7/11/15
Starting a new adventure in a whole new way. We acquired a 36' Airstream in October 2013. We have done some work on it along the way, but just put new tires on it for this trip. We are a traveling zoo - Nathan's ark; we have Oreo, Patches, and Taylor's fish with us. Mom, Dandy, and Nick are going with us at least the first leg of the trip to Columbia, SC.
After some last minute adjustments and packing we were on the road by 8 a.m. It seems odd to not have Samuel with us, but we'll pick him up from church camp in Charleston tomorrow. Taylor is riding with Ma-maw right now and keeping her company. Beautiful day for a drive!
Arrived safe and sound around 8 and got some visiting in with Buff, Bryan, and the girls before turning in for the night.
7/12
This morning Nathan, Andrew, and I all headed to Charleston to pick Samuel up from church camp. Taylor and Caleb stayed behind to help Uncle Bryan and Aunt Buff with some projects they are working on at the house.
We had no problem finding Samuel and his group. It was so good to see him and bring him back to our fold. But we were thrilled to learn that he is now a park of Jesus' fold as well! He said camp was awesome, and the services were great! He accepted Christ as his savior Thursday night. We are so proud for him!
We spent the day with him at Folly Beach and driving around some through Charleston. We were back in Blythewood around 5 and got in our family time.
6/13
After a big yummy breakfast, we loaded up all the kids and went to Riverbanks Zoo and Gardens. Nathan decided to spend that time doing a little more work on the Airstream, and since Bryan was not feeling well, he chose to stay home and recuperate some.
The gardens were beautiful and full of many varieties of plants and flowers. Taylor seemed to really enjoy getting pictures in the gardens. Samuel was intrigued with all the people floating the river, and said that looks like something he would enjoy, but all the kids were excited to get into the zoo. We started with several rides on the carousel and some trips up the rock climbing wall. From there we made our way to the lorikeets. Here the kids were able to get nectar cups and feed the birds. Some were even able to get them to land on their arms while feeding them. There were also some adorable little koalas in this area.
Though the temperature has been at or above 100 it was not too terribly bad with the water misters throughout the park and the shade trees. We saw the petting zoo, as well as monkeys, giraffes, kangaroos, and tortoises. By the time we left in the late afternoon we were all just about spent.
On the way in Buff had to stop to pick up a cake. She noticed a frozen yogurt shop and remembered that they were running a special this weekend, so we stopped in and took advantage of a good deal to cool off. I think we all pretty much crashed upon getting back to the house.
Nathan managed to get all of the exterior lights changed out on the trailer as well as getting the the refrigerator working. None of us needed to be rocked to sleep by the end of the day!
6/14
Taylor and Caleb joined Ma-maw and the Loves for church this morning. Nathan and Andrew slept in while Samuel and I had a leisurely morning. After church I helped Bethany and Mom set up for a reveal party that the girls wanted to throw, and we found out today that Buff and Bryan will be having a baby boy in October. We went to church with them tonight and then had more visiting at home.
6/15
We pulled out today just before noon headed for Charleston and found a spot at The Campground at James Island. We are thankful to have air in the trailer because the word for June is HOT!!
After getting the trailer in order, we left Oreo, Patches and the fish in the Airstream while we made a trip to Folly Beach. We grabbed a bite to eat and enjoyed walking out on the pier as night settled in. The people fishing on the pier seemed very focused on their task. We watched as one fella reeled in a small stingray. We could also see people combing the beach with flashlights, so we went and joined the party for a while before heading back to the trailer. The boys loved charging the waves and playing in the sand. Andrew commented about how the sand tickled as it would wash out from under his feet.
6/16
We did some laundry this morning while Nathan prepared to shop for more random parts for the trailer. While waiting for Mom, Buff, and the girls to get here, I grabbed a shower in the morning and was surprised to find I had company. There was the cutest little tree frog perched on the shower curtain! He remained there as we respected each other's space. Caleb and I were also able to get in some time out on a green line that they have running through the park.
We began our afternoon with Mom, Buff, and the girls at a neat water park located within the park where we are staying. It was a very welcome relief from the near hundred degree temperatures that we have been fighting. The kids got to enjoy water slides, a lazy river, a water playground, and pool all afternoon. The adults found some refreshment in it as well!
