Winter Escape! Day 17: A Day in Orlando!

Patty, Mallory, and I had a positively glorious day at Universal Studios in Orlando, Florida, USA!  We strolled around, rode some 'rides,' and ate our way through "Islands of Adventure."  I could not have predicted how very much I enjoyed each and every attraction.

This was a large and varied theme park, more full of people than we expected for a day in February.  But the weather couldn't have been better - in the 70s, sunny and bright.

 First, we tried something 'mild,' a quite familiar story based on the children's book by Dr. Seuss, "The Cat in the Hat."  I felt like I was IN the book!  It was so fun watching the Cat in the Hat deal with the mayhem created by Thing 1 and Thing 2.  Remember them?

This way to the Cat in the Hat!

Mallory and Patty with two of the characters, Thing 1 and Thing 2, adorable but quite mischievous!

The Big Man himself, The Cat in the Hat!

The Lost Continent was filled with ancient monuments long forgotten.

Entrance to Hogwarts Castle, the place where the young Harry Potter attended Wizard School!

The Castle is large and imposing!

The Castle was filled with memorabilia from the Harry Potter movies.  This is one of the walls of talking pictures, discussing the merits of Harry Potter.

One of the classrooms.

The 'ride' through the castle was the most adventurous, most thrilling and breathtaking ride I've ever experienced in any theme park!  We were part of the competition between the Houses of Students, following Harry himself on his magic broom in the sky, through the sky, past all dangers.

When we were finished with the ride, we ambled through the English village and stopped for a treat, the Chocolate Cauldron, very delectable!

Our next adventure was Jurassic Park, land of the dinosaurs.

Mallory got to pet the Baby Dinosaur (it moved!).  She said, "I knew it was real because it had bad breath!"

The Pteranodon Flyers was the next ride for Mallory and me.  We soared above Camp Jurassic and swayed from side to side through the jungle and over the waterfalls.

There were lots of dinosaurs here.  Patty had better watch out!

Captain America graciously let Mallory hold his shield as Patty enjoys the photo op.

A 3-D ride with "The Amazing Adventures of Spider Man" captured our imagination and was second in thrills only to the Harry Potter ride.  How skillful were the creators to make us feel we have soared and dived hundreds of feet up and down with characters in our faces!  With the addition of some cool mist and hot air jets, we knew we were part of the scenes!

With night approaching, we split up.  Mallory chose the "Storm Force Accelatron" ride where she could twirl herself round and round as the whole 'fleet' also twirled round.

Patty was brave enough to get on the "Incredible Hulk Coaster," a 'ride' which zoomed in many loops and turns, twisting upside down at intervals at ridiculously high speeds, defying gravity (and common sense!  I don't do 'upside down!')

The night scene was just beginning, but we had walked all day, knew we had a car trip of several hours back to Jacksonville, so we left at 7:30 p.m.  A large harvest moon just peeped over the horizon.  We were pleased that we had a very full, great day today!

On the way home, we saw two giant Blimps over the Daytona Speedway.  I know I've never seen any at night. They looked larger than ever, and were gliding around the campground near the speedway.  As we passed a Harley-Davidson motorcycle dealer, a sign inquired, "Have you discovered your Inner 'Hog'?"  We wondered if we, indeed, had an "Inner Hog!"  Once home, we shared our day's excitement with Raj and Johnny.

Winter Escape! Day 16: Even Farther South!

After Peggy and I exchanged Valentine's Day greetings this morning, I departed from Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, USA, at 10:32 a.m. The outside weather was sunny and 50 degrees.  I have SO enjoyed these past two weeks here on the island of soft brown grassy marshes with their gray-green waters.  I thought the tide must be out as I passed over the high bridge to the Pinckney Island Wildlife Refuge.

The State of Georgia isn't far; I passed the state line at 11:15.  Some interesting names in Georgia are Pooler (town), Bulltown Swamp, Cathead Creek, Fort King George, Hofwyl Plantation, Turtle River - very, very wide, near Brunswick, Horse Stamp Church Road, Canoe Swamp Creek and Crooked River.

