Atlantic Beach, N.C. Sunday

Sunday and it's a beauty of a day here in the coastal region of N.C. We headed east today towards Morehead and Atlantic Beach. We found a real cozy tourist rest stop. We thought it was quaint. It was the city of Morehead City Docks.

The 8th largest "sail" Landed on the Atlantic Coast, 1002 lbs. The Fish, not Tom!!

We walked to the docks and Charley had a good time walking. She loved to sniff the sea air. She wasn't too thrilled with the floating dock. It was moving under her feet and she couldn't figure that out!

After a lunch at the "Golden Coralle" we then headed out to the beach. Well, it's like every other beach we have ever seen on a holiday weekend.....traffic, traffic and even more traffic!!!! The only public beach is a small area where we could not find a parking spot, so we toured the area in the car. Then we headed back into Morehead City and found the lovely rest area once again and got out and walked some more there. Nice ride from our campground but all in all a rather uneventful day. We are trying to catch up on our e-mail and start thinking of our heading out on Tuesday. From here we think we will go to the northern end of the outer banks, Nags Head/Kitty Hawk, and find a campground, park the RV and tour the outer banks in the car. Then it will be on northward to Williamsberg, Va. area on Thursday.

New Bern, N.C. Saturday

The city of New Bern is celebrating it's 300th. anniversary this year. We found the town to be quaint and really interesting. The southern people are so courteous and friendly, it's great. We shopped in the revitalized city center. In the center of town the Episcopal church has been there for 300+ years.

The outdoor chapel is under the old oak trees, right niext to the cemetery. The cemetery is old with deaths dating back to the 1700's.

We found the original drug store where the druggist concocted Pepsi Cola in 1898. Now would you think the "original" Coke man would go into that store??

Well he did and I have the photo to prove it. Gad zooks, isn't that great?

We found a really old hardware store in the same building and going strong since 1898 - Martin's hardware amazing. It reminds me of the old Goodeynes hardware store on Third and Johnson streets in Bay City, when our boys were little. My how time flies, seems like only yesterday when the boys were little and we took them to sit on Santa's lap at Goodeynes for the first five years of their lives.

The rest of the downtown area has been preserved and many small boutiques have opened in the old stores places. But the city has done a wonderful job of making it truly an amazing city in which to shop and visit. We had to park in our brokerage offices parking lot as we could not find street side parking. Then again Wells Fargo Advisers isn't open on a Saturday.

We shared a smoothie in an old building where we think it might have been an old firehouse. Musicians played instruments in the courtyards all over the city. Really nice.

New Bern, N.C.

If I remember correctly my last posting was on the 24th. So on Tuesday the 25th. we had Linda and Mike give us another tour this time to Linda's daughter's in-laws, a pizza place. It was lots of fun seeing Kristina, Jon and sons, Jon Eric, and Coleman.

We ate a lot of pizza and had lots of good, no, make that great conservation. Then we left and went to the Farmer's market in Mt. Pleasant before heading to Linda and Mikes and then home. We had a wonderful visit and wish we could visit more family along the way, but that is not to be.

Wednesday was a travel day, overcast and we had some rain on and off all day. Tom drove all the way from Charleston to New Bern. By the way, Nancy has not taken a turn behind the wheel of the new RV yet, on this trip!! We wanted to be somewhere so we did not have to move for the holiday week-end. We found a small private campground just outside New Bern and that's where we are.

I always wondered where Pepsi came from !!!!!

Thursday was just a lazy day. We did not go anywhere, just sat around and took life easy. I called my friend Judy Jennings. She had surgery on Wednesday on an infection in her finger. The doctors have to decide what type of infection they are battling and then start an antibodic drip line for her. But, last night when we talked she sounded fine.

Friday found us getting antsy. We just can't sit still for a long period of time. We were out and about early this a.m. We drove from our campsite out to the car ferry that would take us on the road out to the outer banks. We tried to get a ferry reservation to go to Cape Hatteras but, they were all full when we called. The ride out was fun and very enjoyable.

Charley loved spending the day with us at the beach, and she meet new friends out there at Cedar Island's beach.

Charleston, S.C.

Monday morning threatened rain, but we decided to go ahead with our tour of the city. Nancy's cousin, Linda has been a tour guide for the city and we received a wonderful tour for no charge. Mike and Linda took us all over the city explaining all things important.

San Francisco has "The Painted Ladies", Charleston has "Rainbow Row"!

