Mmmmmm!!!! Savannah, GA and Low Country South Carolina

After spending most of the winter with the rest of the "Snowbirds" in Central Florida, it was time to start heading North.  The temperatures were heating up, which is hard to believe, since it is in the low 40's in Chicago today.  But yes, it was time.  Florida had been explored literally from tip to tip.  We traveled from Pensacola to Orlando, Tampa to Naples, through The Everglades, down to Key West, and back up to Jacksonville.  I'd say we covered that state pretty well.  The only thing we missed was Miami, and we'll leave that for all the pretty people.  We were excited to add another state to our map, and actually added two within a week!

Putting states 10 and 11 on the map!

People have asked us how we decide where to stop, and for how long.  And although we have a general idea of where we are headed, occasionally we will make a little pit stop based on recommendations along the way.  That was just the case with Savannah, GA.  After Jacksonville, we planned on going straight to Charleston, SC, but we were lucky enough to stay in Savannah for a few days. Our campsite was on Skidaway Island, just outside of Savannah on a barrier island.  We set up under some massive live oaks covered in Spanish Moss.  Our prettiest site so far. 

Skidaway Island, Georgia

Savannah and Charleston have many similarities, one being the AMAZING food!  One of the most surprising things on this adventure is how much we have grown to love trying different food.  Don't get me wrong, we love grilling out at home, but we also love experiencing a city's culture through the local food.  And the Low Country cuisine was some of the best food we've ever had.  We tried it all.  We had Shrimp & Grits, Chicken & Waffles, Hoppin' Johns (black eyed peas and rice), tomato pie, rutabagas, collard greens, sweet potato cornbread, fried green tomatoes, real pimento cheese, and the best lima beans EVER!  Oh, and I am now hooked on sweet tea, and Chris has tried almost every edible part of a pig.  Whew, time for a diet!  Now, being from Kansas we hadn't tried most of these Southern food dishes before, one of which was my soft shell crab sandwich.  I was at lunch one day at a road side food stand called the Tomato Shed Cafe, and I asked the waitress for her recommendation.  With a smile she said the soft shell crab was fresh.  I had heard that soft shell crab was amazing, but to only get it when it's in season.  So I ordered my sandwich, a side of tomato pie, and started sipping on my sweet tea.  A few minutes later my food comes, and to my surprise they had deep fried the whole crab!  Embarrassed, I had to ask the waitress how to eat it.  She gave me a "bless your heart" look, and said I eat the whole thing.  I dug in, it was tasty, and luckily I didn't get sick.

After reading and talking to folks, we decided on two restaurants to try while in Savannah; Elizabeth on 37th, and Mrs. Wilkes' Boarding House.  Paula Deen is probably Savannah's most famous chef, and she had a line out the door at her place, but that's not where we went.  It happened to be my birthday, and we celebrated at Elizabeth on 37th.  This James Beard winning restaurant is in a beautiful mansion outside downtown Savannah.  Dinner was wonderful, and to surprise the birthday girl we were treated to their signature Savannah Cream Cake with a candle on top.  This is angel food and sherry laced custard cake with berry sauce and custard sauce.  Are you hungry yet?  Mrs. Wilkes' was the following day.  People stand in line for hours to eat at this well established eatery.  The food at this restaurant is served family style, with ten strangers sitting around large tables.  You share fried chicken, and more sides than we can count (We lost count at 23)!  This was well worth the wait.

Almost to the front of the line

Our "After" photo

On to Charleston, SC, where we enjoyed more amazing food at places like Magnolia's, Fat Hen, Dixie Supply Bakery, and Martha Lou's for fried chicken and famous lima beans.  Now, there is more to this city besides their fabulous food.  We visited a working plantation, and spent a few days just walking around the historic downtown. We even took a carriage ride through the different neighborhoods.  I even found a place I could call home.

A street sign in Charleston

Chris and Ashley on a carriage ride.

Our time on the coast ended with a bike ride along the beach on Kiawah Island. It's time to head inland.

Ashley riding on the beach on Kiawah Island

Next stop... Asheville, NC.

 

Have you seen my golf ball?

You can keep the golf ball!