At 1:15 p.m., I reached the huge, busy Florida Welcome Center, shortly after passing the state line. They welcome guests with free orange juice or grapefruit juice, maps, and lots of information about attractions in the state.   In the forest adjacent to the Welcome Center I noticed the dense palmetto palms again, hundreds of them, very small.  Interstate-95 also was very busy today.

Another State Welcome Center: Florida.

Destination: Jacksonville, Florida, reached at 1:55 p.m. I passed over what must be the tallest of bridges so far on this trip, the Napoleon Bonaparte Broward Bridge.

The impressive suspension bridge leading to the Jacksonville, FL area.

It did my heart good to see all the sand and water everywhere in Florida!  I reached my daughter #6, Patty, and her husband, Raj's home at 2:30 after a most easy trip south.  It was bright and a sunny 66 degrees, feeling almost like summer!  We had a pleasant evening with dinner in a local Italian restaurant and watched the Men's Skating competition at the Olympics.

Patty and daughter, Mallory, dressed for dinner.

Raj and son, Johnny, waiting for our table to be ready for dinner.

Mallory is very graceful and entertains me with a bedtime dance and hug, "Good night!"

Winter Escape! Day 15: Georgia On My Mind!

Our leisurely drive through the South Carolina countryside today included something new: swamps.  They are distinctly different from marshes.  "Swamps are wooded areas of standing water or saturated soil that may or may not dry up in summer.  Unlike marshes, swamps are dominated by trees and shrubs whose root systems are adapted to growing in standing water."  The swamps we saw today had blackish-looking water.  Those around the Magnolia Plantation near Charleston, South Carolina, USA, that we saw Monday, were bright lime green.  "Marshes are low-lying places covered by standing water most of the time.  Marsh plants have adapted to saturated soil, and many animal species depend on these environments for food and hiding places."  (Definitions from Field Guide to the Water's Edge, National Geographic, 2012)  We're told that usually marshes are involved with tides.

The Talmadge Bridge, high over the Savannah River, a suspension bridge.

Huge cargo ship in the river, looking east.  The river originally was 10 feet deep and is now 40 feet deep at the Port of Savannah.

Peggy and I went to the Savannah Visitors Centers and got tickets for a Trolley Tour.  We thought this was a pretty good deal because it included free parking all day.  We could get off and back on at 15 different stops in the Old City plus, the guides gave us a good history of the city.

We got off the trolley at the next stop because we were hungry!  The restaurant, "Lady and Sons," owned by renowned TV star and cook, Paula Deen, didn't look like much from the outside.  We went in and took an elevator to the third floor.  This was a former warehouse and hardware store.  The food was SO very OUTSTANDING we agreed that it probably was the BEST food we had ever eaten!  I devoured Fried Green Tomatoes, a Chicken Barbecue Sandwich, Thick Fried Potatoes and Coleslaw with Peach Cobbler for dessert.  Then we shopped at their store, adjacent to the restaurant.

Portrait of Paula Deen and Sons, in the restaurant.

Me and my friend, the Paula Deen cutout.

Peggy contemplating the menu.  She shared the Fried Green Tomato Appetizer, relished Fried Oysters, Kale Chips, Thick Fried Potatoes and Coleslaw with Peach Cobbler for dessert.

Back on the trolley, we thoroughly enjoyed the long tour of the city's prominent homes, businesses, river area, municipal buildings but especially the town Squares, 22 of them.  This particular building contains 5 townhomes.

The Squares were all beautiful mini-parks, each one different, most dedicated to a prominent person in Savannah's history.  I believe this one was the site of "Forrest Gump" sitting on the park bench in the movie of the same name's beginning.  There were tulip trees, rose bushes, and other flowers blooming.  Spring has blossomed out in Savannah!

So many beautiful homes!

At Trolley Stop #8 was the church recommended to us as the largest and most impressive in Savannah, Georgia: the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist.  We found it interesting that this Cathedral, in another state, was dedicated to the same saint as that of the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist in Charleston, South Carolina.

St. John the Baptist Cathedral has two towers, one hidden behind the tree in this photo.  The original small frame church was begun by the mostly French immigrants in 1780.  This present large building was completed in 1896, burned down in 1898, rebuilt in 1899 with the first Mass on Christmas Eve.

