Elite Resort at Citrus Valley, FL

Lazy Days gives a thirty-day warranty on their used coaches. Since we will be out of town a good part of those thirty days we thought it prudent to get the coach out of storage and spend a few nights in it. The state park we had hoped to do this in a week ago is full, so we elected to try a nearby upscale resort with owner-owned sites. There were good reviews on-line for Elite Resort at Citrus Valley. It is only a few miles from home so we thought to give it a try. Being close it would allow Barbara to continue seeing her mom daily.

We found the park to be immaculate, with nice facilities, and very friendly people.

All the sites have paver pads, which look nice, but unless you purchase a lot and develop it further the pad really is only big enough to park your coach and another vehicle.

There is no patio, table, or fire ring. I had hoped to have a little room to bring things out of the bays and start reorganizing to make better use of the space and sort out the things that could be left off since there is less storage in this coach. Unless I spread everything out on the sand and grass I was not going to be able to. As is happens it has been rainy and wet the whole time we have been here and that has kept us indoors. So, the lower storage bays will have to wait for another time.

For those that have purchased lots here it is a very nice park. To be useable, the normal sized lots need to be completely paved to allow you sufficient space for outside living; otherwise your sitting area is in front of your coach with the toad. There are very nice larger lots, mostly on corners, but those are owner occupied.

There has been a recent jump in lot prices since demand evidently has risen with the returning economy. For the prices I have heard I would not purchase the remaining lots for the reasons listed. There are some nice looking homes with RV ports adjacent to the park. I would consider one of those over the spaces in the park, but that’s me. Everyone has unique wants, needs, and desires. I am sure the remaining lots will sell because the amenities are very nice, and so are the staff and neighbors.

As for the shakedown, we have a list of things that should be addressed. Chief among them is this:

While drying the stall after my morning shower I heard splashing and a high rate of water flow. I opened the shower door to see the coach being flooded by a broken line under the bathroom sink. Barbara ran out (she who was actually wearing clothes) and saved the day by turning off the water at the outdoor faucet. We then began mopping up. Luckily we stopped it quickly and I do not think any damage was done. Barbara was able to get down in the reduced space under the sink to see that a crimped on water line had come loose from the hot water manifold. It is hard to get to, so we will have Lazy Days fix it, and check all the others as well. We were lucky enough to get an appointment for January 26^th, so stay tuned.

By the way, this is New Years Eve, and I am missing some good football. We have not installed a satellite receiver yet, so no ESPN. We get plenty of over the air channels, though.

To get cable at this park we need to place a cable box at each TV, and since these are flush mounted TVs that are pre-wired I am not going to that trouble. However, I am certainly going to get home tomorrow for the big games.

Out with the Old. In with the New(ish).

We have been at Lazy Days RV Center here in Seffner, FL since Wednesday when we traded our Winnebago Journey for a pre-owned Tiffin Phaeton. The Phaeton was traded in for a 2015 Tiffin and our sales person, Dana Philp, contacted us and told us it was coming in. We gave her a deposit to hold it until we could come down and see it. That was last month. She knew this was one of two coach models we were interested in. (The other was a Newmar)

We wanted a newer coach that was a little shorter than the Journey to make it easier to get into state and national parks, and at 36’ this one fit the bill. It also had the other key elements we were after: tile floors, leather-like upholstery, and a residential refrigerator.

So, we came down Wednesday and checked it out. No major issues, so we made the deal. As is usually the case there were some things that needed to be fixed and we had three accessories we wanted to have added. Lazy Days is very good about fixing any malfunctioning items before you leave and it has taken a few days to get them all sorted out.

We noted that there was an outlet that was not working. While troubleshooting the technician found this as the problem! The original owners were lucky they did not lose the coach to fire!

Moving in.

Just waiting for final fixes. They are closed on Sundays.

Peeking in at night. Sorry for the mess, its moving day.

We were supposed to spend this weekend at Lake Louisa State Park to run systems through their paces, but alas, we are still here. That is not too bad, though. The coach came with a two-year membership to Lazy Days Crown Club. We are in a nice shaded campsite and they are providing breakfast, lunch and a happy hour each day. Not bad at all.

Fort Wilderness

Despite breaking my foot two days before their arrival, we managed to get my son's family set up in our motor home in the 500 loop of Fort Wilderness, Disney World's fabulous campground.

I wish I had a good story to go with the broken foot, but I don't. I was walking up to the pool supply place and "POP". I have to keep all weight off of the right foot and I am wearing a boot cast at all times other than when sleeping. That placed the entire burden of getting ready, loading the motor home, driving it to the campground and setting up, on my hero of a wife Barbara. This was on top of her caring for her elderly mother and coordinating the fostering of dogs for Golden Retreiver Rescue of Mid-Florida. Busy lady.

This was her first time backing into a snug campsite and she did a magnificent job. She got it in on the first try!

Chris, Lisa and Jack (4 years) got two full days in the Magic Kingdom. With the end of daylight savings time the days are quite short right now. It was dark by the time they made their way back to the camp each evening. Still, we managed to grill two nice dinners and share each other's company. Bright and early Sunday morning we had to break camp and get Lisa to the airport. Lisa works for an airline and the family was traveling space available. Orlando is famous for full flights, and Sunday was no exception. They elected to split up with Lisa leaving first to get home to their other son, Ben (8 months) and relieve her mom who had come to babysit. Chris and Jack extended the adventure by renting a car and driving to Jacksonville to stand by for their trip home. It all ended well.

