A Blast From The Past

Gopher Tortoise

We finally received cooler weather the past few days here at Kelly's RV Park in White Springs, FL. Temperatures during the nights have been falling into the 70s, which has allowed us to open windows. After months of hearing nothing but air conditioners running, it's nice to fall asleep to the chorus of singing tree frogs.

One of the non-traditional residents here is a gopher tortoise who has a burrow on the back end of the property. It is not often seen and, because of its threatened status as a species, is not widely pointed out to short-term visitors for fear of human harassment or interference with its territory.

The gopher tortoise (gopherus polyphemus) is one of the oldest living species on earth today. It belongs to a group of land tortoises that originated in North America 60 million years ago.

Gopher tortoises can be found throughout the state of Florida, in the southern regions of Georgia, South Carolina, Mississippi, Alabama and in the tip of Eastern Louisiana. Except in Florida, where it is listed as a Species of Special Concern, the gopher tortoise is federally protected as a threatened species. They grow, on average, to be slightly less than a foot long and can weigh as much as 30 pounds. They are extremely long-lived animals with life spans of 40 – 60 years in the wild.

As with most tortoise species, the gopher tortoise is a land-dweller, but is unique in that it is one of the few to make large burrows for shelter. They have chiseled front flappers and elephant like hind legs allowing them the strength to create very large burrows. The average burrow here in central Florida is 15 ft. long and 6 ft. deep. Each tortoise will dig several burrows within its home range, which can be surprisingly large in size. Male tortoises have an average home range of 4.7 acres, while female home ranges average a smaller area of 1.6 acres.

Their diets are primarily plants and berries, although they have been known to eat the bones of dead animals presumably to obtain calcium. Some of their favorite foods are gopher apples and saw palmetto berries. One of their important roles in the ecosystem is spreading the seeds of the plants and berries they eat in their droppings.

Because tortoises do not require a large intake of food, it is rare to see one out of its burrow on a regular basis. But even if we don't see our local resident often, it's still cool to know that a species that has walked the earth for so long is in the area.

Until next time, Happy Trails.

Copyright 2009-2010 Lane A Geyer

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The Worst & Best List (So Far)

One of the major questions people ask is our opinions on places we have stayed over the past year. This is especially true of other full-time Rvers who are always on the lookout for the best places at the lowest prices. There's nothing worse than overpaying for uncomfortable surroundings and inadequate facilities.

Overall, we've been lucky so far. Being new to the game when we hit the road, we booked stays in places we had never been and hoped for the best. Some exceeded our expectations, most were adequate and a few were outright hell holes. We realize that not everyones expectations are the same. Some people will only stay at four-star rated properties, while others are happy with only an electrical hookup and fire ring. That's fine. To each their own. The particular rankings on our list is solely based on our expectations and experiences, but the reasons why could probably be agreed upon by just about anyone.

The Worst Places We Have Stayed (So Far):

#5 - Beaver Springs Lake Campground
Location: Davenport, NY
Reasons: First, we have to give credit to the owners of Beaver Springs Lake Campground for being some of the nicest people we have met along our journey. They truly cared about our comfort and the grounds were very well maintained. Yet, the location is hard to access, is without cell phone reception or television signals, offers mainly grassy sites except for permanent residents and the wifi access advertised could only be accessed in the immediate vicinity of the office.

The major problem with our stay was the attitude of the permanent residents. They were unfriendly to the max and treated us as if we had just landed in their space with the intention of overthrowing their empire. It was weird. They never waved hello, they never spoke to us, they glared our way while speaking among themselves in whispered tones and, I'm sure, kept asking management when we were going to leave. A prime example of the overall atmosphere was when the owner rode his bike up to our spot and invited us to the weekly bingo game at the pavilion. Part of his comment was (and I'm not making this up), "At least you can get away from the Hound Of The Baskervilles for awhile." Huh??

#4 - Skidaway Island State Park
Location: Savanna, GA
Reasons: I love the low-country region of the Carolinas and Georgia. There is something very peaceful about the rivers, grassy islands and abundance of wildlife. However, Skidaway Island State Park is not the place to stay if you wish to be comfortable while enjoying the surroundings.

The park is easily accessible and hosts an extensive nature trail system replete with observation towers. But the mud-filled sites, high nightly fees, biting ants, numerous spiders, mosquitoes, bees, wasps, a wifi signal only accessible at the office area and a complete lack of customer service skills among the staff all combined for a miserable stay. We were able to take some great wildlife pictures, but left covered in huge and numerous insect bites that did not go away for weeks. This park is great for a day visit to enjoy the trails, but not recommended for an extended stay.

