Date:         Mon, 28 Jun 2010 17:34:35 -0700
Reply-To:     Richard Koerner <rjkinpb@SBCGLOBAL.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Richard Koerner <rjkinpb@SBCGLOBAL.NET>
Subject:      Re: AC While Camping....the SOUTH!
In-Reply-To:  <20100628200050.T7LB2.902981.imail@eastrmwml43>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=iso-8859-1

Just chipping in with big raves for a roadtrip to the South in October.  Absolutely delightful!! Empty campgrounds with your pick of the best sights, pleasant weather, days still long enough, great BBQ places to discover, lots of history, nice friendly people with manners.  Did a 3 week trip from San Diego to Florida and back, northern route going, southern route returning.  "Goals" for the trip were to experience the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta (mass ascension at dawn is unforgettable) and swimming with the manatees in Crystal River, Florida (a little early, January is supposed to be the best, but still incredible).

Regarding those campgrounds:  unbelieveably nice compared to out West at least as far as facilities go (electricity and water at each site are almost standard).  Some of the tile-lined "bath houses" were spotless, way nicer than some of the cheapo motels I've stayed in over the years and years of roadtrips.  Plenty of room between sites.  BIG sites!  Balmy evenings; no bugs.  Army Corps of Engineers campgrounds in Tennessee were some of the best.  Reasonable prices, great value.

So start planning now!

Rich
San Diego

--- On Mon, 6/28/10, Dave Mcneely <mcneely4@COX.NET> wrote:

From: Dave Mcneely <mcneely4@COX.NET>
Subject: Re: AC While Camping
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Date: Monday, June 28, 2010, 5:00 PM

> Mr. BZ-chiggers worse than hot soup?

Winter in the SE can be delightful, if one stays away from the trampling hordes of humanity in Florida.  In most of the SE, no chiggers in winter.  Those are mainly a summer phenomenon.  But they are AWFUL.  When I was small, we lived in West Texas.  No chiggers, too dry.  At age ten, we visited relatives in Dallas.  The Blackland is the absolute worst for chiggers.  Combine chigger welts covering most of a small child's body with prickly heat rash, also experienced for the first time ever, because of always living in an arid habitat.  Remember, almost no one had air conditioning at home, back then.  Deliver me from chiggers, forever.

Sulfur powder is a sure deterrent.  I keep a plastic bag with an old sock full of powdered sulfur in it for field time in chigger season.  Just powder yourself good with the sulfur, especially around the belt line, in the groin, and around the ankles.  Anywhere clothing is just a tad tight.  Chiggers will give you a wide berth.  I usually go for overkill with the stuff, and look like I fell in a flour bin.

No good against ticks, though.  For those, you just have to search em out and pick em off.

David McNeely