2020 Escape from Covid 19 to NC Mountains

 October 13 and 14th  2020

After staying very near home for about 8 months due to Covid 19 we set off for a short trip to the NC Mountains for some color and an escape from the constant political and medical issues of the day.  We headed east to Asheville on a cloudy Tuesday morning with our masks at the ready and hope for the sunshine that the weather report showed.

Mask and Clouds

By the time we topped Sam’s Gap the sun was breaking through.  We stopped briefly at the NC Visitor Center since our NC map was old and worn on all the creases – a bit different – masks of course but no pamphlets or maps out.  You asked for what you wanted and they gladly shared. Very few people around.  We drove to the Farmer’s Market and quickly picked up sweet potatoes and Honey Crisp apples – our normal fall purchases – and headed towards Waynesville.

In Waynesville we stopped for lunch selecting a Chick-Fil-A.  Having not visited one since February or March it tasted good.  Been on a pretty strict diet recently but off it for this escape!  Then we searched for and found Haywood BBQ to pick up some supper since our B&B did not have supper and was miles from anyplace to purchase food on a narrow mountain trail.  Found it easily.  Busy place with indoor and outdoor seating.

Haywood BBQ in Robbinsville

We were headed to Robbinsville NC and were routed through Cherokee and Bryson City.  Cherokee was much as we remembered – not very exciting.  The Indian Village, a new museum, pancake houses, the park beside the river, many souvenir shops.  There were quite a few people walking around and standing outside restaurants.  A number of closed businesses were obvious.  I snapped a photo of one of the many bear statues around town.  One large one had a Covid mask but I missed getting a photo of it. Nothing made us want to stop.  Neither one of us could remember where we ate when we were her on our honeymoon.  We had been back once to visit the casino but were not too impressed.

Cherokee NC

Bryson City was thriving with lots of people moving around.  This is the location of the Smokey Mountain Railroad.  We have often thought of coming to take the train trip.  Many locations to stay here as well as interesting shops and restaurants.  Might be worth a trip back someday.

We headed to Robbinsville on 19,74 and 143.  At Ingles in Robbinsville we began following the step by step directions to The Owls Perch, our Bed and Breakfast, located a few miles off of Rt 143 which becomes the Cherohala Skyway.   We finally made the connection for the name – combination of Cherokee and Natahala National Forests!   We had good directions from the B&B but managed to make one error and drove a few miles on a wrong mountain road before we realized our mistake – then had to drive another mile or two to find a way to turnaround.  All these back-country roads are single lane old logging roads from probably 40’s and 50’s.  There seem to be quite a few homes back in the area.  When we retraced our travel we were able to speak with someone walking along road and were soon on the correct road.  Interesting there are 2 cabins with red roof and fence!  

Major Highways

Secondary Roads

Logging Roads

These 3 photos show the main 4 lane roads, the 2 lane secondary roads, and finally the single lane logging roads.  

Finally we know we have made it!

Owners Carport - Owl's Perch the roof you see to left of main house

The area is lovely with fantastic creek views.   We arrived at Squally Creek and The Owl’s Perch about 4:00.  We met our host Alice, were shown to our room and got some directions about the location and breakfast.  We then did not see Alice until breakfast the next morning. 

Our room was cozy and included a small kitchen, a bath, a very comfortable bed, a small table with folding chairs, and a lovely small deck over the creek.  We also had use of a very nice porch with comfy furniture and a grill.  We unpacked our few clothes and our dinner and relaxed for a bit.  Ben was a little tired from all his driving so took a nap.  Jane was loving the creek views with very loud rushing sounds and yellow leaves highlighting all the huge boulders.  Alice told us that with a mere 3 inches of rain, the water covered all the huge boulders!

Creek view to the right

Creek view to right - including the owl on his perch 

What a relaxing location.  No cell phone signal, no WIFI, there was a land line phone we were encouraged to use if we wanted and satellite TV which included tons of channels and movies.  We however chose not to use it and just enjoy being disconnected for the duration of our stay.

