elk Neck State Park MD but we can't get an electric site (think heat and humidity) and since it is so close to home we might as well get an extra day to chill on the couch before work slaps me in the face on Monday. ------------- Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1723 - Pod instruction manual
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Posted By: fwunder
Date Posted: 30 Jul 2015 at 10:49am
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Sounds like you're having a great trip! That Newport cliff walk is something, huh? I figure I could part my pod behind a flower pot on a patio and no one would notice! Thomas Edison National Historic Park is now on the list - thanks. http://www.citytavern.com - City Tavern is a great fun place for lunch while you are visiting Independence Hall. Fun flight of beers from original recipes of George Washington, Thomas Jefferson and Ben Franklin. Have fun! fred ------------- 2014 RPod 178 => https://goo.gl/CV446f - MyMods and Buying Habits 2008 4Runner Limited 4.0-liter V6 Yes, those are wild ponies dining on grass while dumping tanks! |
Posted By: techntrek
Date Posted: 31 Jul 2015 at 8:07pm
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Wish I had known about the Tavern, that would have been a nice break. We ended up just eating at a deli close-by. Cheese-steaks of course. Our only real problem with weather was during our Philly visit. A storm front came through while we were touring the Mint, right when we needed to get to Independence Hall for our tour, about 3 blocks away. We finally just did it and got soaked, oh well. Slept in at the campsite this morning and then made it home mid-afternoon. Another trip in the books. My wife has updated the blog with more pics. ------------- Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1723 - Pod instruction manual
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Posted By: fwunder
Date Posted: 01 Aug 2015 at 8:41am
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Sounds like you had a great family vacay, Doug! The Philly Mint is pretty interesting. Reminds me of the UTZ Potato chip factory. Thank your wife for the pics. I'm sure that stockade pic will come in handy someday!  BTW, if you happen to see a pod that smells like Old Bay® on 695 next week, it's us on our way to or from the annual family crab feast. Pass another ear of the queen, hon. fred ------------- 2014 RPod 178 => https://goo.gl/CV446f - MyMods and Buying Habits 2008 4Runner Limited 4.0-liter V6 Yes, those are wild ponies dining on grass while dumping tanks! |
Posted By: techntrek
Date Posted: 01 Aug 2015 at 3:18pm
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LOL, lots of blackmail pics on this trip. Honk on your way around 695, hon. ------------- Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1723 - Pod instruction manual
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