Lulu gave a background talk about much of Jean's work
Lulu and I love to travel. Many of our trips were made from Pennsylvania to Florida in cars - buses - and campers. We recently bought a 2002 Roadtrek Class B Motorhome. So Friday - we had a chance to take it on an 800 mile shakedown cruise. First - I will talk about the trip - then second- I will review the camper.
We left home at 8 AM on Friday. We had the camper stocked with food - clothes - and bikes. We headed down the Interstate to Jensen Beach FL - about 400 miles away - just 100 miles short of Miami. Lulu wanted to be at an event to honor Jean Lowry - a world famous school library expert. Jean was 95 on Friday and she has been an icon for the profession. To give you some idea of the length of her career - Lulu will be 60 next year and Jean was the president of the American Association of School Librarians the year that Lulu was born - 1954. So Florida State University had this event in Jean's honor.
Mafe Brooks - Kathy Burnett - and Lulu - all FSU faculty pose with Jean. Jean gave a talk that reviewed the profession for the last 70 years.
After the party at Jensen Beach FL - Lulu and I enjoyed some sunset time - beautiful waves - wonderful colors - and no one else on the beach. Then we drove to Melbourne and stayed our first night in the camper.
Saturday morning we drove to Disneyworld. The campground was full - but at the gate they waved us through and told us to park and go to the desk at Fort Wilderness hoping for some no-show space. We had no luck - but since our camper was safely inside Disneyworld - we took the bikes out of the coach - and went for a ride to Wilderness Lodge. We then went to Epcot - Hollywood Studios - and Boardwalk. When we returned to our camper - we drove to The Grand Floridian Hotel for supper and fireworks. Again - they waved us right into the parking lot - free. We had supper at 8 - fireworks were to start at 9. After the fireworks - we turned the camper north.
Lulu's favorite hotel is the Wilderness Lodge. It reminds us of Yellowstone Park and the Grand Canyon. They even have a replica geyser that fires off faithfully.
While riding our bikes back to Fort Wilderness - we came across about a dozen deer that were not bashful. Disney has some great bike paths where you do not have to fight cars.
Lulu is easy to please. Just get her cotton candy - a candy apple - and fireworks and she is good for another 1000 miles. We watched the fireworks from the Grand Floridian Hotel. At 9:30 - we left and spent our second night in Clermont FL - about 30 miles up the road.
On Sunday - we had lunch at Gainesville and shopped in the Oaks Mall. We did not buy anything but had a wonderful lunch and brew at BJ's Brewhouse. Ironically -- BJ's just built a new restaurant in Tallahassee this weekend - about one mile from our home. But we had our first sample in Gainesville. Lulu is expressing her displeasure with a Florida Gator Store.
Our camper gave us two free nights of lodging. It went 800 miles - and got 14 MPG. Inside and out - it looks new. Not bad for 11 years old and 28000 miles. Some people brag about getting 20 miles per gallon in their Trek. I am guessing they cruise at 50 miles per hour. We set the cruise for 62 MPH and most of those miles were on I-75 in the right lane.
Live TV going down the road. We use an iPhone hooked directly to the AV ports on the TV. The iPhone is receiving the programming directly from our home TV using the iPhone app - Slingbox.
While I drove - Lulu kept up with the Florida State Volleyball Team. They beat Pittsburgh in 3 games straight on Sunday afternoon.
Our Roadtrek is special. Although it is 11 years old - it only has 28000 miles on it. A local doctor owned it and used it for traveling - not camping. The camper seats 6+. It sleeps 4. It has a full bathroom with hot shower - full kitchen with microwave and gas stove.
It has a Dodge 318 V8 engine. I swear the automatic transmission shifts 5 times. We put new Michelin tires on its beautiful chrome steel wheels. In the back is a full bed - and the front the seats turn into two single beds. The windows are tinted limo black for complete privacy. It also has a full set of curtains. The center of the unit folds to make a patented bathroom with a full standup shower. Nothing like a nice hot shower to refresh a worn out tourist.
The Roadtrek is made in Canada. They are famous for being insulated for winter travel. They have a gas furnace with thermostat - two air conditioners - and a 120 volt generator. The refrigerator runs on gas or electricity.
We added something to its LED television and DVD player. Using our iPhone - Slingbox - and Internet - we can watch the programming from our home TV. You can watch live programming - like football games - or watch shows that you recorded while you are away from home. Both Lulu and I enjoyed watching TV at bedtime and also going down the road.
We got home at 4:30 on Sunday - relaxed - and Lulu prepared for a 6 day trip to Washington on Tuesday. Most of her trip is business - she will fly - but the weekend will be spent at Drew's home in Richmond. The Everhart 8 will watch the Clemson/FSU game together - including me.
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