63 days, from end of February to the end of April. Feels like longer in a lot of ways, but I guess that’s because I crammed a lot of action and stops into that two months.
Way back at the beginning, it was cold and overcast at Myrtle Beach State Park. It was a difficult start, with the Truma unit that provides my heating and hot water not working at all. Ugh. But I made plans to get it fixed, and left on schedule.
Turns out the Truma sorted itself out after a few days, much to my relief. Then I let the anxiety slide away watching sunsets on the lake, catching up on my reading, and starting to hand-sew nine-patch squares for a new quilt.
By the time I got to mid-February, the earliest signs of Spring were appearing. One of the most enjoyable things about this trip was seeing Spring come up in different states, different times, different flowers and trees. What a sight, over and over again!
I was still enjoying Spring green colors in late April, and I kind of hate to see that brilliant early green fade into the darker colors of Summer.
I mostly took the long way ’round, from little two-lane hot-patched local roads to parkways with the luxury of passing lanes. I did take a few interstate highways, but I never enjoy them all that much: 18-wheelers and fast speeds are definitely not my jam. You see more on the local roads, like this radio station, WLHR near Lake Hartwell, a local station that seems to be the heart of information around those parts. Good for them, we need more local radio and newspapers.
Back roads in farm country, which is most of the South outside of the big cities, often includes abandoned buildings, falling-down barns, and a look at poverty and struggle that rarely makes the news. Staying on the interstate highways, you’d never see most of it. I’ve been taken aback driving by a row of what looked like deserted, dirty trailers only to see cars parked outside some of them, and people still living in them. America is a country of contrasts, I’ve seen that in my eight years of traveling.
I saw a big rocket (yay!)…
… and a total solar eclipse (super yay!). Both were well worth the changes in itinerary to see them.
Now I’ve gone full circle: I ended my trip back at Myrtle Beach State Park, getting the Alto ready for some time in storage. But before that happens, Breeze got a little bit of a facelift when I replaced the black rock guard on the front end. An easy enough job, and much needed, since the old one had faded and also had a hole in one side, thanks to that sway accident in 2020.
The Ridgeline is also getting some work done, so I had to empty it out completely. This was just one of three loads that went into a storage unit for the duration. That pickup can hold a lot of stuff.
Why store the Alto, you might be asking? By the time you read this, I’ll be exploring the UK and a tiny bit of Spain for six weeks, both with family and solo. My vagabond life is back overseas, after eight years of not flying to far-off destinations. I’ve missed the excitement of new places, long flights, busy airports, and figuring out how to get around in strange cities.
Come mid-June, I’ll be back at Myrtle Beach, getting the Alto and the Ridgeline ready for summer and fall travels. Until then, you might see some “definitely not in the USA” posts here 🙂
You only grow by coming to the end of something and by beginning something else.
Since you are my main source of virtual travel these days, I can’t wait for “our” trip overseas. Nice Spring roundup here.
I love seeing spring over and over when I drive up from the south home to Michigan. And I too love the brilliant green of spring and wish it stuck around longer. Have fun in Europe!!!
What a great spring time you have had! We are looking forward to following you as you go across the pond. We are also going to England on Friday. A week in London and then a Cruise out of Southampton. Perhaps we will bump into you!!