Celebrating Our Second Anniversary As Full Timers

 

Port Charlotte, FL (78 degrees, sunny with clear skies)

Today we celebrate our second anniversary as full timers. It's humbling to look back over the past two years and review some of the amazing things we have seen and done. We are very blessed and continue to enjoy this lifestyle. Although this may not be for everyone, it is perfect for us. 

 

We started our second year in White Sands National Monument in Alamogordo, New Mexico and are currently in Port Charlotte, Florida.  Here is a map of our different stops along the way.   

This year we have

• Traveled 7076 miles in the motorhome
• Explored many more miles in the jeep
• Spent at least one night in 15 States
• Managed a sport memorabilia kiosk in Port Charlotte, Florida
• Worked for a KOA in Watkins Glen, New York
• Volunteered at White Sands National Monument
• Participated in one NOMADS project in Tucson Arizona
• Attended two rally’s (FMCA Indio, CA & Gypsy Journal Rally Yuma, AZ)
• Marveled at many beautiful waterfalls, sunsets, sunrises, and star filled skies
• Paddled several rivers and lakes in our kayak
  
• Took the motorcoach and jeep on a ferry ride
  
• Made many new friends
  
• Treasured several visits from family and friends
  
• Plus so much more.  Here are a few of the highlights

White Sands National Monument was a magical place.  We even had the whole place to ourselves with several volunteers when the main road closed due to a snow storm. 

 

The deserts in Arizona and California were so beautiful and we were awed by the spectacular sunsets. 

 

 

 

We had a lot of fun locating creasted cactus, a unusual and rare phenomenon which some cactus form.

One morning we woke up to a sudden snowfall in Sedona Arizona.  The 17 inch snowfall dusted the spectacular red rocks and for a few hours before it melted we experienced a very rare event. One photographer next to me said “it’s moments like this when you really know there is a God”. 

 

 

Before

After



We spent five months workamping at Watkins Glen KOA in New York.  The Finger Lakes are very pretty and the extended stay allowed us a chance to really experience New York.  We saw lots of waterfalls

The very small….

To the humongous Niagara Falls

Touring some wineries in the Finger Lakes was very interesting.  I learned a lot about wine from the wine tastings over the summer and have a new appreciation. 







A visit to NYC was a highlight and we especially enjoyed being able to see John’s sister, Martha, perform a lovely concert. 

 

We enjoyed moose hunting and celebrating Martha’s birthday in Vermont.  The cousins were all together and it was so much fun.  

 

 

 

On our way to Florida we even took the motorcoach and our jeep on two ferry rides to the Outer Banks of North Carolina.  

 

 

 

A new roof was put on our motorhome in Indiana and we added a comfy new sofa bed.  Plus in Delaware the motorhome got six new shoes (tires). My brother helped us also improve our sound system for the TV and we installed a new radio.  The IPOD capability sure has been fun to use as we travel down the road. 

 

 

We are now in Florida and and will soon be starting a  fun filled trip with our friends JC and Bev for three months all around Florida. Life is good.   We remain very grateful that we can travel and enjoy this lifestyle.  It’s been another great trip around the sun. 

 

Getting Out Of Harms Way–Sandy Is One Wacky Hurricane

Lake City, FL (86 degrees, humid, grey skies)

 

 

We stayed in Charleston, S.C. for just a short time.  The hurricane Sandy quickly changed our plans. Having a home on wheels sure comes in handy and driving along the east coast did not seem like a very good idea.  John always says our plans are in jello – there is lots of wiggle room. 

 

 

Foster Creek RV Park (near Charleston, SC)

 

A couple of days ago we stayed at a military navy campground near Charleston called Foster Creek RV Park.  It is well maintained and quiet.  However, there are only ten  sites and reservations are highly recommended.  There are other sites but these are used for folks staying for extended stays. 

 

This has caused a lot of controversy  with  the military campground community since the original intent was for the campgrounds to used for recreation not for what is called homesteading.  It is up to the commander of each base to make this decision. 

 

We also checked out the Air Force FAM camp.  Two years ago it was under construction and we were amazed at how nice it looks now. 

 

Charleston Air Force FAM camp

The sites were all very level and nicely paved.  It is very shady and satellite would most likely be impossible.  We will probably stay there next time.  This campground is located on the base. 

