DAY 52: TUESDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2019: HARD TO SAY GOOD YE TO KATH AND NORM

We were awake at 6:00, but didn’t want to move. We were very co fortable at Kath and Norm’s beautiful home in Leland, NC. The night was very relaxing, the morning the same. Packing up to leave was hard. We didn’t want to stop our conversation as we drank coffee. In spite of the fact that we moved a few times attempting to depart, it wasn’t until 8:00 that we were finally able to say goodbye. We talked about heading this way in January on our return trip to Florida. Always great to see these wonderful people.  

NORM AND KATH

As we traveled, we passed by many favorite places and relived our ICW lives. Some of the trips had some pretty hairy stories like passing through Cape Fear being concerned about being pushed into Frying Pan Shoal or missing our right turn and possibly heading towards the ocean rather than to Southport. Southport has many memories with Hank P.., our meteorologist friend. Passing in the area of Snow’s Cut, the memory of finding  the only shallow spot between two marks and had to call Seatow since now the wind was pushing us deeper into shallow water. Funny, it couldn’t push us the opposite way into deeper water. That never happens. We thought about Follys , Murrells, and Topsail Inlets, the bridges and the marks that needed attention if you wanted a Crisis Free Day, a CFD. Ha!

South of us, we remembered buying the best homemade sausage in Bucksport. While at the dock, we met people from RI who had actually followed our trip from Cleveland to RI on the trawler. It turned out, this man was friends with our friend Dwight, may he rest in peace, who asked to make the trip with us before he passed. 

It’s a very small world.

AT THE DOCK IN TONAWANDA, NY: BRINGING TOMFOOLERY TO RI

So many wonderful memories on land and sea. 


DWIGHT ON OUR JOURNEY EAST: NOT EVERYONE IS STRONG ENOUGH TO WEAR A PATRIOTS SHIRT IN BUFFALO TERRITORY: IT CAN BE LIFE THREATENING!

We are passing Warsaw, not in Poland, in NC. Along this coastal route there are many places we visited. 

EMILY SENT THIS OF LEO GETTING READY FOR SCHOOL, PJ TOPS AND ALL.

STAYING WOULD HAVE BEEN SO EASY

We heard from Joan who is cozy in the Keys. She has been keeping up with my ramblings in the blog! Lol!

GORDON AND JOAN IN THE KEYS

I texted with Linda to wish her a good day. She said it is 70 degreesin the Keys, beautiful and no air condtioning needed. Nice!


GO, LINDA! LOOKING WARM AND RELAXED

Lots of car time today so talks with Michael, Mom, and Dad. Texting with my sisters, Jane V, Gina, Sharon D, ( dinner Friday) Sharon R, (openhouse  on the 21st) Chan, Michelle, and Emily - all to make plans and solidify reservations at venues while we are home. We are truly  looking forward to seeing everyone and making more special memories.  I just know this month  will fly by. 

As we drove, Marty and Carolyn called from Northport to catch up. We haven’t spoken to them since the summer.

When we passed over the Woodrow Wilson  ridge, we remembered going under it in TOMFOOLERY. At that time, we went to the Inner Harbor of Baltimore and visited the amazingly moving Fort Mc Henry. That was a memorable trip. We passed the exit for Quantico, the thought about our attempt to tour it- one week it was Monday and they were closed. The following week we passed by on a Tuesday only to learn they are closed Mondays and Tuesdays.  

Joan and Gordon, Geri and Bill sound very busy in the Keys. Who isn’t? Lol boats and homes, repairs and renovations can try our patience. There is always something to do!⛵️😂⛵️

Kath sent me her delicious recipe for breakfast bars. I can’t wait to make them!

We stopped at Kenly 95, an amazing stop with a huge gift shop, diner, and rig display with full sized 18 wheelers inside. Leo and Stella would have a field. This is a truck lovers playground.

THE WHOLE 18 WHEELER AND RIG

In addition, we stopped ay The Good Earth Peanut Store, another favorite. The sea salt and black pepper jumbo peanuts are soooo good. 

Carolyn and Rick saw first hand the amount of black pepper I use. Lol.

SOOOO GOOD




THE RAILROAD TRACKS WITH THE SIGNAL STOP THAT LEADS US TO GOOD EARTH- THIS HAS BEEN A FAVORITE STOP TOO

We stopped at a Sleep In in Baltimore for the night. We needed Fuel and dinner. We decided this was a nice area after a Long DAY  (I can’t figurę out why Long and DAY have capitals- frustrating )

After deciding on pizza, we headed to Hilltop Pizza and coukdn’t Find it. It was 800 Ft away?????? We looked around and saw Tiajuanas at the too of the hill. On well, Mexican sounded good. We went in and asked the hostess where the pizza płace was. She said downstairs. We never saw it. Oh, well! 

 Our chimichangas were very good. On the way out, there was a tiny hołd in the wall płace and the only small sign said: Pizza. Inthink we probably made a good choince. Funny thing, the menu in the hotel room for Hilltop pizza was huge: the płace tiny and nearly missed. 

The waitress said we made the better choince. It is hard to mak this Staff up. I write it down because I can’t believe some of the stuff that happens to us. 

When we got the Restaurant Bill, there was a 3.99%  surcharge. Tom asked the waitress. She said its the surcharge that the owners charge for using a Credit card. Mmmm. The bartender said there is a sign on the DOOR. On the way we found it—a very small sign.

Sign on the door:

Weird, but , oh, well!

A quick run to the Fitness Center then sleep.