Savannah chicken

Another day on the adventure road.  This time we headed to Savannah.  The land of pralines and neat old houses and the smell of the sea.  Actually I wanted to go to one of the bigger photo shops there and Sharon wanted to go to Paula Deen's famous restaurant ... The Lady & Sons.  http://www.ladyandsons.com/

Our trusty GPS  (gotta get a new one) took us on another wild-goose chase and led us to the middle of an off-ramp somewhere on the north side of town some 5 miles where we should have been.  We probably gave it the wrong address but I'm blaming it on the machine anyway.

Savannah, in spite of all the history that permeates the town  is still driven in many ways by the tourist industry.  Folks meandering around with little bags of trinkets purchased at one of the many shops around Bay Street.  Tour buses, tour trolleys, tour boats ... Don't get me wrong ... it's an interesting destination with great exposure to the arts, many fine hotels and restaurants for any palette but I think without the tourists the economy really struggles.  The city fathers are working on the infrastructure along the river and several bridge projects are underway all which will pay dividends in the future.  Maybe I didn't look deep enough but it's not really my kind of town.

Now Sharon's instincts concerning restaurants are usually pretty good.  We located The Lady & Sons and after circling it twice, I dropped Sharon off to get a table and I went on to find a parking place.  Not always an easy task in a town designed for horse travel.  With a little navigating around the general vicinity I finally found one with a parking meter.  The spot was a little tight but I managed to squeeze in.  I got out to only discover that I didn't have any change in my pocket.  I looked around and asked in a couple of the local art galleries nearby but they were not into many cash transactions and couldn't help.  A bit down the street I noticed a kitchen shop and headed there. Four people were ahead of me and no one was in a hurry.  As a matter of fact as each patron, when ready to pay for their item, suddenly had the urge to ask the cashier for some other item that required a search around the store to find.  I'm standing there, tapping my toe ... trying to be patient, trying not to scream at the top of my lungs to get on with it ladies.  All I want was change for a dollar!  Not a blue napkin set ... not a pot holder with dogs on it ... nothing special, just change for a dollar.  I'm thinking that Sharon has already been seated and is enjoying a cool lemonade while I'm sweating it out waiting for change for a dollar in a kitchen utensil shop. 
Since long stories are long ... I'll continue.

Finally I got some change, fed the meter and proceeded to the restaurant.   I got the there and Sharon was waiting on the sidewalk outside.  They wouldn't seat her without me being there! What hogwash I thought.
We were told to go down a couple of doors, go inside and wait for our names to be called.  The waiting room, as you might guess was a gift shop.  Spend a couple of $20's here and there was the thought but we fooled them.  Our name was called and we dashed off following what we thought was a waiter.  We walked by a long buffet filled with steaming food.  Placed right next to one of the large picture windows that faced the street, the sight drew plenty of onlookers.  We followed the 'waiter' around a corner and she said "3rd floor, the elevator is right over here".  I looked around at all the empty tables on that floor and quickly wondered why I need to go up three floors for lunch.  Arriving at the 3rd level we were greeted by another person who led us to a table for six by the window.  Soon a real waiter arrived with water and menus.  We looked over the offerings (nothing too special in my opinion with the exception of the asparagus sandwich) and both decided on the buffet.  Fried chicken, mashed spuds, green beans, mac and cheese, and a few other things.  As it turns out the food was okay (but the chicken was not very warm) and it was marginally worth the $13.99.  I guess we can check another restaurant off our 'bucket list' of famous places to eat but probably won't lather up another biscuit there soon.  Sorry Paula.

All in all it was an okay trip as getting out and seeing new parts of the area are always good.

Still livin' the dream.

Phil

Charleston

Another day of 'day trippin' for us but we weren't doing it alone this time.  Desination ... Charleston.
Named in 1670 after Charles Towne (who got his name from King Charles II of England) and in some circles is refered to 'The Holy City' for its tolerence for a variety of religions from its beginnings. 

As it turned out our visit was pretty well planned out as Sharon's cousin Diana and her husband Craig were vacationing in Myrtle Beach and since Charleston was about half way between there and Hilton Head, it was an easy decision to plan a meeting of old friends.