Heating up dinner was easy and the BBQ from Waynesville was good.  We had Brisket, Pulled Pork, Slaw, Brunswick Stew and Green Beans. Not the best we have ever had but it was good and we had plenty leftover.  We had enough for eating when we got home.  Nice to have the refrigerator in the Sprinter!

View out to the deck from inside cabin

We walked a bit along the logging road. It is very remote.  There was one house about ¼ mile down the road that was a second offering by the same couple as our place.  It was a little larger with a full kitchen, a bedroom, and a living area – known as the Junction (where two creeks join).   A bit further on a bridge across the creek led to another home or two on the other side.  We did not walk further up the road.

Sprinter near the bridge below the Owl's Perch

After a great night’s sleep Alice brought us breakfast which we enjoyed before heading out the next morning about 9:30. 

Breakfast - Eggs, fruit, and pumpkin bread ...yummy

We retraced our steps back to Rt. 143 and headed first to Joyce Kilmer Forest.  Regretfully the trail we both felt comfortable following to the area with the large trees was blocked due to problems of the trail.  The trailhead had a few displays and a nice picnic area.  We enjoyed recalling our memories of a backpacking trip there many years ago with the Gerwe family.  I remember rain and what we called “Gerwe Miles” which related to the never ending “it’s only a few more miles” in relation to how far it was to our camping location.   Ben remembers many more pleasant experiences! 

After our short stop at Joyce Kilmer we headed west across the Cherohala Skyway.  This limited access two lane road was completed in the 1990’s and is billed as one of the most beautiful roads in NC and most expensive to build.  It had numerous pull offs and hiking trailheads.  There were moderate numbers of cars, quite a few motorcycles, and then pick-up trucks with dogs in cages in their truckbeds.  We were thinking bear hunting and when we asked later in the trip that was confirmed by one of the hunters.  We must have seen at least 15 -20 of the bear hunting trucks.  Many of them had radio antennas so they could continually track their dogs. 

The sky was a beautiful blue and the tree color changed with the altitude.  In the lower elevations only a few trees had changed – around 3,500 to 4,500 trees were beautiful, then at the top 0ver 5,000 feet there were few trees.  It was a lovely drive.  At Spirit Ridge we stopped and took a .6 mile hike to a lookout. Numerous mountain ridges to view. 

Trail and View at Spirit Ridge

We arrived at Tellico Plains in TN about 12:30 ready for a bathroom break and some lunch.  We saw Tellicafe just as we left the Visitor Center.  It had good reviews on Trip Advisor so it was our stop.  We got takeout. Ben had a Ruben with fries which he said was best he had ever had – and he has had more than a few Rubens!  Jane had a chicken salad croissant and sweet potato fries.  The sweet potato fries had a light dusting of sugar which was unique but excellent.  We only ate about half and again took the rest home for later. 

Ben remembered Benton’s Ham and Bacon was in nearby Madisonville – how great that he remembered!  We found it and stopped in to buy some.  Got 2 packages of country ham, a package of bacon ends for seasoning, and a pound of yellow corn meal.   Interesting watching the guys cutting ham in the back room.  This place is the real deal.  We had found the bacon and ham at a small family store in Jonesborough.  We liked the ham more than the bacon.  Jane thinks she remembers paying $13 for the ham in Jonesborough – here at the origin - $8!

We headed on north to reach Knoxville and head up I-81 towards home.   Took no more photos after leaving the Skyway but it was a pleasant drive with only light traffic.  Nice getaway !  No need to cook when arriving home as we had lots of leftovers! 