#3 - Fallen Rock Parke Campground
Location: Brazil, IN
Reasons: We would probably never have stayed at this park except it was the closest place we could find to Terre Haute, IN that wasn't outrageously expensive. (My youngest daughter, Jennifer, and her husband, Trent, live in Terre Haute.)

Our stay was not without drawbacks and resulted in damage to several roof vents on the RV. The park owners are nice and the grounds includes a small restaurant, but to get to the location your drive is over five miles through cornfields along very narrow roads. The grounds was filled with mature walnut trees and several strong winds caused the nuts and shells to drop on the roof like small bombs. As a result, a few cracks developed in the front roof seams and a major hits were taken by overhead vents. The shower facilities were poorly maintained and included those infernal water-flow regulators that you have to push every thirty seconds to maintain pressure. There was no cell phone reception, no television signals and weak wifi. Not a place we would recommend unless you absolutely need to be in the area.

#2 - Atlanta Marietta RV Resort Park
Location: Marietta, GA
Reasons: We stayed at this park for only one night, but would not return for two reasons; costly rates and location.

The major problem was location. The park is in the middle of a residential area that is not easily accessible from I-75. There were several times we became lost trying to locate the entrance due to poorly marked streets and busy intersections. Once we did find the place, the view from our site included a used car lot and a very busy highway. We're just glad we didn't book for an extended stay.

#1 - Frosty Acres
Location: Schenectady, NY
Reasons: As those who have read previous posts know, I now refer to this place as Frost-My-A$$ and will continue to denigrate them as often as possible. They earned it.

We came across Frosty Acres through our membership in Passport America. The place looked great on paper - free wifi, ample electric hookups, weekend activities and a great nightly rate. However, what we experienced was a lack of wifi, inadequate electrical currents, spaces too small to comfortably park any unit over thirty feet in length, a dump station at the top of a very steep hill, a smelly drainage lagoon within thirty feet of our site and questionable long-term residents. To top it all off, their total apathy towards short-term guests made the overall experience uncomfortable.

The other drawback was location. This park is in the middle of nowhere. To shop for supplies required a thirty minute drive into Amsterdam along narrow, winding and hilly roads.

The bottom line is we were deceived. After managing a resort for three years it was not hard for us to quickly understand the place is badly run. They could care less about delivering what they advertise and, I'm sure, repeat their "no refunds for early departure" policy if anyone complains or wishes to leave early. Our advise is to avoid this campground at all costs.

The Best Places We Have Stayed (So Far):

#5 - Indian Rock Campground
Location: York, PA
Reasons: First a disclaimer. If you are looking for a four-star campground, this one is not that kind of place. It is a small, private grounds with 30 RV sites and open areas for primitive camping. The sites are unpaved and access is along narrow country roads.

Aside from a great camp host, the major reason Indian Rock is on our list is all about location. The park sits about 3 miles South of York amid beautiful farms. Within short walking distance there were two places for local produce and meats. One is Miller Farms where we found fresh field corn, tomatoes and other produce. The other is Miller's Meat Market which offers not only the best meats anywhere (both fresh and smoked), but also a wide variety of homemade soups, salads, slaws, original sauces and gourmet spices. To this day we still talk about the quality of that meat. Another perk was close access to the York Heritage Rail Trail. This trail runs along sides of train tracks that were originally part of the North Central R.R. system. The entire trail is 21.3 miles in length, starting at the Pennsylvania/Maryland border and ending in downtown York. It's a beautiful area which is why we extended our stay by an additional week after arriving.

This park is basic, but recommended if you're low maintenance and enjoy superb food in a country setting.

#4 - Bonny Rigg Camping Club
Location: Becket, MA
Reasons: Again, this is a no-frills park with basic amenities. The reason it is on our list is entirely about location.

I can't say it more plainly - we are in love with the Berkshires! There is a gentle serenity to the area that captured our souls. Bonnie Rigg is actually a private "camping club" open year-round and one of the few RV parks available in the Berkshire Mountains of MA. We enjoyed a peaceful brook flowing within ten feet of our site while parked under sprawling pine tree. Beyond the park proper, the entire area is stunningly beautiful with breath-taking views at every turn. We shopped at a small market in Chester that was surprisingly well-stocked and in the middle of a very beautiful neighborhood; old Victorian homes, a gas station that looked unchanged since the fifties and a town center reminiscent of a Frank Capra movie. It is an area we will return to as soon as possible.

#3 - Promised Land State Park
Location: Greentown, PA
Reasons: We generally stay in private RV parks because they offer lower rates for extended stays. State parks and private campgrounds each have their niche and are equally comfortable in their own ways. But no matter how much research we do, we just never know if the places we choose will equal their promotional information; they all promise to the the Promised Land of RV campsites. At this park we found a place that exceeded all expectations in unexpected ways and lived up to its name.

