Hunting Island & Beaufort, SC

Today was a lazy day, we lounged around until 2:00 pm until it was time to go to the Ice Cream Social at the campground. Life is good when you have Ice Cream.

After that we decided to take a short ride down US 21 through Beaufort to Hunting Island. It was a very scenic drive and when we arrived at Hunting Island we hiked out into the marsh on the boardwalk and trail. The views were grate.

See the Heron in the water

On the way back home we stopped in Beaufort at Taco Bell for supper. For dessert we headed to Dairy Queen so I could have a vanilla cone dipped in chocolate. As I mentioned life is good when you have Ice Cream.

While we were parked at Dairy Queen Bev took a picture of a large oak tree with spanish moss. This area is loaded with old trees like this.

We returned back to the campground without many miles driven. That made for an enjoyable day.

Fort Sumter National Monument & Charleston Tea Plantation

Yesterday was a touring day. We drove to Liberty Square, Charleston, SC and boarded a tour boat to Fort Sumter National Monument.

Early on April 12, 1861, a mortar shell fired by Confederate forces from nearby Fort Johnson burst over Fort Sumter - igniting the Civil War. Two years later, Fort Sumter, then in Confederate hands, became the focus of a gallant defense in which Confederate soldiers kept Federal land and naval forces at bay for 587 days. Today Fort Sumter is a symbol of the war that redefined the nation and a monument to the soldiers, both North and South, who defended it.

The Fort Sumter today bears only a superficial resemblance to it original appearance. The multi-tiered work of 1861 was reduced largely to rubble during the Civil War. Battery Huger, built across the parade ground at the time of the Spanish American War, dominates the interior.

Fort Sumter Today

Fort Sumter 1861 - 65

The flags flying from the five shorter flagpoles that surround the American flag represent the flags flown over Fort Sumter during the Civil War.

Out boat trip back to Liberty Square was interesting. We had a couple of Dolphins leading the boat just under and ahead of the bow. They were having a grand time and we watched them for nearly the whole trip back.

Our next stop was to historic Wadmalaw Island to visit the Charleston Tea Plantation. There are many Tea Farms in the world but this is America's only commercial tea farm.

A tour bus took us through the fields and explained their operation. It was quite interesting, I knew nothing about tea farms.

There are hundreds of thousands of tea plants (camellia sinensis) in the many fields which stretch almost as far as your eyes can see.

Only the top 3 inches of the bushes, which is the new growth, are harvested as you can see by the flat top the bushes have. The tea is constantly harvested about every 3 weeks or so from May thru October. At the end of October the tea bushes go into hibernation until the next spring.

Around the world many places use hand labor to pick the tea leaves but here they invented a harvester. This is the only one in the country and was made from many different machines. They call it the green giant. It cuts the top 3 inches or so of the bushes and blowers blow the tea leaves into a container in the back of the machine. From there they hall the leaves into the factory for processing.

We also toured the factory to see up close the process of tea making. After the factory tour we visited the Tea Shoppe where we tasted the American Classic Tea and of course purchased some.

From there we headed back to the camper with a stop for my favorite supper at McDonalds. It was a very interesting and enjoyable day but we were glad to get home and put our feet up.

Today we recuperated from yesterdays touring. We rode our bikes around the area for a while then relaxed on our patio.

Tonight we will go to a barbecue at the campground and then finish off the evening with Bingo. Life is good on the road.

The Mighty Eight Air Force Museum & Camping World

Yesterday was a touring day so we headed south to Pooler, Ga to see the Mighty Eight Air force Museum.

Before we hit the museum there was a Camping World store near by so we went in to buy supplies. One thing about RVs is they always need maintenance. You always have to fix, repair, clean, or caulk something and ours is no exception. I needed to get some silicon sealer to head off leaks and we needed another close hanger. We call it the gypsy close hanger because it makes us look like gypsies when our towels are hanging outside.

