Beach
I'm at Myrtle Beach and will be here until Thanksgiving morning. I'm ocean front about 15 blocks from the old pavilion.
Will try to send pics in s a minute. This beach has been refurbished through dredging, so shell hunting is fairly poor. However, shark tooth fossil looking is good. It is so much like an Easter egg hunt and one of my favorite beach things to do. The teeth are small, black, and hard to distinguish from other small, black broken shells. But worth the search!
I ate at one of my favorite places last night and had pecan crusted grouper ( so tender and delicious) , cheese grits, hush puppies and bourbon chocolate pecan pie. So incredible ! I ate my dessert on my patio while I listened to the waves. Perfect!
I slept last night with my patio doors open and listened to the waves. Perfect night cap!
MB is supposed to have rain the rest of the day, so I'll use the day visiting old haunts. Hope it is dry tomorrow as I want to walk Brookgreen Gardens and Huntington Beach. Supper tonight in Murrells Inlet.
Thursday, November 21, 2013
Recovery
I'm beginning to recover from all of the festivities this past week-end. The Rehearsal Dinner for Jan and Robert went well thanks to Sherry's designs and decorations and Sherry, Joann, and Martha helping all night. The BBQ was delicious and everyone loved the "Rock Crawler" cake and Martha's pimiento cheese.
The wedding was wonderful! Jan was beautiful, Robert was handsome, and the two of them were so obviously happy. The setting, the food, the music, but especially the presence of family and friends made this a great occasion. Robert and Jan are off to South Africa, everyone got home safely - if not easily - and I am ensconced with Sadie and Coda winding down from all the fun.
I was in Gaffney, SC yesterday and while there saw a sign advertising a restaurant called Daddy Joe's. The sign indicated that it was a favorite restaurant of Southern Living Magazine, so , of course, I had to try it. Cute lights - upside down bait buckets. TERRIBLE food!!!! I was told the potato salad, the cole slaw and the hushpuppies were homemade - homemade by SYSCO, I imagine. The ribs were too tough to eat, and the couple of bites I had were tasteless. I'll have to watch what I read about Southern Living, I guess.
Sadie and Coda are not certain what is happening in their world. Their Mom and Dad are gone and I am a poor substitute. Every time I come in the door, they wait by the back door waiting for Jan or Robert to come in also. They've been good dogs, but really like to hog the bed.
I will leave soon for Myrtle Beach and Wilmington and then back here to hook up my camper and head for a 5 week visit in Austin. Fun times already and more to come!
M
The wedding was wonderful! Jan was beautiful, Robert was handsome, and the two of them were so obviously happy. The setting, the food, the music, but especially the presence of family and friends made this a great occasion. Robert and Jan are off to South Africa, everyone got home safely - if not easily - and I am ensconced with Sadie and Coda winding down from all the fun.
I was in Gaffney, SC yesterday and while there saw a sign advertising a restaurant called Daddy Joe's. The sign indicated that it was a favorite restaurant of Southern Living Magazine, so , of course, I had to try it. Cute lights - upside down bait buckets. TERRIBLE food!!!! I was told the potato salad, the cole slaw and the hushpuppies were homemade - homemade by SYSCO, I imagine. The ribs were too tough to eat, and the couple of bites I had were tasteless. I'll have to watch what I read about Southern Living, I guess.
Sadie and Coda are not certain what is happening in their world. Their Mom and Dad are gone and I am a poor substitute. Every time I come in the door, they wait by the back door waiting for Jan or Robert to come in also. They've been good dogs, but really like to hog the bed.
I will leave soon for Myrtle Beach and Wilmington and then back here to hook up my camper and head for a 5 week visit in Austin. Fun times already and more to come!
M
Wednesday, November 13, 2013
Run-Around Time
I have been off-line for the past several days mostly due to getting ready for my small part in the festivities this week.
The campsite I stayed here in Greenville was ok, but not what was advertised. I was put last in a row of other campers which would have made most campers happy, since their view was woods, woods, and more woods. But because I was not getting back to my campsite until 10ish every night and since there were no lights in my area of the campground, it made for some spooky times for me. Next time I use the camper, I'll ask to be put in the middle so I'm surrounded by people.
