20040829
August 29, 2004
PhotoLinkSaturday
Start: Charleston SC KOA (Ladson SC)
End: St Mary's GA (Submarine Base) CG
Miles: 209
Temps: High 99.5, Low 72. The real high was around 93.
We woke up to find water all over the place and a little bit of wind. It turned out that tropical storm Gaston had sped up during the night and made landfall early, at about 8:30am. It was still a strong tropical storm (70mph gusts), not an official hurricane.
The authorities had closed all the major bridges around Charleston, including one on our intended route (I-26 to I-526S to US-17S to I-95S). The eye of the storm made landfall in the area of Mount Pleasant and Isle of Palms (southeast of us some 20 miles), heading north. We changed our route to one that took us away from the storm (US-78 to Alt US-17W to I-95S) entirely, rather than toward the storm then away from the storm. The weather-weasels showed a band of high rainfall coming our way, so we waited for it to pass before setting out.
We waited in the rain and with the trailer being moved a little by the wind until we decided to leave. At 2:00pm it looked reasonable to proceed. We called the campground at King's Bay for instructions for late arrival and got them. Then we left.
We were still under the influence of the storm twenty miles west of Summerville, some forty miles from the storm track. After we got onto I-95, we came out from under, and saw blue skies. It also got hot, as opposed to the cool north winds of the storm.
We plugged along southward. The engine started running a little warm and I didn't detect the pattern of the fan clutch engaging and releasing. I wonder if that thing has gone bad. I'll watch it again on the way home tomorrow.
We stopped at the Georgia wecome center to pick up a Georgia road map. Then we continued to exit 6, got off, refueled, and drove to the King's Bay Submarine Base. The guard at the gate gave us exact instructions on how to get to the campground, where we pulled in and connected only the water & electric (the sewer connector is underwater - looks like they've had a bunch of rain).
We set up the inside of the little house, took a walk to check out the washroom facilities (fantastic!!), then had dinner.
Now, I'll try to catch up on computer chores (many pictures to get into the laptop) while Dolores watches the Olympics finale.
All's well that ends well. Nearly home.
20040830
August 30, 2004
Monday
Start: St Mary's GA (Submarine Base) CG
End: Home, Panama City Beach FL
Miles: 324
Temps: Not observed. Partly cloudy and not too hot.
We woke up, made ready and got on the road, eager to get home.
Onto I-95S, then I-295S to I-10W. We took some local shortcuts west of Tallahassee, and pulled into the base campground here around 2:00pm (CDT).
We took the first load of stuff to the house. Found the house very hot. Went out for dinner (J. Michaels at the marina), very good.
Returned - house still hot. Called emergency service. Technician Herb appeared, found the fan relay board dead. Herb bypassed the board, putting the fan into continuous "ON", saying he'd return tomorrow to install the new board (he did).
He showed me a solid mass of ice on the cooling coils in the A/C unit. Then he got some hot water into a small hand-pressurized bottle and melted a hole in the middle of it. Herb said that the fan running would enlarge the hole, melt the ice, then drive down the humidity and finally drive down the temperature in the house.
We sat and sweated waiting for the fix to take place.
Around 11:00pm, I went to bed with the temp in the house down under 80 (finally). During the night it went down to where it was set.
So ends the summer trip. We had a lot of fun seeing relatives and in our side trips (Ottawa comes to mind). Thanks to those who helped us or put up with us on the trip.
