Fort Jackson-Alvarez's-Myrtle Beach

Wed. Fort Jackson has a family day for those who are graduating on Thur.The ceremony they have is pretty impressive.  It is held at Hilton Field.  Shannon had one of her friends on base get us on base so we could see the event.  Top left picture is Andrew Jackson a native of SC and  which the army base is named after. Middle top shows the parking for the field.  Top right is a exercise if a terrorist came.  They covered the field with smoke in the middle picture you can see the American flag in the middle.  They had four batons come out of the smoke which they were in the woods and could not see them at all.  They spoke what the soldiers went through in the last 10 weeks.  They have a graduation each week and Al’s is not till the beginning of May.  When the event was over we went to the Army museum.  Out side they  had equipment from World Wars, Korea and Vietnam. Inside tells of the changes from WW1 to modern Army.  It tells of the training they have to go through.  Al is in the final phase with his troop which is out in the field which takes four or five days. When we got back to the rig we heard a noise in one of the storage areas.  To make a long story short the elec. wires were getting burnt in the elec. post we hook up to.  We had to move the rig they could not fix the wires today.  After we got moved we went to church then came home exhausted and went to bed.

Thur.  We got up ate and did our bible study.  Linda did laundry and I washed the car.  We called two folks to see how the generator works.  We both feel more confident.  We went to Shannon’s after lunch  and Linda made gravy for a crockpot pot roast dinner that Shannon had started this morning.  After we ate we went to LiliMarie’s softball game. Which her team won.  Afterwards we went for ice cream.

Fri.  We both woke up early so we started our day.  At noon we picked up Diego and LiliMarie at middle school and took them to their home so LiliMarie could get ready for her girl scout week-end.  I went and picked up Xander at his school.  We dropped LiliMarie off at the base and the rest of us came to the rig.  I played a game with Xander then the four of us played chicken foot.  The boys and I made a fire and went to the park while Linda cooked our hobo’s.  Shannon got here and we ate the hobo’s and went back to the park.  On our walk it started to rain so we waited in a shelter.  Some of the folks also there offered the boys bread so they could feed the ducks.  When we got back to the rig we made smore's YUM YUM.  We played 31 and pass the ace. 

Sat.  We picked Diego up and drove to Spartanburg, where Xander and Shannon (the elem. school archery coach) had an archery tournment.  Top left Xander is coming in with his scorecard. The rest of the pictures is him shooting and the team picture.  Xander on knee front left and Shannon 2nd left in rear of picture.There team got 2nd Place.  When we got home we did our jobs for getting ready to leave.

Sun. We got up ate did our Bible Study then got things ready to leave.  On our way out we had to stop by the dump station and get the rig cleaned out.  We drove to Myrtle Beach and found a camp site right next to the Ocean!!  It is cool here so we have not run the a/c and have our windows open listening to the waves.  We took a 2 mile walk on the beach.  On the way we saw a man flying kites(bottom 3rd picture).   We had dinner then to church.  After church we drove from N. to S. Myrtle Beach. Some parts are very commercialized with lots of chain restaurants and lots of places to stay.

Mon.  Linda got up early to watch the sunrise.  The first picture is from the rig and the second she took from the beach.  We took a long walk to the Myrtle Beach State Park Pier as you can see they had a very large chair there.  We also took in the sunset which had a lot of clouds.

Tues.  Another great sunrise.  We both enjoyed seeing it.  We also enjoyed a 2 1/2 mile walk  along the water.  There were many jelly fish that had washed ashore, We took a short a bike ride. After playing Skip-bo (each of us won a game) we went in the lazy river and a swim ia a heated swimming pool where we did some exercises.  I went to the ocean to see if the waves were big enough to ride.  A little disappointed they were to small.  After dinner we went for another walk in the park.  We saw the sunset but the trees were in the way from seeing it.  We played one more game of skip-bo and Linda Won.  