As poor planning on our part made us about an hour late, they greeted us as we pulled into the parking lot where we were to meet.  The girls had already decided that lunch was in order and the Bubba Gump Shrimp Company http://www.bubbagump.com/ was the place to go.  About 10 blocks (seemed like 10 miles on my back) later we arrived and were quickly seated.  A pretty neat place that specializes in shrimp.  We've been to one other 'Gumps' in Hawaii some years ago and were excited to return as the food was good.  Craig treated us to a fine lunch and we chatted over old times.  We hadn't seen them in a couple of years so we had lots to talk about.

Following lunch we started the trek back and Craig commented about all the tall church steeples in and around the downtown area.  He said these tall, slender spikes that piecrced the sky every few blocks were the tallest structures in the city and that no building could be built taller that the church spires.  Obviously a city that wanted to show its profound respect for religion.  Most are in magnificent condition and a real treasure to the community.

We meandered back to the parking area passing shop after shop.  Many high end shopping emporuims each trying to woo you inside to spend a few (or a lot of) bucks.  We resisted and decided to get in the car and check out some of the areas away from downtown.  With three semi-competent navigators and my GPS on we ventured out.  With all the help you'd think I would not have circled the downtown three times, taking the same route, but I managed.  Listening to directions and driving is a fading skill set for me.  

Sharon thought we should check out one of the local RV parks so we did manage to navigate the 7 miles outside of town to the St. James State Park.  Pretty nice place with nice level lots, a resort grade swimming facility, and at the time plenty of open sites to rent.  Very clean, quiet and still near town, this looks like a winner.  Only gripe I had was they charged a buck a person just to drive through the place.

As the weather was a little hot (sweaty hot), someone (Sharon) thought we might just need an ice cream break to finish off the day.  So we again turned to the GPS for help.  We probably passed a half dozen places as we fiddled with the little electronic marvel but eventually ended up across the street from where we had lunch several hours earlier.  Apparently somewhere in Sharon's reading she remembered a place called Kasminsky's http://www.kaminskys.com/ .  A mecca for desserts of all kinds good and wonderful.  Just look at the link and you'll get the idea.   After packng our little bellies with fruit cobbler, mousse, and a huge chocolate thing (Craig ate is all) we waddled outside and settled on the nearest bench to rest up for the one block walk (about 200 feet) to the car.  We begged a passer-by to take a picture so we could remember a great day.

Craig is really not that short but the weight of that dessert brought him to his knees.

Charleston is one of America's treasures.  Oozing with history and friendly to a fault.  From the sweetgrass basket vendors to the stately homes and the quaint parks, the city has something for everyone.  And the city has some pretty unique residents as well.

  
If you look carefully at the reflection in the car door you'll better understand what the dog's were excited about.  What a life.

Still livin' the dreams with friends and family.

Phil

News Flash

I received a note from one of my readers in China today that informed me that my blog has now been banned there.  I now feel very special.  Several billion potential readers are now probably wondering where I'm going next.

Livin' the dream with a big smile today.

Phil

Excuses

Just to let you all know that I've finally released 7 new entries dating back about a month or so.  I've been busy (read lazy) but I think I'm almost up-to-date. You can reach some of the older postings by going to the bottom of the page and hitting the 'older posts' button.  I hope you enjoy my ramblings.

Phil

Jacksonville, St. Augustine and the Fountain of Youth

Just a little catching up is in order as we've been a couple of places since you last visited and I thought you'd like to know what in the world we do on the outings.

Leaving the Orlando area we made a stop but a few hours up the road.  Since Jacksonville is about half way to Hilton Head we thought we'd stop for a few days and see the sights.  Probably not on everyones itinerary but since we hadn't been this way before ...

Our camp was pretty nice.  On the north side of town near the airport, it was easy to find.  The sites were a  little tight but it was quiet, near the water, and had a restaurant on site.

It was nice having a breakfast place with a view.  I made it down here for breakfast both days.  What a great way to start the morning.

We don't always stop at exotic places in quaint out-of-the-way locations, and our first unexpected stop was not in the greatest part of Jacksonville.  Always in search of old VW's for my friend Ron, I was whizzing past this VW repair shop and thought I'd turn around for a closer look. Luckily Sharon had something to read in the car as I wandered around the place for about a half-an-hour looking over the treasures.  Probably Ron would have appreciated it far more than I did but it was still a neat experience.  Since making the perverbial 'silk purse out of a sow's ear' is Ron's passion, this place was just about the whole pig.  I took a bunch of pictures for him and maybe something will come of it.

