Home Free Global Nomads: Roaming Across North America Road Trip Florida to Grand Rapids, MI

We begin to repeat the journey north, next stop Savannah, GA to visit with Rusty and Michael. The weather plummets to the 30's overnight and we begin the process to winterize and dump our fresh water.  We really enjoyed Savannah and our time there. 

We had lunch at a new restaurant, Squirrels on Bull Street before heading off on a walk.  The concept is nice but it was empty most of the time we walked past.  

We walked from the house to River Street, all bundled up in layers while we stayed in the sun through Forsyth Park. Beautiful day to stroll along the historic park towards the river.

The fountain was constructed in 1858. It has been remodeled several times, the latest being in 1988. It resembles a few other fountains found around the world, including fountains found in Paris and Peru.

Forsyth Park is the largest park in the historic district of Savannah, Georgia, pristine 30 acres of land just south of Gaston Street and north of Park Avenue. 

All bundled up in winter gear for our walk through Forsyth Park

Even on a cold sunny day this fountain is amazing. We sat on the bench watching the people and squirrels soaking in the sun.

Comer House is where Jefferson Davis, President of the Confederate States was a guest in 1866.

Before we walked to River Street, we stopped and wandered around the historic Colonial Park Cemetery.   The cemetery was enlarged in 1789 to become the cemetery for people of all denominations. Among those buried here are Button Gwinnett, a signer of the Declaration of Independence.

Joseph Clay, Patriot on the marker. There are many markers of historical figures and families throughout the park

More than 700 victims of the 1820 Yellow Fever epidemic are buried in Colonial Park Cemetery. There are also many victims of Savannah's tragic dueling era. Savannah history records the first dueling death in 1740 and the final shot fired in 1877. Many of the duels left a number of men dead from what one source calls acts of "too much honor." Some of the duels were fought in and around Colonial Park Cemetery.

The cemetery was already closed to burials before the start of the Civil War and no Confederate soldiers are buried there. But the war did leave its mark on the cemetery. Federal troops took over the cemetery grounds during their occupation of Savannah and many of the graves were looted and desecrated. It has been said that Union soldiers changed the dates on many of the headstones.

South of the Border

Won 14 Nov we set off from Savannah through South Carolina to Raleigh, NC to visit Deborah and Brian. We just had to stop at South of the Border for lunch. The place is insanely tacky, completely inappropriate and hysterically fun.

Where else would you find an oversized Mexican 

We ate at the Hot Tamale

What could be more whimsical than a giant Weiner Dog in front of the Hot Dog 

We continue to make our way back north and stop in Williamsburg, VA after our visit to Raleigh.

Boydton, VA Welcome Center.  We love Virginia!

We enjoy getting off the interstates to see more of the country and use ferry to cross. We crossed the James River from Scotland to Jamestown. Free ferry ride across while learning about the Historic Jamestown site and archaeological museum. Historic Jamestown is not far from Jamestowne Settlement making up the Historic Triangle.

Scotland to Jamestown Ferry,  State Route 31

Free ferry with views of Jamestown on one bank

Historic Jamestowne, the original settlement from 1607

Jamestown Settlement, replicas of the original ships

Historic Jamestowne is the cultural heritage site that was the location of the 1607 James Fort and the later 17th-century city of Jamestown. It is located on Jamestown Island, on the James River at Jamestown, Virginia and operated as a partnership between Preservation Virginia and the U.S. National Park Service.

We stayed at Anvil Campground for a few days while taking in the Historic Triangle.  The Archaearium at Historic Jamestowne was highly recommended, we are glad we took it in. Artifacts found on site with glass covering original foundations are covered by the building.  History comes alive here in Historic Jamestowne.

Anvil Campground is a nice reprieve to driving. Clean spacious camping with friendly people at the desk.

Anvil Campground

21Nov we are back in the Historic Triangle of Colonial Williamsburg, Jamestown and Yorktown. We tour places we have never been and immerse ourselves in places we have seen before. We are thoroughly embracing this live of exploration on land and its history.

We set off for Yorktown Battlefield Colonial National Park, driving tour with recording of the revolutionary battle of Yorktown and battlements used during the Revolution and Civil War periods.

