Well, you probably had an idea we were going to do it, and we did:
A 2020 Winnebago Voyage 3235RL. We did an exhaustive search for a replacement for the Forest River. We began the search the Monday after returning from the scuttled first attempt to the road trip. The search took us to Camping World, RV One Superstore, and Optimum RV in Ocala.
Inventory was very limited due to production pauses caused by the pandemic and an increased demand by consumers. We had to create a priority list of our needs and wishes, i.e. roomy bathroom and living area; space for the cat's litter box; power jacks; outdoor kitchen; booth style dinette, and so on. We soon realized that some of our check boxes were not going to get checked. Eventually the Winnebago won out over the Forest River Flagstaff and a Forest River Vibe.
As you can see the Flagstaff had a great outdoor space and two entry doors but the bathroom was tight and kitchen tighter.
So after first visiting Camping World we eventually circled back to take another look at three trailers there finally choosing the Winnebago because of the great space inside and the quality construction. We did our walkthrough on Monday and took it home.
But wait, there was a shopping cart with our name on it to load up.
Which is exactly what we did!
After four days of loading and preparation we were ready to to resume our trip. Now I had already cancelled all of our previous reservations and it was not easy stringing together campsites using my normal strategy of using my Thousand Trails membership to work my way north. I needed two days of dedicated computer time to put it all together. Our first stop would be Bulow Plantation RV Resort at Flagler Beach. No longer would I drive five or more hours if I could help it; there is too much traffic and a five hour trip can easily become an all day affair causing late arrivals at the campground.
We finally get to relax and raise a toast to the new trailer.
Of course as we all know everything does not come off without a hitch. My first issue was discovered immediately as I set up. As I pressed the buttons to deploy the electric stabilizer jacks I noticed the right rear one was not deploying. I had to crank it manually. No big deal right?
As with anything new or different there is an acclimation period along with a learning curve. Our new refrigerator is more advanced than the old one with a digital temperature read out on the outside. I noticed the temp rising and after 24 hours it was up to 51 degrees. Not a good sign. Luckily we had purchased the platinum extended service plan and that included 24/7 phone support from a technician specializing in any system related to the trailer. After our call the tech determined the heating elements were bad and we would have to run solely off the propane. Hopefully this would work until we figured out what to do.
Next issue: this photo is the under side of the second slide out which holds the refrigerator and stove.
As one can easily see, the floor has gotten wet and the wood has expanded thus causing the protective material to get ripped away when the slide is extended.
THIS CAN'T BE HAPPENING, CAN IT?
This is eerily familiar to the problem in the old trailer. At this point we are in South Carolina and I know there are several Camping Worlds on our route going north. The hard part will be getting an appointment. I am totally dejected by this latest discovery. As I call two different Camping Worlds I realize we will have to live with this for weeks. No one can get us in.
I then get an idea. We were planning on staying at Doreen's mothers anyway so I can drop the trailer off at the nearest Camping World to get the work done and when it is ready for pickup we can resume the road trip. The earliest appointment I could obtain was for August 20. Leave Lancaster, drop off the trailer, and head for Jessup.
In the mean time we will try to relax and have some fun. We leave Bulow Plantation for Lenoir, North Carolina, Green Mountain Park in the western area of the state.
A very nice campground nestled in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains.
Lenoir is a small city with a no too vibrant downtown.
Of course there is the obligatory Confederate monument on display.
We wanted to have a cold drink and a bite to eat but all the establishments in the area were not open until 4 PM so we walked around and checked out the antique store.
Finally, 4PM, off to the Side Street Pour House and Grill.
Next stop was Pipestem Resort State Park in West Virginia.
Pipestem, an abundant local plant also known as a meadowsweet plant, was used by Native Americans and early pioneers to make the shafts for their pipes. An array of activities are available in the park including two golf courses, a zipline course, archery, riding stables, hiking paths, restaurants, a lodge and cabins and great views of the Bluestone River Gorge.
The above photo was taken on our way to an urgent care center in the closest town, Hinton. Doreen was having an ear ache with dizziness. The doctor prescribed some antibiotics and we were on our way.
Four days later and back on the road. Next stop was Creekside Campground in Edinburg, Virginia.
Creekside was just a last stop before Pennsylvania and we didn't have any plans for any activities. Which happened to work out because Doreen was having some gastro-intestinal problems and had to go to the ER. We drove to the nearest hospital in Woodstock, VA.
Nothing like a seven hour emergency room visit. Blood work and a CAT scan showed a bad case of diverticulitis. They pumped her full of two different intravenous antibiotics and wrote her two prescriptions. If you are keeping track, this visit makes it 4 states in which we have been to emergency rooms or urgent cares over the course of our travels; Wisconsin, California, West Virginia, and now Virginia.