From there we headed back to camp, cleaned up, and headed out for some fresh seafood at Roadside Cafe and an evening dip again at Folly Beach where the older boys tried their luck at skim boarding and the little ones built sandcastles.
Mom, Buff, and the girls decided to bunk down with us tonight in the trailer and spend tomorrow with us as well.
One last trip to the bathhouse tonight greeted me with more of my bright green friends. There they were, big and little, hanging out on the lavatory. As I got to looking, I spotted two little eyes peeping out from the drain at the front of the sink - sure wish I had had my camera for THAT one!
6/17
Yesterday was so hot and busy that we all got a very good night's rest. Ella, who is usually the early riser, was the last to get up this morning. Enjoyed seeing the frogs again this morning. Andrew was quite amused. When he moved the curtain, the frog lept - fortunately towards the wall.
We are facing another scorcher with heat indices over 100. Today our plan was to see the USS Yorktown and Fort Sumter. Mom and Buff decided the ship was a bit more than they were up for, so I sat and visited with them while Nathan took all the kids on board. Taylor found a 3 story escalator on the ship to be intriguing, and Caleb was excited about an open 40 ft. chute that people had been dropping money down into. He and Samuel were also impressed with the quality and variety of foods the men had received on board. I was impressed to see Nathan get back with all 6 kids! ;)
Next we all boarded a ferry to the fort. To say the heat on the island was oppressive would be an understatement! We had received a slight breeze while on the boat, but no air was moving down in the fort. Everyone on board seemed to take a quick overview of the original fort as well as one built within, and then we all headed for the museum or gift shop to find refuge in the air conditioning.
We said our goodbyes to the girls, knowing they would be asleep by the time we got back to camp. Mom and the Buff picked up the dogs and began their trip back. Worn out from the heat, the rest of us shut down for about a three hour nap before heading to the store for groceries. We picked up a few things, ate supper and went right on to bed.
6/18
The heat just seems to slow us down lately. After having some breakfast and getting everyone awake, we headed today to Sullivan's Island. We enjoyed driving around looking at some of the beach houses before grabbing some lunch. Afterwards we went back to the beach and parked near a bridge. There were signs posted forbidding swimming or wading in this area due to rip currents, so we walked on around the beach to find a safe place to swim. We were treated with seeing a couple of dolphins jumping near the bridge as we hiked along the beach. Taylor, Samuel, Caleb had fun digging for clams, looking for crabs and seashells, and simply playing in the ocean. Andrew enjoyed running in and out of the water, even to the point that he could not stand up. He did not seem terribly alarmed that he was floating but could not touch. Nathan was able to get a good nap on the beach and enjoy the sun. The older boys and I all ventured for a brief time to a sandbar not too far from the beach where Samuel found conch shells, and he and Taylor found jellyfish. The winds were great, and while we enjoyed flying a kite and playing frisbee,others were kiteboarding just off the beach. A strong wind blew in every now and then that would lift them several yards off the water. I think that would have been a bit much for me!
We had another lazy evening tonight, but after supper Taylor, Caleb, & I all went for a bike ride through the green line again. Taylor took us over to the fishing dock where he had seen several types of large birds the day before. Though there were none there tonight we did enjoy seeing lots of sand crabs and seagulls. It was nice to ride in the shade of the trees draped in Spanish moss and get a bit of a breeze. As night set in on the dock we were able to see a beautiful sunset over the marsh and hear the songs of some native birds.
6/19
Up and at 'em! On the road by 5:45! We made it to Folly Beach in time to enjoy a peaceful sunrise. Samuel and Caleb rounded up a few crabs in the tide pools, and Oreo enjoyed her first view of the ocean. After walking the beach for a while we headed back to begin packing up and pulling out. We made a brief stop by Johns Island to see the Angel Oak Tree. The Angel Oak Tree is estimated to be in excess of 400-500 years old, stands 66.5 ft (20 m) tall, measures 28 ft (8.5 m) in circumference, and produces shade that covers 17,200 square feet (1,600 meters). From tip to tip Its longest branch distance is 187 ft.
We are winding down our day in Hilton Head. We will stay the next couple of nights at Hilton Head Harbor and look around the area, possibly driving into Savannah tomorrow. This place is a bit more upscale than the last campground. When in a tent I prefer grassy/dirt sites; but with a camper, concrete/landscaped pads are nice and so much easier to set up on!