We found a quint restaurant on the waterfront for lunch sitting outside and enjoying a tasty meal. After lunch we walked to the "market" and Linda and Nancy spent lots of time shopping and yes purchasing goods. Someone has to keep the economy rolling!

After returning to the r.v. To pick up Charley we drove to Mt. Pleasant to Linda and Mike's. We sent the boys out for dinner (subs) and we aren't sure what took them so long but they finally arrived back home and we enjoyed a lovely meal. After dinner we had great pastries purchased from the market and pralines before calling it an evening and heading back home.

We arrived home about 9:30 p.m. And just relaxed some before hitting the pillows. This day Nancy took 8887 steps. That is a lot of walking

Nancy, Mike & Linda

St Augustine

Saturday we were still in St. Augustine, Fl. We left the campsite and headed into town for our tour of the old jail. It was built by Flagler, which so much of St. Augustine is....and in use until the 1950's. It was really an eye opener, not much to do, just sit in a small cell. No courtyard or t.v.'s just pure punishment After touring and learning about jail life we next toured the museum. It showed Florida history from early Indian days from Spanish, French and British settlements.

We stopped at the San Sebatian Winery for a tour and tasting. Not much of a tour, just a movie on how wine is made and then some tastes of their great wines. That's o.k. with us we have tour the actual wineries in Michigan so we just wanted to sit in cool quiet comfort for a few minutes and have a taste of wine.

Nancy once again wanted to get back on the trolley car. She purchased a ticket to tour the Dow houses. I found out the Dow is Kenneth Dow who preserved nine houses from the area. He is no relation to the Dow's of Midland. But the homes and gardens were really something to see. I enjoyed them very much.
Nancy hopped back on the trolley to the next stop where Tom was waiting. We found a lovely restaurant, called the A1A. Yup, you guessed it....it is on the corner of A1A and King St. Really had a nice lunch and then we were off and touring once again. When we finally arrived back at the stop where the car was we were happy to get in and cool down. THe trolley's are open aired and get very warm this time of year.

Sunday found us up early and getting ready to move. We left St. Augustine about 8:30 and arrived in Charleston by 2:30. We set up our r.v. as we will be here a few days, and Nancy called her cousin, Linda. Linda and Mike are coming over and I think we just may go out to dinner with them. Nancy has not seen Linda for about 3 1/2 years so she is looking forward to seeing her.

Linda and Mike came to our r.v. site and we went out to dinner with them.

Touring St. Augustine

Friday started out with sun shining brightly. On our way into town we found the Harley store. Yes, this will be the first of many. We were a little disappointed with the selection of shirts. No we did not purchase any. We continued to town to take a trolley tour of St. Augustine. Wow, history really comes alive when visiting this historic city. Remember this city has been in existence since 1565, so we learned about, Spanish, French and English settling in the city. We found the "old jail" and that is where our tour starts. We saw the old city gates. Oringinally they

were all wood, but over time they have beeen preserved with cement.We saw the fort "Castillo de San Marco, spanish quarters, Dow Houses, Markland House, Spanish Military Hospital, The famous lighthouse, learned about Mr Flagler and so much more.

We took a walk down St. George St, which is a pedestrian mall. The narrow streets, the many various shops, and lots of restaurants, along with art galleries.

WOW!!! This is truly an amazing city.

Trying to find just a few photos for you to see will be hard. Also took a photo of the oldest wooden schoolhouse. My photos are varied and I hope you enjoy them as much as I do.

When we got back home, our RV, we were truly exhausted. Tomorrow we will head back into town, since our trolley tickets are good for three consecutive days we will again board the trolley and do our offs and ons another day.

Trip to St Augustine, FL

Well, I am trying to do this on my ipad, and some things just get fat fingered. Hopefully my keyboard will help some.

Today is Tom's birthday. We had a few friends give me cards to give to him, so this morning he opened his cards. We sat outside under the awing enjoying our coffee, before packing up and heading out. It is a lovely day, with the temps in the early a.m. in the high 70's. A very good day to travel.
We leave Orlando area about 9:30 a.m. and decide to travel to St. Augustine through the Ocala National Forest. What a lovely way to travel, the back roads of America. We enjoy our trip through small towns and some not so small. Along the way we find a turn off in the Nat'l. forest and stop to take photos.

Hopefully Tom can load them on the computer so you can enjoy some of our sights.

We arrive at a small campsite just south of town and find no one in the office between the hours of 10:30 and 1:30!!! But we find a campsite and set up camp. We have a lovely spot under a group of small maple trees.

