Time to Get Loaded....

Discussion in 'Adventure, Hiking, Backpacking and Travel' started by Dennis Adams, Jan 8, 2019.

  1. Dennis Adams

    Dennis Adams Member

    Messages:
    825
    Likes Received:
    2,326
    Gender:
    Male
    Location:
    East Tennessee
    image.jpeg

    image.jpeg

    Yep, it's that time of year again.
    We've had a very mild Winter in east TN so far this Season, but why stick around if you can go south or southwest and hopefully get back into shorts, beach bars, fishing and boating. We've spent two winters in The SW and last winter in FL for six weeks. It's back to Florida.

    Instead of scurrying around at the last minute loading up in 20 degree weather like last year we were able to get a jump on things these last few days that have been in the sixties and almost hit seventy yesterday.

    Almost everything is aboard now with the exception of clothes, food and things that might not like the cold.

    This year is going to be a different story. We're not going as far south, no Keys this trip.
    We are Driving less and staying in State Park Campgrounds more, no private parks, well maybe one if we stop in at Hilton Head.

    A big change will be towing a vehicle. This will be a new experience, not the towing part but loosing some maneuvering capability...so we broke the bank and ordered a 2018 Jeep Wrangler JL, soft top.
    It's not a Rubicon but it's pretty sweet. Had it for about 3 months and have been doing the DIY getting it tow worthy.

    Taking the Achilles inflatable boat and motor again but instead of a hitch platform the gear is in the Jeep this year.

    It will be nice to setup "camp" not have to breakdown and have a vehicle to do more in depth "exploring".
    More flexibility.

    As it stands now, If the weather cooperates and stays in the fifties we visit Hilton Head for a couple of days. About an 8 hour drive.

    Fort Clinch State Park, Anna Maria Island, Fernandina Beach area. 10 days.
    Anastasia State Park, St Augustine area, 10 days.
    Gamble Rogers State Park, Flagler Beach, 14 days.
    Grayton State Park, lower panhandle 2 days.
    Topsail Hill State Park, Destin, 14 days.

    Looking forward to chillin at beach bars, grillin, surf fishing, eating seafood, hanging with friends, and rubber boating.
     
    Last edited: Jan 8, 2019
    junglebum, BigJake, CWB and 9 others like this.
  2. Dennis Adams

    Dennis Adams Member

    Messages:
    825
    Likes Received:
    2,326
    Gender:
    Male
    Location:
    East Tennessee
    Hawkeye5, martin_j001 and Strigidae like this.
  3. OutdoorsFamilyMan

    OutdoorsFamilyMan Member

    Messages:
    1,732
    Likes Received:
    2,652
    Gender:
    Male
    Location:
    Ohio
    Got room for 1 more?
     
    junglebum and Dennis Adams like this.
  4. Adventurer

    Adventurer Member

    Messages:
    517
    Likes Received:
    688
    Gender:
    Male
    Location:
    Wisconsin
    Keep us updated with pics along the way. Like seeing other parts of the country...
     
  5. Dennis Adams

    Dennis Adams Member

    Messages:
    825
    Likes Received:
    2,326
    Gender:
    Male
    Location:
    East Tennessee
    Will do. Leaving this Friday, good weather window to get south although I see it's going to be 48 in NE FL for a day...
    Then warming up.
     
    Bushman5 likes this.
  6. Adventurer

    Adventurer Member

    Messages:
    517
    Likes Received:
    688
    Gender:
    Male
    Location:
    Wisconsin
    Good time to head south. It's going to be cold here on Saturday. 16 degrees for the high and 2 degrees for the low... :(

    @Bushman5 - Which part of Canada are you from? Are the temps below zero in your neck of the woods?
     
  7. Dennis Adams

    Dennis Adams Member

    Messages:
    825
    Likes Received:
    2,326
    Gender:
    Male
    Location:
    East Tennessee
    Day one:
    410 miles. Jeep towed well. One fuel stop. Heavy traffic southbound especially 95.
    Passed a Walmart, with about 15 transient RVs resting.
    Stayed at a KOA, SE, SC, it had a bar with a microbrew, which is unusual, Palmetto Beer from Charleston.

    Day two:
    50 miles.
    Hilton Head for two days.
    Nice private RV Park.
    Gale warnings tonight winds 15-35 knots.
    High of 40 tomorrow.
     
    BigJake, mtngoat and Bushman5 like this.
  8. Dennis Adams

    Dennis Adams Member

    Messages:
    825
    Likes Received:
    2,326
    Gender:
    Male
    Location:
    East Tennessee
    20190123_130804.jpg

    20190122_113732.jpg

    20190122_112704.jpg

    20190122_113338.jpg

    Two days in Hilton Head, an unremarkable over priced locale.
    Jeeped
    around.
    Good bike riding area.
    Visited Harbor town, it was relatively cold and Gale Warning windy.
    Did have a good seafood gumbo bowl and crab cakes.

    Now on Amelia Island. Fort Clinch State Park. Beach Campground. Variable weather. 50 and sunny today been as high as mid 60s.
    Getting in lots of walking on the beach and the Town of Fernandina Beach.
    Quaint Town, lots of history, good bars.
    Checked out Amelia Island Plantation
    jive golf resort. Walked the Property.
    Here are some pics.
     
    Last edited: Jan 25, 2019
  9. Dennis Adams

    Dennis Adams Member

    Messages:
    825
    Likes Received:
    2,326
    Gender:
    Male
    Location:
    East Tennessee
    20190126_122356.jpg

    20190126_120500.jpg

    20190126_112720.jpg

    20190126_131757.jpg

    Today we did some beach and jungle Jeeping. 4WD only. 4H got the job done.
    And a fried grouper platter!
     
