Our plan was to leave Knoxville for Florida on January 13. We made those plans before we learned that our granddaughter, Bennett, was scheduled to play in a soccer tournament beginning on the 13th in Cumming, Georgia, near Atlanta. I researched and found a campground about 12 miles from the soccer complex with space available. I made a reservation and moved up our departure by two days. It’s a good thing I did.
As Helen, Mortimer, and I drove away, the residents of Knoxville learned that they were the target of a sizable snowstorm followed by some bitterly cold temperatures. The forecast called for up to five inches of snow…they got nine. An ice storm arrived later in the week, and the temperature plunged to two degrees below zero. Knoxvillians were shut in, and schools closed for the week. The picture above was sent to me by our neighbor. Knoxville has not received that much snow in decades.
We arrived in Cumming as temperatures hovered in the low 30s. Bennett’s tournament began on Saturday morning. They lost the first game, but we arrived too late to see them play. We made it to Sunday’s game with Mortimer in tow. Bennett’s team played hard and well, but their opponent was better that day and won the match.
The next game started at 9 am on Monday in 34-degree weather. It’s hard to imagine playing in shorts and t-shirts in cold temperatures, but these girls are tough and didn’t seem to mind. Our youngest granddaughter came prepared and wrapped herself in a blanket on the sideline. Bennett played a great game, as did her teammates, and won 3-2.
Helen and I hurried back to the campground after the game, hooked up Dora, and placed Mortimer in the back seat for a five-hour drive to Charleston to spend three more days with the family. It is always difficult to say goodbye to our granddaughters, but after a breakfast of pancakes and bacon, we exchanged long hugs and headed south. Next stop—Jacksonville, Florida.
Jacksonville weather was lousy when we pulled into Pelican Roost Campground inside the Mayport Naval Air Station gates. We were assigned a waterfront campground with a fabulous view from our front window, but there was little to see. Nevertheless, better weather was on the way, and we were blessed with clear skies and 70-degree temperatures the next day. Our view improved considerably.
We took advantage of the delightful conditions with a walk on the beach, a bike ride for Helen, and a trip to Safe Harbor Seafood, where we bought fresh shrimp and a large Grouper filet for dinner.
Mortimer took a nap.
We’ll spend a week in Jacksonville, then drive to Apalachicola in the Florida Panhandle, where fresh oysters abound. Altogether, we will spend about six weeks on this trip, which includes six campgrounds. We’re excited about our winter break and sincerely hope you’ll Ease Along with us. Enjoy the rest of the month, and we hope you stay in touch.
Glad you made your escape before this storm! We were scheduled to leave for FL. today but there was no way, having to wait for fair weather. Enjoy and be safe.
Good morning, Sharon,
Fortunately, we left two days early and got out of there before things got bad. Florida weather has been up and down. Today, it’s clear and pretty, but very strong winds. Great day for watching football! Hope you get to leave soon. Travel safely, and thanks for stopping by! Joe
Have a great time!!!!
Thanks, LuAnne!
We’re having fun, and eating great seafood! Stay warm up there! Joe
You got out just in time!! Your house looks beautiful in the snow, and even better that you can enjoy it from a distance, haha!
The weather has been up and down (mostly cold, windy, and wet) in the two weeks that we’ve been in Florida, but hopefully sunshine and warmer temps are on the way this week. And it’s certainly better than Flat Rock, where the temps have been below zero. We’re going to miss you in Apalachicola! Glad to see Mortimer is settling into his travel groove. 🙂
Hi, Laurel!
I didn’t realize your new home is in Flat Rock. That is a beautiful area that has been slammed in this storm. Would love to meet up in Apalachicola, but we hope to get together with y’all sometime this year. Mortimer knows how to travel and takes it very seriously (as you can tell). Travel safely–good to know you still RV. Joe
Ahhh, you found Safe Harbor Seafood. My guess is that you visited there more than once. It’s the best.
Think of Malcolm and me when you guys are having those Apalachicola oysters. Seriously jealous.
Suzanne,
As it turns out, Safe Harbor is about a mile from the back gate of Mayport NAS. The Grouper was delicious, and we made two nights out of the fresh shrimp. Please join us in Apalachicola–I’ll treat you and Malcolm to a dozen. Hope you’re both doing well. Thanks for stopping by. Joe
Hi, Joe – That looks like a wonderful escape. Richard and I escaped our snowstorm as well and are currently in Mexico. We are very, very grateful.
Good evening, Donna,
Mexico sounds lovely. We are enjoying Florida, but the winds have been fierce today. I’m glad you escaped…enjoy, and please share your time there with us when you get home. Joe
Joe, your attendance at Bennett’s tournament reminded me of Kyra’s high school days – soccer in the fall, basketball in the winter and softball in the summer. Alan and I were lucky to be in a position to attend all of her home games and 90% of her away games, and we so enjoyed being there to support her and her teams. Well, except for that one early spring softball game they played in a light snow storm – that one, not so much. As for Florida in January, it sounds fabulous! Have fun, kids!
Good morning, Mary,
The days I miss the most from our past were when my boys played sports–mainly soccer, from ages 7 to 12. Those were the only times we were all in the same car, going in the same direction together. Those little boys would walk out on the soccer field at 7 or 8 in the morning, hair going in all directions, dew on the field, and sleepy eyes. Then, the referee would blow the whistle, and those little boys would explode. Gosh, I miss that! Fortunately, I have grandchildren who play sports. Unfortunately, they live far away. Great to hear from you! Stay warm up there—Jacksonville weather is in the mid-60s today. Joe