We start off our trip with Michiel joining us for the first leg to Savannah, GA. We take the coastal routes and avoid the interstate as much as we can. There is so much beauty to see traveling on country and back roads.
The leaves are starting to change in the Northeast. We leave Nashua, NH heading west then south into the Berkshires of Massachusetts. We stop in Stockbridge, MA where we have Keith's birthday lunch at The Red Lion Inn.
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| Our first stop French King Bridge, Route 2 West, Erving, MA |
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| Cat and Dog Fountain by Otello Guarducci in Stockbridge, MA |
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| Red Lion Inn, Main Street, Stockbridge, MA |
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| Keith's birthday lunch at the Red Lion Inn |
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| Strolling Main Street after lunch |
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| Historic Main Street, Stockbridge, MA |
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| Michiel, Keith and Wayne at Norman Rockwell Museum, Stockbridge, MA |
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| Original poster Woodstock Music Festival |
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| Norman Rockwell's art studio looking over The Berkshires |
It rained most of the time at Norman Rockwell's, we are off towards NY making our way southeast to the coast along backroads. We continue heading east and stop in Seaside Heights, NJ along a beach road, park and sleep.
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| Beach off Tenth Avenue, Seaside Heights, NJ |
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| Coffee time in the Tiny Home along the beach road in Seaside Heights, NJ |
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| Lucy the Elephant, Margate City, NJ |
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| Pouring rain and heavy winds along the Boardwalk |
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| Jersey Shore |
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| Along the Boardwalk Jersey Shore |
We travelled the entire coastline of NJ on Route 9
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| Our Route in NJ, cannot use enough adjectives to describe how beautiful coastal NJ is in one word. |
The trip down the New Jersey coast was fun as we stopped along the way just to see the beaches, changes in the weather. We looked forward to the Cape May ferry and driving the RV onto the boat for the crossing. Our time together was a real gift.
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| Leaving Cape May, NJ on the ferry to Lewes, DE |
We moved down the coast quite fast by 4Oct we parked along the Boardwalk in Rehoboth Beach, DE. We went out to dinner and met some local guys for drinks. We woke to the sounds of crashing waves, nice beach and walked along the Boardwalk.
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| Sunrise over Rehoboth Beach, nice to finally see the sun |
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| Great place to have our morning coffee |
After our walk along the boardwalk we were ready to set our sites on the wild horses of VA.
We drove through some flooded streets as we left Delaware into Maryland before we crossed into Virginia.
On our way to Chincoteague along route 175 we started to pass satellite dishes when we saw signs for NASA and Wallops Flight Center. The three of us were like little kids and we found the visitor center to see the rockets and an exhibit.
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| Nike-Cajun Rocket used to study upper atmosphere |
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| Wallops Flight Center visitor exhibition |
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| Wayne and Keith out and about the facility |
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| Michiel |
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| Keith walking down to towards the marsh, we were in the stands where you can watch the launches |
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| Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge from Wallops |
After NASA our experience we drove to Chincoteague National Wildlife Reserve and saw the Assatague Lighthouse, the horses, egrets and the beautiful landscape. After a fairly short walk from the parking lot, we walked along a sandy, mosquito infested path to this beauty.
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| Assateague Light House |
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| Assateague Light House and the wild horses at Chickoteague National Wildlife Refuge |
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| Chickoteague National Wildlife Refuge |
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| Wild horses |
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| Wild horses at Chickoteague National Wildlife Refuge |
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| Chickoteague National Wildlife Refuge |
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| Taking photos of the horse while we parked |
We drove over to Toms River for a walk along the beach. It was peaceful, warm and fun for us. We enjoying the sun, surf and the Sandpipers/plovers.
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| Parked at Toms River |
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| Toms River |
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| Sandpipers and Plovers on the beach |
We wanted to cross Cape Charles and the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel before the sun set. We were lucky and saw the sun setting as we went across back to the mainland and Virginia Beach.