Wed.  We drove to Murrells Inlet(first top three pictures) on our way to Huntington Beach State Park.  Our good friends the Botts told us about it.  Archer and Anna Hyatt Huntington bought the land in the 30's. Before that it was a rice farm then a hunting lodge.  The house named Atalaya that they built was Spanish in style.  Not only did they build there home in the depression  and was the biggest employer in the county he bought some land for the black folks so they always had a place to live. Before our guided tour of the house we went on a 8 mile bike ride in the park and the close neighborhoods.  Top right we sat back in huge chairs when we got to the park. Bottom left two pictures are two of the many sculptures Anna has done.  On our bike ride we rode up to the gate at Brookgreen Gardens where a lot of her sculptures are.  We would have loved to had more time to go their.  The next picture is an old tree which we thought would be a great back drop.  We went to two bakery's bottom right we ate the lemon muffin so fast we forgot to take pictures.  The next bakery we got homemade bagels for Thur.  

The house was different than any house I have ever seen. First picture is outside the house, second is front entry and third the front door with Atalaya which means tower.  They had no need for a tower but they wanted to give it that name so the built a tower and made it a water tower to water everything with gravity.   top right is the long hall way leading to the front door. 2n bottom from left is there living room.  3rd picture is Archer's shower with seven shower heads.  Bottom right is servants living room area where they hung out eating to be busses when needed.  When we got home we ate then to church.

Leaving 1000 Trails-Jax. FL-Beaufort SC-Charleston SC

Thur.  After our bible study we went to the Florida Mall.  At noon we had a one on one to help us with the photos and doing graphs. during the lesson we found that our computer had a glitch and from there everything went down hill.  We had to get another back up external hard drive and back everything up.  When we got that done our computer operating system needed to be up dated.  At seven we were walking out of Apple and going back to the rig.  While we were there we talked to one of the associates and he told us that Verizon could now be on hot spot and make calls at the same time.  I called Verizon and made the changes.  We got home and I put the bikes on the car rack just before the rain.  We then ate, cleaned, and got things ready to leave in the morning .

Fri. We drove to Jacksonville and visited some sojourners Bob and Lynn(top left picture below).  They had space on the side yard and wanted us to stay with them.  We had dinner, they showed us the house and how he fixed all the rooms, and played shanghai (which I won).

Sat. Lynn made a large breakfast for us then we drove to Beaufort SC. On the way we went over many bridges (top right two).  As you can see they have a big sea shipping ind.  The old town was neat and interesting the next five pictures is the Waterfront Park.

Picture below is downtown some stores(top right and left) a rocking bench that goes sideways(middle  top picture),  church, Synagogue, and Beaufort Arsenal.  The bottom pictures is the Beaufort National Cemetery.

There was many homes built from the 1700's. The top right house was used in Forest Gump movie.  In fact most of the scenes were filmed in this area. The bottom three pictures are the ones Linda likes the large Oak trees with there hanging limbs.

Sun.  After breakfast and bible study we went to a Visitors Center and got info on the things going on around here.  She said there was a little beach on the way to Edisto State Park.  About 4 miles before the park there was a road Botany Bay Plantation run by the Dept. of Natural Resources.  As we entered the park a Vol. gave us maps and a self guided tour.  They were both very helpful.  In the picture below you can see the drive we had through the park.  There was a lot of marsh land(bottom left picture).  When we were at the beach a flock of pelicans flew over I did not know they flew in formation like ducks(bottom two right pictures).

Here are some pictures of the beach area the pictures just don"t capture the unusual trees in the water from erosion.

The picture below is of one of the two areas where the plantation homes were.  Top right is a ice house and picture next to it is where they put the ice under the floor and it was insulated in saw dust. The house was also used as a carriage house, place to dry crops and storage.  The bottom left picture is the gardener shed. The concrete is the oyster shells burned and crushed with water and sand mixed in more oyster shells. Bottom right picture I am examining the walls.  The bottom middle picture is what is left of the other plantation home.  This one had a dance floor on the third floor.