At some point, a few minutes down the road, we thought that we'd drive over to St. Augustine.  Retirement affords us those frivilous, last minute changes in plans.  St. Augustine claims to be the oldest town in the US but Flint MI still looks older.  The weather was great and the trip there followed the coastline southeast of Jacksonville.  Mile after mile of multi-million dollar homes along the way.  Grand mansions with sweeping drives and staircases surrounded by lush landscaping ... plus the million dollar view of the ocean.  This is apparently is the other half of the other half of the other half crowd.

Anyway about an hour had past when we pulled into St. Augustine.  We first saw the tour trains.  Overflowing with wide-eyed tourist and restless little ones.  All this triggered a big loudspeaker in our heads that screamed 'tourist trap'.  Carefully easing into town we wandered around the narrow alleys (locals call them streets) looking over the sites.  The first things that caught my eye was the beautiful churches in the town.  All denominations and all huge structures.

 

Somewhere near the center of this  sea-side city we stumbled across a national cemetery.

I've always had some facination with these places so, with camera in hand I ventured off for a closer look.

It's always gives me a very somber feeling when entering the resting places for our fallen soldiers.  I've had the honor of visiting several in the states and Europe and this place was just as special.

One of the unique memorials at the cemetery was a set of three small pyrimids about 10 foot square and about 6 foot tall. These are the resting places for the remains of about 1500 unknown soldiers that died in the Florida Indian wars about 1835. 

Remember how they get the tourist around this old town?  There is about three of these train companies and at least two tour bus services.  All in a town about 2 miles square.

Actually there are two really big icons of American history in the town and I'd be remiss if we had not stopped to see what they were all about. So....

After squeezing the car around through several old and narrow streets we came across the oldest continually inhabited house in the country.  Built about 1702, the Gonzalez-Alvarez house is obviously old but unfortunately has some sort of gift-shop/museum attached that takes a little of the luster off this national treasure.

The other national icon (really debatable) is our nationial spot to wash away the ravages of time.  Better know as the 'Foutain of Youth' that Ponce de Leon spa where wrinkles might disappear and sagging stuff doesn't anymore.  So we drove through the huge stone arch leading to the mecca for the aged.

Straight through the gate led you right to the admissions booth, souvenir stand including corn dogs and drippy snow cones.  Getting in to see the waters of never ending youth ... $9.00 each.

Whoa! $9.00 to overturn all this hard work sculpting these works of human art for the past 60-some years.  No way! But wait ... just across the parking lot was another fountain.  This wanabe fountain was good enough for me so save the $18 bucks and just tell a little white lie and tell everyone you really did visit the real 'fountain'.  At least the canons were real.

So here's what really happened.  We bought a sample of the magic elixar from the souvenir shop but only Sharon would try it.  As it turned out it worked on her ... I should go back and buy a gallon.  Here are the results.

And so it goes.

We did spend a little time around Jacksonville.  And I mean around.  Either my GPS didn't have the latest map data or some of the street have changed but we circled through the downtown area several times trying to get to this one shopping center without ever finding it.  We did find a huge mall on the outskirts of town that actually worked out better.  Maybe better luck next time.

Still livin' the dream.

Phil

Sunset coast invitation

After the exhausting, yet exhilerating evening watching the space shuttle launch we headed back to camp.

I lasted behind the wheel about 30 minutes.  The bumper-to-bumper traffic that stretched from the space center to Orlando added to my sleepiness so Bill, apparently fearing for his life, offered to drive.  I was hoping someone would notice my head resting on the steering wheel and we motored along, weaving between the lane markers.  Actually not all that unusual here in the land of the 'wrinkle ranchers', but my passengers had other ideas, thankfully.

The girls had already left the day before so I caught a little rest before heading off to the west side of Florida.  Bob and Bill continued on after dropping me off probably congratulating themselves for toughing it out and keeping awake for the 3 1/2 hour drive.  Melvin (Bob and Bill's late father) would have been proud.

My trusty GPS unit guided me along the way to Bill and Susie's house.  Situated on a small peninsula near the intercoastal, this beautiful home has water views on all four sides.  It's a house as comfortable as the folks who own it.  Spacious and well appointed, it reflects the tastes of both Bill and Susie and is indeed a place we felt very at home.  We thank them for their hospitality.

  

View from the road

One of Bill's past-times is 'crabbing'.  That not complaining at Susie ...  but gathering stone crabs in his traps he sets in the local waterways.  Delicious little critters but not that easy to fool into climbing into a trap.