Caleb has already begun crabbing and has found several little sand crabs down by the boat ramp. He and Samuel are enjoying bike rides through the park.
We enjoyed a lovely sunset at Hudson's while waiting on our table for supper tonight. The server told us that they have a shrimp boat that goes out daily for them. This morning it came back with 4000 lbs of fresh shrimp.
6/20
We were up and around by about 8:30 this morning and headed to Savannah. Taylor has been fighting an awful headache the past day and a half and Samuel's throat has been bothering him for several days.
After following a tour bus trolley through historic Savannah and seeing some wonderful historic sites, I couldn't stand or anymore. Taylor and Samuel looked miserable and it felt like Taylor was now running fever. They have been taking OTC meds, but it just isn't doing the job. :( We are now hanging out at CVS's Minute Clinic hoping to get answers and relief.
Taylor and Samuel are both suffering severe sinus infections and fighting fever, headache, and earaches; but now we have OTC meds, antibiotics, and sprays. I could not help but think of sherry Tomlin today as we waited to have the boys checked out. When she and Christopher went to China to get Macy, she had to take Christopher to the hospital because he was sick. There she was unfamiliar with the medical practices there, the language, and with a sick child. I could only somewhat relate as I worried about finding a good, reliable doctor/nurse practioner on a Saturday in an unfamiliar place. This is another first for us. We have never been on vacation and needed to find a doctor for any of us when we were so far from home.
After taking care of the boys we decided to head to Paula Deen's - The Lady and Sons - for lunch. I had asked the pharmacist to refer us to a good local eatery, and she said this one was very popular. Can't argue that! We waited for over an hour and a half for a table. We were told it would be an hour and ten minutes and decided to stick it out. I am pretty sure that is not what the nurse practitioner meant when she said they needed to get rest. Finally we were seated at around 4 p.m. and told we would be on dinner pricing. After the stress of the day and the hour and a half wait, I questioned the server about it and they gave us the lunch rates. In my opinion everything was still overpriced for a small home cooking buffet. I could have done just as well myself for much less money and not near the way time!
We headed back to camp after lupper, and Taylor went straight to bed. Samuel, Caleb, Andrew and I went to the pool for a short time before turning in.
6/21
Taylor and Samuel are much better this morning, but now Nathan is achy with a sore throat and fever. :( Doesn't seem right for him to suffer through this on Father's Day. He did manage to get up and join us for breakfast before going back to bed.
Caleb spent some time down by the harbor with Taylor this morning, and they reported seeing several blue crabs as well as a stingray. This afternoon we left Nathan to sleep, and we went to the pool to combat the 109 heat index!
There are two pools here, and today we went to the one over by the harbor. I felt a bit out of place at this one because there were many older retirees were hanging out at the pool. I gather some of them must reside here long term. Listening to them talk, some of them reminded me of the Maxine character and were just kind of crotchety. We tried not to bother and them as they sat at the edge of the pool or lounged in the water. But being the mother of the teenage boys and a toddler can make that a challenge. I must say that I found it a bit comical when we stumbled across a way to unintentionally clear the pool.
Andrew has been doing very well on his potty training, and is often eager to go to the bathroom for even the smallest events. I took him to the bathroom while we were at the pool, and he took care of all of his business like a big boy. Proud of his accomplishments, he came out of the bathroom, ran to the pool steps, and before I could hush him up started getting back in boasting to his brothers of all that he had done. Needless to say we had the pool pretty much to ourselves after that! LOL
Tonight for supper we had grilled ham, grilled corn on the cob, and homemade mashed potatoes. I think we could give Paula Deen a run for her money, and our wait was not nearly as long! ;)
Though still feeling a bit weak, Nathan said we should go to Mitchellville Beach at Hilton Head so the boys could hunt shells at lowtide. The server at Hudson's told us this would be a good beach to find seashells because it is not nearly as populated. Boy, he got that one right! There were not many people at all, and the boys were able to find loads of crabs and conch shells. The only catch was that we had to battle a muddy, mucky, yucky mess to get to them. The beach was rippling with little waves of sand crabs and littered with conch shells. We also saw horseshoe crabs on the beach.
