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Showing posts from March, 2011

Wilmington, North Carolina

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Although March has chosen to go out like a lion here in NC; we did have one beautiful day where we took advantage and went over to Wilmington . This is lovely old town right on Cape Fear River. Yes, that is the USS North Carolina battleship and there was Coast Guard cutter tied up to the dock too. Made choice to take "Hollywood Walking Tour" so missed out on the cutter tour but oh what a lovely historic town. We walked up and down the streets while our tour guide showed us where different scenes from movies/TV shows were made. The majority of the tour focused on One Tree Hill and Dawson's Creek. We have never seen either of those and most the movies we had never heard of either but what an interesting character. I would not recommend the tour but loved seeing the town. They do have a nice "riverwalk" and gorgeous old Victorian homes. Spring flowers are out; azaleas, wisteria, dogwood - all adding to make this day picture perfect.

FCOC Rally, Myrtle Beach, SC

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Just finished up the FCOC (Freightliner Chassis Owners Club) Rally today. What a lot of fun these past few days at beautiful Ocean Lakes Resort right on Myrtle Beach!!! This is our 1st trip up coast of South Carolina and what a treat! This resort was huge with all the amenities and then some... These homes on the canals are all part of the resort too. Could see this lovely stretch of beach from our coach! Fun times and met some great new people!!!

Brookgreen Gardens, Myrtle Beach, SC

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A visit to Brookgreen Gardens proved to be marvelous! Loved the grounds that once housed a large rice plantation. The plantation home was burned to the ground during the Civil War but grounds were restored by a couple from New York years later. They opened the grounds to the public and fortunate for us because they have incorporated so many lovely art pieces to enhance the natural beauty of wonderful landscaping and planning! These lovely old oaks were planted hundreds of years ago and the effect is worth the trip in itself! Love the history in the eastern part of this country! They even have a small zoo.  A nice way to spend the day walking miles of grounds oohing and ahhing.

Charleston, South Carolina

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These last few days have been very busy with traveling most of a day to get from Georgia to Charleston, SC. Our 1st trip to the coastline of SC. Wow!! Hard to express how nice it is here. Took a trip out to see the USS Yorktown (my dad served on this ship during WWII) and then to historic Charleston! Loved the market place and the "battery" where we strolled the sea wall and exclaimed over the lovely homes there. Spring has sprung here and flowers are not only beautiful but the pollen is something like I don't remember in the past! Yellow everywhere... Amazingly it has not been too bad on my nose and eyes although I am feeling it. Had nearly forgotten Rhett butler was from Charleston but didn't take long to remember.. ha! Loved all these old buildings. Might add amazing the technology back in the 1700's was so good buildings are still standing despite hundreds of years of hurricanes, earthquakes and tornados! Doesn't say much for our improved building methods

Andersonville, GA

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One of our touring days was spent meeting sister Karen and Jeff in Andersonville. This is site of Union prison camp during the Civil War and is now a National Cemetery and Prisoner of War Museum. I was prepared this time and took the whole box of tissues in with me. This place is so moving. We lucked out and were able to see a reenactment in process of life in the camp. I spoke with one of the cooks because the thought of those long dresses just makes me shutter. We've come a long way... Afterwards went for a bite to eat in the little town of Andersonville. A sad note is the Captain who was in charge of Andersonville was later hanged. Always a worthwhile visit. A sad time in our country's history.

Hawaiian Luau in Georgia!

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There is no better way to celebrate getting together with friends than to have a "theme". Peggy our "idea" person was right on with the Hawaiian Luau as our theme... who cares it's early March and we are all in Georgia! The day we arrived here at High Falls State Park we were greeted with thunderstorms but the next day was sunny and we began by having moco loco's at the Munday Roadrunner... midday we celebrated Linda's birthday... ended the day at the Holloway Moose Lodge with kabobs! Fun time was had by all and we met two more great people - Linda and Henry! The 4 of them are planning a whirl wind trip across our great land this spring.. we wish them all a great time and safe traveling.

Georgia On My Mind

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We are on the move; made it across the Florida/Georgia line today! Stopped at welcome center and kissed Florida goodbye. Loved that state but so disappointed in the wildlife and birds especially. Not one blue jay all the time we were there! Disappointing not to see the array of birds we so fondly remembered from times past and even fewer alligators but we still had a wonderful time and met more great people and look forward to returning next winter. Now, it's hello Georgia! Looking forward to visiting with friends and family here near Atlanta... especially looking forward to the luau we have planned...

A young family

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A beautiful little family - Mom, dad and two very young chicks! These sandhill cranes were spotted today in the park here in Clermont. Loved watching them. These young chicks have a way to go to get their size and feathers but won't take long. Have loved the wildlife here from cranes to turtles...