East Coast Trip Sep 12 - Oct 12, 2018

Saturday Sept 15, 2018

Well our 4 week vacation turned into 4 days.  Anyway, thanks for everyone's input.  We will save for another time.  Really enjoyed 

Savannah.

Interesting, spent four days next to Hurricane Florence in Savannah, sun shine and not a drop of rain.  Got home in The Villages, downpour all afternoon.  Go figure!

See ya next time!

Bob & Shari

Friday Sept 14, 2018

We found this very popular ice cream parlor, downtown Savannah,  "Leopold's".  Founded in 1919.  They can't scoop it or ring the till fast enough.  Awesome!  As a financial guy, I hate it when that happens.

Anyway, my bride Shari can't pass an Ice cream shop, so here we are.

Also had lunch at a great sandwich shop, proclaimed to be the best in the country.

Actually maybe #2.  Called "Zunzis".  Conquistador their headliner.

Fun place!

Bob

Thursday Sept 13, 2018

Hi, we are safe in Savannah, Ga and spent two days in the lovely city.  No hurricane affect here.  But clearly we will not be able to continue our trek north.

Plan on heading home tomorrow, Sat 9/15.  All cancellations went well.

Savannah fun!  Lovely breakfast at a little "Forest Gump" filming diner, ie;  Deb's Café.  Great breakfast.  Then went to their "City Market".  Found the "Hop on Hop Off" trolley tour.

More history here than one can recall.  Wonderful architecture and town squares.  Jumped off at River Drive along the Savannah River.  Free water taxi.  Lots of folks fleeing the hurricane from the north have landed in Savannah, so a bit busy.  Toured River Street.  Great dinner at "Pirates House" along the River.  Very Good!

Those poor people in Wilmington.  Lots of flooding.

See ya soon!

Bob & Shari

Wed Sept 12, 2018

Well it appears Florence has turned our trip upside down, approaching a cat 5 hurricane and headed directly to two of our reservation destinations.  We were told traveling east coast to popular busy spots we better have reservations, so we booked over $2,000 worth.  Now try to cancel.  Not a problem for Myrtle Beach and Virginia Beach, they were under evacuation orders, so no problem canceling there.  Our problem is the areas not yet affected but making it literally impossible to get to, ie; Cape Cod and Acadia NP.  Savannah is also open for business and in a much as we are in a 3 day window, no refund for cancellation $500.

So, we seasoned former RV'ers are not use to this serious reservation stuff, and in an emergency a Wal Mart Parking lot always worked fine.  Our friends the Crowe's will love this, see pic of our former RV friends.

So, here is what we have decided.  We are leaving today to Savannah, Ga not in the storm path.  Use our $500 non-refundable deposit.  After a 4 day stay we will decide what to do about the rest.  While our northern destinations may not be affected the problem will be how to get there through 2,000,000 people under evacuation orders.  Wow!  Suspect we will be heading home.

Bob & Shari

ps:  Oh I wish we were still RV'ing!  I miss my friends!

Second Week Smoky Mnts July 2018

Famous Ashville House

July 15, 2018

Well the second week in the Great Smoky Mountains.

Lake Junaluska

Spent a day in the Maggie Valley area and walked the trail around Lake Junaluska.  Very nice scenic trail 2.6 miles around the lake.  Beautiful weather.

Following day

decided to do the “Hop on and Off” trolley ion Ashville.  Very nice tour, 2 ½ hrs and very well narrated .  Lots and lots of history here.   10 different stops, all with a little different venue.  Could easily spend a day just doing this.

Wednesday did the Scenic Great Smoky Mountains Railroad Ride out of Bryson City, NC.

Lovely Homes

Major Famous Homes

Great Smoky Mnt Train

Our Car

Took the First Class ticket with a full meal service.  Was a 4 ½ hour ride with a brief stop over and turn around at Nantahala River Outfitters Camp, whitewater Rafting, zip lines, mountain biking, etc.  Great trip with awesome views. 

Rafting

Thursday a cabin rest day.  Friday spent the day in Cherokee, NC.  An Indian reservation.  Little known fact, the Cherokee Tribe goes back further than the Inka’s.   Of course, reservation includes “casino” world.  Stopped at the one in Cherokee.  Huge!  Endless machines and tables.  Also included bowling alleys.  Event center was having a national “Corn Hole” tournament.  $50,000 purse.  Watched some pretty skilled tosses.  Never new they had such a thing.  Jersey’s, sponsors, the whole gamut.  Fun to watch.

Later found a nice river stream.  Family’s rafting, swimming, just having a good time.  We spent an hour or so just relaxing in our bag chairs on the water.

