Old Brunswick Town September 21, 2016

After visiting with Joe and Bev, Bob and I continued to the riverside park in Southport on the Cape Fear River.  We were only a few miles from Wilmington, and never having toured that city, we headed in that direction, but decided instead to stop at the Brunswick Town Historical Site about 15 miles north of Southport.  Wilmington and a ferry ride to Bald Island will have to remain on our "to do" list for now.

One of several covered picnic/swing areas at the Southport park



A view looking north toward Wilmington

More open seating along the river's edge

A bayou off the river on the road to Brunswick Town

An alligator at the edge of the road waiting for treats.  Despite signs forbidding feeding the gators, the ranger said they are used to being given handouts and often hang out at this spot.   

 The historic site consists of the remains of the St Phillips Church (built in 1768 and destroyed during the Revolutionary War); the remnants of the original  settlement; and Ft Anderson, built and occupied by the Confederates in the Civil War.     

The pathway around the old settlement leading to the Cape Fear River.  The town was settled in 1726 by Maurice and Roger Moore.  Brunswick Town and Newton combined to become Port of Brunswick.  Like the church, the town was destroyed during the Revolutionary War and was never rebuilt. 

 



Only some of the stone foundations remain.  

One of the busiest ports in pre-Revolutionary times and one of the more strategic sites during the Civil War were once here on the banks of Cape Fear.  Now, in addition to being a historic park, the grounds have been used as a setting in the tv series Sleepy Hollow for part of Purgatory and the location of Methuselah's sword.  Also, archeological digs are still being done here.

 

 

 

 







Calabash Reunion Sept 19 -23 2016

Friends from Jersey, Plish & John, were going to spend the week of September 15th  at their seasonal condo at Calabash, NC,  where our friends Jay & Paul live, so Bob and I made reservations to stay at one of the rental condos in the gated community (at a great rate thanks to Jay's connections) so that the six of us could get together again.  This was one of the few times that the weather did not co-operate for our travels.  It was rainy and overcast just about every day that we were there...not good beach weather at all.  But, the plus was being able to see friends (mine from junior high school) and an added bonus was that my brother Joe and sister-in-law Bev were traveling through the area on their way back to Michigan from Kiawah, so we were able to hook up with them for a short time.

 

Day 1 at Sunset Beach, about 6 miles from where we were staying at Brunswick Plantation.

Plish & John 

Left around the table: Jay, Bob, Paul, Plish & John.  We had dinner at our condo Tuesday night. 

A view of part of the condo complex known as The Commons at Brunswick Plantation.

Bob on the bridge that leads to one of the outdoor pools.

Me at the other end of the bridge.

Plish...

and John had already tested the waters.

Bro' Joe & SIL Bev and I.  We met for breakfast at a diner in Southport, about 40 miles north of Calabash.  It was wonderful seeing them again.

 



Cousins and Kayaks Aug 21 2016

Cousins Cindy and Wally from Snellville, GA, came for a Sunday afternoon visit.  They had recently bought kayaks and brought them for us to try.  Cindy had become a devotee of the craft and wanted us to also enjoy sailing one.  Bob had mentioned before that he thought he might like a kayak, while I knew my body was no longer willing or able to get into one.  We enjoyed catching up with each other  and picnicking on the deck, and then headed to the lake for Bob to try his hand with the little boat before the cousins headed back home.

I'm sure the vest will fit if you suck it in, Bob.

He was able to get in with no problem.

And even made it back to shore.  He said it was a little difficult getting the hang of it, and his shoulders started aching after a little while, but all in all, it was fun.

Cindy also made it back safely.  She would have stayed out for hours, if she had the time.

 



Second Annual Comi-Con Anderson Library Aug 6 2016

We were back from our travels north in time for me to attend the second annual Comi-Con at the Anderson Library.  Once again there was a huge turnout of folks in fantasy garb enjoying the seminars, vendor booths, and cos-play.  And once again, aside from Harry Potter, I was not able to identify many of the characters the costumes were meant to be. Here are some of the dressers uppers who were gracious enough to allow me to photograph them.  Maybe you will be able to figure out their disguises.  If not, I hope you will enjoy their creativity as much as I did.

