03.01.23 Wednesday NOTHING was going to stop us from this first-of-the-season trip . . . not even COVID! Two weeks ago, following a couple unseasonably warm and sunny days, we decided we just had to go somewhere! It had been 16 weeks since we parked the Silvermine in the driveway for the winter, and we were ready to plan a little 10-day, impromptu, getaway. A phone call was all it took for Tom to book us 10 days at Jekyll Island, GA. Bad karma rose up when we both came down with Covid in the days leading up to the trip. Being so anxious to go, we had already prepped the trailer and cleaned the house, so we were able to spend 3 days on the sofa with no appetite, body aches, headache, congestion . . . and all the other lovely perks that come with Covid. But, by departure morning (today) we were able to crawl in the car and head south. We were pleasantly surprised by the fresh green tree buds, flowering Bartlett Pear trees, and 70-degree temperatures as we drove further south. We arrived at Yarbarry campground in Knoxville in pretty good shape at 4:30, backed in, set out two chairs, and began the 2023 camping season. Our camping spot on the lake was beautiful and perfect for quick overnight stop without even un-hitching! 03.02 Thursday A big storm performed at midnight: wind, lightening, thunder and hard rain. By the time we got up at 7:00 it was all over, but the inside of the trailer felt unpleasantly damp. We fixed coffee and pulled out by 7:30 with a little over 500 miles to travel. Atlanta lived up to its reputation with lots of . . . . traffic! The traffic was coupled with rain storms that kept popping up, and there was three hours of very slow progress! Then the weather cleared up, we moved out of the Atlanta traffic hub, and we sailed onto Jekyll Island at 5:00. We remember the layout of the island very well and drove to the far side of the island where the campground is at the far end. We were welcomed, checked in, and escorted to our site – which is pretty much in the center of all the rows and loops. Tired, from a long drive and lingering effects of Covid, all we did was set up camp and eat a light supper. It suited us nicely that it got dark early under the canopy, and we retreated into the Silvermine for the evening. March 3, Friday We both lingered abed with the wonderful feeling that there was nothing we had to do today but enjoy being here! The weather was perfect, 82 and breezy, to sit outside, and we could feel ourselves getting stronger with each hour that went by. In the afternoon we decided to see if we were up to a 1.5 mile walk, leaving from the campsite and going out on the main road on a wide boulevard bike/walking path. It was perfect temperature and there was a touch of history as we reached the Horton House, built in 1736. Definitely, we were both feeling stronger! So Tom search and searched, but could not find a "Who!" March 4, Saturday We woke to rain at 9:00 and that was good enough to send us back to sleep for an hour. At 10:00 the rain had stopped, and Tom started a delayed breakfast/brunch of pancakes and sausage. By 11:30 we drove to the beach/picnic/pier area across the road from the campground. It was a wonderful 72 degrees with cloud cover, and we walked out on the beach to join many others in beach amusements: walking, playing in the sand, fishing, biking, and even horse-back riding. We walked for an hour, enjoying the perfect temperature and beach conditions. An afternoon excursion was to drive back across the Jekyll River and bridge to the mainland to search out the Shrimp market in the town of Brunswick. We bought one pound of jumbos and one t-bone. The purpose of the t-bone was to supplement our shrimp and let Pippa have a nice fresh bone chew. The shrimp was good – but not the best we have ever had. The campsite has a decided infest of those tiny no-see-ums insects that make sitting out difficult sometimes. Tom’s solution is to turn our power fan/air-blower on and face it towards us – those little pests don’t stand a chance against a good, stiff, wind! March 5, Sunday We did a beautiful morning hike around Horton Pond on the Tupelo Trail. In the middle of the pond is a small raft used as a sunning beach for turtles and alligator. At various lookouts on the trail we could see them sunning. We drove to the “downtown” district and shopped a few stores. This consists of high-end boutiques and souvenir and sundry shops under wide shaded walkways and a boardwalk that leads up the dunes and down to the ocean. We bought nothing. In the afternoon we drove to the historic district where large mansions were built along the Jekyll River by millionaire locals at the turn of the