We have satellite TV again.  :) During our stay at Watkins Glen the trees blocked our ability to get a signal.  We really missed being able to watch programs at our leisure and especially liked being able to zip through all the commercials.  Right now avoiding all the political commercials is a real plus. 

 

As soon as we left New York we called Dish to set it up again. Shortly later we found out our DVR had a hard drive failure.  Sheesh.  They sent a new one  to a UPS Store in Charleston for pick up. After we arrived John spent a few hours getting it set up again. We are happy TV watchers again. 

We had a nice reunion with someone we met at Buckhall National Forest two years ago.  This is a lovely campground near Charleston that we highly recommend.  During our last visit Cheryl and her sister and brother in law (Bliss and Eddie) took us on a wonderful tour of the island (Isle of Palms) where they grew up, Sullivan Island,  and Mt. Pleasant.  We laugh and say they kidnapped us for the day  but it was a really memorable day.  We've kept in touch and met today for breakfast with Cheryl.  Unfortunately, Bliss and Eddie were out of town.  These special moments are priceless.  Here is a link to our original visit. 

 

We listened to the news this morning and decided to change our plans and route to Port Charlotte, Florida.  Moving inland seemed to be a good idea.  It was a long travel day for us but we are now safe and sound in Lake City, Florida at a Passport America campground called Oaks and Pines RV Park.  It’s a convenient campground and very crowded tonight.  I guess a few other folks had the same idea. 

 

Oaks & Pines RV Park (Lake City, FL)

 

Tomorrow we will watch the hurricanes progress and decide whether to hunker down another day or go towards Tampa.  Stay safe.  Our prayers and thoughts go out to all that may be affected by this hurricane. 

There's Something Very Special About Savannah

View Skidaway Island State Park in a larger map

We traveled from Charleston to Savannah and have spent the past three days here enjoying the area.  We are staying at a state park on an island called Skidaway.  It is not easy to get here.  Be sure to check the state parks website for directions and use your GPS.  The state park is mostly the campground and all the sites are pull thru and 30 or  50 amp. Water, electricity and cable are provided for $28 per night.  It is a very pretty park but it can be tricky navigating to your site.  It is a great location for visiting Savannah and Tybee Island (both about 30 mintues away)

Our campsite

We have hiked two of the trails and found them to be very beautiful.  It still seems strange to hike through pine and oak forests that are interspersed with palm trees.  You don't see that in Indiana.  There are beautiful salt flats and the intra coastal waterway can be viewed at frequent points along the trails.  Here are a few of our favorite pictures. 

We enjoyed visiting Savannah and started off by taking a trolley tour.  Savannah was settled by Gen. James Oglethorp in 1733.  It is very organized into squares (22) and most of them have lovely sculptures and gardens in the center.  The architecture is much like Charleston's and we really liked just wandering around the streets. 

We think this is the bench where Forsst Gump sat waiting for Jenny. Do you remember the scene with the feather?

City Hall (note gold dome)

The city is right along the river.  There are many restaurants and shops along the
cobblestone street.  The guide on our trolley tour told us about this free ferry ride over to the Westin Hotel.  It was a great way to see the riverfront. 

Free Ferry

We enjoyed watching the ships and tow boats going up and down this very busy river.



One afternoon we went to Tybee Island probably best known as the home of southern chef  Paula Dean.  She has two restaurants in the area that are very popular.  There is one campground on the island called the River's End.  It was ok but the sites are very close together.  We much preferred Skidaway. 

The beaches were lovely but mostly abandoned at this time of year.  There are long board walks that lead out to them and benches to sit and watch the waves or people go by. 



Tybee Beach



Tybee Lighthouse


It was a nice visit and a very beautiful city. 

Visiting Where the Civil War Began - Fort Sumter

(Charleston)  It was a beautiful and somewhat chilly day.  We were both interested in visiting Fort Sumter and learning more about what happened on April 12, 1861.  It is a man made island at the entrance of the Charleston Harbor and is now a National Monument.  Be sure to arrive early and spend some time reading the displays in the visitors center.  It really helps you understand what took place.

We rode this paddle boat over to the island. It was a very nice trip and a wonderful way to see some of the islands and Charleston Battery.  You can see the islands that were involved in the first battle of the Civil War. 

A park ranger meets you upon arrival and explains some of the history of the fort. Only one flag was flying due to the anniversary of Major Anderson moving his troops to this fort from Sullivan's Island in 1860.  This move made the South very angry. 