Robert came Monday night and helped me put the camper in his drive-way so that I could go to a hotel to be with everyone coming in for the wedding. He added scissor jacks to my camper and also mounted my spare tire, both of which were wonderful additions. The scissor jacks will made the stabilization of the camper much easier when it is off the truck ball.
I won't use the camper again until Dec 2 when I head for Austin, (will be in the camper for a little over a month then) but there is a lot going on even without the camper: tomorrow 11 of us are going to the Clemson - Georgia Tech game in Clemson with a wonderful tailgating experience and Clemson is known for its tailgating experiences! Friday is the Rehearsal Dinner and Saturday Robert and Jan get married! Sunday they leave for their honeymoon and I move into their house to keep the dogs. After that, more and more traveling.
The past few days have been hectic trying to get everything done. I think my nails will remain ratty as I'm running out of time, but Sherry has pulled all of the Rehearsal dinner stuff together so well, that Friday should be so much easier than I had thought: BBQ, beer, and family and friends - a great way to begin the week-end.
It has been great going around to all of my old haunts here in G'ville, and although I've lived here 7 different times, it still doesn't feel like home. Knowing the area has certainly helped with all of my errands though and I haven't had to rely on GPS once.
If anyone is reading this,, I'm trying to figure out a name for my camper -- would love suggestions!
Have a great one - go Clemson!!!
M
The campsite I stayed here in Greenville was ok, but not what was advertised. I was put last in a row of other campers which would have made most campers happy, since their view was woods, woods, and more woods. But because I was not getting back to my campsite until 10ish every night and since there were no lights in my area of the campground, it made for some spooky times for me. Next time I use the camper, I'll ask to be put in the middle so I'm surrounded by people.
Robert came Monday night and helped me put the camper in his drive-way so that I could go to a hotel to be with everyone coming in for the wedding. He added scissor jacks to my camper and also mounted my spare tire, both of which were wonderful additions. The scissor jacks will made the stabilization of the camper much easier when it is off the truck ball.
I won't use the camper again until Dec 2 when I head for Austin, (will be in the camper for a little over a month then) but there is a lot going on even without the camper: tomorrow 11 of us are going to the Clemson - Georgia Tech game in Clemson with a wonderful tailgating experience and Clemson is known for its tailgating experiences! Friday is the Rehearsal Dinner and Saturday Robert and Jan get married! Sunday they leave for their honeymoon and I move into their house to keep the dogs. After that, more and more traveling.
The past few days have been hectic trying to get everything done. I think my nails will remain ratty as I'm running out of time, but Sherry has pulled all of the Rehearsal dinner stuff together so well, that Friday should be so much easier than I had thought: BBQ, beer, and family and friends - a great way to begin the week-end.
It has been great going around to all of my old haunts here in G'ville, and although I've lived here 7 different times, it still doesn't feel like home. Knowing the area has certainly helped with all of my errands though and I haven't had to rely on GPS once.
If anyone is reading this,, I'm trying to figure out a name for my camper -- would love suggestions!
Have a great one - go Clemson!!!
M
Friday, November 8, 2013
Thursday, November 7, 2013
Camping Life!
I now have gas heat, gas refrigeration and hot water! Thank you Robert! Oh, and a level, even camper! Thanks again!
Took my first shower in the camper this morning. I have to be a little stooped-shouldered in order to get a shower in there, but it works well. I was thoroughly enjoying my shower, soaped up from head to toe, when the smoke alarm went off! scared the beejesus out of me. So , I'm out of the shower, dripping water and suds everywhere, trying to find my glasses with soap in my eyes, so that I can either shut the stupid alarm down or run screaming "Fire!' out into the other campers. Finally managed to turn it off. Seems it needed a new battery and didn't bother to just "chirp", but went into full alarm mode.
It was 76 degrees here today! Those of you headed this way for the ball game, rehearsal dinner and the grand finale of the wedding - the highs may be in the 40's with the lows in the 30's. Check your weather!
