Jersey Trip Tues Sept 27 2016

Happy 94th Uncle Mike!  We celebrated it driving up I-77 to I-81 to I-80, stopping for the evening at Moyer's Grove in Wapallopen, PA.  We probably could have made it all the way to Jersey, but we felt we already had a long day on the road.  And, by the time we actually found the campground (directions were way off in the Passport America book), it was an even longer day!  This park is open year round and is very family friendly.

A hobgoblin's carriage!  The park owners were already in full swing for Halloween festivities

A small creek flows under the covered bridge that leads to the rv sites

Bob is enjoying the fall decorations and the somewhat cooler air

 







On our way to NJ Monday Sept 26, 2016

Jack and Angie left for Asheville by noon the day before.  Bob and I continued getting ready for our trip east. Both of us had already gotten a head start on Saturday, and since this was not our first rodeo or road trip, we were getting pretty good at packing up what we needed.  By Monday morning, we were ready to hit the road.  We originally planned to make the trip in 2 days, but Bob was concerned about one of the trailer tires, so we found a tire shop in Elkin, NC, and arranged to get a new tire, to be on the safe side.  Good thing we did, because Bob noticed another of the rv tires was low because there was a nail in it, so we had that repaired as well.  It was a small and very busy shop, so it took about 2.5 hours for them to take care of us.  By then it was late afternoon and starting to rain, so we decided to stop for the night at a Passport America park, Fancy Gap Campground and Cabins, on the Blue Ridge Parkway off exit 8 on I-77.



I was concerned that Bob wouldn't back up too far into the site...it was a bit of a drop to the woods below.  Within a hour after stopping, the fog was so thick you couldn't see outside the windows.

Before getting back on the interstate the next rainy morning, we stopped for breakfast at a little diner that had recently opened up in an old gas station/garage.  All the décor was auto related.  The light hanging down behind Bob's head was made from two license plates bent together and strung from a hub cap.

Back home and visit from friends Sept 24 & 25 2016

We planned on returning home from Calabash before heading on our annual trip to New Jersey in order to meet our friends from Bonita, Jack and Angie, who were heading to NC on a vacation to celebrate their anniversary.  We met with them for dinner in Anderson Saturday evening, and then Sunday morning they stopped to see our camp site before continuing to Asheville.  It was wonderful to see them, and we appreciated their going the "extra mile" to see us!

 

 



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.