O-HI-O

Good to be back in Ohio - but not home yet. We have made it to Wapakoneta just north of Dayton, will stay here tonight, then home by mid-afternoon tomorrow. Why not come all the way home if we are this close? We have made it a point that the day before we come back home, we need to make sure all the tanks are cleaned out, that stuff is put away, etc. We only have electricity where we store the RV, so using water to clean and then to dump out the holding tanks a couple of times and then treat with chemicals - is a must if we don't want a smelly RV next time we use it.

Dave also wanted to get off the road - the wind gusts right now are over 35 and it's very difficult to drive with that kind of wind. We did make it from Kentucky last night without a problem. Let me get you caught up with the latest on the cats. We were ready and had the truck set up to let them out of their cages if they went bazzerk like they did on Wednesday. Well - Chip and Grace both slept most of the day yesterday, didn't make alot of noises, and we drove through some pretty nasty areas. Interstate 40 is closed just west of Asheville so we had to detour about 1 1/2 hours north, then south to get back to I40. Was those roads unbelievable! Up and down in and out of the Smokey Mountains. And, on top of that, we are having problems with the electrical hookup which gives us the extra safety brakes - they are not working at all. We had to depend on the truck's engine (jake brakes) to slow us down, speed us up. Very very nerve wracking - and I was so scared! Dave is a terrific driver, but knowing we were pulling 15000 pounds behind us and didn't have the added safety brakes and doing huge steep grades, wow.

And then! We left Asheville Thursday morning and drove all day - 6 hours and stayed the night in Corbin Kentucky - at a KOA (Kampground of America) which is pricey from what we were doing - but it is typically very stable, very clean, etc. The campground we left was in a "haller' (gap) and we managed to go off the road a couple of times because of the hairpin turns of the road in and out of the campground. It was a beautiful setting, but holy cow! Just as we got on I75 north - that's when the warning buzzer sounded that the trailer's brakes weren't working. Nerve wracking. Once we settled down and understood we couldn't do anything about it, we just kept on coming north. As we got closer to Corbin KY to get to the next overnight campground - we got lost once we left Interstate 75. The GPS steered us wrong - in a huge way. Added an additional hour onto our already long trip. But, made it. Dave literally collapsed at 7pm last night. Had no problems getting back to I75, once we found out how to get there, and was on the road by 9am. Again, today Chip and Grace didn't say a word all day. Can't believe it after that horrendous day 2 days ago. Chip still isn't right, just glad we will be home tomorrow afternoon.

This is the last post of this trip. We are planning to take off again - this time to Michigan/Minnesota/Wisconsin sometime 3rd week in May for about 5 weeks. Have to be home and fly to Phoenix by the 15th of July.

North Carolina

We left Charleston SC about 9:30am this morning - was very glad to leave, the gnats eat you alive. Seems most of the people we met at this campground all complained of the same thing. You pray for a windy day, otherwise, you scratch, itch, get bitten, get the heebee jeebees. Dave is chewed up bigtime being outside the most with hooking up the RV. Anyhow, the trip was very nerve wracking. Chip - with 2 tranquilizers in him - I said 2, remember!, was the fiercest we have seen him. He tried biting thru the carrier even tho he could barely see straight. He cried constantly from the time we got in the truck to go. Grace would just feed off of Chip and when Chip got loud, she got loud. Chip got quiet, she got quiet. We will try a different tactic tomorrow when we hit the road again. It's been 7 hours since I gave him the sedative and he still can't stand. Poor guy. We have to watch him all the time - afraid he'll fall down the steps.

We are in Saluda North Carolina, just south of Asheville, NC. We need to get to Interstate 75 north, and typically you pick up I 40 out of Asheville heading west, then through the Smoky Mountains and then pick up I75 about 35 miles once you past Asheville. Last fall there was a huge rock slide on I40 and it has been shut down in both directions since then. Which means detours. We will have to continue going north on I26 and then pick up Interstae 81 south to get back to I75. This will add an additional hour onto our trip. Can't help it - just go with the flow.