The Main Altar.  I judge the stained glass windows in this church to be among the most sacred and artistic of any I have ever seen.  They tell the story of much of Jesus' life and death.

Jesus ascends to his Father in heaven, surrounded by his disciples and his Blessed Mother, Mary, the lower figure in blue.

The Eighth Station of the Cross: Jesus consoles the women of Jerusalem.  FYI: there are 14 Stations of the Cross which depict the condemnation, journey of Jesus carrying his cross, his crucifixion and death on the cross, his removal from the cross and the placing of his body in the sepulchre.  They are found in all Catholic churches throughout the world and help us remember what Jesus, the Son of God, did for us, to save us from our sins.  These stations in this church are the most realistic, beautiful, and holy stations I have ever seen anywhere!  They were carved in Bavaria with the background made in America.  What an inspiration! They are larger than any I've seen.

Jesus, dead on the cross, for us.  In the front of St. John the Baptist Cathedral.

I was so touched by the exquisite beauty of everything in this church, I wish I had time to post about 50 more photos of it.  But you really have to see it for yourself.  I told Peggy that it rivaled anything I had seen in Europe, Israel, or America!  Also unequaled was that during our visit there, we were treated to a 'concert' on their mighty, wonderful organ - the organist practicing, I'm sure, with great skill.

This home, we were told by our guide, was constructed by an ironworker; everything not brick or glass, even the steps, is made of iron.

The Pirates' House!  Trolley Stop #10.

The riverfront district was historic with great shopping and parks.  There is a statue of a lady waving a scarf. Apparently, as a young woman, her love left her as a sailor on a boat.  With every ship that came in, she was there looking for her love.  She watched for 44 years, he never returned, and she died of a broken heart.  There are so many tales in Savannah, so much intrigue, many countries fought for the city!

The west side of the Savannah River.

Back over the Talmadge Bridge again, after a fine day in a fine city!  It is quite a long bridge: after one mile there is a sign welcoming us back to South Carolina.  If you would like to be properly welcomed, I recommend you visit the South, United States of America!

Winter Escape! Day 14: Winter!

Oh, dear: we had to wear our winter coats today on the Island!  It was cold and rainy, in the 30s!.  No Beach today!  Peggy and I did some more shopping. We came home, spent the afternoon knitting again and did a bit of laundry.  After finishing up our Apple-Cheddar Soup for dinner, we finished up the BBC series "Land Girls."  We love happy endings!

Then we planned our next adventure in a big city for tomorrow!  The weather should be warmer, but we'll be checking that forecast before we go. . . I think we'll miss the area of ice and snow blanketing much of the south. . .

Winter Escape! Day #13: A Bum Day!

It is a dark and gloomy day on the Island. . . rain forecasted but not raining. . . outside temp in the low 40s. . not even the multitude of the usual birds flying about. . . Gloom!. . . what could Peggy and I do but stay inside! We thought we might take the opportunity to go shopping but didn't get around to it.  We knitted, she her red sweater and me my blue ruana.  We ate popcorn.  We laughed.  We snacked.  I made apple-cheddar soup.

I know: you whose temps are in the single digits have no compassion for us.  It's all relative.  Sorry, but I haven't missed the ice and snow and more ice back home in Kentucky.  I'm hoping by the time I have to go home the worst will be over!

We wondered if any brave (?) souls would venture out on the beach today.  But we didn't wonder long enough to garb up, go out there, and check for ourselves.

So, we all have a slower day today: me, because I've been a couch potato and haven't written much on the blogs or downloaded photos, a seemingly lengthy process, and you, because there isn't much to read.  In compensation for you, I offer one of my very favorite recipes.