Mon.  I thought this is spring!! 41 outside and 58 inside.  We put our heat on, ate and did our bible study then to Charleston.  This is a town that both of us thought we had seen.  After getting there we knew we were wrong.  Called the "Holy City" why we never found out why.  Top left picture is coming into town.  Next to it was one of the building making up the four corners of law. City Hall(oldest in the country), US post Office and Federal Court, County courthouse, and St Michael's Episcopal Church. The town had many stone streets, lots of gas lanterns still being used, and hidden gardens with Water statues.  The houses were short front side to the streets (they say they paid taxes by the width of the house to the streets an example is 2nd row 2nd picture the front door opens to a court yard and the front door is is the middle of the side of the house.) 3rd picture 2nd row is one of the house on rainbow row is a house that is narrow to the street and long on the sides.  2nd row right is a house with split steps and faces the street.

The top row is flowers Linda found in town. bottom 2nd picture is one of the many courtyards it seemed every house had one.  Bottom 2 pictures on the right is water Park with the green leaves just starting to come out and the pineapple fountain not far from the cruise port.

Top three picture is carriage house with top left is the stable, middle steps to get on the carriage and right Linda is on the step looking at the house. Middle left picture is cabbage row named for selling veg. on the building  is "Catfish Row" novel "Porgy" and opera "Porgy and Bess". The middle just an old car.  2nd row right a garage with a chimney above it. Bottom left is a house with boat post  in front.  It is four blocks from the sea at it's time the sea was at it's front door.  Bottom right 2 pictures is sea wall at the battery.

2nd top picture is where the first shot (April 12, 1861) that started the civil war. It shows the different forts locations. Top middle picture is one of the drinking fountain in White Point Gardens named for the large amount of oysters shells the covered the area. Top right is house with Tiffany glass wedding gift from parents sent them to Europe for two years while they completed it.  The bottom row of pictures is the Dock Street Theatre. On the third floor that had a ball room(right picture).

This picture is St. Phillips Episcopal Church the pipe organ which is still used every Sunday(middle and bottom left pictures) has horn pipes. Bottom right once a year in April for a week they have a tea party and we timed it right. What a great experience.  We had their specials okra soup and shrimp salad and their delicious desserts pecan and key lime pies. What you do not see is the bells were melted down in the civil war to make cannons. Not replaced until July 4, 1976.

Across the street is the Huguenot Church top left 2 pictures. 3rd picture top is the Carriage Inn which is believed to be haunted.  In fact they have many place that are haunted even a night tour of them. The rest of the pictures is the Angel Oak Tree.  Named after a couple who owned the land named Angel.  The tree is not as tall as some oaks but is able to withstand the winds from the coast. As the tree ages the heavy limps lay on the ground.

The last picture for today is the American Only Tea Garden.  Charleston Tea Plantation which makes the American Classic Tea. We took a trolly ride and saw the tea plants both new and the ones they harvest the leaves from.  Middle left is one that had flowered they also seed but they do not use them they graft them. Middle 3 right some of the tractors they made from cotton equipment to harvest tea.  The bottom three pictures is how long the tea is dried black tea 50 min. oolong tea 15 min. and green tea no min.  All teas are from the Camellia Sinensis and Chinese tea plant.  Tea need humidity, right amount of water and sun.  The low country of SC is just right for it. Bottom right is Waddy the mascot with his cup of tea and me.  We got home early both tired but did play a game of cards and had dinner then started on the blog.  As you may see this is another of our favorite areas.

Tues.  We cleaned and did laundry before leaving for Columbia.

1000 Trails-Winter Gardens

Thur.  We enjoyed today walking, riding bikes, and playing Skip-Bo.  I also put new grips on my bike.

Fri.  We took a swim and did some cleaning.  Had dinner and played Skip-Bo.  We walked to the club house where Lou Renshaw(top left picture below) was having a concert.  It lasted for 2 1/2 hours.  We were able to listen to the music and dance.  We a had a great evening.  

Sat. After breakfast we put the bikes on the car.  We drove through a neighborhood garage sale and found 4 life jackets for four dollars.  Then a trip in the county down a dirt road to go blueberry picking. (top right 3 pictures).  they have 10 different types we picked flicker and Jewel. They also had hot blueberry cobbler, blueberry ice cream(which we put on top of the cobbler) and blueberry muffins which we ate all three(bottom left picture).  Then to the bike path in Winter Garden West orange trail(bottom middle picture).  We biked six miles to Winter Garden  where thy were having a garden festival( bottom right).

