My Dad and his two siblings got together today and we all traveled out to a Gulf-side restaurant (with my Aunt Kathy as well).  We had a pleasant lunch with a water-view and a photo taking fest.  After we got back home, we settled down into chairs in the living room and conversation evolved to memories of their childhood.  Kathy and I were basically spectators, but it was interesting to me to sit back and hear the three of them talk. 

The years peeled away like the rind on the Florida oranges and revealed the sweet fruit of times gone by, but not forgotten.  They seemed to transform into younger versions of themselves as they told stories of mischief and child’s play.  Once again, they were rooting through dump sites for “treasures”, making forts and tree-houses, climbing trees and eating apples until they were physically ill.  They spoke of their parents with affection and laughter as they recanted the ritual of decapitating (sometimes less than successfully) and removing the feathers from chickens and canning fruits, vegetables and juices.

Then more ominous subjects arose (not that be-heading chickens with a home-made guillotine is not ominous enough) – the dead bodies along the side of the road and the man in the burning car and the scary door. The “scary door” was not an issue for my Dad, but for his brother and sister it has been a recurring and haunting nightmare, of sorts.  It was merely unable to be locked with its skeleton key, but the possibility of what lurked behind it, ready to pounce in the night was conjured in their minds and provided a sense of fear and foreboding. Spooky.

Back to lighter fare, my aunt talked about going into the deep woods and engaging all the possibilities that their imagination could muster.  They made Indian weapons out of rocks, sticks and vines or rope and then buried them to hide them until the next day’s playtime.  She recanted the time whe entered an apple orchard during apple blossom time and how she found a “magical, princess world”.  Dad remembered looking at the stars and dreaming of becoming an astronomer.  My uncle (who is several years younger than his siblings) had a different circle of friends but knew all the local haunts and played in the same woods and had the same sweet memories of home and family. They picked blackberries and grapes and peaches and apples and grew corn, rhubarb, peppers, tomatoes and pickling cukes, just to name a few.  They enjoyed the fruits of that labor all year through as they used the canned goods and visited the root cellar (what a different world we all live in today).  My uncle is still trying to locate my grandmother’s piccadilly recipe, which may be lost in time, but his memory of it still makes his mouth water.

Smiles were on their faces and laughter filled the room and they were as comfortable and natural with each other as if they had never been apart. It was sad to see them have to separate again and leave more stories for another day in the distant future. I am so glad that I was able to bring Dad here and that my uncle traveled down so that they could have this special day.  I was a privileged spectator to the whole purpose of this blog – nurturing and developing family connections.

Just like the home-grown tomatoes we discussed: “there is nothing more sweet and delicious than what you find in your own backyard”.  No truer words of the day were ever spoken.

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Spent the better part of today trying to get the photos uploaded to the blog.  Had to figure out an alternate pathway – finally got them all up to date and feel a great relief and sense of accomplishment – reconnected to the cyber-world again (for now).

Dad had some downtime, so he got out his tool set and reconnected the curtain in the RV that had been disconnected since Day 1 of our trip.  That had been bothering him and now it is fixed.

Had a visit from my cousin and we had more time today to reconnect today and shared some memories like Santa coming to our house on Christmas Eve and sledding down the 4th street hill.

I got to reconnect with a friend and past co-worker who I hadn’t seen in quite awhile.  She picked me up in her convertible sports car and we drove to the coast just before sunset to share drinks and dinner and catch up on events in each other’s lives. Thoroughly enjoyed seeing her again and appreciated her taking the time to drive down here for the visit.  Hope it won’t be so long until we talk again. Maria – this qupote of the day is for you: One cannot collect all the beautiful shells on the beach; one can collect only a few, and they are more beautiful if they are few.

 

 

All in all, it was an accomplished and satisfying day.

