January 30, Relaxin' in JAX

We have been doing a lot of walking and a lot of relaxing in Jacksonville. Since arriving here last Friday we have tasted Jacksonville's best pizza, visited Jacksonville's best bookstore and traveled over several of the seven bridges that cross the St. John River, which snakes through this big city.

Yesterday we watched a train cantilever bridge open and close to let boats pass through. This we saw on our four hour walk! The Riverwalk , along the river, of course, led us to Jacksonville Landing, a gathering place downtown frequented by tourists and locals alike. The many little shops and restaurants on the water provide great opportunities for people watching. A further few blocks up Laura Street we spent a couple of hours at Chamblin's Bookstore and Cafe.

The walk back home was brisk as the temperature dropped abruptly. It was a chilly night. I am currently at the Public Library where, of course, internet access is freely available. Today we will visit the Karpeles Manuscript Museum Library which houses the world's largest private  collection of original manuscripts and documents.

January 27, Jacksonville

Although we could have stayed on Jekyll Island for much longer, we were excited to be spending time with a very good friend in Jacksonville.  Before leaving Jekyll we had a great chat with a fellow Westy owner.  Westy people are very connected to their vans and fiercely loyal. They are also eager to swap tips and trips. I was warned that buying a Westy was almost like joining a cult.

By area, Jacksonville is the largest city in the US, but one of the easiest to navigate, or at least that is what my GPS would have me believe. We arrived at around noon, went to a great pizza place for lunch and then found a guy named Ralph who gave me a great $13.00 haircut.  The sun shone all day in Jacksonville.

January 26, Beachcombers

Over 60% of land on Jekyll Island must be kept natural. This makes this little island, not only a place of beauty, but a pleasure to explore. Today we decided to explore several areas of the island including the nine hole golf course. Before heading to the golf course we stopped at the shopping centre, a cluster of container like buildings sitting just above the dunes. After purchasing our supplies we stopped to chat with a couple from Ontario, before heading off to the golf course. Unfortunately, the golf course was closed, just for today, for maintenance. We then put plan B into play and headed for St. Andrews picnic area where we ate lunch under the Georgia pines, walked to the wildlife viewing area, read a number of plaques explaining the significance of the area (slaves were landed here in the 1800's after slavery was abolished), and walked along the beach. We had a long conversation with a couple from Ottawa with whom we shared RV travel stories.

Intercoastal Waterway Marker

Gazing out at the red and green numbered markers on the Intercoastal Waterway System brought back many fond memories. I sailed up the Intercoastal from the Florida Keys to New York and then on to Halifax, with my parents in the 1970's on their 35 ft. Schooner. They had sailed the boat down to Florida in July and I quit my job in December to join them for a six month adventure.

We visited the historic district of Jekyll Island where there are “cottages” and a clubhouse built by Roosevelts, Morgans and other American rich folk. If I hadn't read the word “cottage” I would have said something like, “Wow, look at that mansion.”

A stop at the Dairy Queen completed our day of exploring Jekyll Island.

January 25, Island Hopping

Driftwood Beach

After our first night on our new mattress, the verdict was “excellent”...no aches or pains; and we both reported a good night's sleep. We did need to turn the heater on for a short while this morning, just to keep the dampness at bay. After breakfast we walked on the beach, packed up and headed south on Georgia's Ocean Highway. We enjoyed the slow pace on this highway as we meandered through many coastal villages and towns. I think that we saw more churches than houses, many with signs indicating that there would be a revival meeting soon.

Our three hour drive took us to Jekyll Island, a pristine, seven mile long, vacation destination. Although it has a resort feel about it, the Island's beaches, marshlands and other natural areas reminds me of a nature preserve. We walked on Driftwood Beach today where the driftwood resembles a tree graveyard. It costs $5.00 to get on the island but it is well worth it as the funds are used for conservation. At one area near the beach there were bags of oysters piled against the dunes. A sign indicated that these were placed there to attract larvae and thus helping to recreate the natural ecosystem.

Sunset on Jekyll Island

Tomorrow, maybe golf, maybe Talbot Island, maybe whatever.

January, 24, Tybee Island

It sure was great to wake up to a warm, sunny morning.  It was a short three hour drive from our motel in Manning, South Carolina to Tybee Island, Georgia. Tybee Island, one of Georgia's barrier islands is the easternmost point in the state, about 20 miles east of Savannah.  We are staying at a campsite that is very close to the beach, where we enjoyed a two hour walk. It was good to stretch after four days of driving. We watched ships navigate the narrow channel where the Savannah River meets the Atlantic on their way to and from the port of Savannah, pelicans diving and feasting as gulls followed them to pick up any scraps and stopped to examine the big assortment of shells on the beach. Tomorrow we will head further south, down the coast of Georgia. Life is good.

January 21, Storm stayed in Fishkill, New York

Yesterday, somewhere in Maine, we awoke to the sound of snowplows and salt trucks. By 9:30 the roads were clear, the sun was out and we got on the interstate. We motored along at between 50 and 55, while all the big trucks, and every other vehicle, sped by us. It is oddly comfortable and almost enjoyable to know one's limits and remain in the slow lane all day, especially since we have no deadlines to meet and no specific destination in mind....just somewhere warm! Today's forecast is for 6" of snow and it appears that the forecast is correct as there are already a couple of inches down and it is snowing steadily. We have decided to stay here again tonight as we have no desire to drive in these conditions. The highway cams reveal that a wise decision has been made. And so, it will be a great day to read, play scrabble, watch TV and plan tomorrow's route.

January 19, Four Deer, Three Moose

January 19   Since it is advisable to keep the Westy under 100 km/hour, lots of vehicles passed us today, including a truck with two moose riding in the back! The other moose we saw was at the side of the road in Maine where there aren't any moose fences. In New Brunswick, where there are moose fences we watched four deer leap across the highway just ahead of us.  Basically the day was spent driving...about 520 miles...The Westy is a US vehicle.