Early morning in Maryland, afternoon in South Carolina

 Long drive, but not bad at all considering it was Saturday and the drive around DC was a breeze. Or maybe because it was before 4:30 am or both.  Anyway, we're totally grateful we had no problems on our way down. The only small problem was finding a place to get coffee. Somewhere in lower Virginia we were delighted to find a Dunkin Donuts that was open. With a cup of coffee in hand we felt life couldn't get much better. So off we went with a steaming cup of joe only to deposit it in the trashcan at the next place we got gas. IT WAS HORRIBLE!  It was another few hours driving that we stopped at another Dunkin. Trepidation and dread filled our thoughts. Do we dare try again?  Not only was it delicious, but their senior discount was generous. $1.49 for both hot and iced coffee. SCORE!!! North Carolina knows how to treat their senior citizens. Plus the green fields were so good to see.

Green, green, green!!!!!

Tons of swampy areas along side the road. I can just imagine the mosquitoes in the summer! Perhaps this is where that first Dunkin found its fresh water to make that cup of coffee. I know, I know, first world problem.

Drove through Myrtle Beach looking for a place to stay the night. Remember how I said I wanted the Lord to direct our place to stay? Well, it wasn't MB. 

This was the beach in Myrtle Beach

And palm trees! In Myrtle, Beach

Tonight I can already smell the shrimp and grits that will fill my plate. 

The "River Room" in Georgetown is where we had dinner. Shrimp and grits did indeed fill my plate and satisfied my tummy, BUT, give me a Maryland Crab cake any day! So glad I tried their local specialty. Brave Evan stuck with the steak. When it comes to food he is not adventurous at all, unless someone sneaks him something unaware. (that's enough tomatoes Mom) You know who I'm talking about!

Great atmosphere

And they were yummy! All around it was a wonderful day of adventure.

Reluctantly, NOT, we left MB and drove to Georgetown, SC. What a gem. We liked this place so much we decided to stay for two nights. Like I said, S L O W this down a bit. It's a really cute town with lots of shops and restaurants, good food and sweet, southern people. I just might come home with a southern accent I love it so much. This is taken from our hotel window.

This is outside our hotel room. the marina sits along side the hotel. Million dollar boats sit on the water. I'm dead serious MILLION $$$$$$$. We talked to a man who brought his boat down from Massachusetts and calls this harbor/marina his home now. Very interesting. 

Tomorrow, LW, we get on our bikes and ride through the neighborhoods, perhaps find a little coffee shop, do some window shopping and find another treasure for dinner. This is where your prayers will be appreciated. Tomorrow 56 degrees with brilliant sunshine. I'll take it.

I bid you all good-night as sleep was quite deprived last night and the morning came way to early, even for me! Love to you all! OXOXOX

Slowin' this puppy down! Lord willing we're headed out

 Around 3am tomorrow morning, we are on the road again except without the camper. Lord willing. I say that solely because God alone guides my days and I certainly don't want to be presumptuous. Our camper has a new home which I pray the people who bought it will enjoy it as much and more then we did. To be honest we are not sorry about not hauling it behind our truck. We feel freer this way until we can't find a hotel I guess. Walmart parking lots were in every town and we were always able to find a parking spot to sleep. However, I am sure we will find someplace in each town.

We are bound for South Carolina. Florida WAS our destination, but we just didn't have a peace about going there. We are driving down the main highway, I believe it's 95 until we cross over into SC. Then we are going to slow this trip down and head to the coast. Slowly, as we can, we will drive, look out for some treasure in ways of scenery, and some good food and stop and breathe. Our first night will most likely be in Georgetown, S.C. I have no clue at this point where we will stay, but we'll find a place. This totally feels like an adventure. We are going to ask the Lord to lead us as we go. We are totally confident with Him being our travel guide. after all he would know where the bed bugs lurk and where the comfortable mattresses are located. 

