Visitor Center Yemassee, SC and Travel Day to Florida

Sunday 11/6 We visited the Visitor Center near our campground in Yemassee, SC.

Monday 11/7 We relaxed around the campground and I got everything ready for our move to Florida tomorrow. We had a large pull through site so I even hooked up the car to the camper.

Tuesday we were up early at 5:00 am. I hate getting up that early but we have about 340 miles to drive and I like to get to the next site early. It is more miles than I like to drive when moving but we want to get down to the warmer weather.

Thankfully almost everything was done yesterday so I just had to put the Direct TV dish in the car, Disconnect the electric and hit the road.

It was a great day to travel and we only hit a couple of showers just before we reached our next stop at Thousand Trails Orlando. We  are actually located in Clermont, FL and they say we should be able to see the Disney fireworks from the campground.

This is a great campground, the sites are large and it is very quiet. Tomorrow we will have to check out the pool and hot tub.

After we got set up we went to supper at Chili's. Did I mention we like to eat out. When we got back to the camper I was to tired to stay up for the fireworks so I will have to check them out tonight.

Now that we are in Florida we are looking forward to seeing our dear friends Don & Joni Tassinari. We plan on seeing them a lot while we are here for the winter.

I will finish with more pictures of our Patriot.

Eric, We are honored to be your Grandparents.

Eric, Holly, and Brittany heading home

HONOR - COURAGE - COMMITMENT

Grand Son Eric (our Marine) is heading home to Connecticut with Holly and Brittany is heading back to Troy, NY. We all went out to breakfast at Denny's then I drove them to Charleston International Airport. Our little car was filled with luggage so Bev had to stay home while I dropped them off.

We are so proud of our Marine and was excited to have our family together if only for a couple of days.

After I dropped them at the airport we relaxed around the camper to recuperate from the last couple of days.

I now know that Marine basic training is far more difficult than Army basic. Army basic was tough when I went through 50 years ago but what Eric went through was hell in comparison. Marines sure earn the right to be called Marines.

I was honored and humbled to be in the presence of all the Marines at Parris Island.

HONOR - COURAGE - COMMITMENT

Family Day and Graduation at Parris Island

Grandson Eric Our Marine

Yesterday we got up early and headed out to attended family Day at Parris Island, SC. We haven't seen Eric for the last 13 weeks. We arrive there at 7:00 am and there were already a large group of family members that beat us. The place was really crowded.

Brittany Eric Holly

At 7:30 am the graduates ran by in formation and it was impressive.

Eric is in Hotel Company, Platoon 2093. They are lined up on the parade Deck.

They are lined up getting ready to go on liberty to be with families for the day. Liberty is over at 3:00 pm and they are back at it again.

After liberty was over Bev, Brittany, Holly, and I went out for supper at Ruby Tuesdays then back to the camper to rest. Eric remained on base and continued with the punishment of training.

Today we were up early again to head for Parris Island for graduation. Again the place was packed when we arrived. People must have been up all night to get there before us.

Here they are lined up getting ready for graduation.

We are waiting and Bev is freezing. A cold front just went through and a cold wind is blowing. I feel sorry for the Marines because they were all in short sleeve shirts. They were freezing while in formation.

This is Eric's Platoon  before graduation.

The Marine Band marched by before the Marines passed in review.

The future graduates are passing in review.

Eric has graduated.

Eric back at the camper.

We are sure glad to have Eric back with us. We are extremely proud of our Marine.

We will all be heading out shortly to Ruby Tuesday for supper. This time we have Eric with us.

Riding the bike and relaxing at The Oaks.

I took a long bike ride around the area traveling the country roads while Bev baked a pumpkin cake for Eric and got the beds ready for Brittany and Holly. When Bev has things to do it's best if I stay out of the way.

After the bike ride and Bev's work was done we relaxed at the campsite to unwind after a day of touring. It is really very scenic here with all the oaks, Spanish Moss, and wild life.

Tonight we pick up Brittany and Holly at the Charleston International Airport. We will all be attending family day at Parris Island on Thursday and Eric's graduation on Friday. Eric can't wait to get off the Marine Base after 13 weeks of hard basic training. He will stay with us Friday night then head home with Holly. Brittany will be heading back to Sage and all her buddies.

Eric has a 10 day leave then he will be back at it again. It brings back memories of my days in the Army 50 years ago.

Most days we drive by the Marine Air Station in Beaufort, there are always fighter jets and transport planes coming and going. Here is a picture of the planes on display at the front gate. Notice the nice color of the tree. The fall colors have not been great around here.

I will let you know how graduation goes.

Savannah, GA Tour

Today we traveled to Savannah, GA to tour the city. As we exited the Talmadge Memorial Bridge crossing the Savannah River into Georgia we saw the Old Savannah Tour Company so we boarded the trolly for a narrated tour of the city.

It is a great old city with lots of history, old buildings, and large oak trees loaded with spanish moss. The tour informed us of everything we saw but it was overload for my poor old brain so you will just have to look at the pictures without much information.

 Colonial Park Cemetery

 City Market

City Market 

See the Ghost on the balcony 

 All the white trim on this house is iron not wood.

 Juliette Gordon Low House. She is the founder of the Girl Scouts.

Mercer Williams House 

New Orleans French Quarter Style House 

1950's style movie theater still in use today for events, community theater, operas, Etc. 

The following pictures are of the Savannah River Walk.

It was an enjoyable day but we couldn't see everything so we will return next week for a walking tour and take the river boat cruse.