Saturday, our last cabin day, heading to Brevard, NC.   Drove the Blue Ridge Parkway to Brevard.  Spent the day at PARI Astronomical Research Institute.  Located in the Pisgah National Forest, an old NASA facility turned to a Science Learning Center.  Pretty amazing stuff.  200 acre site dedicated to providing “hands on educational and research opportunities” for a broad cross section in science, technology, engineering and math. A public not for profit foundation, founded by Don Cline.  As a NASA facility, this was the site in the 60’s that tracked and monitored our manned space flights, Yea, “The Eagle has Landed”.

Our tour was very professional and well done.  Lots of history, science, and meteorites artifacts.  Treated to holding Dinosaur egg, rocks from the Moon and Mars.  We  were given a “Planetarium Exhibit”, StarLab, a portable unit for visitors and students, having hosted more than 80,000 visitors, showing all of the constellations.  Wow!  Very worthwhile visit.  A  rather “sterile” entrance and seemed not “user friendly”, but once inside changed our view.  Thanks for the recommendation from friend Bill Harper.

Well, tomorrow we head home.  A great two weeks in the Smoky Mountains.  Wonderful cabin accommodations.  Loved the area.   Over and out until the next adventure.

July 8, 2018

Well, it as been awhile since we “blogged”, but have done another bucket list item and rented a cabin for two weeks in the “Smoky Mountains”, North Carolina.   So thought we would share our experience.

Leaving on Sunday 6/30 for our start date of 7/1, 520 miles to our destination just a little South West of Ashville, NC, so decided on an overnight before our arrival.  Drove some 420 miles staying in Commerce, SC, just a little North of Athens.  Nice stay with early morning departure to Ashville, NC.  Our cabin is actually in Clyde, NC, but check in was not until 4:00pm, so decided to go to Ashville for breakfast / lunch.

Great place recommended by Village friends Dave & Dotty, Moose Café.  One of those places with “good southern comfort” food.  Carbs kind of “hang from the ceiling”.  Oh Well!!  Good!

Cabin Smoky Mnts

Inside Cabin

Checked into cabin about 3:30pm.  Great Cabin with very nice amenities.  Direct TV, Internet, Surround Sound, Full Size Brunswick Pool Table, dishwasher, A/C, washer/dryer, really going to “tuff it”.  Really a great location at the base of the “Great Smoky Mountains National Park”.   Did a little auto tour of the area before check in time.

Great Smoky National Park

First full day, Monday 7/2, checked out community of Waynesville.  A very vibrant town with lots of tourist activity.  Spent time on the Main Street searching for activity schedules as this is the 4^th of July celebration.  Found the famous Blue Ridge Parkway (ie; some 469 miles long) and did a little road trip to Maggie Valley and Lake Junaluska, and the National Park, all highlights of the area.  Found the National Park Visitor Center at Oconalutee, very nice situated on a rapid river stream and a historical Mountain Farm Museum.

A top Chimney Rock

Tuesday, July 3^rd, took a day trip to Chimney Rock State Park.  Just 25 mi SE of Ashville.  This famous Rock /Mountain is proclaimed to be 535 million years old.  Highlighted with a 404 ft Waterfall.  A 75 mile view at the top.  Lots of climbing and hiking trails.  Spectacular  view of Lake Lure.  A wonderful day trip and beautiful drive along the Broad River.

Wed July 4^th, we took in the celebration in Waynesville. 

Children’s / Family parade at 11:00am followed by a park concert highlighting national hymns.  Rather nice touch.   PM took a road trip around Maggie Valley and Lake Junaluska taking in all of the Holiday activities.  Evening, too tired for fireworks so checked in early.

Thurs, July 5, a cabin rest day.  Went into Waynesville for lunch.  Found a great burger place.

Friday, July6, took a day trip to Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge.  Famous tourist towns in Tennessee.   Yes, it was crowded.  Carry over of the July 4^th holiday.  Lots and lots of people.  Had lunch at a place called “Dicks Last Resort”.  Program is to be “intentionally rude” to the patron’s.  Loud and rude.  Our waiter was ok, not to bad.  Referred to us as “The Old Man and Old Lady”. 

Grazing Elk

Oh well!  Anyway, the food was good and we started with a “huge” Margarita for two.  After lunch we continued our road tour to Pigeon Forge and Dollywood.  Not nearly as crowded and don’t think Dolly was in town.  Drive back right through the center of Great Smoky Mountain National Park.  Very pretty but lots of curves and cut backs.  Ran into a severe rain down power.  Hight was stopping to see wild Elk out for the evening grassing.  Large rack male. 

Large Margarita

Saturday/ Sunday, July 7 &, cabin rest day.  Rain most all Saturday, first since we arrived a week ago, so not to bad.  Shari and I played several games of Billiard’s, teaching each other, Wasn’t real pretty.  Sunday did a craft festival in Maggie Valley then over to Lake Junaluska for a Hike arounf the lake.  Beautiful day, mid 70’s, perfect.  End of our first week.

