Red Tail RV Trips

On the road again, this time to one of the main destinations of the trip, KEY WEST. We departed Yacht Haven RV park and headed south on I 95. Being early in the morning, the traffic on the interstate was very heavy. As we neared Homestead it finally thinned out and we were able to drive the speed limit. We then got on US 1 and headed into the Keys of Florida. This is a very interesting drive, crossing some 34 bridges, one of which is 7 miles long, over open water. The Atlantic on the left and the Caribbean on the right. The weather was perfect, clear skies, light breezes and beautiful water on both sides.

When we arrived in Key West, we checked into Boyd's RV Park. This is on the east end of the Key and facing the Caribbean. Our site was unbelievable! It was right on the water with the waves lapping the sand some 15 feet from our front door.

The afternoon was time to explore the famous Key West. We drove to Duval Street, parked the car, and walked up and down the various streets with all the famous eating establishments and shops. Dinner called us to Jimmy Buffets Margaritaville cafe. It was not what we had expected, but it was very good food and atmosphere. We had thought it was on the water, so you could view the sunset.

After dinner we walked to the waterfront area to view the sunset, along with several hundred others. On Mallory Square every evening they have entertainment ranging from singer to acrobats. All are performing for tips, and most were very good.

Tour day of the Miami/FtLauderdale area. Headed south and crossed onto Miami Beach and drove north. Not much to see of the beach, only the large hotels. Seems Trump has taken over, all the new ones are his. The old Fountainbleu is still going strong. As we got up to the Ft Lauderdale area there were more people and more sights of the beach and ocean. The winds were stong so the surf was realy high. As we neared Las Olas, on A1A I saw the
EL BO ROOM. This was the favorite meeting place when I visited during college spring break. The streets and beaches were always filled with college students. The EL BO ROOM is the only building left of those on the street. It has been spared demolition and now is on the candidate list for the National Historic Registery. GO FIGURE>
Had to have a brew and look at the old pictures on the wall. The rest of the street is no up scale shops and restuarants.

Again, on the road, this time from Titusville to Fort Lauderdale. Took I-95 as the back roads (rte 1) would be extremely slow, especially on a holiday weekend. The interstate was not very scenic, but the speeds were good.
It was typical Florida weather, rain, wind, sun, rain, wind, sun. Made good time and got to the Yacht Haven RV and Marina at noon. They had saved an end slot so we had water on two sides our our site. The yachts here are something. Smallest is over 50' and one is over 100'. Continued raining in the afternoon. Barbara was fighting my cold, so we just watched the canal traffic.

On the road again. Left Savannah in a driving rain. We had 3-4 inches overnight, so everything was standing in water for our disconnect. Drove south, finally getting out of the rain about 80 miles south of Savannah. We continued on to Titusville, home of the Cape Canaveral Space Center. By this time Barbara was catching my cold, so she spent the afternoon resting.

Tour day of Savannah. However, I was fighting a cold so spent the day in bed. Barbara and two of our friends that had joined up with us went into town. They took the trolley tour and saw th old houses and trading centers of the early 1800s. It was very similar to Charleston. They also took the paddle boat tour of the harbor, which was very disappointing. The weather for them was horrible, rain, wind gusts and an open trolley made for a not very nice day.

On the road again, this time only 96 miles to Savannah, GA. Traffic was heavier and lots more coaches heading south, probably the snowbirds heading to Florida. Got set up in the KOA, real nice. I am fighting a cold, so off to bed to recover.

Tour day of the Charleston area. Left on the historic city tour in the morning. This took us past the several houses built in the early 1700s. They with stood the Revoluntionary war, the Civil war, the earth quake of 1889 and the hurricane Hugo in 1989. They are large, 3 or 4 stories with verandas or piazzas for the cool breezes off the water.
Originally Charleston was a walled city, but that dissappeared when the city burnt. It was also the home of many pirates, including Black Beard. In the afternoon we took the harbor cruise. This took us past the original Custom's house and piers where international trade occured. Ships would load cargo from the US, take it to Europe and for return ballast, load their hulls with rocks. These rocks were then used for the cobblestone streets. The cruise alsot took us past Ft Sumpter. This is a star shaped fort used to protect the harbor. It is also the sight of the starting of the Civil war. Shots were fired into the Fort and it all began.

Tuesday was spent again getting all the little things done around the coach. Parts had been ordered and were installed. Runs and acts like a new one now.

Wednesday we were on the road again, but not far. It was only 97 miles from Myrtle Beach to Charleston. We took the back roads to see the sights and such. Along the way we saw baskets made out of SAWGRASS. These are had made, very nice and very expensive. Once in Charleston and set up at the James Island County Park we took off to explore downtown and make arrangements for tours. The rv park is park of a huge complex with lakes, trails, streams, play fields and ramadas for picnics. It is a real credit to Charleston County to have such a place.

Rain moved in during the night, but should be nice tomorrow.

Today was service day for the coach. Miles and hours have built up so an oil change on both the engine and the generator was due. Along with several minor items that only a qualified shop can perform. Luckily Cummins has set us a Coach Care facility at their outlets. Very reliable and thorough.

Continued our drive to Myrtle Beach, SC. The road took us in and out of small town, near the beach at times and across many bridges. Arriving in MB, we set up the coach and explored somewhat. Myrtle Beach is a tourist town and this weekend was for the BIKERS. There must have been several thousand for the weekend. We will have the coach serviced on Monday.

Leaving Hatteras today we took the free ferry to Ocracoke. Then drove to the other end of the island and boarded the ferry to Cedar Island. This is also a small ferry and requires reservations. After a 2+30 minute ride we deboarded on Cedar Island. Then drove the small back roads heading towards Swansboro for the night.
We passed Camp Lejune, one of the main training bases for the US Marines.

Today we got on the free ferry from Hatteras to Ocracoke. This ferry carries about 20 cars, totally open with the Captains helm on a column in the center. It is a 17 mile, 40 minute trip to the Ocracoke island. Ocracoke is famous for once being the home of Black Beard, the pirate, slain here in 1878. It is also famous for being named #1 beach in America. Another unique site on the island is the British cemetary. A British frigate, patroling the East Coast of the US was hit and sunk by a German submarine in 1942. The remains of those sailors found were buried here. The island is 14 miles long and the only developement is at the southern end at Silver Lake Harbor. There are lots of rental units, large houses, restuarants and shops.