They had a butterfly exhibit(top left picture below).  2nd picture is an old ice cream maker, next to that young lady on stilts, and next to that one of the flowers exhibit.  They had elem., middle, and high school doing chalk art(bottom two rows).

 When we got home we played skip-bo, did the blog., bills, and watched TV. 

Sun. After breakfast we went to church.  Then shopping and and afternoon swim.  We got some of our magazines read.  After dinner we listened to a couple playing country christian music.  We  were going to watch the Disney fireworks but we are both too tired.

Mon. After breakfast we biked to Publix about a 5 mile ride.  We played more skip-bo during the day.  After lunch I played water volleyball and Linda read in the sun and exercised in the pool.  We went to a computer class before dinner.  After the class we saw the light was on at Krispy Kreme so we just had to have a donut (pictures below).  When we got home we watched  Dancing with the stars then bed.  We both had a hard time sleeping.  Linda has sore back muscles and a headache.

Tues. Linda had a bad headache but still made wonderful blueberry pancakes (yum yum). We played skip-bo during the day.  After lunch I played pool volleyball and Linda read some magazines, swam, and laid on the pool chair.  After dinner we played putt putt.  I got one hole in one and we tied with strokes (did I mention that Linda got 4 yes four hole in ones) we played more card games and my lucky streak is still going.  We read some magazines and watched some TV.

Wed.  After breakfast we went on a bike ride and got the daily newspaper.  We read played skip-bo then had lunch.  After lunch I played water volleyball and Linda read, swam and relaxed.  We had dinner and on our way to church we stopped by Walmart to get our glassed adjusted.

Alvarez-CFBC-Leaving Camp

Thur. We got up this morning and Linda made cinnamon rolls.  We went swimming came back for a late lunch.  We went and made smore's and played shuffle board.  We went to the beach to watch the sunset.  Dad had dinner ready for us when we got home then we watched half of  "Sound of Music".

Fri.  LiliMarie made cowboy coffee cake then the kids went swimming.  One of their friends they met here is leaving today.  We came home and watched the rest of "Sound of Music".  After lunch we played cards.  Shannon and the kids went to the beach.  When they got home we had dessert and played our last game of cards.

Sat.  When we got up Shannon and the kids packed the car and we all left for Skidder's.  Bottom right picture you see Diego with his waffle banana split.  You see the ice cream part and his waffle is on the other side of it.  Xander got pancakes which they have Micky Mouse ears.  (The top picture is one of the mornings just the adults went out to breakfast).  After breakfast Shannon and the kids left for home in NC, while Linda, Dad and I went to Dad's.  Linda did laundry and the two of us cleaned.  The three of us played pegs and jokers before lunch and each won a game.  We went back to Skidder's for hamburgers and fries.  When we got home we played our last game of pegs and jokers and Dad and I won.  We taped a movie Dad wanted then left for CFBC.  We got back to the rig early so we put everything away then bed..

Sun.  After Church we took one of the sojourner couples out to lunch.  They watched our rig everytime we went somewhere.  We tried to get our plans for where we are going to go when we leave here.  We went back to church and said good bye to some of the friends we have met.  When we got home we had our ice cream, played 7 up(a card game), and watched TV.

Mon. I washed the rig and the car.  Linda worked on the inside.  We said good-bye to one of the sojourners who left for In. today.  We are the only one left at the camp.

Tues.  We got things ready and I think we are getting used to how to do everything.  It went smoothly and quickly.  We have a 50 amp spot in 1000 Trails.  We planed our next two weeks and found all of the campground open that we want to go to.  We played Skip-Bo and got ready for church and on the way talked to Shannon to find it was Tues. not Wed!!!  We came home and went for a walk and the evenings here are still cool.

Wed. Linda got up and made waffles Yum Yum. We went on a bike ride and saw some of the turtles that are burrowing in the sand.  Then paid some bills and left to shop and go to church.