British fortified grounds held by General Cornwallis and 8,300 British troops. By the end of September 1781, approximately 17,600 American and French soldiers were gathered in Williamsburg. 

Canon for defense of the earthen mounds held their ground during the bloody battle in Yorktown. October 19, 1781, Cornwallis' army marched out of Yorktown between two lines of allied soldiers--Americans on one side and French on the other--that stretched for more than one mile. The British marched to a field where they laid down their arms, and returned to Yorktown.

The Battle of Yorktown was won on this spot.

Wormley Creek served as the division between the American and French troops and the British and German mercenaries 

Perfect time of year to take a driving tour of this National Park

Moore House where the Articles of Capitulation were terms for the surrender of Cornwallis's British army. The 14 articles directed the surrender from the disposition of the troops, artillery, and arms, to even the surrender ceremony itself.

After a full day of touring Yorktown, we drove to Colonial Williamsburg and explored some exhibits we had not seen previously then had dinner at Shields Tavern. We enjoyed a truly Southern meal, had a wonderful server to add to our experience.

Colonial Williamsburg in the evening.

We toured Historic Jamestowne the following day, first time for us to see another historic park and archaeological findings with footprints of buildings and foot from this 1607 settlement. The James River has shifted over the years and parts of the old fort are in the water.

Walking towards the remains, restoration and archaeological dig in Historic Jamestowne

Historic Jamestowne is part of the Colonial National Historic Park, in 1686 the fourth church was functioning, probably using the walls and foundations of the third church. Sometime after it was finished, a brick church tower was added. The tower is the only above-ground 17th-century structure still standing at Jamestown.

The only existing portion of the fourth church from 1686, the remains of the Memorial Church were rebuilt in 1907.

Interior of the Memorial Church with the footprint of the former church within the walls.  The third church was destroyed in a fire during Bacon's Rebellion in 1676.

Colonial Burial ground of original settlers

Outside walls of the front parallel to the James River

Excavated foundations of the village 

Glassblowing Exhibition at Historic Jamestowne

We drive back out to enjoy Colonial Williamsburg and see more exhibits what we have not taken in during our stay.

Making barrels and storage vessels

Outside Colonial Williamsburg is a skating rink

Back on the road the next morning through Maryland to Brooklyn, NY to visit Dan and Kathy from Lungta during their family holiday visit to the US. We are excited to see them again after being with them in Tahiti.

‎⁨Susquehanna River⁩, ⁨Havre De Grace⁩, ⁨Maryland⁩

On MacDonald Avenue in Brooklyn, NY under the F Train. Sparks were flying down upon us as we drove towards Greenwood Cemetery. We parked on the street and slept through the night snug in bed.

We spent a fun day with Dan and Kathy despite the weather, sitting in the RV catching up on life since Tahiti. We enjoyed lunch and stocking up at a local corner market.  As the day started to set we drove north to Rhode Island for Thanksgiving.

Manhattan Skyline

Holiday lights on Randalls island

We still cannot believe we fit in the driveway. 

We had a fabulous time on Thanksgiving, parked off the street and ate too much food but spent quality time with Madrinha (Dolores) and Grace.  Keith and I moved again to see Karen in Warwick Neck, RI.

Last night in Southern Rhode Island we visited our friend Michael from East Greenwich

Lunch with cousins in Lincoln, RI before we leave to head to Michigan

We had plans on 3 Dec to meet with family for lunch during the snow storm. We wanted to visit with friends in Worcester but the weather was not favorable to stay with them. Twelve inches of snow was expected and another snow storm was to arrive after that one. 

We moved quickly to get to NY from New England, the night was coming in with a blinding snow.  The left side of Interstate 90 was no longer plowed and we could not see much of the road.  We pulled off at the Rest Area in Florida, NY and stayed the night.

Sunset and snow across the highway

Parked and settling in for the night

Clear skies and cold temperatures but the view is pretty

We arrive at Gary and Tom's in Conneaut, OH to warmer temperatures. We got in a hike with Gary before the snow arrived. Time to continue our drive West to MI.