 

 

 

 

 







 

 

 

Trip North - Sunday & Monday July 31 & Aug 1, 2016

Having said our farewells the night before, Sunday morning we again hit the road, this time heading for Mt Gilead, Ohio, to visit with Bob's sister, Gwen, his niece Julie, and her husband, Tony.  We had to travel on I-75 through Detroit and Toledo, but it wasn't too bad since it was Sunday morning.  Once we were past Toledo, we were able to take state and US highways through the farmlands.

Bob and  Gwen.  Gwen sold her home in Cocoa, Florida, last September, and moved to Mt. Gilead, where her daughter Julie lives.  Gwen bought a 3 bedroom mobile and lives in it on the 10 acre homestead that Julie and Tony, own.  

Julie & Tony graciously let us hook up to their water and power and camp on their land.

Tony and his and Julie's home in the background.  Tony is a long distance trucker who comes home on the weekends.  Julie is a nurse at the emergency and trauma center in Columbus.  She was on one of her 12  hour shifts when we got there.

Bob picking blackberries along the side of Gwen's house

Julie and Tony love 4 wheeling, and it is a great way to get around the property.  Bob went on one and Gwen and I rode on another.  It was the first time I rode on one.  It was fun.

Julie and Gwen's vegetable garden.  Gwen picked several green tomatoes, pickling cukes, green peppers, yellow squash and zucchini for us to take home.  I wanted the green tomatoes for pickling, and gave her a recipe for the pickling brine.

Tony and his mom, Jody, who lives on a five acre track next door.

Gwen's runt puppy, Princess, and her sister, Sofie, Jody's dog, chilling after a long day of play. 

The next day, Gwen, Bob & I went to some Amish general stores.  At one was a mare and her foal in a nearby field.

 On the way to another, there were cattle cooling off in a creek

I didn't know how beautiful Ohio was

 

We stopped back at Julie's to say so-long and thank her before she had to leave for her next shift.

Later, we drove over to see her dad, "Spud".  Bob and Spud met at Marine boot camp back in 1961.  Spud saw a picture of Gwen Bob had and started writing to her.  A few years later, they met and married, but later divorced.   Bob and Spud had not seen each other for at least 40 years, but it was as though no time had passed at all.

 

 

Trip North - July 29 & 30 2016

Friday, the 29th, we left Byron Center and took MI 131 to MI 66 to MI 46 to MI 53, more or  less a square U route north, east, and south, to get to Troy, which took twice as long as going straight across on the interstate, but which was much more enjoyable.  We had a two night reservation at a county park called Addison Oaks outside the town of Leonard.   The park was selected as a pig in a poke, not really knowing what would be there, but it turned out to be a very beautiful facility.  The Buhl Estate, a renowned  banquet venue, is on the property along with swimming, fishing, boating, and equestrian opportunities.  Saturday, we drove to Jeff & Kate's home in Troy, and had a wonderful visit, delicious dinner, and several competitive games of corn hole.

On MI 66, a fellow tried to get across the road on his bike, but hit the fender of a car ahead of us. He fell over in the middle of the our lane.  Thankfully Bob was able to stop the truck and travel trailer in time to avoid running over him.  Talk about heart stopping!  Bob helped the guy up and made sure he was ok.  Angels were looking over him and us.

Joe and Bev in Jeff & Kate's family room.  Kate did a great job of painting the room, especially the striped wall.  

A view of the lake from their upper deck.

Bev enjoying the view from the back of the house while Jeff grills steaks above

  

Jeff and Kate

Bob and Jeff (opposite team players).  Have to admit Brother Joe was the champion corn holer, although Jeff did quite well, too.

Kate & I enjoying a pedal around the lake.

Jeff letting Bev know she is still his  numero uno mom.