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Decompression day spent relaxing in a real home with family. Got to visit my cousin who I have not seen since we were children.  Now, we are all grown up – at least physically.  Still have not gotten Millie (the cat) to lighten up, but I have a few more days to work on her.  It has kind of been hard to just relax, since we have been almost constantly on the move or planning the next move.  By the time we get the hang of it, it will be time to leave.  We need to take lessons from Millie – who has NO PROBLEM just flopping down and relaxing.

I struggled with the computer most of the day and still have not solved some glitches, even after calling my technical support son.  Dad and his sister caught up on family updates. I took some photos of my aunt’s home and her beautiful butterfly garden and plants – another person in the family with a super green thumb – I missed that gene. I hope that I get to share those photos – I will keep trying.

Today, I have chosen a quote from Buddha to describe what I observe (and admire) about my Aunt: “The secret of health for both mind and body is not to mourn for the past, worry about the future, or anticipate troubles but to live in the present moment wisely and earnestly”

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Photos to follow, sorry, again…

It was a dark and stormy day.  We woke to find that the black-water tanks had overflowed and the sinks and toilet were filled to the brim and had to be emergency drained – YUCK!  It seems that the top of the vent pipe had blown off during the storm and the rain had gotten into the tanks to fill them – so Dad had to “get out the gloves” and do an emergency dump – what a way to start a day!

The wind howled and the rain pelted us with atomic drops that bombed the windshield. We could hardly see as we crossed the 7-mile bridge back to the mainland. I kept thinking that we could easily slide off into the guard rail and off into the ocean to meet Davey Jones, himself.  The bug bites that we had obtained the night before burned and itched in the swelter of 97% humidity.  Although we made it across the bridge, and many others in succession, we were heading back into the Everglades where ‘gators and snakes and even bigger bugs awaited us.

First, we saw dragonflies, as big as the palm of my hand, winging their way from reed to reed. I caught a glimpse of an alligator swimming down the channel with its articulated back and top of his head just above the water level and his back-end swaying to and from to propel him toward a group of water birds with wings outstretched in an attempt to dry them.  I do not know if he reached them without being noticed – but if he did, I am sure that there are some feathers floating on top of the water as the bird slid down his gullet – CHOMP. Bats circle above us, catching bugs in a complicated sonar dance. Hawks hunt from the air and soar down to pick up prey with their powerful talons and then swoop up back to their domain of the sky. Air-boat vendors line the channels waiting for victims (ahem, patrons) to sign up and catch a ride to the bowels of the swampland with a complete stranger who will show them man-eating monsters and then claim to be lost and then….have these people not seen Deliverance??? The words of the day are wise but not comforting words – just images of nature at its most violent and a warning: Beware what you can not See and See what you should Beware! If you don’t believe me – check out this link to the local news: Python Eats 76 lb Deer in Everglades!

Next the Miccosuke Indian Tribal lands lay before us.  Their villages look like they came from Tahiti or Bora Bora – but what is more surprising is that they all appear vacant.  Not a soul – or maybe JUST souls.  Where did these native peoples go?  The sign ahead gives us a clue:  Panther Crossing.  For miles, the signs continued for-telling of the menacing presence of this man-eater. Slinking into the villages, it first snatched the young ones and then the old ones – those who could not defend themselves.  But as the population of easy prey diminished, the Panther had to get more creative and had to wait until he found the more able-bodied alone in the marshes or at their huts with the men away hunting or working.  So swift and dark is he that the native people refer to him has “The Shadow”. Even more disturbing, is that was we reached “civilization” we continued to see the warning signs, indicating that The Shadow (and his progeny) is looking for more prey outside of his home base.  How far will he go?  Will he come to North Port – our stop for the next few days…If you don’t hear from me, you will know what happened!

