Tennis anyone?

Who says alligators are lethargic and not sports minded.  Old toothy here is ready to serve it up if you brought your "A" game.  As you know we're always traveling to exciting and alluring places so with today's trip the Bed, Bath and Beyond store just off the island I ran across this leathery old tennis player right next to the parking lot.  I told him I'd  play him best of three and wouldn't you know it he took it 6-2,6-2.

Servin' up a tasty tennis ball

Still livin' the dream ... but no new shoes today.

Phil

The land of Milk and Honey

We're back on the island.  No we're not lost on that island but ... Hilton Head Island.  We've visited this oasis sporadically for over twenty years and it has remained one of our favorite stops.  It's only been the past few years that we've had a motor coach to bring but now that we can usually stay longer.

The island shows no sign of aging.  As vibrant and up-to-date as any RV destination we've been too east of the Mississippi.  And it's been that way since we've been coming.  Every year something new and every part of the island is uber-maintained.  The roadways are clean and every plant, shrub, and flower looks like a master gardener plied his trade.

Yesterday, with our friends Jim and Carol, we headed to Savannah for a day trip.  Though we've been there several times before, it's one of those places we can't get enough of.  Since Jim and Carol had not then there before, we could all have fun.

I made a quick drive though town to show them the highlights then headed for one of the local tour trolleys for a guided tour.  As we headed out on the tour, the perfect day changed to rain but thankfully didn't last long.  A small cold front actually made the day even more pleasant.  Winding through the historic portion of downtown area we were given enough detail on who lived where, when then moved in and later died and in a lifetime of knowledge about the 2 miles square section of South Carolina real estate.  During the 90 minute trip, the gal driving managed to force in about 120 minutes of lecture at a pace that, at times defied comprehending.  And without hitting a single car, truck or pedestrian.  Regardless, it was an interesting tour and if you're coming to town, take one of tours ... it's worth the effort.

Just so you don't think that we missed eating at one of the local restaurants ... think again.  We had a fantastic lunch at Belfords (www.belfordssavannah.com).  The she-crab stew is really special.  Lots of history in this eatery and the waite staff are really something to watch in action.

So another day in fantasy land is nearing its end ... but come morning, we're heading on another day trip.  This time to the beautiful old city of Charleston.  More on the later.

So we're still livin' the dream and looking for more adventure.

Phil

Somewhere in Time ... too

Here we go again.  We've left our camp in central Florida and have now pitched our 22 ton tent in Brunswick Georgia.  So what's the big deal about Brunswick one might ask?  Many would says "never heard of it" or "is that the home of bowling balls"?  But eureka!  It's a very nice place to park your RV if not for a night  ... but maybe all winter.   Coastal Georgia RV Resort  www.coastalgarvresort.com.iis our next stop on this winter's adventure.  A little research on the internet a few weeks ago uncovered this little gem.  Just off I95 about an hour south of Savannah this relatively new park is modern, very clean and neat.  Placed conveniently near Jekyll and St. Simon Islands, it's got a lot going for it.  So let me tell you what we've been up to.

Our friends Jim and Carol joined us for a trip to Jekyll Island.  We'd heard it was a pretty cool place to visit and besides, Sharon had learned that the TV show "Royal Pains" was being filmed out there this week.  Thinking they would surely chose us as extras if they just got a look at us, we put our best tourist clothes on and headed out.

Now just getting to Jekyll Island is quite interesting.  Especially if you like high bridges over water.  Reminding me of the 'Mighty Macinac' bridge that spans the two peninsulas of Michigan, this smaller version provides a very keen view of the tidal marshes between the local islands.  But does make for a 'white knuckle' drive for yours truly.

