GOING COSTAL

Late Fall and Early Winter 2018-2019

We have not fallen off a cliff, but we have been wandering into the salty waters.

After arriving back from Ireland, our travels eventually took us south along the Atlantic.  Some places were familiar but a few were new to us.

Huntington Beach State Park, Myrtle, SC

Most of the family joined us for a long weekend in one of our favorite campgrounds.  Located south of busy Myrtle Beach, the park's location is convenient.  Walking distance to the beach delighted the youngest members of the camping excursion.  Brookgreen Gardens is near and worth spending an entire day.  The land was at one time the plantation home of Alexander Hamilton's daughter but now Mrs. Huntington's art pieces grace the park.

      I actually cooked for all 11 of us in the camper!

The Airstream couldn't sleep all of us, so the grandchildren stayed with us..2 by 2, just like on the Ark.  Tents housed their parents and aunt.

     Atalaya Castle, built by Mr. Huntington as his seasonal home is a beautiful historic attraction at the park.

Willimgton, NC

 Fort Fisher State Historical Park, from the Civil War era, was an interesting place to visit, due mostly to our guide.  He was a transplant from Long Island, NY (most people here are from somewhere else).  I asked if I could take his picture and that I might put it in my blog.  
"You're not wanted anywhere, right?" I asked jokingly.  He said no, only in Mexico.  His story was fascinating....that's all I will say.

The structure across the water is meaningful.  That is where all the ammunition used by our armed forces in Europe departs.  If you try to approach on boat, you will be met by armed guards who escort you elsewhere.

North Carolina Aquarium and Bellamy Mansion were wonderful attractions.  There was a lecture the evening we visited the Historic house, but the Carolina Beach State Park actually locked the gates at 6:00PM with no way to get in or out without calling an emergency number.  Very unusual.

Savannah, GA and Skidaway Island State Park

We can't decide which eastern seaboard city is more fun to visit, but Savannah is tied for number one.

              The beauty and history are everywhere downtown.  

People are still living and working in the historic district with a only a few homes open to tour.

 Forsyth Park offers a large green space along with the many squares in Savannah.  Each square had a purpose.

                   Walking is fun but a trolly will drive you around the historic sites for free.  Bonaventure Cemetery and Wormsloe Plantation are a short drive outside the city.

St. Augustine, Florida

This has become our other #1 city to visit.  We stayed at Anastasia State Park, adjacent to the shoreline.

The city is fairly contained but packed with so much to offer.  We were camped here for 10 days and enjoyed everyone of them.

Being the oldest inhabited city in the United States, it boasts many "oldest" things and places....like the oldest street.

 Now Flagler College, originally this building was first build by Henry Flagler as a hotel for the rich and famous in the Gilded Age in 1888. At the time, payment for the entire season at the Ponce de Leon Hotel was the only way to vacation with Mr. Flagler. The price was $7,000 for 4 months...meals included.

Denny actually took this picture but it is an iconic view of the once famous hotel.

  The Ponce de Leon Hotel was completed in 1888 with Tiffiny windows in the formal dinning room.  Dorm food, even when served in beautiful surroundings, is still dorm food.   

 Even in the winter, people flock for a weekend of fun in St. Augustine.

Alter of the oldest Catholic Church in the Unites States, the Basilica of St. Augustine.

                And finally the oldest house,  It humbly started as a one story, 2 room building.

Speaking of houses, Sears use to sell house kits which included everything, even nails and screws, for building a dwelling. Different models are actually located all over the United States.  This one cost about $600 but you have to furnish the foundation and the elbow grease.  Finished product looks very nice.

Unfortunately, Fort Castillo San Marcos, now a National Park, was closed due to the government shut down.  Fortunately, we were able to visit on a previous stay to the city.

But Sebastian Winery was open to all, an easy stop off the little tour train.  These are wonderful friends from our summer residence in Michigan who were in St. Augustine at the same time.

We did have additional stops at:

Edisto Island State Park where the ocean was steps away and biking the island was enjoyable.  Make sure to arrive with plenty of water and all the food with you.  It is isolated and has no fresh water.

Topsail Hill Preserve State Park, near Destin is a lovely park complete with glamping tents and cottages.  We have been here many times and is a jewel of the Florida State Park system.

Crooked River State Park, St. Marys, GA is on the southern shoreline of Georgia and the place to stay when visiting Cumberland Island National Shoreline.