South Carolina (again)

We had a 4 1/2 hour trip to Longs, South Carolina today. And it was a pretty interesting stretch. Once we got off Hwy. 95, we were on pretty much "back road" parts of South Carolina. About a half hour off the freeway we stopped at a gas station for a "potty" break. First of all, I didn't know a woman could actually spray urine all over a toilet/floor/wall. I thought that particular atrocity was reserved for men! Second, I have never seen people, dressed in their Sunday best having dinner at a gas station, on styrofoam plates and seated at folding tables scattered in the middle of the store. Now I really feel like I'm in the south!
After that pit-stop we stayed on the road for the duration. It was a very pretty drive. Considering the scene at the gas station, I have never seen so many beautiful (brick) homes. Many with cool old barns and stables, plenty of horses and the most gorgeous Azaleas I have ever seen. Most of the homes were literally surrounded by beautiful and enormous bushes in a profusion of bright colors. And the woods were literally filled with Wisteria in magnificent purple. Then we finally arrived at Willow Tree Resort and Campground. The long drive in through the manicured lawn and surrounding woods told me this was going to be a good one. That was an understatement. Clearly, this "campground" will be rated #1 in our long list of campgrounds. It is stunning. Wide, long pull-through sites with more lawn around us than we had at home. Towering pines, a beautiful lake and all the nice extras to boot (like a pool, hot tub, gym, laundry, store, bocce ball, horseshoe pits, paddle boats, beach and volleyball courts).

Jeff and I took a walk around the grounds and the lake and are completely in awe of the absolute beauty they have managed to capture here. The only thing missing, oddly enough, is cable and wifi. Not typically important but this evening we are once again in the midst of a pretty good thunderstorm. Having grown accustomed to 80+ degree days, today's high of 74 and this evenings mid 50's seems mighty cold to me.  I'm thinking that issue may be a major drawback to this move "north".

 Tomorrow we will spend the day at the coast. Forecast is for sun and I am hoping some heat as well!

Xena loves South Carolina!
You can see it in her face..

Daufuskie Island

Yesterday we went on a Calibogue Cruise to Daufuskie Island, just off the coast of Hilton Head Island. This area has a long history (Indians, Spaniards, the Union Troups) but the really interesting history starts after the slaves were freed and the plantation owners left the island pretty much to their slaves who were all from a tribe in Africa called "Gullah's". This particular group of slaves had held fast to their tribal customs and language and did not mix with the rest of the country (pretty isolated out there on the island). The descendants left of the Gullah Tribe still live on Daufuskie Island but they are few in numbers. There are a few "immigrants", people that moved to the island from the mainland (like the postal lady we talked to). Other than that, there is one area of the island that was developed as a rather ritzy community. These remaining residents depend on a ferry to get to and from Daufuskie. I can't imagine and hour ride just to get groceries, then lugging them back on the ferry, then on to the golfcart and home. And the kids, from 6th grade on, go to a mainland school which involves a bus to the ferry, the ferry ride over, then another bus to school. An hour and a half twice a day...UGH! But...extremely beautiful, and extremely untouched, island paradise. In addition to the Atlantic Ocean shoreline that was clean and scenic, the island is heavily wooded and heavily spanish-mossed for an altogether lovely area.

So off we went for the hour ride to Daufuskie on a beautiful South Carolina morning (yes, we are still in Georgia but Hilton Head Island, where we caught the ferry is about 75 minutes away). We were promised Dolphin sightings and did see a few bobbing up and down on both the way there and back, but no big shows or displays :(

Buck Island Lighthouse

We arrived about noon and, as part of the tour package, had lunch at Old Daufuskie Crab Company. Total rip-off (I guess you can get away with anything when you have a monopoly) and awful "buffet" lunch. But, on to the tour portion, which consisted of a golf cart and a map of the island. We were free to go anywhere we wanted on the island (which is, approx 8 square miles) except the private community of Haig Point.

First things first, of course. We hit the beach (actually called Bloody Point after an infamous Indian Massacre). It was very pretty, wide expanse of gold sand, pretty clean (no seaweed anyway) but that murky brown Atlantic water.

And a few of these attractive little buggers..

We walked the beach for a while, found some pretty shells then hopped back in the golf cart for more touring. Jeff was really getting a kick out of driving the cart. Tooling down the road with a Corona, a cigar and a big smile!