Bridge to Jekyll Island

Jim and Carol had read that there was a very special place we may want to stop for lunch so we thought we'd give it a try after a quick trip around the circumference of the island.  I actually got turned around within the first 50ft on entering the islands main gate (be prepared for forfeit $5.00 for the privilege of getting in) and headed the wrong direction.  After the little impromptu tour we finally ended up at the the right place.  The Jekyll Island Club Hotel (www.jekyllclub.com) was and is, one swanky place.  It reminds me in many ways of the Grand Hotel on Macinaw Island in Michigan (www.grandhotel.com) Remember the place where they filmed the movie 'Somewhere in Time' with the late Christopher Reeve.

Jekyll Island Club Hotel

The history of the 'Club' dates back to the late 1800's and was originally a get-a-way for the rich and famous men of the Northeast.  Tycoons of one sort or another decided they needed an escape to kick back and forget about all the effort it took to get rich.  So they formed this club and soon thereafter decided they would need to add little 'cottages' on the property so as they could have a little privacy and have a place to spend the evening after hunting and fishing all day.  More about this later.

We made reservations before arriving but I secretly wondered if they'd let me in once I got there. Wouldn't you know it but I'd forgotten my ascot and white linen suit.  As the maitre de looked the other way it was just enough time for me to sneak in.  Seated next to a table of about twenty elderly old babes who were the local Mahjongg mavens, I was looked me over pretty closely as I sat down.  I was sure they didn't approve of my rumpled appearance but they kept on fidgeting with there slices of pecan pie and soon forgot about me.  Expecting to be soon politely asked to leave, they eventually ignored me and went on to terrorize the poor waitress by asking for separate checks at the end of their lunch.  Each trying to figure what kind gratuity to leave the slightly frazzled waitress was fun to watch.  One by one these stately and refined ladies of the south finally left freeing up the waitress to finally take care of us.

Club Dining Room

After a very delicious lunch (did I mention that Jim picked up the tab ... not surprising for such a well-off fella, if you get my drift ... made his bundle in creative ways to weave corn silk back in Iowa) we headed out to discover more of the island and locate the one of the guided tours provided on the property.  A cushy seat on a moving tram was just the right answer.  Narrated by someone who had probably had forgotten more than I will ever know about the property, we zipped around the place, occasionally stopping to tour one of the 'modest' cottages.  I say modest as some were only 5,000 square feet and others several times that.  Must be those poor old tycoons needed a lot of room to store their hunting and fishing gear.  Later, as the ladies in their life discovered that the old fools need not  have this place all to themselves, accommodations were made for them as well.  One can only imagine some 125 years ago what an idyllic life they must have had.

Here's a few of the quaint little dwellings on the property.

So there you have it.  Another day goofing off and enjoying this great country and the bounty if has to offer.  All the scars, warts and wonderful places that keeps us looking for more.  Check out this area the next time your passing by.  Lots to see and do.

Still livin' the dream.

Phil

A little bad ... a little good

Life is sometimes punctuated with little disappointments.  For instance ... Yesterday, with my friends Jim (from Iowa) and Bob (from Maine), headed for Tampa to a gun show at the State Fair grounds. A big deal we thought and what a better day to get out for a drive.   We entered the rear entrance to the parking lot and whizzed right through the gate and found a great parking spot right near the front door.  This is our lucky day, I thought.  We got out of the car and notice a line of people trying to get into the show.  As we walked closer to the line, the line got longer and longer and longer.  Further investigation revealed the line  stretched some quarter of mile.  What on earth was this all about?  Was Elvis performing.  How about the Beatles?  No nothing like that ... apparently the growing interest in gun ownership has sparked this bizarre situation.  Estimates from some of those now leaving the show was to expect a wait in line upwards to three hours.  Poor showmanship I'd say.  One entrance with one or two ticket sellers trying to get thousands of people into the building.  Stupidity in the highest order.  We ran across the same situation last month while attending the Mecum Classic Car Auction.  Hey show promoters!  How about hiring some ticket takers!

We made a collective decision to try a little later and headed for a local gun shop only to find it too was packed with people who couldn't get into the big gun show.  Undaunted to went to lunch and returned to the fair grounds only to find the traffic now backed up on the street just trying to park their cars ... little did they know they would have another wait once they got parked.  We give up.

