RVTOUR.US
Motorhome Experiences of Judy and Lyle Dean Lebsack
Before the English came to Jamestown in 1607, the Powhatan tribe had a successful civilization, including their way of making a dugout canoe (burning before digging). Right: Largest of the fleet of ships bringing settlers. Below: The fort at Jamestown Settlement was small but well armed.
Above: Dirty Dick's Seafood. Left below: Boarding ferry as directed. Below: Motor home aboard second ferry.
This section begins September 10,2021 from Cape Charles, VA and south. Please scroll down for the latest entries.
September 10,2021
It may not be original, but "what a difference a day made." No rain, all sun and low humidity as we leisurely made our way down the DelMarVa Peninsula to Cape Charles. Our RV park is part of a hotel/resort complex. Nicer than most places we've stayed. We departed from our heavy intinerary of touristy things today. We stopped at Walmart!. Good to stock up on groceries. Several observations: On this narrow strip of land bordering the Atlantic, there is much more farming than Lyle expected. Even drove past several fields of corn being harvested. Also really good roads here in VA. So far.
September 11, 2021
We watched and remembered along with most other Americans today's ceremonies commemorating 9-11. For too brief a time, the attack united us.
Our trip today was from Cape Charles, VA, through the metro of Norfolk, to Williamsburg. Beautiful weather, another beautiful park. (Photos far right) We plan to take in colonial Williamsburg, Jamestown Settlement and Yorktown over the next few days.
The drive included the Chesapeake Bay bridge and tunnels, plus one other surprise tunnel along I-64. These tunnels have narrowed lanes, which Lyle points out, leave very little margin of error--about one foot on either side of the motor home. We made it okay, physically, but with a little more gray hairs (Lyle, not Judy).
September 12, 2021
From the RV park to Williamsburrg Transportation Center by bus, then another WATA bus for the Colonial Williamsburg Visitors Center for yet another shuttle bus. Our first stop in Colonial Williamsburg was the governor's palace. Quite a walled complex, considering much of it dates back to 1700s. Several rooms had massive displays of rifles and swords. We stopped by a historic Episcopal Church, which did not allow visitors to enter during their church service. So, on to lunch at a historic tavern. The menu was current. Judy had a Virginia Pulled Pork Sandwich. Lyle ordered a open-faced pulled brisket with onions and cheese. Both good! Oh, then, warm apple cobbler for dessert!
Although the National Park ticket prices seemed steep, when we stopped for a bottle of water, it was $2 for a large bottle. On this very warm day we would have gladly paid more. Tomorrow, we have plans for Jamestown Settlement--and more multiple bus rides.
September 13, 2021
We seem to be handling the multiple bus rides better. Jamestown Settlement required two bus routes-- a piece of (air-conditioned) cake. Our experience with Colonial Williamsburg yesterday was a lot of walking because it is an actual village. Jamestown Settlement, however, is quite compact with a huge amount of history dating back and prior to 1607. Everything was well-documented and/or demonstrated. We had a great time! Lunch at the Settlement Center Cafe was equally good. Judy found the gift shop to be enticing.
September 14, 2021
The journey from Williamsburg to the Outer Banks got off to a bumpy start when police and fire departments closed the only road we knew about on our GPS route. Found an empty parking lot nearby and waited for about fifteen minutes until the road opened again. The trip through Hampton Roads, Norfolk and Viginia Beach was dotted with construction. By this time on the trip, we should not have been surprised.
Finally, the road led us to the Outer Banks and the stress eased. We stopped at
the Wright Brothers National Monument
for about an hour. The monument is
atop a hill as part of a very large
piece of national park land. Lyle was
less than thrilled about climbing the hill,
so Judy went on. Then, while Lyle was
waiting on the trail about one-quarter
of the way up the hill, a very large older woman pushing a walker passed him. He felt shamed into continuing the climb. Judy captured photos of the replica Wright Brothers plane to share with us.
We arrived at our ocean-front lot in Camp Hatteras about 4 p.m. Nice place with a great ocean view (below right).
