{"id":8520,"date":"2018-01-03T17:26:38","date_gmt":"2018-01-03T17:26:38","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/usnomadstudio.com\/usnomads\/blog\/?page_id=8520"},"modified":"2018-03-03T16:52:04","modified_gmt":"2018-03-03T16:52:04","slug":"notes-from-the-road-december-2017","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"http:\/\/usnomadstudio.com\/usnomads\/blog\/?page_id=8520","title":{"rendered":"Notes From the Road — December 2017"},"content":{"rendered":"
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NOTES FROM THE ROAD<\/h2>\n
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Home to a Cold Wave…<\/h5>\n


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Snow on the ground…<\/strong><\/h6>\n


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2 January 2018:<\/strong> Good to be home even if there is still some snow on the ground and sub-zero temperatures outside. Time to get ready for the next roadtrip…
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New Year’s Day on the Road…<\/h5>\n


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A full moon rising…<\/strong><\/h6>\n


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1 January 2018:<\/strong> Starting off the New Year on the road, with a marathon drive home from North Carolina to Long Island New York. It was a long drive day, but got to see the full moon rising over an industrial suburb of Washington DC on the way…
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New Year’s Eve Bonfire…<\/h5>\n


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Ringing in the New Year in Uwharrie…<\/strong><\/h6>\n


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31 DECEMBER 2017:<\/strong> Rang in the New Year in the Uwharrie National Forest with a big bonfire to keep warm in the unusually cold temperatures for North Carolina. Thankful for such an amazing year and looking forward to another year of adventure and discovery…
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Big Creek Rocks, Uwharrie…<\/h5>\n


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On the trail at Big Creek Rocks…<\/strong><\/h6>\n


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30 DECEMBER 2017:<\/strong> Enjoying the trails at the annual Icebreaker event at Big Creek Rocks where the Jeep got to play a bit on some boulders. It was a great day with a great group on some challenging terrain and fun obstacles to finish out the year…
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Swamp Wilderness…<\/h5>\n


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Passing through Darien GA..<\/strong><\/h6>\n


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29 DECEMBER 2017:<\/strong> Long drive day from Florida up to North Carolina. Made a stop in Darien GA and passed through some fantastical wetlands wilderness zones, including this swamp-y marsh area where it seemed as if the entire surface was covered with birds…
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New Skills…<\/h5>\n


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Checking out two-wheels…<\/strong><\/h6>\n


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28 DECEMBER 2017:<\/strong> Had a chance to learn something new–exploring on two-wheels with a dirt-bike around the Croom State Forest area. An interesting opportunity to get comfortable with a different kind of vehicle on the trail…
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On the Trail in Ocala NF…<\/h5>\n


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Exploring new trails…<\/strong><\/h6>\n


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27 DECEMBER 2017:<\/strong> Exploring some of the different kinds of terrain found in the area, but most everywhere there is a soft sandy layer beneath the surface. In some spots it is softer than others, or more covered with brush. There are not any really technical trails around and even the OHV area is relatively straightforward for a Jeep. The more interesting challenge here is navigation…
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Navigation Challenges…<\/h5>\n


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Exploring new trails…<\/strong><\/h6>\n


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26 DECEMBER 2017:<\/strong> Spent a little time today refreshing rally-like precision navigation skills and checking out a few new trails before getting ready to leave the wilderness area tomorrow. Also made sure to get in a hike on part of the Florida Trail that crosses Pat’s Island in the Wilderness Area, reconnecting with the Yearling Trail (a favorite)…
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Fire in the Sky…<\/h5>\n


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Incredible sunset from Hopkins Prairie…<\/strong><\/h6>\n


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25 DECEMBER 2017:<\/strong> A beautiful and calm Christmas in the Ocala National Forest enjoying the wilderness. A perfect day of scenic trails followed by a gift from Mother Nature in the form of an amazing sunset across the Prairie …
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Jeeping in the Jungle…<\/h5>\n


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Checking out the trails in Ocala NF…<\/strong><\/h6>\n


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24 DECEMBER 2017:<\/strong> Had a chance to get out on a few of the more interesting Jeep trails in a favorite spot near the Juniper Spring Wilderness Area not far from Hopkins Prairie. Was a beautiful day for Jeeping and exploring…
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Setup camp…<\/h5>\n


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Camping in the Ocala national forest…<\/strong><\/h6>\n


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23 DECEMBER 2017:<\/strong> Left the beach behind and headed inland to the Ocala National Forest to set up camp for the next several days at a favorite spot in Hopkins Prairie. Set up the big base camp tent under the protective camouflage provided by the spanish moss and tucked the Jeep in between the palmettos…
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Morning drive on the sand…<\/h5>\n


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Vilano Beach early morning…<\/strong><\/h6>\n


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22 DECEMBER 2017:<\/strong> Driving on the beach in the early morning just after sunrise is a great pleasure and the sparseness of the barrier island is a contrast to the built up attractions in the city across the way …
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Exploring History…<\/h5>\n


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The Castillo de San Marcos…<\/strong><\/h6>\n


