[Key: Memoir in Times New Roman, Travel Journal in Arial]
6/11/96 Pensacola - Jacksonville
Left home at 7:30 + drove across I-10 to I-95 in Jacksonville – 360 mi. in 7 hrs. Had a Wendy lunch in Live Oak + checked in to the Quality Inn – a nice room next to the Marriott where Kent is staying.
The Osceola National Forest is a beautiful area of tall + thin pines.
Kent came over after dad + I had a refreshing swim in the pool + we went out to eat at an interesting restaurant called the Bombay Bicycle Club. We all had different shrimp dishes. Mine was a 2 fat gr. pasta dish but was so bland I added an additional gram or two of salad dressing.
Mike called + chatted for a while trying to decide on whether or not to go up to Chicago + take care of Donna's dad's house.
6/12/96 Jacksonville - Emporia, Va.
The Quality Inn offered us a very substantial breakfast; pineapple, assorted cereals, bagels, juice, bananas, coffee/tea. We got away a little after 7:00 A.M.
Places of interest that we passed were: St Mary’s River, Brunswick, + Savannah Ga., Florence + the Great Pee Dee River in S. Car, and Lumberton, Fayetteville + Rocky Mount, N. Car. Before arriving at our over night at the Best Western in Emporia, Va. about a 10 hr. drive + covering 550 miles all on I-95.
What we didn’t know about Emporia is that the second Wed. in June they hold a festival known as “park haven.” The townspeople came out to celebrate, eat + drink + take part in the festivities that go on into the night. What saved us from a noisy “abode” was a downpour + they were rained out. Yeah!
We had a nice swim + a good hearty meal at the truck stop across the street to celebrate our 48th anniversary!
6/13/96 Emporia, Va. – Fort Story, Va.
Had a very nourishing breakfast + got on the road at the usual 7 am time. We left I-95 + drove Rt. 58 toward Hampton Rds. area on Rt. 64-264-13 through the Elizabeth River tunnel to our beautiful Cape Henry Inn situated on the cusp of Chesapeake Bay + Atlantic Ocean. This is an Army military reservation.
We took a 1-1/2 hr. cruise on the paddle wheel Carrie B. She’s a replica of the 19th C Miss. River boat + we sat on the top deck taking in the sights: the site of the battle of the famous ironclads - the Merrimac + the Monitor. We saw cruise + cargo ships, supertankers + tugboats in action as they sailed past Waterside + the Norfolk skyline. We saw other ships being repaired in the elaborate floating drydocks. After our cruise we ate in the Waterside shops before driving back to our inn.
Had dinner at a local family-type restaurant at Va. Beach called Charlie’s Seafood. Sat on our porch + viewed the ships.
6/14/96 Fort Story, Va. - Mt Holly, N.J.
Hit the road about 8 am. With the first leg of our trip crossing the 17-1/2-mi. Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel which is the longest of this type in the world. Salisbury, Md. was the next sizeable city of interest in the Delaware Peninsula. Before reaching it however, we took a side trip out to Assateague Island where we found a real treat touring the interesting Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge where we were able to see the wild horses “ponies.” There are two herds of about 150 in each – one in Va. + one in Md. They’re descended from domesticated stock that has grazed there since the 17th C by Eastern Shore planters. Many many shore birds were there for our viewing. We were impressed with the two big bridges over the Delaware Canal + Delaware R. On Rt. 13 we passed Dover AFB + lots of good rich farm land. Perdue chickens are big in this area. From the New Jersey Turnpike we took Exit 5 at Mt. Holly + the Best Western for a good night’s rest after dinner at the Wedgewood Family Restaurant in Burlington with a delicious seafood buffet - the best meal on the whole trip!
June 15, 1996: Mt Holly, N.J. - Providence, R.I.
Had a leisurely trip today, leaving at 8:00 + arriving here a little before 2:00. Traveled the New Jersey Turnpike to the Garden State in N.J. then Rt. 287 across the Tappan Zee Bridge. From there we connected at Norwalk on I-95. Lots of heavy traffic + construction in the New Haven area. At E. Haven we stopped at a Friendly's for lunch, then drove on to Providence on I-95. It was just a 269 mi. drive.
Kyle + Erich were here for dinner + we all sang Happy Birthday to Kent as he cut the delicious chocolate cake. We received a beautiful flower arrangement for our anniversary + a clever gift basket of garden tools.
