Today the plan was to have a lazy day and do zip, zilch, nadda. And it started out that way. When we got up it was 3C outside but our little heater kept us nice and toasty. So the morning was spent reading, writing, yakking, and walking the dog. A very nice break.
In the afternoon we chose to go for a "short" hike on one of the many local mountain trails. Nearby is one called the Devil's Den, a half-mile walk down the mountain on a narrow steep rocky pathway to the den, which is a cliff/cave formation that goes deep into the mountain, and we were warned numerous times to not go in cuz they usually have to call 911 to get people out. So, we found it, and it truly is a marvellous structure!
What they didn't tell us was how steep this trail is! By now dead tired, we had to climb back up the steep rocky mountain path to get out! Some kinda tired when we finally got back! However, beautiful mountain scenery, cliffs, trees in colour, etc. A great afternoon, great weather, and wonderful fresh mountain air at the right hiking temperature.
Tomorrow we hit the road again with the intent of getting home Saturday evening. It'll be nice to sit in the car and recover from the mountaineering adventure!
Thursday, 30 October 2014
Wednesday, 29 October 2014
Fancy Gap, VA
Kinda bittersweet! This morning was beautiful and warm ... we spent some time watching the mist rise off the lake, had a relaxed breakfast, and wandered away from Savannah.
We are taking turns driving again, that way neither one of us ends up exhausted at the end of the day, but, I somehow ended up driving through Charlotte. just like the Washington incident, BUSY city, lots of traffic, ramps, lanes, etc. and as usual, Karl slept through it!
We stopped at a cute rest stop for lunch and feasted on wraps and leftover hamburgers. It really is amazing what you can whip up in the trailer ... even without water and electricity, we still have gas!
As the miles have turned, so have the leaves turned colour. It's fall again here and we reluctantly dug out our sweaters .... sigh!
But, on the "flip side" I just looked up to see mountains covered with coloured leaves. We are 15 min from tonight's campsite - another KOA. Perhaps this will be a good place to hike a bit and check out things close up!
Arriving at the campsite, wow!! It's just a little KOA carved into a mountainside, and the extra-large sites are on numerous levels. Lots of trees, shade, and nature. Incredibly quaint. We've decided to stay here an extra day to do some slumming and maybe a little trail walk. Gotta do it tomorrow cuz the Saturday forecast includes the "s" word.
Gotta go, looking for sweaters, sox, mittens, etc. This sure ain't southern like Savannah!
We are taking turns driving again, that way neither one of us ends up exhausted at the end of the day, but, I somehow ended up driving through Charlotte. just like the Washington incident, BUSY city, lots of traffic, ramps, lanes, etc. and as usual, Karl slept through it!
We stopped at a cute rest stop for lunch and feasted on wraps and leftover hamburgers. It really is amazing what you can whip up in the trailer ... even without water and electricity, we still have gas!
As the miles have turned, so have the leaves turned colour. It's fall again here and we reluctantly dug out our sweaters .... sigh!
But, on the "flip side" I just looked up to see mountains covered with coloured leaves. We are 15 min from tonight's campsite - another KOA. Perhaps this will be a good place to hike a bit and check out things close up!
Arriving at the campsite, wow!! It's just a little KOA carved into a mountainside, and the extra-large sites are on numerous levels. Lots of trees, shade, and nature. Incredibly quaint. We've decided to stay here an extra day to do some slumming and maybe a little trail walk. Gotta do it tomorrow cuz the Saturday forecast includes the "s" word.
Gotta go, looking for sweaters, sox, mittens, etc. This sure ain't southern like Savannah!
Tuesday, 28 October 2014
Savannah part 3 - Tybee Island
Our campsite backs onto a little lake. Picture looking out at dawn to see mist rising off the lake and a dozen swans swimming gently around. Wow!
We are more and more in vacation mode by the day! on our last official day in Georgia, it took us til after 9 to load up and wander in the direction of Tybee Island.
The town resembles Grand Bend, but on a larger scale. We would have loved to shop at the souvenir places, but after all, how much "stuff" you fit into one little camper? So, we settled on hitting the beach. Since Tybee Island does not allow pets on the beach, we took turns swimming. There was a covered gazebo about half way along the boardwalk to the beach, so one of us stayed with Max and the other went swimming. Turns out there was an older couple also sitting in the gazebo watching for a US Air force plane to drop several paratroopers into the ocean on a scheduled training flight. We spent some time talking to them. They were really nice, typical Southern people. Told us lots about their lives - ex airforce, both of them with lots of stories.
