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

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

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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/
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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/

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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

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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.

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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
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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.

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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.

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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.

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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

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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:

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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.

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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/
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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 –
Notes from the road – Mission: Jasmine

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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.)
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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.
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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.

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

Next stop – the big day has arrived!?!?

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

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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.com/414336691

The Interstate run had been pretty smooth and traffic pretty much as expected so far but it’s never good to get to complacent on a trip! We were down to about a quarter tank of gas and only about 30 miles to go when we passed a traffic sign that said stoppage ahead, find a different route. Probably good advice but unfortunately the sign appeared after the exit leading to a different route. Then we found the stoppage. They were doing some blasting up ahead so it was bumper to bumper, stop and go for at least 25 miles as we watched the gas guage needle slowly descend over the next hour and a half it took us to go the 25 miles. We made it but it was getting close. If you are traveling North on I-75 anytime soon be aware and check Google maps for the work zones.

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OH! Kentucky is a decent little campground with full hook-ups, gravel pads, some shady sites and very clean shower/restrooms (no handicap bars), a good sized washer/dryer area and a small store and separate hardware facility. They have been building a pool for 3 years and it looks like it may be nearing completion. They offer free wifi but it is spotty at best and unreliable. This is definitely not a destination RV Park but adequate for a night or two on a trip.

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There is a Cracker Barrel nearby and all of the usual fast food places and fuel stations. As usual we asked our hostess about recommending an eatery the locals like and she suggested the “Dinner Bell”. It turned out to be a good choice. To us it looked very much like a Cracker Barrel though smaller and the food was good.

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In addition to an Amish Restaurant and Deli at the Exit we found a Farmer’s Market. I had been looking for local produce on our trip not grown in Florida’s sandy soil and this was it. We came away with cucumbers, several pounds of red and yellow tomatoes (Tennessee grown) and some sweet Georgia peaches.

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The boys enjoyed watching all the squirrels or at least there was a lot of chattering between them. Something for everyone- we would stay here again if we were passing through.

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

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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

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We had previously planned to stop for a couple of nights in Perry, Georgia but it was a beautiful day and we were feeling good so we decided to just keep
going to what was supposed to be our third stop. Instead of 2 hours and 132 miles it ended up being 4 hours+ and 358 miles! Definitely not our normal system for traveling but we gained two nights and decided to spend one extra night here in Holiday Travel Park.

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The Interstate around Atlanta was super busy as usual but no stoppages nor slow-downs.

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The RV Park is actually where an Indiana Regiment bivouacked before some fierce fighting on Lookout Mountain and Missionary Ridge back in 1863 in the War Between the States. There is a path to a stone marker proclaiming such within the Park.

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There is much to see and do in Chattanooga, from Civil War Battlefields, to Lookout Mountain, Rock City, Tennessee River cruises on the Southern Belle, and we bet you didn’t know Chattanooga is also home to the International Towing and Recovery Museum (Tow trucks through the ages and it has excellent reviews). We did travel to the top of Lookpout Mountain on our 2013 visit.

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More about our 2016 visit to the Towing Museum and other Chattanooga highlights are on our Blog at https://snowbirdrvtrails.wordpress.com/2016/06/06/stopover-chattanooga-tennessee/

Can’t forget to mention two restaurants we really like and can recommend. They are Portofino’s Greek & Italian and Jenkins Buffet both are very near the RV Park and are well worth a visit.

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A last note – Holiday Travel Park also rents small cabins (as many RV Parks do) which might be an alternative to a stuffy hotel room for our vacationing non Rving friends.

We have been asked how we can travel with our two cats and leave them in the van while we shop or visit a restaurant when it’s 90+ degrees outside. Not to worry, our boys are treated as well as we treat ourselves. Attached is the sign we leave on the dashboard when we lock up the van. Inside the boys are zipped into a collapsible “condo” that covers half of our queen-size bed. We always ask for seating by a window where we can make sure the headlights are on assuring our engine and AC are running. We carry a small monitor for the van’s inside temp and then can control the AC with the van’s remote start.