Our evening was spent watching the Wellsville video catching a few laughs along the way.
Had a call from Mike telling us that Donna's dad passed away at 6:30 a, this morning. It was a blessing that he didn’t have to suffer any longer.
6-16-96 Providence, R.I.
More celebrating today. For Father's Day the kids gave Bert a tool set for the car + several nice cards. Kent was treated to a couple dozen golf balls + cards from Brynne, Erich + Kyle. Our breakfast was a delicious combination of bagels, juice, melon, scrapple + coffee. The boys left for church + the beach.
Soccer was the diversion for the afternoon. Brynne’s team, the Equadors won 5-0, and she played her heart out – partly the reason the team won!
Kent made pizza when we came home, we had showers, played games + watched TV.
We packed for our trip tomorrow to visit the Gs at the Cape.
6-17-96 Providence/Cape Cod
We spent the next few days on Cape Cod - visited Ann +Jim G - friends from Marco Island.
We left after breakfast for the Gs – Ann + Jim – in Brewster on the Cape. We traveled I95 to 25 – then Rt. 6 across Sagamore Bridge. Exit 10 on Rt. 124 to 176 Nelson St.
Places we visited included: Ft. Hill – overlooking Town Cove + the Nauset Marshes. We saw a film on the Cape Cod National Sea Shore at the Salt Pond Visitors Center. We viewed the Atlantic Ocean + the Coast Guard Station. On the way back to Brewster we stopped in Orleans + saw the Community of Jesus right on the parking lot of Rock Harbor. Then we saw the site of the battle where the militia repulsed the Br. Fleet in the War of 1812. A full, fun packed day with our dear friends!
Jim cooked delicious swordfish steaks on the grill + Ann prepared a wonderful potato + vidalia onion dish + a salad of greens from their veg. garden – a real treat.
6-18-96 Cape Cod
After a delicious breakfast we started our morning tour of the Brewster area at the p.o. + a card + book gift shop. Jim drove us down Lower Rd. for a picturesque drive of the quaint old homes. We saw white-belted steer, marshes, the boardwalk to the Bay, the Snack Windmill, Harris Block House (1795), the Stoney Brook Grist Mill + Herring Run. At the Cape Cod Museum of Natural History the duck display by the famous Chinese wood sculptor, Mr. Ma was outstanding. I love the beautiful rosa rugosa, the native Cape Cod rose.
In the afternoon we went to Chatham + Hyannis – a very scenic drive. We weren’t able to get out on the pier to see Kennedy’s compound, but we saw Rose’s church where she attended mass every day. Claire + Jack G from Yarmouth Port (also Marco friends) came over for a delicious seafood dinner + a beautiful day.
6-19-96 Cape Cod
We drove to the Lobster Claw in Orleans for a delicious lunch with Ann + Jim. They gave us some cuttings from their beautiful roses (rosa rugose) + some fresh lettuce from their garden before bidding farewell to a fun-filled two-day visit with these dear Brewster friends.
We left for Providence around 1:20 + drove a little over two hours to Kent’s – 88 miles. We took the scenic Rt. 6A through the Cape seeing: Dennis, Yarmouth. Yarmouth Port, Barnstable, + Sandwich before crossing the Sagamore Bridge into New Bedford + Fall River.
For dinner we went to the 99 Restaurant-Pubs in Seekonk. It was an interesting family type place with good food.
Brynne read to us before we went to bed. Fun day.
6-20-96 Rumford
We did a little shopping in the a.m. Got a squirrel trapper at the bird store in Seekonk. Then got back to Kent’s in time to check out the bug control man.
Kent came by for us a little before 3 pm to go to Kyle's high school graduation. What a treat. It was held in the Veteran’s Memorial Auditorium + we were there early enough to get choice seats + we were seated in the same row as Kyle - across the aisle. It was a lengthy program but very well organized. Kyle played his bass with the orchestra. There were approx. 250 Classical H.S. grads - 90% go on to college.
From 7-9 we went to Mary Jane’s. Met Kyle’s + Erich’s friends, had a nice conversation with her dad, Paul. A good social evening. They weren’t able to get tickets for everyone, so Tamiko + Brynne joined us at Mary Jane’s + I rode back to Rumford with Tamiko.