Over the last few years I haven't had the opportunity to play much golf.  Life gets in the way, and the closest I found myself was hitting golf balls at the driving range every once in awhile.  Ashley enjoys our time at the golf range, but was ready for golf lessons to start enjoying the game.  Luckily, after some great golf vacations over the last year, and our access to some great courses and weather as we travel the country, we decided it was time.

The golf spark was triggered two years ago when we had the chance to attend The Masters in Augusta, GA.  The condition of the golf course was amazing, and television does not do it justice.  We attended a practice round and enjoyed the laid back atmosphere of the players and patrons (how the Masters refers to it's fans).  Watching the Masters on television is so much fun now that we have seen it in person!

Last year, my parents invited us to the Ryder Cup in Chicago.  The atmosphere at the Ryder Cup was the opposite of what existed at The Masters.  Unlike most golf tournaments where each player is playing against each other, at the Ryder Cup it's the best players of The United States against the best of Europe.  USA and European roars and cheers were exchanged throughout the day.  After a day on the course, we met up with some family friends at Top Golf.  I wish I would have thought of this idea.  Essentially it is a real driving range that uses electronic chips in the golf balls, and by combining it with numerous targets, food, and beer turns it into a fun game!  It's golfs version of Dave and Busters and bowling combined together, and it was a blast for everyone regardless of your golfing experience level!

In front of Medinah Country Club at the Ryder Cup

Mom, who hadn't hit a golf ball for over 10 years.  She's a natural!

My brother Jon suggested a 7 Iron

Dad invited myself and two of his best friends for a two day golf outing in Las Vegas.  During our golf lesson Butch Harmon (Tiger Wood's former coach) was instructing someone a few bays down from us.  Pretty neat!  We had the chance to play what are now my favorite courses, Cascata and Rio Secco.  The views and service were amazing.  I am hopeful the pointers learned during my lesson will last for a long time.

Our "Before" picture

Attention to detail everywhere

This brings us to Orlando.  Ashley and I have set up camp 15 minutes from Disney, a city in and of itself.  We will be in Florida for a few months waiting out the cold before heading north, up the east coast.  This has been our chance to continue our excitement from our golf vacations and really start playing instead of only watching. 

To get things started we were fortunate to find a golf instructor for Ashley and she is making tremendous progress!  Each day after hitting golf balls, we have a putting contest, and I'm sad to admit Ashley has already become an equal match on the putting green!

Ashley showing off her textbook
follow thru in our "Backyard"

I showed up to play a round of golf, and was excited when I heard I would be playing by myself.  I asked if Ashley could ride along with me and watch as I played 18 holes.  "No problem", they said.  It was Ashley's first time on a golf course, so I handed her the keys and said, "You're driving!"  It was so much fun having Ashley along with me during my round of golf, and lucky for me she enjoyed raking bunkers, looking for golf balls, and giving me advice in her hilarious "golf accent"!

My best and only caddie ever!

While in Orlando, we have enjoyed many days at Disney and all of their resorts (to be talked about in a future post).  We have noticed Disney does it right on everything, so I figured their golf courses would be no different.  We were right!  Disney has four golf courses on property; Magnolia, Palm, Buena Vista, and Osprey Ridge.  I was lucky enough to play all four and was surprised how different each course was.  The Palm and Magnolia, which until last year hosted a PGA Tour Event, were very "resort style" while Osprey Ridge was more of a "nature" course, and you would never know you were playing next to a Disney Theme Parks.  What an experience!

  

Disney Tee Markers

During our last days in Orlando, our good friends The Snellers, came into town.  Hannah, was attending a medical convention, which allowed Andy and I to sneak in a few rounds of golf before meeting back up with the girls for some dinner and drinks.

Disney's famous Mickey Mouse sand trap

Attempting the "Drinking Around The World" at Epcot

In March, I celebrated my birthday which Ashley surprised me with a visit to the World Golf Hall of Fame in St Augustine, FL.  It is a very impressive facility, hosting two championship golf courses, an island green challenge, an 18 hole miniature golf course played on real grass, and the Hall of Fame itself.  If you are a golf fan this must be added to your golf bucket list!

