You are welcome to join me for a dream of a lifetime...driving cross country on two lane roads enjoying God's amazing creation and visiting family and friends along the way. Sit back and let me do the driving!
After a wonderful afternoon at the gardens it was time for tasty treats and walk along the lake. Appetizer of fish bites was delicious followed by crab cake sandwich with broiled jumbo lump crab cake, drizzled with key lime aioli on a brioche bun! Oh so good! After that a walk along the lake and through a few shops in town!
What a fun couple of days with Andrea! Our first day we drove an hour to enjoy hours leisurely strolling through gardens enjoying first the children’s garden, oh to be a child and get to come and play here! Then following various paths enjoying a wide variety of plants and flowers. After an hour we enjoyed a concert at the tower, threw out our blanket, played down in shade and just listened! Amazing! Highly recommend checking it out if you ever get the chance.
Bok Tower Gardens were established in 1929 by Edward Bok as a gift to the American people, the 70 acre garden was designed by noted landscape architect Law Olmsted to be a contemplative and informal woodland setting. Acres of ferns, palms, oak and pines fashion a lush backdrop for flowering foliage and the spectacular colors of seasonal azaleas, camellias, and magnolias showcasing an ever-changing work of art. The 205 foot marble and coquina Singing Tower is the pinnacle of the gardens with tile mosaics, animal carvings, custom ironwork and daily carillon concerts. The concert was beautiful!
My intention to take two lanes roads today came to a stop when I was running short on time to get to St Augustine and on to Winter Garden for a few days with niece Andrea. I started on a two lane road but caved as I was about to cross over I-95 and realized I could shave 90 minutes by using the interstate. Good decision. Got to St Augustine for an early dinner at Sunset Grill, a place researched and highly recommended. I had an Ultimate Seafood Salad that had lobster, shrimp, crab and crawfish tossed in a traditional creamy lobster roll sauce, over mixed greens, cucumbers, dried cranberries, homemade pickled onions and cabbage, topped with fried capers and served with homemade Key Lime vinaigrette! It was good ! It was big! Took half of it for Andrea to enjoy with a slice of Key Lime pie. My trip to St Augustine was basically a drive through, lots of resorts, hotels and retired people walking the streets! St Augustine lays claim to being the oldest city in the USA.
Back on the road I still had 90 minutes to drive…and one more stop! I’ve been told if I had a chance to stop at a Buc-ee’s to do it. I did need gas so pulled in to one of the 104 gas pumps, as it lives ip to its name of being one of the largest gas stations! Plus a mega convenience store of over 50,000 square feet! It was worth the stop! I could have spent an hour looking, managed to walk out with an Buc-ee’s insulated mug…which I actually needed cuz I left mine in Virginia!
Finally arrived at Andrea’s about 6:30 in the dark, but found it after calling her “I think I’m close but don’t think this is the right house! Can you come outside and see if you see me down the street!” She did and I had about 2-3 more houses to go. I was given a voicetrous greeting from Albert and Leo, her two dogs who quickly warmed up to me after receiving some TLC.
Arrived Savannah about 8:44, found a parking spot, bought a ticket for On Off Trolley ride and tour with 14 possible places to get on and off. Had a great driver narrator, I got off 3/4 of the way through at the River, walked around down by the river shops, then up into town and hopped back onto the trolley for the remainder of the tour and jump back in the car for a 3 hour drive to St Augustine.
Savannah’s history as told by our driver, the authentic historical reenactors definitely brought Savannah’s history to life!, The old houses, churches, trees with Spanish moss (I didn’t know what that was!) allowed me to see even in a glimpse of a few hours the Savannah of old. Learned it is the 4th largest port in the US. That was a surprise!
After worshipping via streaming at First Baptist Woodbridge (disappointed I was not able to worship in person due to Covid) the car being packed I ventured off beginning the long drive back home to Seattle heading south via Florida and then west along the southern states. So thankful for the months of gracious hosting by my East Coast brother and sister! It was a bit overwhelming to think after arriving 5 months ago which included over night trips to see friends, 2 trips back to Seattle I was finally on the rod again. Thankful for all the sweet memories!
I really need to keep up posting on a daily basis, at least make notes or it all runs together in my head of what happened when! Left Dumfries about 10 am, driving I95 south in 3 hour stretches until about 6:30 landing in Hardeeville South Carolina overnight. Was good to drive this stretch of 95 on a Sunday as a good majority was having road work done and I think during the weekdays it would be a pain to drive! Stopped specifically rather than continuing in the dark to Savannah Georgia because my 2 lane road was going to take me along the edge of Savannah Wildlife Refugee which I wanted to drive in the daylight. Well the next morning 20 minute drive was a huge disappointment as I drove along the refuge and there was nothing scenic about it!! But good decision on where I stopped to stay! No regrets!
Included a stop just South of the Border of North and South Carolina! WOW! What a tourist shop! Crazy!
