BELLE OF THE SOUTH - CHARLESTON

SOUTH CAROLINA BOUND...............

After a hardy breakfast cooked by all the RV’ers at Coastal Georgia RV Park we all packed up, hooked up and headed out in our separate directions.   We headed north to Charleston.  Our next stop is James Island County Park.  I stayed here about 15 years ago and have since heard it is as good as I remembered.  However,   instead of entering an address in the TOMTOM, Dave saw James Island County Complex and thought that was where we were going.  Oh oh!

That was the middle.   The beginning was when we took a bridge we should not have taken.  That set off a whole series of events resulting in being eternally lost.  At this point I could not rely on my directions and we had to rely on TOM TOM…..never a very good idea!  We were in the middle of town, driving through construction, having to keep mind that we could not back up the MH without taking the car off the dolly in the event we got into a tight spot! 

We turned around in a parking lot and headed in a different direction. TOM TOM directed us to turn right and left … then announced we were 50 yards from our destination ....which wasn’t really our destination!  

At this point I fired up MIFI and my laptop, got onto BING MAPS while Dave tried to identify an address as a starting point.  

THROUGH MILLION $$$$ NEIGHBORHOODS

We drove through neighborhoods making our way back to the main road and were following BING directions …..except when the MH took a right when it should have taken a left!  Then we were at the foot of another bridge when I said, “Whatever you do … do not go over another bridge!”.  The MH takes a right on to a residential street with a“NO THRU ACCESS” sign.  Having no choice but to venture forward, we ended up in a Country Club Development – judging by the homes they were in the Million $$ category.  We were able to loop through the streets of mansions.... but the biggest issue was the absolutely beautiful low hanging oaks that were draped over the street and dragging along the MH roof!  I was sure our AC was going to end up in someone’s front yard. 

We made our way back out to the main road, took a left and then very carefully wound our way back where we should have been and found James Island County Park.    This place is absolutely gorgeous!  It is 643 acres which includes a campground (beautiful), cottages, water park, a cdog park that rivals picnic areas I’ve seen, huge picnic areas, fishing piers and bike/walking trails winding throughout.    It lives up to it’s reputation.  DEFINITELY RECOMMEND THIS CAMPGROUND!

Lovely lakes for sailboat racing!

JAMES COUNTY DOG PARK

Once the Land Yacht was heading down the road, I secured myself behind the drivers seat.  I can hide my head under the seat and pretend I'm not really here!  Every time the Land Yacht stopped, I crawled back out of my hole; but then it would start up again and I had to scurry back into my cubby to feel safe.  FINALLY the Land Yacht stopped....for good.... and I could come out!  Forever Mom and Dad settled us in, fed and watered me, took me for a walk.....what wonderful sniffing I had to do!  

Then they put me into a car .... moving again ... but we came out at the most wonderful of wonderful places.........

the LARGEST dog park I have ever seen!!!!!  It even has its own pond ... but Forever Mom wouldn't take me down there

I played and played and play until I was absolutely exhausted!!!

There were some other dogs in the park and they came running over to me.  One was a brown, wet poodle who was my age.  What fun we had until her Forever Mom called her to go home!

I slept well that night!

FORT SUMTER

MAY 14, 2012

Our mission…today….was to head over to Patriots Point and take a boat to Fort Sumter.  Since the weather forecasts rain over the next couple of days, we decided to do outdoor stuff while the sky is blue.  

Our biggest challenges seem to be getting from point A to point B without getting lost!  I have the directions from BING Maps and read them as we go, yet we still get turned around.

THE BRIDGE

ARTHUR REVENEL JR BRIDGE

SIX TIMES IS THE CHARM\

FOR INSTANCE, there is a very large, very high expansion bridge across Ashley River connecting Charleston to Sullivan Island and Patriot’s Point is just below the bridge.  We managed to get across the bridge and down into Patriots Point Park with just a few small hiccups. 

However as the Caddy was driving through the park, it took a right turn and we found ourselves crossing the very high, very long expansion bridge back to Charleston.  Got off and drove around a neighborhood that has seen better days until we could get back on the very tall, very long expansion bridge back to Patriots Point.  This time the Caddy found the correct route and we parked in the correct parking lot to catch the boat.

