April 30 Richmond (not BC :))

We left the outer banks this morning and headed North. Very nice roads on our way to Richmond (not BC); we had some light rain on the 3.5 hour drive. Crossing Chesapeake bay we crossed first a long bridge, then ducked into a tunnel about 10 times longer than the deas tunnel (in Richmond BC :))
I was somewhat worried the first time I saw the word "tunnel" as I have a 13' 8" clearance on our rig. We first had to pull into an inspection station as we were carrying propane tanks. A black guy comes out and inspects the tanks that they are off before we can proceed. The minimum height allowance was 14'6" so were good to go.
We arrived at "americamps.com" around 1:30 and settled in. This seems to be a very popular RV park for transition RV'ers as it apparently is half way from Maine to Florida. it definitely is full tonight.
Since we only had a half day in this area we zoned in on two things to check out; the one was the canal walk by the riverfront, the other which we went to first was a historic homestead in the middle of the city called the Dooley property. The soup and nuts is he made his money investing and building railroads after the civil war had decimated the railroad systems. Lets say he was an opportunistic person at the right place at the right time. The property was willed to the city of Richmond on their deaths. It is a gorgeous property with impeccable main house and out buildings. We took a 45 minute tour of the main part of the home. Very impressive. One of the more important items I paid attention to was the beautiful stained glass and art pieces by Louis Comfort Tiffany. And since I am in the lighting business I felt this was something I needed to spend lots of time on; after all this is a working holiday!! here is an exerpt from the history of this man: (DL staff? pay attention!)

Louis Comfort Tiffany History - Louis Comfort Tiffany was born in New York City February 18, 1848 the son of Charles Lewis Tiffany who founded the prestigious New York silver and jewelry firm Tiffany & Co. His father company founded in 1837 catered to the wealthy elite, presidents and royalty such as Queen Victoria of England. At the age of 18 Louis began to study art under American landscape artist George Inness. In his 20’s Louis traveled widely in Europe and visited Spain, North Africa and the Middle East. There Louis developed an interest in Islamic architecture and ornament, Romanesque and Moorish art, and Japanese ceramics. Growing up in such a wealthy family had enabled Tiffany to travel in Europe four times between 1865-1872. 

On his return to the United States in 1872, at the age of 24 Tiffany began his first studies in glass and mosaics. Later his experiments with iridescent glass were conducted by exposing hot glass to a series of fumes and metallic oxides. Over the years Tiffany Studios would produce many stained glass windows, lamps and glass vessels using his famous “iridescent” glass. 

Tiffany was inspired by Thomas Edison’s new invention, the incandescent filament light bulb. He was among the first to create a revolution in home illumination using his colored glass to produce beautiful commercial electric lamps. Effort was made for Tiffany’s artistic products to reach all economic levels sometimes at the sacrifice of company profit. Louis Comfort Tiffany introduced his style and left his mark in the U.S. by redecorating a number of private homes and public spaces. Mark Twain, Cornelius Vanderbilt and, the presidential White House are listed among Tiffany’s clients. Most Louis Comfort Tiffany lamps were made between 1895 and 1920. Tiffany is best known his Art Nouveau style of free flowing almost sensuous natural forms and designs. Many recognize his glass vases, windows and lamps but he was also involved in interior design, furniture, rugs, ceramics, jewelry, bronze items, painting and photography. Louis Comfort Tiffany was a visionary of Art Nouveau design. His items are prized and treasured both here in America and all over the world. Louis Comfort Tiffany was as skillful a businessman as he was an artist. Prior to being named the first Design Director of his father's Tiffany & Co. in 1902, he managed a number of interior design firms and decorative art companies. His career spanned over 50 years including tenure with L.C. Tiffany & Associated Artists, the Tiffany Glass Company, Tiffany Studios, Tiffany Furnaces and the L.C. Tiffany Furnaces. He died in New York on January 17, 1933 at the age of 85.