While we were there we did something we never do. We saw a 2007 Winnebago Adventurer class A motorhome (35ft) on the lot that looked fantastic so we checked it out. It was so nice we checked with the salesmen to run the numbers. We were curious to see what it would cost to trade ours in. He came up with a great deal but we realized we are poor so we said thanks for his efforts and moved on. We love our Winnebago so it didn't make sense to spend money that we don't have. It is always nice to dream though.

Our next stop was the Mighty Eighth Air Force Museum. A while back by buddy Wayne told me about it and ever since I have been wanting to see it.

We were very impressed and moved by all the displays. The Combat Gallery houses original aircraft, engines and scale models as well as a multitude of exhibits.

There was an Escape & Evasion exhibit that is a replica of a "Safe House" which allowed downed airmen to escape from Nazi occupied countries.

There was quite a collection of artifacts from various WW II Eighth Air Force Groups. An Airmen Memorial, the museum's Roll of Honor holds names of those who were killed while serving in the 8th Air Force during those years. The Prisoner of War exhibit describes the daily life of a flier and the harsh living condition of prisoners of war in a German Stalag.

Outside in the Memorial Gardens there were many plaques, monuments, and displays including the Chapel of the Fallen Eagles which is a beautiful stone chapel built to resemble an English chapel and is meant to give visitors a place of quiet reflection.

It is an awesome museum and I really was not able to do it justice. This is a museum that everyone should see. It is very moving to realize the price the service men willingly paid for our freedom. There were a large number of 8th Air Force service men who received the Medal or Honor for their heroism.

After the museum we were hungry so we hit a nearby Taco Bell for supper. It beats cooking!

Today we headed to the post office to send care packages to Brittany & Eric. When we returned home I had to earn my keep by do some caulking to head off leaks. Of course after that it was time to relax on our patio with BEER. Notice the theme - BEER.

Tom & Bev Loving the RV Lifestyle.

Parris Island And Patriots Point home of the USS Yorktown

Friday Bev and I took a ride to Parris Island Marine base to check it out. We got to the front gate and turned around because we can not enter until Eric sends us an entry pass. We should have that in time for his graduation. We wanted to check it out in advance, it was a nice ride and the scenery was great.

Yesterday we drove to Charleston, SC to visit Patriots Point, home of the aircraft carrier USS Yorktown and Maritime Museum. I have been on an aircraft carrier before and as before it was very enjoyable. As I wandered the decks I felt as though I was in a World War II movie. I could remember scenes from war movies as I looked out from locations around the ship.

I was awed as I read and thought about what the crew went through in the many battles they faced.

Twice Modernized (1952 and 1955) the Yorktown served as an attack carrier until re-designated as an anti-submarine aircraft carrier in 1957. She would later earn five more battle stars for service in Vietnam (1965 - 1968).

With more than 250,000 square feet to explore and hundreds of stories to uncover, the Yorktown can keep you intrigued for hours, if not days.

Patriots Point is home to the interactive Congressional Medal of Honor Museum. This captivating museum tells the story of the Country's brave warriors from the Civil War era through those honored today. I was deeply moved.

Along side the USS Yorktown is the submarine USS Clamagore.

We have been on submarines before so we didn't go on board. She is really showing her age.

Also at Patriots Point along the waterfront is a true-to-scale exhibit of a U.S. Navy Vietnam Support Base.

This base takes you back to South Vietnam (1965 - 1970) when the U.S. Navy supported the ground troops and counter insurgency operations throughout a vast network of waterways. The primary mission of the "Brown Water Navy" was to block the movement of insurgents and their supplies into South Vietnam.

It was a very enjoyable day but with almost an hour and half ride each way we were glad to get home and put our feet up. Of course we did stop and eat along the way.

Today was a day of rest recuperating from our travels. We rode our bikes for a while then sat around enjoying the tranquility. Sometimes you just need to relax with a BEER.

Travel Day to The Oaks at Point South, Yemassee, SC

Today was an easy travel day. We left Carolina Landing at 7:15 and traveled 251 miles to The Oaks at South Point, Yemassee, SC. We arrive here early at 12:30 and was settled in very quick. We like getting here early so I can be a watcher.