 

 

Savannah to Columbia to Home

September 29-30 - Oct 1

We left Savannah (Pooler really) headed towards Columbia where Ben would conduct an inspection on Monday morning.  The traffic was heavy on I-95 and the road not in the greatest of shape.  We just rolled along stopping in the small town of St. George for lunch.  We had past Walterboro because we were not hungry and there is not much else along this road.....  A search on Trip Advisor said try Sugs as the #1 place to eat in St. George.  Once you got off the interstate St. George was probably a nice little town.  Sugs was definitely the place to be after church on Sunday!  They were having a Sunday Buffet for $13 that included fried chicken, stewed turkey over rice, all kinds of veggies, mac and cheese, a big salad bar and several desserts.  All cooked by a black man who kept refilling the buffet - particularly the fried chicken!  The menu was limited due to the buffet but we just ate along with everyone else.  The place was packed and more folks came in as others left.   All good particularly the fried chicken. 

Back on the road we turned north on I-26 which would take us all the way home.  We reached our hotel in Columbia about 3 PM.  The Choice Hotel where Ben stays when inspecting at Rico is a Sleep Inn.  I had never stayed in a Sleep Inn before.  It was OK but everything seemed small.  Only 1 chair and minimal space to walk around the two queen size beds.  Everything was clean and fine it would be very small if you were staying very long!  We were not interested in a big meal so walked across the parking lot to a Shoney's and had a sandwich.  

Monday morning Ben left early for the 2 mile drive to conduct his inspection - the last in a series of inspections at this company over the past 6 months.  He was finished by 10 and was back to pick me up for the final drive home. 

We continued home on I-26 with only a stop for gas and a brief stop in Asheville for lunch.  Today as I finish load 6 of laundry and put away some of the camping gear I reflect on our first camping trip in almost 2 years.  We did fine - only thing forgotten was coffee cups. I did lose the butane for the Thermacell - found them when we got home. The old time mosquito coils worked well so we did  not need the more modern Thermacell.  We did not have to buy any groceries while gone - except for the shrimp and fish at Gay Seafood.  In fact when I purchased some drinks at the gas stop today I realized the only money I spent was for the toll road on Hilton Head!  We of course charged several meals but otherwise this was a fairly cheap vacation!

Would we go again - of course but during a slightly less warm season.  This fall seems to be unusual as we have been late Sept before and enjoyed much cooler temps.  

Savannah

September 28 Savannah

Woke up at 10:00 ! Can’t remember when I slept that late. Ben says he woke up at 9:30 so we must have both been tired out!   Missed the hotel breakfast so we walked across the parking lot and had a delicious brunch at Cracker Barrel.  Ben had French toast with blackberry sauce and ham.  Jane had eggs, apples, biscuits, and sausage.  Good breakfast.  Discussing how to spend the day – after yesterday driving in the traffic at Hilton Head – Ben did not want to go into downtown Savannah.  

We have been there several times and nothing really seemed to challenge us so we spent about 3 hours at the National Museum of the 8^th Air Force which was close to our hotel.  I Had never heard of the Mighty 8th but Ben of course knew it was the main air force in Europe during WW II.  It was remarkable well done for a private museum with no government funding.  Seems it was built in the 1990’s.  One of the gentlemen we met was 96 years old and had flown 24 successful bombing runs during the war.  After the 24^th he then parachuted into Germany to scout out the locations that still needed to be bombed.  He was using a walker but was getting around quite well.    The films were primarily actual WWII footage with added sound and lighting.  Learned a lot…

Each pin was a US Air Base in northern England

We had our briefing in a location just like those used in WW 2

Then when we got hungry we had an early dinner at Sawa-Hibachi. We had Shrimp Tempura which came with salad and soup.  It was very good – just a neighborhood restaurant about 2 miles from our hotel but the food was well done and hit the spot. 

We considered driving the 9 miles or so into Savannah for a seafood dinner of some sort – but the traffic really turned us off.  Good thing it was out last day at the beach as Ben’s sandals fell apart in the restaurant!  Back to the Merrells!

Hunting Island to Savannah

September 27, Hunting Island to Savannah

Another clear day at Hunting Island.  By 10 when we left the campsite, all the early morning clouds were gone.  Taking down camp was easy – we did have to give a little thought to what we needed to keep out in a bag for living in a hotel for a couple days.  The drive back to Beaufort was fine – more traffic at 10 AM than in late afternoon when we have been on the road the past couple days.  We turned south on Lady’s Island and headed to Port Royal.  We had visited there on an earlier trip to Hunting Island and recognized the long string of palm trees along the road heading to Parris Island.  An interesting place to visit. 