Now, we are in North Port – the most dangerous part of our trip – alleged civilization!  We are at my Aunt’s house and her 14 year old cat will complete my horror story for the night.  Millie is a large 30-lb orange and white feline who appears friendly – at first. However, upon our arrival she bared her teeth and hissed at us with a cold-dead stare.  I tried to cajole her and was warned that she does not like company – though declawed in the front, she bites.  I laughed it off, thinking that she will just need time.  But every time we make eye contact, the teeth come out and the howl, growl and hissing begins like she really means business – still not approachable.  We have been told to keep our door closed this evening, unless we want the cat to come in. A local, possible ferrel cat – could she be somehow related to her larger cousin The Shadow?  I think we will keep it closed..

 

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This posting will be delayed because I don’t have Wi-Fi access. But I am composing real-time, as promised. I am also having photo upload problems and will post more when able.  Sorry.

10-29: Lake Okeechobee is about a foot more full today because it rained ALL NIGHT – however, the constant pitter-patter on the roof made for a relaxing night’s rest. It rained through breakfast and then as we started to unhook – it stopped.  We followed the levee line a good ways and saw the neighborhood make a distinct shift from poor to rich and found ourselves traversing palm-lined streets and large homes, many with their own docks and fishing boats. We also noticed the extreme blackness of the soil, so we were not surprised to see many farms, nurseries, and LOTS of sugar cane.

 

 

 

 

 

As we left the fertile area, the Everglades lay before us with its unusual landscape of trees and shrubs and vines – all immersed in murky waters with an occasional array of lilly-pads.

I noticed another alien invader – but not kudzu this time.  This brown web-like veil covered everything in its path in a choking cocoon of smothering doom. It was not a pleasant sight.

Then, I spied a more unusual visitor on the electrical and phone lines – every so often you would see one or more of these round balls with tentacles sticking out in all directions that had wrapped itself around the wire and balanced there with its tendrils outstretched. They were cute.

No gators were seen today, but lots of water birds and also a spotted toad at our Lake campsite.  As we got to the Keys, we also saw geckos and lizards running across the highway at break-neck speeds – no chance to photograph those.

The trip down through the Keys is amazing.  The water is aquamarine and azure and contrasts with the white sand and the green groves of mangrove.  You skim along-side the water at sea-level and then are thrust up onto an overpass bridge to look down on vistas that stretch from horizon to horizon and then back down again to be cradled between the two shores. Birds of all sorts soar and dive all around you and the potential to see dolphins or manatee or any number of other sea-creatures keeps your eyes focused on the clear water channels and open sea in hopes of catching a rare glimpse.  Fishing boats and other water-craft seem to float on a table of blue sea-glass.

 

 

 

 

In the towns, you will see unusual conversational mailboxes and sign displays (fish, dolphins, manatees, mermaids, fire-trucks, lighthouses, seagulls, coral, shells, large mouth bass and pirates are some that I saw).

I know everyone makes a big deal out of Key West – but we found that to be over-commercialized and not our favorite. Some of it probably had to do with the fact that this is Fantasy Fest weekend – and Fantasy in the Keys can mean just about anything you can think of with as little clothes as your modesty can stand, and by the looks of things there are quite a few immodest people here…  So Fantasy coupled with Halloween should make for some interesting costumes and activities – but it is SO crowded. Right now, it is pouring rain (we had sun most of the day) but I don’t think it will phase the partiers – they will party on, I am sure.

We are staying in a more sedate location – SugarLoaf Key.  The camp has its own shoreline, sand beach, hot tub and pool and Tiki Bar – so we have all we need. I suppose that we could get naked if we wanted to, but that will take a LONG TIME at the bar before that will happen.  So we are content to sit and talk with 4 gay men who are gearing up for the party down the way.  They tried to shock us, but we are Las Vegans – fat chance!

We are here tomorrow and may take a tour, as driving the RV on the small, crammed city streets is not fun.  If not, we will lounge by the pool – or maybe both… See you tomorrow.

10-30:  Morning arrived and we awoke to the sound of rooster crows.  He was strutting down the RV lane as if trained to crow in front of each trailer twice and then move on.  Later on we would find out that the Keys are full of chickens as leftovers from the cock-fighting sport in the earlier part of the 20th century.  Once it was outlawed, the people let the birds run free and now there is a $500 fine for “chicken abuse”.

