Sun, 3/31/13:
KOA, Nashville, TN, to St. Louis, MO:  An absolutely miserable morning.  We left at 8:45 under leaden skies spitting a steady rain.  In about an hour we drove out of the rain.  Didn’t see the sun until about Paducah, KY.  Another long driving day—for us, anyway. We decided to drive back today instead of tomorrow because snow flurries were in the forecast tomorrow for St. Louis with highs in the low 40s.  When we pulled into the storage area it was 70 degrees. A whole lot better than low 40s!  Back home around 4:00.

Beautiful spring blooms.  Unfortunately, St. Louis is pretty bleak right now.  But it's coming.

Pine Mt. RV Park, Pine Mt., GA, to KOA, Nashville, TN:  A long driving day today.  Got an early start (thankfully), but it took 6 hours plus time to stop and eat and fuel up.  Even though we were on a four-lane, limited-access highway most of the time, there were a lot of small towns we had to go through which showed us down.  We gained an hour though.  We’re finally back on Central Standard Time.  Instead of staying here a couple of days, we’re heading home tomorrow—mainly because of a snow forecast in St. Louis on Monday.  So, we’ll head home tomorrow and hope for the best. It’s raining here now and is supposed to rain all night.  The highest temp we saw today was 68.

Callaway Gardens, Pine Mt. GA
Picture by Mike

Callaway Gardens, Pine Mt. GA

Pine Mt. RV Park, Pine Mt. GA:  Went to FDR’s Little White House today in Warm Springs, GA.  Stopped and had breakfast first in Pine Mt.  Then took the scenic drive through Roosevelt State Forest.  Lots of hiking trails in there.  Wanted to dust off my hiking boots and go for a hike. The Little White House is a cute and very modest little house on top of a hill with a pretty view.  FDR built the house in 1932 while governor of New York.  He first came to Warm Springs in 1924 hoping to find a cure for polio that had struck him in 1921.  The warm waters didn’t provide a cure, but it did help some.  After visiting the Little White House, we fueled up the truck and went back to our park.  Tomorrow we leave for Nashville for a couple of days.  73 today.

This is an overlook near the Little White House where FDR liked to come and sit quietly and maybe have a picnic.  A picnic to him was linen-draped tables with silver service.
Picture by Mike

FDR had this grill built on this spot to make picnics easier.  The view is of the Pine Mt. valley.  A beautiful spot.
Picture by Mike

The Little White House.  All the furniture was built at Val Kil, the furniture factory that Eleanor Roosevelt started to help employ people who were out of work.  The house has a big deck in back that looks out over a forested area.  He loved sitting out there.  He suffered a stroke in this house while posing for a portrait which was never finished.  He died a couple of days after.  

This picture was taken from the porch of the Little White house.  The building on the left was the garage and servant quarters.  The building on the right was the guest house.

Pine Mt. RV Park, Pine Mt., GA:  Off to Callaway Gardens this morning.  Arrived around 11:30 and had lunch.  Then explored around.  The azalea gardens were at about 80%.  Too much cold weather lately.  A beautiful day today though.  Clear blue skies and it warmed up to around 66. Stopped to pick up some KFC for dinner. 

Pioneer cabin--built in 1830.  Owners raised 13 children in this cabin.
Callaway Gardens, GA

Mike amid the azaleas--Callaway Gardens, GA

Azalea!

Chapel at Callaway Gardens, GA

KOA, Valdosta, GA, to Pine Mt. RV Park, Pine Mt., GA:  Left this morning at 9:45.  Back on I75 to Tifton, GA, and took Rt. 82 west through rural Georgia.  This is a four-lane, limited-access highway.  We passed pecan grove after pecan grove after pecan grove.  And the dogwoods, red bud trees, tulip trees, and azaleas were just blooming.  Beautiful!  We arrived in Pine Mt. and were set up by 3:00.  We’re here to see Callaway Gardens and Warm Springs, FDR’s Little White house.  I visited both places back in the 80s in my other life.  Mike has never been.  We’re here for 3 nights.  Unfortunately, the temps are only in the 50s.  Hopefully it will warm up some.

Beautiful dogwoods in bloom.

Camelot RV Park, Malabar, FL, to KOA, Valdosta, GA:  Left Malabar this morning at 8:30.  Took I95 over to Rt. 192 and then picked up Florida’s Turnpike in St. Cloud.  Took that through Orlando to I75 north and then stopped just south of Ocala for some fuel and food.  Then Mike took over driving.  Stopped once again for fuel before we pulled into our KOA just south of Valdosta.  It’s been windy all day.  When will it ever let up?  North Florida is so pretty with all the horse and cattle ranches and their pretty flat board fencing.  And all the flowering trees are blooming with signs of spring.  Should be really pretty driving through Georgia tomorrow.  Only 56 today for the high (sigh).

Bruce and Sally--dinner last night at Squid Lips

Mike and Bruce--dinner last night at Squid Lips

Sally and Carolyn--dinner last night at Squid Lips

Carolyn and I--dinner last night at Squid Lips
picture by Bruce

Valdosta KOA

Camelot RV Park, Malabar, FL:  Had a great time last night at Bruce & Sally’s place.  Our friend, Carolyn, is visiting her sister for 3 weeks.  Our dinner was superb.  Apparently, Bruce used to be a chef.  A wonderful meal.  Too stuffed for dessert.  We sat out on the lanai most of the evening, even when a storm came through.  Fortunately, we didn’t get anything severe.  We’re meeting them for dinner tonight at Squid Lips.  It has cooled off quite a bit and should be painfully so as we head north.  Tomorrow bright and early (I hope) we leave for Valdosta, GA.

Carolyn and I awaiting the ferry out to Little Palm Island--2006