I have enjoyed going to some of my old stand-by places to eat and shop. Also spent some time today riding around to old, familiar places. Managed to get the oil changed in the truck while I was out, also. The guys at the oil change place were impressed that the truck is mine and not my husband's. I did brag a little to them about dragging a camper across country by myself!
Happy Trails to You!
M
Took my first shower in the camper this morning. I have to be a little stooped-shouldered in order to get a shower in there, but it works well. I was thoroughly enjoying my shower, soaped up from head to toe, when the smoke alarm went off! scared the beejesus out of me. So , I'm out of the shower, dripping water and suds everywhere, trying to find my glasses with soap in my eyes, so that I can either shut the stupid alarm down or run screaming "Fire!' out into the other campers. Finally managed to turn it off. Seems it needed a new battery and didn't bother to just "chirp", but went into full alarm mode.
It was 76 degrees here today! Those of you headed this way for the ball game, rehearsal dinner and the grand finale of the wedding - the highs may be in the 40's with the lows in the 30's. Check your weather!
I have enjoyed going to some of my old stand-by places to eat and shop. Also spent some time today riding around to old, familiar places. Managed to get the oil changed in the truck while I was out, also. The guys at the oil change place were impressed that the truck is mine and not my husband's. I did brag a little to them about dragging a camper across country by myself!
Happy Trails to You!
M
Wednesday, November 6, 2013
Here!
I'm here! 3195 miles and 5 1/2 days later, I arrived in Greenville around 3:00. Robert came out and set up the camper for the 6 day stay and we went out to dinner.
The ride in was easy - except Atlanta - which is a pain even in a car.
This will be short, but I'll write more tomorrow night.
M
The ride in was easy - except Atlanta - which is a pain even in a car.
This will be short, but I'll write more tomorrow night.
M
Tuesday, November 5, 2013
Tupelo, Mississipppi
I am in Tupelo, Mississippi, birthplace of Elvis and beginning of the Natches Trace Parkway. It is so nice and warm here - around 60 degrees.
Started out in rain and yuck this morning around 6:15, but rain stopped early and I was just in cloudy weather most of the rest of the way.
I have seen several billboards that have gotten to me: In Oklahoma which is pretty full of Native Americans: "Stop Sexual Violence! One in every three Native American women will be raped in their lifetiime." (That is such a terrible statistic!) In Arkansas:Come visit Toad Suck Park" ( Interesting name - would love to know the story behind that). Also in Arkansas: "Use the rod and save your child's life" (in other words beat them silly) and not 40 yards beyond that sign: "XXX Come visit our adult store and bar.XXX ( interesting placement).
I have hopes of getting to Greenville tomorrow, if at all possible. I'm ready to set down "roots' for a few days. I'm staying at an "adult only" campground.. Sherry pointed out that maybe it's a nudist camping experience - that could be very interesting!
It was really nice to get to some hills with trees and fall leaf colors. Everything is muted, but it's about time for those leaves to fall. The ride from Fort Smith to Memphis and then to Tupelo was a really pretty ride with the leaves and also the fact that exits were closer together, so one does not feel so isolated.
I stopped at a Kroger grocery and got pimiento cheese and Ritz crackers and knew I was in the South! Great lunch.
Coming "home" for an extended stay has me excited to get back to familiar surroundings. I've brought stuff to do at almost every stop: fishing gear and shell collecting for the coast, walking shoes for the Austin trails and my bike for anywhere I go. I'll be haunting old familiar places, and hopefully, trying out new.
My stay in the camper will come to an end on the morning of the 12th, and will resume again on the morning of Dec.4. I still want to "blog" as it gives me a timeline of my days away from Seattle. Once I have better internet access, I will post some of the pics I've taken.
Have a good evening and I'll "talk' again tomorrow!
M
Started out in rain and yuck this morning around 6:15, but rain stopped early and I was just in cloudy weather most of the rest of the way.
I have seen several billboards that have gotten to me: In Oklahoma which is pretty full of Native Americans: "Stop Sexual Violence! One in every three Native American women will be raped in their lifetiime." (That is such a terrible statistic!) In Arkansas:Come visit Toad Suck Park" ( Interesting name - would love to know the story behind that). Also in Arkansas: "Use the rod and save your child's life" (in other words beat them silly) and not 40 yards beyond that sign: "XXX Come visit our adult store and bar.XXX ( interesting placement).
