For those of you interested Only in TRAVEL, I (Jack) wrote the blog between MARCH 2010 and October 2010 during our travels west. We saw the most beautiful places and had the best time in our big truck and little trailer. See Blog Archive below.

May 21, 2012

A Quiet Relaxing Day

Nancy and I got up this morning and we went for a short walk down one of the paths. It was nice. I did what I had to do and we went back to the trailer. Nancy got my big box fan out to point at me to keep the bugs off (didn't see any, but if it makes her feel better) and I lay down to take a nap while Nancy read her Kindle.


Then she decided to play around with the bird aps on her iPhone. (She first learned about them on Molly's Mom's phone). Well, she listened to one particular bird who kept singing the same tune and Nancy found the bird sound. She began to play it and all of a sudden a little bird landed right on Nancy's hand by the iPhone. It startled Nancy and in turn Nancy startled the bird. Her battery was running low so she went back to her book.
Nancy always puts a bed down for me, but I like to be on the grass and in the sand.
This is our site. A lot of RVs came in, today, but we didn't lose any of our privacy.
When Michael, Susan, and Laura arrived they sat around and gabbed for a little while and then decided since Laura had never been to a Waffle House, we would go there. It was a bit warm so Nancy left the air conditioning on in the truck while I waited.


Then, Susan went into Charleston to do some shopping. She stopped at the grocery store and bought the yogurt and blue berries that she likes for breakfast and some potato chips for Nancy.


Nancy and Susan decided they would grab something from Chic Filet for dinner and go to Folly Beach. They had heard that storms the past couple of years had eroded the public beach. They weren't prepared, however, for what they saw. NO beach. Lot's of surfers that Nancy thinks may have come because of the tropical disturbance off shore.
Nancy was disappointed in the pictures, but her little camera can only do so much.




Trying to survive were some little flowers that were growing on the last little bit of sand near the sidewalk.



Folly Beach is a hopping place. We rode along the road closest to the beach and saw some really pretty (and some really ugly) beach houses. The light was getting bad and there were too many cars to stop, but Nancy did get a couple of shots in.


Lots of night life going on in this beach town.
We headed home and Nancy snuck in a couple of shots of the marshes while on the fly.



Since blogger was being cooperative she posted a picture taken last night from California Dreaming. Bridges are built on curves around here.


Nancy struggled to remember how to get the converter box to work with the TV, but finally did. Now, though, we're all ready to go to sleep. We may go over to Sullivan's Island, tomorrow. Nancy said she thinks it's going to be warmer. The sun hits the door side of the trailer in the morning, but it's shady in the afternoon. Fortunately, there are some trees on our site so we can move around away from the sun. My eyes are closing so I'll say good night!

Made it! James Island Near Charleston

It has been a long time since Nancy has packed for a two week trip. All went well except the clothes bar in the bathroom finally succumbed to the clothing of two women. I'll say no more. My clothes don't take up any room. Fortunately, it stays up while we're standing still, but all their neatly hung clothes are wrinkled--oh, well, they are camping!

The ride over was uneventful except we ran into a detour when we turned off to get on 39. We followed detour signs for quite a while. There were two cars ahead of us. Then the road stopped and you could go either left or right, but both had a detour sign saying no through traffic. The other two cars made a u-turn and went back, but Nancy disregarded the sign and went left. (Our friends, Gail and Paul will appreciate that!) We passed a lot of blockades, but Nancy just kept going through and around them. Susie and I didn't think it was such a great idea, but we got to see a few of the backroads, and guess what? We wound up on SC369 which is where we were supposed to be. We'll never know why there were so many signs.

Nancy heard about a tropical storm on the way over that was headed for Charleston. It's staying off shore, making some beautiful weather. Cool and breezy and NO bugs--great sitting out. We sat out for a while and waited for my brother, Michael, and his girlfriend, Laura. Neither of them had ever been to Charleston--they arrived yesterday morning so they've been busy seeing all they can see in two days. They took a walking tour and said it was wonderful. I think Susie is going to go and take me while we are here. Yeah! We sat and gabbed for a while.
Laura


That's Me! We have the best people watching site, yet NO neighbors.

Michael relaxing after a short bike ride
Nancy said she's going to look on the info sheet to see how many miles or bike trails there are--bet there's a lot.

Susie relaxing with her grape juice and what else--her phone
When Michael got back from his bike ride, we were going to go to dinner, but we made a detour to go see the dock. We could have stayed until dark--no bugs--and so beautiful.
Brother and Sister, Michael and Susie
Nancy has trouble taking only one of any picture!
Michael and Laura
Marsh was very beautiful

Three dolphins passed us as we stood on the dock. Nancy didn't get very good pictures of them, but Michael got excellent video which I'm sure he'll post on Facebook.

Can you see the fiddler crabs?
We ate dinner at California Dreaming (Nancy Recommends). Blogger objected to adding a picture that she took from inside the restaurant. Susie went back to the motel with Michael and Laura so Nancy and me are all alone.

Tomorrow, Michael and Laura head for home. Susie will probably want to take me over to the dog park in the morning so I can swim. That will be SO much fun. After that, we'll probably do more exploring--maybe even take a ride to Folly Beach. Nancy's going to leave things pretty much up to Susie since she's on vacation, and we're always on vacation.

