The Grand Strand . . . and Grand Cousins

Myrtle Beach, as so known was the Grand Strand, was trip down memory land.  Alice has two cousins that she grew up with who have retired there.   Thanks to Paula and John for their Southern hospitality,  and to Rita  for taking time out of her busy schedule to spend the evening and the next morning catching up on old times.  We will be stopping by again in spring when it is warmer.  They had snow warnings out for the area.    We headed to Florida hoping for warmer weather.  So far . . . no go.  Staying in Anastasia State Park has been breezy.  Especially the bathroom which have screens rather than windows!!!!  Talk about a cold experience . . . imagine sitting on the john in 20-30 degree weather with the windows opened!!!!    At  least in the shower warm water is running.   There was a beach wedding here yesterday . . . I imagine those vows were spoken in hast.   I think we are going to a sports bar for the Packer/Cardinal game!!!  Anyone for some “hot” wings?

It’s Good to Be Adaptable…

I wenI went out to photograph the sunrise at Hatteras the other morning – 22 degrees and 30 mph wind – and was as cold as I’ve ever been taking pictures.  The wind rippingf the tops off the backilit waves was pretty neat, but the novelty wore off really fast.  So I think we’re going to make the first change of the trip.  We’ll head directly to Florida, and pick up everything from Georgia north on the way back.  Unfortunately, this will mean abandoning the Big Bend portion of the trip, but if I’m going to do a book, I’m going to have to get more out of this area than what I’ve got so far.    By April the migrants will be working their way north so that will be a plus.  Besides, its pretty damn cold here….

Florida’s going to be cold too, but  it’ll be warmer faster.  (That’s what its come to) Either that or be prepared for a lot of posts from the Dry Tortugas…..

Carolina . . . Cold and Closed!

Looks like El Nina is cooling down things.  There is snow in the forecast for tomorrow.  We are camped in Carolina Beach State Park.  We are the only ones camping, maybe that should tell us something!  And they lock the gate at 6:00 pm and don’t open it until 8:00 am so you are kind of stuck there.  Not only is it cold but many things are closed for the season.  We camped under a bridge at Cedar Island because there were no campgrounds opened.  Thinking about heading down to Florida as soon as possible because at least when it finally warms up it will be warmer and more things will be opened.

Carolina on My Mind Jan. 3, 2010

We are now on the Outer Banks of NC (OBX) and can honestly say we have not been this cold in a long time.   32 with a wind chill factor of 19 but the dampness puts different spin on it.  One small town we passed through today had snow, just a skiff but it was snow.  (Some NC kids woke up to some fun!)  The wind is just howling.  They have a truck with a plow to push away the sand on the road. Pete says it’s some of the worst wind he’s been in other than Utah.  The trailer could masquerade as a sailboat tonight.  As I sit here typing . . . the table is bouncing and frankly so is the whole trailer.  We have been to the beach twice and our attire was downcoats, winter hats, and mittens.  We have not blown the winterization stuff out of the pipes in the trailer so we are trekking across the campground for pit stops.  Brrr!!!   Me thinks it’s a two dog down night and not a flip-flop day!!!  That said . . . I love the Outer Banks (and all the beaches of NC) and am glad someone had the foresight to make it a National Seashore.  The developement that has taken place since my childhood is astounding and if the National Seashore wasn’t here it would be solid houses all the way down to the SC.   I guess we will be rocked to sleep tonight by the wind!  Happy New Year!

oh for one

There probaly are 10,000 snow geese at Mackay NWR. However the more important fact is that it’s still hunting season. It sounded like Verdun most of the day. The geese are all grouped in the center of the refuge where theres no hunting and no access. But I could see them. In the distance. Obviously, none of the non-winter birds are here, so except for a few kingfishers (good luck with that), it was pretty grim. I am, however, amassing qiute a collection of the Women of Wal-Mart, as we daily indulge Alices visceral need to push a cart down an isle….

We did a little beach hiking at Back Bay NWR. Down to the Outer Banks tomorrow.

Pictures

The Real Trip – Finally

Well, our second night as cozy campers. Alice is down in the family room watching TV, so I thought I’d head up to the study and do the blog entry. Yestewrday we left Quick and made it over the Applachains (lots of snow on top, but the roads were clear) and even passed a semi that wasn’t parked (Ha! Take that Rubber Duck!). Today we toured Yorktown and Jamestown, so we can keep current on history. Tomorrow on to MacKay NWR and thousands of snow geese, or so the book says. Fortunately Harry had a backyard feeder, so I did manage a few bird shots…. (OOPS, forgot how to upload photos..)

Wild Wonderful (Snowy) West Virginia! Dec. 29th, 2009

A belated Merry Christmas to you all.  We arrived in WV on Monday, December 21st.  As we drove into the Charleston area it was evident how much the area was effected by the snowstorm.  Downed trees lay across power and phone lines.  My parents and their neighbors had been without power and phones for several days.  Their lights came back on Sunday at about 9:30 pm and had phone service Monday evening.  There are still residents in rural WV and VA without both.    We spent a relaxing Christmas with family enjoying each others company and the great home cooked food!  Pete photographed the many birds and squirrels that reside in the orchard behind my parents house.  Abby, the dog, thinks that she has died on gone to “Almost Heaven . . . WV”  There are some many new thing to explore and do. We just hope she behaves, she was discovered sleeping on the couch this morning and is now banned to the basement at night. 

We are off to Colonial Williamsburg, VA tomorrow for our history fix.  They should still have their beautiful Christmas decorations up.

Kentuckiana!!!

Never heard if Kentuckiana . . . neither had we  . . . but it is the place where Shannon and Rob live . . .  Kentucky/Indiana.   We are having a fun visit with Shannon and have met her frisky, friendly pack of two.  There is Rudder, a lab rottweiler mix, and Willow, a nine month old golden doodle.  Abby is doing her best to keep up.  Today is Sunday, so you know where Pete and Shannon are . . . watching football.  Rob is in New York state visiting his son and has hit the weather you have been watching and reading about.  He will drive back tomorrow and take off with Shannon for Florida Tuesday. 

There were dry roads yesterday but we know that the Charleston, WV area was hammered.  We have not been able to reach Alice’s parents and are assuming that they are without both phones and power.   The internet and television are providing us with weather  information before taking off but nothing can prepare us for driving winding narrow road to Quick, WV.  (Take me home country roads)   Towing a trailer makes a “White Christmas” less desireable!

A Winter Wonderland in Illinois

Sitting in the motel room watching the Montana Grizzlies vs Villanova Game.  Looks like just luck  ran out for the Griz and for us.  Peeked out the window and it’s becoming a winter wonderland out there.   If things are too snowy tomorrow we will stay put.  Our next stop is Shannon’s in Crandall, IN  just outside to Louisville.  From there we head to WV who is in the path of a historic snow storm that is hitting the Southeast!

A big thanks to Terri and Bob Weselmann for having us as their guests last night in Northwood, Iowa.   It was a fun visit and a delicious pheasant dinner.  Pete has declared Terri “The Queen of Apple Pie” and he certainly has enough pieces under his belt to judge!