I have hopes of getting to Greenville tomorrow, if at all possible. I'm ready to set down "roots' for a few days. I'm staying at an "adult only" campground.. Sherry pointed out that maybe it's a nudist camping experience - that could be very interesting!
It was really nice to get to some hills with trees and fall leaf colors. Everything is muted, but it's about time for those leaves to fall. The ride from Fort Smith to Memphis and then to Tupelo was a really pretty ride with the leaves and also the fact that exits were closer together, so one does not feel so isolated.
I stopped at a Kroger grocery and got pimiento cheese and Ritz crackers and knew I was in the South! Great lunch.
Coming "home" for an extended stay has me excited to get back to familiar surroundings. I've brought stuff to do at almost every stop: fishing gear and shell collecting for the coast, walking shoes for the Austin trails and my bike for anywhere I go. I'll be haunting old familiar places, and hopefully, trying out new.
My stay in the camper will come to an end on the morning of the 12th, and will resume again on the morning of Dec.4. I still want to "blog" as it gives me a timeline of my days away from Seattle. Once I have better internet access, I will post some of the pics I've taken.
Have a good evening and I'll "talk' again tomorrow!
M
Monday, November 4, 2013
Van Buren, Arkansas and Rain
Left Amarillo about 7:45 this morning Actually felt lazy and decadent and happy to slow down a little. This was the first morning I left in daylight.
Most of the day was spent driving across Oklahoma which can be fairly boring except for a couple of things: the interstate is mostly concrete roadway which makes you feel like you are going backwards a little everytime you hit a seam in the concrete. Makes for a sort of minor whiplash effect. Also it seems many famous people were born in OK and all of them in teeny tiny towns: Woody Guthrie, Sheppard, the astronaut, and several others ( I needed a co-pilot to write them all down.
I stopped at a Route 66 museum on Elk City and it was really neat. It had several outbuildings and information on the Dust Bowl. Then went by a local dairy and had delicious ice cream. Elk City has the first cooperative hospital in the US.
Also had the unfortunate problem of someone in NM hacking my credit card and have now had to start using another.
However, that is just a bump in an incredible journey! People have been so friendly and I've learned so much in the past days.
Heavy rain is predicted here tonight and early tomorrow so I may be here until later in the morning. Hoped to make Greenville Wednesday afternoon, but now it looks like Thursday instead.
Hopefully more pics tomorrow.
Thanks for reading!
(Sent from my iPhone)
Sunday, November 3, 2013
Amarillo
I decided to stop in Amarillo today . it was already almost 2 o'clock and my intended destination was 4 1/2 hours away. It felt good to set up early and in the daylight!
The trip from Albuquerque was uneventful. Mostly on the interstate for this part of the trip you are looking at plains -lots of plains- a d mesas. Because of the plains,the wind can get pretty strong. I stopped at a TX travel center and was Ted the wind was blowing around 28 mph. My little camper was a bouncing ball!
The man next to me is in a mongo huge camper and he came over to offer any help I needed setting up. He helped me use my leveled which was a first-time use.
He and his wife sold their home in FL in 2008 and have been traveling since.
I used the time this afternoon to rearrange some things and make things easier to get to.
This part of i40 parallels Route 66. Joann and I took part of that route in 2006 and stayed in a concrete teepee one might.
I'm going to attempt to send a picture.
Have a good day and I'll "talk to you" tomorrow! ( Internet is down so I 'm typing this on my iPhone)
Saturday, November 2, 2013
I Cheated
So, Lee Hunt has told me how to post pics from my iphone and I want to get that together tomorrow.
Sadly, I have cheated! I had the best drive from Green River! I went through Moab, so got to see Arches Nat'l Park. Then ventured further down into Colorado and New Mexico. Snow on the ground in Colorado and 63 degrees in NM. Left Bloomfield NM around 1:30, hoping the drive to Albuquerque would be around 1 1/2 hours. Unfortunately, it was much longer, so that when I got here, none of the campgrounds were answering their phones. After much debate - and one tight turn around - I ended up at a Rodeway Inn. And I had my supper in the camper all planned out!
