Southbound 2022

February - March 2022
A 31-day adventure by Diane Read more
  • 35footprints
  • 1countries
  • 31days
  • 225photos
  • 5videos
  • 4.1kmiles
  • Day 32

    Thank You

    March 19, 2022 in the United States ⋅ 🌧 43 °F

    After 31 days on the road I have officially come full circle. I woke up this morning in my own bed, with my windows wide open and pups snuggled buy my side. Mission accomplished, I missed several snow storms and most of February and March. Tomorrow is the first day of Spring! What more could a girl ask for?

    I have fulfilled my meticulously planned expectations (months of researching) with a perfectly planned and executed travel itinerary that went off without a hitch, stayed on schedule and hopefully brought joy to the people and places I visited.

    If you zoom up on the map you will see all the wonderful places I have seen the past month. All said and done, I traveled close to 4000 miles and made over 25 amazing stops, met many new friends saw old friends and toured with long lost family! 50 years was way to long to be without my twin cousin 😊.

    I want to thank everyone that helped to make my trip such a success. I am so blessed with loving family and friends that welcomed me with open arms. Reconnecting with everyone was so joyful.

    Everyone went out of their way to welcome me into their homes and create some very fun and long lasting memories. Don’t think for a second I didn’t notice those special personalized touch’s that were there just for me. Thank you.

    Unforgettable delicious home cooked meals, martinis, late night movies and some puppy love, lots of needed kisses from the puppies!

    Strawberry shortcake, cozy bedrooms, breakfasts, an amazing backyard bird sighting, and some wet and wild boat rides. Note to passenger now that it’s over, as the very nervous assigned driver I had no idea what I was doing but we made it!

    I am already reminiscing…

    Beautiful beaches, bar tending lessons, restaurants, sushi, distilleries, vineyards, and one amazing view after another.

    Perfectly executed charcuterie boards, loving cousins, chicken kabobs times two (lol cousins think alike), homemade coffee cakes, award winning chicken salad, steak barbecue and a very memorable sun drenched nap on a pier with splashing fountains that warmed me to the bone. This feeling is the thing dreams are made of.

    I went over some spectacular Bridges, did some amazing birdwatching, saw many alligators, lunched at a beach side sandy Island and boated through amazing canals.

    I chased some Sunsets and woke early for sunrises. I experienced a Tesla launch, relaxed at the Tiki Hut, sipped Rum Runners ate appetizers and had lots of gut wrenching laughs…all priceless.

    We started at a VRBO property in the fields of Lancaster PA. I did a 4 day solo camping adventure ocean front on the Palm Coast, did lots of visiting and ended when heading back north at two different VRBO properties with amazing sunrise and sunset front row seats in northern FL and SC! Well worth waking for.

    Thank you, thank you, thank you ❤️

    ⭐️ Extra bonus, I stocked up on some cookies and cream milk that as far as I know can only be obtained at roadside Wawa stops.

    An extra thank you goes to my great co-pilots. I know it’s hard to sit in the passenger seat. I really appreciated your guidance and company. You both deserve a gold metal for putting up with me.

    I woke this morning wondering where I was for a second and then instantly wondering where and when I’m going again.

    Cheers to everyone. I love you all and thank you so very much.

    Also, thank you to all that followed my adventure.
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  • Day 30

    NC, Virginia, WV, Maryland

    March 17, 2022 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 52 °F

    We toured the Andy Griffith Museum today before hitting the road north. Andy Griffith, was born in Mount Airy and this is the home of the single largest collection of artifacts. Just happened to be where we made a pit stop for the night. Yep, the fact that this is in our plan to visit means we are old!

    There was a recreated Main Street Mayberry, including Andy’s house, Gobers gas station, Aunt Bea’s apron, the diner and the jail house. Yeehaw! It was fun.

    We saw lots of open land, farms and mountains.

    We have set up camp at The Hampton Inn in Hagerstown for the night. We will make one more stop before home. Not sure where yet. Any suggestions?
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  • Day 29

    Mt Airy, North Carolina

    March 16, 2022 in the United States ⋅ 🌧 54 °F

    Nothing to report here. Travel day. Lots of rain. Good news is gas prices are going down. Bad news is, I’m getting cranky. I’m sure it’s the northern air. Ewww.

  • Day 28

    Hilton Head

    March 15, 2022 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 59 °F

    Hidden in the Sea Pines Forest Preserve on Hilton Head is a 3,500-year-old Native American archaeological treasure.

