Hitting the road again....

    So it is so hot in Florida that normally in the summer we try to travel to cooler places so we can still enjoy outdoor fun, like hiking and playing outside. We were thinking of camping our way up to New Hampshire, like we did a few years ago.
  But then we had to buy a new car. We ended up with a Chevy Surburban, which we love! It has towing capabilities for when we upgrade from a tent.

 So we weren't sure we would still be able to travel, or at least not for as long. Then a friend of Jorge's was kind enough to offer us a cabin in Montana. We love Montana, and jumped at the chance. It is located outside of Helena, in the middle of the state between Glacier & Yellowstone National Park (2 of our favorites).

 So now we begin our adventure. We will take a week or two to drive there, then spend about a month at the cabin, and spend another 2 weeks driving home.

Day 1 -Thursday July 5th 2012

 After a long day of packing and getting things ready, we had packed the car and felt pretty ready to leave first thing in the morning. But we didn't make it to bed till 2am and we aren't exactly what you'd call morning people, but we set the alarm for 8am.

Day 2- Friday July 6th

  We were all awake at 8.30am but after taking showers, breakfast, packing the food and last few bags, cleaning up it was 1pm by the time we were finally loading the last of the stuff. We said our goodbyes and were turning off all the power and shutting off the water when Jorge encountered a problem. The shut off valve was leaking and it wasn't shutting off the water and we couldn't leave it like that. Finally a neighbor came to the rescue, and after digging up part of the front garden they found the main shut off and were able to resolve it. But it was now 2.45pm!  We wanted to make some ground but leaving so late wouldn't give us much chance, since we'd need to set up camp & eat before dark.  Also having just spent so much time & effort packing the car neither of us were looking forward to unloading it again in a few hours! So we decided, we'd try something we've never done before and heard of others doing it. We'd sleep in our big comfy truck in a Walmart parking lot. Not very scenic but it would give us a chance to drive further and it would be fun. The kids were so excited and the dog was being good. We did stop off for a picnic dinner in a park and the kids got to stretch & play a little. I set out food for the dog but she didn't eat anything. But when I went to put it away I apparently forgot it and left it on the rear bumper. So we drove 30 mins down the road to our overnight stop, where I found her bowl of food still sitting. Full I might add! Oops. Spent the night in Clermont,FL.

Day 3- Saturday July 7th

 So we ended up sleeping in the truck. Not the best way to start off our journey. It was the first and probably the last time we'll try that! Sophie & Jessica are the only ones who slept pretty well. We love driving through Florida up US 27, it's slower than the highway but so much more scenic and relaxing. Doesn't feel like Florida at all. Love Roadtrips! We got to find out more about the cabin in Montana and we are very excited. It's going to be very interesting, since it's primitive but it's a step up from tent camping and we are ready for any type of adventure.

Spent the night in Carabelle in the tip of the panhandle at Sunset Isle RV & yacht club resort. Surrounded by marshlands. It was $25 to camp but they offered us a cabin with 4 bunks, a shower, toilet, fridge & sink for $40. Only one problem, AC just broke! But it would save us unpacking everything so we jumped on it.(note we haven't had to unload the tent stuff still). After unloading we ate dinner. It was so hot we promptly went swimming. The pool area was great, very kid friendly, a little too warm but still felt good. 

Tidbits:
Best town name we passed: Withalacoochee
Gas in central FL $3.19/gallon