Home Again

There was snow and ice covering the trees and everything but the roads this morning. For a change the roads got better the farther north we went. The sun was shining when we got home!!
It was a great trip but it's good to be home.

Weather Woes

We, very reluctantly, left Jekyll Island Wednesday morning. We got as far as Fort Hill, SC (just south of Charlotte) with no problems. The weather report for late Thursday in that area wasn't good so Bob drove farther than we had planned. We came back to Candy Hill Campground in Winchester, VA. We hoped by being this far north we'd be ahead of the storm. The freezing rain hit last night. This morning the radio listed closings; schools, colleges, county offices; as far north as Shippensburg, PA. And the freezing rain/sleet is supposed to continue all day. Tomorrow sounds better for travel. So today we'll read, play on the computer, watch TV- a snow day!

History

We explored some of the Historical Area today. The contrast between the natural, wild condition of most of the Island and the total opulence of these ‘cottages’ is amazing. We spent the most time in the Chapel. From two beautiful stained glass windows, one a signed Tiffany, to the carved wooden forest animals at the ends of the roof supports, to the gargoyles outside the end result is totally beautiful.

We spent a little time at the beach and saw a live sand dollar. We watched and it only took two waves before the sand dollar was totally covered up with sand and we couldn’t tell where it was.

Beaches

We finally made it all the way around the island. There are parks on both the Jekyll River side and on the ocean side.
This one is called driftwood beach. We’ve spent some time at most of the beaches. We’re trying to soak up as much sun as we can before going back home.

1st Campfire of 2008

We had our first campfire! No campfires were allowed at Hilton Head. It was cold and or rainy the rest of the time.
Notice I have a turtleneck and sweatshirt- no gloves or winter coat.

Valentines Day

What a day!!!!
It was freezing this morning (well almost –34). Bob warmed things up with a computer card that played several Barbra Steisand love songs. No wonder I love him!

Today we went exploring. 1st we went to St. Simons Island. We climbed the St. Simons Lighthouse and went through the little museum. We then went to several historical sites. I didn’t know that the battles on St. Simons Island between the Spanish and English were the ones that decided the New World would be English and not Spanish. I also didn’t know that the Oak trees from St. Simons Island were used in building ‘Old Ironsides’ and the Brooklyn Bridge (I figured Adirondacks for wood for NY). And even more history- John and Charles Wesley (Methodist Church) preached under Oak trees near the northwest coast of the Island. St. Simons is the largest of Georgia’s Golden Isles but it really has a lot of the past in a small area. We drove back to the mainland and spent sometime driving around Brunswick (home to several shipyards, during World War II they supplied allied troops around the world). We found the Mary Ross Waterfront Park- not very busy today, only 1 person at the Farmer’s Market and the shrimp boats were just tied to the pier but still a nice spot. And more famous oak trees – a 900 year old “Lovers Oak’ where Native American braves met their maidens and the ‘Lanier Oak’ where Sidney Lanier was inspired to write ‘The Marshes of Glynn’.
Everywhere there are parks and scenic overlooks for the marshlands and small rivers.

Now I understand why all those OMS teachers used to come down here every April. It is a very calm relaxing place, but there's plenty to see.

Jekyll Island

What a change from Hilton Head. This is about 2.5 hours south. There’s little traffic and life just seems quieter, calmer. The campground (the whole Island is a Georgia State Park) is a lot like state parks at home but there’s Spanish moss hanging from the trees and the trees are super tall! We’ve checked out a couple of beaches (it’s really just one very long beach the length of the island)- the water is cold! There’s lots of history. We’ve driven a little of the scenic tour but in two days we still haven’t even driven on the southern part of the road. When we see more of the historic district I’ll write about it.

You can stay at this campground for months in the winter. Lots of campsites have streetlights out in front. The lights have a sign hanging with the state the campers are from. It looks like you have to be here at least a month to get a sign.

Jekyll Island doesn’t have a lighthouse so tomorrow we’re going to St. Simons Island to see the lighthouse there.