APPLE-CHEDDAR SOUP

1 onion, finely chopped                                                  2 medium-sized apples, any variety

1 tablespoon margarine or butter                                    1/2 cup milk, whole or 2%

2 medium baking potatoes, peeled & diced                    2 tablespoons flour

2 cups apple cider or apple juice                                    1 cup (4 ounces) cheddar cheese, grated

1/2 teaspoon salt, dash pepper

Cook the chopped onion in the margarine or butter until tender. Add the apple cider or apple juice, stir in the potatoes, salt & pepper.  Bring to boil, reduce heat and simmer, covered, 15 minutes.  Add the apples, simmer, covered, 5 minutes or until tender. In a small bowl, mix the flour into the milk. Stir into your soup, cook until bubbly.  Slowly add the cheese, stir until melted.  Makes 4 - 6 servings.  Great in winter! 

Winter Escape! Day #12: Still There!

Spending the day in Charleston yesterday, we passed by many marshes and toured the harbor area in the big city.  But when we arrived home, it was dark so we didn't make it to the Hilton Head Beach.  Today, I'm here to tell you: the beach is still there! It was the best day for beach walking: 60's temperature, scarcely a breeze, with gentle waves, a bright sun overhead.

There were many people biking, many walking with or without their dogs, some sunbathing, a family burying a daughter's legs in the sand, some running, many chatting in groups, and three people walking barefoot.  It was definitely a day to be out on the beach! For the first time this trip, I saw two large cargo ships in the distance.  I tried to snap a photo but they didn't show up.

Usually before this long, when I'm vacationing at a beach, I start getting ideas, weighing the pros and cons of moving there!  With property so expensive, how close to the beach could I actually live?  Would I be so fascinated by nature at the beach I wouldn't get any work done at all?  And, before I retired, could I earn a living here?  It all boils down to family: I'd miss my Kentucky family too much, and to money: I couldn't afford to move all my belongings anywhere.  Plus, what if I get bored with the beach?

Years ago, I was talking with a colleague about moving to a beach.  He advised, "You think you would like it but you wouldn't.  The wind is always there and the sand is everywhere." On the flight home from Italy last November, I was sitting with a woman from the Outer Banks, North Carolina, USA.  I told her how much I loved that area, would love to move there, but knew it was just too expensive to consider.  She countered me, "Oh, no, it's not that expensive.  There's all price houses.  You can do it."   I don't know, I might try it - renting - one of these years!

Soft waves today on Hilton Head Island (2/10/14).

The Island of Hilton Head is shaped like a foot.  Today I walked for an hour and a half south, toward the 'toe,' then turned around and walked the same hour and a half to get home to Peggy's condo.  My goal was a piece of land shaped like Diamond Head, Hawaii, only smaller.  I renamed my goal, "Itty Bitty Diamond Head."  I never quite reached it, but totally enjoyed the long walk.

Itty Bitty Diamond Head (south end of beach, Hilton Head Island).

The birds give a never-ending show on the beach.  The most numerous are the seagulls, quite large.  Sometimes they appear to be drag racing, just above the surface of the water.  Sometimes they just float in the water, sometimes they paddle along with their orange webbed feet, sometimes they just loiter.  I thought there was just one pelican flying about.  I've never seen one on the beach although I've seen many on boat docks.  This one lumbered around slowly, gliding, then would dive beak-first into the water.  Further down the shore, I saw the Godzilla of all pelicans!  It was so large, I first thought it was a buoy that floated too close to shore.  Then it spread its ginormous wings and rose into the air!  At that site, Godzilla made the other pelicans look like youngsters.  I tried and tried to photograph a pelican today.  Some would tease me and appear to fly directly toward me, flying low, then turn at the last minute where the white of their undersides blended into the white of the sky.  No photos of pelicans today!

The sandpipers cooperated with my camera.  At first I saw just one, then, farther along the beach, quadruplets!

The Lone Sandpiper.

Quadruplet Sandpipers, two with heads underwater!

.

This is how far south I strolled.  I wanted to prove it to Peggy!

These beach markers are a great safety feature!

The gentleman flying the wavy blue kite entertained the whole beach for quite some time.

Close-up of blue kite.

Last bird photo of the day: a bright Cardinal in the bushes beside the walkway leading off the beach.

Tonight Peggy and I will settle into watching our BBC series after dinner.  Peggy was impressed with how far I walked and has set Beach Marker 33A as her goal.  I told her she'd have to take a photo of it!