With the departure date for this summer’s adventures fast approaching, the stars aligned and created an opportunity for a short trip which we could use to ensure the RV’s systems are operating correctly. With a planned cycling event in Mount Dora, an appointment in Tarpon Springs, the International Cherry Blossom Festival in Macon, GA and finally a night on a farm for rescued horses, it was a busy 11 days.
The first leg of our trip was to participate in the LIVE IT bicycling event in Mount Dora with friends from the St. Petersburg Bicycle Club. Finding a RV site this time of year in Florida can be a challenge, but we located a site just a couple miles from Mount Dora that caters to seasonal guests (aka ‘snowbirds’) that could accommodate us in their overflow area.
The cycling event was a blast, dinners were delicious, good times were had by all and the weather was perfect. The only scar on the weekend was left on the RV.
The route into the overflow area required weaving between two closely spaced oak trees. For most rigs, it wouldn’t have been a problem, but we are taller than most at 13’6” and the top right edge of the RV brushed against one of the trees causing minor damage. Easily repairable and no one was hurt so it’s all good.
On Monday after the Mount Dora event, I had an appointment in Tarpon Springs. We could have driven back home, put the RV in storage, made the day trip to Tarpon Springs and back, then head off to Macon as scheduled on Tuesday, but why? We have our house with us, so we were lucky enough to find a transient site in another campground that caters to seasonal guests that was just a few minutes from the appointment. Easy in / easy out and no Oak trees to deal with….perfect 😉
Tuesday morning we headed up to Macon. At 6 hours, it was a longer drive that we would usually do in a day, but with two rest stops, it was very doable. The campground we stayed at, Lake Tobesofkee Arrowhead Park, and the waterfront campsite we had reserved made the drive worthwhile. It was a beautiful, well maintained and inexpensive campground which seemed to be known only to the locals. Shhhhh, don’t tell anyone!
Friends from St. Pete, Gary and Wendy, brought their Airstream up to join us in Macon for the Cherry Blossom Festival. Before you get your hopes up, even though the promoters ‘hype’ the event as ‘International’, it pales in comparison to the Cherry Blossom Festival in Washington, D.C.. Not even REMOTELY close. However, it was still a good time with typical small town events like dog dock diving competitions, wiener dog races, trash can races and of course, bed races. The fire department even put on a ‘pink pancake’ breakfast fundraiser at the local baseball stadium.
Wiener Dog Race
Trash Can Race
While in Macon, we also toured the Ocmulgee Mounds National Historic Park where humans have lived for more than 12,000 years, the Hay House built in 1855, the Museum of Aviation at Robbins AFB, and Murphy’s best EVER dog park. The park was several acres in size, a large area of artificial turf, kiddie pools and a LARGE tub of tennis balls. Murphy was in heaven. There was even an Airstream trailer that was converted to a bar serving adult beverages to keep the humans happy.
When the week was over and it was time to head back home we decided to split up that 6 hour drive into two days. We found a small horse ranch that allowed RVs to spend an overnight for a small donation. There were horses (most were rescues), a donkey, Bailey a Great Pyrenees, a very large white duck and of course a cat. The horses and donkey have learned that as soon as an RV shows up, they should expect carrots. What fun.
Of course there was a large pond and sticks in the area. Murphy was never on a leash from the time we arrived until departure and had a blast. As predicted, he pouted a bit after departure, but he knows there are more fun times to come soon.
Very interesting web-site and information-well done.
looking forward to your stay at the elk farm. Thanks Henry
Wow, you guys know how to travel.
I love the pics of Mr. Murf doing the Murphy thing !
That boy has it figured out.
Thanks for taking us along—-
Wes
And you are off!!
Here’s to fabulous traveling in 2023!
Good for you two – living life and doing what you love! Hope you drive that RV out west someday; would love to see you!! Sandie
wow what a trip. It was almost like being with you without the long drive. I loved everything mentioned especially Murphy. What a beautiful dog.
The Horse rescue was very interesting as well. They looked like they are well taken care off. Di they place the rescues with deserving people. The area was beautiful for sure.
Sounds like you have an exciting summer ahead of you.
Please keep us posted, with pictures, ocf course
Ron Keffer
Love the addition of race videos this year! Nice post, Dave. Looks like a fabulous shakedown trip. We’re excited to join the RV fun with you this summer. Hope Murphy got some of that whipped cream! 😋
DeeDee