 We of course went back across this bridge to get to the historical district in Charleston.  THEN….when we were heading back to James Island the Caddy went North instead of South and we once again cross this very high, very large expansion bridge.  Once on the other side, came back across it again!   That makes  SIX times in one afternoon we cross this bridge…..thank God it wasn’t a toll bridge!

FORT SUMTER

WHERE THE CIVIL WAR BEGAN

APRIL 12, 1861

Fort Sumter actually sits on an island that the Federal Government created by hauling “fill” to elevate a 6’ sandbar.  It was built as a coastal fortification after the War of 1812.   The bricks for this Fort were made on the local plantations.

Things weren’t going well between the North and the South around mid-1800s.  South Carolina was the first state to secede from the Union on December 20, 1860.  At that time there were four Federal installations around Charleston Harbor; Fort Moultrie (Sullivans Island), Castle Pinckney (Shutes Folly Island), Fort Johnson (James Island) and Fort Sumter.   Within six weeks of SC sucession, five other states – Mississippi, Florida, Alabama, Georgia and Louisiana – followed.  The Confederate States of America were set up in February 1861.  March 2^nd Texas officially joined the Confederacy.  By this time all the Federal forts, navy yards in the seven seceding states were seized by the new government with the exception of Fort Sumter remaining in Federal hands.

Maj Robert Anderson commanded two companies; one at Fort Moutrie and one at Fort Sumter.  After SC seceded, Anderson abandoned Fort Moultrie as indefensible and secretly transferred his command to Fort Sumter. 

By Dec 27, 1860^th SC volunteers occupied the other three forts erecting batteries around the harbor.  The State regarded Anderson’s move as a breach of faith and demanded the US Government evacuate Charleston Harbor.  President Buchanan refused and attempted relief expeditions. 

January 9, 1861, Citadel cadets fired the first shots of the Civil War on the Union Ship Star of the West carrying relief supplies for Fort Sumter.    President Lincoln sent relief supplies April 4th so South Carolina decided to take actions while the Union was vulnerable.  

April 11^th Brig Gen Beauregard commanding the Confederate forces in Charleston demanded Anderson’s surrender.  He was one of Anderson’s artillery students at West Point and didn’t relish the prospect of firing on his old friend and instructor.

Anderson refused to surrender the fort, so SC militia bombarded the fort from Fort Moutrie and Fort Johnson  and Pickney lobbing projectiles into the center of the Fort.  Anderson’s regiment was rather “underfunded” and running out of provisions.

 SC struck while Anderson’s resources were down.  From Ft Moultrie SC lobbed fireballs which set the officers quarters on fire and it was heading for the munitions.  Anderson had a choice – fight the fire or the war.  He chose the fire and surrendered the Fort.     They were bombarded for 34 hours until “the quarters were entirely burned, the main gates destroyed by fire, the gorge walls seriously injured, the magazines surrounded by flames”. 

         REMINDS ME OF THE FORT IN THE DRY TORTUGAS - CORRIDOR OF CANNONS

With only one fatality in this battle, the start of the Civil War, the resultant loss of 620,000 sons, brothers, husbands was incomprehensible.  What started in 1862 resulted in the Emancipation Proclamation in 1865 and then it took an additional 100 years for the enactment of the Civil Rights Act in 1964.  It wasn't "just a war between the states", it was the beginning of the Civil Rights movement and it took a bloody toll. 


 Amazing the chain of events one action can set off!!

THE FLAG

I learned something interesting about our flag.  The Flag that flew above Sumter had thirty three stars although Kansas had been admitted to the Union making it 34.  South Carolina had seceded so that would have made it 32.  So…………the US Flag never removes stars and new stars are added ONLY on July 4^th which is why Kansas was NOT represented in April and South Carolina along with the other states that seceded  WERE represented although in their minds they were not part of the union. 

Second official Confederate Flag called “Second National” replaced first banner in 1863.  Flew over Fort until Confederate troops withdrew from all Charleston harbor defense February 1865.

