Well, we're almost back in the swing of things. Got the Van on Thursday and headed for Wilmington, NC. Not much there worth seeing. Looks to us like the downtown is dying, suburbia is maybe holding their own, and the beach areas growing a bit. But not nearly as interesting as many beach areas we're experienced so far.
The Van is in good shape, except Frank didn't get the Generator fixed. He also thinks it is in the wiring, but didn't have time to pull the generator and track it down. Something else for somewhere down the road...
We got back into the "big rig" driving mode fairly easily -- but my navigation skills were a bit rusty. I kept spacing out, when I should have been looking and directing!! A few missed turns and exits, and I'm doing better now...
Been nestled in at The Grand Strand -- the Myrtle Beach area. We decided the high rises in town looked too much like a cross between Disneyland and Las Vegas (even though the $35 prices were enticing), so we ended up south of town at the Litchfield Golf Resort at Litchfield Beach for a mere $50 a night -- still a real bargain. A little more spread out, but with lots of units, and 3 golf courses in the complex. We played the Litchfield CC today, and finished just as the rain started -- the golf Gods were with us. Phil has had a cold, so his game was off a little, but I played pretty well. My ankle continues to get stronger, so playing is more enjoyable -- I don't worry quite so much about uneven terrain and pressure on the left foot as I turn.
Yesterday was a really nice day all day--about 55 degrees, so we just hung out -- went to the whirlpool, the beach, watched a little TV, and just basked in the winter sun. Fired up the new 2-way radios my sister gave us for Christmas and tried them out -- work good -- maybe now I can keep track of Phil when he wanders off!!
Everyone has said that Charleston is not to be missed -- and they were right! Under 100,000 people, historic preservation going on since the 1920's, a height restriction on buildings, and a wonderful Southern hospitality, all make for a lovely experience.
The AAA book indicated that even in the winter the hotel prices were high. We once again stopped at the local Visitors Information, and they again knew where the secrets were! We wanted to stay in the historic district (quite large) because the streets are very narrow and confusing. She found us a wonderful historic Day's Inn for $59 -- right in the heart of everything. We have really come to depend upon the Visitors Centers -- they are usually very helpful, and know what is going on.
We signed up for a walking tour the next day with a guide named Butler--first name. Hmmm. Turns out she was a cute, knowledgeable Charlestonian with a lovely southern accent. Butler is a family name, and she also named her daughter Butler -- really fit her. We had a great morning learning about the history of the area. She pointed us to a few more things to see, and we were off on our own. A fabulous lunch at 82 Queen St. -- She Crab Soup to die for! Had to walk our lunch off, so went shopping, of course!! Bought a couple of souvenirs -- a sweet grass basket for $40 from a street vendor, and a couple of watercolor prints for $35. We saw some sweet grass baskets later in a gallery in Beaufort for over $200!! They are really lovely.
We really enjoy the food here -- shrimp, of course, but also grits, fried green tomatoes, hushpuppies, "greens" of every kind, fish, and all kinds of seafood. This is really a town of great restaurants. But don't check your cholesterol!! Everything is fried, or sauced, or grilled!! Even Fried Spinach -- delicious - paper thin like chips!!
As we said goodbye to Charleston, we had to take in one of their Mansions -- we had seen a couple of the "Single" and "double" houses (one room wide or 2 rooms wide -- the houses are oriented to the side, with the "single" room end facing the street -- allows for lovely sideyard gardens, verandas, and cool breezes to offset the humidity of the summer) and wanted to see a real Plantation. We choose Magnolia due to it's size and gardens. Even now, a few things in bloom -- Camellias, Nandina, Pansy's, etc., but we could imagine when the dogwoods, Magnolias, and Azaleas are in bloom in March and April. They also have an ominous swamp -- fortunately the alligators are hibernating at this time of year!
We were off the Beaufort (bu-fit), SC -- we had just mastered Beaufort (Bo-furt), NC -- and now we have to get this one down!! A little town that has lots of lovely homes along the water. Not really discovered by the tourists yet, but a very relaxing place with water everywhere. Looks like it would flood, but the locals say no.
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PHIL-OSOPHIES
Saw this old, interesting looking store on main street -- Lipsitz -- had to check it out. A real throwback -- the owner is 80+ years old, and was born upstairs -- the store has been here, in this building for 125 years -- and I think some of the inventory has been there at least that long! There is shit everywhere and papers stacked in every nook and cranny, table, --you name it. But the old guy and his wife know where everything is. She sized me up immediately (XL) found out what I wanted (a long sleeved polo shirt in cotton) and rummaged through some drawers and --viola -- had the perfect shirt -- for $14!! A real American institution. I loved it!!
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What a day!! Moving towards 70 and sunny!! Just rolling down the road towards Hilton Head -- we need another golf fix. Arrive on the island -- wonderful weather -- but what is that out there? By the time we decide on a hotel and get to our room to see the ocean -- the FOG had moved in and was just sitting there -- bummer! We are at the Hilton Resort at Hilton Head -- more great deals abound!!
We did have a shock though. We wanted to go out to the Sea Pines Community -- but they charge $5 just to DRIVE out there! After recovering from that idea -- Phil says, "we have to do it -- we can't come this far and not see Harbortown and the famous course there". So we get our five bucks out and head to the gate. Phi shoves the money out the window and the guard says -- "can't take that from you, sir". "Why not,?" queries Phil. "You're a camping vehicle -- not allowed in Sea Pines". Phil, not ready to give up, replies "No, we're just a normal size Van -- we're not a Motor Home" (with disdain). Unswerving, the guard looks us over again, and confidently replies "You've got LP gas on board, and sewer disposal -- you're a Camping vehicle -- can't let you in". Busted. Can you believe that!! The Sea Pines covenants outlaw ALL camping vehicles, regardless of size -- even to drive through!! Speaking of snooty!!
The next day dawned sunny and bright -- perfect for golf!! Due to be 70 today, so we headed out to enjoy the day and a round of our favorite sport! What a day -- the greens are just between their grasses, so they were very bumpy -- some of the old, some of the new -- could make no predictions where your ball might go -- very frustrating. Phil's driving was suburb -- wishes he could do that all the time!!
Off to Georgia ..on my mind -- that's what's on their license plate!