New Smyrna Beach, FL

Just before entering Daytona Beach

on Route A1A, we saw some of these

trees (?) that looked like pines.  As

we looked closer, they alsmost seemed to

have the characteristics of some type of

palm.  If anyone has the answer, let

me know and I will edit this photo.

 

Here is a foreign concept.  Driving on the beach!

We are on the Daytona Beach.

 

We stopped in to see Fred and Jan, who live in

New Smyrna Beach.

 

After having lunch at The Breakers, Fred suggested

we take a ride on the New Smyrna Beach up to

the jetty to view the Ponce de Leon Inlet Lighthouse.

Riding on the hard packed sand reminded me

of riding on newly fallen snow, but not

being cold!  By the way, the burgers

at The Breakers were out of this world.

Thanks, Fred and Jan!

 

The Ponce de Leon Inlet Lighthouse is located just

ten miles south of Daytona.  It is Florida's tallest

lighthouse, standing at 175 feet.  No, we did not

climb the 203 steps to the top!

 

We were amused by this pelican diving for

fish to eat.

 

It was interesting watching the pelican flapping

its wings to move to different spots.  When we

saw lightning, we knew it was time to move on.

 

 

 

 

 

 

St. Augustine, FL

We began our walk at St. George Street in St. Augustine.

Note the balcony that is common to many

early buildings.

 

You can see the sign says this is the oldest

wood school house.  Along this stretch of

the street, no cars are allowed.

 

My eye caught the elegant handiwork on these

linens.

 

A close up shot of the linens.

 

This is the fountain in the garden of the

Columbia Restaurant.

 

Here is the garden of the St, Augustine

Foundation.  You can see a statue of Isabella

riding a horse.  I am fond of the Italian cypress,

which are the six thin, yet tall, shrubs in the

center of the photo in the background.

 

The altar inside the basillica of St. Augustine.

 

Statue of St. Augustine.

 

Flagler College.

 

Here you can see the Castillo de San Marcos in the

background.  It was built to protect the Spanish

colony in St. Augustine in the early 1500's.

 

This 60 foot cross marks the Spanish mission

of the Shrine of the Lady de La Leche in

 St. Augustine.  It is easily

seen from Route A1A coming into town

from the north.

 

 



Georgia into Florida

As soon as I saw this sign on Route 17, I had

Bill make one of his famous u-turns.

 

Isn't this adorable?  There is even a

small bell tower to the left.

 

This is the same area where the church is.

It was such a pleasant grove with all the

Spanish moss.  Bill even brought me some

moss to me to see what it was like.

 

Here we are in Florida!  It only took a full week to

get here.  I decided to be brave and wear my

Philadelphia Phillies shirt.

 

The dolphin told Bill he wanted his

belly scratched and of course

Bill oblidged!

 

I saw this sail boat miles out on the horizon at

the beach in Fernandina.  I just had to see how well

my zoom would work.

 

I still find it amazing to see palm trees

in the midst of sand dunes.  Bill calls them the

Adam and Eve Palms.

 

 

Hilton Head into Georgia

On the beach at Hilton Head.

 

We spent quite some time swinging back and

forth while watching people.  The air was filled

with southern hospitality.  There was a genteel

demeanor shown by the people.  From the smiles

of children through polite teenagers,

caring young couples and seasoned old timers.

 

The entrance to the beach.

There was no fee for the beach or parking.

 

Get a look at these four classy

changing booths!

 

We thought of my great nephew, Alexander, when

we were entertained by these children playing

in the water fountains.  Check out the little

one in the middle left with the orange shirt.

He appears to be the same age as Alex.

 

Bill is in the midst of what is called a Live Oak.

They are not allowed to be cut down.  Road and

sidewalks must be built around them.  You

can see how gnarly they are.

 

We have arrived in Georgia!



Bluffton, SC

For those of you who have followed my travel

blog before, you know Bill loves bridges.  This is

the bridge going over the Cooper River

in Charleston, SC.

 

The dark areas you see hanging on the

tree are Spanish Moss.

 

We found this wonderful little store on Route 17

called the Carolina Cider Company.  Bill bought

a miniature blueberry pie and bing cherry

cider and peach cider.  We had the cherry and

it was most delicious!  I bought some chocolates.

 

The flower boxes outside are decorated with

license plates.  You may or may not be aware that

I have a thing for looking at out of state plates.

 

I was looking forward to seeing my former

executive, Mike, from Target.  He and his

wife, Ann Marie, are lovely people and have

a stunning home. 

 

Check out the message that

 was prepared for our arrival this

afternoon on the chalk board.

Our time spent together over dinner

was special and I will cherish that

time in my heart.  Thanks, guys!!



South Carolina

Sunrise over the Golden Corral.

Bill dreams about meals here all the time!

 

 

The dogwoods are just about done blooming.

 

We saw several fields of these gorgeous

bloom but don't know what they are.

 

Finally made it to SC!  My goal is to get to

all of the lower 48.

 

We were nicely upgraded to a suite at the

Best Western.

 

A good night's sleep is what

the travelers needed.

 

 

I finally got to feel summer!  It was so nice to

sit on the balcony in the sun and try

to forget about the harsh winter we had.

 

Myrtle Beach!

 

Bill's hanging out in the kitchen.  I could

very easily stay here for quite some time!

 

 

 



MD, DC & NC

Havre de Grace, MD.

This is part of their marine park.

Our first day out heading south.

 

 

 

The University of Maryland Chapel at

College Park.  The University has 28,000

undergraduates and 10,500 graduate students.

The campus is big, beautiful, crowded and

even has a farm in the middle.

 

There is an awesome Fraternity Row on the campus.

Here is a sample of two of the fifteen houses.

They are elegant!  Including the sorority houses,

there are a total of 35.

 

A drive by of the Capitol!

 

Typical DC suburb townhouse.

 

My artsy fartsy picture of the White House

and the Washington Monument through

the trees.  Unfortunately, Barack and

Michelle were not at home!

 

The scaffolding was taken down last week.

The Park Service is preparing for its

reopening the second week in May.

 

Finally in North Carolina!

 

 These trees just made me so happy.  The pines are

so straight and the trees here are in full leaf!  We 

hit some green pollen yesterday, but it was

all gone today!

 

 We came across another Holy Cross Lutheran

Church just south of Raleigh, NC.

 

Holy Cross Lutheran Church, NC.

Under the cross in the window is the

good news: He Is Risen!