UNION FLAG WITH 34 STARS HOISTED BY ANDERSON FOR FORT SUMTER.  IT WAS HIT BY THE LOBBING PROJECTILES OF THE CONFEDERATE MILTIA, UNION SOLDIERS RAN OUT AND GRABBED IT, NAILING TO A BOARD TO CONTINUE FLYING OVER THE FORT.

CHARLESTON ......... and BEER

BEER IS GOOD!

It was 1:00 when we got back from Fort Sumter and we were hungry and thirsty so decided to drive down to the Historic District and find lunch.  What we found was a Brewery!!!  Always have to stop for a brewery!

I liked the Pale  .... Dave liked the Stout ... obviously we liked them all pretty well!

The first thing we ordered was the Sampler Tray for $10.  It was WELL WORTH IT!

Once the beer sampler came, lunch became less important!  But we did order and the food was good.   The beer was GREAT!

Already he looks like he's had the Sampler!

COFFEE, COFFEE, COFFEE..........BEANS .........

We read where there was a coffee roaster in Charleston and we wanted to find it.  WE LOVE OUR COFFEE.  Got hooked on fresh roasted beans up on Brevard NC last fall and was thrilled to find Hotties Coffee in NSB where we buy our coffee exclusively.  Packed up our Cuisinart Coffee Grinder/Maker and a couple of pounds of beans from Hotties.  We were running low and decided to stock up.

Dave got directions to where we thought was the Coffee Roaster Store but ended up being a Dr's office.  He walked in while I took pictures.  Apparently this doctor owns the Coffee Roaster Store and they gave us directions to the store.

Walked back to the car and drove down to the Charleston Coffee Roasters.  Bought two pounds of freshly roasted coffee beans and while they were packing it up, I played with the yellow Lab Booner who would roll the ball so that I could throw it!

I sure hope Billy doesn't smell Booner on me!

CHARLESTON EARTHQUAKE

INTERESTING ARCHITECTURAL DESIGNS

As if the Civil War and occupation of the Union Army wasn't enough, Charleston had a powerful earthquake in 1886.  It was the most damaging earthquake to hit the southeastern US.  It occurred August 31, 1886 and lasted just under a minute.  It damaged 2,000 buildings and caused $6M damage (over $141M in 2009 $).  It was estimated between 6.6 and 7.3 on Richter Scale.  In crowded Charleston, the damage was horrific: over 2,000 buildings destroyed, a quarter of the city’s value gone, 27 killed immediately and almost 100 more to die from injuries and disease. Because of the large numbers of newly homeless, tent cities sprang up in every available park and greenspace. The American Red Cross’s first field mission soon brought some relief, but the scarcity of food, and especially fresh water, made life difficult for everyone.

The reason I bring this up is ..................This led to the widespread use of the “earthquake bolt” now seen throughout older Charleston homes. Essentially acting as very long screws with a washer on each end, the idea of the earthquake rod is simple: Poke a long iron rod through two walls that need stabilizing, and cap the ends.  The end caps were often decorated with a pattern or symbol.   That's how you know the building is pre-1886!

 THE PEAK OF THE HOUSE IS HELD TOGETHER BY THE EARTHQUAKE BOLT

SO ENDS OUR FIRST DAY IN CHARLESTON!

MAY 15, 2012

The CADDY made our way back out to Patriots Point Naval & Maritime Museum to tour The USS Yorktown (CV-10) “The Fighting Lady”.  She was named for the Yorktown CV-5 lost at the Battle of Midway in 1942.    This  is an Essex class carrier commissioned in 1943, serving in the Pacific offensive earning 11 battle stars.  She was featured in the 1944 Academy Award winning documentary “The Fighting Lady” and in the 1970 picture “Tora! Tora! Tora!”.

The Yorktown carried of crew of 380 officers and 3,088 enlisted men and an air group of 90 planes.  In the 1950’s her deck was angled for jets and then converted to an antisubmarine carrier.  She served in Vietnam in the 1960’s and recovered Apollo 8 astronauts in 1968. 

