Izzy’s Kind Of Place

May 13 – 16, 2014

When we were looking at the map to plan our journey along the Appalachian Trail we wanted to find a place that Izzy might be able to enjoy the things she loves to do. So our route took us close to Augusta Georgia.

We found a great state park close to Thomson Georgia called Mosquito State Park. I didn’t let the name concern me much since we hadn’t really seen too many mosquitos yet. Steve managed to park the trailer in a spot right along the lake. Oh yeah I forgot to tell you this park had one of the largest lakes around. Izzy smiled as we pulled in!

Izzy's Place

Our View

Our plan for here was to simply enjoy the area for a few days. This meant exploring, finding a golf course, and letting Izzy swim as much as she wanted. She also could explore the woods close to our spot without getting into trouble, although the park host caught me one time when she wasn’t on her leash.

Going Down

Sunset from our spot

 

When we checked in Steve asked about what kind of fish were in the lake. Catfish were the primary so he hit up the local bait shop to find out what the Georgia catfish like to eat. He came home with chicken livers. Can’t imagine why a fish would like them!

We set-up our poles and began to enjoy the scenery and watch Izzy have fun. She got pretty tired chasing her floppy and she ended up losing it when I threw it out pretty far. I think it sank since she wouldn’t lose it on purpose. She had to spend the rest of the time simply swimming or chasing shells as we threw them into the water.

Fish on?

Floppy Time

 

Thanks for letting me pick this place

 

We played golf a couple of days and enjoyed the course. It wasn’t very crowded and it was challenging especially the back nine. I think there was only one hole that did not have any kind of hills.

A Pretty Course

Hoping it goes in the cup

 

Steve fished again one afternoon and decided to go swimming. He tried to get Izzy to swim with him but she was smarter than that and kept her distance. He did have luck catching one catfish but let it go since he didn’t bring any friends to the party.

There's Catfish out there

Izzy decided Steve could swim by himself

She isn't too interested in swimming with the goose

 

We got everything ready to hit the road again and our next destination is Pigeon Forge Tennessee. Watch out Smoky Mountains!

 

Ghostbusters

May 4 – May 12, 2014

Our adventure took us to two cities that are considered to be a bit haunted. Now when we decided to have our path go this direction it was done so without this knowledge. Not that it would have changed our minds’, it was an interesting thing to learn about Savannah Georgia and Hilton Head Island South Carolina.

Our first stop was Savannah where we stayed a few days. We stayed at a nice RV park about 15 miles from town in a wooded area. Izzy had fun trying to catch all the squirrels. She still hasn’t quite figured out how to be faster than they are.

We headed to town the first afternoon and enjoyed touring the river side of town. Our timing was good as we saw this ship coming toward town. We were pretty amazed at how such a large ship would fit through this part of the river as when you see it up close it is pretty massive. It did make it under the bridge.

Hope it fits under the bridge

 

The walk along the river provides one with a great look at the historic waterfront.  Savannah emerged as Georgia’s first city in 1733 and was originally conceived as a buffer against Spanish-controlled Florida, Georgia served as a bustling colonial British outpost in the earliest days.

A Nice Dedication

Cruising the Savannah River

Up River

 

Centuries ago, ships packed with ballast unloaded their stones, paving River Street with its distinctive cobblestones and allowing ships to load up with natural resources harvested from coastal Georgia. As you walk River Street today you are on the original stones.

Presence

River Street

Vintage

 

During our wandering we stumbled upon a place that provides tours of the ghostly nature. We learned that the American Institute of Parapsychology has named Savannah “America’s Most Haunted City”. We decided to take the tour and check things out. The tour guide was entertaining and provided great facts about the town, some of the town squares (22 still around today), beautiful buildings and architecture, and two of Savannah’s most haunted venues.

Waiting to go ghost hunting

Our Ghost Tour Guide

 

The site of the former Gribble House is said to be haunted as a triple murder took place at this location in 1909. We entered the building and learned of the killing of three women with an axe. One of those murdered was Mrs. Gribble.

