Our First Teardrop Trip!

[jambie]

We took delivery of our new Camp Inn 550 Ultra in March, but didn't sleep in it until the first night of our 9 day maiden voyage in May. We left Cincinnati on a Saturday and stayed the first night in Forsyth, GA, just north of Macon. We stopped for dinner on the way at our favorite restaurant in Atlanta. The swirl margaritas helped ease the stress of what we found at the L&D RV Park in Forsyth. Lots of long-termers, and the owner shoehorned us into a very tight spot at the bottom of a hill next to the laundry. Torrential rains along with multiple tornados in nearby Macon made it an epic first night...

Sunday we drove all the way to Big Cypress National Preserve near Everglades City in Florida. We arrived at Midway campground and set up camp in the dark, listening to all the sounds of the Everglades wildlife, including the campground's two resident gators. This is a wonderful campground with clean, level, well-spaced sights and good restrooms (no showers). Monday morning we unloaded the motorcycle and rode the 25 mile Loop Road through the Everglades. This is an unimproved road that affords great views of all the scenery and wildlife the Everglades has to offer.

After lunch we packed up and headed to Curry Hammock S.P. in Marathon, FL, our destination for the next five nights. This has got to be one of the most incredible state parks in the country! Beach front sites, lots of space, immaculate facilities, and outstanding volunteers all added up to a wonderful first visit. If you want to camp in the Keys, THIS is the place.

We took a day trip to Key West, where we again unloaded the motorcycle and saw the sights. A nice place to visit, but a bit eclectic for our tastes...

Saturday we packed up and drove to Sarasota, where we spent the night at my Sister's. This was the only night we didn't spend in the camper. We're rather proud that we spent eight of the nine nights on our first trip in the camper. A great testament to Camp Inn!

Our last night was at Red Top Mountain S.P., just north of Atlanta. Since it was Sunday night, the place was deserted, and very quiet. Beautiful surroundings in the Georgia woods.

Monday found us heading home, after having lunch at Jason's Deli in Chattanooga. The Camp Inn towed perfectly, and every system worked as advertised. Of course we packed waaaay too much stuff, but we'll pare it down on future adventures. Anyway, clickety-click on the link below for pictures, and email me if you'd like more info on the places we visited.

Cheers,
Tom

http://picasaweb.google.com/TomandDebbi ... eysMay2008

[cuyeda]

Congratulations on your Camp Inn. Looks like you had a fun trip. One question about carrying a kayak on top of the truck. Is there any significant wind drag with the kayak sitting that high?

[sid]

Hey Tom and Debbie,

Enjoyed your pictures! The Keys are on our destination list sometime in the future.

Enjoyed meeting you both at "Ribberfest".

Mark and Pat

[jambie]

Congratulations on your Camp Inn. Looks like you had a fun trip. One question about carrying a kayak on top of the truck. Is there any significant wind drag with the kayak sitting that high?

Funny you should ask that...we had to use that style of mount to allow room for the motorcycle in the bed. Unfortunately, after the tornadoes went through Macon, we encountered STRONG westerly winds all along our generally north-south route. This caused quite a bit of movement of the kayak, and I was constantly afraid it was just going to let go and cause a major pile-up behind us. And I know it cost us at least 2-3 mpg...

I've got to give Honda and Thule credit, though. Although the rack clamps did loosen a bit, nothing ever gave way, and we made it home safe and sound. That said, I sold those racks as soon as I got home and bought a pair that mounts the kayak flat on its bottom, vowing never to take the kayak and the motorcycle on the same trip again.

Cheers,
Tom

[madjack]

...now that is what it is all about...great pics, thanks for sharing them with us........

[sonar37]

Wow!! Cool pics!! It looks like you had a great time. Where did you get the side tents they really look like nice ones ?

Rob

[jambie]

Wow!! Cool pics!! It looks like you had a great time. Where did you get the side tents they really look like nice ones ?

Rob

Hi Rob,
Thanks for the compliments. The side tents are made in-house by Camp Inn. They provide a ton of extra room, and because the wind was always blowing in the Keys, we just left the camper doors open and let the wind blow through the side tentscreens, and stayed nice and cool all night. Might not be the best idea in a tighter setting, but the campsites at Curry hammock were huge, and spaced well apart.

Cheers,
Tom

[Cynda & Steve]

Great Set-up and awesome looking trip. I can't believe that was your first...you look like such pros! We are hoping to get down to FL soon....those beach sites look like the place to go .

[Mstro]

Trip looks awesome, Great Pics. Congrats on the Camp Inn