Wednesday, February 1
While moving from Old Town to Bee’s RV Resort near Clermont, FL, we stopped at the Don Garlits Museum of Drag Racing in Ocala.
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| Bee's Resort |
Thursday, February 2
From the observation deck of the Citrus Tower in Clermont we had quite a view.
Friday, February 3
We got to see some of the area when we drove to Winter Park to shop at Costco and Sam’s Club in Orlando (the stores are only about 2 miles apart). For dinner, we ate at The Honey Pot, the restaurant at Bee’s RV Resort. On Fridays they serve an all you can eat fish dinner. It was really good -- choice of fried or baked fish, baked potato or fries, corn nuggets, applesauce, and cole slaw.
Sunday, February 5
For church service, we went to South Lake Christian Church in Groveland (not far from Bee’s). Then we came back to the RV resort for their church service. Afterwards we went to Minneola and had lunch at the Minneola Grill.
Monday, February 6
For lunch we ate at the San Jose Mexican Restaurant in Clermont. It was pretty good. In the evening, we went to a concert at the resort and heard Dusty Aleman, “The Singing Cowboy” and we enjoyed his music. There were 80-90 people who attended.
Tuesday, February 7
We ate dinner at The Honey Pot. This time it was all you can eat chicken dinner -- choice of fried or baked chicken, baked potato or mashed potatoes and gravey, green beans, cole slaw, applesauce, and a biscuit.
Wednesday, February 8
We spent all day at the Kennedy Space Center and we were glad that we had added on the guided tour to see things that we would not have been able to otherwise see -- the building where the rockets are stacked, the two launch pads, and other buildings were pointed out to us.
We were also taken down the road that led to Cape Canaveral, where other points of interest were shown to us. Our tour also included the Astronauts Hall of Fame.
We were also taken down the road that led to Cape Canaveral, where other points of interest were shown to us. Our tour also included the Astronauts Hall of Fame.
Friday, February 10
Had the all you can eat fish dinner again -- this time, Kent got one “carry out” dinner and brought it back for us to share.
Sunday, February 12
Attended worship service at Common Ground Christian Church in Tampa. My nephew, Danny, is the lead pastor. Danny had a lunch meeting, so we went to lunch by ourselves at the Tampa Taco Bus. It wasn’t very far from the church building. Kent had fish tacos and I had a carnitas burrito--both were good. Kristi had suggested that we try the “pineapple water,” which we did. It was a very refreshing drink.
Then we took a drive and ended up taking a bridge to cross the bay to St. Petersburg. Stopped on the water for a few pictures and then took another bridge back to Tampa.
Got to Danny’s home just seconds before they arrived. Visited for a few hours and then they took us out to eat dinner at The Green Iguana. It’s a restaurant that Danny frequents and he said they were known for their great hamburgers. I had a Baja Burger and Kent had tortilla crusted tilapia.
Then we took a drive and ended up taking a bridge to cross the bay to St. Petersburg. Stopped on the water for a few pictures and then took another bridge back to Tampa.
Got to Danny’s home just seconds before they arrived. Visited for a few hours and then they took us out to eat dinner at The Green Iguana. It’s a restaurant that Danny frequents and he said they were known for their great hamburgers. I had a Baja Burger and Kent had tortilla crusted tilapia.
Wednesday, February 15
Left Bee’s and went to St. Augustine for a stop at the Lighthouse and Museum. The Lighthouse is the tallest one in Florida. It was the first time I had been up in a lighthouse. There was a beautiful view from the top. In the museum, we learned some history of St. Augustine.
On the way out of St. Augustine, we spotted a few places that looked interesting and decided that we’d like to return to the area some time. We continued on to Woodbine, GA (just a few miles over the state line) where we stayed at the Walkabout Camp for a week. After we got set up, we went into Kingsland for dinner.
On the way out of St. Augustine, we spotted a few places that looked interesting and decided that we’d like to return to the area some time. We continued on to Woodbine, GA (just a few miles over the state line) where we stayed at the Walkabout Camp for a week. After we got set up, we went into Kingsland for dinner.
Thursday, February 16
Took a tour of Sally Corporation in Jacksonville, FL., a creator of dark rides. Dark rides are scenery and animatronics with sound. We were able to see the various stages of developing the robotics.
For a late lunch, we went to Singleton’s Seafood Shack in Mayport. This was shown on DDD. We ordered a seafood platter for two, plus a cup of clam chowder. The chowder was excellent. The platter was so much, that we got two more meals out of it. The platter had fish, stuffed crab, shrimp, clam strips, bay scallops, fries, hush puppies, black beans & rice. The restaurant was right on the water and they catch some of their own fish.
One of the rooms was filled with ship models made by the original restaurant owner. He is deceased and they were kept in his honor.
When we left the restaurant, we drove one block to take a ferry across the St. John River.
For a late lunch, we went to Singleton’s Seafood Shack in Mayport. This was shown on DDD. We ordered a seafood platter for two, plus a cup of clam chowder. The chowder was excellent. The platter was so much, that we got two more meals out of it. The platter had fish, stuffed crab, shrimp, clam strips, bay scallops, fries, hush puppies, black beans & rice. The restaurant was right on the water and they catch some of their own fish.
One of the rooms was filled with ship models made by the original restaurant owner. He is deceased and they were kept in his honor.
When we left the restaurant, we drove one block to take a ferry across the St. John River.
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| From the ferry looking back at Singleton's Seafood Shack |
Saturday, February 18
That night there was a tornado watch for our area. It rained hard and the wind blew. A tornado touched down only 45 miles from us.
Sunday, February 19
Went to church at Fort Caroline Christian Church in Jacksonville, FL. After church we ate lunch at Culhane’s Irish Pub in Atlantic Beach.