While Karl was swimming, I saw a dolphin in the water swim within 20 feet of him!! Too bad for me because I had been in the exact spot the dolphin swam not 15 min before!!
We had heard so much about a seafood restaurant, the Crab Shack, so for lunch, we rerouted more than once to try to find it! But boy was it worth the hunt! It was done up like a Tiki Bar, but also had all kinds of other neat signs etc. and a pond (fenced in of course) with dozens of small alligators. There was a sign in the restaurant (open air overlooking the bay) that said "please don't feed your children to the alligators, it makes them sick"
They let us take Max in. He sat under our table and glared at the cats who had free roam of the place.
We asked a German couple at the next table to take our picture. Turned out they were on their way back to Berlin in a few days for their wedding and then planned to leave on a year long world tour, sheesh! He couldn't have been more than 50! Told us they flew into Atlanta a few days ago and were driving a rented corvette convertible. We are rubbing elbows with jet setters, woohoo!!
Well tomorrow we start our journey home. We have definitely loved Georgia. 😍
We are more and more in vacation mode by the day! on our last official day in Georgia, it took us til after 9 to load up and wander in the direction of Tybee Island.
The town resembles Grand Bend, but on a larger scale. We would have loved to shop at the souvenir places, but after all, how much "stuff" you fit into one little camper? So, we settled on hitting the beach. Since Tybee Island does not allow pets on the beach, we took turns swimming. There was a covered gazebo about half way along the boardwalk to the beach, so one of us stayed with Max and the other went swimming. Turns out there was an older couple also sitting in the gazebo watching for a US Air force plane to drop several paratroopers into the ocean on a scheduled training flight. We spent some time talking to them. They were really nice, typical Southern people. Told us lots about their lives - ex airforce, both of them with lots of stories.
While Karl was swimming, I saw a dolphin in the water swim within 20 feet of him!! Too bad for me because I had been in the exact spot the dolphin swam not 15 min before!!
We had heard so much about a seafood restaurant, the Crab Shack, so for lunch, we rerouted more than once to try to find it! But boy was it worth the hunt! It was done up like a Tiki Bar, but also had all kinds of other neat signs etc. and a pond (fenced in of course) with dozens of small alligators. There was a sign in the restaurant (open air overlooking the bay) that said "please don't feed your children to the alligators, it makes them sick"
They let us take Max in. He sat under our table and glared at the cats who had free roam of the place.
We asked a German couple at the next table to take our picture. Turned out they were on their way back to Berlin in a few days for their wedding and then planned to leave on a year long world tour, sheesh! He couldn't have been more than 50! Told us they flew into Atlanta a few days ago and were driving a rented corvette convertible. We are rubbing elbows with jet setters, woohoo!!
Well tomorrow we start our journey home. We have definitely loved Georgia. 😍
Monday, 27 October 2014
Savannah, part 2 -checking it out!
Wow!! Another hot day, full sun, 85F. Woo-hoo!!
After breakfast we headed into Savannah to see the town. Discovered that city tour busses are big business here, so we decided to take a 90-minute bus tour thru the old, historic part of town. Wow, there's a lot of history here. You could easily spend a month here and still not see it all. beautiful old buildings and a story inside each one. The downtown core is the historic area, very much comparable to a mini version of the French Quarter in New Orleans.
Then a little walking tour. There are two touristy market-type streets, one called "Market Street" (imagine that!), the other down by the docks, with the souvenirs, snacks, restaurants, etc. Watched a huge ocean freighter steaming up the river while we were at the dock. Treated ourselves to an ice cream cone which Max loved.
Got 'home' around 5 pm totally exhausted and dehydrated. Nice cuppa tea by our pond, watching the 22+ swans that live here, then a marvellous fish dinner (cod) in the trailer.
If you don't yet have Savannah on your bucket list, I suggest you put it there!
After breakfast we headed into Savannah to see the town. Discovered that city tour busses are big business here, so we decided to take a 90-minute bus tour thru the old, historic part of town. Wow, there's a lot of history here. You could easily spend a month here and still not see it all. beautiful old buildings and a story inside each one. The downtown core is the historic area, very much comparable to a mini version of the French Quarter in New Orleans.
Then a little walking tour. There are two touristy market-type streets, one called "Market Street" (imagine that!), the other down by the docks, with the souvenirs, snacks, restaurants, etc. Watched a huge ocean freighter steaming up the river while we were at the dock. Treated ourselves to an ice cream cone which Max loved.