We decided to give Key West another chance, since the Fantasy Fest adult party had concluded last night in the ongoing downpour.  We drove the RV to the Visitor Center and picked up the Trolley Tour which took us on a circuit around the city.  We were impressed with the colorful and ornate architecture – some whimsical and some stately.

We stopped at the Pirate Wreckers Museum – which really wasn’t about
pirates, per sae (but I suspect that is more intriguing than the term “wreckers”, which is what the museum was actually about).  It seems that the Keys has a substantial coral reef off-shore, which all but eliminates waves and sandy beach formation, but does cause significant damage to ships tossed upon it in storms (or hurricanes).  Once the ships were damaged, the “wreckers” raced out to the ships and saved many lives, but also were then allowed to take a percent of the proceeds of goods that they retrieved.  Divers had to be able to hold their breath for at least 6 minutes (no diving equipment in the 1800’s) to go down and bring up merchandise, “lumpers” had to carry the cargo to shore where it was salvaged and sold with some of the profits going to the “wrecker” and his crew. At the time, “wrecking” made Key West the richest city in America until more modern diving and salvaging equipment was discovered.

Two other industries that had a great economic foothold in the area were cigars and natural sponges. You can see a small remnant of both industries that are left, but a great fire and cheaper labor killed the cigar industry and a bacterium decimated the sponging economy.  Now, Key West was one of the poorest cities…

 

 

 

 

 

Looking for another industry to revitalize them, the US Government, WPA movement, helped with the beginnings of a tourism industry – the Aquarium was built, the land mass was increased by over double and hotels and restaurants began to flourish.  The Navy had a big presence in the area as well.  Key West got kind of a bail-out and thought it was on its way – but obstacles of fire (now all buildings downtown mandatorily have metal roofs to prevent fire spread), mosquitoes (somebody tried to build a bat-tower to get the bats to eat them, but the mosquitoes won and killed the bats) and the tropical storms and hurricanes plagued their success.  We all now know that they eventually succeeded –but did you know that they also suceeded?

Angry that US Customs and Immigration was causing undo delays of tourists retruning to the mainland, resulting in a devastating drop in visitors, they tried to petition for an open border, like all other US States enjoy.  Once denied, they decided to suceed and made up their own flag and everything – eventually, that all settled down – but they still have their own flag, their own name “The Conch Republic” and issue their own passports, valid in 11 countries.

Harry S. Truman’s “Little White House” is here and it also has been the accomodation for other Democratic presidents: Carter, Clinton and Kennedy. We also visited the Hemmingway House and saw the 6-toed cats, the cat cemetary and beautiful grounds and period and personal memorabilia.

 

 

 

 

 

We had a drink and Conch Fritters in Sloppy Joe’s Bar (Ernest’s favorite place). Conch Fritters were kind of like a cross between and crab cake and a large hush puppy – we found the Conch to be rather rubbery and tough (SNAPpy, as my brother would say). But anything chased with a tropical drink, can’t be that bad. 

 

 

 

We enjoyed the Key Lime Pie much more and had that twice during our stay – bad, we know…but in a good way. One of our stops was the “Southern-Most point in the Continental United States”.  We are not quite sure about that, as Dad remembers a trip to Imperial Beach, CA wherehe also saw that same claim to fame.  But, they play it up big here, as well as the Mile Marker 0 of US-1.

Back at camp, we took to the pool to decompress from a very humid day (but no rain, so we should be thankful for that).  Tomorrow, we will travel across the Everglades again to visit my aunt (Dad’s sister) and her son, my cousin.  Looking forward to seeing them and also my aunt and uncle (Dad’s brother). I may also get to connect with an old pharmacy friend who has relocated near here.  So, the next few days will be about family and friends – what could be better!

Look to the title of this blog for the WOTD as told by Bob Marley.

