Summer Recap

Brunswick Landing Marina
Brunswick, GA
 31 09.30 N 81 29.96 W



We had a wonderful, although very hot Summer, in Georgia. We moved from Golden Isles Marina on St. Simon's Island about 5 miles up-river to Brunswick Landing Marina in Brunswick, GA. on Sept. 1. Since our plans included being away from the boat for awhile during prime hurricane season we opted for a more protected area. As you can see we are tucked right in close to shore.

 

Since we had Mark's Mom's car for the Summer we took full advantage and did some sightseeing in the area. This is the very impressive mile long tree-lined drive leading up to Wormsloe Plantation just south of Savannah. The rice plantation dates back to pre-revolutionary times. The owner planted these 400 Live Oak trees in honor of his first born son. If this looks familiar it may be that you saw it in the movie Forrest Gump. Young Forrest ran down this road and right out of his leg braces to escape the kids on bicycles.


Just enjoying the day....



We took a day trip up to Savannah to tour the historic city. We had lunch at Paula Dean's restaurant, The Lady and Sons (in background).

On Columbus Day Monday we left the marina with our kitties and took "the long way" up to visit family in Connecticut. We drove inland to Asheville, NC and up into the Blue Ridge Mountains where we started our trek up the Blue Ridge Parkway. We spent four days driving the 35- 45 mile speed limit of the parkway and ended our journey on Skyline Drive in Shenandoah National Park. After being at sea level for so long it was nice to be up in the high elevations.  

Kathy finally got to visit one of the attractions on her "bucket list", Luray Caverns in VA. It was spectatcular. That is our guide standing next to one of the more impressive stalagtite formations in the caverns.



We spent a week in CT. visiting with Mark's Mom and Kathy's sons and family. We stopped in Rehoboth Beach, DE on the way back south to spend some time with Jay, Veronica and little Quinten. It was nice to see everyone even though the visits were brief. We needed to get back to GA to get ready to fly to Idaho for Mark's oldest son's wedding on Sat. Oct. 27. Ian and Katie live and work in Twin Falls, ID. This is the bridge spanning the Snake River Canyon and leading into Twin Falls. This bridge is very popular for base jumping. People jump off the center of the span and parachute 480 feet down to a landing area in the foreground.



We had some time for a little sightseeing before the wedding festivities and drove up into Sun Valley - a popular ski destination. The temperature at this elevation was around 25 degrees F. with a light dusting of snow on the roads. That's about all the "white stuff" we want to see.



The wedding was a wonderful time. Family wedding portrait - Mark, Katie, Ian, Kathy and Alex who was Ian's Best Man.



Katie and Ian, the happy newlyweds dancing their first dance.



Superstorm Sandy kept us in Idaho a bit longer than planned as our Mon. morning flight out of Boise was cancelled. We were lucky to get on a "red eye" the same night but it meant we weren't ready to depart Brunswick on Halloween as we had originally thought. Oh well - there is always time for one more party. Pirate Pam planned the Halloween party which included a chili contest. Our friends Bob and Sharon from Shazza took first place with a delicious low country chili which included shrimp and lobster.

Still in Idaho here but can you tell by the Hawaiian shirt that Mark is ready for some tropical weather. We are fully provisioned, laundry and all boat projects are done (for now anyway). We shove off from the dock tomorrow to begin our third winter season...who knows where we'll end up...
Stay tuned.