Myrtle Beach and Hilton Head, SC

Friday, 12/11/15 - Traveled to Myrtle Beach, SC - Lakefront Campground.  Wow - the largest campground we have ever been in - over 1700 sites - it is a city on the beach.  They had every possible amenity possible, and the paperwork to check in took the trophy for the most paperwork.

Karen: I saved the 'book' on this one as you will not believe it (most campgrounds give you a fold up one page of stuff, this one gave us a book).

Saturday, 12/12/15 - Called my cousin, Darryl, and made arrangements for us to meet Patti and him for breakfast.  We ate, talked, ate some more, and talked some more.  It was so good to see them.  I have not seen either of them since they left California more than 24 years ago.  After breakfast, we got a tour of the surrounding area by Darryl.  He and Patti are so happy here.  They especially like Surfside Beach, which is next to Myrtle Beach.  We stopped on the boardwalk of the next beach up, and had drinks.  More touring, then dinner at their favorite dinner house.  Then we went back to the RV.  What a great day!

Sunday, 12/13/15 - Had an eventful morning.  Tom was unloading root beer from the dinette seat and hit the hinge on the seat.  You got it - root beer everywhere - inside the seat compartment and running all over the floor and under the slide.  My sister, Karen, can certainly relate to this.  Both Tom and I on the floor cleaning up the mess.  Our plans were to get a load or two of laundry done this morning, but the root beer took precedent.  We did not get over to Darryl and Patti's until noon.  By then, Darryl was cooking his pasta fazoul (sp?) - it is a soup, and it smelled wonderful.  We had lunch with them at their house, and then spent the rest of the day with them - lots to talk about.  Their house is really nice and everything they need.  Darryl also cooked dinner - he fixed shrimp scampi of a sort.  It was delicious.

Two great days with them, and so good to get caught up with their lives, and our family in general. They promised to look us up next time they are in California.

Monday, 12/14/15 - Travel day to Hilton Head, SC.  It seemed like a very long drive, although it was only 200 miles, but many of them were through small towns with 35 mi speed limit.  Didn't get in until 5:00, just in time to check in (actually we had 8 minutes to spare).  This campground is the most beautiful we have ever had.  Beautiful landscaping, stamped concrete pads, metal furniture, umbrellas, etc. Everything you might like to have.

This is our site

Pool across from us

Tuesday, 12/15/15 - Catch up day.  Tom and I drove into town for a car wash (boy, did the Jeep need it after 4 months on the road), banking, haircut, and groceries.  Back to the RV and do all of the laundry.  While the laundry was running, we sat and talked to the residents who live here.  They were having a 'cookie trade 'in the clubhouse for Christmas.  We met some really nice people from all over the U.S.  Many of them sold their homes and moved permanently into this park by buying the space and putting their motorhome on it.  They were very happy with it all.

Wednesday, 12/16/15 - Tom and I drove into Savannah to see the sites.  Tom was born here, but left as a baby.  The city seemed very old to me.

Central Savannah walkway

Many of the historical sites were not restored.  All of the trees are covered with Spanish Moss.  We stopped at the Visitor Center and got directions to one of the best old homes and a plantation.  First we went to the Owens-Thomas house and took a tour.  Here are some pictures.

Front of Owens-Thomas house

Back of Owens-Thomas house and slave quarters in back

If this is the best house to see (per the Visitor Center), then I don't need to see anymore.  Tom felt the same.  We headed to the plantation.  We arrived at the Wormsloe Plantation, which was about 13 miles out of town.

road within the plantation

Entrance to Wormsloe Plantation

This was a National Historical Site and the ranger told us what we could see - mostly trees, and restored out buildings, such as slave quarters, and smithy.  I asked about the plantation house and he told me that it was sold to a private party and was not open for touring.  What a big disappointment!  And, why didn't the lady at the visitor center tell us that? We went home.

After we got home, we checked the schedule as saw that the next stop was the wrong direction.  It was north, and we are headed south.  I guess I goofed when I put the schedule together and mixed up these two stops.  Maybe that is why the drive to Hilton Head seemed so long.  We decided to cancel the next stop, which is Fort Sumpter and Charleston.  Fort Sumpter was the first shot of the Civil War, fired by the Confederates.  I guess we have seen enough cannons for this trip.  So we extended our time here at Hilton Head Island for one day, and will leave for Jacksonville, FL on Friday.

Thursday, 12/17/15 - I really needed this quiet day.  I got documents signed off to escrow for the purchase of the house.  I got on the phone and made reservations through Florida, and for New Orleans.  I didn't expect to run into such a problem getting campgrounds in Florida in December and January - it is high season.  All of the campgrounds on my schedule were full, and I had to spend a lot of time calling other campgrounds.  Luckily, I was able to get it all done, and my email and Blog caught up.  It only took 5 hours on the computer and the phone.  UGH!