It is a nice level site but it did take a while to get the Direct TV dish pointed through the trees. It is a nice scenic site with all the trees but I like a clear site so I don't have to play around with the dish so much. Everything is good and we have TV.

We are about 30 minutes away from Parris Island so it will be a quick trip to go to Eric's graduation. Thursday November 3rd is family day and Friday November 4th is Graduation Day. We can't wait to see Eric.

We will be leaving here for Orlando November 8th so we have plenty of time to sight see.

Tom & Bev Loving the RV lifestyle.

Our Anniversary and then the Rains Came

Today is our 48th anniversary. Happy anniversary Bev thanks for putting up with me for the last 48 years (no one else would). Tonight we will be celebrating at our favorite place, Paesanos Italian Restaurant in Seneca, SC. Life is good when your eating Italian!

Late yesterday afternoon the rain started and lasted all night. Our satellite dish is pointing through the trees and when the leaves get wet we lose signal. We only lost the local channels but we wanted to see NCIS and the results of Dancing With The Stars so we headed to the adult lounge to watch their large screen TV. We were the only ones there so we had the TV to ourselves.

It is still grey today but the rain has stopped for now. It suppose to be nice tomorrow which is good because we will be hitting the road, we have a 251 mile drive to The Oaks at Point South, Yemassee, SC.

We will be at the Oaks for 2 1/2 weeks and it will be our base of operation to visit Eric for family day and his graduation from Marine Basic Training. Holly and Brittany will be joining us, we are so excited to have the family together again. We all will be nice and cozy in the camper. Eric will be heading home with Holly for a 10 day leave before returning to the Marines for more training.

We have never stayed it that area before so we are looking forward to seeing all the attractions and sites. From there we will be heading for Orlando Florida. We will be spending the winter going between Orlando and Piece River in Wauchula, FL.

Again - Happy Anniversary Bev!

Lake Hartwell and South Carolina Upcountry

The past few days we have been getting our exercise walking the hills of this campground which are almost vertical.

This hill coming up from the lake doesn't look as steep as it really is. I would hate to drive our RV down it. We like riding our bikes but it is so steep around here the bikes are staying packed until we get to the next stop.

They are in need of rain around here as our dock on Lake Hartwell shows. The last time we were here the lake was full. It is very relaxing sitting by the lake drinking beer and enjoying the views.

As I mentioned we love to eat out (who doesn't?). Saturday evening we let Garmin chose a restaurant for us and it was fantastic. We went to Paesanos Italian Restaurant in Seneca, SC and had the best meal ever. I wolfed down the baked ziti and Bev was able to get 3 meals out of her spaghetti. Of course we had to have dessert "apple crisp cheese cake" which was to die for. We enjoyed the place so much we will be back there for our 48th anniversary on October 19th.

Yesterday we took a ride in the "upcountry". We drove along scenic Highway 11 where the Blue Ridge mountains tumble their way through the northwest corner of the state. The trees are changing but I thought the colors are a bit muted. Maybe it is because of the drought in this area.

Our first stop was Oconee Station State Historic Site. From 1792 to 1799 this was a military outpost in response to raids by the Creek Indians. A trading post was established in 1795 by an Irish immigrant named William Richards. These are the only buildings that survived.

Our next stop was Nantahala National Forest and Whitewater Falls which is located on the border of South and North Carolina. It was a pleasant 1/2 mile hike up a blacktop path to the falls. As you can see the leaves are just changing but are not as brilliant as the northeast.

 Bev is walking to the fence to enjoy the views.

From there we headed back to the camper with a short stop for groceries. It was a very pleasant day enjoying the scenery. Traveling in an RV is great because the view out the window is always changing. By staying longer at each stop we can spend more time enjoying the many sights of each place we visit.

Back at the camper I caught up on "Nicks Blog" which I like to read daily. Nick & Terry are full time RVers who publish the Gypsy Journal Newspaper. I enjoy his daily blog about their travels and experiences. Nick also writes a "Bad Nick" blog which expresses his non RVing thoughts. Check him out at  http://gypsyjournalrv.com I think you will enjoy it too.

Tom & Bev enjoying the RV lifestyle.