Heading to Fayetteville NC

We spent a week in a little town called Dillon which is just about 5 miles south of the North Carolina border.  Today we are moving only 65 miles north to Fayetteville to visit with Jessi. We have known her since she was about 3 years old and she now lives in Fort Bragg. Her husband is in the Army and currently deployed to Afghanistan. We will be there for 3-4 nights, then on to Richmond Virginia area to visit more of Jackie's cousins. I was asked yesterday by a friend Carl, "Does Jackie have a relative in every state?" It seems that way. The pictures are from the rv park where we spent the week. The park named Bass Lake Rv Park has a small lake that you can fish. We thought about it but after watching several people fish and them not catching anything but turtles, the mosquitoes, the black snakes and water moccasins and that big sign gator in lake thought the hazards were greater than the reward. 

Paula Deans in Savannah

We went to Paula Deans restaurant in Savannah which is call The Lady and Sons. Went there for lunch and had the buffet. The food was just ok, typical of a buffet. The fried chicken was a little dry and the mac and cheese was also dry and didn't have much flavor. But while we were there we found out that her sons actually run the place. We should have ordered off the menu. As you can see by the line out the door it is a popular tourist attraction. Glad we went but wouldn't go again. We are still in South Carolina and will be moving to Fayetteville Nc  on Monday. Just spending the week looking at some of the small towns and getting in a little golf. Tomorrow we are going to Hartville SC to the South Carolina Genealogical Society. I have family that lived in the area back in the 1700's, so we are trying to find info on them. The best place to start will be the local tavern and jail. Had to get it from someone. 

Savannah

We spent a week about 15 miles north of Savannah in South Carolina just across the bridge. Went to the Historical Area several times and walked around looking at the old buildings. We like just looking at these old buildings and see all of the craftsmanship that they did back during this time period. This group of pictures were taken along the River Street. Mostly touristy business but in wonderful old buildings. The area is lower that the rest of the city, so you have to walk down stairs to get to tour. There is a street but no parking except for hotels. Lots of restaurants and shops to buy souvenirs. Will be putting more Savannah pictures the next day or so. We are still working our way north up Hwy 95. We moved to Dillon SC just about 5 miles south of North Carolina. Going to spend a week here looking around and playing a little golf. Had planned on going to Myrtle Beach for a few days but decided we didn't feel like dealing with the tourist crowds. Weather warm mid 80's with my old friend Humidity. After our visit to the east coast and the south I am putting big X's thru states that have humidity, hurricanes, tornadoes and mosquitoes that big enough to carry you off. The only thing that has made it tolerable are the nice people we have met. Actually we have enjoyed every state we have visited and the weather has spooked us but not hurt us.

Florida in the rear view mirror

A few pictures and some info on our last days in Florida. The picture of our truck and trailer was taken at a Moose lodge at Merritt Island. During our time in Florida we stayed at 6 rv parks and 4 Moose Lodges. We spent 1 month in Holt Fl near Pensacola but the rest were 1 week or less. Jackie got to visit her brother and his family and her nephew Sean. We spent a week in Fort Lauderdale where he lives and visited with him and his mother JoAnne. The pictures posted here are from Fort Lauderdale. Sean took us on a tour of the city, so we got a good feel of the city. We spent the last week in a small town just north of Jacksonville Fl called Callahan. We didn't do much of anything, just a day trip to the Okefenokee Swamp. Mostly spent the week doing nothing! Which you have to do sometimes to keep from getting burnt out sightseeing. Today we moved 140 miles north to Hardeeville South Carolina. It is about 10 minutes north of Savannah Ga. Going to spend a week here taking in the sights of Savannah. Weather was perfect here today, 75 degrees with a light breeze. Oh, had the best BBQ a few days ago. A place called Boston Butt Hutt in Callahan. Got here special to go, it was a Boston Butt (pork) and 2 sides. The pork butt was about 3 pounds and was the best I have ever ate. We ate on it for several day. Almost went back to get another to take with us.