I'm not sure they have custom fitting perfected yet

Posing on the St Andrews Bridge

Ashley showing off her winning
score card from our putting challenge

We have had a blast in Florida, and as sad as we are to leave, we are excited to start heading north and "adding more states to our map".  Next stop, Charleston SC, we think.  But we never know where we will end up until we get there.  As always, thanks for reading!

Posing with Chi Chi Rodriguez, the name on Ashley's
first golf clubs over twenty years ago, "Chi Chi II's"

Sweet Home Alabama

Gulf Shores, AL

October 31, 2012-  Leaving Nashville, headed for Orlando, FL.  We got a later start than we wanted...  This is how a lot of my travel journal entries start.  For one reason or another something always seems to delay us.  Today, it happened to be the freshwater tank.  I knew it would be a long two and a half day drive to Orlando, so I asked Chris to put just enough water in the tank for the journey since we would be dry camping (no sewer) until we got to FL.  Well... He accidentally overflowed the 100 gallon watertank!  Oops.  After draining quite a bit of the water, we were on the road.  Chris and I headed South on I-65.  It had just started cooling off, and the trees were full of beautiful colored leaves.  We originally were headed straight to Orlando, and opted to head south on I-65 instead of across 24 because the East Coast was getting hit with Hurricane Sandy aka "Frankenstorm".  This route was about 65 miles extra, but allowed us to avoid the snow East Tennessee was getting, as well as the traffic of Atlanta.

Tennessee was such beautiful country, and full of trees, and then... We crossed into Alabama.  Not sure what happened in those few miles, but the trees were gone, people started driving different, the road itself changed, and every mile there was a Waffle House!  We stopped for fuel in Northern Alabama, and Chris came out saying, "about half the people in that gas station had on camo.  And it wasn't working very well because I could still see them!"  Alabama wasn't off to a good start, but hey, we were just driving through, right? 

Waffle House + Camo = Alabama

As we are driving down I-65, Chris says to me, "I feel like we're missing the Gulf Coast".  And just like that we changed our route!  We ended up staying six weeks in LA, that's Lower Alabama, between the beautiful beaches of Gulf Shores and Pensacola, FL, and the Eastern Shore of Mobile Bay.  Our park was in a quiet, relaxing rural area, and just what we needed after a busy few weeks.  We found ourselves splitting our time equally between the beach, and the small bay town of Fairhope, AL.  The Gulf Coast beaches have the finest, whitest sand I've ever seen.  This is also an amazing place for wildlife and bird watching.  Here in Alabama, I got over my lifelong fear of birds.  The pelicans, cranes, and ibis are such amazing animals.  I never thought I would be content just sitting on a beach watching birds!  Huh.  Does that mean I'm getting old?

We spent quite a bit of time in the bay town of Fairhope, AL.  Riding our bikes along the quiet Eastern Shore, we enjoyed the relaxing Southern lifestyle, eating lots of fresh seafood, and visiting the boutiques and galleries of this small town.  I have a hard time putting into words how memorable this town was, but here is a link to an article http://www.smithsonianmag.com/travel/My-Kind-of-Town-Fairhope-Alabama.html

Biking the Eastern Shore

Seafood at Big Daddy's in Fairhope, AL

Chris really enjoyed visiting the Naval Base in Pensacola.  This is where the Blue Angels are based, and there is an amazing air museum here.  If you ever get a chance to see the Blue Angels, definitely do it.  Although, we didn't get to watch them fly on this trip, we have seen them before, and it's quite incredible.  Hopefully, we can return, and watch them practice from the top of nearby Pensacola Lighthouse.  From above, you get a completely different view, and the planes frequently "buzz" the lighthouse.    

Chris in a Blue Angels cockpit

We also got to meet up with my cousin Kreston, who is going to school in Pensacola.  He showed us around the town.  His parents and sisters came down for Thanksgiving, and Chris and I got to hang out with all the "K Family" at what Kreston called Chicken Bone Beach.  This is close to Ft. Pickens, an old civil war fort near Pensacola.  While at the beach we saw lots of rays swimming by, and jumping out of the water.  You don't see that back in Kansas!