Anyway, tomorrow is a new day.
The mountains were gorgeous again today. Not a cloud in the sky and I was able to watch the sun come up over Arches. I'm taking pictures, but don't think anyone can capture the beauty through a camera. As I was going into Moab, the fog was laying really low on the Colorado River and it was so neat to see that juxtaposed against the blue, blue sky.
Saw 2 wild animals: a rabbit and an emu. This despite all of the animal signs DOT puts up. One sign told me to "Beware of deer in my lane." I took that to mean not to worry if they were dashing around in the opposite lane. One sgfn stressed that the next 23 miles was a "frequent deer crossing." If I didn't know better, I would think these animals can read and not being there is the only way they can mess with humans.
Saw another sign today on several trucks lined up to work: "Rain for rent." So, do they take it back by siphoning the water off the crops?
Walked into a gas station on the Apache Reservation about 130 miles NW of Albuquerque (I would hate to be a first grade teacher helping a child learn this address!). Anyway, the Clemson game was on! Go Tigers!
Since I have seen a Dillards, a Chick-Fil-A, a Cracker Barrel, and now part of a Clemson game, I feel I'm getting closer to my old stomping grounds and I"m still miles and miles away!
Total miles so far: around 1600 and way tooooooo many gas stops.
Hope Lee Hunt and John are enjoying Lee Hunt's blow-out birthday party and Robert is enjoying his Bachelor Party tonight.
Plan to go to Amarillo and stop early and get some rest and some stuff done tomorrow. 13 hour days are too much for this old body.
Note: Wendy and Bob - the propane was wide open on both tanks - must have been done by the guys at the camper service store. Also, I emptied the fresh water tank.
Everyone remember to turn your clocks back tonight!
M
Sadly, I have cheated! I had the best drive from Green River! I went through Moab, so got to see Arches Nat'l Park. Then ventured further down into Colorado and New Mexico. Snow on the ground in Colorado and 63 degrees in NM. Left Bloomfield NM around 1:30, hoping the drive to Albuquerque would be around 1 1/2 hours. Unfortunately, it was much longer, so that when I got here, none of the campgrounds were answering their phones. After much debate - and one tight turn around - I ended up at a Rodeway Inn. And I had my supper in the camper all planned out!
Anyway, tomorrow is a new day.
The mountains were gorgeous again today. Not a cloud in the sky and I was able to watch the sun come up over Arches. I'm taking pictures, but don't think anyone can capture the beauty through a camera. As I was going into Moab, the fog was laying really low on the Colorado River and it was so neat to see that juxtaposed against the blue, blue sky.
Saw 2 wild animals: a rabbit and an emu. This despite all of the animal signs DOT puts up. One sign told me to "Beware of deer in my lane." I took that to mean not to worry if they were dashing around in the opposite lane. One sgfn stressed that the next 23 miles was a "frequent deer crossing." If I didn't know better, I would think these animals can read and not being there is the only way they can mess with humans.
Saw another sign today on several trucks lined up to work: "Rain for rent." So, do they take it back by siphoning the water off the crops?
Walked into a gas station on the Apache Reservation about 130 miles NW of Albuquerque (I would hate to be a first grade teacher helping a child learn this address!). Anyway, the Clemson game was on! Go Tigers!
Since I have seen a Dillards, a Chick-Fil-A, a Cracker Barrel, and now part of a Clemson game, I feel I'm getting closer to my old stomping grounds and I"m still miles and miles away!
Total miles so far: around 1600 and way tooooooo many gas stops.
Hope Lee Hunt and John are enjoying Lee Hunt's blow-out birthday party and Robert is enjoying his Bachelor Party tonight.
Plan to go to Amarillo and stop early and get some rest and some stuff done tomorrow. 13 hour days are too much for this old body.
Note: Wendy and Bob - the propane was wide open on both tanks - must have been done by the guys at the camper service store. Also, I emptied the fresh water tank.
