Day 13 Saturday, February 11, 2023 Hot Springs & Fort Smith
On the road again - next stop Hot Springs which was only about a 2 1/2 hour away. We found the visitors centers and got information on the town. It was nice to walk the main drag and see the pictures of the old bath houses and learn about the history of the town. We stopped at the Superior Bathhouse Brewery and enjoyed a beer with lunch.
After a nice day it was on to Fort Smith to spend the night.
Views of Hot Springs, Arkansas
Day 11 - 12 Thursday, February 9, - Friday, February 10, 2023 Nashville to Forest City, Arkansas
Our original plan was to drive through the Smokey Mountains but high winds and closed roads changed our plans - thankfully we checked before and adjusted out trip to make a stop in Nashville. Lou and Judy had a great suggestion for a hotel close to the action and we got there with no problems. We checked in and went out to find dinner. We happened upon Rippy's Honky Tonk and enjoyed some delicious ribs and good country music. Even though we aren't big country fans the trio sang classics like Rocky Top, I got friends in low places, etc. We walked Broadway and stopped and listened at a few more places. We walked by the Ryman theater and then stopped for an ice cream.
The next day we had breakfast at the hotel. Just a few doors down was the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum which has a wonderful collection chronicling this music from its early roots to the present. It also highlighted different types and regions of country music. They of course had all the Hall of Fame winners also.Then we walked to the Listening Room where songwriters showcase their own songs. We had a great lunch and enjoyed the music although we were a little far away to get the full effect. Picked up our car at 2:00 and then ventured off again.
We drove another 4 hours and spent the night in Forest City Arkansas.
Downtown Nashville
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| Enjoying a brew and the music |
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| Add some ribs and onion rings and you've got a perfect evening |
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| For Doris |
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| More good food |
Day 10 Tuesday, February 7 - Wednesday, February 8, 2023 Fort Mill
On the road just after 8 for a 3 hour drive to see Lou and Judy. Again thankfully it was an uneventful trip. We had lunch and took a nice walk around their community. Of course we continued the family tradition of manhattans at happy hour. After a delicious dinner we played a few games of aggravation and it certainly was.
The next morning Lou took us for a golf cart ride around Sun City and showed us the renovations made since we last visited. Then it was on to one of our favorite small towns, Waxhaw, NC. We walked around the town and did some window shopping before stopping at the Dreamchaser's Brewery. After enjoying a brew we went to Mary O'Reilly Irish Pub. It was like being back in Ireland. We finished off the evening with some games of pinochle. Tomorrow we'll start the trek to Santa Fe. Wish us luck.
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| The Clubhouse |
Lou and Judy's House
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| Fun at the Brewery |
Day 9 Monday, February 6, 2023 - Carolina Pines RV Resort & Myrtle Beach
Had breakfast at the hotel and then went to see where Deb and Dave have been spending their winters. We also had to check out the cabana Jacquie and Sam had rented this week. The park is quite new and very clean and nice. They are currently expanding too. Dave gave us a tour of the park highlighting the different pools, fitness center, water park, hot tub, bowling alley, bar, clubhouse etc. Jacquie and Sam's place was cute also and they liked it so much they have signed up for a bigger cabin for a longer time next year. We got to meet some of their neighbors. Then while Deb and Dave attended to some business the four of us went to the Boardwalk on the beach and then the Myrtle Beach Boardwalk. We did a bit of souvenir shopping and then met Deb and Dave at the Gay Dolphin. We walked a little more and then went to 8th Ave. Tiki Bar for dinner. It was delicious. Then it was back to the resort for a campfire. We headed back to the hotel to get ready for our next leg of the trip.
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| At Deb and Dave's RV |
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| Jacquie and Sam's cabana |
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| One of the pools at Carolina Pines |
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| The water park |
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| Jacquie and Sam at Boardwalk at the Beach |
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| The Ferris wheel |
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| Fish frenzy |
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| Elvis in the house |
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| Bart in the house Views of Myrtle Beach |
Dinner - Yum
Days 8 - 9 Friday, February 4 - Saturday, February 5, 2023 Greenville
Today we left Pittsburgh by 8:30 and arrived in Greenville 9 1/2 hours later. As is our custom we stopped at Parkers BBQ to have some of that delicious Carolina BBQ, Brunswick stew, Cole slaw, fried chicken, hushpuppies and sweet tea. Yum!
Sunday morning we met Gunda at Egg Yolk Cafe. She is JP's dear friend and we wanted to see how she was doing after his passing. She filled us in on his last days and we reminisced and shared our favorite memories of JP. She was such a tremendous source of help for him. After breakfast we drove through the old neighborhood, by our old houses and around Greenville. It really has grown. At 1:00 we met some of our former colleagues from EB Aycock at Seared Chophouse. Phyllis Wooten, Margaret Powers, Marie Lewis and Ann Mewborn came out to see us. Again it was like old times. We had fun seeing what everyone was up to and were happy to hear that everyone had a special someone to add joy to their lives. At 3:30 we were on the road again for a 3 hour drive to Conway, SC. to visit Deb and Dave. We stayed at a hotel 5 miles from their RV resort and they and Jacquie and Sam who are also visiting came to see us at the hotel. Made it an early night since it had been a long busy day.
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| Can't go to Greenville without stopping for BBQ! |
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| Our starter home - 107 Rotary Street |
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| Our second house - 206 Library Street |
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| Eric's elementary school - Third Street |
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| Views downtown by the Tar River |
Days 6 - 7 Wednesday, February 2 - Thursday, February 3, 2023 Oakfield to Pittsburgh.
We had an uneventful 4 hour trip to see our friends Carole and Earle Ashbridge. It was so good to see them. We hadn't been there since before Covid but it seemed like old times. We took Wednesday just to catch up on what we had been up to lately. Carole made us Tik Tok pasta and Crab cakes for dinner. Delicious as always.
Thursday we went to see Tom Hanks in a Man called Otto. It was a very poignant film - bring kleenex. For dinner we went to Dented Keg Brewing Co. and enjoyed some craft beers and sandwiches. That evening we watched Triangle of Sadness, a movie nominated for best picture this year. It was a bit out there for me. It was so good though to spend time with dear friends.
Days 1 - 5 Saturday, January 28 - Tuesday, February 1, 2023 Oakfield
Before being away for 2 months we went and spent some time with Ron's Mom. We went to Mass and took her out for breakfast. I was able to cook some meals to stock her freezer. Most of all we wanted to be with her on the 1st, the 1st anniversary of Dad's death so she wouldn't be so alone. Karen G. also came and we had lasagna for lunch. Tomorrow we'll be on the road forr the start of our extended winter get away.
Day 1 - Tuesday, November 7, 2023 - JFK to Quito Eric was sweet and drove us to JFK but we had to wait quite a while to check in and were a ...