Dave suggested that once we get the cats in the car, and we are on our way, to let them out. He blocked and gaps between back cab where they are and our front seats, and there is no room under the seats for them to go. He set up a small litter box on the floor in the back where they are, and if they need to do something, it's there. Let's see if this helps them. They will be able to roam around in the back, sleep on top of their carry boxes or inside or on the seats. Keep your fingers crossed!!!!

Boone Hall Plantation

Have you seen the movie, North and South staring Patrick Swayzie, or Queenie staring Halle Berry, or The Notebook staring James Garner? If so, you have seen the plantation that we went to today. Those 3 movies were filmed here. Gone With the Wind? Well, that movie was shot entirely in Hollywood using sketches from many plantations around the south. They say that they used the avenue of oaks (100 were planted, only 96 are still surviving after 300 years) which is oak trees that lines the drive into the home as the inspiration of Gone With The Wind. But, I was not disappointed as to how this looked from the outside - couldn't see much of the inside. Today we went over to Boone Hall Plantation which has been an active plantation since 1670. The home you see here is the 4th home built that housed a family, the first 2 made of wood and those disintegrated with age, the 3rd burnt down and the fourth (here) was made out of bricks that were made at this plantation. Boone Hall has the only surviving slave street in America where 9 slave buildings dating from the 1740's are still standing. Again, those buildings were made out of brick that was produced there. The main crop was cotton, then indigo (blue dye), then into brick making, pecan trees, and now farming. At one time there was over 4000 acres, today only 740 remain. We could tour the home, only going into 4 rooms on the first floor, the brother and sister of the family still own and run the plantation, he stays in Charleston and she lives in LA, visiting about 2 to 3 times a year. Sad part - neither are/were married and there is no offspring. So who takes care of this plantation say in 20 years (they are both in their 60's)?

Toured the grounds in a open trolley like - they showed us the pecan trees (was over 1000 - now only 300 remain, and they let the squirrels eat the bounty), the horse stables, the fields where the cotton and indigo were (now overgrown as a forest), the slave quarters, the strawberry fields (one of their main crops), the dock where the boats had come in to get the crops and send on to Charleston, the gardens, etc. Pretty impressive as to the vastness of this place. This plantation is one of the most photographed plantations in the south.


We were going to head up to the Shenandoah Valley in Virginia, then head home from there - but I can't find a campsite at all going up along I95 north. So, tomorrow we camp near Asheville NC, not even unhooking for the night, then have to take a detour which will add over 100 miles to our trip just to get to I75 north near Knoxville. Last fall I40 was wiped out with a rock landslide and it is still closed. From there just head quickly home. Chip is doing better, not 100%, but we now feel that we need to get home to get things done. RV has to go in again for some maintenance, truck needs to be tuned up, I need to clean the house - it has been empty over 7 weeks and will be 8 by the time we get home. Won't be on again for a couple of days - we hope to be home by Sunday.

Charleston SC

Been a couple of days - better get you up to date. First, we are still not sure about Chip. He's on day 3 of antibiotics - seems to bleem him out big time, glassy eyes, sleeps, just very quiet. At night he cuddles up to me and doesn't budge, which is not like him. He's restless most nights, but last night he didn't move (actually Grace pinned me in at my waist and Chip pinned my legs down - his normal way of snuggling, and with Dave in bed also - I just couldn't move). Will do the last 3 days of his medicine then hopefully all will return to normal. Hopefully. Second, we are kinda heading home, kinda. We decided to go on to Charleston South Carolina - drove there on Sunday - was a very pleasant ride - coming up along the coast on Route 17. Called the Old Savannah Highway. Got settled in here at Lake Aire (yeah - they pronounce it as Erie!) Campground about 7 miles south of Charleston in a town called Hollywood. We have cut our visit here short - was going to spend about 5 days here and instead will leave Wednesday morning for North Carolina and then to Virginia, W Virginia and home. Maybe 2 more weeks on the road.