Everyone remember to turn your clocks back tonight!
M
Friday, November 1, 2013
Interstates and back Roads
First off: I am in Green River, Utah at Shady Acres KOA Campground. There are 3 of us huddled together in the entire park. Nothing like the Good Sam I was in yesterday - hospitality- wise and feature- wise. However, I am here, have had a much needed shower, and am ready to eat!
The Smoky Mountains on the East coast are beautiful. They're green, damp from the mist that covers them, and when you walk or drive though theses mountains, you fell a sense of homeness, of being swaddled.
The mountains of the West and Mid-West are in-your-face raw, stark , gorgeous entities. Driving today and yesterday has been such fun! I took the interstate to Salt Lake City where I managed to - once again as I did in my last trip through there - get screwed up on the way through and ended up adding about a hundred miles to my trip. The problem is that when you take a wrong interstate, the exits are so far between that you generally have to go about 30-40 miles to get to place to turn around.
Anyway, as beautiful as the mountains along the interstate are, the ride itself is so boring that you start to veg out and forget where you are. I know I promised family and friends that I would stay on interstates on this my first trip with the camper, but I"m done with that.
About 10 miles south of Salt Lake City,, I turned onto Hwy 6 south. For 60 miles, there are no houses, no buildings of any sort and then BOOM right in front of you in the middle of nowhere is a huge power plant. I assume it is coal-fired since the name of the county is Carbon. It looks so bizarre there that I think it would make a perfect place for a suspenseful movie. About 4 miles on down the road are the towns of Helper and West Helper. Both together have about 600 people and only dirt roads. Six miles further on Hwy 6 is another small town but it/'s big enough to have a Wendy's. Then 60 more miles of nothing but mountains - AMAZING! What made the powers that be decide to put the power plant there? Who first looked at the land where the 3 towns are and said: "This is where I need to live."?
Leaving this morning from the campground, I passed a Suburu dealer with a giant sign that said: "Buy a new Suburu and get a free gun!" Further on in Utah, there was a huge sign stating that the company would buy all of your antlers, no matter the price. Aren't people fun?
Get off the interstates and find the back roads - just not mine - I"m enjoying the lack of traffic!
Have a good one and I'll check in tomorrow.
M
The Smoky Mountains on the East coast are beautiful. They're green, damp from the mist that covers them, and when you walk or drive though theses mountains, you fell a sense of homeness, of being swaddled.
The mountains of the West and Mid-West are in-your-face raw, stark , gorgeous entities. Driving today and yesterday has been such fun! I took the interstate to Salt Lake City where I managed to - once again as I did in my last trip through there - get screwed up on the way through and ended up adding about a hundred miles to my trip. The problem is that when you take a wrong interstate, the exits are so far between that you generally have to go about 30-40 miles to get to place to turn around.
Anyway, as beautiful as the mountains along the interstate are, the ride itself is so boring that you start to veg out and forget where you are. I know I promised family and friends that I would stay on interstates on this my first trip with the camper, but I"m done with that.
About 10 miles south of Salt Lake City,, I turned onto Hwy 6 south. For 60 miles, there are no houses, no buildings of any sort and then BOOM right in front of you in the middle of nowhere is a huge power plant. I assume it is coal-fired since the name of the county is Carbon. It looks so bizarre there that I think it would make a perfect place for a suspenseful movie. About 4 miles on down the road are the towns of Helper and West Helper. Both together have about 600 people and only dirt roads. Six miles further on Hwy 6 is another small town but it/'s big enough to have a Wendy's. Then 60 more miles of nothing but mountains - AMAZING! What made the powers that be decide to put the power plant there? Who first looked at the land where the 3 towns are and said: "This is where I need to live."?
Leaving this morning from the campground, I passed a Suburu dealer with a giant sign that said: "Buy a new Suburu and get a free gun!" Further on in Utah, there was a huge sign stating that the company would buy all of your antlers, no matter the price. Aren't people fun?
Get off the interstates and find the back roads - just not mine - I"m enjoying the lack of traffic!
Have a good one and I'll check in tomorrow.
M