At 1:30 we head into the office to register and pay. We will be here under Sunday. We will be going into St. Augustine tomorrow and probably on Saturday, also. The "old time trolly tours" can pick us up right here at our campground and return us here, the cost included for 3 days of on and off during our stay.

Sounds like a good tour to take, and we won't have to worry about parking.
This afternoon we will take it easy and enjoy the day. Yes, Tom is getting a steak for his birthday dinner. We are just taking life easy and enjoying ourselves in our new motorhome.

Traveling from Estero to Orlando

Well, today we are resting. On Sunday the 16th. we picked up the motorhome from storage and took her home to get ready for our big summer 2010 trip. We are only allowed by our homeowners association to keep the motorhome in Marsh Landing for two nights. Sunday was a busy day. The new "Bus" just barely fits in our driveway. We have to park our Cadillac in the neighbors driveway.

Tom started to instal items he made for the motorhome. Like small shelves, extra shelves, and drink holders. I started laundry and in-between loads, I managed to take to the motorhome lots of staple food items. Also getting the laundry done I took all the clean clothes right out to the motorhome and put them away. It was a very busy and long day for us. We were glad when we finally took the evening off and closed up the r.v. for the evening. Charley had a good day, she just watched, but she got a little anxious when her food left the house. She wasn't sure where we were taking it.

Monday started out with us both hurrying to finish getting ready for the summer trip. We had to finish all our odd jobs, take items into our Estero home that would be a hinderance if a hurricane came up during our time away. My good friend Barbara came to take her walking dog for a walk. Charley really loves having Barbara walk her, now this summer we will have to do it. When 4:30 came we were ready to call it quits for the day, and head out to dinner. We went out with 5 other couples to "Stir Crazy" for wonderful meal. After dinner, Tom and I had to head to Target for a few last minute items. Will we ever feel we have all we need?? I'm not sure.

When we arrived home Nancy saw a message and returned the call. Remember that we were going to leave bright and early Tuesday??? well it was an agent from AARP about supplemental insurance Nancy would need July 1st. So she made an appt. for 8:30 on Tuesday then we could make the 10:00 meeting about our Villa Assn. all before we would head out.


Tuesday is trash day. We did manage to get all the trash out before any meetings. But when it came time to leave the recycle people had not been by, yet. When Tom tried to move the motorhome, he ran over the recycle bin. Now, we needed to get the bin out from under the r.v. but also pick up all the trash and still hitch the car up. After 15 trying minutes, we did manage to remove the recycle bin, pick up the trash and start to ready the car to the r.v.

Good things we thought we would not go very far....like to the Orlando area. We arrived at Thousand Trails in Orlando about 3:30 in the afternoon and managed to put down our roots for a few days time. We just need time to rest.

Wednesday morning finds us up early. Tom has taken Charley for a walk and it is really pleasant out. We get to have breakfast coffee out under the sun, before it gets to hot. We drove through lovebugs yesterday, so we must get them off the front of the r.v. We head out to do that and find it is getting unseasonably hot out. Gotta love this Florida weather and glad we are going to escape it for a few months. Oh well until tomorrow I have noting more to report.

I know that one of the first people to read and post something will be our daught-in-law Lynn. So howdy Lynnie, we will see you sometime this summer. Looking forward to seeing you and the girls again. And of course our son, Jeff and wife Amy will read, but call and tell us this is boring as we did not post any photos today. Sorry to disappoint you kids. Know that we love all of you so very much.

Know that you are all in our thoughts. We are so blessed to have so many dear family and friends. God bless. Nancy

Sunday, May 9,2010. Mother's Day

Hello all. We are planning on leaving Estero on Tuesday the 18th. Of May. We will be heading to St. Augustine first. Every rime we have stopped in St. Augustine before we haven't taken the time to tour the city. So this time we are going to take in the sights. From there we will be heading north towers the Carolinas, the outer banks and north Atlantic coast. Stay tuned for further developments.

Saturday, May 1, 2010

Hello all,
Well we are in the beginning stages of planning our summer trip. Soon you will be able to log onto the blog and see our adventures, which will be many and varied. We are going to head up the east coast then over into Michigan by July 15th. After visiting in Michigan we will be heading out to Minnesota and the headwaters of the Mississippi River. We hope you will turn in and visit our website often. We encourage you to leave comments and enjoy our trip with us. We will even post photos.

Return often and we will see you on the road. Happy travels. Tom and Nancy