There are many companies that make Tiffany Style reproduction lamps and lighting in the stained glass tradition. These companies offer many traditional styles and newer contemporary designs as well. TiffanyLamps.com offers the finest Tiffany Style reproduction lighting, Since 1988, with the finest manufacturers and is and Authorized Dealer of Meyda Tiffany, Dale Tiffany, Paul Sahlin Tiffany and Quoizel lighting companies. These four Tiffany style lighting manufacturers have the highest quality standards, producing stained glass lamps and lighting fixtures that are sure to beautifully illuminate your environment.

BTW we sell Tiffany products at Design Lighting!!

After that we drove to the core of the downtown area; not much there. Certainly nothing compared to the very impressive River Walk in San Antonio.
It was time to make a Costco run to get some necessities; we typed into Miss Garmin the coordinates and made the drive over. After getting some basics we settled into our home at Americamps, had a drink on the "patio" and then watched our favorite show: Jeopardy!
Some tidbits on our trip so far:
We've driven 208 hours so far (this includes the drive at Christmas from Langley to Palm Springs)
We've driven just over 9,000 KM's. : based on the planned trip after new York to home (our break back home for one week) we are at the half way point.
I am averaging 19 litres of diesel gas per 100 KM's

 heading into the Chesapeake Bay tunnel

 I have to admit, I was nervous pulling 65' of trailer and truck through this tunnel

 The Maymont home

 the fixtures were actually dual; electric AND gas. Sallie didn't like the gregarious "look" of the incandescent bulb; she much preferred gas!!

 this is "her" bedroom; they slept in separate bedrooms; no wonder they had no children!!

 hee hee. hey, its art!!

 this was one of the first art works made by Louis Comfort Tiffany. apparently it is an invaluable piece of art that belongs to the city of Richmond Who now own the property)

the front door is actually under the "bridge|" on the right of the picture; the trees blocked ,most of the frontal view

April 29 The Outer Banks (Lynette's Golden birthday)

We planned to stay 2 nights at "The Refuge on Roanoke Island" RV park, so today was planned as a full day. As an FYI many parks where we only stayed one night usually only gave us the afternoon to explore after driving 3-4 hours; we usually arrived at noon or soon after.
We started by exploring Elizabethan Gardens on the north end of the island we were staying in; Carolines camera was in over load mode :) the only thing really blooming at this time of year are Azaleas. BC is actually in the same zone as this part of the world. matter of fact this area had a bunch of snow at different times of this past winter. We waited till Lynette go out of bed and called her and wished her a happy "golden" birthday :) We'll Skype later tonight.
We then headed over the bridge to The Outer Banks group of islands which is the most Eastern stretch of "sand banks" of the USA. Very touristy area, many summer homes of the rich; amazing how many large sport fishing boats along the hidden harbors along this 80 mile stretch. We went South to Cape Hatteras and checked out the largest of the lighthouses on the East coast. The sands over time after this lighthouse was built were shifting due to the big tides forcing and moving sand. This lighthouse was moved 2900 feet inland a number of years ago; apparently it was an engineering marvel of the time. Off these islands the German uboats sunk hundreds of merchant and supply ships in the early part of WW2; we visited a maritime museum highlighting this as well as the waters off this coast was known as the "Graveyard of the Atlantic" as many ships over the years met their fate with treacherous seas and weather.
We headed North to Nags Head, Kill Devils Hill, and Duck (yes that's right, those are the correct names); we first went to Duck (Henry Meerstra would be proud) and walked along a boardwalk with shops all along the water, really cool idea. We then went to Kitty Hawk and visited the Wright brothers memorial; it consisted of a museum of artifacts and a restored version of the original Kitty Hawk airplane; as well as a monument on the hill they originally "pushed off". A metal replica made for anyone to climb on finished off the visit.
We stopped by a waterfront seafood restaurant before "heading home". A good day.

 the Atlantic is on the right

cute shops on the water boardwalk

 restored "Kitty Hawk" and the first glider the brothers flew first

 "LETS GO"!!

a young couple from Quebec pulled in beside us. felt a little sad for them with their "motorhome" (for about 30 seconds) they actually had a fold out mattress and a whole bunch of other stuff in there.

