Camping weekend coming up!

dlwilliams48 · 10-07-2014, 11:19 AM

Haven't really been out with the camper since June and am looking forward to a longish weekend down in the Florida panhandle. I have camped there in April and several times in January, but this is the first time we have gone down in October. Weather looks like it should be pretty nice too. Only 3 nights, but better than nothing.

Stan · 10-07-2014, 06:59 PM

I was stationed at Pensacola in the 90's (ret USN) so am envious to hear you camping there. We really liked that entire area..

dlwilliams48 · 10-08-2014, 04:43 AM

Yep, DW and I like the area as well. I was TDY briefly to Pensacola, but never stationed there permanently. I spent a little time at Bremerton though, up near where you are now. Always enjoyed going over to Victoria too.

mike06081969 · 10-08-2014, 08:15 AM

Hope you guys have a good trip. We are headed up to the Smoky Mountains with ours tomorrow. The forecast is 80% chance of rain the rest of the week. Just my luck.

anaro · 10-08-2014, 08:31 AM

Have a good trip, we head out for the mason Dixon rally tomorrow.

dlwilliams48 · 10-08-2014, 10:34 AM

Hope the weather is not too bad Mike. I have a photo weekend planned in the Smokey's the third weekend in November. Won't be camping though. So far the weather down on the panhandle is not looking too bad.

Anaro, I would like to make one of the Mason-dixon ralley one of these years. Maybe now that I am retired, I can make it happen.

anaro · 10-08-2014, 07:32 PM

Come on up, it is usually first or second weekend in October somewhere in VA.

dlwilliams48 · 10-13-2014, 01:54 PM

Ah, great weekend down on the panhandle. Weather was nice, but much hotter than we expected it to be. Upper 80's. First time we have used the Stromberg Carlson bike carrier mounted on the front of the camper, and it worked fine. I like being able to see the bikes rather than have them hanging off the bumper and out of sight. Also got 11.5 mpg pulling the trailer on the trip back.

**Lloyd** · 10-13-2014, 02:03 PM

Did your AC keep up? All tho upper 80s isn't to wild I guess.
How about your Eco-Boost, I see you have the higher gear ratio. Was it able to run all or most of the time in 6th gear?
That is pretty good mileage.

dlwilliams48 · 10-13-2014, 02:13 PM

Quote:

Did your AC keep up? All tho upper 80s isn't to wild I guess.
How about your Eco-Boost, I see you have the higher gear ratio. Was it able to run all or most of the time in 6th gear?

Yep, AC had no problems. I have camped in Texas for 20 days straight with mid 90's and AC did fine with that too.

It did run most of the time in 6th, only the occasional downshift on a long hill. Interestingly enough, I only got about 10 (barely) on the trip down. Doesn't seem to be any rhyme or reason on mpg. It generally ranges from 10 to 11 though.

anaro · 10-13-2014, 02:57 PM

I'm jealous, we camped in cold rainy weather all weekend. Had a blast anyways! Glad your trip went well.

mike06081969 · 10-13-2014, 05:32 PM

Glad you had a good weekend. Ours was nice, too. We had the forecast rain, but most of it came overnight each night with only brief showers during the day. The foliage in the Smokies is not quite peak, but there is a lot of color already. We made a couple of early morning trips through Cades Cove, but didn't photograph any bear activity this time. A trip to Gatlinburg Friday night to The Peddler Steakhouse made for a really good meal. Best steak I've had in a long time. Saturday evening was spent sitting outside the camper watching football and enjoying a campfire. Can't beat it!

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