September 15, 2021
Surf's Up! Clouds, healthy breeze and ideal temperatures brought a lot of people to the beach this morning. It underscored the attraction of this unique spit of sand called the Outer Banks. Wind surfers also showed up to give us a show. By noon, the sun was beating down and the temperature was rising. After lunch in the motor home, Judy returned to the beach and Lyle replaced the controller for the tire pressure monitoring system on the motorhome. He is now convinced that the system is
called Tire Minder because it
has a mind of its own.
Seotenber 16, 2021
We intended to get up early
for a day of driving and
two ferry rides to get us
off the Outer Banks.
HOWEVER, we did not plan
on a roaring deluge at 5:15
a.m.!! It lasted about 10
minutes, then a beautiful
pre-sunrise. We passed a
seafood restaurant that Judy
preemptively rejected
because of its name. We've
included several photos
on the ferries as well as
how the highway was, at
times, the only land
separating the Atlantic from
a bay or sound. In all, it
was a 10-hour scenic
adventure resulting in Lyle's pre-bedtime nap!
September 17, 2021
From Morehead City to North
Myrtle Beach and Ocean Lakes
Family Campground. The drive
was mainly uneventful and
included restocking at Walmart.
Ocean Lakes is right on the
Atlantic (we walked to the
beach) and has cabins,
tenting and RV camping.
It also has the greatest
concentration of golf carts
outside the Villages.
Roads are narrow and busy.
Photos below and right
show some of the amenities.
uite cOur private patio
Top: Our coach loaded for 30 mile journey to Walton, KY behind the most elegant tow truck we've ever seen. Next: removing Diesel Particulate Filter for cleaning in Mt. Vernon, KY.
September 20, 2021
Our last day in Charleston and rain was forecast all day. It started gently, but by mid-day became heavy. Our shuttle driver said local forecasters were calling for six inches! Our original plans for a carriage ride through historic Charleston did not seem prudent, so we opted for a Grayline minibus tour. Educational, but as the rain got heavier, taking photos out of bus windows was futile. We asked about an iconic Charleston restaurant for lunch and was directed to Virginia's on King Street. A large painting of Virginia and her family adorns the wall. Not fancy, but wonderful food. Judy had the breakfast biscuit, fried chicken and scrambled eggs. Lyle decided to go for shrimp and grits. It was shrimp, andouille sausage and onions over a bed of grits, topped off with a delicious gravy. It beyond his expectations and made the grits palatable! Our next outing was the city-operated trolley (bus). Our driver, just coming on duty for the day, seemed to have trouble getting the bus moving. After a few minutes of pushing buttons in various sequences, we were on our way. One option was to get off the trolley at the famed Charleston Market, but it was raining so hard, we stayed aboard. Our driver, a short time later, pulled over to the right curb and took out a piece of paper. After studying it, he turned to Lyle (front seat) and asked if we were doing the "loop". Lyle politely suggested if the driver made a left turn and drove for a block, he would be back where we started the loop. Judy and Lyle both marveled that an apparent newby was getting on-the-job training. Good news--the trolley ride was free!
There is a German Lutheran church on King Street. St. Matthews has the highest steeple in Charleston.. The congregation was formed in 1840. The present church dates to 1872.
September 21/22, 2021
Our drive yesterday to Red Gate Farms RV Park (also a working farm) was uneventful, which we always consider a good day. Today, an open-air trolley picked us up at the RV Park for a tour of Savannah's Historic District. It was a hop off, hop on at 15 stops. One stop was at the Basilica of St. John, the Roman Catholic Cathedral. We were in awe and took a bunch of photos which we'll need to sort through before we post them. Our next hop off was across a park from the historic Olde Pink House Restaurant and Tavern--even though our driver told us we could not get reservations until sometime in October. We went to the Tavern and left our name. We were seated in less than an hour--not much less. All the menu items sounded wonderful, but we already knew the Pink House was known for filet mignon and we were not disappointed. Judy indulged Lyle's favorite of a wedge salad, although she detests blue cheese dressing. Lunch was wonderful. Until it wasn't. By the time we left the restaurant, we were both in severe gastric distress. We'll spare you details, but we suspect the blue cheese dressing. After we returned to the motor home, a major rain event swept through Savannah--the second major deluge in three days.