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Life is good! Now on to Kentucky. Click for Stopover #3
https://snowbirdrvtrails.wordpress.com/2019/08/19/stopover-3-on-our-rv-trip-clearwater-fl-to-terre-haute-indiana-loop/

A visit to Florida’s Lake Griffen State Park

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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 efficiently with the exception of the on-demand hot water heater which I need to research but with the temps in the 90’s here in Florida the cold water tap was actually warm enough for our needs this time!

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Our Class B is a completely self contained 19′ vehicle for camping, sightseeing or escaping the paths of looming hurricanes. It has a generator on board, full bathroom, sofa that makes into a queen-sized bed, microwave, two burner stove, furnace, refrigerator and a 24″ color TV with surround sound. We purchased it because with two bad knees Niki can no longer negotiate a car seat in a standard Detroit automobile. This has swivel seats making life a whole lot better.

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We set-up at Lake Griffin State Park located between Ocala and Orlando. Not really a destination Park but serene and quiet especially in the middle of the week. The Park has full hook-ups which is our preferred way to travel and makes a Simplicity SRT our perfect choice.

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The lake itself is about a mile from the campground with a canal that connects the two. The campground rents canoes and kayaks and there is also a Ranger guided tour of the waterway probably available on weekends.

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The restrooms, shower section and laundry area were spotless, brightly lit and well maintained.

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This Park has 40 campsites including seven pull-throughs of varying lengths. All sites have electricity and water and seven have sewer hook-ups with ten having 50 Amp service. We chose site 9 but would recommend sites 10 and 11 as being longer and more spacious and also having full hook-ups.

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There’s a beautiful boat ramp, dock and picnic area where canoes and kayaks may be rented. It’s located at the head of a 1,000′ canal that leads to the Dead River which empties into Lake Griffen. There are massive old oaks dripping Spanish moss throughout the Park including a mammoth old oak near the entrance and said to be the second largest in the State.

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I have attached some photos taken in the Park. Their are several Nature Trails and the children’s play area includes a swing for wheelchairs that I had not seen before. They do a lot with and for children including camps in the Summertime. We found the staff to be most courteous, conscientious and smiling. It’s apparent they love their jobs.

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One of our favorite things is to visit the locals favorite restaurants when we visit a new area. Our first was a visit to the “Original Stavros Pizza Restaurant” nearby in Leesburg at the suggestion of the Ranger on duty. It is a beautiful restaurant inside. Though some of their dishes may be excellent the Italiian subs we ordered were not. They were wet with dressing to the point of puddling and the taste was not up to par.

Another evening we tried the La Palma Mexican Grill and the outcome wasn’t much better. Niki and I both had the Chimichanga dinners. The refried beans had a burned taste and the chicken chimi’s were tasteless. The rice was pretty good. All in all we should have patronized the American Legion Post only a short distance from the campground.

Lake Griffen State Park is located at 3089 Hwy 441-27 in Fruitlnd Park, Florida.
Website: https://www.floridastateparks.org/parks-and-trails/lake-griffin-state-park

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Myrtle Beach – a great place for a holiday visit and to dine!

If you have traveled with us for very long you may have noticed we like to dine out – a lot. Our current week long visit to Myrtle Beach was no exception. There are so many great restaurants to choose from. In fact I think the restaurants may outnumber the golf courses – but it would be close!

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We had Thanksgiving Day reservations all set with a suggestion from our Myrtle Beach friends, Patrish and Wally. The restaurant is called Salt Water Cafe and it is located in Murrells Inlet just South of MB. The food was excellent and the prices are very good. They offer daily specials. We recommend you check them out – it would be a perfect lunch spot if you are visiting Brookgreen Gardens or Huntington Beach State Park.