Fort Sumter

Here our a few "cliff notes" regarding our nations history.  South Carolina was the first state to succeed from the Union.  The fort was at the entrance of the a very important harbor and they demanded that the fort be vacated by the North under the command of Major Robert Anderson and his army of 85 men.. He refused and several hours later the first cannon shot was fired from James Island under the command of  Brig. General Pierre Beauregard towards Fort Sumter. Thirty four hours later Major Anderson surrendered and he was allowed to leave with his army  by a supply ship sent by the North. 

“The firing upon that fort will inaugurate a civil war greater than any the world has yet seen.”
  Robert Toombs, Confederate secretary of state, 1861.


The South continued to control and defend this fort from many assaults for another four years during the Civil War.
 

You can see from this map below how important Fort Sumter was to the South.  The green balloon is Fort Sumter, red is Fort Johnson (first shots fired by the South) and purple is Charleston.

 
 

View Fort Sumter in a larger map

This tour is a great chance to really understand some of our  history and is  very well done by the park service.  We learned so much more than I can convey here.  You have about an hour to walk around the fort and there is another museum and gift shop on site.  Here are a few more pictures.

. 

Jennifer and Carol

Later that evening we were able to have dinner with my girl friends daughter, Jennifer. She has lived in Charleston for about a year.  She works in the downtown area for a very exclusive clothing store.  She really likes her job and this city.  It was wonderful to see her. 

Tomorrow we leave for Savannah.  We plan to spend a few days at the Skidaway Island State Park. 

Visiting Plantations and Spectacular Gardens in Charleston

(Charleston, SC)  A visit to Charleston would not be complete without taking a trip to a plantation or garden. There are so many choices.  A local woman we met suggested seeing Drayton Hall and the Magnolia Gardens.  They are located very close to each other and Drayton Hall was in nearly original condition. 

It was about an hour from the base and once off the highway a nice drive.  Upon arrival to the plantation you drive down a long road lined with trees and draped in Spanish moss.. 

Drive leading to Drayton Hall



It was built in 1738 as a "summer home" for John Drayton.   Seven generations of Drayton and slaves (over 150) have lived here. The architecture is Georgian - Palladian and took over four years to build. At one time is was a rice plantation and even a site for strip mining.  

The home was very stately and the only plantation along the Ashley River to survive the destruction of Sherman's army.  It has also weathered numerous hurricanes.  Our tour guide (Bob) met us under a huge live oak tree and told us many stories about the house and its occupants.  He is the senior guide for the plantation and was a walking, talking encyclopedia.  He was over 80 years old, and prided himself on riding out all hurricanes including Hugo. Bob was almost as interesting as the house. 

Our tour guide - Bob

The plantation  has not been restored and does not have electricity, lighting or central heating. Nor is the home furnished. Plans for now are to keep the home in its original state and prevent deterioration. 

Here are a few examples of the beautiful craftsmanship.

After the tour you can take two self guide walks around the grounds.  John took a marsh walk with Jimmy out to the Ashley River  I choice to listen to another guide talk about slavery.  It was very interesting and she spoke specifically about the slaves at this plantation.  Working in a rice field was very difficult and a constant battle with overcoming nature.  One freed slave came back later and helped restore the home when it became a trust of the state and he is buried on the property in the slave cemetery. 

It wss a very interesting tour.  Afterwards we drove about 10 minutes down Ashley River Road to the Magnolia Gardens and plantation which are still owned by the Drayton family.  Another long drive led us down to the gardens. 

We decided to only visit the gardens.  However, the house really is lovely.  The original home had been destoryed by Sherman's army and this one was built after the war.

The gardens were spectacular and this was during the winter.  In the spring, it must be breathtaking when all the magnolia's are in bloom. 

Here are a few pictures of the gardens.  You almost need a GPS to keep from getting lost  Jimmy enjoyed walking the trails with us.   

Rev. John Drayton was primarily responsible for how the gardens look today.  He was a minister at the St. Andrews Church and often prepared his sermons sitting by this tree looking out over the Ashely River. He said it was here that he felt closest to God.

As you enter the garden you see the following quote by Whittier

"Give fools their gold and knows their power

Let fortunes bubbles rise and fall

Who sows a field or trains a flower

or plants a tree, is more than all