September 23, 2021
Savannah was our southern-most destination. Time to head back north, which will take two more nights on the road. Tonight, we are in Roebuck, SC, just outside Spartanburg. Tomorrow night, Corbin, KY.
We thank you for sharing our journey with us! We talk about the many places and things we saw. Lots of new memories!!
September 18, 2021
We have been in some close quarters, usually in RV Parks. Last night, at Ocean Lakes--as nice as it was--was built for an earlier generation of smaller motor homes and 5th wheels. But, we survived the tight quarters and all-to-narrow streets. It should
have primed us for today's trip from Myrtle Beach to Charleston.. Nothing could have.
U.S. 17 is a good highway, but in congested tourist communities--there were quite a few--we felt the lanes of busy traffic were a test. A test of going through Charleston and toward the James Island County Campground. Again, the roads got narrower and the overhanging trees more threatening. Bad enough, but then about two miles from the campground, a sea of flashing blue lights. Our road was closed because a large tree had fallen and crushed an SUV. Good news: the driver escaped injury. Bad news: the road remained closed more than two hours How much more we don't know, because police told us about an alternate route to the campground. More narrow roads and trees! But we made it physically unscathed. Mentally? Jury is still out.
Later:
Okay, Lyle's rant is over. There were beautiful moments on today's drive that Judy captured. First, one of the quieter moments on U.S. 17 around Georgetown, SC. Then, one of thousands of near-ocean homes. Coming into Charleston, a spectacular bridge (which we can't load for reasons above our grade level) and to the side of it, a bunch of very nice marinas.
September 19, 2021
The campground shuttle picked us up at 9 and dropped us at the Charleston Visitors Center--a pretty impressive facility for several tour bus companies and visitors in general. We walked about eight blocks to Grace Episcopal Cathedral where Nicholas
Quardokus has recently been installed as music director/organist. This young man from Judy's home church in Michigan is amazingly talented. After the service, Nick took us to a rooftop restaurant near the church for lunch and a wonderful visit.
Above: Just a handful of the golf carts
here.. Right: Our home on wheels at rest
The historic Olde Pink House known for its wonderful food, service and elegant atmosphere. We say that despite getting sick after eating there. Sure was good going down, though. Above right: Much is made of the historic homes in Savannah--from colonial to antebellum eras, most are restored and VERY expensive. But, early Savannah also had many trees and some have survived to be huge.
Right: The Basilica of St. John the Baptist is stunning inside and out. Even if you are not Catholic, it is worth a visit for the inspiring architecture. One particular feature is Stations of the Cross. Each station is carved of wood and the man who carved the likeness of Jesus was the same person for all ten stations.
Nicholas masked and unmasked. So in addition to being talented, he is handsome.
Sunset over the Chesapeake from the beach at our RV park.
St. Matthews Lutheran on King St.
Left: Settlers were required to attend church twice a day--once to give thanks for making it through the night, the other to give thanks for making it through the day. Only after attending church, were they given their daily rations. Captain John Smith is credited with saying something like, "those who worketh not, eateth not." Tough times!
BUT WAIT! THERE'S MORE!
The imortal words of the famed TV pitchman Ron Popiel suddenly became our real-life adventure for ten days. We were in Knoxville, TN on our way back to MI and remarking what a wonderful month-long trip we had. About two miles out of Knoxville on I-40, we suddenly experienced over heating of the engine--as in total loss of engine coolant. We were towed back to Cummins Knoxville late Friday. They would not reopen again until Monday. It was the first of a series of issues that we had never experienced before and took us to garages or truck stops in Corbin, KY, Mount Vernon, KY, Georgetown, KY, and Walton, KY. One more tow and about a thousand dollars a day without getting all the issues corrected. We were both shell-shocked by the unending events.
Finally, Freightline/Cummins in Walton, KY took us in. They seemed to know what they were doing and were very proud of their service. ($200 per hour). After scaring us with what it COULD be, the final diagnosis was something the bank account could handle. That's where the motor home is now (October 8) waiting for work to be completed. The range of emotions ran from frustration to disbelief to, well, words can't capture. Judy captured several of the low-lights.