Reluctantly we headed home but while traveling along I4, we saw a sign promoting a local air museum.  We still wanted something to do this Saturday so we headed there to see what that was all about.  Almost there we notice the traffic was starting to come to a halt and in the distance we saw this mass of sign carrying humanity inching along the apron of the road.  Easily over a thousand people had taken the day to protest a local grocery chain labor practices.  No shouting or bad behavior, these folks were enjoying their freedoms of speech and assembly.  I took this image as they passed by.

March in March

Arriving at the museum we found a rather small building that housed an interesting array of mostly small homebuilt aircraft dating back maybe 70 years or so.  They also had a rather extensive display dedicated to Howard Hughes' 'Spruce Goose'.  That one of kind, flew only once, wooden wonder of aeronautical design.  The plane is still intact but now located near Seattle Washington after a long tenure in Long Beach California.  They also had an Ercoupe single engine two-seater, twin rudder little all-aluminum private plane that was absolutely pristine.  The plane built in the late 40's, was one I had a little more than casual interest in.  My friend Dave (from Arizona) from my AC Spark Plug days cut his teeth behind the prop of one of these little beauties.  I snapped a picture of it with my smart phone and emailed a copy to him.  He later wrote back filling me in on his history with the plane.

This wasn't the plane at the museum but looked like it

So if you're ever in the Lakeland area ... and like airplanes ... make it a stop.  BTW, at the end of March this airport hosts the countries second largest (Oshkosh is the biggest) private aircraft gathering.

Lakeland Florida Air Museum

So another day ... a little good and a little not so good

But without a doubt ... still livin' the dream.

Phil

New stuff

Like many folks on the RV trail know, the water you get at some parks does not exactly taste like a Rocky Mountain spring high in the mountains.  And ...  it seems that it is hard enough to turn skin red and your teeth brown.  So we have suffered long enough.  I did a little research and found a water softener/water treatment system that claimed to fix all my woes.   I contacted the SoftCell Recreation Water System (www.softcellwater.com) folks and before long was convinced I found the right supplier.    I coughed up the bucks to these Minnesota folks, who should know a thing or two about good water, and placed my order.   Because I was anxious, I hurried to the curb to wait for delivery.  Whoops ... I was sure dreaming there but in about 3 business days my order did arrive.

Like a kid at Christmas I tore at the package only to find out that it was really well wrapped.  A sharp knife was called for and before long I uncovered my new water system completely surrounded by the nasty little styrofoam, stick to everything, peanuts.  Calm down, Sharon said as I was trying to shake and scrap those tenacious little critters off everything within 5 feet of me.  Finally extracted from the box, it was easy to see that this was a quality piece of gear.  A large resin tank, a pre-filter tank, and a post filter tank for taste and odor control.  About a 40 pound package in total.

It took about 15 minutes to hook it up and after purging the old water in the coach, we now had great tasting water with no 'floaties' and luxurious soft water.  We could not believe the difference.

We should have done this several years ago but for whatever reason we never got around to it.  Not inexpensive and it does take a little storage space when we're on the road, but I think it will work out just fine.

If you surmise that I'm plugging this company, you're right.  I'm not bashful about it.  My reward is great water.

Still livin' the dream and a little less thirsty.  Oh ... and did I mention my hair was now much more manageable.

Phil

Problem?

Okay folks ... I don't mean to complain but I have to single out those folks who live either in Western Russia, South America, Central America, Africa, or Antarctica.  So what is it?  No local content in my blog? Michigan phobia?  Bald aversion?  (forget China ... I've been banned there).  What is it going to take to get some readership out there?

Click on "Where our Readers Live" map about half way down the right side of the blog page and see what I mean.  Lots of room for improvement.

So tell your friends in these far-away places and tell them what fun we're having.

Still livin' the dream.

Phil