We tried to find a few of the shops and landmarks posted on the map but either they didn't exist, were hidden in the woods or we were having a bad map-reading day. For a really small island, it had a labyrinth of roads, both dirt and paved, and they were not well marked.Typically when Jeff drives and I navigate we do pretty well but we were batting a big fat zero yesterday!. No worries though, it was such a nice day and we enjoyed the views of the island itself.
We got back to the Marina well before the required time so we sat a spell and enjoyed watching the local Osprey tend to their nest on top of a near-by boat lift.

We probably would not have done this tour had we known just how far it was (we had been told 30 minutes and almost missed the boat!). By the time we got back home it was almost 7 so we stopped for a bite at a local Scottish Bar. Across the street was...

So Jeff stopped in a found a six-pack of a beer he had in Savannah that is brewed in North Carolina. The rest of the night it stormed so we tucked in. Tomorrow we head to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina for a few days. We were warned by the couple we met in Savannah to expect touristy crap and crowded beaches so we are prepared for the worst but hoping for the best...a few days by the shore!

Utterly Gorgeous Savannah!

Yesterday we made the "trek" into Savannah. Even the drive to Savannah was pretty but Savannah itself is gorgeous! In my usual cheap-ass fashion, I had found a parking lot on the edge of town (least expensive), next to the Visitors Center (valuable free info) and directly adjacent to one of the DOT stops (free shuttle bus all around Savannah). While waiting for the shuttle we talked with an older couple from Connecticut who were spending a week at their time-share on Hilton Head Island. They gave us some great tips for side trips in the area as well as a crash course in history.I had a rough itinerary planned and soon,  off we went to our first stop, Forsyth Park. Savannah has many "squares" throughout the historic district but this as a large park with a cafe, fountain, playing fields, gardens and stage for concerts. As described on-line, the park is well-loved by area residents. There were groups of Mom's playing with their kids at the playground, a school group on a recess, young men playing frisbee football and many visitors enjoying the "Fragrant Garden", the fountain and the grounds.

Some nice students from the near-by art college volunteered
take our picture.



Magnolias? Not sure, but they smelled great!





   

 

 

      After a good walk around the park and a cup of Joe, we decided to skip the shuttle in favor of walking. It was a picture perfect day and the neighborhoods seemed extremely safe as well as scenic. Savannah doesn't believe in tearing down and rebuilding. The community as a whole refurbishes. There was evidence of this throughout the neighborhoods we walked through. Lots of projects going on and "permits" that were written in an apologetic language (as in "excuse the mess").

 

 

 

Our next stop was about a mile up the street...the Colonial Park Cemetery. The cemetery dates back to the 1700's. Not only historic but hysterical. During the Civil War, Union Troops camped there and in their boredom, recarved dates on the headstones, making fathers younger than their children and wives 11 years old.

The headstone above is for a Josiah Muir who died at age 11, and his wife, Mary, who died 3 years later at age 17 and their son, Lewis,  who died the same year as his 11 year old father at age 12! Pranksters!

After spending a good amount of time viewing this beautiful cemetery, we continued on to the  River Walk along the Savannah River. We stopped for lunch at the 200 year old (building anyway) Boars Head Pub. I had at least 5 things on the menu I would have loved to try (Shrimp and Grits, Crab Soup...) but settled on a Crab Patty Sandwich. Jeff had a Ham and Cheese on muffin smothered in cheesy gravy that was called  "Hot Georgia Brown".

We then wandered up and down the River Walk and stumbled upon probably the greatest cigar shop ever. It wasn't so much the cigar selection as it was the woman running it (for her sister, who she said, pays her with food). She was awesome. Knew her cigars (she started smoking them with her Grandma, who died at 97), was full of southern charm (Jeff was "Baby" and I was "Sweetie"), funny as hell (stories of her Grandma and 10 siblings free of charge) and even "torched" then lit Jeff's cigar for him before we left! The remainder of the cigar was smoked as we finished walking and then we stopped for a brew at Moon River Brewery.

Next we walked to the City Market which is an area of a few blocks with more good restaurants and shops. Amazingly, the only thing we bought the entire day was a beer mug from Moon River and the cigars.

We continued on through the main downtown area and then a few squares, eventually finding our way back to the parking area. I am so glad we didn't pay for one of the tour trolleys as we were able to go exactly where we wanted, when we wanted and got a great view of Savannah on foot!
Across from the parking lot was a pub called The Distillery and since it had been several hours since our last beer and even longer since our last food, we stopped in to find yet another historic building (prohibition era). We sat at the bar and struck up a conversation with the NICEST young man (from North Carolina) who was in Savannah for work (Army Corp of Engineers). He gave us some good tips for our journey into North Carolina.