We have enjoyed the journey and the memories we have from this tour of the US eastern seaboard.  We have stopped in some remarkable places, established new friendships and spent many hours with family. We are so lucky to be able to be untethered.

Home Free Global Nomads: Roaming Across North America Road Trip Savannah, GA to Florida

After Michiel left, we stayed in Savannah another couple of days. We met some nice people here and made new friends. We had planned to park and stay over night at Emmet Park but were asked to park behind a friends business in Starland District.

We toured Bonaventure Cemetery during the late morning and early afternoon.  Peaceful area along the Wilmington River. The cemetery became famous when it was featured in the 1994 novel Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil by John Berendt, and in the movie, directed by Clint Eastwood, based on the book.

Classic historic Southern cemetery with its charm and Spanish moss

Thomas Nicol Theus tomb (Born in 1840 and died in 23 Nov 1903)

Thomas N. Theus / A Confederate Soldier / Died Nov. 29, 1903 / ELIZA WILHELMINA / The Devoted Wife of / THOMAS N THEUS / Died February 21, 1895

Johnny Mercer is best known for writting the lyrics to Moon River (theme to Breakfast at Tiffany's) - which won an Oscar for Best Original Song. Mercer also wrote Hooray for Hollywood, Autumn Leaves, Dream, I'll Wanna Be Around, One More For My Baby and One More For The Road, Skylard, This Time's The Dreams on Me, Laura and countless other award winning songs from Hollywood Films. He is the co-founder of Capitol Records.

Elegant beauty watches over the tomb

Wilmington River view from the cemetery, we parked along the river and had lunch

Parked under a tree with Spanish moss and a slight breeze

We had a great day touring the Bonaventure Cemetery then had dinner with a friend at Sweet Potatoes, classic Southern Cuisine.  We parked the RV and went to sleep for the night before the next day of touring Savannah. 

The following day we went to Starland District and stayed at Rusty's AirBnB.  We had a time to relax, get laundry done and chill with Rusty. We had a delicious lunch at Starland Café.

Keith, Rusty and I get a selfie on the front deck above Starland Café

Parked in front of Starland Café

We set off for Jekyll Island for a day trip making our way to Florida, where we had a Couchsurfing host in Jacksonville.  We walked along Driftwood Beach, which overlooked the container ship that had capsized near St. Simons Island.

Walking travel to an observation point overlooking the water.

Alligator relaxes in the sun in the middle of the water.

Major William Horton was granted Jekyll Island by the Trustees of the colony of Georgia in 1738, and he constructed this home in 1743. The Horton House is one of the oldest standing tabby structure exteriors in the state.

Horton was one of General James Oglethorpe’s top military aids and was in charge of troops garrisoned at Fort Frederica on nearby St. Simons Island. Horton farmed the island, producing crops to aid with supplying Ft. Frederica.

Driftwood Beach

Freedom to travel on land or sea, captured this sailboat going past us

On Driftwood Beach with the capsized cargo ship off St. Simons Island

We stayed on Jekyll until the sun set then off to Florida

We spent the night boondocking before we set off to Fort Clinch in Jacksonville for two nights. The Fort Clinch State Park, one of the Florida State Park, is located on a peninsula near the northernmost point of Amelia Island, along the Amelia River. Its 1,100 acres include the 19th-century Fort Clinch, sand dunes, plains, maritime hammock and estuarine tidal marsh. It has many varieties of tulles  We we able to see gopher turtles on the dunes as we walked the board walk to the beach.

Fort Clinch is one of the best preserved forts, we have seen in person, with her row of cannons staring across the St. Mary’s River into Georgia are silent testimony to the strategic importance of Fort Clinch during the Civil War.  The fort never took a hit but does maintain a strategic location on the river.

Nestled into our campsite in Fort Clinch

Fort Clinch has a beach in front of the fort you can walk and enjoy. Shelling and searching for shark tooth are a great past time to enjoy the weather.

Construction of Fort Clinch began in 1847, with visions of a triumph of masonry and stone built mostly by civilians and the US Army Corps of Engineers to protect the coast of southern Georgia. However, by the outbreak of hostilities at the start of the Civil War, only about two thirds of the fort had been completed, and cannons had yet to be mounted on the walls. At the start of the Civil War the fort came by default under Confederate control, who established fortifications and batteries on Amelia Island and the surrounding area.