 The Congressional Medal of Honor Museum (all part of the Yorktown) tells the story of the Country’s brave warriors from the Civil War ear through those honored today.

CAPTAIN DAVE ON THE BRIDGE !

CAPT'N DAVE IN F9F COUGAR .... IN YOUR DREAMS!

GRUMMAN'S TOMCAT

FLIGHT DECK - UNBELIEVABLE - IMAGINE LANDING ON A PITCHING DECK!

CHECK OUT THIS RECIPE!

Docked next to  the Yorktown is the Destroyer USS Laffey (DD-724).  Built by Bath Iron Works she served in the Pacific.  While operating off Okinawa April 16, 1945 she was assailed by a massive air strike of 22 Japanese bombers and suicide kamikazes.  Five kamikazes and three bombs struck her .  Thirty two men were killed and seventy-one wounded of the 336 man crew.  The remaining crew shot down the attackers and kept the boat afloat.   She was decommissioned in 1975.

 This is truly an amazing museum not to be missed.

MAY 16, 2012

THE BATTERY

I’m so excited, I’m so excited, Forever Mom and Dad are taking me with them today…..ohhhhh so excited.  Just like a good boy I hopped into the backseat and sat quietly as we drove out of the campsite.  I don’t know where we’re going ….. but I’m going!

After a while the motion finally stopped and Forever Dad opened the back door to let me out.  OHHHH, what wonderful, new smells there are!  We walked down some pretty streets then along the water…..hmmmm I wonder where that boat is!........anyway the ground wasn’t moving under me and people said hello to me as Forever Dad and I walked.  Forever Mom had a black thing stuck to her eyes so lagged along behind!  

We crossed the street to Battery Park …. What a dog friendly city this is …. Battery Park is a leash-free area.  I ran around and around and then……right in front of me….were at least five squirrels.  I didn’t know what to do…I just stood there.  It was such a fun, fun day!

Billy wasn’t the only one to enjoy this beautiful park.  The Ashley and Cooper rivers border the park that stretches along the waterfront of the Charleston peninsula.  It is also known as White Point Gardens named from the piles of bleached oyster shells.  Southern antebellum mansions border the Park.

Battery Park opened as a public park in 1837 however its use changed during the Civil War.  It also has a history of pirates.  Dozens of pirates were hanged from oak trees and gallows in the early 1700’s and left dangling from their nooses for days as a deterrent to prevent other pirates from entering Charleston Harbor.

THE CITADEL

A visit to Charleston would not be complete without a visit to the Citadel.  What a beautiful college this is.

Had we come on a Saturday morning we would have seen the Cadets on the parade ground.


The Citadel was founded in 1842 and one of the six senior military colleges in the United States.  The cadets from the Citadel fired on Union ship Star of the West carrying supplies to Fort Sumter.   The first shot of the bombardment is believed to have been fired by Second Lieutenant Henry S Farley, Class of 1860.  During the Civil War the cadets were called upon to provide military support.


February 1865 the school ceased operation as a college when Union troops entered Charleston.  However, Government Hagood, Class of 1847, urged the SC Legislature to pass an act to reopen the college.  The 1882 session began with an enrollment of 185 cadets.


Today it is a highly acclaimed public-supported college.   

ON THE BOURBON TRAIL????

We dropped off Billy and headed over to Folly Island for lunch. This South Carolina Low Country is captivating.

After several  swoops around town … it’s not that big … we landed at Loggerheads to have a fresh Flounder sandwich.  The highlight of the lunch was the beer and bourbon! 

When we asked what they had on draft and a waiter responds, "We have lots, what do you like?" we usually respond "What's local?"  and we were not disappointed.  Ordered up a local beer that was a cross between stout and port.    Then the waiter asked if we liked bourbon.  .....BUT OF COURSE.

He suggested the local bourbon .... VIRGIL KAINE  made on Folly Island.  No… it’s not Kentucky bourbon but it’s a start!  The interesting thing about this Bourbon is that it’s flavored with ginger.  When Dave handed me the glass, I didn’t expect to like it.  But like it I did.   In fact, it was great.  Tastes a little like Bourbon Honey but not as sweet and syrupy.  . 