Baited with old chicken necks and other odd chunks of stinky meat, these traps are placed along the main channel and harvested about once a week.  Since it's apparently always a surprise what will climb into the traps, the lure and excitement is always there.  Anyway big brother Bob decided to head out in the crabbin' boat with Bill to find out what today's catch will be. 

  

Returning about an hour or so later, the catch was small but immediately cooked on the dock and tucked in the freezer for a later meal.  Bill wanted to show us some of the surrounding area so all six of us got on board his 26 ft catamaran offshore boat.  We headed north to Venice along the various waterways.  A fantastic day for boating and we were treated by witnessing a pair of feeding dolphins along the way.  These large mammals are not the cuddly "Flippers" we all know and love from TV.  They eat for a living and are really efficient killers.  They will herd smaller fish into shallow areas and then race through the schools devouring all they can on each pass.  In shallow water this is pretty spectacular.  500 to 600 pounds of smooth grey fury can make quite a ruckus on the water. They also seem to use the tremendous power of their tail to shock small fish into some kind of unconciousness as I witnessed and photographed several instances whereas smaller fish were catapulted several feet into the air when the dolphin made a pass.  I assume they would return and pick up their bounty.  Bill noted that he had never seen dolphins feeding before so the exhibition was exciting for him as well.

 

Sharon watching dolphins feed.

Probably lunch

We were about 50 ft away when this charge took place ... pretty neat eh?

After a few short days we had to leave and get the coach ready to head north to Jacksonville and then Hilton Head Island.  We have been treated by Susie's fantastic cooking and Bill's various collections of peaceful and 'feel good' objects from his travels.  We greatly enjoyed both.

We sincerely appreciate the opportunity to get together with family and especially in such nice surroundings.

Bill and Susie are very special people and we thank them alot.

 

Our hosts ... Bill and Susie

On the road and still livin' the dream

Phil

Lunches and launches

Just prior to Easter my sister Judy and brother-in-law Bob drove down from South Carolina for a visit.  Staying in one of the camp's rental units; it was great to see them and get caught up as we'd not seen them in more than a year.  It was however a little alarming to see them so fit and agile.  I think they've found the 'fountain of youth' but they claim it's exercise and diet. 

In attempt to throw them off their game we cooked up some Royal Reds deep ocean shrimp and tenderloin steak.  I couldn't believe it but the next day they still looked the same.  Go figure.

As Easter arrived we faced yet another holiday on the road.  Must be something primal about gathering family around the holidays.  We somehow seem to find to way to work it out and this Easter was no exception.  Actually it worked out pretty well as my brother-in-law Bob suggested we attend the last night launch of the Space Shuttle STS-131 at the Kennedy Space Center and since it was the day after Easter, having dinner beforehand with us seemed like a good idea.  Also invited was Bob's brother Bill ... so the space shuttle things was something the boys could do after Easter dinner.

The girls, Bill's Susie, my sister Judy and Sharon would leave after dinner and head south to Bill and Susie's place near Englewood Florida, just south of Sarasota.

Anyway we had a nice ham dinner with baked beans and potato salad and plenty of beer and wine to slosh is all down.  A good time was had by all.

But now the time had come for the 'boys' to head out to the Space Center to see the launch scheduled for 6:21am Monday morning.  The catch was that eating and drinking all day the guys now had to find a way to get a little rest and leave for the Space Center around 10:00pm Easter evening.  Not spring chickens are we so we each looked for ways to relax a little before leaving.  9:00pm rolled around and no one looked anymore rested than the other, but guys wouldn't admit it anyway, so we packed our stuff in my car and headed off on the one hour journey to watch the blastoff.    Arriving early we still had to wait in line just to get through security.  Pretty much like a TSA search at the airport; even asking for small pocket knives.  I guess they figure someone could hurl one of those little 2 inch daggers 6 miles and somehow damage the shuttle.  Ya can't be too cautious I say.  I figured for the $60 ticket price we'd get waved in, but not the case.

We managed to clear the security hurdles and were then led to a line that was gathering for admission to the busses that would take us to the causeway where we would view the launch.  Waiting there about 30 minutes someone with a clipboard (note that only important people here have clipboards) led us further into the complex; snaking our way around a maze of "people dividers" to what appeared to be a spot almost at the front of the line.  Our little minds danced with pleasure thinking that we were in front and would have the best opportunity to get the best place to see the big event.  As the line gathered behind us, it became obvious that was a pretty big deal to even be here.  Bob had thoughtfully reserved tickets for us far in advance and there were but a limited number of people they allowed on the causeway and  ...we were in front of most of them!

