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!