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After a hot and sticky night (tonight we are turning on the AC), we started the rainy day with home-made French Toast and then packed up to move on down the road.  We had a rather a short commute planned today, but it took as from the coast to a more inland location.  The rain clouds ocassionally gave way to let rays of sun peak through and the rain stopped (temporarily) but started up again…and again…and again.

Unfortunately, it started again when we reached Jupiter, Fla. where we met my husband’s niece (-in-law) who treated us to a fantastic lunch by an upscale water-inlet.  Sitting amoungst the watercraft and the fish tank and the sushi, it was a welcome point of relaxation.  We appreciate her taking time out of her busy schedule to accomodate “the vagabonds”. Hope to see her and her husband again soon.

About anothr 50 miles was our final destination – Lake Okeechobee.  All along the route there were marshes and bogs and swamps and an occasional animal farm and then a large spanse of sod farm followed by an even larger sugar cane crop.  The water birds were plentiful and beautifully silloueted against the water. When we reached our camp, we were warned to BEWARE of ALLIGATORS – OK…!  I also saw a sign indicating that Manatees frequented the dock waters – I saw plenty of bubbles and shadows, but none ever surfaced for a good photo.  More birds lined the docks and shoreline and a large, circling flock cried in the distance (reminiscent of The Birds).

 

In that same distance, angry storm clouds were brewing and we did get a downpour, but that seems to have settled down a bit, for now.

Hopefully, the rain will stay at bay long enough for us to walk up to Big Bertha’s Fish House and Tiki Bar (DJ tonight). They gave us free drink tickets and there is fried catfish right out of the Lake.  So today, we got wet, we saw some wildlife, and who knows – tonight we might just get wild!  We have to train for Key West, so what better excuse!

Our words of the day come from a woman who I encountered fishing off the pier.  She appeared to be in her 70’s (or more), wearing a tattered house-dress, slip-on slippers with a floppy hat that covered her corn-rows. Her body was bent and her face was wrinkled, but she had a smile on her face and life in her step as she rolled her fishing gear to her favorite spot.  I thought to take a picture, but I was afraid that she would think it rude – but I did greet her and wished her luck.  “Honey”, she said, “I is already lucky to be a-standin’ here today!”

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We start with the words of the day from the Apollo 13 Mission. A testament to the human spirit of survival, ingenuity and success. More about that later.

The day started out with Dad saving a life – literally. His routine trip to the bathroom in the early morning found a man writhing on the floor in a seizure.  He assisted him, while calling for help and the office called 911.  Dad stayed with the man until professional help arrived.  That will get your heart started in the morning!  It appears that the man will be OK – and Dad will too.

 

 

 

 

 

We went to Kennedy Space Center/Cape Canaveral – which was about a 20 minute drive.  I was on the lookout for alligators and saw a few in the canals along the road, but none close enough to get a good photo. We crossed over a scenic bridge/causeway that crossed the Atlantic to Merritt Island.  In addition to the Space Center, there is a museum of Astronauts, a Museum for Police and a bird/animal sanctuary.

I must say that I was impressed with the Space Center experience.  The admission price was reasonable, the parking, wheelchairs and strollers were free, and everything was included (except food and the Shuttle Lift-Off thrill experience). The 3D/IMAX movies were excellent and the other attractions were informative and fun.  The staff was friendly and knowledgeable and the whole place was very clean and well maintained.  There is a HUGE amount to area to cover, but they handle that with air-conditioned tour buses that run on schedule and are handicap friendly.

 

 

 

 

 

As expected, Dad was consumed with the science and I was bewildered with the concept of infinity and beyond.  Over lunch, we had a deep philosophical discussion about outer and inner space and the fragility of our tiny planet – while others only engaged in idle chitter-chatter. Life-size replicas or original equipment hung above us and were displayed around us.  We touched a moon rock and saw original control-room monitors and space suits and gear of the astronauts. The movie about the Hubble Telescope took us deep into space to view other galaxies, light-years away and spectacular stars in various stages of birth and death emitting gaseous plasmas that could form into new solar systems.  Mind-boggling and beautiful.