Southern Style Thanksgiving with the "K's" (Ken, Karla, Kreston, Kaley, and Kelsey)

Chris and Ashley, Pensacola, FL

I must admit I truly enjoyed our stay in Alabama.  I have to savor these relaxing days, before heading to fast-paced Orlando.  

 

Music City USA

We stopped down in Nashville, TN in mid-October.  Just a day after an unseasonable tornado warning in the St. Louis area, we hit the highway to Music City USA.  Chris and I had watched a couple episodes of the new TV show "Nashville", and were excited to check out the town.  Our first night we headed downtown to enjoy some live music in those famous honky tonks my Grandpa D had told me about.  Give me some live music, a cold beer, and I'm a happy girl.  After dinner at Jack's Bar-B-Que, we wandered up and down Broadway listening to some country bands.  We had our fill of the Broadway scene, and wanted to check out something different.  Chris read about a blues club a few blocks away, so off we went to a place called Printer's Alley.  Immediately I felt like I was in New Orleans.  The colors, architecture, music, and ambiance all said "Big Easy."  There was even a fire breathing waitress who threw Mardi Gras beads to us in the balcony!  I loved it.

Ashley found Elvis

Chris on Broadway

Nashville is the home to many stars, so we booked a tour to see where they lived.  Just to mention a few, we saw the homes of Martina McBride, Tim and Faith, Garth and Trisha, Taylor Swift, and Little Jimmy Dickens.  We heard you may see stars around town.  In our case it was Vince Gill and Vanderbilt Head Coach Kevin Stallings having breakfast at the Pancake Pantry.  Yep, there we were enjoying some AMAZING sweet potato pancakes, and sitting next to us were those two!

I must say one of the coolest things of this stop was experiencing The Bluebird Cafe.  If you've never heard of this place, it is a must for music lovers.  This intimate venue holds a maximum of 100 people on any night.  It's a place where songwriters are featured, and where people are discovered.  That night, we had the pleasure of seeing four performers "in the round".  So basically four guys sat in a circle with their guitars, and went around playing songs and telling stories.  This was one of the places I was most excited about on our Nashville stop.  I had seen it on "Nashville", and the movie, "The Thing Called Love",  and we almost didn't get in!  We were standing in line with about 20 people in front of us and another 15 behind us when the host came out. She said there was room for only 11 people.  I was heartbroken, but tried not to let it show.  Some people got mad, others just left.  Soon, we were the only ones left in line.  Chris and I knew from our time non-reving not to leave until we were certain there were no seats left.  Sure enough, just as we were about to leave, a couple walked out the door.  This left two seats open for us!  So glad when things work out.

The Bluebird Cafe

On stage at the Grand Ole Opry

What trip would be complete without a stop to the Grand Ole Opry.  Wow, what history!  Our campsite was down the road from here, and even though Chris is not a huge country music fan, I talked him into a tour.  The tour included going backstage, seeing the dressing rooms, and even getting our picture taken on the Grand Ole Opry stage!  Luckily, the Opry has been fully renovated after a devastating flood hit Nashville a couple years ago.  I was fortunate enough to score an amazing center stage seat for a show.  It is unlike any other concert you will ever attend, because it is actually a LIVE radio brodcast.  I saw multiple acts ranging from up and coming country stars, to old timers such as the likeable Little Jimmy Dickens, who has been a member of the Opry since 1948.  The nightly talent is always changing, you never know who will be performing at the Grand Ole Opry.  I wish we could stay and see more shows, but the temperature is dropping, so it's time to head South. 

Meet Me In St Louis

I know it has been awhile since I last posted, but hopefully this is the beginning of regular updates on our adventure!

Warning:  I had this post almost completed last month, but forgot to finish it up, so the events will seem out of order.  So with that...


First of all, Ashley and I are officially graduates of RV Boot Camp!

Our graduation button

We didn't know what to think going in, but it ended up becoming one of the best investments we have ever made.  We now have a firm grasp on numerous topics ranging from water management to propane usage to weight/balance, and thanks to RV driving lessons I can safely navigate "The Coach" through cities and campsites.