We however continued on south and turned back to the sea when we hit the parkway to Hilton Head.  We know many folks who love to visit Hilton Head and thought we should see what it had to offer.  Some years ago we had driven there and did not remember anything we particularly liked but thought we should give it another chance.  For starters there is a 4 lane divided highway that soon turns into a 6 lane divided highway…with lots of traffic.  Strike 1 

There must be one of every car dealership in the country if not 2 or 3 along this highway.  Also every chain restaurant and store you have ever heard of – and a Tanger Outlet Mall and then a Tanger Outlet Mall 2.  Never seen that.  We must have passed at least 10 golf courses – there were more we quit counting.  We kept driving and finally reached a street that was near the ocean – resorts built so closely together you could just barely make out the ocean was there.  A few restaurants and some very nice homes but no public access to the ocean for the 5 miles or so we stayed on this road.  It ended where you could pay to access the main Sea Island (not sure I have name right) Resort and Harbor Town where the lighthouse is located.  $8 to drive through more of the same to see the harbor seemed a bit much so we turned around. Strike 2

We thought we would find somewhere to eat lunch and put a sub shop in Waze – was supposed to be close - but we ended up on a bypass headed off the island -  well after nearly an hour and a half driving around and seeing little besides traffic, shopping centers, golf courses, condos, hotels, and resorts – we had had enough. So, when we came to a Chick-Filet we stopped and ate!  We were back in Bluffton and again saw the miles and miles of car sale lots, shopping malls, private resorts, golf courses etc.   I am sure if you knew where to go and how to get there Hilton Head is lovely.  We did not know where to go and there was no visitor center or we missed it.  Sites to see on Trip Advisor were mainly churches or resorts.  Strike 3  Anyway - we gave Hilton Head a try.

Headed on down I-95 and found our hotel in Pooler which is on the interstate about 8 miles inland from Savannah.  A cool room and a little rest was just what we needed!   The #1 restaurant in Pooler was Pie Society – it had really great reviews and sounded quite interesting and different.  A British place that baked all their own pies – savory and sweet to eat in or take home to bake.  Everything baked fresh each day.  Also all sorts of British teas etc to buy.  We have had plenty of seafood so thought we would give it a try.  It was close too and Ben was not wanting to drive too far….  It was sort of like a deli – but with interesting British décor – Monty Python on one wall and Winston Churchill on another! 

You ordered and then took your food to eat at nearby tables.  Ben had Beef and Potato Pie (they were out of Beef and Kidney) and Jane had Chicken and Veggie Pie.  Both were pretty good the filling was full of meat and veggies but the crust was quite heavy.  It was fresh and tasted fine just couldn’t eat all the heavy crust.  Then we got coconut and peach pie to go and took it back to the hotel. It was definitely a change of pace!  Nice to take a good shower and certainly fell asleep quickly. 

Hunting Island Day 4

Thursday September 26 Hunting Island Day 4

Woke up to an overcast day.  Cooler temperatures for sure but they did not last long as by 10 the cloud cover was gone.  Finished my book after cooking pancakes for breakfast.  Our activities for the morning were Ben wanted to go swimming and Jane wanted to try again to post the blog.  We have enough internet in campsite as we are within sight of the store where the internet is located.  Not enough internet to post the blog.  The other problem is the bright light causing trouble with seeing the screen.  Ben made it to the ocean and had a brief swim – very cold he reports. A wave knocked him down and he had trouble getting up but finally made it back to shore!  

I spent an hour trying to post the blog and finally gave up.  Have the photos and the written text but just can’t manage to get it posted.  Today was as hot and muggy as yesterday so we did not do much exploring or beach activities in the afternoon - the heat and humidity really take it out of you! We did plan ahead and brought lots of good books on our kindles so enjoy being close enough to see the ocean through the trees and escape into the cool when needed.  Relaxing if not exciting!