Keith at the entrance to Fort Clinch 

Few photos from inside Fort Clinch

After the United States gained possession of Florida in 1821, a northern fortification was needed on the island, and eventually, Fort Clinch was started in 1847. The fort was named after general Duncan Lamont Clinch who led the United States in the War of 1812 as well as the First and Second Seminole Wars.

Us standing in the entrance to the Fort

Sunset, candles on as we relax for the evening

On the road again, setting off to St. Augustine, FL

Amelia Island Historic District

Antebellum style homes lined parts of Amelia Island

Anastasia State Park we are added to the walk-in list and told to enjoy the beach, we are placed in Site 62 for the night. Beautiful State Park with trails and white sand beach.

Anastasia State Park, St. Augustine, FL

View of St. Augustine from the Lighthouse

The St. Augustine Light Station is a private-aid to navigation and an active, working lighthouse in St. Augustine, Florida. The current lighthouse stands at the north end of Anastasia Island and was built between 1871 and 1874

Camp site in Sand Dollar Loop was just perfect for us. 

White Egret watching the day pass

The following day we head to our Couchsurfing host in Jacksonville, FL for a couple of days as we head to Orlando to see Josh and JP.

Crossing the bridge towards South Jacksonville 

Some cool street art

Old post office converted to a restaurant

South Jacksonville

South Jacksonville City Hall, built in 1915. The City had a tragic fire in 1901 destroying most of the buildings and leaving 10,000 people homeless.

We arrived in Orlando, FL and spent a little over a week with Josh and JP, we had a great time with them exploring the area restaurants, clubs and Universal Studios.  

Sand Cranes on the sidewalk in front of a store

Food trucks, Keith and I went to the El Salvadorian truck for papusa

We spent two glorious days at Universal Studios, felt like kids going on the rides and having fun. We decide to ride as singles to get ahead in the lines. Most times we rode together seated near each other or in the same car.

Keith and Josh just before we go through the main gate to the resort

Universal City Walk, The Toothsome Chocolate Emporium & Savory Feast Kitchen

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter & Hogsmeade

Josh, Keith and JP in front of Poseidon's Fury

JP, Josh and Wayne in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter

It is like going into the World that is Harry Potter when you are here. First ride was Hagrid's Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure....fantastic way to start the day of adventure.

Keith and Wayne in Diagon Alley with the dragon on the building from Harry Potter's Escape from Gringotts

Our day is ending with the Simpson's

Betty Boop store all a glow

Back to where it all began in the morning, we are ready for dinner

Universal Orlando City Walk

Day 2 back at Universal Studios Orlando for more fun

Love the Minions...fun ride

This ride was amazing

Despicable Me

After having such a great time staying with Josh and JP we leave to meet Derek and Alex at Magnolia County Park. It is a beauty, hidden gem in Apopka, Orange County, FL along Lake Apopka. Clean sprawling campground and park.

Magnolia Park and Campground

Peacocks roam freely in the park with other birds and wildlife

Our house and Derek & Alex's

Great time with Derek & Alex Edwards

Lake Apopka

We set off to Hudson, FL to visit family before leaving Florida to head north to New England for Thanksgiving with family and friends. We have been enjoying our travels and our house on wheels.  Cannot believe we have been on the road for the last two months.

Three Lakes RV Resort in Hudson, FL

We spent 3 days visiting family and reconnecting while in Hudson, FL it is amazing what a 96 year old is capable of doing.  My Aunt Maria could move furniture, always busy doing something.  We toured Tarpon Springs with my cousins.  It was fun to catch up and spend time laughing and sharing.

Tarpon Springs, FL famous for the Greek sponge divers and festivals

Boat loaded with sponges

We have been in Florida since 17 Oct, we have seen a lot on the road spending time with family and friends.  It has been a lot of fun seeing everyone and spending time in places exploring that we have not seen before.  On 10 Nov begin our journey back to New England for Thanksgiving.