 

 

 

 

 

 

In the Apollo 11 Lunar Theatre, my Dad and I sat side by side, just as we had on the couch in our living room when I was twelve years old.  It was way after midnight, but we were up and glued to the set.  All of the lights were off and we watched by the glow of the TV screen as Neil Armstrong took that first historic step while Walter Cronkite narrated the events with the emotion and pride that every American (every WORLD) citizen felt at that moment.  For that brief moment in time, we were united as citizens of the world and marveling at the achievements of man and the belief that there is always more tomorrow than there is today.  Sitting there today, I got a lump in my throat – thankful that I could share that with my Dad again and hopeful that the human race may survive long after I am space dust.

Tomorrow, lunch with my niece-in-law by the ocean and then we head inland to swamp country.  Maybe I will get a pic of an alligator then – before he gets a bite of me!  In the meantime, I will share some buzzard pics in preparation for creepy Halloween…See ya’ tomorrow from the bayou!

 

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Another travel day for us – on to Florida with its flat landscape, swampy smells and marshlands.  We started by watching the birds in our nearby KOA bird sanctuary and eating our oatmeal and raisin toast.  I put in another CD that I purchased in Savannah with old love songs performed by some classic jazz artists – Ella, Dinah Washington, Peggy Lee, Bobby Darrin, Mel Torme, Lena Horne, Sarah Vaughn, Tony Bennett, Nat King Cole – just to name a few. We let it play through a few times – classic – and it made the drive quite pleasant as we sang along.

The Kudzu vine re-appeared.  We had seen this on our last trip in 2009 as it seems to consume everything in its path.  It is not indigenous, but rather was brought to the south as an attempt to prevent soil erosion – but it took over with a vengeance, choking everything it touches and roots very deep and grows very quickly making it almost impossible to eradicate.  However, it is a pleasant green, leafy vine that is nice to look at – beware of wolves in sheep’s clothing…

After a Wal-Mart and Walgreen’s stop, we arrived at our new campground in Mims, Fla.  More squirrels, but a different, smaller, brown version – still as frisky and chattery as their cousins up north.  New to our wildlife array is a lizard, newt or salamander – I haven’t gotten close enough to tell yet – they are quick little guys (if I get a photo tomorrow, I will post it).

Moss hangs from the trees like thick natural icicles.  According to our AAA travel guide, Spanish Moss is not a moss at all, but rather an air-plant that gets its nutrition from air and water.  It is not from Spain, but does grow in South and Central America as well as the Southern US.  It is not technically a parasite on the host trees but can cause damage as it competes for and blocks the sun-shine.  So that is the factual version, but I still prefer the romantic, folk-lore version.

A bumper sticker became our words of the day – Be Inspired.  You have to be open to new experiences and passionate about living if you want to have a fulfilling life.  We were inspired to take this trip and it has been a wonderful experience.  Find your inspiration and embrace it.

Tomorrow we will visit the Kennedy Space Center and Dad will be in his technological glory. He will read every plaque and study every experiment and stand and ponder the immensity of it all.  He is looking forward to it and has already studied the brochure and some of the history. He will Be Inspired – I am sure.

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Today, we visited the great city of Savannah, Georgia.  This is one city that lives up to its reputation.  It is quaint, friendly, beautiful and a little naughty.  The architecture, foliage, parks and people provide a colorful and varied palette for any photographer or artist.  It is impossible to see everything in one day, so we concentrated on the highlights.  One of the lesser visited sites we stopped at was the restored Lucas Theatre – a grand lady of the cinema and stage with ornate marble work, plaster castings, golden guild, and luxurious fabrics.  In my hometown, we had the Columbia Theatre which also had lush accoutrements and balconies and theatre boxes – but the Lucas Theatre was even more fantastic and provided a free self-guided tour to take us back to the time when there were no multiplexes or 8-dollar popcorn – it was THE THEATRE.  It is a great stop if you are ever in the city – it would be even better to see a show which is scheduled intermittently throughout the year.