I've heard the food in South Carolina is wonderful so you can be assured we will NOT be stopping at McDonald's or even Chick-fil-A. I guarantee I will not be the least bit tempted even if the marquee shouts from 50 feet in the air boasting the best McShrimp. Not even a Shrimp-fil-A will get a second look. The people of South Carolina know how to properly cook chicken, biscuits, hush-puppies and shrimp and grits all of which will find a place on my plate at some point during the trip. perhaps even more then once!

We are taking our bikes so you can be assured we are slowing this trip down. Prayers for safety would be most appreciated. I tend to want to look around instead of looking where I'm going so potholes and curbs usually find themselves in my path. Oh goodness!!!

We have lots of packing to do so I best get to it. Tomorrow will come early and we are excited to get started.

Tomorrow, LW, I will post again.

Cheers for all the adventures ahead!

Cowan's Gap State Park, PA and Flight 93 memorial

 Last Trip of 2020 and beyond. October 12-15 

Visited Flight 93 Memorial Park. Sobering but beautifully done in remembrance of a horrible day in US history. Let us never forget. 

Tower of Bells. 40 bells for each of the passengers on Flight 93

We came across an old covered bridge on our way through PA

5 Miles from our campsite we overlooked a spectacular view

This is outside our campsite. Just a short walk through a path directly across from where we were camping.

On our last day we took a cool walk in the morning along the path. So pretty this time of year.

This year we so enjoyed having a little trailer to visit different places. Due to Covid it was a great option. A clean bed, food made by us and our own schedule. All huge plusses. 

AND...

Evan and I thought long and hard about getting the camper and a truck to pull it. We do not spend money easily so we pondered it hard and long. 

Our plans included driving to Colorado, driving up and through Alaska and the North West. Three main trips. We went to Colorado first and we knew it would be a trip that would teach us many things moving forward as the trips grew in length and duration. 

We found out first we are destination people. We go hard after our goal and almost kill ourselves in the process. Driving 10 and 12 hour days. We are not ones to lollygag. Maybe its a character flaw, but its a flaw we share most heartedly and together. Plus, Evan did not enjoy driving it with tractor trailers whizzing by on the interstates.

SO...

We have decided to sell our camper while the market is hot! We will be getting almost what we bought it for.

So, even though it is a little sad for me, it feels right and we both have a huge peace about it.

Thank you little camper for the trips we enjoyed with you. 2020 would not have been as fun if you were not part of our lives.

The end to this chapter of our lives, but holy cow we're excited about where our dreams will take us in the future. #1 FLYING to Alaska and RENTING a class C. 

Gotta love it!!!

Arches National Park and home bound tomorrow

 We set the alarm at 5:30 A.M.. Jumped out of bed, dressed and headed to Arches. Stopped along the way and got a breakfast sandwich at McDonalds at 6. It was a short 7 mile drive to the entrance. Seemed like another 20 or so to get to the parking lot to see the Delicate Arches. A 3 mile "difficult" trail, 1.5 miles each way. We climbed 480 feet in elevation which does not sound like a lot, but it was a lot of rock scrambling to get there. You would not believe how many people had the same idea this morning.

This is Evan and me standing under the arch. Some kind person took our picture around 7:30 this morning.

Walking through Sand Dune Arch. The sand was so fine. We walked between two missive formations and it looked like an oases in between. The sand was cool and soft.

Evan walking between the two rocks.

Walking out and seeing more formations in the foreground.

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This is called Balanced Rock. Any wonder? A little scary to me. One day it will fall.

This is a lower point to se the Arch. There were so many people up there. Looking through the binoculars it looked like a bunch of ants on a gumball. 

We spent 6 hours in the park and saw every thing to see. We drove and walked all around. I'd say we saw it all.

I am totally ready for this view. We leave tomorrow morning for home. We should get home by Tuesday. Lord willing. Please be praying for traveling grace.  There were so many ways God blessed us on this trip.

