Florida Coalcracker Chronicles: Christmas Camper Trip Home To Pennsylvania With Mum Mum

Lulu loves Christmas. She loves wrapping - giving presents and decorating. She loves seeing her family. A Christmas without family really bums her out. To me - it is my job to make it all happen. The grandkids look forward to Mum Mum's visits.

Our campsite in Washington

Living in Florida away from family can be the worst time of the year. So Lulu set up her Christmas tree early. She wanted to travel north in the camper. Even with all the bad weather possibilities - the luxury of stacking her wrapped presents in the camper for a trip north is the incentive.

Everhart 9 in Washington for Christmas

On December 19th - we pulled out of Tallahassee - all our camper cabinets filled with presents and citrus fruit. When we were kids - fresh tangerines and oranges in our stockings were a treat. So I picked two baskets full right before we pulled out. In the old days - Henry Flagler would load fresh citrus fruit on his train trips north to incite people to visit his hotels in Florida. One of the original reasons for football bowl games was to encourage people to head to Florida for the winter.

Two nights with Paul and Evelyn in NC

We planned to spend the first night in the camper on the road - but while we were zooming along the highway without stops - we soon decided to hit our first destination early. Paul and Evelyn live in St. James Plantation - next to Southport NC. They encouraged us to keep coming and spend 2 nights. We loved our stay in their beautiful new home. Paul had solar panels put on his home the day before - we enjoyed the mechanics and science. It was 700 miles from home to Southport NC. (Dec 19 - 21)

Our next stop would be Drew's. It was 200 miles to Richmond. The weather was good. We had sunshine - and 40s and 50s. It was time for Christmas presents for the grandkids. The Everhart Home was lovely for Christmas. I got to go to a VCU basketball game with Drew and Jack. VCU has sold out 125 games straight - about 9000 people each. Lulu went to see Mary Poppins with Robin and Kate. (Dec 21 - 23)

The camper at Drew's in Richmond

The busiest road we hit was I-95 from Richmond to Washington DC. We hit some traffic and a slowdown for a wreck - but covered the 100 miles without a mishap. I always think of the 2 capitals in the Civil War being so close - even in 1865 - they were a few hours apart by train. But when President Lincoln visited the defeated capital - he chose to come by boat. He went down the Potomac and up the James River. It was nice having the bathroom in our Roadtrek on this segment of the trip. Lulu also fixed our meals on the road - we love stopping at restaurants but find the meals are high in calories. We still love Cracker Barrel - and BBQ places - just not the calories.

Max loves Mum Mum reading to him

In Washington DC - we parked the Roadtrek in Keith's driveway. It fit perfectly and we ran an extension cord to keep the batteries charged and the furnace - hot water - and refrigerator running. We stayed in the Hilton across the street but we kept the camper thermostat set to 60 degrees so that the tanks would not freeze. We also put pink non-toxic antifreeze in the tanks. (Dec 23-27)

WASHINGTON HILTON - Our home for 4 nights.

The National Cathedral - Liz went
to school there

Lulu got a great deal with the Hilton. Over the holidays it is empty - and we got an executive room for $110 a night with tax. Keith's home is right across Florida Avenue. For 5 days - we enjoyed visiting with Max on his first real Christmas. It was the best. On December 23rd - the Everhart 9 gathered for dinner and presents. Lulu made chicken and pasta. We walked around Washington - enjoying the sights of a shutdown city. Lulu brought along an extra Christmas tree for our hotel.

When we checked into the Hilton - we drove right up to the front door in the Roadtrek. Lulu unloaded all her presents - bags - and holiday stuff. The bell hop went nuts over the camper - we invited him in. Maybe he just wanted a big tip - he should know better with me. When Lulu checked in - she put a $20 bill between her license and credit card. She asked for an upgrade to the executive suites. The host complied. But she also gave Lulu 8 - $25 breakfast buffet coupons - the best breakfast in the town. Diet be damned! She then handed the $20 back saying - this will not be necessary :-) We only paid $110 a night for 4 nights - and we got $200 in free buffets! This is the hotel where Reagan was shot. In our eyes - it will change to the hotel that gave us all those free buffets. I then drove the camper across the street and parked it on Keith's land - and plugged it into 120 volts. We could have stayed right in the camper - but the Hilton was awesome.

THE BIG SURPRISE - I AM GONNA ROCK YOUR WORLD

Roy S Everhart at National Cemetery

Lulu had given me my presents - a rear camera system for the camper - and AirPods - on Christmas. But when we woke up on Dec 27th - she took my head in her hands - looked me in the eye - and said "I am going to rock your world today!" It was more of a threat or warning. She just said to follow her directions today - no back talk.