Since only 2 real sightseeing days here, we opted for Fort Sumter National Park and for a cotton plantation that has the 8th generation of the same family still working the place. Decided this morning to go to Fort Sumter. Have to take a ferry over to the park which is an island in the middle of Charleston Bay. And you and the passengers that came on this ferry are the only ones at the park. The ferry stays there for 1 hour and 45 minutes while you visit, then hauls you back. Here's the really bizarre thing - I was undecided - plantation or Sumter this morning and then at last minute we did Sumter. When we got there and was looking over the displays it dawned on us - today, April 12th, but 149 years ago - was the first cannon fired that started the Civil War - on Fort Sumter! Wow. Once we toured the park and got back to the mainland which is called Patriot Point, the USS Yorktown - a naval air craft carrier - was scuttled and set up as a museum and memorial to all that have served in all the wars since the start of the US. There was a dynamic inside museum that was called the Medal of Honor which describes how someone is designated and honored with this medal. Pretty impressive. We toured the aircraft carrier on all levels, from the bowels in the engine room to the top flight deck to the bridge where the admiral commands. Huge.

Tomorrow we head to Boone Plantation about 20 miles from here and will tour that. Then Wednesday we will head to North Carolina, only spending the night and not unhook, but go on then into Virginia. Dave wants to go back and see the Shenadoah Valley - so we'll find a campground around that national park and stay for a couple of days - if Chip is doing okay. Otherwise, we'll keep the pace - drive, stop, don't unhook, sleep, drive more, etc. until we get home. We are really enjoying this life and are looking forward to the day the house sells and we are full-timers.

Sapelo Island and Jekyll Island

As with most plans, things happen. We were able to get to Sapelo Island Ferry but. It only runs on Wednesday and Saturday. Sapelo Island can only be reached by ferry, was the winter home of RJ Reynolds, and also home to Hog Hammon, a community of 3rd generation slaves and that to live on the island you have to prove you are a descendent of a slave. So, walked the trails along the marsh, looked at their displays and then headed over to Jekyll Island where, again, lots of millionaires lived at the turn of the century. The main reason for going over there - they have the Georgia Sea Turtle Center which rehabs sea turtles and releases them back to the wild. What a disappointment. New Smyrna Beach's turtle center does a much better job. And the Island was mobbed. Wasn't fun to be around a gazillion kids and vacationers. Aren't we putzes?

However, as things go - I was impressed with how the Georgia State folks have preserved those mansions. And was there money there! Porsche's, BMWs, Mg's, Rolls Royce's, you name it. We did have our bikes with us and I suggested after we looked at the sea turtle center to go for a ride. That part was fun. The weather was perfect - about 74 and low humidity for once. Dave had a real interest in the bridge that spans the entrance over to the Island, and he hung out the window taking it all in. Will send separate emails with pictures. Again, now we have seen enough of the 'low country' and of this part of Georgia and need to move on which will be tomorrow, Sunday.

Today, Saturday, started out pretty rough. About 5am Chip had gotten up and was very uncomfortable when he had to do his business. He's not been any better since last mention, just stabilized. But, now he was in misery. So, we lay in bed discussing what to do - pack up and head home to get to our vet and as best - be home by Tuesday, or, stay and try to find a local vet, what to do? I needed to do laundry regardless because we had run out of clothes - so while I was doing that Dave got hold of the people who own this camping area and they got him connected to a vet hospital who agreed to see Chip this morning. As it turns out, he's highly stressed out, we have antibiotics for his diarrhea and have tranquilizers for his travel days. We are heading back - will be in Charleston South Carolina for a couple of days, then swing on home.