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A favorite of ours when we visit MB is the K & W Cafeteria. It’s a real cafeteria line filled with made-from-scratch (mostly) – down-home, Southern dishes – cornbread, fried chicken, okra & tomatoes, collards, etc. – as well as the normal fare to choose from as you work your way down the line. The prices are reasonable and a two-fer is available for under $20 on Mondays and Saturdays, which I guarantee will fill both your tanks nicely.

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Another favorite of ours was a pizza/pasta buffet called Home Plate. The food was good, economical and plentiful but the main draw for us was a table busser named Isaac. Isaac made a full-blown production out of clearing tables. Life was simply a God given joy he was quick to admit. He was thankful for his family and a job he loved. One year we came and Home Plate had closed its doors!

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We were happy to find out that a new restaurant has opened in the same spot and is called Simply Southern Smokehouse – now a BBQ and soul food buffet. The food is good, the prices reasonable and the best part for us and many others is that Isaac is back and he has full reign to do his thing including leading the diners in some good old Gospel songs. It’s really something to see (and hear) but go early as the crowd also knows where to find Simply Southern and Isaac on Joe White Blvd!

We do treat ourselves to a couple of the more pricey tables when we visit Myrtle Beach. One is the Rioz Brazilian Steakhouse, which I’ve mentioned before. The soup and salad bar is long, varied and unique. Several different kinds of meat are offered at your table and sliced from skewers by the “vaqueros” who constantly circulate the room. You have to bring two things – a very large and hungry appetite and your wallet. It is an experience and worth a one-time spot on your bucket list.

Another place we try to visit is The Original Benjamin’s (170 item) Calabash Seafood Buffet. The food is all prepared well, the seafood is to die for and the desserts are the kind that make you want to start there first!

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Okay, enough about food. It’s making me hungry again! We had a really special Thanksgiving Week vacation in Myrtle Beach. We ate (too) well, saw several spectacular Christmas shows, took a few hundred photographs and spent time with old friends. We couldn’t ask for more.

In past trips we would stay at one of the many, nice RV parks or campgrounds. This time we drove our car and brought our furbabies along. Not every hotel allows pets but the LaQuinta Inn & Suites at 4709 N Kings Hwy, Myrtle Beach does. Their phone # is 843-449-5231. The fact they accept pets will never make it the 5-star Ritz but the staff is friendly and accommodating, the rooms fairly clean and comfortable and it is in the process of a total makeover. There is room in the parking lot if you do bring your RV and just want a hotel night or two in your travels.

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One final thought or tip for anyone planning to visit the Grand Strand. Your visit can be done quite economically, even for a family, with some research and pre-planning. Do not buy coupons from the Internet. Make your first stop at a grocery store when you arrive and collect the assorted free coupon books offered at the entrance. You’ll have a great time and save a lot of money.

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Safe travels and enjoy every journey,

Jack and Niki

p.s. Did we mention Krispy Kreme – “the” doughnut people? No trip South is complete without visiting the “factory” and sampling one or two.
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More about this trip on our FB page at https://www.facebook.com/OurSnowbirdRVTrails.

Exploring Florida’s Suncoast in November

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Jack and Niki bring you the November issue of our Suncoast & Tampa Bay Snowbird Visitor’s Guide. It’s now up on the Internet at http://www.tampabaysnowbirder.com/.
 
This issue explores a 12-mile scenic stretch of the 45-mile Pinellas Trail that runs along a former railroad bed with Parks and other interesting places to visit as you bike, walk or jog. Where to park, what to see and some interesting mile markers.
 
Did you know the Beach Markets are reopening for the Season? When and where are they?
 
How about a list of area restaurants open for a traditional Thanksgiving Dinner?
 
All of the above plus our regular features including what’s playing this month at the Pier 60 Sunset Cinema, a listing of November’s local art & craft fairs and festivals, area attractions by city/town, webcams, shopping, parks, dining and more.

Happy November from Niki & Jack Armstrong!

