-
All around Charleston, SC (Part 2)
Watching the sunrise over the intercoastal or any water is awe aspiring as one welcomes the dawn of a new day. Mitch was able to capture the rising sun one morning, and we share it with you. Especially for those who are not morning people.
Patriot Point Naval & Maritime Museum, located in Mount Pleasant, SC, is home to an aircraft carrier and destroyer. I toured the aircraft carrier with Mitch, but it’s not my cup of tea. However, it’s not all about me! The facilities left me wondering what daily life on the aircraft would be like for our servicemen. I’m not too fond of cramped spaces, and the thought of sleeping in a fold-down cot is not appealing. When touring the kitchen, my thoughts wandered to the heat generated from the stoves and how they managed to provide meals for all those aboard. Stairways to the various levels were steep, and picturing the men scaling up them during drills left me with a daunting feeling.
When Mitch expressed a desire to visit the USS Lafety destroyer, I was done and told him to go ahead as I would wait for him at the visitor center. Mitch was excited to share his experience with me and relayed that this WWII ship was known as” The ship that would not die.” It earned its moniker because it was attacked by twenty-two Japanese aircraft despite being badly damaged by four bombs and six kamikaze crashes. We owe gratitude to all our servicemen keeping us safe and allowed us our freedom.
We finally got to take a schooner sunset tour in Charleston Harbor. We wanted to do his in New England and Maine, but between the temperature and the wind, it was a bit too chilly for us. The Schooner Pride left the harbor, and it was a great evening to go out on the boat and enjoy the colors of the sunset.
Email: movebeyondordinary@gmail.com Instagram: movebeyondordinary
-
All around Charleston, SC (Part One)
We stayed at Buck Hall Recreation Campground, which only had nineteen sites. Once again, we enjoyed views of the intercoastal waterways. We were the only ones without a boat. Apparently, this is the place to be to get up at the crack of dawn, fish all day, and fillet your catch upon your return.
Charleston was one of the cities I was most eager to visit, and it did not disappoint. We used the app GPS MY CITY -where you can take your own walking tour. We find this more enjoyable as you dictate the length of time you want to spend at each highlight rather than being with a group that has a tight schedule. Charleston is very much like Savannah, GA. The colonial homes were astonishing. We toured the Nathaniel Russell home and were quite impressed. They restored the building to its original grandeur. The tour guide indicated the house was rat-infested, but it was a good thing. I would never associate rats as a good thing, but when they went into the rat nests, they found items such as pieces of wallpaper which aided the restorers in recreating the rooms to original colors and décor. Interesting, to say the least.
The cruise ships were docked in port the day we explored, and the covered market was quite congested. One good thing about living in a 5th wheel is you don’t have room to buy knick-knacks. The farmer’s market was in full swing in one of the town squares. Stalls of fresh produce, street dancers, and people having a good time made for a delightful way to spend a few hours. As a side note – don’t do a seven-day liquid fast when visiting a city filled with various restaurants and cafes. We didn’t plan accordingly, and we never got to enjoy the cuisine of Charleston.
This city offers many quaint shops, but if you want the other end of the spectrum, a visit to King Street is where you need to stroll. High-end, brand-name stores line each side of the street, offering those costly items that make you wonder why???
Mitch and I would like to revisit this town when we are NOT fasting.
Email:movebeyondordinary@gmail.comInstagram: movebeyondordinary
-
Mystic, CT
Yes, this is the place where Mystic Pizza was filmed starring Cher. The shop owner probably thanks the movie creator since a line was outside the door the day we visited. Who doesn’t want to see a movie icon? It is a cute little town on the seaside with shops, restaurants, and many boats. We decided to eat at one of the many restaurants and had a wonderful evening meal, sharing a bottle of wine and enjoying each other’s company.
The primary purpose of this visit was to see my sister and her family on Long Island. Many seasoned RV travelers advised us not to navigate the bridges and roads one has to take to get onto the Island. The bridges are narrow (not our idea of fun), and the highways need repair. After traveling on bumpy roads, we never know how we will find the interior of our 5th wheel and if items fall out of the cabinets when opened.