Rice Plantation and Fort George

I have always wanted to see a plantation - ever since seeing Gone With the Wind - and my idea of a plantation is Tara. There is Hofwyl-Broadfield Plantation right near where we are camping and went to visit it yesterday. I didn't know that most of the coastal Georgia area was rice farms, not cotton or tobacco. The ancestral home we saw was continually used from the late 1700's until 1973 when the last of the family died and bequeathed the home and land to the state. They started out as rice farmers then moved to dairy at the beginning of the 1900's. Big place. Will send pictures on separately.

Then from there we went to Fort King George, the first British fort in Georgia. Was pretty impressive, but I have to say - was ghostly. I had to leave one of the buildings because I could feel spirits of men in there, and they weren't happy. Weirdest feeling I have had.

Drove a short distance down the road (we are definitely in the coastal area - you could see miles of rivers and low land, with no buildings there) and had a late lunch early dinner at MudCat Charlies - had the most yummy shrimp - and cheap. There are shrimp boats right by there and we are told that it's all locally caught fish.

Today we are going over to Sapelo Island where RJ Reynolds had his mansion and also Ford and Hanna (Cleveland's Hanna) and many others. Saturday will be a day of just chilling at the site, we move Sunday to Charleston South Carolina.

Townsend Georgia

The WiFi part came in yesterday so we were able to leave Florida behind us this morning. Was a fast ride - 3 hours - but I95 is totally torn up between Jacksonville and here. Had to come to complete stops at some points, very frustrating - and the cats let us know they thought we were stopping for good: they started to sing to us to get them out! We are staying at an Escapee campground, only 35 sites, but gorgeous. We are on a small lake, looking out towards it right now. Since this is an Escapee, only Escapee members are allowed here, no one else. All sorts of rigs - some permanent, some snow birds still here, and rest like Dave and me - just passing through. We are totally blown away with a 5ver (5th wheel) that pulled in beside us about an hour ago - screeching big time. We overheard their conversation on the cell phone - they have a brand new doolie (double wheels in the back on each side) with a larger engine (bigger than us) because they just bought this 5th wheel and what truck they had wasn't big enough - they blew out the transmission. Hello! Didn't you do your homework first as to what you can pull? And the screeching - we think a bearing or brake is going or gone - some of the other folks have come up to them and talked about it - saying, sometimes you can't hear what's going on - did you know....... I am sure they feel embarrassed - but they should be calling someone or something to get help - especially since they just bought it! Dah.

And then on the other side is an old hippie type bus - painted royal blue - excellent condition with a matching Mazda royal blue SUV, and the person inside has to be 150 years old! Seriously! What a contrast.

Yesterday in the afternoon we went over to Smyrna Sand Dunes and walked the boardwalk down to the ocean. Watched them surfing, playing, swimming and having fun. Lots of cars on the beach (Daytona is one of the few areas where you can drive your vehicle right onto the beach). Then as we were leaving to walk back, we noticed a number of sea turtles resting inside or just outside their little sand dunes. Dave and I both took lots of pictures - will send them on separately. Weather has been wonderful - if you like hot weather. I don't and I am suffering big time from it. Just the hour spent yesterday walking the boardwalk and beach made me kinda sick. Today at this new campground in Georgia - when we got in was about 85 - and it climbed to above 90. Ugh. Friday it's supposed to cool down so that will be nice. Will have to have the a/c on tonight just to get the RV cooled down.

Tomorrow we are heading to a plantation to tour it. Timing is everything - only open Thurs Fri and Saturday. Amazing!

Monday cleanup

Spent the day cleaning (you say - how can it get that dirty? - 2 cats and alot of hair!) looking for RV parts stores - all closed on Mondays, I even did some sewing (quilting). Watched alot of folks come and go - we think they were staying for the launch and then out. I keep coming up with things I would like to change or have done, and this gives Dave happy smiles - he always needs projects. Right now he's outside sawing a piece of oak wood that he bought yesterday because I wanted a small table lamp on the dining table in order to see the keyboard at night when we sit in the evening and catch up on emails. He made a permanently mounted shelf under the window at the table - and. Well, let's say he did this yesterday and forgot to make allowance for the night shade that comes down, so he is making another BIGGER one today to put up. Oops. Projects.