This last week was a time for packing up the car and two bins of items that “live in Virginia” and even a bonus with relaxing time to put together a 500 piece puzzle!
Also time for completing a puzzle in record time!
Last night I was in major trip planning mode!!!
However here is where the “flexibility” comes into play!!! I’ve had a raspy cough since Wednesday night, during the Friday night I had 3-4 hours of extreme chills with clattering teeth and my whole body shaking I was so cold! Finally about 2am I got up and put on layers of clothes, climbed back onto bed still shaking and cold. By 4:30 I had a fever of 102, obviously no longer cold. Slept through breakfast, When I did get up there was a Covid test, mask and a strong encouragement to go to Urgent Care. After testing positive I agreed to go to UC even though all I really wanted to do was to go back to bed. Was able to “make an appointment” for UC! That was brilliant! I was in and out in under an hour, testing positive for Covid again, from there made a quick trip to the pharmacy, once again it was quick! Albuterol inhaler, benzonatate for my nasty cough and paxlovid for Covid. Then back to bed! So I have delayed my departure from Virginia for a few days, not speculating at this point when it will be. Praying I will be sensitive to the Lord’s leading. I’m sure for me this is just a bump in the road, thankful it didn’t happen while on the road. If you read this would you join me in praying that my dear friends Kris and Laurie DO NOT come down with Covid. I am thankful I’ve been able to hold off getting Covid this long though I always knew it wasn’t IF I would catch it but rather WHEN!
Well I’ve kind of gotten behind in my blogging, time to dig in and catch up! (Well that was wishful thinking a couple of days ago!!)
Saturday was a day of grand celebration and testimony of faith in Jesus, Lord and Savior of beloved Freda Ricord, my Mom #2. There were 5 that shared remembrances: TR on behalf of the Ricord family; Paul Aronson on behalf of the Aronson’s; Freda Everett representing MOPS; Lizzy Minaglia and Paul Weisz on behalf of youth ministry students over the years. The sanctuary was full with family and friends but also generations of youth who loved Freda AND love her Jesus! So fun for “me” to see so many from over the years! But add to that seeing people excitedly reunite and there was so much surprise in who was going to walk in the door next! There were former youth who came from Florida, Alaska and Texas! Following the service the Ricord/Aronson clan plus a few close friends of the Ricords went for a bite to eat and continue to remember dear Freda. When I got home around 6, Judy Kurrus who was spending the night and I talked for 2 hours catching up on each others lives. Needless to say it was an exhausting day in a “good way”! I went to bed at 8:15!!!
Sunday morning Judy and I attended the the 8:30 service at West Side followed by my dropping her off at the airport to fly back home to Texas.
I flew out Monday morning for Virginia, Tuesday enjoyed a Christian Women’s lunch with dear friend Katie (included two firsts for me with catfish and haddock served in the buffet line, I preferred the haddock!). This week plans include packing up the car and heading south Sunday worship. See next post for an update on my travels!’
See previous post for information about the Raclette Grilling festivities! When I am limited to 5 pictures per post sometimes it takes 2 posts!
Then it was home for the Pro Bowl game! Declan made sure we got home in time and both he and Klara were “into the game” throughout! They were disappointed the AFC didn’t win! While the kids finished watching the game Shevaun and I took a walk through the green belt and around a couple of ponds behind the house. It was a full day and new adventures still ahead!
Supper was fun as I experienced Raclette, a dish native to Switzerland, using a Raclette grill in the center of the table in which you cook sausage, veggies (onions, green peppers), have boiled small potatoes, put in your individual serving dish a mixture of the above with a slice of Raclette cheese on top, put it under the element and let the cheese melt. You have to watch it closely as not to burn it! It reminded me of the days of sitting around the fondue pot in the 70-80s. It’s a great meal for sitting together chatting, creating and savoring! Might just have to buy a Raclette table top portable electric grill! And then have some Raclette parties! The fun didn’t stop with supper!
Next we broke out a fun geography board game called The World Game that Klara got as a birthday present earlier in the week. I was pretty apprehensive due to my lack of geography knowledge but proved to be fun learning together, laughing together and sometimes getting very animated and excited together! Needless to say with all the adventures of the day I slept well!
As with each stop and connection I love the conversations, sharing life, strengthening friendships and being present and in the moment!
Returned to East Coast living this last week with a special visit with dear friend Katie Heermann, and hours of helping to put a 1500 piece puzzle together, temperatures in the 20s overnight and high some days of 50, most days with shine! Yesterday I washed and vacuumed the car for the last time until it reaches Seattle! Once clean the car top carrier was added! Car is ready!
This weekend it was extra special to have Gerald, Sara and Micah come down from Maryland for a last visit before I head back out on my road trip. Great conversation, rousing games of Uno with the largest Uno cards you’ve ever seen, yes, continuing to work on the infamous puzzle! Delightful family time together!
I must say I have gotten a bit out of practice of blogging! More to share but will do that tomorrow!
