Our stop at Jekyll Island was unplanned. We had a little extra time before our reservation at Fort Desoto County Campground in the Tampa Bay area, took a look at the map, did a search for camping on Jekyll Island and headed toward the ocean. Lucky find for us! Blackbeard (the fierce pirate Edward Teach) is said to have buried his swag here and later it was a clubby winter retreat for JP Morgan and his pals, the Firestones until 1942. These guys knew their real estate. Tropical & beautiful! Jekyll is the smallest of Georgia's "Golden Isles." Its size makes it easy to cover on a loop road dotted with historic interpretive signage, we have to go back another time and take the time to absorb it well. We bought a self -conducted guided tour ... read more

Our 2010-2011 "Trek South" has begun. Ballston Lake to Fancy Gap to Jekyll Island and eventually to south western Florida. We'll fly home for Holidays and return in February. Our first “stop” on the 2010-2011 trek south was Americana icon, Fancy Gap, VA. To re-cap, day one had us southbound on I-88 and through Pennsylvania, on day two we went through a tiny slice-of Maryland and a little chunk of West Virginia. The drive through Virginia was beautiful - next time, we might try Route 11, which parallels the interstate and might offer more "local color." Except for Fancy Gap we were doing “non stop,” long driving days. made more intense and tiring for Wes, the driver beautifully handling the 34’ motor home with a Jeep in tow. It was more of a breeze for me, ... read more

We feel so lucky when our travels take us to visit relatives. Two recent long island road trips (and photos from last year's Memorial Day Weekend trip when the Vermonters were with us) were no exception. The northshore, characterized "The Gold Coast" by Nelson DeMille in a novel of the same name, is really golden. Great little towns, harbors, beaches, independent restaurants and shops and, it's Vivian's home. Getting to Long Island, we mostly use the NYS Thruway, the Throgs Neck Bridge, the LIE and the Northern Turnpike; however, we have crossed back and forth to Port Jefferson from Bridgeport, CT via a ferry boat, and once even took the Orient Point Ferry to New London. On the Ferry to New London, we passed by another Nelson DeMille landmark "Plum Island." Who knows what goes on ... read more

“Redbud Season” in Kentucky is like “Leaf Peeping Season” in Vermont. Special tours, designated routes, photo ops galore! This is our fourth time to stay at the RV Park at Kentucky Horse Park. Obviously, it suits us. The actual Horse Park will be the venue for the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games from Sept. 25- Oct. 10. Equestrians from around the world will compete in eight sports including jumping and a 100 mile cross country endurance ride. The horse park is worth a visit just for the exhibitry, which includes daily live appearances by New York Bred Derby and Preakness winner, Funny Cide, who was born at McMahon of Saratoga, making Joe & Anne McMahon the breeders of record . We had a surprise visit by our great niece and nephew, Madison and Aiden McMahon ... read more

New Orleans Day 3 and 4 "Laissez Le Bon Temps Rouler" New Orleans is indeed a city for good times AND ... great architecture, great music, great food, great history and attractions, and more. Every place has a story to tell, and New Orleans has many . The resilience and positive attitude of the local people is amazing... Bravo to the indomitable sprits of those who returned! On Saturday, we took a late afternoon shuttle to the French Quarter from Pontchartrain Landing RV Park. We had devised a rain plan to have dinner at Ralph & KaCoo’s on Toulouse St. across from where the 4pm shuttle leaves passengers off. Great meal; except they had run out of oysters! No biggie, the server couldn’t have extended herself more graciously to make up for the missing bivalves (free ... read more