Month: February 2024

After 2 weeks at a campground with very poor cell service and internet, I can finally get back to posting again. Also, it is our first rainy day after 35 days on the road. This post covers our trip from Michigan to northern Florida.

We left earlier than planned, for our southern camping journey. We made two overnight stops, first in Kentucky, then Alabama.

Our third stop at T.H. Stone State Park, was a last-minute add-on. The park had been closed since hurricane Michael destroyed it in 2018. By chance, Dave happened to notice, one day, that booking for this newly renovated campground  was finally available. It is a beatiful park, located on Cape San Blas, outside of Port St. Joe in the Florida panhandle. We were able to visit nearby Appalaciacola, which we really enjoyed a couple of years ago. This park was the highlight of the first part of our journey.

Our fourth stop was one night at Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center State Park. I never heard of the guy, but was surprised to realize that I know some of his songs: “Old Folks Home” (Way down upon the Suwannee River), “Camptown Races”, “Jeanie with the Light Brown Hair” and “Oh, Susanna”. How on earth I know these songs, written in the mid 1800’s, is beyond me.

Next stop, Fort DeSoto!

This will be my quickest post, ever!

I just returned from 3 nights at Stokely Creek Lodge in Goulais River, Ontario. It is a back-country lodge with an extensive cross-country ski trail sytem, perfectly groomed for both classic and skating. There is also an extensive snowshoe trail system.  My friend, Marcy and I spent 3 nights at the lodge and had 4 days of wonderful skiing.  We have been skiing there together for 29 years. This was our first time back since 2020.

The entire midwest is snow-free, due to abnormally warm temperatures, but there is snow at Stokely. It is located east of Lake Superior, creating the best chances for snow anywhere.

I mostly used my classic, no-wax skis, as waxing was challenging due to the high ice content in the snow. I even managed to skate ski for the first time in 4 or 5 years. Wow, was that challenging. I had to re-teach myself how to do it, but succeeded. Marcy skiied and also used her snow shoes.

The food was absolutely fabulous. Somehow, my clothes still fit me ! In addition to enjoying great meals, we also got to meet many skiers from across the US and Canada.

Now, I will finish packing and loading the RV. We are heading south tomorrow. Yayyyy!!!! First stop, Bowling Green, Kentucky.