    I am truly amazed that this archaeological site is surrounded by a gated community with limited access. I was really looking forward to seeing the shell ring. It’s made up of hundreds of thousands of oysters, clams and mussels. The Sea Pines Shell Ring is one of some 50 known shell rings found along the coasts of South Carolina, Georgia and Florida, all dating back as far as 5,000 years. Also behind the gates is a museum and The Harbor Town Lighthouse.

    We were not allowed to enter because we were in a “camper” (see photo). We offered to park and walk in. That is not allowed either. But we could rent a car to enter or call an Uber. Apparently the community does not want “campers” driving or humans walking through their neighborhood. Why they would build a community around a tourist attraction is lost on me.

    So…we shopped, bought the tee shirt, had lunch and went to the beach. It was still a beautiful day. It was nice to see some flowers. It’s been a long winter.

    Check out the sign of rules posted at the fountain in the photo below. Rules 3 through 6 are especially inviting.

    I guess if you don’t golf or live in an elite gated community, Hilton Head is a bust.
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  • Day 28

    Hilton Head SC

    March 15, 2022 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 52 °F

    Good morning from our VRBO rental in Okatie SC. Put the volume up on the video for the full peaceful experience of the birds singing right before sunrise. This is another very special place.

    We will start with some coffee and homemade blackberry pancakes and then head out for a day in Hilton Head.Read more

  • Day 27

    Florida —> South Carolina

    March 14, 2022 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 48 °F

    Travel day. Starting with a great sunrise. Heading to Okatie, SC (Hilton Head). See you on the Interstate.

    … but can’t drive through Georgia without having some peach cobbler.

  • Day 26

    Keaton Beach Coastal Adventure

    March 13, 2022 in the United States ⋅ 🌙 50 °F

    We toured the area today. It is so beautiful here.

  • Day 25

    Keaton Beach, Perry FL (VRBO jackpot)

    March 12, 2022 in the United States ⋅ 🌙 41 °F

    We arrived just in time for sunset. This place is amazing!

    Cheese, crackers, Alice’s “to die for” chicken salad and some leftover Feta Pasta, martinis and a most spectacular sunset! An unmatchable supper.
    Life is good 🤷‍♀️
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  • Day 25

    Clearwater

    March 12, 2022 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 61 °F

    Mary finally arrived in Tampa after a 3 hour delay. It is so nice to see her. I am looking forwarding to my new co-pilot helping me navigate our trip back home. Feeling sadness and joy at the same time.

    It was so great to see my neighbor and old high school friend Kerry. Her house is so cozy and unique. Seriously, who couldn’t love a girl with a martini glass and orchid collection? We have so much innocent fun-loving history. We FaceTimed our friend Jeannie and gabbed for an hour, It’s conversations like this where you find out an old boyfriend named one of their children after you! 😉😉. I always laugh when I talk to Jeannie. Even after all these years we all still get each other 🙃. Laughing is good!

    We had a little hold up so The Magic Chassis could take a shower. Volume up if you want the thunder and lightening effect.

    Thanks to Ashely for the selfie lessons and the great shots. Ashley was a random stranger that asked if we needed help. We did need help!

    Once the storm passed we went to lunch. Cheers to my very best and dearest buddies!
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  • Day 23

    Largo —> Clearwater

    March 10, 2022 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 70 °F

    This was a travel day. Selfishly, I hope since the price of gas is going up that less people will be traveling. The road is mine!

    I stopped at the most amazing rest area at the base of The Sunshine Skyway Bridge over Tampa Bay. It is considered to be the longest cable stayed concrete bridges in the world, and the rest area has some great views! I’m relieved Mary has not arrived for the crossing of this bridge. I would have needed a blindfold for her. Lol, she doesn’t like some bridges and I am positive this is that kind.

    Cousin Kim told me about the same bridge at night. Some beautiful and creative lighting. I included a photo I found, but if you google it you will see many.

    The billboards along Interstate 75 are crazy. Big sellers, Vasectomy procedures, “Pregnant and alone?” and I actually saw a window blind company that said not to call them if you voted for Biden. I saw the same ad on TV earlier and couldn’t believe it. What?

    I had a nice visit with my cousins. Yes, more cousins! Thank you Paula and Jim for welcoming me into your home and taking me to a great breakfast and dinner. I loved catching up!

    I’m tired tonight. Time to sleep.
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