Got 'home' around 5 pm totally exhausted and dehydrated. Nice cuppa tea by our pond, watching the 22+ swans that live here, then a marvellous fish dinner (cod) in the trailer.
If you don't yet have Savannah on your bucket list, I suggest you put it there!
Sunday, 26 October 2014
Savannah GA
We're back on the road! Myrtle Beach was a great place to visit and definitely one we would like to come back to! Love the KOA park, very family oriented; a large pillow like trampoline, a little amphitheatre for a magic act and several playgrounds, PLUS a river and tons of trees!
Today Suzie (GPS) is taking us on a back roads tour of South Carolina. We are actually passing cotton fields and thinking of the history attached to them - before the civil war. So many churches and all of them seem busy - this is after all, the bible belt!
We made it it Tybee Island -finally and went to check out River's End Campground - happily we had not paid in advance, it looked like a parking lot with a Rec hall.
Our plan B was another KOA campground in Savanah, which turned out to be beautiful! We had a quick glimpse of Savanah on our way to the KOA, this is definitely a place we want to check out!
So..... we went to the Savannah South KOA, and got site #12 ... it's right beside the water - a gorgeous little lake with bush all around, swans, ducks and oh, a few alligators, so "no" swimming allowed!! Oh well, they have a pool and we are so close to the ocean, we will find a way to swim!
Today was a totally sunny day with temps up to 85F. Woo-hoo!! So nice and warm, it feels like we turned the clock back to July!
A spaghetti supper, a nice walk around the park and another day is gone. Nite all!
Today Suzie (GPS) is taking us on a back roads tour of South Carolina. We are actually passing cotton fields and thinking of the history attached to them - before the civil war. So many churches and all of them seem busy - this is after all, the bible belt!
We made it it Tybee Island -finally and went to check out River's End Campground - happily we had not paid in advance, it looked like a parking lot with a Rec hall.
Our plan B was another KOA campground in Savanah, which turned out to be beautiful! We had a quick glimpse of Savanah on our way to the KOA, this is definitely a place we want to check out!
So..... we went to the Savannah South KOA, and got site #12 ... it's right beside the water - a gorgeous little lake with bush all around, swans, ducks and oh, a few alligators, so "no" swimming allowed!! Oh well, they have a pool and we are so close to the ocean, we will find a way to swim!
Today was a totally sunny day with temps up to 85F. Woo-hoo!! So nice and warm, it feels like we turned the clock back to July!
A spaghetti supper, a nice walk around the park and another day is gone. Nite all!
Saturday, 25 October 2014
Myrtle Beach, Day 2
We woke to the sound of owls hooting. Not the screech owls we hear in Wiarton, but definite real owl hooting! Our campsite is nestled in the woods of the KOA campground. Large old fir trees, lots of shade, but not what you'd think. Our neighbours are mostly RV buses. We occasionally see some people, but rarely. Wondering why they don't just stay home if they just sit in their RV's and watch TV we think!
We spent the morning checking out Myrtle Beach. Definitely tourist-oriented, lots of condos, motels, beachy stores, and every imaginable type of restaurant, including many oyster bars. Yet the buildings weren't jam-packed, and the streets were nicely landscaped. Nice atmosphere, not just a party haven.
We had lunch at our campsite, but went back to the beach, about 3 city blocks, for a swim in the ocean. We were told it the water was cool, but felt great to us, considering our Wiarton conditioning! We tend to meet people because of Max, people who either own dogs or would like to seem to notice our little guy!! Lots of neat folks and stories.
We came back to the park and decided to go for another mid-afternoon swim in the pool here. Turns out that it was cooler than the ocean, but Joanne sucked it up and finally stopped shivering just after supper! Supper was a home-made feast of mahi-mahi ... Fabulous!!
Then a campfire and now calling it a day. Outside temp was 24C today ... Woo-hoo!
We spent the morning checking out Myrtle Beach. Definitely tourist-oriented, lots of condos, motels, beachy stores, and every imaginable type of restaurant, including many oyster bars. Yet the buildings weren't jam-packed, and the streets were nicely landscaped. Nice atmosphere, not just a party haven.
We had lunch at our campsite, but went back to the beach, about 3 city blocks, for a swim in the ocean. We were told it the water was cool, but felt great to us, considering our Wiarton conditioning! We tend to meet people because of Max, people who either own dogs or would like to seem to notice our little guy!! Lots of neat folks and stories.
We came back to the park and decided to go for another mid-afternoon swim in the pool here. Turns out that it was cooler than the ocean, but Joanne sucked it up and finally stopped shivering just after supper! Supper was a home-made feast of mahi-mahi ... Fabulous!!
