We remain in Darien, Georgia, and will probably stay here for a while. The RV parks in Florida are filling up fast with snowbirds and since the weather is pretty darn nice here in Georgia, we thought we’d hang around for at least another week.
We continue to settle into this new lifestyle and are constantly amazed at how easy the settling has become. It’s very different from how our previous 60+ years were lived, and the things we worried about and busied ourselves with don’t seem to exist in this new lifestyle. The days are easy with activities happening spontaneously or being easily planned yet with options for change at a moments notice. The days always seem to be filled and the next morning finds us again eager to rise and start anew. Perhaps I shouldn’t admit it but it’s been a while since I’ve felt as positive day-after-day-after-day. (For those of you really curious, the king bed is extremely comfortable, the shower is large with plenty of hot water and the toilet and septic system are excellent. It’s not anything like we’ve all seen in the movies!)
The RV park is itself an interesting little community. Perfectly entertaining for someone such as myself who enjoys watching and studying people and their interactions. Some appear to be full time residents and the rest come and go every few days — like a tide, in and out. We’ve found the great majority to be friendly and helpful but our experience at the moment is that there’s a lack of diversity which is a shame.
One thing this journey is doing is confirming Bonnie and I are genuinely compatible and great friends to boot. That’s imperative with a small living space and one vehicle forcing us to spend the majority of our time together.
We’re seeing the local sites and enjoying being along the coast. A visit to Jekyll Island, just south of Darien, found a beach eroding back into a forest leaving uprooted dead trees laying in mass upon the beach as driftwood. It’s not marked and we only located it after reading about in on the Internet and looking for parked cars at the head of the path leading to the beach. It was an amazing find.
Another day we returned to Saint Simon Island so Maggie could again run like crazy and play with more four legged friends. Hard to believe a couple of weeks ago we were worried about her adapting and now she totally loves it. Life is good for Maggie!
We also visited and walked the trails of the Butler Island Plantation. In the late 1800’s it was the largest rice plantation in the south and many of the old rice fields can still be seen. There are miles of trails around and among the fields and waterways.
So that’s how we’re spending our days– finishing with some relaxing time in the evenings that includes a little wine, preparing an easy meal, sometimes grilling out, or getting fresh local seafood. There’s so much to see and learn and do and we don’t even truly feel like we’ve gotten started yet.
I thought those images looked familiar – we visited Jekyll Island a few years ago and had a really good time on Driftwood Beach. Must be a lot of new stuff there. I don’t remember seeing as many standing trees, especially the one that looks like a totem pole. Our only problem was that it rained much of the time. Not much to do there if it’s raining.
Sounds like things are going very well. If you don’t mind my asking, how much (on average) does it cost to stay in parks like this for a week? Gotta be cheaper than hotels, right?
Driftwood beach is still actively eroding, growing and changing. At a few spots you had to carefully pick your way around and over a driftwood maze. At one point I’d climbed up about 6-7′ on a fallen tree for the view and photo opportunity and first thing I knew Maggie scampered up the tree trunk to be with me. It was interesting and ungraceful getting us both down safely — a lot of butt bumping. :-)
Of course the price varies just like it does with hotels but we’ve got a budget we’re trying to stick to. The RV park we are current at is a nice clean but nothing fancy park for $180/week. That includes all electric, water, sewer, trash disposal, WIFI Internet, and basic+ cable connection. Propane gas, used for cooking and some heating, is extra requiring refilling of two 30lb tanks. Lower monthly rates can be had but most parks meter and charge for electricity separately at the monthly rate.
Our next stop will be in northern Florida and will be a monthly stay. For this stop we found a rural park with full services that will average $10 a day + Electricity and Gas. However, we’ve found some that are $1200 per month or more. The more touristy the location and the more park amenities (pool, clubhouse, social events, etc) the higher the price. We prefer to stay someplace quiet and don’t mind driving a little ways to see the sites. We also like having space to walk with Maggie.
We need to hang around in Florida until after 6 months passes on our purchase of the trailer and truck so we don’t have to pay Florida sales tax when we register them. ;-)
Always good to hear your reports. I smiled when you mentioned the positive relationship you and Bonnie are realizing you have.
The person you do something like this with is of upmost importance because if you don’t or can’t get along it’s going to get pretty stressful fast! :-) Thanks, Monte.
When I first saw the pictures, I thought … that’s Driftwood Beach on Jekyll Island. I took my first photo workshop there. It was a great place to photograph. If you’re going to be in the area for a bit, I’d say do a little bit of crabbing off of the pier at St. Simon’s Island. Great fun to be had with a crab basket, a rope, and some chicken backs! :D
It’s the “Small World” situation — we spent an interesting peaceful afternoon wandering Driftwood Beach. One of the beaches on Saint Simon’s Island is currently Maggie’s favorite place in the whole world and we’ve visited there a lot. Maggie’s even gotten so she’ll charge into the tidal pools and surf while playing — we’ve learned to put an old towel in the truck. What a change for her. We don’t even know this dog anymore.
Haven’t tried a crab basket and chicken backs. :-)
I have heard a lot about Jekyll Island and its driftwood – your shots give me a much better impression of what it is like. Looks like a very interesting place – one that I would really like. (mental note – go to Jekyll Island!)
Well, I think your questions of how Maggie would adapt are certainly answered! Seems this life on the road and new places to explore every day, while still having a comfortable bed to come back to, are somewhat of a dog’s paradise.
I think you would greatly enjoy Jekyll Island and the other Georgia Golden Islands. They’re far nicer then I ever knew.
Maggie’s certainly becoming a much more well rounded and socialized dog…we hadn’t realized how limiting for her our previous life was and it’s all about her! :-)