    BigJake, McKROB, Hawkeye5 and 3 others like this.
  10. Dennis Adams

    Dennis Adams Member

    Messages:
    825
    Likes Received:
    2,326
    Gender:
    Male
    Location:
    East Tennessee
    20190202_104418.jpg Now at Anastasia State Park. St Augustine.
    Looking forward to some weather warm-up.
    Came in on the last night of the City of Lights Season.
    Did some Right Whale watching with a Coastal Volunteer Group. No sightings. The WWII location was on the whale watching stops.
    The rig on the Jeep is in one of the campsites.
    20190131_192320.jpg

    20190201_135135.jpg

    20190201_104900.jpg

    20190204_090927.jpg

    20190202_154442~2.jpg

    20190204_161046(1).jpg
     
    Last edited: Feb 4, 2019
    BigJake likes this.
  11. Dennis Adams

    Dennis Adams Member

    Messages:
    825
    Likes Received:
    2,326
    Gender:
    Male
    Location:
    East Tennessee
    20190202_151652_001.jpg


    20190201_141908.jpg
     
    BigJake and IW17 like this.
  12. Dennis Adams

    Dennis Adams Member

    Messages:
    825
    Likes Received:
    2,326
    Gender:
    Male
    Location:
    East Tennessee
    A few beachcombing finds, first sharks tooth.
    Warm today mid 70s and sunny.

    20190205_095334.jpg 20190206_152613.jpg

    Some Class B cruisers hanging in the Anastasia State Park beach parking lot. Winnebago. Hymer. Roadtrek. Rv2. Great say to hit the road.

    The Winnebago Travato (Dodge Promaster Chassis) in the foreground equipped with the Pure 3 system is a recent development with a very large
    lithium ion battery bank. No generator. The engine and solar PV panels charge the batteries.

    www.lichtsinn.com/product/new-2019-winnebago-travato-59kl-1004972

    The Pure 3 Volta Power Systems automotive grade 48V energy pack provides 8,700 watt hours, nearly double that of Roadtrek and more than Coachmen. The energy pack is watertight, durable with the steel housing being the safest on the market, and batteries are climate controlled.

    The Pure 3 provides complete 30 AMP whole coach electricity using a 3,600 watt pure sine inverter. The Travato’s dedicated 58 volt alternator, or under hood generator, is twice as powerful as competitors. Its compact design keeps it out of the way of curbs and road debris and the auto start and high idle control significantly extends air conditioner run time.

    The MPPT solar controller provides best in class solar absorption, up to 30 percent better than competitors, giving you more off the grid performance.

    Simple, seamless operation with one touch button controls incorporate automatic engine start when the battery is low and can recharge a fully depleted system in approximately 1.4 hours.
     
    Last edited: Feb 6, 2019
    BigJake, IW17 and Bushman5 like this.
  13. Dennis Adams

    Dennis Adams Member

    Messages:
    825
    Likes Received:
    2,326
    Gender:
    Male
    Location:
    East Tennessee
    Spent the better part of today working on the logistics for a trip to Alaska later this Summer for two months.
    And cooked up a healthy dinner...

    20190208_164956.jpg


    20181228_174700.jpg
     
    BigJake, OKcherokee and Hawkeye5 like this.
  14. Bushman5

    Bushman5 Member

    Messages:
    12,319
    Likes Received:
    26,033
    Gender:
    Male
    Location:
    west
    check out the YUKON too!!!!!!!

    :)
     
    Dennis Adams likes this.
  15. Hawkeye5

    Hawkeye5 Member

    Messages:
    283
    Likes Received:
    484
    Gender:
    Male
    Location:
    Texas
    I love Yuengling. We don't have it here in Texas.
     
  16. Dennis Adams

    Dennis Adams Member

    Messages:
    825
    Likes Received:
    2,326
    Gender:
    Male
    Location:
    East Tennessee
    Had a couple of Yuengling drafts with this afternoons $5 burgers.
    Got started on America's oldest brews about 20 years ago when I discovered it in Pittsburg. Pretty much our go to brew these days. Plenty of good TX beers.
     
    OKcherokee and Hawkeye5 like this.
  17. Dennis Adams

    Dennis Adams Member

    Messages:
    825
    Likes Received:
    2,326
    Gender:
    Male
    Location:
    East Tennessee
    We got the utility trailer out of storage today. Tomorrow well get our gear together and prepped for some rubber boating.

    From shore today we saw a Right Whale and its calf. About a half mile out.
    So far this Season there have been 6 spotted.
    The first sighted along the FL coast in 2.5 years. Ive seen two out of the 6.
    They summer in Maine and the Bay of Fundy.
    Winter and calf in FL.

    https://www.news-journalonline.com/news/20190212/6th-right-whale-calf-seen-off-flagler-beach
     
    Last edited: Feb 12, 2019
    OKcherokee likes this.
  18. Dennis Adams

    Dennis Adams Member

    Messages:
    825
    Likes Received:
    2,326
    Gender:
    Male
    Location:
    East Tennessee
  19. Jeff Randall

    Jeff Randall ESEE Knives / Randall's Adventure & Training Staff Member

    Messages:
    11,371
    Likes Received:
    18,229
    Gender:
    Male
    Location:
    Alabama
    Man, living the life. I've been following this post and have enjoyed it.
     
    OKcherokee and Dennis Adams like this.
  20. Dennis Adams

    Dennis Adams Member

    Messages:
    825
    Likes Received:
    2,326
    Gender:
    Male
    Location:
    East Tennessee
    If you do a search on Right Whales you can learn more.
    The lack of sightings for 2.5 years must be Gulf Stream related since the recent sightings confirm they are traversing as "normal".
    Apparently there were 16 calves in 16?

    http://www.newsdaytonabeach.com
     
    Last edited: Feb 13, 2019

Share This Page