Although it is very remote and deep into bear country, Promised Land State Park is well worth the visit. What set this stop apart from others was the near perfection of its campground and facilities. We drove along roads and parked in a site paved with new, smooth asphalt. The grounds were exceptionally clean and the bathroom facilities were like something out of Star Trek; ultra-modern lighting triggered by motion sensors, spacious showers with slanted drains, low-flow plumbing fixtures and ample hot water. The landscape is ruggedly wild and the staff, as opposed to many state parks, knows the meaning of customer service.

#2 - Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center State Park
Location: White Springs, FL
Reasons: This was our very first stop on this journey and a place we fell in love with immediately. The park is centered around the historical influence of Stephen Foster and is defined by a plantation-era designed visitors center and lush woods filled with massive oaks draped in Spanish moss. The place just screams antebellum Old South. The centerpiece of the park is the world's largest carillon tower comprised of 97 tubular bells. From 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., it chimes the hour including notes on every quarter hour. At 10, 12, 2 & 4 it also fills the park with renditions of Stephen Foster tunes. They are some of his lesser known works, but still beautifully melodic. The sounds of the bells became a very relaxing part of our days. It sits directly on the Suwanee River and hosts an open-mike coffee house the first Saturday of every month.

Most sites are on gravel, but level and close to modern, well-maintained bathrooms. The staff is exceptionally friendly, the grounds immaculate and the historical displays fascinating. As with most state parks, stays are limited to only fourteen days, but a stay at this place for even overnight is worth the trip. Between the people, the daily carillon bells and the setting it felt almost ethereal at times. Our stay at Stephen Foster is the primary reason we chose to return to the White Springs, FL area.

#1 - Kelly's RV Park
Location: White Springs, FL
Reasons: This place is not at the top of our list because we are currently staying here. It is at the top because it deserves to be in every way possible.

Aside from being well maintained and providing excellent amenities like an open library filled with hundreds of books, this place is special because of the people. From the day we arrived we were welcomed with open arms and made to feel as if we had come back home. Most of the permanent residents started the way we did. They arrived initially for a short visit and now have been here for years. It's that kind of place. Everyone is friendly, concerned about one another and works hard to make this area feel like a true neighborhood. The owners, Mary & Richard, define the meaning of gracious hosts and the rural setting is wonderfully peaceful.

I could go on for paragraphs about the joys of staying at Kelly's, but most of what I would say can be found in recent posts. Deb and I agree, it's without a doubt, the best place we have stayed so far.

Until next time, Happy Trails.

copyright 2009-2010 Lane A Geyer
photos by Deb

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The Sounds Of Silence

Two postings ago I wrote about the pleasures of a quiet place like the Flower Mill RV Park here in Taylors, SC. One of the greatest gifts we have been given over the past eight months is the opportunities to stay in places that are devoid of constant human noises.

We have stayed in campgrounds that are as far off the grid as one can get; places like Beaver Springs Lake Campground in upstate New York or Skidaway Island State Park in Georgia where we had no TV signals or phone connections and really didn't care. After managing, and living in, a forty room resort in Hollywood, FL for three years it has been nice to enjoy the sounds of nature as opposed to street traffic or idiots knocking on our door at 3 A.M. asking if we had change for the soda machine. Now we fall asleep to the sounds of loons on a high mountain lake, awake to the shrills of hawks flying in a clear morning sky and to the songs of chickadees, titmice, cardinals, blue jays and other birds at the feeder outside our window.

There is much to be said for silence. While our lives may never be truly without noise, there is a huge difference between human noise and the sounds of nature. Even with the sounds of wind in the trees, the songs of birds or the cries of coyotes on a cold, clear night a sense of silence still prevails. Within that silence there is a great space for the spirit to rest, grow and mature.

This paraphrase by Mother Teresa best captures what we have found in quiet spaces: We need to find Spirit, and it cannot be found in noise and restlessness. Spirit is the friend of silence. See how nature - trees, flowers, grass - grows in silence; see the stars, the moon and the sun, how they move in silence...We need silence to be able to touch souls.

copyright 2009-2010 Lane A Geyer

Photo by Deb

On The Road Again

As the old sayings go, "All good things must come to an end" and "Life Happens".

We had planned to hang out in Heiskell, TN for a few more weeks, but my mother was admitted to the hospital two days ago with heart problems and a gash on her head due to a serious fall. No fears, she is back at home today recuperating comfortably.