The sky was clearing, so we went to Amelia Island and walked on the beach. We finally got to touch the Atlantic Ocean.
Then we went to Fort Clinch. The fort’s construction was started before the Civil War. It’s unusual because it has two walls--one brick and one earth. It also has a drawbridge.
The sky was clearing, so we went to Amelia Island and walked on the beach. We finally got to touch the Atlantic Ocean.
Then we went to Fort Clinch. The fort’s construction was started before the Civil War. It’s unusual because it has two walls--one brick and one earth. It also has a drawbridge.
Tuesday, February 21
The truck needed to be serviced because the emissions sensor kept coming on. So we went to Bennett Chrysler in
Kingsland, GA.
The truck needed to be serviced because the emissions sensor kept coming on. So we went to Bennett Chrysler in
Kingsland, GA.
Wednesday, February 22
Left Walkabout to move to The Oaks at South Point, Yemassee, SC. We met Randy and Cindy at Cracker Barrel in Brunswick, GA. They had been staying near Savannah and were heading to Florida. Since we were traveling the same highway, in opposite directions, we arranged to meet for lunch. It was great to see them and exchange travel experiences.
Saturday, February 25
Spent the day in Savannah. We parked at the Visitor’s Center and picked up a tour map. We had heard from another couple at the campground that reservations for Paula Deen’s restaurant, The Lady and Sons, had to made in person and that people line up early. So we walked to the restaurant to get in line. While Kent waited, I checked out the Paula Deen Store and found a child’s apron for Megan. The apron said “Southern Cook in Training.”
It was about 10:30 when we got to the reservation stand and were able to get a reservation for 1:15. We decided to start our walking tour.
When we got back to the restaurant, we were seated on the third floor. The view wasn’t good--we looked out onto the roof of another building and a dumpster. Both of us had the Southern buffet instead of ordering an entree. We didn’t realize that a dessert item came with the buffet. The waiter brought a tray with items to choose from and we both got ours “to go.”
After lunch, we continued our tour.
This live oak, known as the Chandler Oak, is listed on the Georgia Landmark and Historic Tree Register. It is estimated to be over 270 years old. The spread of the crown is 107 ft.
We followed most of the “trolly tour” route. When we got back to the Visitor’s Center, one of the trolly drivers told us that the route covers almost 9 miles. No wonder our feet hurt!
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| Reservation Line |
It was about 10:30 when we got to the reservation stand and were able to get a reservation for 1:15. We decided to start our walking tour.
When we got back to the restaurant, we were seated on the third floor. The view wasn’t good--we looked out onto the roof of another building and a dumpster. Both of us had the Southern buffet instead of ordering an entree. We didn’t realize that a dessert item came with the buffet. The waiter brought a tray with items to choose from and we both got ours “to go.”
After lunch, we continued our tour.
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| Unusual Down Spout |
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| Waterfront |
This live oak, known as the Chandler Oak, is listed on the Georgia Landmark and Historic Tree Register. It is estimated to be over 270 years old. The spread of the crown is 107 ft.
We followed most of the “trolly tour” route. When we got back to the Visitor’s Center, one of the trolly drivers told us that the route covers almost 9 miles. No wonder our feet hurt!
Sunday, February 26
Attended First Christian Church of Shell Point in Beaufort, SC. Several people asked us to stay for the potluck and we had a good time of fellowship. One couple had lived in RVs, moving around with his job. They have a place on their property now for an RV hookup and invited to stay with them if we came back to the area. After lunch we drove to the historic area of Beaufort and did a walking tour.
The house shown below is known as the "Secession House" because many meetings were held here in the 1850's to discuss states' rights and Southern independence.
This is St. Helena's Episcopal Church which was established in 1712. The original part of the building was constructed in 1724. We found grave markers from the late 1700's.
The house shown below is known as the "Secession House" because many meetings were held here in the 1850's to discuss states' rights and Southern independence.
This is St. Helena's Episcopal Church which was established in 1712. The original part of the building was constructed in 1724. We found grave markers from the late 1700's.
Monday, February 27
We went to the Low Country Visitors Center & Museum which was just down the road from where we were staying. The Frampton Plantation House was built around 1868.
Tuesday, February 28
Spent the day in Charleston, SC. We had breakfast at the Early Bird Diner (DDD).
We parked at the Visitor’s Center and took a bus to Liberty Square. We got our tickets for the tour of Ft. Sumter then walked around the waterfront before going back to check out the Ft. Sumter Information Center telling about the history of Charleston and Ft. Sumter. A ferry took us to Ft. Sumter where we were allowed almost an hour to walk around on our own.
When we got back, we walked to the Fuel Caribbean Cantina (DDD) for lunch. We shared a cup of black bean soup, ho cakes, and braised pork tacos--all of it very good. This was an old service station transformed into a cafe.
We parked at the Visitor’s Center and took a bus to Liberty Square. We got our tickets for the tour of Ft. Sumter then walked around the waterfront before going back to check out the Ft. Sumter Information Center telling about the history of Charleston and Ft. Sumter. A ferry took us to Ft. Sumter where we were allowed almost an hour to walk around on our own.
When we got back, we walked to the Fuel Caribbean Cantina (DDD) for lunch. We shared a cup of black bean soup, ho cakes, and braised pork tacos--all of it very good. This was an old service station transformed into a cafe.
We took a bus from the Cantina to the historic district. We walked around the the historic district and then back to the Visitor’s Center.
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| Oldest Baptist Church in the South - Est. 1682. |
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| First brick house in Charleston - 1709 |
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| This was the city market built in 1841. It now houses the Confederate Museum. |
Wednesday, February 29
Went to see the ruins of Old Sheldon Prince William’s Parish Church near Yemessee. When we arrived, a wedding party was just finishing taking photos. We thought it was interesting that they hold an annual service.