Barbados, Antiqua, St. Kitts, St. Thomas

Wednesday, February 28, 2018

 

Arriving Barbados

Arriving in Barbados, Bridgetown docking at 8:00am.  We had booked an early morning bus tour, “Panoramic Barbados” leaving at 8:55pm.  Local tour guide giving us lots of information.  Noteworthy, believe it or not, Women outnumber men 7:1.  Wow!  Also, longevity seems apparent with many folks living into the 100 years old.  So guys, if you want a single gal say 102 years old, this is the place for you!

King & Queen of Barbados

The island is very active, tour ships, container ships, etc.  Products primarily sugar cane, and most notable their “Mount Gay Rum”.  Also a celebrity island many notables having vacation homes here along prestigious beaches.  Very “High Rent”.

Local Life Style





St Kitts Park Square

Full Moon ST. Kitts

Touring the island proper, we note a life style not unlike many other islands. 

Touring the island proper, we note a life style not unlike many other islands.  A democratic but socialistic government providing welfare and healthcare.   Home of the third oldest Commonwealths Parliament.  Clearly limits a progressive lifestyle.  Strong British influence “Little England”.  Tour included a stop at a very historic Church.  Lots of historic buildings and sites.  Beautiful scenery!

Tomorrow off to St. John’s / Antigua.  Nearing the end of our trip.

 

Thursday, March1, Antiqua,, Friday, March 2, St. Kitts

Arriving around noon, we booked a guided tour of “Amazing Antigua”, a three hour bus tour with sightseeing stops.  Part of the British Crown and one of the largest Leeward Islands.  Tour guide a local and well informed.  A very beautiful island.  Weather beautiful, sunny, low 80’s.  Water colors magnificent.  History of sugar cane, but many closed plants now.  Beaches and tourism seam most notable today.

Queen of St. Kitts

St. Kitts arrival at 8:00am.  Beautiful setting with a mountainous terrain.  Broke away  from British Crown,  now on their own.  Home to vervet monkeys.  Beware, they like to steel “shinning things”.  We opted out of bus tour and did our own walking tour.   Typical island living.  Spent some time in a town square park.  Purchased a pinacolata at a local joint for a treat.  Afternoon SPA treatment on the boat.  Lobster dinner tonight.

Town Square Park St. Kitts

 

Saturday, March 3, 2018

Arriving ST. Thomas 8:00am.  Our last stop before home.  A US island purchased from Denmark in 1917.  
 
 

View Antiqua

Beautiful harbor and a very popular Caribbean stop.  A two hour tour planned today.

St. Thomas Harbor

Should be home tomorrow night.  A marvelous three weeks of being “pampered”.  Fantastic  boat, crew, amenities, etc.  The Amazon was extremely remote, so an education indeed.  Still Tribal life in remote areas.

Thanks for following us on our adventure.

Not sure what we will do Monday am.  Dave & Dottie we may be calling for “room service”.

See ya soon,

 

Bob & Shari

At Sea to Barbados

Tuesday February 27, 2018



Viking Sky

Well, we’ve  been at sea for four days, so thought I would do an update on our ship.  Most know Viking for their river trips, long flat boats carrying 150-200 passengers, doing mostly European rivers.  Well, recently they entered the “Cruise” ship market, with five active ships operating and 10 planned.  These ships are smaller, ie; 950 passengers  vrs the larger cruise                               ships in the 3-4,000 passenger range,

                                                                                                                  



Theater

Also, the Viking included amenities are considerable.  Their passenger to crew ratio  is 2:1 vrs the larger cruise ships 3:1.  Pampered, but not to the point of irritation.  Also things like included Spa, steam room, sauna, hot tubs, Thermal pool, fitness center, outdoor deck pool,  and believe it or not a “snow room”.  Also, wine is served freely at lunch and dinner, and I don’t mean a glass or two.  It’s pretty much all you want.  Good quality as well.   No abuses noted.

 The theater is a masterpiece with individual swivel chairs as well as bench seating.  Good views from anywhere.  Numerous educational programs throughout the day.

Casual Reading Area

Dining of course abundant with three private seating restaurants at no extra cost, (one fine dining), room service no charge,  and of course the traditional cruise ship buffet.  All food has been very good.

Piano Entertainment

All rooms outside balcony, no inside rooms.  Heated bathroom floors if wanted.  Large king size beds.  Large flat size TV with 24/7 programing, news, movies, etc., no charge.  Free WIFI throughout ship.

Bottom line, we feel best cruise ship ever been on.