As we strolled along the Greco-Roman military residential squares that were designed by Ogelthorpe (the city’s founder), we found one small park after another. They were little oases of trees and green grass and flowers – sometimes with a fountain or a statue or an object d’art. We could sit and forget that we were in the middle of a thriving, bustling city. People were sitting on the benches or the grass and reading or eating or just taking in the relaxing atmosphere. I suspected that these were mostly local citizens (obvious because they were not clenching their city street map and turning it frantically around and around to try and get their bearings, like we tourists). Surrounding the parks were neighborhood after neighborhood of restored colorful and neatly kept homes, businesses and places of worship built in all kinds of various styles. I am not very fond of the Federalist architecture, but I must say that the ones in Savannah were very impressive.  Then there are Greek and Roman styles with massive columns of imported stones and rounded porticos.

Mostly, I preferred the ornamental ironwork which was prolific throughout all types of window and balcony treatments, gates and fences, even rain gutters that looked like fish!  We also admired that people in Savannah take their yards and gardens seriously. Looking into or over fences, you could see manicured and meticulous gardens, which I am sure would be even more spectacular in the peak of season.

Foodies beware or be in heaven, as the case may be – Savannah is a Mecca of southern delicacies and decadence. You name it – they have got it.  We somewhat behaved but did have a lunch at the Pirate House.  We tried She-crab soup and enjoyed it – much like lobster bisque. We didn’t go to Paula Deen’s, but if you are a fan – she is represented here in a BIG way.  We avoided the many confectioners (no Pralines for us) and ice cream palaces and all manners of dessert – now THAT is will-power.

On the way out, I bought a Johnny Mercer CD (a Savannah native) and a copy of Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil (no, I never have read it but after visiting the city, I want to – so I am).  As we left the parking lot of the Visitor
Center, I popped in the CD and let Johnny’s tunes entertain us as we rolled
down the highway to our next KOA. It is only fitting that Johnny’s lyrics
provide our WOTD:

Ac-cent-tchu-ate the positive

E-lim-i-nate the negative

And latch on to the affirmative

Don’t mess with mister inbetween

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Another travel day, but the sun was shining and the air was cool, but warmed as we travelled south – so it was another great weather day.  The fall foliage re-appeared for a short while, but then the terrain turned into flatter farm land with rich red soil as we moved into South Carolina. We ate a southern-style lunch of fried chicken and Po-Boy sandwich (we shared) and took a piece of homemade pecan pie for later.  I was happy to hear from my daughter, while we were on the road and was pleased to hear that things were OK at home.  She was planning her Halloween costume (I hope she sends me pictures) and then was off to eat lunch with her husband.  It is slightly more than a year since they married, but I still think of her as my little girl (pregnant and all).

Once we hit the I-95, we thought it would be smooth sailing, but an unfortunate accident ahead of us, slowed us about an hour.  Traffic was stop and go (mostly stop), so we rolled down the windows and creeped along, feeling fortunate that the accident was not ours.  What I found interesting was that I could see a forest with Spanish moss hanging from the trees and hear bugs buzzing, birds chirping, water gurgling and leaves rustling off the highway berm.  Those sights and sounds would have never been seen or heard if we were rushing at 70 miles per hour to get from here to there – “If a tree falls in the wood and there is no one to hear it – does it make a sound?” (WOTD)

We stopped for the night, just shy of the Georgia border at a KOA in S. Carolina.  Much to our surprise, they were having a wine tasting of local “fruits of the vine” and they had a pizza shop – so that was our dinner (and we still have that pie for dessert – you have to be bad, sometimes).  The grounds of the KOA have sculptures, metal-art, fountains and flower benches – a quaint and pleasant spot, just off the I-95. Tomorrow we will tour Savannah and then stay overnight in the area.

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