 A cup of chili and a drink later, we were back on the road. And exhausted...but enjoying every minute in this charming area.

Today was rest day and I also did some long overdue cleaning of window frames and the living room fan (I didn't even realize how grimy it was until I looked up and....whoa!). Things get very dusty and dirty when being pulled down dusty and dirty roads. RV's are NOT airtight so the road grime accumulates quickly. It was nice not having an agenda today and in addition to cleaning, I got our RV repair work scheduled, insurance claim submitted and reservations made for our next two stops. I also made a reservation for our day trip tomorrow to Daufuskie Island. More on that later...



BP Gets a Boo-Boo

Yesterday morning we left Mims for Savannah, Georgia about 9:30. About 9:45 one of the tires on the BP blew, losing it's entire tread and causing a bit of damage to the BP's living room slide area. We had the same thing happen with our Class C a year ago as we were returning it from Door County. Now this! Unfortunately, a trailer tire hold about 120 pounds of pressure so when they blow...they really blow.

We also are unable to change the tire since you need a special jack to lift 18,000 pounds of vehicle so we had to call on a tire/tow service to A) find us, B) remove the tire, C) take the tire to Titusville so a new one could be placed on the rim and then, D) return and replace the new tire. This took until 2 p.m. at which point, we continued on to our destination. During our wait, I found that the now defunct "Holiday Rambler" is under the Monaco umbrella and repairs can be done in Wakarusa, Indiana. Looks like we have a new destination!
In the end, we actually remained in good spirits and crossed into Georgia a few hours later. We had resorted to making reservations at a KOA (which we are typically not fond of) in Richmond Hill, Ga.

We arrived just before 6 p.m. and whatever we had heard about "Southern Hospitality" has been an understatement. These people are NICE! The campground is lovely, clean and well cared for and the town itself is more of the same....clean and pretty with everything we need near by (read Walmart!).

Our Campsite

One of the camps Swans...this guy is "Crabby Joe"...
He's downright viscious in protecting his girl
and her nest!

Today was wash/errand/clean guns day. Tomorrow, we head into Savannah where I promised Jeff and full day of walking, touring and picture taking. He's thrilled!

Our Last Days in Florida

So I haven't "blogged" since Wednesday...and theres a good reason why. We haven't done a thing! Well, that's not 100% true, but we have done very little.
Thursday we attempted to get in a good bike ride. After searching on-line for a trail, we drove to south Merritt Island where there was a reported "7-mile trail around the Lagoon (and watch out for the Alligators". Couldn't find it. Found a common old city sidewalk that bumped it's way through suburbia but that was not the exciting "Alligator Central" we had hoped for. So we drove to the northern part of the island to a nature preserve where the promise was a "26 mile stretch bordering the Canaveral National Shoreline". OK, there was a shoreline up and over the dunes but riding on a busy road is also not my idea of scenic (or safe).
Friday I told Jeff I just had to see Cocoa Beach. After all, it's where all the astronauts live and surfers surf, right? He gamely accompanied me to what proved to be a very typical, very touristy, very dirty beach town with MOBS of Spring Breakers and seaweed. We basically, looked, lunched and left. Lunch was great though...as an irish pub always is!

Cocoa Beach

Beach bar break

Nolans Irish Pub

The truth is we are just plain tired of playing tourist. We are spoiled by St. Maarten beaches and water and we are sick of tourist beach towns that all look the same and sell the same old shit. So we planned out our remaining two days in Florida very carefully (careful to avoid any more beach towns that is)...
we did NOTHING!!! Unless you count laying by the pool and working on our tans something. Honestly, I did more of that than Jeff but he did get some Xbox time in so I know he enjoyed his leisure time as well.

Too pretty to waste...

One of our little friends

Kennedy Space Center

I was really excited to visit the Kennedy Space Center despite an admitted lack of knowledge (or previous interest in) the space program as a whole. I remember, in elementary school, our class activity coming to a halt and the teacher wheeling in a television set to watch the first moon landing. And I remember sitting on the living floor with almost 2 year old, Katie, watching the Challenger explode shortly after launching. That is about the extent of my knowledge...sad! But our visit today was exciting, educational and just plain  inspiring. To think of the science and knowledge involved to actually LAUNCH a rocket,  or shuttle is amazing. To think of the vastness of our universe and how little we truly know about it's extent is mind boggling.

