Since we are now pet-less and recently plant-less (we gave our last two "high maintenance" live plants to neighbors), we were pretty much free to come and go as we please, just like normal retired people (except a bit younger). So rather than just fly down to Florida this Christmas, we decided to drive down the east coast, visiting some friends and relations along the way, and concentrating on early American history sites.
Highlights:
- Anapolis, MD (Naval Academy and visits with local friends/relations)
- Mt Vernon (home of George Washington)
- Charlottesville, Virginia (Monticello, home of Thomas Jefferson; University of Virginia)
- Williamsburg, VA (Williamsburg Colony and Jamestown settlement national park). Spent two full days there. Interesting place -- real sense of the era, made real through actors that "live" in the period. They speak in the present tense of 1774, wear period clothing, use the venacular of the time. Fun.
- Charleston, SC -- a rather lengthy drive from Williamsburg, Charleston is pure Southern charm. A small city with a big heart. We were here over US Thankgiving; spent the mid-morning walking around the city, and the afternoon wandering a plantation and having a traditional Thanksgiving dinner, southern style.
- Beaufort, SC & Parris Island (Marine Corps base and museum)
- Savannah, GA
St. Martin & Star Clipper Cruise
We arrived in Florida (Kathy's folks') on November 20th, unpacked and unwound for a few days, then hopped a flight to St. Martin / Sint Maarten in the Netherlands Antilles. After a few days in Orient Beach (wining and dining in nearby Grand Case), we boarded the Star Clipper for a week-long cruise.
The destinations of the cruise weren't that exciting, but being on a sailing ship with just over a hundred passengers, was quite a different experience from the "floating city" cruise ships. We like both; each has its charms and challenges. More on this later, hopefully.
Return Trip
- Flight from Hell (24 delay in St. Maartin)
- Autotrain