THE LEGEND OF VIRGIL KAINE

During the Civil War, soldiers depended on rail lines for many important necessities.  Virgil Kaine led the Danville Train to make sure the soldiers received all of their supplies.  He also brought a vital supply … booze.  He had some of the best spirits known his side of the Mississippi.  His secret formulas were smuggled across the South during the Civil War to thirsty and tired Confederate troops until those pesty Union troops destroyed the railways and stopped their supply.  Fortunately his recipe survived and we tasted it.  In fact, we swooped through town to find the liquor store to buy a bottle.  

DEFINITELY A FIND!  SO BEGINS OUR BOURBON TRAIL!

So, we are finished fighting the Civil War for awhile and heading up into the mountains for some cool days and cooler nights.

Stay tuned for the mountain adventures.

Life is Good!

ON GOLDEN ISLE...

JEKYLL ISLAND

MAY 11, 2012

Finally made it to Jekyll Island.  This is only the third such attempt in seven years.  The first time was in our 30’ S2 Sailboat.  I was working so only had a certain period of time.  We planned a mid-Oct trip but as luck would have it there was Hurricane Wilma was dumping a tremendous amount of rain and moving ever so slowly through the Keys and up the coast.  We left at the end of October following Wilma in 20-25 kts out of the NE.  Got as far as Cumberland Island and decided that St Andrews Sound would be way too difficult with this storm’s effects.   

The second time was a few  years ago when I tried to organize an RV trip up here with the RV Club  (we’re with now).  Only CG I knew of was Jekyll Island CG and it was full of snowbirds.  No vacancy. 

The third time was this past April with Spindrift however if you’ve read that blog, we got as far as St Augustine and had to turn back due to engine issues.

Sooooooo, never say that a plan doesn’t come together eventually!  Today we headed over to Jekyll Island to see what-all we might have missed.

The first thing I noticed, as I always do when crossing water, is that we crossed the ICW.  I saw the marina where I had planned on spending a few days on Spindrift.  It was truly convenient to all the things on the island.  Once you’re over there, you can bike anywhere and that would have been fun from the boat or the Jekyll Island CG. 

First we drove around the Island to get a feel then parked at the Jekyll Island Club.  This place is rich in history mostly revolving around unmitigated wealth of the late 19^th century, early 20^th century.  It always boggles the mind to think about how wealthy and influential these names were and we all have heard of them!

At the turn of the century, tycoons, politicians, and socialites flocked to Jekyll Island to revel in their own luxury and America’s burgeoning wealth. The  historic Georgia Club was described in the February 1904 issue of Munsey’s Magazine as “the richest, the most exclusive, the most inaccessible club in the world.” Its impressive members included such luminaries as J.P. Morgan, William Rockefeller, Vincent Astor, Joseph Pulitzer, William K. Vanderbilt, and other recognizable names on the roster were Macy, Goodyear, and Gould. 

THE POWERFUL MEMBERS

Newton Finney, who served briefly on Robert E. Lee’s staff as captain of engineers during the Civil War, and his brother-law, John Eugene DuBignon, were the early developers whose plan for a hunting club for wealthy northerners hatched into the most exclusive social club in the United States. Between 1879 and 1885, the two men worked on acquiring ownership of this Georgia historic landmark and convincing investors of the merits of the idea. Among the 53 members/investors included Marshall Field, Henry Hyde, J.P. Morgan, Joseph Pulitzer and William K. Vanderbilt.

The club officially opened its doors in January 1888 and the original clubhouse reflects the Queen Anne style, incorporating into its plan the turret which dominates the roof line, extensive verandas, bay windows, extended chimneys and, overall, an asymmetrical design.

Given the powerful members, it is not surprising that the Jekyll Island Club has been the scene of some important historical events, such as the first transcontinental telephone call placed by AT&T president Theodore Vail on January 25, 1915.

CROCHET ANYONE????

ENTRANCE TO THE GRAND DINNING ROOM (where we had our grand lunch!)

SOFT LIGHTING, BEAUTIFUL SCONCES, GREAT LUNCH!

