"Florida Tropical House" from the1933 World's Fair Century of Progress
relocated in 1935 to Beverly Shores, Indiana.
Indiana Dunes National Park
October 15, 2019
We could lament the fact that summer is gone and fall has arrived. BUT ….We enjoyed spending time with our parents, helping our son Pat & Kristine, his wife move and babysitting Macy, our granddaughter. We had a chance to see some friends, unfortunately time slipped through our fingers not allowing us to see many of our other friends, or sneak in any sailing on Lake Michigan.
The morning of September 5th we began our travels south. Our first stop was Lansing, Michigan to stay at Bruce and Ann’s farm and visit family. They invited us to take a drive to Pewamo and Westphalia, which are neighboring small towns where Bruce, Ann and Mike’s parents lived when they were young. We visited the Westphalia Historical Society to see their Wedding Attire Exhibit. Dresses & Suits worn from 1887 to the present were shown along with the wedding picture. Many showing a family history of several generations; it was very cool!
Our next destination was Monroe, Michigan. It was a jumping off point to go to Henry Ford’s Greenfield Village, the home of a collection of original historic buildings from all over the country and beyond. The buildings had been painstakingly moved from their original site, often including the dirt they had been built upon!
Cottswold Cottage (c.1619)
Brought to Greenfield Village from southwest England in the 1930's by Henry Ford .
The next part of our trip falls under the heading, “Man plans and God laughs.” On the way to see Francie’s sister in Columbus, OH, a check engine light came on which started a string of interesting encounters. We managed to arrive at our campsite a little stressed, but had a wonderful dinner with Margaret, and were able to see Switchback, one of our favorites band from the Chicago area.
Sunday night found us camping in Cummins Diesel’s parking lot in the hopes of getting the engine fixed. We were first in line at 7 AM. They were very busy, but managed to fit us in. There is a saying in the army, “Hurry up and wait.” Unbeknown to us, this would be the theme for the next week.
Cummins did finish fixing the engine late in the afternoon. Since it was too late to drive to Beckley, WV our next stop, we cancelled our reservations and camped in the Costco parking lot. The following day after arriving at the campground, we discovered our rear compartments were so hot a plastic box started to melt.
After numerous calls with Tiffin, who manufactured our motorhome and Cummins, we discovered there was a broken exhaust clamp that had to be replaced. We found a truck repair shop to fix the problem, and they had the clamp in stock.
In between phone calls and making repair arrangements, we managed to visit the state capital in Charleston. It is being remodeled; the dome looks like it is wrapped for Christmas.
Sunday night found us camping in Cummins Diesel’s parking lot in the hopes of getting the engine fixed. We were first in line at 7 AM. They were very busy, but managed to fit us in. There is a saying in the army, “Hurry up and wait.” Unbeknown to us, this would be the theme for the next week.
Cummins did finish fixing the engine late in the afternoon. Since it was too late to drive to Beckley, WV our next stop, we cancelled our reservations and camped in the Costco parking lot. The following day after arriving at the campground, we discovered our rear compartments were so hot a plastic box started to melt.
After numerous calls with Tiffin, who manufactured our motorhome and Cummins, we discovered there was a broken exhaust clamp that had to be replaced. We found a truck repair shop to fix the problem, and they had the clamp in stock.
In between phone calls and making repair arrangements, we managed to visit the state capital in Charleston. It is being remodeled; the dome looks like it is wrapped for Christmas.
We also visited the Exhibition Coal Mine at the park where we were staying. We couldn’t help but admire the courage and hard work of the miners in dangerous and difficult jobs.
We also visited the Exhibition Coal Mine at the park where we were staying. We couldn’t help but admire the courage and hard work of the miners in dangerous and difficult jobs.
Once again we canceled our reservations and then spent the next night in a gravel lot at the top of a hill with trucks waiting to be repaired. We were told to be ready at 7AM. Another day was spent with, “Hurry up and wait!”
Three hours after the work was completed, we arrived in Mayberry RV Park in Mt. Airy, NC. The motor home performed flawlessly. As Francie says, “All’s well that ends.”
