Day 1, July 24, 2023, Monday. Lake City, FL (159 miles).
For the first time, we are departing on what is now our second trip of the year. I guess that makes up for no trips taken in 2022. A relatively short drive to Lake City and we checked into Casey Jones RV Park (50 amp FHU). Our good friends, Tim & Marilyn, came to our coach and we spent the afternoon catching up. Dinner at Frankie’s Place Restaurant included lasagna, chicken parm and pizza. Back to the coach for dessert for Marilyn’s home grown blueberry cobbler. Yum!
Day 2, July 25, 2023, Tuesday. Beaufort, SC (235 miles)
An easy drive to Beaufort and we checked into Green Acres Airstream Park (50 amp FHU). We drove to Hunting Island State Park and walked the beach and visited the lighthouse. A beautiful park and not very crowded.
Day 3, July 26, 2023, Wednesday. Beaufort, SC
Our day began with a stop at the Downtown Beaufort Visitors Center. The center is located in the Beaufort Arsenal built in 1798 and rebuilt in 1852. Also in the Arsenal is the Gullah Geechee Heritage Center where we had an excellent docent and learned the story of Robert Smalls. Smalls was a slave from Beaufort but who, at the age of 12 or 13, became a worker on a ship based in Charleston harbor. The routine was for the white officers and crew to go into town at night and leave the slaves on the ship. One night during the Civil War, with the ship loaded with weapons and ammunition and no one but slaves onboard, Smalls piloted the ship out of the harbor and quickly lowered the Confederate flag and raised the white flag to surrender the boat to the Union based in the port of Beaufort. Smalls became a hero and he later became a politician. We drove around The Point, a historic district of original homes - among them the Thomas Hepworth House c. 1720 and the home of Robert Smalls c. 1834. A visit to The Chocolate Tree for a free sample and a purchase to take home. We also stopped at Olive the Above and received a free balsamic vinegar to take home. After lunch we went to Parris Island, home of the USMC Recruiting Depot. After our car was searched, we entered the training camp and drove around. Many of the buildings predated 1950 which was the year my father was here for his Marine Corps basic training. I bought a couple USMC decals at the visitor center and gift store, one for the coach and one to replace the existing one on my Honda originally placed there by my dad (as it was originally his tow car.) We were able to see trainees marching and another group doing martial arts. Next we went to Port Royal and the Sands Beach boardwalk and observation tower. We saw about a dozen dolphins playing in the water but as soon as I got my camera ready they were gone. Back to Beaufort and a visit to the Rotten Little Bastard Distillery. We talked to Brian the owner who told us that the RLB name was his mother’s nickname for him. I had a 3 sample tasting, which Rosemary barely shared, and a tour. We did not purchase any bottles.
Day 4, July 27, 2023, Thursday. Wilson, NC (313 miles)
A planned stopover in Wilson and one night at Kampers Lodge Campground (50 amp FHU). A visit to the Wilson Rose Garden and then a drive downtown to the Whirligig Park. A unique park with many creative wind powered sculptures designed by Vollis Simpson. Photos don’t do it justice as the amount of constant movement was pretty neat. Adjacent to the park is Casita Brewery where I had a refreshing pilsner to help with the hot weather.
Day 5, July 28, 2023, Friday. Williamsburg, VA (168 miles)
We checked into the American Heritage RV Park (50 amp FHU) about mid-afternoon. We then visited with our friends, Rob & Carol, who we had not seen since our last visit during our 2021 trip. Dinner at Giuseppe’s Italian Restaurant was eggplant parm. Rosemary had chicken parm.
Day 6, July 29, 2023, Saturday. Williamsburg, VA
A very early start to the day as Rosemary was up at 6:00 and I followed shortly thereafter. Rob’s band was playing at the Williamsburg Farmers Market from 9:00 to 11:00. We picked Carol up at 8:20 and headed to the Farmers Market. The market had a very nice mix of fresh veggies, fruit, cheeses, meats, seafood, etc., but we did not make a purchase as we had no room in our refrigerator. We arranged 3 chairs in the shade near the band and enjoyed the concert. We sang along to most of the songs the band played and had an enjoyable time. We all had a light lunch at Panera and visited a bookstore in Newtown. We then went to the Williamsburg Rec Center and walked the indoor track for some exercise (way to hot outside!). We had dinner at Second Street American Bistro. I had the shrimp and grits which was 5 large grilled shrimp with a large gritcake, andouille sausage, red, yellow and green pepper and a dark and spicy broth. It was fantastic! Maybe not as fantastic as Barracuda Bob’s but since Barracuda Bob’s is no more, Second Street is now tops when it comes to shrimp and grits! Rosemary had a poke bowl with seared tuna. A great couple days visit with Rob & Carol.
Day 7, July 30, 2023, Sunday. Ashland, VA (Richmond) (50 miles)
A short drive and we checked into Americamps RV Resort (50 amp FHU). A day of laundry, grocery shopping, reading and rest. The campground has a nice fitness room and we utilized the treadmills.