Describing the Murders

They say it's alive with spirits

 

The final stop was at the Perkin’s & Son’s Ship Chandlery where you were entertained by a storyteller describing what life was like along River Street a long time ago and the haunting of the place with a black cat.

On our way to town we saw a sign for a golf course and knew we had to play there. You see it is Henderson Golf Club.

We enjoyed a couple of rounds and were impressed with the course. We also found the wildlife to be friendly. Well sort-of.

Teeing Off at the Henderson Golf Club

Family

 

Hogging the Tee Box

Do you think he is smiling?

Heading to the water 

 

 

Hilton Head Island gave us a chance to enjoy some beautiful sunrises and sunsets. It doesn’t have quite the haunting declaration that Savannah does but the locals claim there are places that are haunted.

This small cemetery was close to where we were staying. We don’t think it is haunted but there are people buried here from the mid-1800’s through this year.

Peaceful

Guarding the Cemetery

There is quite a history to the island with the Spanish leaving their mark in 1521. Plantations were established starting in 1698. The Civil War was one of the busiest times on the island. Nearly 30,000 Union troops were stationed on Hilton Head after the “Battle of Port Royal Sound” on November 7, 1861.

We headed to the beach one afternoon for a nice walk. It was a bit busy as the weather was hot and sunny plus it was Saturday.

Hilton Head Beach Houses

Steve read some local fishing information and wanted to try one more time for some great tasting fish. We chartered a local Captain that was known to find the Cobia fish in the area. We had a taste of this while we were in the Florida Keys and thoroughly enjoyed it.

The morning was a bit cool but we knew the day would warm up quickly. We anchored at the spot where success at catching Cobia has occurred and casted our lines. We were kept busy with catching fish but I must admit they were not Cobia. We kept landing Atlantic sharks. While they were fun to catch and you definitely got a work out, we let them go in hopes they wouldn’t scare away what we wanted.

Sunrise on the water

Don't know what I have yet

Tory's Catch and Captain Miles

Do you think it's something we can keep? Not

 

 

We were out for six hours and didn’t get any fish for the freezer. We were disappointed but that’s fishing and we did get to enjoy a great day on the river.

The RV park we stayed at was next to the water so my walks with Izzy provided great sunrise and sunset views.



 

So Cute 

Our View

 

Sunrise Happenings

 

Sunset

 

We got the trailer ready for moving on early Monday morning. We are beginning the journey along the Appalachian Trail but will spend a few days near Augusta first. More to come from SIT.

An Oldie But Goodie

April 25 – May 3, 2014

I imagine some of you reading this might be thinking this post is about Tory but it’s not. I might be getting older and certainly hope I am a goodie but it is all about SIT’s time in the Nation’s oldest city, Saint Augustine Florida.

 

The Pirate Ship Awaits

The Tranquil Bay



We spent time in the historic district over a few days and were treated to a great tour via a trolley. Taking the trolley provided you with a narrated adventure of what Saint Augustine was all about and is today. I knew my memory wouldn’t hold all the details that should be added to our blog so we gladly purchased the Essential Guide to St. Augustine.

Hang onto your chairs as you are about to spend time back in the 1700 and 1800’s. Oh yeah, you’ll also get treated to a bit of the 1600’s too.

In 1763, the British finally claimed St. Augustine by pen through the 1763 Treaty of Paris in exchange for the return of Havana to the Spanish. During the Revolutionary War Florida remained loyal to the crown, but after the war ended a second Treaty of Paris returned Florida to the Spanish in 1784. Florida became part of the United States in 1821 and became the 27^th state in 1845.

Now what about the 1600’s? A stone fort was constructed from 1672 through 1695. The Castillo de San Marcos was built to protect treasures carried by the Spanish ships from pirate attacks. The fort has never been taken by force and is the oldest masonry fort in the United States.

