6: THE JOURNEY BEGINS

Well it is Tuesday (12/4/07) 4:00 pm and I am finally off!
My schedule got pushed back a day because of an issue with my work trailer.
It had shot bearings in one of the hubs.
I am just glad I noticed it now, Instead of on the road!
I will be posting any good or bad things that happen to me along the way on this page.
Wish me luck.
JIGA
This is what it looked like the day I left:


And here is what it looked like when I arrived:


This is much better!!!!!!!!









THE IDEA
THE RIG
THE CAMPGROUND
THE PULL
THE ROUTE

5: THE ROUTE

This post is just directions and a google map incase I get lost along the way.
The route will be from Putnam CT. to The Villages FL.
I will be spending the night at my uncles in the villages because it will be to late at night when I get in, And the campground office will be closed.

RT. 44 West
RT. 384 West
RT. 84 West
RT. 81 South
RT. 77 South
RT. 26 South
RT. 95 South
First Florida exit RT. 1A West
RT. 301 South
RT. 466 East

View Larger Map

From The Villages to the Big Bass Village:

466 West
475 North
484 West
40 West



View Larger Map














THE IDEA
THE RIG
THE CAMPGROUND
THE PULL

4: THE PULL

Well because I cannot pull her down there with my explorer, I have three options.
#1: I could pay someone to pull it down there for me.

#2: I could rent a truck to pull it down there.

#3 I could sell the explorer and buy a cargo van that I can not only pull the trailer with, But also work out of.

Well # 3 is no good because I not only do not have enough time to sell my rig, Buy another one, And register and insure it. But also because I love my explorer and would hate to unload her.

#2 is no good either because it would cost me around $500 to rent the truck, Another $500 in gas to get there and back, Plus another $400 or so in gas to pull my explorer down there with my work trailer.
This is the cheapest method but driving down there, coming right back, And driving right back down does not sound fun at all!
Anyone who has made the drive down there straight through knows how bad it sucks, Let alone doing it three times in a row.

So #1 it is. I found someone to pull her down there with his Ford diesel dually.
The pic below is not his truck but its the same thing.

He is doing the job for me for $1800.00
Yeah I know......OUCH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
But on the other hand, I called quite a few places and they were all between $2000-$2900 so I guess it could be worse.
He is leaving on Thanksgiving night and I will be hanging out up here (New England) until he gets back
Then I AM OFF !!!!!!!!
As long as I get a wireless signal at rest stops and fuel stations, I will post any unusual or stupid things that I am sure will happen along the way down.

SITE MAP:
THE IDEA
THE RIG
THE CAMPGROUND
THE ROUTE

3: THE CAMPGROUND

Well the campground I found is one I have never been to nor have I seen it in person.
I found it online and its looks right up my alley.
Its called Big Bass Village on lake Rousseau in Inglis Florida.
The lake holds the state record for the largest large mouth bass caught in Florida (17.27).
Its also less then an hour ride to a close family members house.
I have not been there yet, And the only pictures I have are the few I found on there website:
I will be heading down at the end of the month.
Here are a few pics:



SITE MAP:
THE IDEA
THE RIG
THE PULL
THE ROUTE

2: THE RIG

Well the camper that I found is a 33 foot 97 Sandpiper with a 13 foot slideout.
I bought it from an older couple that lived in it during the summers up here in New England.
They kept the rig extremely clean inside and out. I got a great deal on it.
I named her TESSIE. Yes I am a sox fan.
The thing that sold me on this camper was
A: The fact that it has a full 13' slideout (I can see camping in an RV without a slideout but not living in one).
B: The fact that it has a front kitchen which gives you a ton of counter and cab space.
I have added some mods to the camper like a fireplace, Flat screen tv, And many more that I will post pics of down the road.
Here are a few pics I took when I first bought her.

Front kitchen




bedroom



Living room(that tv has been replaced)


Front


Living room Rear



The pictures do not do her justice. I will post more when I get a better camera.

SITE MAP:
THE IDEA
THE CAMPGROUND
THE PULL
THE ROUTE

1: THE IDEA

Well now that I am single, I decided it was time to end the cold life of winters in New England. I decided that I will buy an RV, Find a campground in Florida (hopefully near a good bass lake).And head south for the winter.
The only real challenge I see here is picking up work for the 6 months that I am down there.
I am a contractor, And this is going to be like starting my business up all over again.
I only know one person in Florida, But making new friends has never been a challenge for me.
The purpose of this blog is to just keep a record for myself of all the things I go through over the next 6 months.
This is my truck that I was planning on towing my camper down with but I now know it cannot handle the weight.

UPDATE:
So I fell in love with FLORIDA and I do not see myself heading north anytime soon.

SITE MAP:
THE RIG
THE CAMPGROUND
THE PULL
THE ROUTE