After leaving Naples (well, both times actually) we/I stopped off along the way heading from west to east in the amazing natural phenomenon that is the Everglades and surrounding area. Before reaching the Everglades National Park, we reached Big Cyprus National Preserve, where we stopped to gather some info and lucked into a ranger talk …
Author Archives: marylandry
Florida: The Southern Gulf Coast
My first stop on the gulf coast was to once again impose upon my mother’s cousin I’d stayed with in Massachusetts. Steve and Margaret were just beginning a three month winter relocation in the quiet town of Rotunda West. This place was a planned community designed to look frankly like a crop circle with canals …
Florida: Central stops
Heading inland from St. Augustine I got to stop and visit with a wonderful ex-coworker from my school, from whom I took over a few roles when she smartly retired to this gorgeous property. Marshall’s home in DeLand is like a garden oasis, with multiple koi ponds, shady sections of ferns, fences made from felled …
Florida: St. Augustine
Driving south from Jekyll Island my first stop was Fernandina Beach on Amelia Island, where I stopped off and checked out some cute little shops and streets. It was super laid back (well it was a Monday…) and I randomly met a group celebrating a birthday who invited me to join their distillery tasting, so …
Georgia: the coast
The coast of Georgia is littered with more barrier islands, and after having such a wonderful experience on Hunting Island I was excited to see more. Outside Savannah I spent a day exploring Skidaway Island State Park, which is on the intracoastal waterway and has trails going through marsh, salt flats, subtropical forest, and all …
Heading south through the Carolinas
My first stop after leaving home from the holidays was a night visiting relatives in Farmville, NC. I got to have a lovely visit with Larry and Joyce in their gorgeous home, shared a special southern New Year’s Day meal (now I’ll be extra lucky), and have great Jeopardy watching company, not to mention a …
South Carolina: Hunting Island
I spent two nights camping mere steps from the beach on this beautiful island, and totally recommend it to anyone looking for a stop at any time of year. What a find! Totally worth being the first place I’ve paid to sleep so far on my van trip. I did cheap out a little, though, …
It only took almost 4 months…
I began playing the license play game the day i left in September, picked up over 30 my first day up the 95 corridor, hit 40 the first week, and had then been sitting at an unmoving 47 until I left again on January 1st. Got 2 more the next day, and have been stalled …
Georgia: Savannah
New year, new travels! Back on the road after my holiday hiatus, and like the birds and retirees I’m heading south with the warmth. One of my first stops was Savannah where I had the best luck and crossed paths with two of my favorite people for a night of fun as they headed back …
Central Virginia-a surprise hiatus
Long time, no blog! I had planned to spend a few days in the DC area and central Virginia for Halloween festivities and a horse race, which were fun diversions and a great time to restock, swap out clothes, and drop off items I found I did or didn’t need in the van (goodbye 2nd …
The Van is Go 