Brynne read to us again + we retired early.
6-21-96 Rumford
Bert and I attended Brynne's awards assembly at her school, the Myron C. Field [Francis] Elem. It was very well organized. Each grade lined up + received their awards on the bleachers as their names were called. Brynne received a certificate for high honors (all A’s), spelling bee winner for all first graders + a few other certificates. Afterwards we got coffee at McDonalds + lunch at Greggs. I organized for packing tomorrow + the trip home on Sun.
The boys came over for dinner. We had Chinese food + played a Chinese murder mystery game. I’m not good at solving mysteries but found it to be fun + it included the whole family, even sharpy Brynne. The dessert was a lemon meringue pie from Greggs that was a foot high.
Before retiring we watched a video of the awards ceremony that Tamiko taped.
Fun day.
6-22-96 Rumford
We left around noon for Uxbrudge, Mass. It was a rainy day + we stopped at Purgatory Chasm where Kent + the kids explored the rocks + Bert, Tami + I took the Nature Trail.
We ate lunch at a pizza restaurant + then set out to find Barb H’s Tapestry Gardens. We finally found it after touring the village.
We talked on the phone to Lil + Bob C, Barb's father from Marco days, while the kids bought some perennials from Barb H, the Cs’ daughter.
We drove back to Rumford + while Kent + Tamiko planted their newly purchased plants, Bert + I packed for home.
The boys left + then Kent picked up Boston Mkt chicken + we had a good dinner.
Retired early for the trip back to Pensacola tomorrow tomorrow.
6-23-96 Rumford - Winchester, Va.
This has been an interesting day: We left Kent's around 7 am + drove 478 miles, traveling through eight states as follows: R.I., Conn., N.Y., N.J., Pa., Md., W. Va., and Va. How’s that for an 8-1/2 hr. rip!?!
I drove the first lap of I-95 to Ex. 54 about 90 mi. At Exit 38 we took the Merritt Pkwy. to Rt. 287 + traveled it to Rt. 78. At Johnny’s Restaurant we stopped + ate our packed lunch. We left N.J. when we crossed the Delaware R. into Pa. We passed Stroh's, Nestles, + several other large plants in the Lehigh Valley south of Allentown. Lots of luscious farmland. We crossed the Susquehanna R. into Harrisburg area, then Carlisle, Shippensburg, Chambersburg all on Rt. 81 + finally to Winchester + the Comfort Inn.
We walked across the street to Chasons Country Buffet – our second time + it lost its appeal. It wasn’t nearly as good as it was when we were here in ’94. We’ll try something else the next time.
6-24-96 Winchester, Va. - Lookout Mtn, Tenn.
We got away early because of the long trip to Chattanooga today. We had lunch at Bristol, Tenn. + shortly after leaving Wendy’s, it poured down rain + it continued for about 45 min. Practically all day we were on Rt. 81, the roads and scenery were fine – beautiful farms + luscious greenery. When we arrived in Knoxville, we were slowed down due to an electrical storm + more heavy rain. We started on Rt. 40 + stayed on it until Lenoir City when we picked up Rt. 75. We were happy to check into our room at the Comfort Inn at Lookout Mtn. I had a quick swim while Bert showered, then I shampooed + we had dinner down the road at a little Barbecue Rest. Circle C. Watched “Twin Lies” on TV – Jamie Lee Curtis + Arnold Schwarzeneger. 9-1/2 hr. on the road - 535 mi. Good day.
6-25-96 Lookout Mtn – Pensacola
This was the last leg of our trip to Rhode Island and not a lot happened today.
After a breakfast of coffee, juice, + donuts we got on the road at approx. 7:30.
The Comfort Inn at Lookout Mtn was not up to par + for $54.00 one could expect more amenities. We plan to pursue their status.
All the rest of the trip was fine, beautiful day, alternating the driving, stopping in Ga. for 99¢ gas, still cheap, then on to Birmingham on Rt. 59.
We ate lunch at Priester’s Pecans south of Montgomery at Ft. Deposit. It was a novel place + we ate sandwiches weighed by the ounce.
We arrived home safe + sound at 2:30, having stopped at the p.o. to pick up the mail. Wonderful trip of 1406 miles from R.I. (Now back to reality – ugh!!)
