Day 22 - Mission: Sightseeing Franklin & Highlands

This morning we piled into Jim's pickup & set out for a tour of Franklin's natural sights & Highlands, NC.

Our first stop was the Cullasaja Falls

Then on to Dry Falls - not because it isn't full of water, but because you can walk behind it while remaining relatively dry. (Look close - we are there behind the falls)

The next waterfall we stopped at was Bridal Veil - this one you can drive behind. I am kicking myself for not jumping out and snapping a picture because Jim used it as a car wash and the joke of the day was: "If you use your local waterfall as a carwash, you might be a redneck."

Franklin is known for its beauty on several levels, not only its natural sights but it is also know as the Gem Capital of the World - rich in gems & minerals. We had a chance to see some of these up close and personal at Jackson Hole, a local stop, where you can actually mine for your own gems.

A little bit of shopping & coffee in Highlands - the really upscale side of town.

We stopped for yummy BBQ at this local dive...

And on our way back to the cabin, Jim saw these locals out in the field and called them over for a tangerine snack.

Cathie & I finally made it to the local yarn shop too and I found some yummy Alpaca that is locally grown here in Franklin. I even have the name & photo of the fluffy creature that provides it annually.

My Uncle & Aunt & Grandpa had made their way up from Florida yesterday, so we went to their camp for a visit in the evening.

Day 21 - Mission: Relaxing in the Smokey Mountains

Today was the first day the I have not felt well. Maybe it was the heat of the south, maybe I have been burning the candle at both ends, or maybe something else. It was enough to keep me inside and on a cozy sofa at my cousin Cathie's cabin. Later that afternoon, she & I ventured out for a quick tour around Franklin, North Carolina, while the boys got to work. What I mean by that is they purchased this "cabin" (a renovated chapel) a few years back & have been remodeling it over time. So, Colby got right in there and helped out with some of the work - drywall mudding. The property they own is BEAUTIFUL, surrounded by green, green, and more green. My cousin had our new favorite snack ready for us when we arrived last night by the way - boiled peanuts. And if you haven't had them, you have to try them. We like the spicy ones and believe me, they are addicting. Tomorrow, we plan to take a drive around the area further for some more sightseeing.

Day 20 - Mission: Charleston, SC & Franklin, NC

So we will start off with today's recap with some humor. Anyone remember the SNL classic with Matt Foley's words of wisdom....

We have fulfilled them - "Living in a van - down by the river!"

And remember our bug solution? Here it is in all its glory...

(don't worry we take them down every morning, so we haven't sunk that low...yet.)

This was the campground we stayed at in Hollywood, SC - just outside of Charleston.

And it was full of a variety of wildlife...

Yes - that is a snake.

And I do believe this is "THE Ugly Duckling" - a face only a mother could love.

This morning we were off to see the sights of Charleston and then on to North Carolina.

It was very busy in town today - it being a Saturday, so we started off at the Market.

Historically - this place had a sullied past, but now it is as advertised in the sign above. We stopped at a chocolate shop here in town and she recommended a walk down to the battery. (This again is the last time we listen to the locals....this was no short jaunt, but rather a few miles in the heat & humidity of South Carolina.)

When we arrived we had a clear view of Fort Sumter & Civil War history.

It was long walk back to where we parked at the market, but the architecture in Charleston is amazing. We won't bore you with all the photos of restored homes & ironwork. Except for this one...look closely - see the red heart?

(Now, how do I remove the color in the rest of the photo around it?)

We crossed this beautiful bridge by accident last night. (This has become a popular design for bridges on the East Coast - another one in Savannah, Georgia)

We missed our first state sign, North Carolina, and it must have been because we were to busy admiring the beauty around us as we drove by. It is just BEAUTIFUL in western North Carolina. We are very much looking forward to the few days ahead, out of the heat & humidity among the wooded Smokey Mountains in North Carolina.

Day 19 - Mission: Savannah, GA & Lake Aire Campground

Last night was rough. We stayed at Anastasia State Beach which was BEAUTIFUL!



























