Posts

travel day one

Image
 Part of our group lives in a traffic-heavy area so when we discussed times to leave, they said leaving before 9a does not decrease the arrival time, it just increases the amount of time in stop-and-go.  So we planned to leave at 9a and managed to actually leave at 9:13 and 9:16, respectively.  We had planned to take the Richmond bypass because it has a lot less merging traffic and less bridge joints to jolt the trucks and trailers than taking i95 directly through Richmond.  From there we would stop at Rivers Bend Grill in Chesterfield, VA because we'd get there around noon, and it is easily accessible from the bypass.  Early that morning one of our group realized Rivers Bend is closed on Mondays, so we had to pick something else.  I found that Central Park Deli shares a parking lot with Kroger (grocery stores are likely to have lots of empty spaces which allows for space for parking the rigs), and it got pretty good reviews.  What I didn't realize was that the Deli is actually
Post a Comment
Read more

Its all fun and games

Image
we already bought floating mat:  Floating Oasis Water Pad - Sam's Club (samsclub.com) inflatable jousting set $20:  Amazon.com: J&A's Inflatable Dudes Jousting Set- (Ninja & Rex) Dinosaur Push Bumper Sticks| Inflatable Toy| Gladiator Party Game for Kids | Family Backyard or Yard Games | Indoor Lawn Games| Limited Stock: Sports & Outdoors  $20, 82 ratings average 4 *. OR $200 for the ones that will last forever (arena not included, but we can use the floating mat):  Amazon.com: TentandTable Joust Pole, Red and Blue Two Pack, Air-Filled Inflatable for Wrecking Ball and Joust Arena Styled Commercial Inflated Interactive Bouncers: Toys & Games   Inflatable volleyball net $30 (people recommend buying different balls):  Amazon.com: Inflatable Pool Float Set Volleyball Net & Basketball Hoops; Balls Included for Kids and Adults Swimming Game Toy, Floating, Summer Floaties, Volleyball Court (105”x28”x35”)|Basketball (27”x23”x27”).: Sports & Outdoors Foam water b
Post a Comment
Read more

restaurants Bimini

Image
Reviews from Trip Advisor:  Stuart's Conch shack, #1 restaurant in Bimini according to Trip Advisor.  Everyone loves the conch salad or lobster salad.  They are open 11a-7 most days except closed Tuesdays.  In October they posted on FB that they are closed on Thursdays as well.  "Bimini Knockout Punch" lives up to its name.    Joe's Conch shack #2.  Only cash, no credit cards.  Conch shells are free.  Everyone loves the conch fritters and there are pictures of Kalik Bahamian beer, or Cranberry Kalik Radler.  Their Facebook page doesn't list hours of operation A taste of Heaven Bakery is out of business.   Three Daughter Deli #4.  Doesn't have a liquor license, so you can bring your own alcoholic beverages.  There is a liquor store across the street.  They serve breakfast.  People mention seafood and burgers.   CJ's Deli #5.  Outdoor seating, breakfast and lunch on radio beach.    Edith's pizza #6.  No reviews since 2019.  Still open? Big Game Club and
Post a Comment
Read more

Fla to Bimini

Image
Customs is at the sea plane doc in Resorts World Bimini or at Big Game Club Bimini. Bimini Big Game - Bahamas Customs & Immigration Clearance (biggameclubbimini.com) or Customs & Immigration | Resorts world Bimini (rwbimini.com) As of Feb, 2021, The Bahamas are using the digital "Click2Clear" system which is paperless and cashless.  We must fill out the information online:  General Customs Procedures – The Bahamas Customs Department   Air travel: " From the United States, all the islands are served with direct scheduled flights out of Fort Lauderdale; Bimini through SkyBahamas, and Silver Airways which code-shares with United Airlines and JetBlue. "  SkyBahamas has seasonal flights from Nassau to Bimini.    Flights: There only appears to be one flight per day.  Says there are 6 seats left "at this price".  May mean it is a 6 seater plane.   On the satellite, the island with the airport is not connected to the island with the vacation rentals, groce
Post a Comment
Read more

food, liquor, packing

non-alcoholic beverages take up a lot of space and are not very expensive, should probably buy on the island.   Value Added Tax at customs:  VAT: $100 exemption per person per visit, so Phelpses can bring $400 of food and Reads $200, if desired. Frequently Imported Brochure 2019 (Linear).pdf - Google Drive wine 50% of purchase price beer $10 VAT per imperial gallon (imperial gal = 153.722 US oz = 12.8333 beers) plus 10% of the purchase price.  Bring receipts For food you are allowed to bring in $100 worth of food per person in the original manufacturer sealed packaging.  Bloggers suggest bringing receipts to prove the value of the food.   If the Phelps family of 4 wanted to bring in more than $400 worth of food:  salad dressing 5% shampoo 25% Chicken 30% disposable cups and plates 45% energy drinks 55% FREE: deli meat, ketchup, flour, honey, ready-to-drink juice, peanut butter, pasta, potato chips, rice, women's sanitary products, sugar, syrup, tea, coffee, detergent, deodorant, c
Post a Comment
Read more

Schedule

 Rob and Tina return from Galapagos on 6/19. We would leave Monday 6/21 from MD to South Carolina.   Tuesday 6/22, south Carolina to Miami 6/23 Cross to Bimini Stay on Bimini 6/23 -/6/30 Cross back to Miami on 6/30, at that point we can stay in Miami, drive to Tampa or Drive to Melbourne. Start trip home7/1, either to Smiths in Melbourne or to South Carolina, if to Smiths, stay until July 5 or 6. Depends on the last day of school and how many snow days are used.  AACPS is June 18, FCPS is June 21(with 5 snow days)
Post a Comment
Read more

MD to Fla

 What people do about protecting their stuff from theft at the motel s:  Propeller Locks – McGard Perko Replacement Locking Gas Cap for 1.5" Non-Vented Fills (wholesalemarine.com) ______________________________________________________________________ Hotels that allow trucks and RV's (and presumably, boats) :  South Carolina SC Hotels with Truck Parking (allstays.com) Super 8 by Wyndham in Manning, SC is pet friendly and is on the allstays.com list of hotels that allow trucks.  Cost on 6/17-6/18 is $54/night for 2 guests per room, $62/nt for 4 guests per room.  Breakfast and WiFi included.  7 hrs from Annapolis, 8.5 hours from Harbour Towne Marina.   Super 8 by Wyndham Manning, Manning (kayak.com)  No restaurants within walking distance. Super 8 Walterboro, SC gets 6.1/10.  is on the allstays.com list of hotels that allow trucks Sleep Inn Walterboro I-95 Hotel - Book Today! (choicehotels.com)  gets 7.2/10.  is 7.5 hours from Harbour Towne marina, 8 hours from home.   Booking d
Post a Comment
Read more