 Finance, as well as politics, was of paramount concern to many club members. J.P. Morgan could create or quell economic panics on Wall Street with the financial resources at his personal command. George Baker, head of the First National Bank of New York, and James Stillman, head of the National City Bank of New York, also members of the Jekyll Island Club, were nearly as wealthy as Morgan. In 1907 when a particularly virulent economic panic caused a run on the banks, one of these three men paved the way for a secret meeting on Jekyll. Traveling under assumed names, Senator Nelson Aldrich, four other bankers of national importance, and the Assistant Secretary of the Treasury made their way to Jekyll posing as duck hunters. Meetings the following week led to the development of the Aldrich Plan, which called for a centralized banking structure for the country. Although Congress did not pass the plan in 1912, President Woodrow Wilson and others used the Aldrich Plan as the basis for another plan that became the Federal Reserve Act, establishing the Federal Reserve System.

THE SOCIAL SEASON

With the advent of the first “season” on Jekyll, the elite club members gathered their families and boarded their yachts, all with expectations for having a grandiose time. Morning hunting trips, lawn parties, carriage rides, leisurely afternoons on the beach…the likes of the Vanderbilts and the Rockefellers passed their summer days in a state of lavish splendor on their Southern playground. For years there was unofficial competition among the yachting members to see who would arrive in the most impressive and beautifully appointed vessel. Dinner each evening, however, was the high point of the day as the dining room grew rich with white-clad waiters, bow-tied gentlemen and stately women.

IMAGINE SPINDRIFT ANCHORED OFF HERE!!!

Between 1888 and 1928 these wealthy northern families built their winter homes, or “cottages” as they were called, designed to house entire families with staff. Hardly cottages, they exemplified Victorian tastes in architecture. Two of these have been restored and are part of the Jekyll Island Club’s historic accommodations.  Maybe our “gated communities” are fashioned after this exclusive Club-style living???


                                                                                                                                         HOLLYBOURNE COTTAGE 1892

MISTLETOE COTTAGE 1901                              

The Jekyll Island Club flourished into the 1930s, but between the Wars and Great Depression priorities began to change.  In 1947 the State of Georgia bought the entire island for $675,000 and turned it into a public state park.

We had a wonderful lunch at the Jekyll Island Club Hotel.  Dave so loved the cheese grits he wanted a 5 lb to go order of grits to take home! 

FORT FREDERICA

MAY 12, 2012

Our first stop of the day was to Fort Frederica on St Simons Island.  This Fort Frederica was established in 1736 by Oglethorpe and John and Charles Wesley as a defense against those pesky Spaniards down in Florida!  

These ruins are essentially an archeological excavation of the foundations of many of the homes and a layout of the town.

In the Ranger's Station we noticed this Insect Forecast!  Notice that Mosquitoes and Deer Flies are in the RED ZONE while Sand Gnats are high YELLOW.  Oh joy!  Interestingly enough, the Deer flies liked Dave better than me.  I certainly wasn't complaining!

The first thing I noticed was the fabulous trees with the Spanish Moss.  It's like a fairyland with all this moss hanging from the grand old oaks.

The streets are laid out as it was when this was a colony.  All that is left are the foundations dug up over the years.

FOUNDATION FOR THE HAWKINS-DAVISON HOUSE

The Hawkins-Davison Houses were the first among Frederica’s settlers.  The two houses shared by a common wall.  Unfortunately the families who lived here did not get along.

Samuel Davison lived in the house on the left with his wife, daughter and two sons.  Davison operated a tavern, made gunstocks for the regiment and served as town constable.  The Rev Charles Wesley called this popular and industrious  man “my good Samaritan”.  The Davisons left town in 1741 unable to tolerate their quarrelsome neighbors, the Hawkins.

Dr Thomas Hawkins lived in the house on the right and was the Regimental Surgeon, town doctor, apothecary and magistrate.  He was frequently embroiled in lawsuits.  His wife, Beatre, ws not noted for hospitality.  In this house she threatened to kill the Rev John Wesley with a pair of scissors and a pistol.  Wesley escaped  but only after Mrs Hawkins shredded the sleeve of his cassock with her teeth!   So it goes to show you ….. your reputation can outlive you …. By at least a couple hundred years!

