Last Trip Before The Ap Expires

[Brent... Just Brent 83]

OK, I've been a slacker. I should have posted this months ago... but I didn't. Life, work, excuse excuse. I didn't even take notes on this trip, so I'll do my best to remember the details. It's really about the photos, though, so enjoy and thanks for reading along.

The trip was planned for late February. Well, work insisted I needed to take fifteen 21yo military college boys to Raleigh that weekend... so the trip was rescheduled. I just checked the dates and it was Feb 9 - 14. Now wait a minute! Can you believe I was there the exact same times as TCD?!? And, AND I was about 7 sites away from him the whole time and NEVER EVER REALIZED IT. Robbed. Simply robbed. At least I didn't make the TCDRMOGA list for some crazy setup that was going on.

As always, there was a plan. That plan was to be on the road by 7am on Wed, Feb 9. It's about 400 miles from my door to the Fort and it does get dark early that time of year. Since I was going to be camping alone, I knew it would be tight to be setup and having a frosty beverage before the sunset that day. Well, I think I was on the road around 10am. Hey, stuff happens. Sleep happens. Housesitters/Catsitters lose keys.

I arrived at the Fort around 3:30pm, didn't argue when I got a site in the 2000 loop even though I'd requested 1500 and off I went to setup as quickly as possible. Site 2001 it was. I wasn't thrilled about that site... until I got there. Actually, it was great. Lots of space, no one on one side since it was the first site in the loop, etc.

Here are a few pics I took of the setup. Sorry... only nighttime photos of this. I was pretty busy.

So, setup went fairly smoothly. The second time setting up the awning alone went MUCH faster than the first time. No surprises, etc. I discovered I'd looted a few things from my camping supplies, namely surge strips, so I had to adjust and make do. I hastily threw up a couple of tarps since I knew there was a chance for rain on that Thursday. This is important. See, it was only about a 30% chance of rain and it was for later in the day Thursday. So I could worry about making sure tarps were tied down well later, right? More on that later.

As is my tradition, I immediately had a cocktail after I got setup. Nothing is more relaxing than a cold drink at your site and listening to the boat whistles in the background.

After I relaxed, I grabbed a bus and headed over to Epcot for Illuminations.

[PureTcrazy...rita 380]

I can't wait to hear more!

[Brent... Just Brent 83]

I can't wait to hear more!

Thanks Rita! I honestly don't remember all of the details, but we're about to get to the good photos. And by good, I mean not so good, but good to me.

[doodlebug....Cherie 461]

Another TR, Yay :popcorn:

[SCTigerCock 171]

:popcorn:

[Brent... Just Brent 83]

So, let me just say that the week was mostly uneventful except for two things:

1) It was COLD. I know it was a cold winter in FL and I was prepared with a giant heater for my tent, but that honestly didn't help a lot. The final night there I had on a wool hat and gloves to watch fireworks. Wow. Even with the 1500w Convection type heater in the tent, sleeping on the ground, well, sucks. That's the last time that's going to happen. I think a small fan in the top of the tent to push the heat back down would have helped a lot, but it was still a lot of miserable sleeping. That's ok, though, I was still at the Fort and I somehow survived.

2) Rain. It's sprinkled on me before, but never hard rain. As I mentioned in the above post, I thought I had most of Thursday to deal with getting prepared for the rain. No such luck. I woke up to rain drops about 7am Thursday morning. I got up and discovered that I hadn't properly secured the tarps on the awning and things were getting, well, moist. So... I threw on a sweatshirt and hat and got SOAKED tying things down. It took a solid hour to get it how I wanted to stay dry. AND THEN, I discovered I was getting dropped on at the seams of my awning. I never even thought to waterproof those. Lesson learned and that has now been accomplished...

So on Saturday, Feb12 I decided it was time to break out the camera and take some photos.

I'd had all of the parks I could handle and was back at the Fort mid-afternoon.

I headed over to the bus stop. I've always had great luck with intra-Fort Transportation, myself and don't mind it. You do miss a lot of things, though, if you're always on the bus.

Here's the 2000 Loop Bus Stop.

The bench that no one besides me ever sits on when you're headed towards the outpost:

The covered part of the bus stop:

Looking across at the bench and turn around area:

Some photos down in the Settlement area:

Walkway to the Settlement Trading Post:

Looking towards Pioneer Hall:

And the Marina:

I'm going to actually sit here and eat something... one day:

Boats:

The Beach:

Discovery Island with Contemporary in the Background:

Looking at one of my favorite areas:

More to come!

[Brent... Just Brent 83]

And continuing on:

Hmm... This was February. I think it was about time to update the signage at this bus stop:

Cold Pony:

Hello There!:

One of my favorite, overlooked areas:

And another of this green space:

The obligatory shot of the Backyard BBQ Pavilion/River Country Ticket Booths:

Looking towards the beach:

Volleyball Net on the Beach:

It was very quiet and peaceful this afternoon:

A boat coming in:

[Brent... Just Brent 83]

Some more generic shots - Playground area:

The OTHER "dining" area:

Trees on the beach:

Looking back at the Marina:

Looking across the lake. Have you ever wondered what's over there?