We drove the back way to Pennsylvania - through Frederick MD - and Gettysburg PA. When we got to Harrisburg - she said it was her turn to drive. I slid over. She turned toward Allentown - and got off the highway near Hershey. I wondered why we were going to Hershey - did she have a date set up in the Kissing Tower?

National Cemetery at Indiantown - near Hershey

When we were passing Fort Indiantown National Cemetery - she turned into the gate. I had no idea what was going on. She said to have my camera ready. It was nearing 3 PM - and I saw military troops nearby - guns - flags - cameras. I got out of the camper - she walked me to a wall. A couple of years ago - Lulu started research on my grandfather and it was all culminating here. On the wall was a plaque to honor him - Roy S Everhart - he was killed in action - on July 4th 1942 - on a ship sunk by the Germans in World War II.

Since I was his namesake grandson - previously the government had presented to me 4 medals that were awarded to my grandfather posthumously. As I was in tears - several of my cousins appeared out of nowhere. We hugged and kissed like old times. It was one of the most humbling moments of my life. Lulu rocked my world - she made me laugh and cry all in one day. While I may get lost about what all this means to me - the most important thing it meant to me was that NANCY went thru a lot of trouble for this to happen.

Even though my grandfather left the family when my Dad was young - I have chosen the Christian thing to do - to forgive him and honor his death for our country.

When I thought the surprise was over - an officer told me that there will be a full military honors ceremony for my grandfather at 3 PM.

We all went to the chapel. They had the ceremony - the bugle - the guns - the changing guards - the three blasts. Then the commander looked me in the eye and presented the honors to me - for my grandfather. I mumbled a few words. It was over.

Lulu and my friend Sally - had a dinner arranged locally. My cousins and I chatted a couple hours. Then we all parted. In a daze - we were back on the road - in the dark - at 6 PM. In an hour or so - we were at our next destination - a Residence Inn near our old hometown - Tamaqua PA.

TAMAQUA

Leiby's Restaurant counter still there

It took us about 1200 miles to get to Tamaqua from Tallahassee with our sidesteps. We like this Residence Inn - because it is close to Tamaqua - it is new - we get a suite with kitchen and living room - Lulu gets the rooms free on Marriot points - a nice pool - breakfast - and we can entertain. (Dec 27 - 30)

Mother and Daughter tea at Leiby's

We got a dusting of snow there - and the weather dropped a little below freezing. The camper stayed toasty because we left the heat on. We refilled our propane tank at Banditelli's. We visited Lulu's Mom. We went to Nesquehoning to see Lori's new home. We visited Aunt Delores in the Hi-Rise. We spent time with Paul and Shirley Dodson. We saw Jean and Bill Stolz and got a VIP tour of the Tamaqua Museum. We took Betty for dinner at Leiby's Restaurant. Lulu visited Jean at DiMaggios. I got to visit Ben and Melanie Turrano. I ran into Tish Hotsko at Boyer's. I also saw Kenny Brobst. George and MaryRuth Taylor came to the hotel to sit and gab with us. While dropping by our old house by the Bungalow - the new owner Regina Casella insisted we come in to see our old home. We loved the changes they made - and the beautiful decorations. It made us feel so good with another family enjoying the house - walking to schools - playing in the park - swimming in the Bungalow.

We got a tour of our old house.
We built it from a cedar kit.
Lived there 30 years.

We attended a church service with sister Lori and cousins Bill - and Ruthann at the Tamaqua PM Church on Hunter Street. We also attended a Christmas Eve ceremony at the Washington Cathedral. We enjoyed the Festival of Lights at the Washington National Zoo with Max - Keith - and Liz.

Cousins on Aunt Ethel's bench at
PM Church

Our last stop was in Wilmington DE to visit my sister Judy. We had supper at the country club. We wanted to spend one night in the camper on the trip - so Judy's driveway was big and had an electrical outlet. Temperatures hit 30 degrees - but the camper was warm. We had breakfast with Judy - had a shower indoors - and started home.

We drove right by Washington and Richmond this time. We stopped at a Fairfield Inn in Smithfield NC and finally in Savannah GA so Lulu could shop at the outlets.

The whole trip took 2500 miles and 2 weeks. The camper performed great. We got between 14 and 18 miles per gallon. We cruised at 62 MPH. While one of us drove - the other napped - or read - or watched TV. We had lots of rain - but no freezing. We had a dusting of snow - nothing that stuck on the road.

Lulu loved her Christmas. She got to see almost everyone. We opened presents - had Christmas feasts - enjoyed the kids and grandkids and the places of our childhood. It recharged our batteries.

The highlight for me was the full military honors for my grandfather. She certainly rocked my world.