Miami Beach

As usual I am running behind on posting the blog. The last couple places we were staying at for some reason or other I was having trouble posting. We took a day trip to Miami Beach and walked around the Art Deco area of south beach. Miami is another big and busy city with lots of people. We were there at the end of spring break so I am sure some of it is because of spring break. We managed to find a "authentic" cuban restaurant and tried the well known "Cuban Sandwich". Heck, it was a some bologna and salami with cheese with a slim slice of pickle and put on a roll and grilled. We ate it because it was $7.00 but I make something like that for lunch all the time. They should have left the Cuban Sandwich with Castro! The buildings in the area were great to look at. I enjoy Art Deco. The people in the area were nice and had several interesting conversations with the locals. I will be posting something on Fort Lauderdale the next few days. We have managed to move up just north of Jacksonville Fl. Spent a few days at the Moose Lodge in Merritt Island and a few in Jacksonville at their Moose Lodge. It cost $15 per night at Merritt Island and $10 at Jacksonville. We are currently in a small town called Callahan just south of Georgia. Will be here until the 8th then move up into Georgia. Our plan is to head to Savannah then up to Mrytle Beach SC. After that Fort Bragg NC. We will be near DC around the 6-8th of May. Weather very warm, not hot but you don't want to be out in it. Around 85 but that stupid thing they have around here HUMIDITY makes it uncomfortable. Our A/C has been working over time. Pepper does not like it either, she keeps looking west with longing in her eyes. FYI I was attacked by a huge mosquito today. It was so big I thought it was a hummingbird.

Florida Keys

While we were staying at the Moose Lodge in Homestead Fl. we took a day trip down the Keys. It is around 130 miles from Homestead to Key West, so we had a long day driving the Keys and back. It was a slow drive because of the speed limits and traffic. Most of the way down the speed limit was 55, 45 and 35 mph. Most was around 45 mph. You pass thru several islands (keys) as you drive to Key West. We stopped a couple times to stretch our legs and let Pepper out. It was a beautiful drive but when we got to Key West is was a mad house. Wanted to go to Margaritaville and have a drink but it was so crowded and no parking that we just came back. The roads in Key West were narrow and I had problems getting my truck around. Also it was the end of spring break so there were even more people in the area. Camping in the Keys at State Parks is reasonable but you need to plan a year in advance to get a spot. The private campgrounds if you can get in are very expensive. Up to a $100 or more per night. Crazy. Since we had to drive so slow there and back I managed to get about 25 miles per gallon on the truck. Enjoyed the trip but not something we would want to do again. We have moved twice since we were in Homestead but have not been able to post the blog in the last 2 places we were at. Will be posting some pics of Miami beach and Fort Lauderdale next. Got to catch up. We are now in Jacksonville Fl which is just south of Georgia. Weather warm, low to mid 80's and lite breeze. Not bad.

Gators and Gators and...

Spent a few days in the Everglades near the town of Everglades City. Along hwy 41 between Naples Fl and Everglades City there is a canal that runs for miles. We drove about 25 miles along on the hwy and saw around 50 alligators sunbathing in the canal. The 2 pictures of alligators laying on the bank were taken along the side of the road. We also took a tour of Shark Valley Everglades National Park. They have a 2 hr tram ride through the glades. The rest of the pictures were taken on the tour. Half way through the tour they stop for a bit and you can walk up to the observation tower and see for miles. Florida is flat so this tower is the highest thing for miles. None of the alligators are confined so you told not to get any closer than 15 ft of one and be aware of any aggressive action they might take. Needless to say I didn't test their warning. Most of the Everglades is just salt grass with some areas having water. They guess there are around 50,000 alligators in the Everglades but never have done a official count. We moved to Homestead and stayed at the Moose Lodge there. Will be putting some pictures of Miami and the Keys in the next blog. Couldn't post while in Homestead for some reason it wouldn't let me upload pictures. The biggest pain in Florida is the toll roads. Spent $16.00 driving down the east side of Florida and today spent $10.25 in 5 toll roads and only went 65 miles. But no state income tax! Know how they get their money now. Weather warm, 80-85 degrees day and 65-70 night and about 65% humidity. Not liking that part but have to put up with it until we get back out west.