Spring 2022 Family Trip

We spent the last couple of days exploring St. Simon's and Jekyll Islands in Georgia.  Again, in  St. Simon's  we took a trolley tour. This time we had a born and raised St. Simon's native. She brought a lot of Georgia Southern hospitality charm to her narrative. She was a retired teacher and very well informed, providing a great snapshot of the island's history and culture.  She captured the colonial period under General Oglethorpe (he was a busy man setting up Georgia cities for success). She also sensitively captured the history of St. Simon's history although painting a pretty romantic picture of the relationship between the enslaved and their enslavers.  What was most interesting to me was the history of Christ Church (Episcopal) on the Island. It was founded in 1820; destroyed during the Civil war and then rebuilt in 1885 by Anson Dodge. The Dodge family itself is very interesting, having come from the North and part of the rebuilding of the area.  My...

 We were only in Savannah for a day. When that happens we tend to use tours like Hop-On, Hop-off trolley tours.  We were able to revisit the beauty of Savannah squares and spend some time on the river. We had lunch at Fiddlers: Oysters Rockefeller and blackened fish tacos. We were able to sit in an upstairs balcony.  Some highlights from the tour was seeing the first and second baptist churches. The first church was built by and served enslaved people. The second church was where Dr. Martin Luther King first gave his "I Have a Dream" Speech.  It was interesting to hear about James Ogelthorpe who founded Savannah, responsible for the layout of the city and many other innovations. His name is everywhere.  There was much more of a focus on the Revolution this time around visiting the city and much less mention of the Civil War, which I found interesting.  I recommend these types of tours because it gives you a decent overview of a city and ideas where to visi...

 Our last day with Barb, Les and Darrel was spent at Cumberland State Park. It is a beautiful park with an impressive bridge.  We went on a little hike/walk to see the bridge up close then had lunch and our goodbyes at the Heritage Restaurant in the park

 We had a lovely time at Ozone Falls close to Les and Barb's cabin and then enjoyed dinner at their homestead.  The deck on top is Les and Barb's kitty's (Camo) favorite outside venue. It is safe for her and allows her to enjoy the great outdoors.  This is a view of the "Cabin in the Woods" from the back of the house, note the pretty mountain range behind the cabin. Everything is just starting to bloom out, including several dogwoods and redbuds. Barb has lots of surprises in store; as there are several different perennials getting ready to bloom. We did identify peonies and I think she has some azaleas as well.  This is a creek on Les and Barb's property. It is a lovely little wading spot with a gentle sandy spot and great sitting rocks.  Brother and Sister:) Steve and I with the Ozone creek behind us Rock outcropping above the falls Barb and Maria. We really aren't in danger:) Selfie, one of the few I have liked.  The falls and pool below. My understandi...

 We are with Sudduth family, our sister (sis-in-law) and brother-in-law, cousin Darrel!  Barb and Les needed to reconstitute their well; they have been living under very limited water conditions. They now will have 60 gallons a minute flow!  We hung out and watched the process; I walked our two Schnauzers around their beautiful property The well Watching the process Cousin Darrel The gang Barb and Les's house, dogwoods a plenty on their property; many other things are/will be blooming.  Les talking to pump man who came yesterday. They have water!

 This is easiest one of the nicest most picturesque parks we have stayed in. We are in site 4, overlooking a fishing pond. This is a well spaced park with 57 sites. There is a nice walking trail around the perimeter of the park. It is just great! We are only about 10 -15 minutes away from Barb and Les.  Our view of fishing pond from our site Beautiful Dog Park with toys! Mr. Bunny Rabbit waiting for us when we got home from dinner yesterday

 Next up was a quick trip to Nashville. We were only there for one day having arrived late in the day. The Two Rivers RV Campground. I have to say they had great service there and it was a nice park; even though right on the outskirts of Nashville.  We did a hop-on; hop-off trolley tour of downtown, which was fun. We only had the hour and a half to enjoy because the real event of the day was seeing Stefanie Rome and meeting her family!  As was expected, Stefanie's family is as wonderful as she is:  Stefanie and her Mom Stefanie's niece and Stefanie's family:  Stefanie and me: