Blog #24




ROAD TRIP!



1600 Miles in 30 days


                  

We had a rough start heading down to Lakeland, Florida.  Between Brian's prostate issues, and Hurricane Milton, we had to be very flexible.  Plans were changed numerous times.  But we made it, stayed healthy and had a restful, fun time.


Here's a photo travelog, of our journey south.


First stop, boondocking at Mohegan Sun Casino 


Next stop, Country Acres campground, Lancaster county, Amish country, which was lovely, charming and quaint.

Getting around


Fantastic, Bird in Hand Farmers market!  YUM!


We met up with Sun n Fun friends, Barbara Ann, and Jeff, Emily, and Brian, for coffee in Intercourse, PA.  They all live close to where we were staying.  That weekend Emily and Brian McClure were having a Highland Games at their home and acreage and invited us to come stay with them and enjoy the fun and games.



Lot's of men in Kilts doing macho things.  Delicious food, lots of Fun!
Miss Emily, Flower Babe, Extraordinaire!


From Lancaster county we made our way down to Virginia, skirting around N.Y. City and Washington DC.  We dont want to drive thru those cities on Hwy 95.  We had our first stay in a Military Campground, thanks to Brian's service in the Army.  First one night at Fort Walker, then on to a 2 1/2 week stay Cheatham Annex, a Navy base, just outside of the Historic Triangle, Williamsburg, Jamestown and Yorktown.  We really enjoyed our stay there, very relaxing and lots to see and do.

Entrance to Cheatham Annex Naval Base




  Boat boneyard   

We went for a 3 mile hike, thru the woods, and ended up lost in a naval boneyard. The area we wanted to exit was fenced in and the gates locked.  Luckily a civilian contractor who is in charge of the boneyard saw us.  He probably thought, "What are those 2 morons with the fluffy black and white dog doing in here?"  Luckily for us, he listened to our tale of woe, and unlocked a gate so we didnt have to turn around and walk the 3 miles back to our campspot.



Dusk settling in Williamsburg

Governor's Palace

William and Mary College, established 1693

Historic Yorktown


                                                                                  
          We had wonderful walks in Newport News at the Mariner's Museum and Park.



Mariners museum  Newport News, VA

The USS Lancaster Eagle figureheaed was carved in 1880-1881 by John Haley Bellamy

The Mariners museum in Newport News has one of the largest Figurehead collections in the world.



We really enjoyed our time in the Williamsburg/Newport News area.



Next we headed to Bluffton, South Carolina with a one nights stop in North Carolina on the way.  Were slightly slowed down a bit by a flat tire.  Our tire pressure monitoring system was brilliant and warned us before anything nasty happened.

Brian said, "Time me".  20 minutes later we were ready to go.
Once a Schwabie, always a Les Schwabie.



Hilton Head National RV Resort
Brian and I decided to splurge and we stayed at this RV Resort.  So many amenities to be had.  Very nice for a change from regular camping, and just a 15 minute drive to the beach. 




Beach at Hilton Head



Last stop, Naval Submarine Base, Kings Bay



We really enjoyed Fernandina beach!




And finally we reached Home Sweet Home, ACE campus, 30 days later.
Earlybird Volunteer Campground
Sun n Fun

Oh, and we took an 11 day detour via Panama canal on December 2nd.

Celebrity Beyond, next to another smaller cruise liner.

Docked in Cartagena, Columbia

Not the best picture, but, I saw a Sloth!  More than one!


We toured the Old Walled City of Cartegena with a guide.   Very artsy and bustling with tourists and vendors trying to sell you something.




Young Cadets






Simon Bolivar liberator of Cartegena, Columbia.



Cruising the New Locks at the Panama Canal
on Brians bucket list.✔
No need for mechanical mules in the new Locks

Chilling in the Solarium while in transit thru the canal







Sea Scooter Snorkeling in Aruba, Ruth's bucket list✔

                    
                                                                                                                                                                              












Merry Christmas to all of you!
1  

OXOX Brian, Ruth and Teddy




Happy Trails to You, till we meet again!
                                                                                      

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