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| Selfie with Michiel as we begin to cross the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel at sunset |
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| Crossing the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel |
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| Keith drove us across while Michiel and Wayne got to enjoy the setting sun |
We went to James City where we arrived after dark and stayed on a beautiful primitive sites Chickahominy Riverfront Park our first night. This awesome couple came to the entrance in their golf cart and checked us into a large primitive site with a u-turn for easy entry and exciting. The night was quiet, pure solitude.
We covered a lot of territory heading down the coast. Woke on 5Oct to sunshine and clear skies, saw the Chickahominy waterfront had breakfast then headed off to Colonial Williamsburg for the day. We toured the Governor’s Palace, the Magazine, saw the Fife and Drum Corp coming up Main Street, lunch at Chowning’s Tavern, we spoke with the Blacksmith, Apothecary, African American exhibit on slavery, Capital Building where the governing members assembled. End with the Fife and Drum Corp of Colonial Williamsburg playing on the green to close the day.
We went back to the campground to a different site, had dinner outside and relaxed.
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Chickahominy Riverfront Park - James City County, VA
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Chickahominy Riverfront Park primitive campsite
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We were excited about going to Colonial Williamsburg to walk back into colonial America. Williamsburg was founded as the capital of the Virginia Colony in 1699. The original capital, Jamestown was the first permanent English-speaking settlement in the New World founded in 1607. Colonial leaders petitioned the Virginia Assembly to relocate the capital from Jamestown to Middle Plantation, five miles inland between the James and the York Rivers. The new city was renamed Williamsburg in honor of England's reigning monarch, King William III.
Williamsburg was one of America's first planned cities. Laid out in 1699 under the supervision of Governor Francis Nicholson.
Williamsburg also became a center of learning. Famous political leaders emerged from the College of William and Mary, (which had been founded in 1693), such as Presidents Thomas Jefferson, James Monroe, and John Tyler. The first hospital established in America for the care and treatment of mental illness was founded in Williamsburg in 1773. In 1780, the Capitol was moved to Richmond, up the James River. General George Washington assembled the Continental Army in Williamsburg in 1781 for the siege of nearby Yorktown and the winning of American independence.
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| Keith and Wayne in front of the Governor's Palace, Colonial Williamsburg, VA |
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| Colonial Williamsburg |
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| The green in front of the Governor's Palace |
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| Fife and Drum Corps of Colonial Williamsburg marching up the Main Street |
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| Keith and Michiel in front of the Magazine |
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| Williamsburg near the end of the day, serene and peaceful |
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| Fife & Drum Corp of Williamsburg ends the day |
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| Keith and Wayne in the gallows |
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| Full day of history, with interactive speakers |
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| Ending our day at camp, Chickahominy Riverfront Park |
Next day we went to Jamestowne Settlement, where on December 1606, the journey to Virginia began on three ships: the Susan Constant, the Godspeed, and the Discovery. In 1607, 104 English men and boys arrived in North America to start a settlement. On May 13 they picked Jamestown, Virginia for their settlement, which was named after their King, James I. The settlement became the first permanent English settlement in North America.
The founding of Jamestown, America’s first permanent English colony in Virginia in 1607 – 13 years before the Pilgrims landed at Plymouth in Massachusetts – sparked a series of cultural encounters that helped shape the nation and the world. The government, language, customs, beliefs and aspirations of these early Virginians are all part of the United States’ heritage today.
The Susan Constant, Godspeed and Discovery, carrying 105 passengers, one of whom died during the voyage, departed from England in December 1606 and reached the Virginia coast in late April 1607. The expedition was led by Captain Christopher Newport. On May 13, after two weeks of exploration, the ships arrived at a site on the James River selected for its deep water anchorage and good defensive position. The passengers came ashore the next day, and work began on the settlement. Initially, the colony was governed by a council of seven, with one member serving as president.We saw a sword fight when we entered the fort, spoke with the interpreters in each of the buildings to understand more of the history of the fort from blacksmith, cook, armory and shipwrights.