century. They have been kept in repair and it is beautiful to stroll along the river promenade trying to imagine what life was like "back then." March 6, Monday We drove some of the back roads of the island today, viewing the residential neighborhoods and other sights off the main roads. We walked a nice driftwood beach down and back. There is a nice park with a walking history trail about the last black slave ship – the Wanderer. Pippa wasn’t feeling her best, and we didn’t do all of the trail. In the late afternoon, when Pippa was feeling better, we walked the beach shoreline again adjacent to the State Park Campground. Tuesday, March 7 Today we took a day trip to Savannah; only 1 ½ hours away. We drove down to the river front where we love all the little stores, cobble roads and old-time atmosphere. We ate lunch at Joe’s Crab shack, parading Pippa through the restaurant to the back outdoor patio, and we both had the fish and chips. Way too much food for us to eat! We drove around a different section of the downtown and parked to walk and view some of the wonderful Historical structures and the beautiful Forsyth Square. We were back at the campground by 4:00. Wednesday, March 8 The weather took dip to the low 60’s today, but was beautiful and sunny and a bit windy. We went back to the Historical District where we saw the Hotel/Clubhouse again and shopped some of the little gift stores on the grounds. The good news was that it was cool enough sitting out in the afternoon that the bugs were not a problem until about 4:00. We walked the path out of the campground and onto the main road where there was a wide walking/biking path. I met one of the camp workers, Kathy, and she saw me working on a pine needle basket. She made a sweet-grass basket several years ago, and has always wanted to work with pine needles. I had a small base and just enough needles (left over from my last basket) and plenty of cord, and got her started. She lives in Michigan, just a few miles from where we will be for the Region 4 Rally in Kalamazoo in May, and will hook up again, then. SPOILER ALERT: I QUIT TAKING PICTURES! Thursday, March 9 Our last day on Jekyll. Kathy dropped by for more coiling tips and hints – she was having a great time working on her basket. We went for a walk along a beach, and were surprised by how high the tide was – not leaving much room to walk! In the afternoon we tended to a few housekeeping chores in preparation of leaving in the morning. Tom emptied the tanks, blew out the water heat heater, and filled the pipes with the pink stuff. For evening supper we went to Tortuga Jack’s Baja Mexican restaurant. Although they have a nice outdoor patio, we had been bothered by no-see-ums all day and opted to eat inside. Friday, March 10 With over 500 miles to drive today to Yarberry Campground in Knoxville, we were off at 8:00. We had a lot of rain for the first 5 hours and once again Atlanta traffic involved a total of 3 hours, really slowing us down. Once through Atlanta we had clear weather and even some sun. Meanwhile, Van Wert had a snow tempest move through not causing much trouble. Arriving at Yarbarry (534 miles) at 6:00 we settled into a long site backed up to the lake and didn’t bother to unhook. We took showers and fixed dinner and settled into books for the evening. Saturday, March 11
We were off by 7:30, hoping to be home by 3:00 with a sunshine and a clean driveway. Mile by mile, signs of spring disappeared and we were stared the last few weeks of Ohio cold weather in the face. This little 10-day get-away will help us ease through when we can look forward to a 2023 camping season.
4 Comments
Mary
1/16/2024 09:11:27 am
I just found your blog while looking for info on the Swiss Rally at Winklepleck in OH...and I love your blog! We are 'streamers too but have only been going for 1.5 yrs. Do you have a website to find your travels or best thru this blog?
Reply
Ella Brown
1/16/2024 10:57:40 am
Mary, send me your email and I will send you my blog in .pdf format as I now do it. Weebly started mixing all my pictures and texts up so I do not use it any more. I can send you the '23 Swiss Festival blog!
Reply
4/4/2024 02:32:42 pm
Yo! Bro! As you very well know,
Reply
Leave a Reply. |
Archives
October 2021
We don’t go camping any more . . . we go ‘streamin’ ! The “SIlvermine and His” is our 2018 25' Airstream Serenity with Salsa interior and front twin beds., and ‘streamin’ is the name we use to describe our adventures. Stream along as we document everything from weekend trips to longer summer excursions and full-blown vacations. You know what they say: if you’re not in an Airstream – you’re just camping!
Tom & Ella Brown |