We started our day with the bus tour which brings you to two destinations, the LC-39 Observation Gantry and the Apollo/Saturn V Center. On the way, we also drove by the Vehicle Assembly Building. The Gantry overlooks the launch areas which lie outside of the visitors center. We were able to see the Crawler Transporter as well as many launch pads including LC39A and LC39B where the shuttles had been launched.

On to the next building that houses a fully restored Saturn V rocket and Apollo Space Capsule which brought man to the moon.

Saturn V's booster rockets

Command Module

Apollo 14 Command Module

"The Eagle has Landed"

We also got to see the actual Apollo programs Launch Control Center and experience what it was like in the moments before the actual launch.

The board that says it all...

We have lift-off

After the bus tour we took on the Shuttle Launch Experience. You are buckle in a seat in a launch simulator and subjected to the motion, force and vibration of a shuttle launch. Amazing.....and very weird. I'm sure we weren't experiencing even close to the actual force of launch but I swear my face moved from the front of my head to the back of my head. The lady sitting in front of us had long hair and it was standing straight out behind her and almost in my face! After a short break (smoke) and a walk through the Astronaut Memorial, we caught the IMAX film about the Hubble, what it does and what it took to repair it (several times).  We had been to an Observatory in Texas and had seen photos from the Hubble. Heck, we had even bought a book about the universe that, of course, featured many Hubble photos. But this movie was just unbelievably amazing. Really made us think about the vast Universe and our place among the stars. We're so minuscule, so insignificant in a galaxy that is simply one of billions of galaxies. This guy, however, is not insignificant and he knows it...

KSC lies within the Merritt Island National Wildlife Preserve
and there is an abundance of alligators!

Following the film and with a new sense of smallness, we walked through the Rocket Garden made up of the Mercury-Redstone, Atlas, Apollo Saturn 1B and many other retired rockets.

By now, we were actually pretty pooped, yet had not seen quite a few of the exhibits and displays that the KSC has for visitors. But fatigue won out so we said goodbye to the KSC and headed home.

Billies Swamp Tour

Though the weather looked "iffy" and the forecast said rain, we decided to take our chances and drive the 50 miles into the Everglades to the Seminole Reservation and do Billies Swamp today. Of course, with the time change, it was later than we had hoped to get started but we made it there by noon.  The Everglades itself was not what I expected. Looked more like a lot of farm land, cows in abundance, and shrub bush.
Immediately after arriving we were herded onto a "Swamp Buggy" for a tour of the grounds and the Oak Canopy. Billies has a zoo-like atmosphere as many of the animals were imported from India, Australia and other sub-tropic environments. The buggy was fun and we did see a large area of the glades and many animals....oddly living in apparent harmony!

"Snake" bird

One of these at every feeder

Odd collection of beasts!

Turkeys

After the buggy tour we walked through some exhibits. Not to much to see but interesting "critters"...

We then boarded an Air boat for the swamp tour. The guide mentioned that on his last run all the gators that had been sitting and sunning on the banks had mysteriously disappeared. Well, duh....the sky had clouded and a few sprinkle were even falling. I wondered then and there if Jeff and I didn't know more about gators than he did! I tested him with an easy question..."When do Alligators lay their eggs?" He did not know. Oh Boy.

Spot the Gators...

It was not a fabulous tour and the guide pretty much sucked but it was fun to get on an Air boat finally and Jeff really enjoyed the sound of the powerful motor! The last thing to do was the "Gator Pond" which featured one really huge male and his girlfriend. We were lucky enough to be there just as the rangers brought around bags of frozen chickens to feed these two. The male took some persuasion to come to dinner but after a few "Gator calls" from the ranger and the threat of his girl getting all of the chicken, he finally came to life and lumbered over for his fill. He was HUGE. His head was easily 4 feet long and two feet wide. Not one I would want to tempt closer...

On the way home we stopped in Clewiston for a meal and discovered they have few dining options. Wendys, KFC, a Cuban diner, a BBQ shack that looked about to fall down and Sonny's BBQ. We picked Sonny's which proved to have really good BBQ and great people watching (seems everyone in Clewiston had just gotten out of church and it was 3 p.m.).

Home for the last (thank goodness) night in South Bay and getting things ready for the move north tomorrow!