Amazon to Manaus

 

Thursday, February 22, 2018

Merging Waters with Amazon

Last night set sail for Manaus, Brail, arriving at noon. 
Noted the convergence of tributaries to the Amazon.
Amazon the "muddy brown" because of its powerful current.

Arriving Manaus Port

Manaus is the largest, most secluded, and furthest city along the Amazon.  Over 2 million people, mostly developed by Amazon forest tribes, still representing many cultural tribal beliefs.  Primarily assessable by boat or plane, with only one road leading to Venezuela.   A tour of the city certainly shows a very low standard of living.  Historic markets, street vendors, etc.  Fishing is by far the most dominant market,  locals eat fish seven days a week. Some 25 languages spoken.  Our local tour guide was born in the forest tribe, calls himself the “black sheep” one of twenty children in his family.  Left tribe at 14 years old under the adoption of a missionary family from Texas.  Speaks English, but sometimes hard to follow.  Tour bus to their "Opera House", appears the only highlight of the city.

Opera House

 

Friday, February 23, 2018

Still at dock in Manaus, so Bill and I decided to go to the downtown market for a walking tour.  Very busy market place. 

Market

Looked like mostly locals shopping, so Bill and I stand out like a sore thumb.  Lots of vendors hustling everything you can imagine, most notably a young lady hustling the “oldest profession on earth”.   Must have hit the “red district”.

Back to ship for lunch and a free afternoon at port. Noted the loading of a "very large fish" just below our deck.  Catch of the day? 

Catch of the day?  6', 200 lbs.

Ship departs 5:00 pm prox.  Then four straight days at sea along the Amazon.  No scheduled stops until Caribbean sea, ie; Barbados scheduled for Feb 28.  That will have been 10 days on the Amazon with only a few hours of sunlight.  As our tour guide says, it is the “Rainy Season”.  They rather enjoy the cool rains.  As he says, the seasons are “Hot & Hotter”.

Enjoyable exploration and wonderful ship accommodations, but probably not a trip we would repeat.

Amazon to Parintins

Monday February 19, 2018

After leaving Grenada, we were to sail one day to French Guiana, a three island French colony used primarily to house French criminals on the famous “Devil’s Island.(remember the film “Papillon”).   Anyway, strong winds and high seas prevented this anchorage, only available by tender.  So, to our disappointment, another two days at sea to Brazil.

The Mighty Amazon

Arriving at 8:00 am, Macapa’, Brazil is the northern channel entrance to the Amazon River.  It is the official clearance to ships for custom clearance.  We must anchor at the entrance for clearance of all passengers’ passports and VISA’s.  We will be here two hours then get underway on the Amazon to our first port of call, docking at Santare’m, Brazil  8:00am, Tues February 20, 2018.  Our River adventure begins.  We just crossed the Equator, and are now official “Shellbacks”, and worthy of celebration ceremony.

Tuesday, February 20, 2018

Well, in route to Santare’m  along the Amazon, you quickly realize how massive this river is, while second in the world to the Nile in length, it is by far the worlds largest volume of fresh water with over 350 tributaries feeding it.  The speed of the water flow is strong and carries a very brown chocolate color from soil erosion.

Piranha "sharp teeth"

Stilt House

Slouth tree habitat

Docking in Santarem at 8:00am, we begin a very busy tour day.  First, fishing for “Piranha” on lake Maica.  While fishing for these very “sharp toothed” fish, the highlight was the trip there and back.  Nearly four hours worth of sightseeing navigation.  No roads, everything must be arrived by boat.  Dweller’s live in stilted shacks.  This is the rainy season, so rain expected daily.  Summer is dry and very hot, 100 degr plus.  Many wildlife sightings, the most unusual being a “Slouth”.

Brazil Nut (18 per pod)

Afternoon tour was on bus thru the city and rural area.  Very poor area and probably makes Mexico living look good.   Stopped at a Brazil Nut processing establishment.  Taste and demo.  Then a Latex rubber tree harvest. 

Rubber Tree (Latex)

Also tree root harvest, ground, squeezed dry, powdered sold as a carbohydrate grain.  Lots of fruit processing as well.  All done very primitively.

Tree root Carbohydrate Grain (drying)
 

A very full and interesting day.  Not a place I would want to live!

 

Wednesday, February 21, 2018

Overnight travel along the river to Parintins.  City sits on the convergence of four rivers, showing the power of the Amazon.   Tendered into town for a theatrical show known as “Boi Bumba”.  

Local "High Energy" show

An amazing colorful high energy performance of costumes, music, drums, dancing, a Carnival type atmosphere.  It was an awesome show telling the story of the “resurrected bull”.

After the show, we did a short self guided walking tour of the village.  Typical island shops and again shows a very poor standard of living.  Back to the ship for a 5 pm departure.