Castillo de San Marcos National Monument

One of the reasons the fort is still standing along with other buildings in the town is due to the material it was built with, coquina. Coquina is very soft when first quarried, and so is left to dry for one to three years before use in building. It was handy to build forts with because heavy cannon balls would sink into the coquina instead of fracturing or breaking the structure.

Standing Guard (no not Steve)

Row of Protection

Ready to Load

The Way In

Thick Walls

The Upper Deck



Besides having a fort built in the 1600’s St. Augustine had a visitor in the 1500’s. Ponce De Leon showed up and searched for a fountain the natives had told him about that had the ability to grant eternal youth. Steve and I decided we should go check this place out too. We drank the water but so far I still have gray hair and wrinkles, oh well we enjoyed the grounds, wildlife, and history.

The Fountain of Youth Park commemorates the 1513 arrival of Juan Ponce de Leon in Florida. The park provides the visitor with an over view of what life was like in the mid-1500's. The Timucuan Indian village of Seloy was probably located on the Fountain of Youth site.



Posing

Showing Off

Essentials for living

Making pottery

Their home

The Timucuan Indian Chief

Spanish Soldier



There is much to see and say about the city so boiling it down to some pictures and a few tidbits of history is challenging. If you ever have a chance to come to this part of the country we would recommend spending a few days to take in the history. Besides they have a great beach and restaurants too!

 

The Gates into the City 

Historic Street

As you wander around town you are struck with the beauty and spectacular large older buildings. Flagler College was originally the Hotel Ponce de Leon and the first in the area to have electricity and running water.

Gates to Flagler College

Flagler College

From the Courtyard

 



Across from the college is another large building which was a hotel at one time as well. The Lightner Museum was the Alcazar Hotel which was also built by Henry Flagler. Oh by the way he built the Ponce de Leon Hotel too. This hotel included a large indoor swimming pool, tennis courts, gymnasium, bowling alley, billiard tables, and Turkish and Russian baths. Imagine having all this in 1888.

 

Was the Alcazar Hotel and now the Lightner Museum

The old jail is still around and you are able to tour the inside as well as walk around the grounds. The town truly appreciated their sheriff at the time when the jail was built as they provided living space for the sheriff and his family.  I don’t think I would have wanted to live there though since you were pretty close to the prisoners which didn’t have running water or indoor bathrooms. Plus they were only allowed to take a bath once a month and they had to share the same water. Yuck!

The Chain Gang

Sheriff Perry

I think I want the top bunk

 

Pretty Sure the Prisoners Listened to the Sheriff

The Gallows





They have a nice museum in the complex where the jail is and we found that traveling around the country in an RV started a long time ago.

Glad we have our RV and not this one



When we weren’t touring the town we checked out the beaches and found a place on a bridge to throw our fishing line in. Steve had success with catching one fish. Too bad we weren’t able to get a few more for a fish feed but that’s okay as it was nice day. From the bridge you could see another fort off in the distance. This is Fort Matanzas which was built in 1742 to defend the city of St. Augustine from the British attack and to guard the southern approaches to the city. Matanzas means slaughter in Spanish and unfortunately 250 shipwrecked survivors from the French army were the victims of being slaughtered at the beach near the where the Fort is.

Success

Fort Matanzas

Site of the Slaughter

 

We hopped on the National Park Service ferry to tour Fort Matanzas. The structure was built from coquina but needed a bit of refurbishment when the center of the building started to collapse. Otherwise it is original and you get the feeling of what a soldiers’ life would have been like back in 1742. I would just have volunteered for the job so you could fish all day and enjoy the view! Well maybe not since the cannons were probably pretty loud when fired.



 

Reading About the Fort

Never Penetrated

The Guardian

Your Place to Hang

The Other Kind of Powder Room

On a lighter note, the RV park we stayed in had quite a bit of wildlife including an alligator that guarded the pond so Izzy didn’t get to swim. There was an odd couple though that would get a little excited when Izzy and I would be out on our walks.

Buddies

We waited out the rain before we loaded up and moved down the road to our next stop of Savannah and Hilton Head. Stay tuned for more from SIT.