We had no idea when we went that we would be getting a special spa mud treatment. Every step was followed by a schlurp as we pulled our feet free. Andrew gave up on his shoes because he kept losing them. He and I wandered out further to the shoreline where he was excited to discover his tall shadow. He proclaimed, "It's Andrew. Now he can open the garage 'doy'!"
Meanwhile, the other boys were closer in finding hermit and blue crabs. Taylor found a good size blue crab that put on quite the karate show!
After we headed back to the car to rinse off, we saw a man who had caught a small shark and was cleaning it up. The boys were all excited to see it, and Taylor was trying to figure out how he could purchase and take it home. Um, no! He said that the shark skin felt like sandpaper, and he was hoping to bring it back and fix up shark soup.
I think that is pretty good evidence that he is feeling better! I am so very glad he and Samuel are doing better. Taylor and I teased that perhaps he had been lovesick as much as he had been physically sick since Madison was unavailable to talk to for the past week until last night.
Nathan is still not feeling well, so we're headed back to get him back in bed in hopes that he will be on the mend by tomorrow.
6/22
The heat and illnesses have really kept us down this trip. Heat index was 114 today. I got up early for a peak at the sunrise but went back to the trailer after enjoying it. Nathan was some better this morning, but slept until after noon. The boys and I went to the cool pool for a couple of hours while I did laundry, and then we actually began to get around.
We decided to drive to the southern shore today and check out the touristy beach. Coligney was much much cleaner and sandier with nicer showers and changing huts as well as a nice blue plastic runner down to the beach to keep from scalding your feet on the sand.
Nathan, Taylor, Andrew and I all took advantage of vacant umbrellas and beach chairs to relax in the shade while we enjoyed a nice ocean breeze. Samuel and Caleb enjoyed the opportunity to get in some more ocean time. Though the beach was pretty, it was littered with way too many umbrellas and people making it difficult to keep an eye on our kids. We stayed for about an hour before packing out up.
We made a stop by Harris Teeters for some of the yummy coconut pecan cookies then headed for the trailer. It was an easy going night of hot dogs and movies.
6/23
I was up again this morning in time to see a beautiful sunrise over Hilton Head harbor. We gradually began to wake up and get things packed and ready to pull out. The plan was to stop back through Blythewood and meet up with Mom, Bethany, and the girls to grab some authentic "South Carolina Pizza" per Caleb's request. Mom and Ella decided to caravan back with us since we were driving back through the area.
We were a bit too leisurely this morning and the pizza took a little longer than expected, so we did not make it to Toccoa Falls as early as we had hoped. We pulled into Toccoa around 8 o'clock. When we got to the campus a student security guard asked what we were there for, and Nathan told her we were there for the rock concert. She looked confused for a brief moment, shrugged, opened the gate and said, "Okay!" We got a good laugh out of her nonchalant attitude. The falls were just as beautiful as we remembered from our trip through here 19 years ago on out honeymoon. The temperatures had dropped quite a bit, so it was a pleasant evening for a hike to the falls and a nice opportunity to stretch. Because it was so late in the day, we opted to stay the night at a Toccoa Falls RV campground. Here we found more long-term residents like there had been in Hilton Head - the exception was Hilton Head seemed to be uptown kind of neighbors whereas Toccoa Falls had backwoods kind of neighbors. You get what you pay for though.
6/24
We woke up rested and ready to head home. We had hoped to see the laser show last night at Stone Mountain, but since we missed that we opted to see it in the daytime.
Stone Mountain was originally designed and started by Gutsom Borglum - the same man who crafted Mount Rushmore. An article that we read stated that the first part of his sculpture was presented in 1924, but this work was later blasted off after he left the project, and the work begun again. It opened in its present form in 1972. To get a better grasp of the size of this carving, imagine that the workers were able to stand inside the horses' mouths or ears in order to find refuge from the elements.
We were able to get a good view of it from the parking lot, but since dogs were not allowed in the park on the observation lawn, Mom and I sat with the dogs while Nathan took the kids in to get a closer look at the sculpture and park.
We finally arrived home tonight about 2500 miles and 4 states later! I joked that we were slacking this year and had cheated ourselves; but considering the large trailer, traveling zoo, and illnesses - I guess we did pretty well!