 

April 27 Newport North Carolina and on to the Outer Banks

We now will be crossing more state lines quicker as each state is considerably smaller than some of the larger ones eg Texas and Florida. Today we stopped in Newport SC at a very quiet RV park. again as we move more north we've started to see less "snowbirds" as the temperatures are definitely cooler. Newport is a smaller coastal town known for its history and fishing. We visited a nautical museum where they have many artifacts from the notorious Captain Blackbeard and his ship which wrecked just off their coast. They even have a sample of a heart of a sperm whale.
We were going to get a second night here after Caroline said I could go for a game of golf. Well I was the first one off and was paired off with a really old guy who said I should go on my own as he is really slow with two knees replaced just recently. So I did something I've never done before; go golfing by myself. The good part it allowed me to play two games (two balls) in 2.5 hours!!
I came back to the park just as Caroline was getting out of bed! :) We decided to pull out and head to the Outer Banks; the stretch of islands just off the Carolina coast. This was the first time we drove on a 2 lane road in sections; nice country farm driving. We noticed some farms with many, many barns. I think they were chicken barns; one farm had at least 40-50!! They do things big down here! Pretty sure I got good gas mileage on this 3.5 hour drive as 55MPH as the speed limit most of the way. Tomorrow we visit Kitty Hawk; the birth of flight!

 our camp spot in Newport; it was very empty of us "travellers"

 there was no beach but a nice dock. the water is very shallow along the coast here. as we were walking back from the end of the dock we saw a stingray close to shore!

 the boardwalk along the old town of Beaufort, a town nearby

 making friends with a pirate :)

 this ladies heart was close to mine! (a real whale's heart!!)

 a nice "fishy" meal at a local seafood restaurant

 another very long bridge joining the mainland to Roanoke Island, part of the Outer Banks of islands off the Carolina Coast

 no selfie!! (thanks buddy)

 a very serene place to park for a couple nights

April 26 Myrtle Beach

The weather turned yesterday, clouds with some light rain; still in the 70;s but definitely cooler as we are making our way North. Today we worshipped with a PCA in Myrtle beach. I have to say the structure, worship, forms, as well the preaching has been right in line with our Churches. The pastor here, Ted Ragsdale, chose Genesis 5; the geneology from Adam to Noah. The main thrust of his sermon centred around the Godly seed of the lineage of all his people through this first group to Christ. One thing he emphasized in his sermon was the headship of the man in the household; to be a leader to his wife and children. He also was not afraid to discuss discipline; "do not spare the rod"! very biblical teaching and very sound. Some songs were familiar but others not so much; but that's ok. A very up building worship service, to say the least.
After we got back to the campground, the sun was starting to poke through so we mounted our bikes and headed over to a park/shopping area called Market Common; nice lakes, shopping; a very quaint place to visit. After a nice 2 hour ride we settled in to our books with a glass of wine. Its 7:30 right now and the skies just opened; it usually doesn't last that long but we'll see. Still a good day :)

Myrtle Beach

We pulled into Myrtle Beach State campground on Thursday around 1:30, got settled in and started to explore the park with our bikes; checked out the beach and then relaxed and had a nice tenderloin BBQ :)
Friday I had booked a tee time at one of John Daly's creations; every single hole had water on it!! The wind was up first thing and the temperature was only around 60 when I teed off. BTW Caroline wasn't going to chance throwing her back out on this leg of the trip. It warmed up where I could take my coat off, shorts and golf shirt rest of the way! ended up with an 80.
After my round we drove to the centre of Myrtle Beach and walked the famous boardwalk. We decided to take the Myrtle Beach version of The Eye (Londons big ferris wheel which we took a couple years ago), got some very nice views of the stretch of beach North and South. We did some shopping and also checked out a new shopping area which reminded us of High Street in South Surrey.
This morning (Saturday) I had booked a tee off time but the pitter patter of rain has put a damper on that today; the forecast is for heavy thundershowers :(
We have found a PCA Church which we hope to attend tomorrow.