Looking at our watches we soon discovered that it was only midnight and still had over 6 hours before launch (assuming the weather or some mechanical thing didn't delay it).  Others around us were figuring this out as well and before long folding chairs were out, sleeping bags unrolled and the wait began.  Bob and Bill brought their $9.00 chairs from WalMart and I brought that nifty little three legged stool I paid $69 from B&H Photo.  Boy were they ever fooled.  They had put up with comfortable chairs with backs, whereas they missed having a special stool that if sat on more than 10 minutes you would either fall off of it or your voice would escalate about three octaves.  Sorry they missed the experience.

Do you remember how the 'wave' goes when at a ball game?  You know ... one group stands up then the group next to them does the same and before long this 'wave' sweeps around the stadium getting everyone to stand.  Well while standing/laying in line waiting to board a bus in the middle of the night the same thing can happen.  As it turns out, some guy in the very front of our line stands up and stretches.  So the guys behind him think he's getting ready to get on the bus and begin to do the same. Before you know it several thousand perfectly comfortable people have sprung to their feet, packed their chairs and belongings and think they are getting ready to board the bus.  Wrong!  Still another two hours before that happens. And so the night went.  Arrived at 10:00pm, finally got on a bus at around 3:30am and were dropped off on the causeway about 15 minutes latter.  Now all's we had to do was wait another couple of hours before the event occured.

Thankfully they had port-a-potties, snacks and plenty of lighting out there as we were a aways from anything.

With the STS-131 sitting at it launch platform all alite with huge strob lights bearing down on it - it was still worth the wait.  Our finest technology at work and some very brave souls to make it all work,  A prideful night for me.

Just a few minutes prior to launch the mission flight announcer came on the loudspeaker and notified us to look up into the night sky near the almost full moon.  Streaking arcross the southern sky was the Space Station.  So bright in the sky, you almost see it's outline against the moon.  At that point it really brought into perspective that this rocket we were about to see launched would be hooking up with the orbit space station in but a few orbits.  The scale and complexity of this adventure came perfectly clear. 

As the countdown clock finally reached 0, the engines ignited in a flash of brillance and but a few seconds later the thunderous roar reached us from 6 miles across the water.  On time and absolutely magnificent.

In a brief few minutes STS-131 disappeared over the horizon and another great memory etched in my mind.

Really "livin' the dream" today.

Phil

I'll never think of Iowa the same way

Okay quick ... name two people that you know who are from Iowa.  Stumped you didn't I?  Well let me tell you about a couple we first met in Alabama.  Now I know there are not many folks who even live there but by chance we were introduced to them by our friends Bob and Joan from Maine last Christmas while attending a dinner at the rv resort clubhouse.  We sort of adopted each other and have shared many a laugh and many a meal together over the past few months.  Today they are leaving to return home.  Ending their first RV adventure... ever.  I'm constantly reminding myself how lucky we are to have met so many great people in our travels.  This couple is no exception.  They have both been tested with the trials and tribulations associated with owning an RV and survived with flying colors.

With so many similar interests I somehow wonder that the four of us weren't already related.  But we are now and look forward to seeing them again soon.

Happy trails and be safe friends.

Still livin' the dream.

Phil

Gettin' er done

If there are any of you out there thinking about getting into rv'ing let me show you what a flurry of activity goes on just getting ready to leave a park and move on to the next stop.  As an examble I'll use my friend Jim (street name Gasser) to show you the ropes. 

First thing is to make sure wheels are all secured to the coach.  Nothing worse than leaving a wheel behind.  You usually don't notice it until you have to turn a corner but Jim tells me it's a doosey when you do.

The next thing you do is look for loose change on the ground to help pay for the trip.

The normal cost of tires and batteries are nothing compared to the cost of eating out.

The next thing you have to do is add an additional cable to your portable satellite dish.

By doing this you can then drag it rather than stow it away when leaving. 

The next chore is to make sure your tow car has enough 'oomph to push your coach back home.  Adding a Banks Turbo is usually the answer. 

And the final touch is to have everyone in the area gather around and help you hook-up.  This is always a welcomed activity by the helpers as they get a chance to remind you if you made any mistakes.  Sorry they weren't around when the black tank got emptied.  (Also notice that hot looking diesel in the background)

So there you have it folks.  A complete run down on what it takes to get going on the rv road.

I'm still livin' the dream ... hope Jim and Carol are too.