One was I had my purse on the back of the truck and forgot it was there and drove up the Cottonwood Pass one evening. I saw it there when we returned later at the camp. ALL OUR MONEY  and my cards were in there.

Another was we drove over  3,000 mile with our lights all hooked together so our blinkers didn't work. We had to drive back a few miles to an RV place to get them fixed. A guy at a stop light told us about it. The mechanic came out and rewired it FOR FREE! We gave him a big tip for his kindness. 

Please be praying for our long drive home. It will be good to turn onto our lane. However, this has been a wonderful trip and great memories.

Love you all! I'm Gonna get me some real crab when I get home!👍

 

September 16 Train ride and traveling to Arches National Park

 Yesterday we went on that train ride. In parts it was scary and other parts it was spell bounding. There you go another adjective!!! What I really liked about the ride was the mountain stream that the train followed. This one was the color of a Caribbean tide pool. The water was blue green and was calling me to jump in. Of course I couldn't ask the conductor to stop the train because I wanted to put my feet in the water. But it was pretty refreshing looking. The ride was 2 hours. When we returned we came back to the camp after driving, AGAIN on the Million Dollar Highway. I got another name for it though. "Never Ride That Route Again". N E V E R! Things happen you know!

Oh, and when we were driving back we saw a male MOOSE. We abruptly stopped the car, got out and took pictures. I have never seen a wild moose with a rack of horns? Antlers? whatever, they're called. He was beautiful. I have to admit it was awesome to see him just standing in the wet, murky marsh totally doing his own moosie thing not caring a rip about us. It was awesome!!! We were hoping to see something wild. We did see two mountain sheep as we creeped up the Never Ride That Route Again, but couldn't stop. 

We were going to stay another night in Ridgway SP, but on the suggestion of our son Carson. We left there and drove 5 hours to Arches NP. The drive was interesting. We are staying at an RV park in Moab 7 miles from the park. We will get up real early and go. It gets pretty hot during the day.

 I am constantly amazed that the topography of the USA is so diverse.

As we got closer to Moab there was a road that followed the Colorado River. It was a bit longer, but well worth the extra drive. At first it was just like the other road, but after awhile it drove this these kinds of sandstone mountains. It was fascinating.

Tomorrow we go to Arches and will be doing some hiking. And stay one more night here in Moab, Utah. Then on Saturday morning we drive home to Maryland. Gosh that sounds good! Tomorrow will be my last blog of the trip. Hope you all enjoyed following along.

A view of most of our drive today. Very dry and arid.

GOOD NIGHT All!

 

Sept. 16 Train Ride, orange streams, red mountains and old houses

 Through Littleton and Ouray to the campsite. You're probably getting tired of me using words like, beautiful, spectacular, lovely, vast, and such. But my vocabulary is limited, so you'll have to just let me get by. See what I mean? 

The days have been stunning. Warm in the afternoon, cool at night.

Much steeper then it looks in this pic.

Driving on the Million Dollar Hwy (Rt. 550), all the sudden we came to a stream that was orange. Orange as an pumpkin. Flowing wildly over orange rocks. Pools of orange mud. It looked toxic. But looking up the mountains just as suddenly were red. Red and orange mountains next to granite ones. It was odd, but it certainly explained the orange stream. That mountain must have been loaded with iron. Can you imagine the rings in the toilets of the people who live near there?  Water treatment people must have a thriving business in that area.

This area of Colorado is loaded with mining towns. Old mining towns. Once thriving now in ruins. But these houses, though old and dilapidated, tell a story. These houses used to be vibrant with lives and living and life. When I see these homes it makes me wonder about those people who used to call them their homes. I could hear the laughing and see children playing here. These were poor people who worked hard to make a living. So far up the mountain life must have been very hard. 

