Travelin' Tweets VI --The Last Leg

September 22nd-26th, Days 14-18 :

The rain has stopped as we head into the Great Smokies National Park. It's easy to understand why they're referred to as the "Smokies."

We traveled the Blue Ridge Parkway to the entrance of the park and proceeded across it on the New Found Gap Road running east-to-west. The drive was delicious--no rain, but this blue mist in the treetops and in the valleys. As we approached our driveway to our mountain cabin, a 200 lb. black bear appeared--almost 100 ft. from our doorway! Neat! Our cabin on the hillside was exactly what we hoped for! Larry and Patti, friends from back home, joined us Tuesday night in Gatlinburg. Four days we all explored the park's rivers, falls, and hiking trails. At night we entertained ourselves with soaking in the hot tub and playing pool. Of course, we girls never won a game! Saturday morning we headed home--an eight hour car trip. Traveling for me is always an exciting adventure, meeting new people and seeing new sights. But, for all that, home is delightful as well!

Travelin' Tweets Part V

Saturday, September 19th, Day 11:
Early Saturday morning we decided to leave Savannah, mostly because the predicted weather--stormy and rainy--didn't sound so great. We figured that by staying longer in Asheville, NC we could get in some golf. Ran into some rain in Asheville but it cleared up by the time we got settled (3:00). Didn't do much but check out the huge (!!!) mall next door. Ate dinner at 7:00 and planned to go to the Biltmore Estate tomorrow.
Sunday, September 20th, Day 12:
After getting tickets online for the Biltmore Mansion, we headed out. It was less than 10 minutes away--easy drive, too. Wow, what a mansion: 250 rooms, 34 bedrooms, 43 bathrooms, 65 fireplaces, 4 acres of floor space!



Monday, September 21st, Day 13th:
What a dreary Monday! Rain, rain, rain! Shoots our chance of golfing in Carolina. When life deals you lemons, you make lemonade! This morning we do chores: bills, laundry, shopping for jeans (we need some warm clothes for the mountains; we only packed one pair of jeans. Who would have guessed that we need more for the cooler weather that set in... Maybe by the time we arrive at our mountain cabin, the weather will be nicer.

Travelin' Tweets IV

Thursday, September 17th, Day 9:
We put in a full day today. Took a 4-hour tour of the historic parts of Savannah on an open tour trolley. There were 15 spots at which we could hop off and walk the area, then hop back on when we wanted. Saw so many old, beautiful homes and historical buildings around the town. Great way to see Savannah.

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Friday, September 18th, Day 10:
Larry and I decided to take the extra 10 miles south of Savannah to see the Wormsloe Plantation. Its 1.5 mile "Avenue of Oaks" was featured in the Forrest Gump movie. Quite impressive.

After visiting the plantation we took a side trip to Tybee Island which was approixmately a fifteen minute ride from downtown Savannah. The beach was wide and pretty, but the town itself,we learned, basically shuts down around August 15th. The buildings and hotels/motels seemed run-down and dilapidated. Located on the island though was the famous Tybee Lighthouse. We ate lunch there at the beach and then headed by to Savannah.

Travelin' Tweets III

Tuesday, September 15th, Day 7:
After eating a large breakfast, we hopped in our van and headed across the Copper River into Mt. Pleasant. Larry and I spent four hours visiting the Boone Hall Plantation built in 1750. Magnificent tree-lined entrance to the plantation--just like in the movies!


The 18 slave cabins on "Slave Street" were as interesting as the main house. The entire plantation is still a "working" one, now growing and harvesting mostly fruits, veggies, pecans, etc. Such history here!





Wednesday, September 16th, Day 8th:
We left Charleston about 9:00 a.m. and headed south on Highway 17. We decided to take a detour to see the 1500 year old live oak tree located on John's Island. What a magnificent sight---wow!!! Such an enormous tree as you can tell from the photos. Supposedly, it is the largest living thing east of the Mississippi
River.






