Miles and Markers
Leaving the Outer Banks and moving on to the mainland, I am off to find a dentist for a tooth that has seen its last days. Grateful to have had a root canal 49 years ago... yep, I said that right, the abscess I have developed isn't causing a lot of pain, but it is turning into quite an infection. This trip will just have to be cut short. I am still planning on covering the same miles on the same roads; however, no time to stop and explore the cities of South Carolina, Georgia and Eastern Florida. And little did I know, I would have been chased home anyway by a hurricane named Matthew. Next time... Savannah.
I did find a dentist in Moorehead City who plied me with antibiotics. I can't tell you enough how grateful I am to find dentists on a Friday who will take me in on a moments notice. This was the second time on this trip. Remember I broke a veneer back in Roanoke. Although this time, I only got drugs. I will need to get home to have this tooth pulled by an oral surgeon.
My heart tuggs as I drive past quaint fishing villages and tempting junk shops. I want to explore, but I decide I am going to make it to Myrtle Beach State Park and probably hole up for 2 days because this is one long day. The drive is 4.5 hours and we had already been on a 2.5 hour ferry ride and a stop at the dentist.
Myrtle Beach State Park is on a quiet stretch of ocean front in a maritime forest. It's an escape from a hectic, crowded, touristy city that I don't think I would have visited on any other day. My campsite had electric and water and great wifi. Two days to just sit still, organize photos and write blog posts. Besides, the antibiotics are kind of messing with me. It feels great to have downtime.
It is easy to start chatting with my neighbor, Pleshette Greggs-Ash. She is retired military, motivational speaker and minister. I fixed up some loaded hashbrowns and we sat under my awning spending hours trying to solve the world's problems. I am so appreciative of the connection and time on this trip spent with traveling women!
For a state park, the beach is relatively dog friendly. Dogs are allowed on the beach before 10am and after 5 pm. Sitka and I made good use of "our" beach time. The earlier the better and the more solitary the beach is. Sunrises will always be my favorite.
Sticking to my master plan of never driving on the interstate, I continue on U.S. 17 to Jekyll Island, Georgia. You don't have to look far to find rich culture and history. If I had been a Civil War buff, I would have had a harder time passing up all the sites along the way.
Arriving at our last "campground", I choose a full service RV resort. This is where the big boys stay.
My last night out will be at a friend's home in Port Orange, so I need full hook up to clear out black and grey tanks and sterilize the freshwater tank. Now that I am back in the deep south, I am back in high heat and I am not complaining about a sparkling, clean, clear pool that is one of the amenities at this park. I definitely take advantage, floating on my back, watching clouds drift as the temps near 100º in the late afternoon.
In these big rigs, where room is apparently not an issue, this is what you carry for site decorations --->
An early morning departure is in order. Our last stop – Port Orange, Florida, spending our last night with Kora Lee, a friend from up north who also is a recent transplant to Florida.
In all the planning, I am almost as excited to drive A1A as I was to experience the Outer Banks. The two hour drive is more like six because I am stopping along the way at least for some photo ops.
A1A Scenic and Historic Coastal Byway is more than a name- it’s definitely a state of being. This 72-mile segment of historic State Road A1A hugs white, sandy beaches and history dating back before the birth of this country.
I stumble into one of the smallest state parks, just a square block in Fernandina Beach. It is the northernmost city on Florida's Atlantic coast. The area was first inhabited by the Timucuan Indian tribe. Located on Amelia Island, known as the "Isle of 8 Flags", Fernandina has had the flags of the following nations flown over it since 1562: France, Spain, Great Britain, Spain (again), the Patriots of Amelia Island, the Green Cross of Florida, Mexico, the Confederate States of America, and the United States. It is the only municipality in the United States that has flown eight different national flags.
Once again temps are rising and by the time I come into St. Augustine, I know it will only be a drive by. Fountain of Youth will be another trip. The tree tunnels in St. Augustine I just needed to marvel at. One more short ferry ride and I would hit the section of A1A that hugs the shoreline.
I fall in love with Flagler Beach...wondering if we should have, could have, would have settled in this little beach town. There are some camp spots right on the beach that I will return to someday. Unbeknownst to me Flagler is about to get wiped out by Hurricane Matthew.
Arriving in Port Orange, Kora Lee is making a fabulous dinner and Sitka is making a new friend with Kori's dachsund, Sweetie Pie. It is hard to believe this is it. I couldn't have asked for a better ending. A last night sleeping in a real bed... nice transition back to the real world. Thanx Kora Lee! The very next day I make my way back to Cape Coral, Florida.
You're not done with me yet, I'll be back with my stats and reflections in at least another post.
On the first day of the trip ...32 days back, my very first stop was Mt. Dora, Florida, remembering the 90º temps. I knew I would reach the mountain cool in a couple days. Now with the last couple hours of the trip, we pass by Mt. Dora on the return and the mercury registers at 92º.
We're baaaaaack.
“No one realizes how beautiful it is to travel until he comes home and rests his head on his old, familiar pillow.” – Lin Yutang