 This is what is left of the Fort.  It's situated right on the water so they could watch for those pesky Spaniards.  It is also where we were going to anchor for the night and dinghy Billy ashore .... that is if the Dinghy Motor worked!

                       Despite thinking "everything south started with Spain", this is an English Colony.

  Great Shot ..... right over our bow ..... if we were there by boat!!!

If you weren't living in town you were living here in the barracks.  Somehow spending the summers here isn't that appealing.  Just keep thinking about the Insect Barometer in the office!

ST SIMONS ISLAND

We headed over to St Simons as I needed to see the lighthouse!  As we drove over I noticed the marina I had planned on our staying in to visit St Simons.  Looking out at St Simons Inlet there were several sailboats coming through. 

Parking in the little downtown area rivals Key West parking!  I finally told Dave I’d jump out and take pictures of the lighthouse as he was turning around in a parking lot.  We then drove around for another five minutes until someone pulled out of the spot and we slipped in!

  Had a wonderful lunch at Inguanas and then headed back to our car.  As we crossed the parking lot we could feel the fever pitch of the drivers vying for the spot we were going to vacate! 

Got back mid-afternoon in time to take Billy to the Bark Park to play with his beloved tennis ball.  He played well with Darby until the ball became competition then all bets were off, courtesy forgotten and growling began!  Billy came home with a bad report card ….. Didn’t play well with others!

BILLY GUARDS HIS TOYS!

HE LOVES TO CATCH THE BALL IN THE AIR!

The group ate out at Zachery’s and it was very good.  I was still full from lunch so left most of my fried oysters behind!  Tomorrow we pack up and head up to Charleston.

Brunswick GA (North of the Border)

LIVING THE RV LIFE!! 

Pulled out of our driveway by 8:00AM - exceptional for us who usually doesn't starts anything until after 9AM. Headed up to Camping World in St Augustine as our first stop to pick up our tow dolly with brakes.

It's hard to transition, in the mind, from boat to motorhome.  I seem to be constantly comparing the two.  Around 9AM we passed the Palm Coast exit and I thought .... one hour on the road, eight hours in the boat - first night's stop.   Then when we got to Camping World in St Augustine I thought .... 2 hours by MH, two days by boat.  As we approached Brunswick GA we passed Fort Frederica exit where I had a planned anchorage stop in the boat -- 3 hours by MH,  approximately 5th day by boat!

We pulled into Camping World and they had the trailer ready apart from a plug that needed to be installed.  We purchased the trailer earlier in the week and I guess they didn't charge us the $200 assembly fee; (I thought the price would have included assembly).  Camping World waived that fee and only charged us for the wiring of the plug.  I was pleased.  We backed the car up onto the dolly and Dave tried to figure out the new tiedown straps.  He finally broke down and asked for help ... doesn't happen often .... and a service guy came out and worked with Dave and the directions finally getting the tiedown straps sorted out and hooked up the tires to the dolly.  All in all only took about an hour.  Far shorter than I envisioned.

Arrived Coastal GA RV in Brunswick just off I95 to meet up with our friends as the kick off for the trip north.  This is a lovely resort, brand new.  We hope they are successful as there isn't anything out here.  It's about 15 miles from Jekyll and St Simons so should be a great spot for snowbirds wintering down here.

NOW THAT'S THE WAY TO TRAVEL!!!!

Friday night was cocktails and appetizers.

BILLY SAYS

Finally we're leaving after watching all my goodies being carted out of the house into the Land Yacht.  As usual I traveled behind Forever Dad's seat tucked in tight.  Half way along the trip Forever Mom finally came into the Land Yacht and I finally had my people back in sight.

We're staying with lots of other dogs.  Darby, a White Westie, has become my new best friend.  I'm really embarrassed how I barked viciously at him when he visited me at my land home.  I must remember my manners next time.   There is a fenced in dog park called Bark Park on site so we dogs walked our owners over to the park and ran around for the night.  What fun it is to travel in the Land yacht.  All kinds of new smells!