May 12, 2012

Missy Graduates with Honors from UGA

My granddaughter, Missy, graduated from UGA with honors, yesterday. She majored in Chemistry and has accepted a position working for a professor at the university. She plans to pursue a career in Cancer Research. We are very, very proud of her.
The Lovely Graduate


Missy and Younger Sister, Kellie. Amanda, her older sister is a nurse in another city and couldn't attend.

Proud Dad, John and Proud Mom, Lisa

Happy Graduate AND Happy Dad

Happy or What?

Graduation Between the Hedges

John chats with the Master, Coach Vince Dooley. John attended UGA when when they were National Champions in 1980.

Family Picture with the Coach

May 9, 2012

An Afternoon in Dahlonega GA

An unexpected surprise was the arrival of a friend, Marie, from Utah. We had an afternoon to catch up and have some fun.

I decided that she'd enjoy the town of Dahlonega. It's not quite as crowded during the week. We could have lunch and gab as all us ladies like to do. Though definitely a tourist town, we enjoyed walking around the little shops. Hard to get a picture without a car or a sign. I sat on one of the many benches scattered about the town while Marie went in to browse in the little shops. I browsed, too, but had to sit down after being on my feet for as long as I could do it. Many of the little shops are closed during the week. Hard to understand why since the town appeared to be busy.

Rich and I used to drive up to Dahlonega on weekends. We always made two stops. One was "The Porch" and the other was for an ice cream cone. I always went in to get it; he thought he was conning me by telling me it always tasted better if I got it for him--the truth of the matter is that I liked to get it for him and see the grin on his face when I handed it to him.




This is the first time I've been able to return since Rich died, though I did take my trailer up for repairs after my trip--the RV repair shop is just outside of town. Funny, Marie was in town then, too, and took a ride with me.

There's another porch in Dahlonega, now--Bourban Street, I think the sign said. It's a little more upscale, but it was closed. I was surprised to see the bear still in the tree, but I remembered it as being different. Somewhere in some old pictures, I'll have to check.

We ran into dead stop traffic on the way back (it's Atlanta), but we met my daughter and Marie's daughter for Mexican, and that topped off the day.

I thought I had taken it easy on my back, but by the time I got home I was in pain--electrical shocks if I moved the wrong way. I have noticed that when I ride the stationery bike, my left foot goes numb, so that makes me sure it's a nerve. I don't do anything but hide from the heat and humidity in the summer (when in Georgia) so when I get back from the coast, I'll hear what the doctor says about success rate of the surgery. Monday, however, I'm going to meet a group of gals that I know, and we will camp about an hour or two from home, depending upon the route I take. It will serve to make sure all systems are go on the trailer and that I can set up and take down by sitting down in between each step. 

My daughter and I will be going to Charleston for 5 days, Savannah for several days, and then to St. Augustine and then we will return home. I'm putting some pictures from today, below. You can still pan for gold in Dahlonega--haven't heard of anyone getting rich, though!






May 5, 2012

It's Here! The Video of Mary!

If you have a moment, please watch. You'll go away knowing how brave and wonderful these kids are, and what loving care they receive from their families and healthcare providers. Such a pretty song.




May 1, 2012

There's a New Dog in MY House and I Don't Like It

I am really put out. All of Nancy's attention has been toward me in the past. I didn't mind when I shared her with Lizzie because I loved Lizzie, too, but a couple of weeks ago she got a brand new dog. I couldn't believe my eyes. And, she moved my bed and let him have MY SPOT. Now I have to sleep on the couch all the time! I don't even like his smell. I don't know what breed he is, but he's stupid looking, in my opinion.


Nancy adores him and pays strict attention to him about three times per day; he sleeps the rest of the time--lazy dog.


Yesterday, I decided to put an end to the attention that this mutt is stealing from me. When Nancy is playing with him I go over and slip my head under her knee so the two of them can't move, and I did it, again, this morning and he punched me in the mouth! Nancy would usually protect me against other dogs, but she actually scolded ME!! She claims she still loves me, but she's playing with him to keep her legs strong because her back hurts and she can't walk--RIGHT! You think I believe that? NOT! Does she think I fell off a turnip truck? Little by little I'll figure out a way to run this guy out of my house--I want MY space and Nancy back to myself. I'm more than a little miffed at her--as she pushed me away this morning, she said, "Drat, I wish I had my camera." She thinks it's funny when another dog tries to beat me up! Next thing I know he'll be eating my sweet potato chips!



Apr 29, 2012

Rainbows





Time does not bring relief


Time does not bring relief; you all have lied
Who told me time would ease me of my pain!
I miss him in the weeping of the rain;
I want him at the shrinking of the tide;
The old snows melt from every mountain-side,
And last year's leaves are smoke in every lane;
But last year's bitter loving must remain
Heaped on my heart, and my old thoughts abide.
There are a hundred places where I fear
To go - so with his memory they brim.
And entering with relief some quiet place
Where never fell his foot or shone his face
I say, 'There is no memory of him here!'
And so stand stricken, so remembering him.


Edna St Vincent Millay

Rainbows





Time does not bring relief


Time does not bring relief; you all have lied
Who told me time would ease me of my pain!
I miss him in the weeping of the rain;
I want him at the shrinking of the tide;
The old snows melt from every mountain-side,
And last year's leaves are smoke in every lane;
But last year's bitter loving must remain
Heaped on my heart, and my old thoughts abide.
There are a hundred places where I fear
To go - so with his memory they brim.
And entering with relief some quiet place
Where never fell his foot or shone his face
I say, 'There is no memory of him here!'
And so stand stricken, so remembering him.


Edna St Vincent Millay