We arrived with our 350 dually truck in tow to get on the ferry and take an hour and a half trip to get to Orient Point on the North Shore of Long Island. A pleasant day to take a boat ride, and the route is dubbed “Lighthouse tour,” as there are about six different ones along the way. We didn’t include any pictures because, at this point, everyone must be over my lighthouse addiction.
The weekend was comprised of visits to family and friends. It was a time to catch up and enjoy the laughs getting together brings. Time flew by too quickly, and it was time to say goodbye and catch the ferry back to Connecticut.
Email: movebeyondordinary@gmail.com Instagram: movebeyondordinary
-
Salisbury, Maine
When we stay at an RV park, we often travel to the towns we wish to visit. We take the truck if the distance is far, but if we can, we enjoy riding our bikes to venture out. Rose Beach RV resort was very close to the beach. After speaking with some of the guests, a suggestion was a visit to Rockport.
Rockport, MA, is located at the tip of Cape Ann Peninsula. I loved visiting here—lots of quaint shops, restaurants, and home of the infamous Motif 1. We walked through the town, searching for this building. It sits at the Bradley Wharf, and its claim to fame is “the most often painted building in America.” We almost missed it.
On another day, we took a long bike ride leading us to the town of Amesbury. Amesbury is small, and the day we went, it was relatively quiet. They had a general store that offered an old-fashioned soda counter and various merchandise. They also housed a vintage post office complete with individual brass boxes. I haven’t seen one of those in a while.
From there, we rode to Newburyport. This town was busy! As we entered the town center, we saw people strolling the sidewalks, stopping at an array of shops, or sitting in the town center people watching. We decided to join them, enjoying our smoothies, and now we became one of the many others watching the people go by. My favorite store was a shop selling various goods from England, and I ended up purchasing various English jams to use when I assemble my charcuterie boards
It was a great day for a long bike ride!
-
Old Orchard Beach, Maine
Pinehirst RV Resort is very close to the pier. One evening we went for a stroll on the beach. The pier is uneventful, but I did get a good picture from the shoreline. As luck would have it, at the park’s entrance was a place where we could purchase fresh whole lobsters. They even steamed them for you. Dinner was two bright red, soft shell lobsters with no fussing with boiling water. Absolutely delicious!
Portland was our day trip, and it was worth the drive. Its restaurants, shops, and harbor were a delight. We wanted to take a ride on the schooner, but once again, the winds were more than we wanted to tackle. I don’t think a schooner ride is on the agenda for this visit to the New England Coast. The array of fresh fish was so different than those caught in Florida. The fish market was tantalizing, but I didn’t have room in the freezer, so we had to pass. Lunch was fireside pizza along the boardwalk, and we had the most humorous waiter, which made the experience much more enjoyable.
The Eastern Promenade Trail paralleled the coastline and ended at a park overlooking the ocean. The park was a field of grass where blankets, children, and picnics were all around. Various types of food trucks were bustling, and YES, we had ice cream. It was a beautiful sunny day to enjoy the beautiful surroundings.
I have fallen in love with the numerous lighthouses and was not disappointed. There were several in Portland, but we rode to Ft. William Park, where the lighthouse was in excellent condition. Good thing we now have digital cameras, or it would be a small fortune if I had to develop the film of all the pictures I have taken.
Kennebunkport was suggested to us as a town to visit. It was bumper-to-bumper traffic leading into this small town which was perplexing. At last, we could find a parking spot and walk into the town. People were everywhere! We soon realized the streets bustled with people celebrating Pride Week. They had a live band, an art show, and various entertainment to celebrate. We went into a few shops but quickly realized we didn’t want to hassle with the crowd. There was a lighthouse not far, so we hopped in the car and took off. Mitch is still miffed I didn’t take a picture of it. I didn’t think it was worthy. Hilariously, this lighthouse was in a little neighborhood and stood about 8 feet tall. Smallest lighthouse ever. On our way out, I noticed a private residence whose yard sculptures were picture worthy. I hope you agree.