Given that our schedules are wide open, we are currently on the way to Greenville, SC to lend a helping hand. We spent the day driving South on I-75 and are spending the night in Marietta, GA. Except for some wrong turns getting to the campground, the trip was smooth and uneventful. If all goes as planned, we will arrive in Greenville tomorrow for an extended stay.

But leaving the Volunteer Park Family Campground was bittersweet. It is one of the friendliest, most clean and comfortable campgrounds anyone could expect. We meet many good people and will always remember the beauty of the area. If you are ever in the greater Knoxville, TN area and are looking for a great place to stay, keep them in mind. You will not be disappointed.

copyright 2009 Lane A Geyer

Crossing The Border

Skidaway Island State Park

June 14, 2009

Skidaway Island State Park

Savanna, GA

We arrived here on June 8th after a smooth trip going East on I-10, then North on I-95. The only problem arose on a twenty mile stretch N. of Brunswick, GA. Heavy construction in both directions with narrowed lanes and too many concrete barriers too close to the road. In a 35 ft. motor home that can be tricky driving. Every large passing truck creates a wind draft that makes the unit drift to the right. Thankfully, we made it through without scraping a barrier.

Crossing the border out of Florida was a major turning point. It was a symbolic passage into a new life; which can leave your mind in a twist. We no longer have a fixed space of residence, but a mobile one. It takes the mind a little time to adjust to that change in thinking about residency. We saw it when we would tell people of our plans to live full-time in an RV. They would become silent and turn their eyes slightly upward as they thought about it. Usually we would get responses like, "Oh, so you'll be back after the Summer?" or "Where will you really live?". They just couldn't grasp the concept of no fixed place. This, unfortunately, was not helped by the resort owner who, for his own professional face-saving motive, floated disinformation that we were only taking a sabbatical and would return in a few months. We made sure that tidbit of false information floated about as long as a cast-iron turd.

Skidaway Island State Park is beautiful and very nature oriented. Located on a barrier island of the same name, it is ecologically a delta area where fresh waters combine with tides from the Atlantic creating nutrient-rich tidal marshes and estuaries. The woodlands are thick with oaks, maples and pines accented by cabbage palms and Spanish moss. The bird population is extremely diverse. We were fortunate to spot a Painted Bunting during one of our hikes. Another nice touch to the surroundings has been a mature doe who has casually walked by our site on several early mornings.

To say the procedures here are laid-back would be an understatement. At check-in you simply drive around and pick a site that isn't already occupied. If you arrive after the office is closed you can still stay and pay the next day. Instead of a ranger on weekdays at the front entrance, there is a sign stating that the $5.00 vehicle fee can be left in the collection boxes at the parking areas. But it's that kind of atmosphere that makes this place comfortable. It's quiet, the staff friendly, other campers respectful and there is a wifi hot spot by the office. Except for several muddy sites, it's a nice place to hang. The only big drawback has been the heat. This time of year it is a sultry, oppressive HOT that begins early and makes moving around in the afternoons almost unbearable.

We have also been crossing borders the past two weeks on more personal levels; namely adjusting to our new home and redirecting time outside of a daily work schedule. Make no mistake. There is still daily work to be done, but now our time is not structured by someone else.

The adjustment to living in the RV has not been difficult. Because of living and working together at the resort, we were already comfortable with being around each other constantly. This, we found through research, can be a major problem with those who try this lifestyle and have not been around someone 24/7. The other major transition problem other found difficult was a reduction in living space. Again, because of the resort, this also has not been an issue. The studio unit we lived in had almost the exact same square footage as our RV; just a different layout. A few problems have cropped up like a leaky toilet valve and ants, but both were easily remedied. So far, so good.

The nice thing about this way of live is that it makes you think ahead. Think about living without the conveniences of municipal water, sewer and electrical systems. What if you were three miles from the nearest store and your only way there was by walking? How would you plan meals for seven days if it was not convenient to make a quick trip to the store by car? We have water and electrical hook-ups at all sites. Dump stations for our black and gray water tanks. We could go to the nearest store in the RV. But once you reach a site, set things up and fold out the awning it is easier to not move unless absolutely necessary. So we make sure that our gas tank is filled for use of the generator, if necessary, that the LP tank is full for running the frig and stove and buy enough supplies for the length of our stay. Like I said, it makes you think ahead, but in a good way. It makes life much easier in that it allows the time to enjoy life around you in a more relaxed manner.

I'm sure there will be more adjustments to come, but by crossing these borders we have learned a great deal more about new places and ourselves. It's a nice, new and adventurous expedition into previously unexplored territories.

Photographs by Debbie

copyright 2009 Lane A Geyer