Then a campfire and now calling it a day. Outside temp was 24C today ... Woo-hoo!
Friday, 24 October 2014
Myrtle Beach SC
we are definitely in vacation mode today. moving a bit slower perhaps, so by the time we headed out today, it was 9 am. everyone is so relaxed here! along with the "drawl" life jus doesn't seem so frantic.
we stopped mid morning for gas and Karl picked up a chicken sandwich for a snack, turned out to be a full BBQ chicken breast on a kaiser with all the toppings for 3 dollars!!we took turns driving and Max, of course slept almost the entire trip. except of course when we had any food in the car, including popcorn! who knew dogs would eat that?!?! the only exception for Max are veggies. i got a salad for lunch, no way he was interested in that.
The drive was about the same as yesterday, but with almost every mile, the air seemed warmer and the sky just a little bit bluer. i really can't say I miss Donley street right now. there are palm trees here and we are told that the ocean beach is just a few blocks away, sigh ...
we arrived close to 5 pm. and by the time we set up, got a few groceries and had supper, it was dark. tomorrow we will wander Myrtle Beach and see the sights. we definitely want to see the beach and swim if we can. we heard about an aquarium with a board walk and that would be great too. mom/Grandma also mentioned seeing dolphins, so who knows, it would be great if we see some of those on our swim.
oh, forgot to mention we are in a KOA Park in Myrtle Beach. just wonderful. Nice people, great park, lots for kids to do as well as adults. There are 2 pools and the water, unheated, is much warmer than Mallory Beach, so like 75 F at least.
that's it for now. long day, we'll catch up with you again tomorrow...... the kanjo wanderers in south carolina
we stopped mid morning for gas and Karl picked up a chicken sandwich for a snack, turned out to be a full BBQ chicken breast on a kaiser with all the toppings for 3 dollars!!we took turns driving and Max, of course slept almost the entire trip. except of course when we had any food in the car, including popcorn! who knew dogs would eat that?!?! the only exception for Max are veggies. i got a salad for lunch, no way he was interested in that.
The drive was about the same as yesterday, but with almost every mile, the air seemed warmer and the sky just a little bit bluer. i really can't say I miss Donley street right now. there are palm trees here and we are told that the ocean beach is just a few blocks away, sigh ...
we arrived close to 5 pm. and by the time we set up, got a few groceries and had supper, it was dark. tomorrow we will wander Myrtle Beach and see the sights. we definitely want to see the beach and swim if we can. we heard about an aquarium with a board walk and that would be great too. mom/Grandma also mentioned seeing dolphins, so who knows, it would be great if we see some of those on our swim.
oh, forgot to mention we are in a KOA Park in Myrtle Beach. just wonderful. Nice people, great park, lots for kids to do as well as adults. There are 2 pools and the water, unheated, is much warmer than Mallory Beach, so like 75 F at least.
that's it for now. long day, we'll catch up with you again tomorrow...... the kanjo wanderers in south carolina
Thursday, 23 October 2014
Ashland Virginia
Hey everyone!
It's been a good travelling day! The sun has been shining (well, most of the time) and the temperatures, along with our moods have steadily increased.
We drove for most of the day through the Alleganey Mountains. Almost every bend in the road showed us another beautiful landscape - the trees are in full colour here, likely a month behind Ontario - add to that the mountain scenes and well, there just aren't words!! Karl took some pictures. We drove mainly on Interstates so couldn't stop, which is my way of saying, they were taken from the car window.... Sigh, the only thing I can say is "wish you were here"!
The Santa Fe is doing great pulling our little trailer. We no longer pat the dashboard and whisper words of encouragement, like "hang in there, you can do it", but the winds were strong today so driving was still a challenge, at least for me.
We stopped for a cozy lunch in our trailer at the Virginia Welcome Centre.
Yes folks, we trade off driving every 1 to 2 hours - why should Karl have all the fun? But somehow, I ended up driving into and through Washington DC. OMG !!! I have never seen so many roads/overhead ramps/signs converge in front of my eyes at one time! Life is great when the GPS is telling you to follow a highway, but nowhere in the "eight" lanes and too many overhead signs to count do you see anything resembling it!!!! Meanwhile, Karl is blissfully sleeping.... Upon waking, to my frustrated words, he says, "no problem..." I did get us through, between Karl, the GPS and me, but I couldn't find a off ramp fast enough so that "Karl" could share in the "fun"!