Easter Dinner on the Cottee River

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Catches Waterfront Grille in Port Richey, Florida
We hope all of our Internet friends and acquaintances had a nice Easter weekend? Niki and I did things a little differently this year. There are some favorite things at a traditional Easter dinner that we can no longer eat due to some medical restrictions so we decided to opt for Chinese on Easter Sunday and then have our Easter Dinner on Monday.
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Surf & Turf at Catches Waterfront Grille

Mondays happen to be when one of our favorites – surf and turf – is the Monday special at a nearby restaurant just a ways up the road and riverside in Port Richey.

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Catches in Port Richey, Florida

Catches Waterfront Grill and its Tiki themed sister establishment – Rum Runner – are located on the Cottee River just off US-19. The restaurant has great ambience and it is very relaxing watching the boats go by – going to and coming from the Gulf.

The food was delicious with the steaks done just the way we like them and the grilled shrimp skewers were very tasty. The only con would be we could not recommend the cole slaw again if you should happen to go there – though fresh there was really very little taste, however, there are many other sides to choose from. The young lady, Jen, tending our table, was a fairly new hire but very cheerful, personable and took good care of us.
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The Rum Runner on the waterfront in Port Richey, Florida
We had visited the Tiki themed neighbor – The Rum Runner – recently with Cheryl and Ray, our two friends from Canada, for fish and chips. The Rum Runner also offers tables riverside as well as a large dining area inside with a nice open feel to it. Both restaurants are served from the same kitchen area between the two.
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Blue skies and warm Gulf breezes make a near perfect day
The day was warm, sky was blue, with a light breeze from the Gulf, making for a most enjoyable Easter Dinner – though a day late.

Can we talk about good eats?

Let’s talk about Restaurants and good food along the major East Coast RV Routes.

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Alligator bites on Clearwater Beach

Niki and I find that the best way to feel – and yes, taste – the local flavor of an area is to seek out the locals’ favorite places to dine. You meet people and you get a better feeling for what it might be like living in an area. Of course, the other benefit is that you find some delicious local tummy fare along the way.

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“Michigans” at the original Clare and Carl’s in Plattsburgh, NY

If you share our interest in RVing, exploring and good food – or I should say good food and good value – or maybe just looking for a good suggestion to grab a bite on your trip, we have broken down our lists three ways.

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Dining along East Coast RV Routes

First we have a BIG list from our Snowbird RV Trails files – Restaurant Reviews by State – from Maine to Florida and from the Outer Banks of North Carolina to Arkansas and the Mississippi River.

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Afternoon tea at Upper Canada Village

Secondly – Florida has been the home base in our travels and consequently we have visited more eateries here than any other State. Enough so that the Sunshine State Restaurants deserved a page or two of their own.

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Desserts to die for on the Sponge Docks in Tarpon Springs, FL

Now as Florida residents, the Tampa Bay Area is the epicenter of our lives which includes Tampa, St. Petersburg and Clearwater Beach along with all of the surrounding picturesque smaller Towns. We, of course, continue our “hobby” of finding good places to eat in this area.

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Things to do and places to go in Tampa Bay

We publish online our local Tampa Bay Visitors Guide which we update constantly. It’s always a work in progress. On the website we have a section devoted to dining in this area with special emphasis on where to Find Cheap Eats in Tampa Bay for our out-of-town visitors – Snowbirds, Spring Breakers, family vacationers and all other beach goers and sun worshipers who want to see and do all there is in the area but still stay within their budget.

hootersnewportrichey
Waterfront dining in Hooters of New Port Richey

We hope you enjoy our “lists” and find them useful to you. If you would like to comment or maybe add a favorite of your own for us to visit, we’d like to hear from you. Send us an email to snowbirdrvtrails@gmail.com or tbsnowbirders@gmail.com.

Until we cross paths, we wish you safe travels and to always enjoy every journey.
Jack and Niki

skenemanor600
Lunch in Skene Manor – Whitehall’s “Castle on the Hill”