Different approach to winter

[rgrugg]

We're going to park our Kodiak next winter and use our Egg Camper. Our plan is to go out for 3-4 weeks, come home for a while, and then go out again. We've just spent three months in AZ in an area where we've spent the last 10 or so years and just about went nuts because we'd already done everything there is to do there and have done it multiple times. Thinking about S. Carolina and Georgia, maybe northern Florida. Any suggestions on interesting places? Can't wait for the egg gathering in Indiana in May.

[2yax2go]

We live in NW SC (foothills of the Blue Ridge Mts.) so we're partial...but...both have the contrast from lush mountains to balmy seas...plenty of State, Federal and Army Corp parks and friendly people. You can't go wrong in either or both states. We have white water, both fast and slow moving rivers (for slow moving you can't beat the Edisto River which goes all the way to the coast and is dotted by campgrounds along its edge or close by.) lakes and the shore. I would recommend getting online and looking at the visitor guides and then start asking questions...I'll bet you get plenty of replies.

Since you asked and I love to encourage...in no particular order: Edisto Beach State Park, Hunting Island State Park (there's a light house), Andrew Jackson State Park, Landsford Canal (you can see a water trend here...we're kayakers and always looking for waterside camping). Lake Hartwell borders both GA and SC and has some wonderful Army Corp lakeside camping on both sides...at least one of them not far off of I-85 which runs through both states. If your doing the interstate thing pick up I-26 in Spartanburg County and head to the beach. There are plenty of stops along the way...Congaree State Forest is right outside of the capital city of Columbia and definitely worth a day's stop (there is a campground, but we've not stayed yet) While not quite the massivity of the Pacific Northwest, it has some mighty big and tall original growth trees that will impress.

Have fun planning...

Josie

[theresa p]

hi bob and also hi, josie. we have stayed in SC many times, love it, love it, love it. as to camping, we tend to head toward the beaches. our two favourite spots (we stay away from private campgrounds if at all possible) are myrtle beach state park and hunting island state park. the weather won't be hot in jan/feb/march, though. i do not know what temps you are seeking but check out with the weather network for some average temps so you don't go and are disappointed.
georgia is also very nice and we have some favourites there, too, but again, temps will be cooler than you may wish. but isn't the planning/hoping/dreaming stage so much fun?!
we have spent, on average, 8-9 weeks per winter in our 13' and are both still alive to talk about it. you downsizing for the winter from 31' to your 13' for that extended period (irrespective of your "breaks" when you head home) will be a good test of your decision!
one thing for sure, it'll be a great time. the atlantic coast has much to offer.

[rgrugg]

Actually our Egg Camper is 17 ft, not 13'. We're used to winter temps in the parts of AZ that we've gone to in the 50s & 60s with as low as 21 at night. Just need a change of scene and don't want to spend months in one spot anymore.

[honda03842]

We're not far from the southern border of NM and yesterday morning we woke up to snow. We were very surprised. So far every night has been cold but that's the magic of this area. It seems the night time temperature is always 30 degrees lower than the daytime. I bet that's nice in the summer and makes those thick walled homes effective.

The snow at the campground was gone by noon. However even the next morning you could tell where the Honda had been parked. Even though we were out all day the spot where the Honda had been was clearly visible as a dry area compared to all the ground around the Honda.