Lots of history here. Almost every sign or plaque gives the name of someone or something that makes you want to go and check it out..... Gettysburg, the Potomac, the Mason Dixon Line..
Well tonight finds us happily ensconced in an Americana trailer park in Ashland Virginia. Someone forgot to tell these folks that summer is over, because there are lots of campers. It's a warm evening and I hear there is a Domino night in the hall. Tomorrow morning there is a "free" waffle breakfast! Kinda like this life. Nite all.
It's been a good travelling day! The sun has been shining (well, most of the time) and the temperatures, along with our moods have steadily increased.
We drove for most of the day through the Alleganey Mountains. Almost every bend in the road showed us another beautiful landscape - the trees are in full colour here, likely a month behind Ontario - add to that the mountain scenes and well, there just aren't words!! Karl took some pictures. We drove mainly on Interstates so couldn't stop, which is my way of saying, they were taken from the car window.... Sigh, the only thing I can say is "wish you were here"!
The Santa Fe is doing great pulling our little trailer. We no longer pat the dashboard and whisper words of encouragement, like "hang in there, you can do it", but the winds were strong today so driving was still a challenge, at least for me.
We stopped for a cozy lunch in our trailer at the Virginia Welcome Centre.
Yes folks, we trade off driving every 1 to 2 hours - why should Karl have all the fun? But somehow, I ended up driving into and through Washington DC. OMG !!! I have never seen so many roads/overhead ramps/signs converge in front of my eyes at one time! Life is great when the GPS is telling you to follow a highway, but nowhere in the "eight" lanes and too many overhead signs to count do you see anything resembling it!!!! Meanwhile, Karl is blissfully sleeping.... Upon waking, to my frustrated words, he says, "no problem..." I did get us through, between Karl, the GPS and me, but I couldn't find a off ramp fast enough so that "Karl" could share in the "fun"!
Lots of history here. Almost every sign or plaque gives the name of someone or something that makes you want to go and check it out..... Gettysburg, the Potomac, the Mason Dixon Line..
Well tonight finds us happily ensconced in an Americana trailer park in Ashland Virginia. Someone forgot to tell these folks that summer is over, because there are lots of campers. It's a warm evening and I hear there is a Domino night in the hall. Tomorrow morning there is a "free" waffle breakfast! Kinda like this life. Nite all.
Wednesday, 22 October 2014
Kittanning PA
This morning we finally got all the last-minute stuff done and hit the road 2.5 hours behind schedule. It was 10:30 and we actually left in sunlight with high hopes of a promised warming trend. Yeah, right! At noon the clouds and icy humidity rolled in and that was the end of that for the rest of the day.
Our plan was to get to approximately Pittsburgh PA and we managed to almost do so around 6:30. Since it is 7C here we obviously chose not to camp tonight! But we are still hopeful for tomorrow when we expect to be nearing Richmond VA, with a forecasted sunny 18C. Wow, perhaps there still is a light at the end of the tunnel! (Do we sound a little frustrated?)
In all, a fairly uneventful and good driving day. Lunch was at KFC at exit 64 of the QEW. Dinner was liver & onions (woo-hoo) for me and chicken for Joanne at Teresa's Restaurant adjoining this Quality Inn in the town of Kittanning PA
Hopefully some sunnier news tomorrow!!
... K
Our plan was to get to approximately Pittsburgh PA and we managed to almost do so around 6:30. Since it is 7C here we obviously chose not to camp tonight! But we are still hopeful for tomorrow when we expect to be nearing Richmond VA, with a forecasted sunny 18C. Wow, perhaps there still is a light at the end of the tunnel! (Do we sound a little frustrated?)
In all, a fairly uneventful and good driving day. Lunch was at KFC at exit 64 of the QEW. Dinner was liver & onions (woo-hoo) for me and chicken for Joanne at Teresa's Restaurant adjoining this Quality Inn in the town of Kittanning PA
Hopefully some sunnier news tomorrow!!
... K
Saturday, 18 October 2014
Getting ready
It's time to go wandering again! So, before it gets too cold outside, we've decided to do a quickie 12-day trip down the east coast of the USA and go as far as it takes to find water warm enough to be swimmable.
As always we'll be posting our progress. We leave this coming Wednesday, Oct 22, heading east until we hit water, then south until we can swim. Expecting to be home Sunday, Nov 2.
Stay tuned ...
As always we'll be posting our progress. We leave this coming Wednesday, Oct 22, heading east until we hit water, then south until we can swim. Expecting to be home Sunday, Nov 2.
Stay tuned ...
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