 our very private camp spot

 view from the "Sky Wheel"

 sitting pretty :)

 a little friend who just sits on our ladder and looks at us. he's been there the second we pulled in

 our beach 2 minute bike ride from our spot

 the "Sky Wheel"

 the famous boardwalk in Myrtle Beach

April 20 St Augustine

Sunday we worshipped with the members of the local OPC; the pastor is Eric Watkins, a wonderful speaker. His sermon was on faith and how the Holy Spirit refines us like gold through trials in our lives. This certainly hits home as Caroline continues her journey of cancer. Watkins had studied at Westminster and knows Dr Devisser from our college very well. He will making a presentation in January in Hamilton. We also met Ed T'Hart, a member in Hamilton who is moving here; small world sometimes!
Monday I go my first golf game in at a local course; very tight with lots of bush (with venomous snakes I was warned) and water. I managed to stay out of the water but not the bushes, started with a triple bogey and settled down after that. We also had visited the World Golf Hall of Fame; really cool to see the history, especially the painting depicting the game played on ice! in Holland!! Not so sure if the game originated in Scotland after all :)
We also visited the lighthouse which was again; you guessed it, the oldest in the states!
A good day

 golf world hall of fame

 walking the bridge on 18 at the old course St Andrews in Scotland!!

 the old lighthouse and home in St Augustine

 and yes it came down big time one day :(

 our site in St Augustine

April 18 St Augustine

Today we spent a full day in St Augustine. Well not really, I went shopping at a local Camping World in the morning; these RV stores are all over the States. If you've ever gone to Travelands retail store in Langley? Camping world's stores are probably 3-4 times the size! Truly everything one needs for "glamping". I needed to get an extension for my sewer hose as some of the parks we've been in have stretched the distances for both my power cord and sewer going in opposite directions. Also picked up some water filters really cheap :)
So anyways we left at noon for the town, we had decided to take St Augustine's variation of the on/off bus; small 4 section trolly's which can drop one off at many various stops but is a fully guided tour for 90 minutes. Very informative and each driver was excellent. We visited the old fort, the oldest street, oldest house in the United States (all from the late 1400's) as well a local distillery which made rum, vodka, and whiskey. After our tour we drove over to Anastasia district with beautiful beaches and homes on the Atlantic waterfront. Had a nice barbeque with distant (and close) thunder and lightning but no rain to speak of. A good day :)

 our "on/off" bus

 city hall

 "booze" factory

 the oldest house

 the Fort (the selfie stick is being put to good use!)

 even an original "David" from Michelangelo!!

April 16-17 Palatka & St Augustine

We drove from Titusville to a State park in Palatka called Rodman State campground...it was a very pretty spot along a "barge" canal; it was built in the 60's for barges to transport goods. As water conservation has become more of an issue especially here in Florida, it was built to help preserve more clean water. The campground was very quiet, very rustic; the only concern we had was there is a State prison not far away, and we saw prisoners along the side of the road "working". We biked a couple miles to the dam and watched the locals fish from the spillway. The next day we drove a short distance to St Augustine to stay the weekend at a private resort called Stagecoach RV Park. We spent the rest of the afternoon in the old town; St Augustine is the oldest town in the US. They boast that they have the oldest street, oldest house, oldest school.....you get the jist! Had a great waterfront dinner with lots of seafood and after appies, chowder, main entree and caramelized bananas over ice cream, we had lots of leftovers for a Sunday meal.  The weather has been iffy, some thunder, lightening but thankfully no rain during the day.  On Saturday we took a trolley to see all the sights of St. Augustine, took a distillery tour and walked around "Castillo de San Marcos" fort, the oldest fort in The USA still standing.

 Jonathan Livingston State park, a very rustic quiet place

 at rhe state park we biked over to the boat launch; and sure enough as the sign warned us; "STAY OUT OF THE WATER AS CROCODILES MAY BE NEARBY!! if you can blow up the picture you'll see a beeding pair of eyes just above the water at the end of Carolines pointing finger!

 a view just after the spillway

 on the oldest street in St Augustine

 The original fort in St Augustine