Three hours after the work was completed, we arrived in Mayberry RV Park in Mt. Airy, NC. The motor home performed flawlessly. As Francie says, “All’s well that ends.”
We arrived in Mt. Airy for the Moonshine and Racers Reunion. The town was alive with vintage cars. Some possibly were used for transporting moonshine; no one would say for sure. Mt. Airy is also known for one of the longest running live Bluegrass music radio shows, Merry-Go-Round.
Next stop - Charlotte, NC , a wonderful, vibrant and multi-ethnic city with a small city feel.
Not far from our RV park, we discovered historic Brattonsville. On one side of the road was a Revolutionary War village near a battle site known as Huck’s Defeat.
Across the road was the pre-civil war era Bratton, a living history plantation. The Bratton’s owned more than a thousand acres and over a 100 enslaved people. In discussions with docents, their focus highlighted the plight of the Bratton’s slaves rather than the grandeur of the plantation.
Francie had read an article about Greenville so we made it a stop and spent an enjoyable week biking and walking on the Rabbit Swamp Trail, which runs through town. Dancing at a block party and shopping at the farmers market just added to the fun.
Root Tree along the Rabbit Swamp Trail
Fifty-six years ago, a young Mike Sheridan spent several hot summer months training at Fort Jackson in Columbia, SC. His memories of the city are vague, but he is sure that it had changed a great deal. During the past week, the South was experiencing record breaking heat. While walking several blocks through crowds at the downtown farmers market, Mike declared the one thing he clearly remembered was profusely sweating and marching.
After visiting 28 capital buildings, it would be unfair to say that they are beginning to look the same. Every capital with its marble stairways, massive columns, huge paintings, magnificent grandeur and ornateness says to the visitor, “This represents the people of our state.” The capital of South Carolina was no exception.
After our tour, we went to the state museum, which featured a fun exhibit on the Wizard of Oz.
Folly Beach Pier
As we drew closer to Charleston, SC, there is a noticeable change in Francie. She is at home; she is near the water. We camped on James Island, and explored the area with a walk on Folly Beach and a trip to Moultrie National Historic Monument on Sullivan Island. Fort Moultrie, located directly across from Fort Sumter, and has a history dating from 1776 until 1947. Our stop also gave us an opportunity to have dinner with our friends, Beth and Bob; we met them on our original journey to Florida from Chicago in fall of 2010.
Tybee Island Lighthouse
Located near the shipping lane leading into Savannah, GA lays Tybee Island; we passed it many times on the boat but never stopped. That is until now. This tourist destination is small, and we could use our bikes to get around.
Salt water and sand pedicure!
We went for walks on the beach, toured town, went to a fund raiser for the Bahamas and sat on the beach watching the sun disappear.
Just off the island is another coastal fort and National Historic Monument, Fort Pulaski. This has been the trip of forts.
Although the bike path at the Fort was “technically” closed,
we were told hikers and bikers are still using it,
so we gave it a try. Now we know why it was closed!
Brunswick, GA was a familiar place to us via the boat and now via the RV. During our week, we visited St. Simons Island several times. We rode our bikes to Fort Frederica, yes it is another National Historic Monument.
One of many "Tree Spirits" on St. Simon's Island
|
Remains of Fort Fredrica
|
The current tourist site at St. Simons is the overturned 656 ft. freighter in the channel, which had been carrying 4,200 cars. You may recall the heroic rescue of 4 sailors trapped in the hull in September of 2019.
Hollybourne Cottage c 1890.
Constructed of oyster shells, water & sand.
Jekyll Island, another barrier island near Brunswick, was once the grounds for the world’s most exclusive club - a resort for millionaires in the early 1900’s.
Interior portion of bike path on Jekyll Island
Today it is a Georgia State Park. We biked the 17 mile path around the island along beautiful beaches and through salt marshes.
Window shopping in Brunswick, maybe our next boat?
Actually we continue to make our way to Fort Myers and volunteering at the Franklin Lock & Dam during this winter season.
Actually we continue to make our way to Fort Myers and volunteering at the Franklin Lock & Dam during this winter season.