We have done so many small alterations to the RV to make it more comfortable that Dave said last night - well, get this shelf done and we are done with projects. So that means we buy a new one, right? Whaaaatttt? Just kidding.

I found our next stop - Townsend Georgia, which we will hike to tomorrow, hopefully our WiFi will come in today, if not, will be here until it does show up. Getting to know how to get around without the GPS. Today we will head back to the RV store, then to the sand dunes right here on the beach. Will probably do some bike riding as well. All in all, a quiet day in New Smyrna Beach Florida. Did I say that we have had enough of Florida?

Space Shuttle Launch

STS-131 Space Shuttle was launched this morning and we had decided to stay here at the campsite and watch because they said so many people go to the beaches - it's a zoo to try to park. And, they said we can see it really clear from here. We saw it about 2 seconds after launch, thru rockets breaking away and the boostering up to go on through the outer layers of the atmosphere which took about 1 minute total. Pretty impressive - actually - another WOW! And to think there is only one more shuttle launch and then the shuttle program will end - bringing everyone back to earth that is on the space station. The International Space Station will go unmanned after October and experients will continue. So, we stood outside the rv, on a little rise, and saw the sky look like it caught fire - to seeing the shuttle's glare, to seeing the booster rockets break away (everyone holding their breath - this is the time that another shuttle blew up) to then watching it power up and go faster across the sky to out of our sight. Dave and I both took lots of photos - but here's one I took just as it was ascending above the trees. After the shuttle was gone from our view, we stayed there watching the trail of smoke/exhaust and then - Dave got some really great pictures of the cloud that was the remains of where the booster rockets broke away - did I tell you that we could see the rockets break away and fall? While watching that - and about 6 minutes after launch, we heard the loud noises from the launch. To think - 35 miles away as the crow flies was the launch and we still could hear it! Unbelievable.

We paid for 2 more days here - not leaving until Wednesday for Georgia. We have limited access to internet - our WiFi isn't working right and we are having a new one FedEx'd - they say - by tomorrow. I hope! I need to get my hair cut today and need to get some books - so will hop over to Barnes and Noble to see what I can find (I am a voracious reader.) Need to figure out where we head next - with limited internest - hard to surf for campsites and places of interest.

Quiet Friday and Crazy Saturday!

Yesterday we spent at the RV, catching up on things we haven't done. Did some quick shopping in the afternoon, and all in all very quiet. Decided that today, Saturday, we would travel to St. Augustine and tour that city. Good thing we did because they are expecting exceptional crowds tomorrow, and Monday a lot of the sites would normally be closed.

What a zoo! We drove 1 1/2 hours to get there, got on a Lolly the Trolley type tour, did most of the circuit and knew we wanted to at least see 3 sites. First stop we got off was the Castille de San Marcos - established by Ponce de Leon and Spanish captain Alvilla. This city was the first city in the new world - established 1513 - way ahead of Plymouth and Jamestown. And was 5 times bigger than those 2. Did not die out, was a stronghold for the Spanish and a mission was established - one of 40 spread out across the lower US all the way to San Diego. We decided that we have been on a history trip. Next stop was the Lightner Museum which was originally the Flagler Hotel that Henry Flagler established for the rich at the beginning of the 1900's. Wow! To have been rich and pampered like they were - amazing. Grabbed a quick late lunch and then went to where the Fountain of Youth has been established by archeological digs and was Ponce de Leon's claim to fame. Our timing was perfect - at the Castille and at the Fountain - Spanish soldiers reenacted of firing cannons. Talk about loud!