 I must admit when I took these pictures I had to pause and just wonder of  who lived here many years ago. It was on the sobering side. Life is short. We have one shot at it. One life to get right with God to have eternal glory with our Savior. Eternity is a very LONG time. In fact there is no end it it. It starts when you except Jesus as your Savior. Just ask. It's yours for the asking.

We are now in Silverton in a café as I write this. Later on this morning we drive to hop on board a train ride of a life time, well at least mine. It's going to wind around the mountains and we are in the gondola part of the train. Which means we are on the seat outside. Will have to wait for tomorrows blog to see exactly what I mean

Very strange stream. I guess if one was to swim in it they would come out with a glow of the unusual stain. I still think it looks toxic.

Sept. 15 Coffee at Coffee Bear and a town called Silverton

 Last night I made a HUGE mistake. How was this Maryland girl thinking that I could buy a good crab cake anywhere in Colorado? Don't do it!!! You know if they have to sell it with cocktail sauce they must need to cover the taste. It didn't. Plus, getting four crab cakes for $6 should have been another hint to walk away. I didn't. But, we did get a coffee in Ouray again today. A sweet little coffee shop that freshly grinds the beans to order to make a most delicious cup of jo. That was a huge plus. I can forgive Colorado for the crab cakes since the coffee was such a treat.

We sat outside last night and waited for our eyes to adjust to look at the stars. Oh. My. Goodness! Way better then Lucy in the Sky's with Diamonds. (of course I really wouldn't know )  Heck, I have never seen so many beautiful twinkling stars. The Heavens do declare the glory of God. We just need to take time to look. I remember as a child looking at the stars and feeling a little scared knowing they were so far away. I got that same feeling, but a little differently. It made me think of the brevity of this life and the pettiness of life I generally live. Oh man...God is so patient with me. So far on this trip I have had two God experiences. Once at the Cottonwood Lake and last night looking at the stars. Sometimes this girl just needs to stop and look up.

The harrowing drive up the Million Dollar Highway. I didn't grab hold of Evan's arm but I really couldn't look down  either. There were parts of the asphalt that was eroding right on the edge. I'm telling you they need to repair that!!!! 

Town of Littleton. Not the best picture.

I'll get more later and add it to tomorrow's post.

Today we are going to Silverton. Yup, we're driving that million dollar highway. Perhaps I should have put a little vodka in that coffee.

Sept. 14 Arrived in Ridgway Today Black Canyon NP

 Drove to Ridgway yesterday. The landscape was SO different. Lots of tan and brown. However, we were treated to the most specular views on our way. This is truly a beautiful country. made foe a stressful drive. Yesterday we drove 16 miles to Ouray. A very cute mining town. We had dinner there.

Enjoyed a delicious dinner here. Looking down on the town after dinner

Entering the Black Canyon

 

Today, we went to the Black Canyon. We started at the top and looked down. Impressive!!! Then we went D O W N, down, down. A 16 percent grade and hair pin turns, 6 slow miles. At the bottom signs of falling rock did nothing for my uneasiness. 2,700 feet difference. I can see why they made this a National Park.

I am sitting at a Dunkin Donut's table outside writing this because our days at the State Park we do not have internet, so if by blogs are a bit spotty that's why.

More pictures of today

I have so much enjoyed this trip, but typically I'm a 10 day girl before home starts calling my heart. This is day 10! Thankfully, we have much more to see. Tomorrow we are driving the million mile highway. It's a treacherous road. no guardrails and straight down! One lane in each direction. It's either called the million dollar highway because they either paved over millions of dollars worth of gold per mile or it cost a million dollars a mile to build. Until I can write again, I send my love to all who read this.

Did you know how beautiful Maryland is? How lovely the Chesapeake Bay is? How nice it is to drive without feeling like you're going to fall into the abyss? I truly am thankful to have this opportunity, BUT Maryland is a delightful place to call home.

Blessings and love to all my family and friends. Can't wait to see my little Maverick! OXOXOX