This trip unexpectedly was interrupted less than six weeks into our trip south for the winter. We initially left home in New York on December 19, 2018. It was 18 degrees, clear & cold that morning. We returned home earlier than planned, arriving home on January 27, 2019. I had an issue with my left knee which caused us to go home early, not knowing at that time whether we’d be able to continue this trip. We had gotten as far as Edisto Island, South Carolina before turning around and coming home. The first part of the journey lasted one month, one week, and two days.
We left home again on February 21 after almost a month at home, visiting orthopaedic surgeons, physical therapists, and acupuncturists for pain management. Once back on the road, I continued my physical therapy exercises daily. This seemed to help, along with the cortisone shot I’d gotten at the doctor’s office. But my activity level diminished and I was able to do less than previously planned. Nevertheless, the second part of Trip #5 was very good. We visited previous favorite locales and spent time in some new places.
For a recap of the first part of this trip, please visit Trip #5 Recap.
A recap of the second phase of Trip #5 follows: We traveled 3,571 miles in the RV during the second part of Trip #5. We stayed at 18 campgrounds in 13 states. Highlights of this part of the trip, not in any particular order, were traveling through the state of West Virginia, very beautiful; eastern Kentucky – a great lead-in to WV with the rolling hills – and as always, Louisville, KY, a really great city and a great visit with Pam & the dogs. Georgia, our return to Stephen C. Foster State Park and the prehistoric-feeling swamplands and the Alligators, and a new Park (to us) at the northern part of the great Okefenokee Swamp, Laura S. Walker State Park. Not to be forgotten, the National Wildlife Refuges at Savannah, GA; Reelfoot at Tiptonville, TN; Mingo NWR near Wappapello State Park in Missouri; the Mississippi River levee road and the Crab Orchard NWR near Goreville, IL. We loved Edisto Beach State Park on Edisto Island, South Carolina. We were very happy to be able to resume the trip there after having to leave previously after only a couple of days. This is such a wonderful place, with its Live Oaks with Spanish Moss hanging from them and all its southern history & hospitality. And of course, days can be spent at the large Ace Basin area including the Ernest F. Hollings Ace Basin NWR, the Bear Island Wildlife Management Area, and the Donnelley Wildlife Management Area. The Edisto Island Historical Museum was also a great place to spend an afternoon. Although we were unable to kayak, hike, and bike much during this trip once I hurt my knee, we really did have a good time.
We left NY in the winter and returned at the end of winter, beginning of spring. Since we went south, we seemed to be just getting to each State at a different stage of spring and seeing the trees and bushes bloom was gorgeous. Then, as we headed back north again, we saw spring disappearing and drove back into the cold and wet climate. It was a little hard to keep track of what day it was and where we were. Many, many changes.
Total miles driven in the RV for both parts of this trip – 5,310 miles.
Length of trip (camping time only, not counting the time at home in the middle) – Dec. 19, 2018 to Jan. 27, 2019 and Feb. 21, 2019 to April 9, 2019 – 12 weeks, 2 days.