Reaction to today - very very touristy, but we wanted to visit the city and glad we did - just ran out of time, and Sunday and Monday were out - so it left today. Of course the weather was perfect - just way way too many people. Tomorrow we are not planning anything. We have to stay longer than planned - our computer WiFi is not working and they are FedExing the part directly here to the campground - so won't be leaving here until Wednesday for Georgia.

Kennedy Space Center and Police

We did both the Kennedy Space Center yesterday and also the American Police Hall of Fame Museum instead of doing one one day, the other the next. The Police Museum was on the way out of the KSC Visitor Center - so how could we not stop? KSC was amazing - but touristy. We felt like we were at Cedar Point - very crowded (mostly have to do with the space shuttle shot Monday morning) and also that it's break for many families with Easter this weekend. Regardless we did 2 amazing things - we stood in line for the Shuttle Launch Experience which was developed by the shuttle astronauts and they wanted it to be as life like as possible. Something we will never forget. It covers from the time you are harnessed into the shuttle, to launch, and then to when the rockets break away. As you stand in line there is a commentary of former shuttle astronauts explaining what it feels like and how it is during the lift off and then after the shuttle is free and on it's own. After the experience was over - now I understand why they did this - was intense and for some could be frightening. Once you are strapped in - you have astronaut Frederick Gregory telling you what is going on - and of course he tells you when the exact moment that the Challenger blew up after take off. The G forces, you are tilted onto your back during most of the time - then righted up - in weightlessness, the shaking and vibrations, the fire and heat, the blinding light, change in pressure - amazing. They open the bays and show you actual pictures of what the earth looks like as you are going up.


The second thing we did while there was sit through a 45 minute IMAX presentation of the Hubble telescope and pictures and video taken of the astronauts as they fixed the Hubble, then what the Hubble is now seeing in space. In 3D. Dave isn't impressed with alot and of both things - he said and I quote - AMAZING. We took a tour of the Space Center - of course you can't get close because of security and of the impending shot. Here's the shuttle sitting in the bay readying for takeoff Monday. For security reasons this is all the closer you can get. We hope to be at the beach watching it.


From there we went to the Police Hall of Fame Museum. Mostly did this in honor of my sister's son Chris who is a police officer. Very nicely done. As Dave said - sad in alot of the displays - dedication to officers who lost their life, to K-9 dogs who have given their lives, but all in all - very impressive. Then was invited to go to their indoor shooting range and watch. Met a crotchity old man who was entertaining. He was a Marine Corp sharpshooter who went on to coach internationally shooters for the Olympics. He is a retired police officers as well. Very interesting coot.

Ponce De Leon Lighthouse

Yesterday was absolutely beautiful. The sun was very strong and had it been a month into the future, we would not have been outside. As it was - it reached only 72. We started out the day going to Ponce De Leon Lighthouse at New Smyrna Beach. Climbed all 203 stairs to the top and the view was breathtaking. This lighthouse is the tallest lighthouse in Florida - 175 feet. Most lighthouses we have seen over the years has been maintained by the Coast Guard but this one is managed by the preservation association - weird. Has a working Fresnel lens still rotating and being used - can been seen 100 miles if the conditions are right. At the base of the lighthouse is a turtle rehab center and also marine wildlife rehab center. Mona Rutgers and Back to the Wild in Castalia Ohio should come here to teach them what they need to do. It's a great cause, but they have a lot to learn from Mona.

After that we went to a Tiki bar and grill on the water. Had these huge bees flying around and one would hover about 2 feet from you - staring at you and then take off. Dave took this picture of one - pretty cool. We had a late lunch of fish and chips. By the time we got back to the RV it was 4:30 and we were pooped.

Today we will head to Cape Canaveral - Kennedy Space Center - doing this today because there will be a huge influx of people coming in the next couple of days for the space shuttle launch. As it is - should be packed today - the astronauts are scheduled to arrive to begin their final preparations. Anyhow - will do this today and then tomorrow will go to the American Police Hall of Fame Museum - in honor of my sister's son who is a police officer. He'll be jealous!