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| The voyage from England to Virginia across 6,000 miles of sea, lost only one passenger in the Caribbean. Left London on 20 Dec 1606 and arrived in Virginia on Jamestown Island 13 May 1607. |
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| Outside the entrance to the Park |
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| Entering Jamestowne Fortress completed June 15, 1606 |
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| Jamestowne Settlement |
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| Rowe House |
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| Sword fighting |
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| Susan Constant |
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| On board the Susan Constant |
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| Michiel on board the Susan Constant |
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| Wayne and Keith assist in hoisting the sail on Susan Constant |
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| Discovery |
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| Wayne on Discovery holding the Portuguese Canon |
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| Blacksmith |
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| Blacksmith |
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| Interpreter in the Armory |
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| Interpreter from the Armory shows how to load powder and shot then discharges the gun |
We explored the Powhatan way of life in the re-created village featuring reed-covered houses, crops and a ceremonial circle of carved wooden posts.
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| Reed covered house |
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| interior of Powhatan house |
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| interior of Powhatan house |
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| Powhatan interpreter making arrowheads |
Serious problems soon emerged in the small English outpost, which was located in the midst of a chiefdom of about 14,000 Algonquian-speaking Indians ruled by the powerful leader Powhatan. Relations with the Powhatan Indians were tenuous, although trading opportunities were established. An unfamiliar climate, as well as brackish water supply and lack of food, conditions possibly aggravated by a prolonged drought, led to disease and death. Many of the original colonists were upper-class Englishmen, and the colony lacked sufficient laborers and skilled farmers.
After visiting Jamestown Settlement we set off back to Colonial Williamsburg. We arrived in the early afternoon to take in more of the history of Great Hopes Plantation, George Wythe House then a visit to William & Mary.
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| Great Hopes Plantation |
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| Tobacco House at Great Hopes Plantation |
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| George Wythe House |
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| Historic tour of Colonial Williamsburg |
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| Bruton Parish Church (Angelican formerly Church of England) |
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| Tailor shop |
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| Campus College of William & Mary |
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| College of William & Mary |
Charter was granted by King William and Queen Mary in 1693 by fostering "good arts and sciences" and by educating the youth in 'good letters and manners". The College has maintained its original mission as "a place of universal study".
After we finished walking down the main streets of Colonial Williamsburg, we started to travel to the Outer Bank of North Carolina. First stop was Oregon Inlet where Uncle Billy Midgette ran his charter fishing boat "Pelican".
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| Oregon Inlet, NC |
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| Fishing fleet of Hatteras Boats |
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| Oregon Inlet fishing fleet |
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| Crossing over to the Outer Banks |
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| Pea Island, Outer Banks Scenic Highway |
We took Route 12 as far as we could along the Outer Banks along the Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge. We could not get the ferry from Hatteras to Ocracoke since it was not running for cars or passengers due to the recent damage from Hurricane Dorian.
We passed Pea Island Ocean Waves Campground and thought we could stay the night. We met a group of woman in the office that were playing cards. Keith and I wanted so badly to stay and play but we thought we would come back and stay again. They were playing a variation of Hand and Foot and Baja Canasta.
Nice campground along the dunes, clean and peaceful.
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| Michiel setting up camp for dinner |
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| Sunset over the campground |
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| A short climb from the RV |
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| Woke up to this, sat on the dune and had coffee |
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| Life can be so easy |
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| Ocean Waves Campground 25313 N 12 Hwy, Waves, NC 27982 |
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| Surreal location with the dunes and sun, waves crashing on the beach beyond |
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| Peace and tranquility |
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| Ocean Waves Campground |
We pack up the camper and start heading back up the Outer Banks, destination Nags Harbor to see visit with family on the causeway. We are super excited to see Deborah and spend a night with her.
First we stop after breakfast is The Bodie Island Light Station is located at the northern end of Cape Hatteras National Seashore.
