A Familiar Camping Spot

First stop Wednesday morning was a city park overlooking the Mississippi River. I was sitting on a small stone fence looking out over the river and a small critter at the edge of the forest was looking at me. I was hoping it would come a little bit closer, for a better picture, but it ran away into the woods.

While I am not looking forward to the work that is ahead of me, work at the house and tax and accounting work, it was comforting to be driving in my home state. I don't need the GPS, I am familiar with the highway numbers and I pretty much know where I am and how to get where I want to be. I have traveled quite a bit in Illinois to many small towns, staying at camping cabins or other small resorts and traveling to antique stores and flea markets. 


I decided to take my time Wednesday. I stopped at several places, primitive stores, quilt shops, antique shoppes and thrift stores. I was enjoying my drive down the back roads, mostly just window shopping, not too much that I need to buy.

The campground I stayed at Tuesday night reminded me of the campground in Marseilles, IL. I changed my plans, again, and decided to camp in Marseilles on Wednesday before heading for home.

In 1990, this was the view we had from our 32' Travel Trailer at Whispering Pines Campground (new owners-new name: Four Star Campground).

We paid an annual fee to have the trailer parked here. The sites were metered and we had to pay for electric, also. The water was shut off  to the site in the winter, the camp store bathroom was open all year. We never went to the campground in the winter. It was a nice weekend getaway. We owned it for about 5 years, 1990 to 1995, I think.

This is the RV that is parked at the spot now. The new owners have opened up the space behind this spot and added more seasonal and daily sites. 

I will be back here camping this summer, it is about 1 1/2 hours from my house and I have friends that still rent a site here. I may be back to this campground next week - after the 4th of July holiday.

I'm back at my house now - opening mail, doing laundry and making lists of what needs to be done. And planning my next trip........... 

Planning a Route Back to Illinois

I'm planning the route from the RV dealer to my home.

I am picking up the RV in Seffner, FL (near Tampa). If everything is ready for me on time when I get there, I should have 6 days to get home. I can take my time and not have to drive 8 hours a day.

I want to stop at some beaches. I will not take the default route through Georgia and Tennessee that the map programs suggest.

I ordered a copy of Microsoft Streets & Trips with the GPS locator from Amazon, I have to get it installed on my Netbook before Tuesday. I also have to stop at Sprint and get one of those Wi-Fi devices so I can have access to the internet all of the time.

I'll go through the panhandle of FL and through the southern end of AL and MS. Does anyone know what the Mobile (Alabama) Tunnel is?  I probably need to make sure I can drive an RV through there. 

Then head north through MS, and keep going north...
This route is 295 miles longer than the other way. Of course, all of this is subject to change......... depending on time and weather.

I thought I would stop in these cities and probably some others:
Port Richey, FL
Panama City Beach, FL
Ocean Springs, MS
Bay St. Louis, MS
Tupelo, MS
not to sure which way to head after this, have to study my maps.

I have the Escapees 2011 Travel Guide. It lists discounted RV Parks, I don't think I'll be boondocking on this trip.

Any suggestions for things to see or places to stop overnite along this route?