Lots of smiles!

For those of you that have not spent any time at Fort Wilderness I must recommend that you find an opportunity to do so, even if it is just for a few days. As you would expect the park is immaculate and the staff is friendly. There are plenty of activities for kids and miles of bike trails through the forested campground. The facility is very large, but the campsites are nicely spread out in the trees in several loops of about fifty sites each. You do not get the impression of being in as large a facility as it is. Don't have an RV or tent? No problem, they have many cabins as well.

KJ4FWN on the air!

Since we are not travelling much these days I have been participating in the local Amateur Radio Emergency Service supporting Orange County, FL. I have put together a portable radio station to be used in emergency activations, but also with an eye towards bringing it on the RV when we travel. Using this setup in the house with a limited antenna in the attic I have reached other amateur radio operators continents away. The furthest south was in Ecuador. The furthest east has been Ukraine. The way the antenna is oriented I have not contacted, or heard for that matter, anyone further west than Louisiana. My furthest north contact so far is Wisconsin, and that was on reduced transmitter power while on battery. I fully expect to make Canadian contacts from home when I have full power available.

Barbara and Nia followed me to Bill Frederick Park at Turkey Lake here in Orlando for an afternoon test run at setting up the station in the field and operating only on the battery I have built into the box. It was a wonderful afternoon, but a bit hot for spending too much time at the park. For the first time, Barbara got more mosquito bites than I did!

 

Thankfully there was plenty of shade.

For those interested, I am using a Yaesu FT-857D radio, LDG FT-100 antenna tuner, and Buddipole portable antenna. In this case, power is from the on board nine amp hour battery. The box contains a 30 Amp switched power supply for when 110v AC power is available. Automatic transfer from the 110v mains power to battery power is provided by a PWRGate PG40S, which also charges the battery when 110v power is available. This set up acts as an uninterruptible power supply (UPS) similar to what many use with their computers.

Buddipole Vertical Antenna set for 20 meter band.

Monticello, FL

Not much to report today as we continue the drive towards home. It was a fine drive. The new tires are continuing to provide a smoother ride, although who knows; it might be just a mental justification for the expense of the tires.

We have stopped in Monticello, FL at a KOA campground. It is probably the most expensive overnight of the trip and one of the worst campgrounds. Transients are placed in the mud bog behind the rest of the campground. The mosquitoes seem happy to have me back, though.

Nia has resigned herself to a life on the road. She sleeps the entire trip and is ready for dinner on arrival. Being a city girl, she is not too happy with mud, or dust, or gravel. Here at least she has some grass, and that makes her potty breaks easier. Tomorrow she will need to readjust to her home and yard.

Barbara and I are enjoying hummus and pita bread with wine this evening. (Under the watchful gaze of Nia who thinks that if we eat, she should eat, even if she just had dinner) Just because we are in a bog does not mean we have to give up the civilized life! We are trying to eat as much of the leftovers as possible because we will be home this time tomorrow, and the less we have to schlep home from the RV the better. Those who know me will understand that this places me in pig heaven. (Emphasis on heaven, not pig) Leftovers and lots of them.

Back in Gulfport, MS

Our reunion with Jim and Phyllis Kaiserski here in Gulfport, MS was great. We crossed paths here. Jim and Phyllis were westbound in their Tartan sailboat and we were eastbound in our motor home.  The campground and marina are only four miles apart. It was perfect timing and a perfect location.

Dinner last night was at the Half Shell Oyster House. This turned out to be a very good choice. Dinner was great! Remember this one and drop in if you are in Gulfport.

Jim and Phyllis at Half Shell Oyster House

Gulfport was badly damaged in hurricane Katrina. New Orleans gets all the press, but the Mississippi gulf coast was just as ravaged. As a result, the shoreline, marina and buildings near the coast are all new. There is a great beach within walking distance of downtown, and you would be hard pressed to find a better marina.

We met Jim and Phyllis onboard their boat Sisu for coffee and muffins this morning, got to talk more sailing talk, and then wished them well as they sailed off on their return to Niceville, FL.

Bon Voyage Sisu and her crew.

One more stop and we will be home.

Iowa, LA

We had two Toyo M154 tires mounted yesterday afternoon and were on our way first thing this morning. We enjoyed our stay in Kerrville. The Texas Hill Country is a very nice area, and we will return. The new tires are pretty good. They even seem to offer a little softer ride at higher inflation pressures.

Ever wonder what the dog does on long drives?

At five this afternoon we rolled into Cypress Bend RV Park in Iowa, LA. It is a strange place. The campground itself is actually pretty nice. It is just a bit difficult to get into, or find, for that matter. You have to look closely. It is hidden behind a Shell station and a McDonalds. It is immediately adjacent to the off ramp from I-10.

Tight squeeze between Shell station, McDonalds and the offramp.

Not much to report today since it was all spent on the road, and nothing bad happened. Tomorrow we will return to Gulfport, MS and hopefully meet up with friends Jim and Phyllis Kaiserski as they cruise back to Niceville, FL on their sailboat. It will be nice to see them again.