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| The current Bodie Island Lighthouse is the third that has stood in this vicinity of Bodie Island on the Outer Banks in North Carolina and was built in 1872. It stands 156 feet tall and is located on the Roanoke Sound side of the first island that is part of the Cape Hatteras National Seashore. |
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| Keith and Wayne another North Carolina Lighthouse |
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| At Bodie Island, you have the chance to climb the 214 steps and take in the gorgeous natural surroundings of Bodie Island, the Atlantic Ocean, and Pamlico Sound. |
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| Beautiful view of the Outer Banks |
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| Keith at the bottom of the steps |
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| Body Lighthouse and Lightkeeper's House |
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| Looking from the Memorial to the exhibit and to the 4 markers, the area used to be dunes |
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| overlooking Nags Head |
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| Wright Brothers Memorial |
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| Keith and Wayne at the Wilbur and Orville Wright Memorial |
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| Selfie time below the memorial |
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| Bronze depiction of the first flight |
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| Wayne and Michiel at Wright Brothers |
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| Our home and the Memorial |
We spent the evening with Deborah at the house on the causeway in Nags Head, NC. We had a lovely time on the porch, lights went out and the candles went on. We had a fun time then the following day toured Manteo and visited Aunt Phyllis Anne in Mans Harbor some before heading south.
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| Roanoke Marshes Light, It marks the south entrance to the channel through Croatan Sound, to the east of a marshy shoal extending from the western shore. This places it in the deepest bottom in the area. |
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| Roanoke Marshes Light in Manteo, NC |
Later that day we traveled to Wilmington, NC. Michiel was getting the full tour of history in the area. We were all enjoying the time spent together and showing him the area. It was enjoyable to be back in North Carolina. We parked the RV for the night at Port City Marina and slept really well along the Cape Fear River.
We had dinner with Beverly, Ashley and Maggie our first night in Wilmington, NC. We went to Fortunate Glass to see Tom, had a drink with him. We boondocked our home in the parking lot of Port City Marina for a couple of nights. It was nice to be back in Wilmington and show Michiel the historic district.
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| Atlantic Coast Line Railroad Museum |
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| Walk about Historic Wilmington, Dr. Anderson's Office 1871 |
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| Beautiful stately home |
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| Gorgeous antebellum homes |
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| Along the Cape Fear Riverwalk |
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| Cotton Exchange Building Michiel and Keith |
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| Wayne and Keith at the Cotton Exchange Building |
After having breakfast and walking around downtown we set off towards South Carolina. We stopped for the night in Myrtle Beach, SC at Briarcliffe RV Resort and had dinner at Johnny Rockets. Super touristy area, glad we only stayed the night here before heading off to Charleston.
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| Briarcliffe RV Resort |
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| Amusement area at Barefoot Landing |
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| Inter-coastal Waterway at Barefoot Landing |
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| Inter-coastal waterway |
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| Leaving Myrtle Beach |
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| Wragg Square, Charleston, SC |
Wragg Square is one of the most historic parks in the City of Charleston, dating back to the early 19th century. The park is bounded by a historic brick wall and a finely crafted wrought-iron fence, and while the wall and fence create a beautiful setting, peaceful place to sit and stroll away from the street.
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| Charleston, the South Carolina port city founded in 1670, is defined by its cobblestone streets, horse-drawn carriages and pastel antebellum houses, particularly in the elegant French Quarter and Battery districts. The Battery promenade and Waterfront Park both overlook Charleston Harbor, while Fort Sumter, a federal stronghold where the first shots of the Civil War rang out, lies across the water. |
We started our walk along the Waterfront Promenade towards the Battery District lined with historical houses overlooking the water towards Fort Sumter. There were a few sailboats on the water in the distance.
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| Michiel and Keith in front of historic home on the corner of East Battery and Atlantic. |
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| One of the most significant Greek Revival homes in Charleston, the Roper House. Built in 1838 for cotton planter Robert Williams Roper. This home was the first to grace this side of Charleston Battery. |
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| Keith and Wayne on the promenade in the Battery with this gorgeous home behind them |
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| Saint Philip's Church, was established in 1681, St. Philip's is the oldest European-American religious congregation in South Carolina. The first St. Philip's Church, a wooden building, was built between 1680 and 1681 at the corner of Broad and Meeting streets on the present day site of St. Michael's Episcopal Church. It was damaged in a hurricane in 1710 and a new St. Phillip's Church was begun a few blocks away on Church Street. After being delayed it was finished in 1723. It burned to the ground in 1835. Work on the present church was begun that same year and completed the next. The steeple was added between 1848 and 1850 |
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| Coffee in the morning before we continue our tour of Charleston then Folly Beach. |
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| Along the waterfront, beautiful southern style homes with elegance and charm |
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| We watched the sailboat from the promenade the second day |
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| Folly Beach was nearly secluded on a warm day |
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| Great day at the beach, we thought we could camp here overnight but they close the beach at sunset |
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| Dinner on the beach watching the sunset in the distance |
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| The house, the beach, friends and sunset....Priceless |
We left Charleston, SC for Savannah, GA. We were looking for this trip. We camped in Biltmore RV Campground for two nights. Nice campground, friendly service and clean grounds. The owner is really nice woman that gave us suggestions for sights. Our first stop to Wormsloe was a recommendation.