Tonight we headed to the Foolish Frog for dinner - it is in Frogmore a small community about 8 miles back from the shore. Jane had shrimp and Ben had crab cakes - both very good.  

When we got back to camp we walked on the beach a while.  Interesting how different it is high tide from low tide.  The surf is probably only 50 yards from the road at high tide - and maybe 100 or more yards further out at low tide.      

Another quiet night.

Hunting Island Day 3

Wednesday September 25 Hunting Island Day 3

This morning it is muggy since there is not much breeze.  The shade here is great for breakfast and supper, but not so much middle of the day. After checking the weather until Thursday there is no rain in sight so we are not putting up the shade tent for the table.  It does give some shade but cuts off the breeze so just did not seem worth the effort. The Sprinter gives us shade until about 1:30 and that is when we make plans to go somewhere.  Plan for today is eat lunch at Shrimp Shack – go fishing in surf and walk on beach or build in sand. Then showers and head back towards the mainland for supper.  Jane has a break from cooking for the day.

 We have decided to head to Savannah for Friday and Saturday nights and stay in a hotel.  We remembered a good restaurant we had wanted to return to – but in checking back it was in 2010 so we will need to check recent reviews!  Should be enough of interest there to keep us busy for a couple days.  Maybe we will drive down the local roads instead of interstate- stopping in Hilton Head just to see what folks like so much about it.   It is now evening and all is confirmed for hotel in Savannah.  However Johnny Harris is no more – sold out and opened as a different BBQ place.  The old architecture was what we remembered - as well the good food.  They evidently sold out the old building for location location location and a shopping mall of some sort went up in its place.  Oh well – sometimes you really can’t go back! 

We drove across the bridge to Shrimp Shack.  It was much as described on Trip Advisor – pay cash, order at window and pick up your food to eat inside screened area or outside under the trees.  We were expecting this super fantastic shrimp burger from all the reviews.  Well it was lots of  chopped shrimp in a pattie on a bun.  Tasteless shrimp on a soggy bun.  We ordered the large one and split it and that was plenty for us.  The fries were fine – and the tea with ice was fantastic!  We will not however be going back for another shrimp burger. 

It was showing 96 on thermometers and no breeze at all.  We chose to take a siesta in the air conditioned sprinter instead of going to the beach…it was just too hot.  Ben actually took a nap and Jane read a book.   Later in the afternoon we took showers and headed back to Lady’s Island to Dockside for dinner.  Parking Lot was full but we were seated right away. We both had scallops – Ben scallops picatta and Jane lightly breaded and fried.  They were some of the best tender sweet scallops either of us remembers.  It was a struggle but Jane managed to eat all 12 of the scallops.  The fries were great but did not eat many since the scallops were better! Nice service and great views of the marina too.

Drove back to camp and watched a Spencer for Hire movie.  Today was definitely a do nothing day!  From the photos it looks like all we did today was eat!

Hunting Island Day 2

Tuesday September 24  Hunting Island Day 2

Clear blue skies, ocean in the distance through the pine trees – temperature in the 70’s with a nice breeze.  Coffee in our new Hunting Island mugs and a nice breakfast.  We have been leaving the air conditioner on at night as it gets warm and sticky – the humidity. 

We headed over to the beach for a while – tide out small waves lapping.  Ben had seen a lot of shells mostly broken yesterday but nothing but plain sand today.  Maybe 20 people up and down the beach.  Not too much soft sand to make it through to get to the hard packed down sand.  We brought our chairs and enjoyed watching all the activity and the soft waves.  

Ben on beach above - turtle nest below

Then back to camp for lunch.  Ben confirmed he is expected in Columbia SC on Monday am for an inspection so we began checking out where to stay Friday and Saturday night.  No room at the inn here so we will begin looking for where to go unless there is a cancellation.  Keep checking back they told me. 

