Traveling to NJ via Savannah, GA

Bob and I spent three days just south of Savannah, GA, a city we’ve been meaning to visit for years now. The campground itself was a lovely place, with multiple pools and hot tubs. One of the pools was a “lazy river” where you could just float, the current carrying you around and around.

It was very hot out so the river felt quite nice. There was also a little poolside bar, and this character showed up to remind us it was May 4th (May the Fourth Be With You.) Note the tattoos!

Earlier that day we drove into Savannah and walked around, stopping into one of the most beautiful cathedrals we have ever seen, Cathedral of Saint John the Baptist.

The next day we booked a bus tour and went to all the major sights of Savannah. Such a pretty city. Here are some of my favorite shots.

Lafayette Square

Six Pence Pub, featured in the film, “Something to Talk About” with Julia Roberts

Magnolia Hall, built in 1878 for the grandson of Thomas Hayward, Jr, one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence

The Pirate’s House, built in 1754, was an inn and a rendezvous spot for pirates, including the notorious Blackbeard. Robert Louis Stevenson’s book “Treasure Island” was set at that house. It is now a restaurant. Note the color of the door and shutters. Known as “Haunt Blue,” the color supposedly repels ghosts.

Then we were back on the road, traveling a couple hundred miles each day to get back to NJ for Monday. The weather transitioned from temperatures in the 90s to the 40s as we continued north. We stopped in Ridgeway, SC, Max Meadows, VA, and Winchester, VA for one night each. Finally, we arrived in NJ, just about two months since we left Mesa, AZ. We’ll be here for about three months.

Sisters’ Week

Once we left Bushnell, FL, Bob and I headed to Punta Gorda so I could hang out with my sisters all week. Gail had flown in from Texas and Wendy has a vacation condo there, while Cheryl lives in PG all year around. Bob and I enjoyed touring Cher and her husband George’s beautiful home and helped them eat up their Easter leftovers. George and Cher celebrate Greek Easter which usually takes place a week after the rest of the world celebrates it, so we only missed the feast by one day. Such yummy food! I came away with some great recipes from Cher. Bob and I also visited the Charlotte Environmental Center where we saw a huge Gopher Tortoise and a ten foot alligator.

It is alligator mating season and the gators are aggressive this time of year so we were extra vigilant. We were thrilled, however, to hear a bull alligator’s mating call.

On Wednesday Bob and I picked up Gail from the Fort Myers airport an the celebration began. Bob returned to the motorhome to hang out with Auggie. He also was able to hang with George for a bit and went out on his boat. We had such fun cooking and shopping and drinking wine.

Thursday was our mom’s birthday so we poured a glass for her memory.

On Friday we met up with Gail’s college friend, Judy, whom I hadn’t seen since Gail’s wedding in 1975. We made her an honorary sister for the day and had a blast.

From L-R: Gil, Cher, me, Wendy, and Judy.

All too soon it was time to leave Punta Gorda, turning the motorhome north towards NJ. Tomorrow I’ll post about our trip back to the NJ area.

Lunch on the water

Bushnell, FL

Or trip south to Bushnell was nice and easy, and we pulled into the campground where our friends Mike and Retha were staying without problems. Unfortunately, one of their Japanese Chin dogs had to have surgery to remove one eye, so we hung out with them at their coach so they could keep a close watch over him. Poor little Elwood was uncomfortable and not interested in eating much, so it was a concern.

We still managed to have lots of fun catching up with our friends and hearing about the RV lot they had just purchased in the mountains of Georgia, which will be a cooler spot in which to stay during the hot summer months. We were kicking ourselves for not getting a photo of all of us so we’ll just have to see them again soon and remedy that.

Bob and I did take a drive over to the Blueberry Festival nearby and walked around. It was full of interesting booths and people selling things. We didn’t buy anything but it was fun to look.

All too soon it was time to head out to meet up with my sisters and it was hard saying goodbye. We’ll see Mike and Retha again down the road! Tomorrow I’ll tell you all about Sisters’ Week.