Hilton Head Lighthouse

Hilton Head Lighthouse is in the Sea Pines Plantation. If you are not an owner or staying at a resort/hotel in that area you have to pay and then are only allowed on certain roads. So we paid and managed to stay on the allowed roads and even saw everything I wanted to!

We saw the lighthouse and climbed to the observation tower and gift shop. They have a lot of historical information and pictures or historical objects (a hand sewn US flag that belonged to the lighthose service, a golf club from the first important tournament, etc) on each level of the stairs.

We also went to the Sea Pines Forest Preserve. We walked some of the paths but only saw turtles. We did get to see the Indian Shell Ring. It was very similar to the Green Shell Enclosure we saw yesterday. That was for fortification/protection from Skull Creek. They think the shell ring was used for celebrations and ceremonies.

The mix of green spaces and resorts/hotels etc. is interesting. It's a very carefully planned community. Traffic on the main highway around the island is nerve racking now, I can’t imagine in the summer. When you get off the main road it’s quiet and fairly calm to drive around. It’s an interesting area and the people we’ve met have been very friendly. I’d like to come back sometime when it’s just a little warmer.

History and Nature

Today we went to a couple of parks. There were nice walkways and observation decks. We saw salt marshes, numerous birds, and the Green Shell Enclosure
(See kids, I'm still making Dad go to these things)
Then, as always, after some history/nature we rewarded ourselves with lunch at the Hilton Head Brewing. After some wine and beer, the wrong exit from the traffic circle didn't seem such a big deal. They also had a pond with birds and turtles to watch.
Tomorrow we're going to look for a lighthouse or two (I've been very patient).

Friday, 2-8-08

2-8-08

We did a little exploring in the car today. Mostly it was an adventure in driving. By the 4th road to the beach we knew it was coming and got in the left lane. We found the road to the public park (after going into a private development) parked and walked to the beach. It was beautiful and we’ll make more beach time tomorrow. We left the beach and got back on the main road. The plan was to see a historical site and then go to the grocery store for a couple items. We knew the grocery store was on the left but we didn’t know where. Turn left lanes are totally separate from the rest of the road so there’s no changing your mind. After 2 or 3 wrong turns which included finding a place to turn around and then getting back across 4 lanes of traffic. Once we had to turn right and then do a u-turn at the light (go backwards to go forwards) Eventually we found the grocery store. I thought I told Bob to turn on the road that would come out at a light- no we missed it so again we went back to a light where we could do a u-turn . We are back at the campground and the groceries are put away. I’m sitting outside watching the herons fish in low tide. I don’t think I can talk Bob into exploring any more today (I can’t imagine what the traffic must be like in the summer). So in a little while I think I’ll go explore the exercise room and hot tub. Retirement is better than we ever dreamed.

Thursday Feb 7, 2008

2-7-08
What a difference a day makes! Today is sunny and beautiful. It took about 5 hours to get to Hilton Head, but 45 minutes was spent getting gas. The diesel tank needed a new filter or something like that and therefore was rather slow and , as the clerk said, the camper was quite thirsty.
We found the campground (RV Resort) with no problem. They gave us a golf cart to drive around in and pick 2 or 3 sites. We picked a waterfront site. It has a 2 level deck and looks out on the intercoastal waterway.

Day 1 & 2 February 2008

February 2008

We’re on the road again!!!!

We left home Tuesday morning. Bob got his little car all hooked up (only one person got a little upset that he had half the street blocked for about 15 min- but she figured out how to go around him). And I’m riding in the camper! (Knock on wood)

Tuesday we drove to Winchester, Va. and stayed at Candy Hill Campground. We drove through clouds, fog and rain- but no snow or freezing rain.
Wednesday morning all the slides came back in, the car was still hooked up and we left with no problems. ( knock on wood again)
We drove farther on 81 then ever before. The mountains were beautiful- it’s obvious why they’re the Blue Ridge Mountains!! The fog driving through the mountains was like driving through lake effect snow without slippery roads. We kept losing the car in front of us until he finally put his flashers on. We drove down the mountain and out of the fog. We’re now at a KOA in Statesville, NC.