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21 DECEMBER 2017:<\/strong> Spent the early part of the morning exploring the old town in more detail, and appreciated the quiet experience of the old Spanish fortress before the crowds got there. It was easy to imagine how impressive it must have been standing guard over a bustling harbor back in the day …
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Waypoint: St. Augustine…<\/h5>\n


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The sun also rises…<\/strong><\/h6>\n


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20 DECEMBER 2017:<\/strong> Took some time to check out the historical old city of St. Augustine on the other side of the river. This picturesque town is the oldest continually inhabited place in the United States and is rich in history and attractions for visitors …
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At the Beach…<\/h5>\n


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On the coast…<\/strong><\/h6>\n


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19 DECEMBER 2017:<\/strong> A few days pause at Vilano Beach to enjoy the barrier island environment before heading inland is a welcome “break” in the fast-paced rhythm of the road, and a transition between the “on-road” and “off-road” segments of the journey …
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Welcome Palm Trees…<\/h5>\n


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Warmer weather and sunny skies…<\/strong><\/h6>\n


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18 DECEMBER 2017:<\/strong> Made it to Florida and the welcome sight of palm trees where evening temperatures were in the low 60s (15-ish celsius). Taking some time to do some more exploring here along the Atlantic coast …
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North Carolina to Florida…<\/h5>\n


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Going further south…<\/strong><\/h6>\n


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17 DECEMBER 2017:<\/strong> Another 20-something (that’s below zero in Celsius) morning in North Carolina, and time to move on further south, the rest of the way to Florida. Long drive day, with roughly 500 miles of highway, but succeeded in escaping the cold at last …
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Waypoint: Siler City, NC…<\/h5>\n


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Winter sun, cold weather…<\/strong><\/h6>\n


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16 DECEMBER 2017:<\/strong> The cold continues, but at least it warmed up a bit during the day here in Siler City NC. Took some time to explore the area’s rolling hills and farmland before heading further south tomorrow …
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Waypoint: Ashland, VA…<\/h5>\n


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From Virginia to North Carolina…<\/strong><\/h6>\n


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15 DECEMBER 2017:<\/strong> Last night’s drive from New York to Virginia didn’t do much to resolve the cold. Seems impossible to escape the winter freeze. This morning in Springfield VA it was 22 degrees Fahrenheit (that’s -5 in Celsius). Tonight’s leg of the journey included a pleasant stop in the town of Ashland VA and ended in Siler City NC where the temperature was “up” to 26 Fahrenheit (-3 Celsius) …
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Getting Ready to Start a Roadtrip…<\/h5>\n


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Time to head south…<\/strong><\/h6>\n


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14 DECEMBER 2017:<\/strong> Woke up to a snow-covered Jeep in the driveway today. Unexpected beginning to the roadtrip included shoveling a path to make it easier to load up as prep for tonite’s departure gets serious. Guess it is the right time to be heading south…
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PREVIOUS NOTES FROM THE ROAD<\/a> ><\/a> <\/h6>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
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THIS MONTH:<\/strong>
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\nHoliday road trip time. Loading up the Jeep and heading south for warmer climates and fun times on- and off-road (and maybe picking up some new skills too)…
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COMING UP SOON:<\/strong>
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\nAn opportunity to drive some totally different trails in the Uwharrie National Forest area at Big Creek Rocks, a 120 acre property located 4 miles North of the Uwharrie Offroad Center. The Big Creek trails provide challenges to test modified vehicles with lockers, large tires and winches. The experiences helps drivers grow their skills and learn more about their vehicles\u2019 off road capabilities…

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\nHeaded back to the deserts of the southwest for some more fun in the sun and sand…
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\nAdvanced sand dune training with Barlow Adventures<\/a> at the Imperial Sand Dunes in southern California. This three day driving and navigation program focuses on moving safely and effectively through large dunefields. Skills-building exercises are intended to improve pace, line choice and vehicle control, as well as developing precision map and compass navigation technique…
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SILER CITY NC<\/strong>
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\nSettled in the 1750\u2019s, Siler City<\/a> has grown to be the largest town in Chatham County preserving its rural character and small town identity. The town prides itself on its “rural personality,” evident along the banks of the Rocky River, the rolling hills and countryside and the agricultural economy. Siler City combines traditional and old fashioned with open-minded and welcoming — an ideal rural small town…<\/a>
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ASHLAND VA<\/strong>
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\nAshland VA<\/a> is a town born of the railroad and the train still runs through the center of the town’s historic main street. Originally developed by the railroad as a mineral springs resort in the late 1840s, the town evolved with the relocation of Randolph Macon College to Ashland in 1868, and the construction of U.S. Route 1, and later I-95. Today, Ashland is a community of seven square miles and more than 7,000 residents who enjoy prosperity fueled by the college, a growing private sector and a strong regional economy. This growth has produced a diverse collection of neighborhoods and businesses with a blend of architectural styles from large Victorian homes to modern office buildings. The vibrant historic downtown is home to the Iron Horse Restaurant<\/a> — a great stop for creatively prepared local food, a warm friendly ambiance and live music…
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