Lunch was the shrimp I steamed yesterday – some crackers and a little kidney bean salad.  Ben began setting up all his crabbing and fishing gear and we headed south to the end of the island for him to fish.  I chose to stay in the van under a palm tree and read my book!  He fished for about an hour and caught and released a couple fish.   I walked down with him to collect his crab trap.   History on crab trap is we had one that had been about the Harris family for some years….lost several years ago maybe here Ben does not remember….so he ordered a new one on amazon – from china - $4 delivered!  So he had a low cost trap baited with chicken necks near the dock. 

When Ben pulled the crab trap up ..up..up. In the blink of an eye I took the photo and the crab trap was gone…to join others in the bottom of the sea.  So we packed up and headed back to camp.

Luckily I had bought flounder to broil for dinner since we were empty handed from the fishing.  Ben however had enjoyed his hour and half fishing!  Showers felt good and then Jane cooked the flounder, some hush puppies from Fisherman’s Dock at home (from the freezer) and a veggie.  We also ate the last of the steamed shrimp. 

We had two interesting conversations with neighbors – one couple from Minnesota that had been on many of the same journeys we had in past – the stickers on the Sprinter often encourage conversations. We enjoyed swapping stories.  Another couple were very interested in the Sprinter – wife wanted something she could drive instead of the huge RV they have. 

Again to bed in cool air-conditioned temperatures for a TV show from Ben’s hard drive and some reading.

Hunting Island Day 1

Monday September 23 Day One Hunting Island

Breakfast went fine until we realized what we had forgotten – the coffee cups!  Since we usually leave home drinking a cup of coffee it is not on the checklist!!  We had left about 10:30 for our drive to Durham so had already had all our coffee.  We have lots of paper coffee cups that I use for cooking eggs in the microwave so they worked for coffee! I can see a new Hunting Island Coffee mug or two in our purchases today.

Today will be a restful day – go to the beach. Check on how to permanently set up camp – this site is a great location but poorly configured for power, table, etc.  There is a huge 2 foot stump right where we would want to have the table.  Not sure we will put up table tent as weather is perfect and we have good shade.   We can change sites but all those available are poor locations – long way from bathhouses and the beach….so we think we will just make this site work. 

Ben walked to the beach for a quick peak and came back to say tide was way out…will go back later.  With nothing that had to be done we did nothing until we ate a bite of lunch and got ready to head out to explore a little.  We were anxious to see how much damage to the island as a whole.  We drove to the south end of the island – the pier is permanently closed and they do not allow fishing around it. This damage is from several years ago and has not ever been repaired.  We drove on several of the back park roads and observed many locations where trees were down – some recent but many from several years ago.  At the South Beach location it was now high tide and there was no beach at all.  About 10 feet from the parking lot was tide.

South Beach - near high tide and there is no beach

Ben found several places he wants to be try fishing tomorrow.  We saved the lighthouse area for another day.  We drove across the bridge to Harbor Island and Gay Fish Company – bought shrimp and flounder as well as some bait.  We also checked out the open time for the Shrimp Shack.  This is a small restaurant across the highway from Gay Fish Co. – owned by them I understand.  It serves only lunch time and I was unsure of the hours.  We have never been to the Shrimp Shack but understand the Shrimp burger is very special. We plan to make it there for lunch one day this week.   They are building a new bridge between Harbor Island and Hunting Island. It is a 2 lane draw bridge that I am sure is a traffic tie up on weekends.  I see no signs of widening the road though so not sure what their long term plan is.

We made it back to camp, took care of a few camp tasks.  I lost the bug spray and needed to find it – done it had fallen in the trash.  Our dinner tonight was excellent – shrimp scampi – rice and corn…it was lick the plate good.  I also steamed shrimp to have for lunch tomorrow.  We also bought flounder that I will cook tomorrow night.  Then we will be going out one or two nights. 

As I sat here typing this blog entry, I heard rustling and saw a young deer eating grass right beside the picnic table! 

The temperature is wonderful – high 80’s but very comfortable in the shade with a breeze from the ocean.