But we were informed that the campground was infested with stinging & venomous caterpillars, yes caterpillars. So we had to sleep with all of the windows shut in the van because of the sheer number of the bugs. It was so terribly humid outside too - the windows open would have only helped minimally. We wanted to wake up early & see the sunrise so we both only slept about 4 hours each. But the sunrise was well worth the lack of sleep.







































A stop in Jacksonville for breakfast at the Waffle House - the grits were delicious!













A random tour around Amelia Island, Florida in search of a non-existent old pirate village (that's the last time we listen to the locals).
Today we are headed off to tour Savannah, Georgia, Tybee Island & finally stopping for the night in Charleston, South Carolina.













Savannah was a really interesting place.

















The city has at least 12 squares situated throughout the old town. We toured Chippawa Square which is named to commemorate the battle of Chippewa, Canada 1813.


















The statue in the middle of this square is James Oglethorpe who founded the colony of Georgia in 1733.
Right next to it, we passed by this church and just had to take this picture.













Look closely, yep, there it is, God's personal name - Jehovah, engraved on the I Presbyterian Church.
Another cool thing we stumbled upon was this:

















the Paula Deen store
and subsequently stumbled upon this:













the Lady & Son's - Paula Deen's restaurant
We shared the Fried Green Tomatoes & the Crab Stew - it was SO SO SO delicious!
Some sites on Riverfront Street:

















Cable Car

















Cobblestone Streets

















Tug Boats

















Candy Stores with fresh Salt Water Taffy
We headed out to Tybee Island to see the lighthouse there. I wish we could have vacationed for a week here - it was such a cute little town.

















This light could possibly usurp the St. Augustine light for beauty. The fact that it was much easier to photograph helped too.
Then we were off for our final stop for the night, Hollywood, South Carolina












& Lake Aire RV Park & Campground. We had an epiphany & bought screen material to cover the windows of the van allowing us to sleep much more comfortably.

Day 18 - Mission: St. Augustine, FL

This morning we said our good-bye's to Uncle Bob & Aunt JoAnn.
She graciously allowed me to photograph her close-up (remember she took a fall & ended up with 7 stitches and a broken pinky finger?)
As you can see, its all healing nicely.
Today we are heading just a little ways up the coast of Florida, through Daytona & to St. Augustine.
Our first stop was the Ponce de Leon Inlet Lighthouse.
It was pouring rain at the lighthouse & I had another clumsy moment. Note to self: Do not run in the rain in flip flops, especially in front of a complete group of strangers. I fell, scraped my knee, & bruised my pride.
Next, a drive through Daytona Beach & by Daytona International Speedway.
Then a drive out to Fort Matanzas - a small fort to protect the back way into St. Augustine.
Finally we arrived in St. Augustine & at Castillo de San Marcos - the oldest masonry & only 17th century fort in existence in North America.
The walls are made of a material called coquina - a type of rock formed by tiny shells that have bonded together like limestone. As you will see we had some fun here:











Jennifer with the drawbridge guard.











Little doorways - those Spaniard's were short!
















REAL little doorways -
those Spaniard's were REAL short!














Giant cannon













Colby, aka Dr. Juggle's, new act:
the Human Cannonball!!!









And some other highlights from today:









My favorite lighthouse so far:
the St. Augustine Light















Dangerous marine life?













& to end the day:
A beautiful western sunset on
the eastern coast.

Day 17 - Mission: Cocoa Village & around town

Not much to report today & no interesting photos.
We walked the streets of Cocoa Village, another place of history for my family. My aunt used to have a kitchen supply store here and later was the Founder of the Village Craft Fair.
Colby found & treated me to a trip to the village yarn store - Knit & Stitch, where I could pick out anything I wanted. (For those of you who don't know me, I have a crazy obsession with "gourmet" yarn. Malabriga Merino Wool Sock Yarn was my choice, which ironically I plan to make into a hat for Colby. Funny how that worked out!)
Afterward it was off to Wal-Mart for a needed oil change - the poor van did just clear the 3,000 mile mark on our journey.
That evening, a farewell dinner with Grandpa, Uncle and Aunt at the Olive Garden.

Day 16 - Mission: Back to the Beach

Today was a kick back and relax day. We did end up back at Cocoa Beach. Florida is known for its heat & humidity, we did not think May would be so hot. The beach provided welcome relief.
Here's Colby being a kid at heart, building a sand castle. Fun in the Florida sun!