Another Volleyball setup. If I were going to make a fool of myself playing, I think I'd want to do it over this way with fewer people to laugh at me:

Looking back towards the Marina again:

Trees:

More Trees:

The cabin:

End of the lake... I think:

[Brent... Just Brent 83]

And looking across the Lake. Wow. It was a gorgeous late afternoon out:

More Lake:

Looking back from the pump at the canal:

Looking down the canal. I believe the 300 loop is off to the right:

No idea what the purpose of this solar panel and antenna are, but they have moss growing on them:

The gate leading down the other side of the canal was wide open. Is it normally? Had TCD left it open since he was out and about?

Fishing:

Back on pavement:

Fun Valentines Day setup:

After an annoying ride to the Meadows (due to passengers on the bus), I got this photo before shopping:

[Brent... Just Brent 83]

OK, I think this is the final installment. Nothing to see here... move along.

The 600 Loop:

The bridge from the Trading Post to the Pool:

The canal:

More 600 Loop:

Pool activities:

Picnic Shelter:

Tennis Courts:

More Volleyball (I believe there were 5 sets of posts on the beach, plus this one):

Looking towards the 1500 Loop:

Not sure which loop this is (as seen from Meadows Pool Area:

I decided to walk back to the 2000 loop the long way... with more tonic water. My favorite intersection at the Fort:

Starting a tiny fire with leftover charcoal to grill up a few dogs. The 2100 loop in the bg. This was a great place to sit and have a drink. So peaceful back here:

OK. That's all. Really a very uneventful trip. It was about 5 days for me. I have to admit, that's not really long enough to truly enjoy the Fort if you're doing a lot of parks. It felt like i was breaking down not long after I set it all up. I've decided that, for future reference, this is the minimum amount of time worth staying until I buy that small TT I've been eyeing. Also, with all the tarps and tie downs, it took hours to break down the next morning when I was leaving. I barely was out before 11am. All in all, it was a fantastic and relaxing trip that was badly needed.

Since then, I've invested in yet another new tent and will be back June 19 for 6 days with a buddy. What started as "Let's go camping for a few days in a state park" has turned into 6 at the Fort. Not much on the park agenda, but a lot on the grilling, eating, drinking, forting agenda.

Also, what does everyone do with used charcoal? Trash? I was wondering about that while I was there.

[anolefan 8]

I'm going to actually sit here and eat something... one day:

We love eating here. We usually get a GAG and eat at the table at the far end if it is available. Very peaceful.

Volleyball Net on the Beach:

Is it just me or is the net missing? Maybe you have to rent the net lol.

Great start to your report.

Keep it coming!

[Brent... Just Brent 83]

We love eating here. We usually get a GAG and eat at the table at the far end if it is available. Very peaceful.

Is it just me or is the net missing? Maybe you have to rent the net lol.

Great start to your report.

Keep it coming!

HMMMM. There was definitely a net up, but I guess I chose the pic of just the posts. I still say, when is there EVER a need for no fewer than 5 concurrent volleyball games going on? Is it that popular at the Fort in the summer?

[Tri-Circle-D 2,059]

Hey- Great job on this trip report!

Thanks for posting it.

Not only did you miss TCD, but Stacktester and Otter Spotter were also at the Fort that weekend.

It was cold at night! But, nice during the day.

I'm sorry that I missed you, but we were away at the parks a lot on this visit.

Maybe next time.

TCD

[stefa70 205]

Nice job Brent!

I don't care if you there 5 days, 10 days, 20 days.....it never seems like enough Fort time!

[Lou... 3,118]

Very nice TR. I'm feeling cold looking at those photos. And I was there. Well not there there, but there.

[disney4dan 68]

Nice trip report! I hear ya on the cold weather and sleeping on the ground. I learned a few things about cold weather tent camping recently that has helped me out (scouts is a good thing for parents as well).

1. Don't trust the temperature rating on cheap sleeping bags - my sleeping bag rated for 15 below zero was no good at 15 degrees above zero!

2. Either put on all new dry clothes to wear inside the bag or (ahem) none at all. The moisture from walking around all day ruins the insulating properties of most bags.

3. The solid foam style sleeping pads are better than air mattresses for insulating you from the cold. So are additional blankets or sleeping bags underneath.

4. Put warm water in a good quality Nalgene bottle and put that in the foot of the sleeping bag as a foot warmer; this is especially useful on nights when the temp drops below freezing and you need it to warm up the fuel in a stove to boil more water (yes, it gets that cold and the scouts still go camping in it).

5. The hand warmers and the "heat pads" that you can use to help back pain make great sleeping bag warmers as well.

6. If you have some cash and electricity at your site, they sell heated mattress pads that puts the heat where you need it, under you and not at the top of the tent.

7. My BIL gave me the best tip, putting a flannel sheet inside the sleeping bag as a liner, or one of the fleece sleeping bag liners (around $10 at WalMart) can make a huge difference on the temperature rating for a cheap bag. Spent one night in 20 degree weather in my 20 degree bag and was uncomfortably cold; picked up the fleece liner the next morning and slept in complete comfort the next night - best $10 I ever spent.

[PureTcrazy...rita 380]

I love the winter photos! You had some really nice shots and I enjoyed your TR. Thanks!

[BouncingTiggers 98]

Very nice job on the TR Brent. The pics along the beach are really nice.

[LONE-STAR 370]

Nice job

[doodlebug....Cherie 461]

Thanks for the TR your pictures even made me feel cold

[Just Whipperwhirl 24]

Thanks for your TR - Great job!

[DebbieT11 5]

Thanks for the trip report.... I think that wintertime at the Fort is my favorite time. But I'm not a fan of heat... I can wear enough clothes to get warm, but undressing enough to get cool is something else....