Email: movebeyondordinary@gmail.com Instagram: movebeyondordinary
-
Acadia National Park (Part 4) Schoodic Peninsula, Maine
On recommendations of a local, it was suggested we visit the third part of Acadia National Park. It is the only part of the park on the mainland. The other two areas are on Mount Desert Island. As you can surmise, it’s a pretty big park. It was a fifty-minute ride from our campground.
Thankfully, we enjoy car rides, and the roads were planked by beautiful trees, including Birch. (I love these trees) When we arrived, we were greeted by huge boulders and the roaring sound of the Atlantic Ocean. It was mesmerizing to watch the waves crash against the rocks, exploding into a magnificent spray of water, and then cascade back to the ocean. We wandered along the rocks with the camera in tow, hoping to capture the sensation of the moment to share with you.
As usual, on the way back, we went exploring, and lo and behold – I spotted another lighthouse. Stop the car, let me out and snap away. (Like I don’t already have enough pictures of lighthouses). If my husband tires of my affinity for lighthouses and the need to stop to capture their beauty, he never lets on. He is most accommodating. However, marriage is a give and take. I take him to lighthouses, and he takes me on scary hikes up the mountain. Hmm – is that a win-win scenario?
Email: movebeyondordinary@gmail.com Instagram: movebeyondordinary
-
Taste of Maine (Part 2) Acadia National Park Hikes
This park is rich in its history. The park was established in 1916, but uniquely it was the first whose land was donated entirely by private citizens. It has more than 47,000 acres. John D. Rockefeller, Jr. not only donated 10,000 acres of land but was responsible for 45 miles of carriage roads that wind through the park. As bikers, we appreciate roads where you don’t have to worry about cars coming too close or streets not having a bike path. These carriage trails are limited to hikers, bicyclists, and horses. Carriage rides are available. An enjoyable respite was a stop at the Jordon Pond House, known for its popovers.
Like most national parks, it beckons its visitors to enjoy its many hiking trails. The first was the Great Head Trail. This trail starts at the only sandy beach in the park. The water temperature rarely goes above 55 degrees, yet, believe it or not, there were people in the water. This hike was 1.4 miles with views overlooking Frenchman Bay and Gorham Mountain.
Our second hike was the Gorham Mountain trail. It’s a two-mile hike that boasts some spectacular views. The wind was pretty fierce but well worth the scenic view at the summit.
Our last hike was the one I feared the most. Mitchell was itching to go on the Beehive Trail. In our discussion with the park ranger, he felt this was the scariest trail in the park because it’s very steep and goes along the cliff edge. Dread filled my body, but no way was I going to let him do it alone. We arrived at the park by 7:30, and hikers were beginning to start this epic journey. It was a gorgeous morning. The sun was up, the skies were clear, and the wind was a non-issue. We began to hike up the rocks when we came upon a sign forewarning the danger of this hike. Mitch looked at me and asked, “What do you think?” My response was, “Let’s go for it. If I can’t do it, we can just stop and go back down.”. Well, there was NO turning back! I am not afraid of heights, but my more significant concern was climbing rocks, with me being 5 feet tall and not being in my 20s anymore.
This trail indeed was like rock climbing. Some spots had rails to grab to get up. Even with the rails, there were a few times Mitch had to give me a push-up. We made it to the top, and the view was undeniably magnificent. The panoramic view was well worth the harrowing experience, but I felt I had earned my badge of accomplishment. Would I have done this on my own? Absolutely not, but the love of my life pushes me beyond my comfort zone, and we get to reap the reward together.
Email: movebeyondordinary@gmail.com Instagram: movebeyondordinary
-
Arches National Park and Dead Horse Pictures
Thought I would share some of the many pictures taken during our journey. Mitch takes awesome videos but can’t use all of the pictures taken. Here is a slideshow of some of my photos. Each week I will pick out a destination and take you on the journey with me.