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| The colonial estate of Noble Jones (1702–1775). Jones was a carpenter who arrived in Georgia in 1733 with James Oglethorpe and the first group of settlers from England. Wormsloe's tabby ruin is the oldest standing structure in Savannah. |
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| Keith, Michiel and Wayne at Wormsloe |
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| Drive from the entry gate to the plantation is 1.5 miles cover by a canopy of trees |
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| Walking path to Wormsloe |
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| Wormsloe was a Colonial fortified house on the Isle of Hope in Savannah, GA. The tabby ruins include portions of the 8-foot wall surrounding the home, bastions on the corners, a well, a cellar, and a double-hearth brick chimney. |
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| Tabby fortifications still stand. Tabby is a concrete made from crushed oyster shells, lime, sand, and water. Originally the tabby was covered, usually with stucco, but today most ruins are exposed oyster concrete. |
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| View of where potential attacks may come |
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| After Wormsloe we went to lunch at the Greek Festival. We walked Forsyth Park towards the river enjoying a beautiful sunny day |
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| Off Forsyth Park |
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| Mercer House |
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| Parking below Emmet Park before you get to the river |
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| River Street is a great place in Savannah to people watch |
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| Michiel had never heard of it so we stopped |
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| Cannot make a stop to Savannah without going to Wet Willie's |
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| Selfie time after having our slushies |
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| River Street formerly the warehouses for cotton, now boutiques, restaurants and hotels line the street. The riverboat is docked along the street. |
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| Up above the warehouses along Ball Street |
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| Our last day at Biltmore RV Campground |
Michiel leaves on 14 October to head to Boston the back to Europe. We had a great time with him while we traveled south on coastal roads, visited beach towns, historic areas. His last night we ate at The Pirates House, the pecan encrusted fried chicken is an absolute must.
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| Out in front of the Prohibition Museum off East Bay along the City Market. Great entertainment with live music, bars on either side and tons of people. |
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| Wayne, Michiel and Keith coffee and snacks |
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| Afternoon break before we took a free ferry across the river and back |
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| Our snack at the cafe off Ball Street |
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| Small ferry |
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| View of the river and River Street |
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| The Pirates' House great atmosphere with a pirate tour that is free, food is exceptional. The building expanded and took in the other structures. The tunnels leading to the river are under the building. |
The Pirates' House was built on a plot of land located on the east side of James Oglethorpe's original plan of the city of Savannah. The plot of land was assigned to become a botanical garden that modeled the Chelsea Botanical Garden in London, England. The garden was dedicated to Oglethorpe's Trustees. Oglethorpe recruited botanists from around the world to acquire plants for the project such as cotton, spices, indigo, and medicinal herbs. The garden was hoped to bring success in the wine and silk industries and was centered on growing mulberry trees. The soil and weather conditions of Georgia were not compatible with the mulberry trees and it was not successful with wine or silk.
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| This structure, known as the Herb House was built in 1734, making it the oldest standing building in the state of Georgia. |
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| Last night for Michiel in Savannah, we had Southern style dinner. Michiel and Keith had pecan encrusted chicken and I had the Savannah shrimp creole. |
After dinner we walked to the City Market area and watched a live band play and indulged in some ice cream.
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| Live music, very entertaining and a perfect evening. |
Next morning we took Michiel to the airport for his flight...we had so much fun traveling with him. Glad he could join us on the first leg traveling the East Coast. We are just beginning our on the road adventures.