We hit Savannah around noon. At first glance, it seemed more "citified" than historical. That was until the evening hours when we took a walk on the "River Walk". Utterly fantastic. The river lit up, and filled with restaurants, bars, musicians in the street, and much more. Reminded us of what Laclede's Landing in St. Louis could be...cobblestone street, rustic, old brick structures, and a whole lot more. We'll be here thru Sunday and have days to explore the city. Tomorrow, the trolley tour.

Travelin' Tweets Part II

Saturday, September 12th, Day 4:
Early day, we listened to the sales pitch about investing into a Time Share. We turned it down, but we did book another week into the Ocean Villas next year. Good deal all around. We spent the rest of the day at Mullet Isles down about 15 miles. Interesting place...large marsh that stretches far out into the ocean. We drank a few beers along the boardwalk, and then had dinner of crabcakes and seafood. Had a few more cocktails and then bed.
Sunday, September 13th, Day 5:
Left Oceans Villas in Mrytle Beach around 8:30 and headed for Charleston, SC; the drive was an easy one--no traffic and slow-paced! Arrived in Charleston around noon; couldn't check into our boutique hotel, "Church Street Inn" until 4:00.
During the afternoon we checked out the historic district.
Quite an area--full of shops, taverns, and old establishments! Met some interesting couples along the way. Our hotel is fantastic--just the right amount of old world charm and modern conveninences. Tomorrow we do some tours.
Monday, September 14th, Day 6:
This morning, Larry and I walked to Liberty Square (a mile from the hotel) to take a tourboat cruise out into the bay where Ft. Sumter is located.


Quite a historical place since that's where the first shots were fired, beginning the Civil War. We spent an hour on the island and then headed into the harbor.
Late afternoon we took a carriage ride around and through the historic district. It was an enjoyable, slow-paced ride, taking us through areas of huge, multi-million dollar properties. Very high rent district!

Travelin' Tweets

Wednesday, September 9th, Day 1:
The Great Adventure Begins! We're heading to South Carolina today. Up and at 'em at 6:20 and on the road by 7:30 a.m. I'm driving the first leg of the road, while Larry takes over the last half. Our goal today: Knoxville, TN Hoping all goes well.
5:00 p.m.----arrived in one piece 10 miles east of Knoxville, TN. Weather was good and we made good time traveling. Scenery surrounding Knoxville hilly; we're at the northern edge of the Smokies. Having cocktails now and heading out to dinner down the block later. Day One...a success!
Thursday, September 10th, Day 2:
The road beckons; today we travel where we haven't traveled before--new and unexplored! That's the way we like it, uh huh! Rise and shine at 6:oo a.m; God, it's still dark outside. Asheville, NC is about 100 miles to the south, and then on to Myrtle Beach, SC. Should arrive by mid-afternoon. Highway 40 from Knoxville, TN to Asheville, NC was awesome. Both sides of the highway were flanked by high mountains and cliffs, with creeping mist floating down in the valleys. So picture perfect!
We arrived in NC around 9:00 a.m. and shortly thereafter we hit SC. By 3:30 we arrived at our hotel, checked in, and had our cocktails on the beach by 4:00. What good timing! The hotel is beautiful, right on the beach, and has a gigantic pool much like the resorts in the islands.
Later, after dinner at the Fish House, we finished off the night with--what else!- Thursday Night Football!! Another great day of traveling!
Friday, September 11th, Day 3:
Tee time today at 9:00 a.m at the Beachwood Resort and Gulf Club. Cheap and absolutely breath-taking! I used my new Calloway driver that the boys gave me for my birthday and, boy, did it make a difference in my drives! Now my long game is great, but my short one still sucks! Oh well... After 18 holes we did some shopping (Larry wanted some cigars and I bought new golf shoes) and then headed to the beach. Temp here is 83 and sunny. We'll have our cocktails beachside or poolside. Tonight we're headed to what they refer to as "Restaurant Row" for dinner. No time now to insert pictures (the camera is in the car); we'll do that tomorrow. So far, no problems; the South Carolinians are really friendly and hospitable. Enjoying the trip immensely.