Originally, we had planned on staying in Sedalia only for the RV Boot Camp.  We learned it was only the first part of a week long "RV Rally" called Escapade, so we decided to stay.  For the next five days we attendend numerous seminars, had the coach weighed, and met some of the most helpful and nicest people we have ever met.  Among them were our new friends from Canada, Claire and Lawrence.  I think they saw the look of fear on my face as I attempted to work on the Motorhome, and were quick to help me out, exchange some great stories, and cook some excellent meals.  We can't thank them enough for all of their help!

Ashley, The Bounder, and The Wrangler at Escapade

During Escapade each night various entertainment was provided including our favorite of the week, Yakov Smirnoff.  If you have a chance to see him, do it!  His act is hilarious, but with a meaning.  Yakov's love of this country is evident throughout the show, and he is most famous for his highly used catch line, "Vvvvvaaatttt A Coooouuuntry!"  After the show he made himself available for pictures and autographs.

Yakov Smirnoff is the one in the middle!

We can't say enough about the experience we had at RV Boot Camp/Escapade and we are hopeful to attend next year in Gillette, Wyoming, if our schedule permits.

After packing up, a little work to help pay the bills, and one final stop in Kansas, it was time to hit the road.  First stop, Columbia MO.

Ashley's cousin Dana, "cousin-in-law" Larry (that's what they call it, right?), and cute nephew Liam, live in Columbia.  For any of you that are worried, I promise they still cheer for Kansas State!

Ashley had heard great things about the Katy Trail, which runs 237 miles across most of Missouri, and formerly was the MKT railroad line.  Larry and Dana's beautiful new house is located literally next to this trail.  Larry, a professional bike racer, told us the best part of the trail to take, a 30 mile round trip along the Missouri River.  Realizing that we haven't biked 30 miles combined in the last five years, he seemed to become concerned that maybe we were taking on too much for our first trip.  After promising we would call him if we needed to picked up, we headed out.  Five hours and four sore legs later we finished.  What an excellent ride!

Mile 1 of 30

After a great couple of days, we headed towards St. Louis.  We pulled into our first campsite, hooked up, and watched the sunset while enjoying a few adult beverages.

We had one more day before we had to head back for work, so we decided to enjoy some of the sites of St. Louis, and taste a few of their beers.

After our ride to the top

In front of the World Series trophy

On the field at Busch Stadium

Ashley practicing calling the shots

Before the Beer Tour

The temperatures are getting a little too close to freezing for our comfort, so we are debating if we are heading straight to Florida, or will make a few more stops on the way.  By the time of our next post we should know, and hopefully have more stories to come.  Thanks for reading!

Hermann, MO Das ist Gut

Here is a little taste of what we experienced in Missouri.  Chris will be telling more about our escapades soon.

Just over an hour west of St. Louis you will find the small town of Hermann.  Sitting on the banks of the Missouri River, you may think you have been transported to the Rhine in Germany.  Oktoberfest is one of the most popular times to visit.  The first four weekends in October have live music, German food, and excellent people watching.  Not to mention arts and shopping.  To get there, I drove, but you can also take Amtrak, which I can only imagine has amazing scenery.  Filled with lots of local vineyards, you can get your fill of award winning, mostly sweet, wines, similar to German wines you would have from the Rhine River Valley.  Make sure and check out each winery while visiting, as they are all a bit unique.  Three of our family favorites are Stone Hill Winery, which is probably the largest and most well known, Hermannhof Winery, and Adam Puchta Winery.  Stone Hill sits up on a hill not too far from the city campgrounds.  By the way, I wouldn't say it is an easy walk up or down.  It is a bit quieter here during Oktoberfest, but they have many festivals throughout the year, including Maifest and Cajun Fest in July.  Adam Puchta is just outside of town, and a must visit. Hermannhof Winery is right in the middle of town.  The Amtrak train stops right across the street, so this is always popular.  Watch out for the girls in heels trying to walk up the grass hill, they may take you down when they fall.  Make sure and visit the Hermannhof Festhalle to listen to local German music by the Loehnig Family.  Try some Polka dancing, or just sit back and enjoy the entertainment.  The Loehnig Family has a large following, so you can watch some very talented folks dance.  Also, this building is a great place to be on chilly or rainy days. Hope you enjoy.  Auf Wiedersehen!

Grandpa D and I at the Festhalle