Day 15 and 16 Atlanta to Savannah to Washington DC

I've made it to Washington D.C. This is the conclusion of the eastbound leg of this journey. Angie is due in this evening and we'll spend ~a week here enjoying the kids. Chris, Kathleen and Annabel are coming this weekend and we'll have grandbaby time. Looking forward to that.
My intention is to, over the next couple of days, write a recap of my journey embellishing the previous posts. I hope this has been some interest to you. I would like to hear from those of you who have been following me, email, facebook, what ever. Thanks for those who have left comments along the way.
So now to report on the last two days.

Day 15: Atlanta to Savannah, GA

After my post of Day 14 I took a drive around Atlanta it was just to hot to do much else. Its a big city with great architecture and skyscrapers. Not many people on the street again the heat.

My campsite was about 50 miles outside of Atlanta heading to Macon, GA. It was a wonderful State park on a gorgeous lake. This is what I imagine the wilderness was like when the first settlers arrived. Very serene.

Had dinner at the Fair Air restaurant. Reputably the best BBQ in Georgia, at least according to the sign out front.  If this is the best Georgia has to offer I'll do BBQ somewhere else.

The drive to Savannah was interesting in that I tried to take some of the route that Sherman took on his infamous march to the sea. Lots of great country and little towns along the way. Stopped at a road side stand and bought some Gerorgia peaches. Tryed to see one of the plantations along the way, went 8 miles off the main road on to find it closed, bummer.
Drove through Macon, GA, didn't spend much time but has some great history. 

Great little rest stop between Macon, GA and Savannah

Savannah GA, lovely city. It's the first city out side of San Antonio that I acutally felt that tourist where in town. This is a place I would like to spend some time in.

Had a great dinner at the Boar's Head restruent in Shavannah. A bit touristy bout a good meal. Yes that's grits on top of the shrimp.

Walked through an number of the famous squares. Love the hanging moss.

My camp site was 8 miles out on the islands, Skidaway Island to presice. Again another state park, I really enjoyed the state parks. Great dive through the Atalantic marshes.

Day 16: Savannah GA. to Washington DC.
Along day on the road. Rather then spend another night on the road I decided to get on the Interstate and get to DC. I really dislike the Interstate; not much to see other than semi's and other cars all go fast. But it got me here in time to have a martini and dinner with Jennifer and Per.

Did stop in Hilton Head SC, just to see what its all about. Lovely but very congested with vacationers. Nice beach.
OK, that's it for now

Day 12, 13 & 14 A lot of traveling

I've finally gotten to an Internet connection and power supply all in the same place. The last couple of days I have put a lot of miles behind me. As you can see by the maps I've been through much of the south and down to the Gulf coast.
There is a lot to see and just driving though has be a great experience. Again I'm trying to travel on secondary road rather then the Interstates, sometimes this works other times, for the sake of time, its not practical.

Day 12: Left Nashville and went south to Mobile, Al. I was a long drive but scenic.
Not much to really write about; passed through Birmingham and Montgomery, didn't spend any time to speak of however. Big cities with a lot of civil rights history them. Skirted Mobile on my wave to rural campsite in Vancleve, MS; yes back in MS again.

One of the many towns I been through

Turkey anyone.

Not my camp site.
The site was one of the more interesting ones thus far. Because of the uncertainty of the storm forecasted for the Gulf area I rented a cabin for the night. It consisted of a single room with a queen and bunk beds. I got there late in the evening. As I arrived I was informed that the car was clattering and I might need to check the oil, which I did the next morning. But I did give me a night of some concern. It's unfortunate I didn't get any picture here but arriving late and leaving early under apprehension caused me to neglect my photo opportunities.

Day 13: Vancleve, MS to Dorthan, AL

Back on the Gulf of Mexico again. This time I'm drove along the coast route looking for oil. Fortunately, it's been pretty well cleaned up along the resort areas. It did seem a bit deserted. Not many soles on the beach around the noon hour. Great resorts, big massive hotels with tons of rooms most empty I think.

Very overcast because of the storm moving through. No rain but lots of wind blowing in to shore. This leg has taken me through Gulfport & Biloxi, MS, Mobile, Al, Pensacola, FL  for a frame of reference. Most of my travels were along the coastal byways.
Heading north trough AL , toward Columbus, GA.

Found this marvelous state park north of Dothon, AL. It's on a lake and maintained by the Corp of Engineers. Just beautiful. Sampled the local cuisine at the Anchor Inn. It seems that in the south everything is fried.

Day 14: Eufaula, AL to Atlanta, GA

This Morning woke to great sun rise and motor boats on the lake. This  a very beautiful camp. On the road to Atlanta. It's been an easy day on the driving front.
Atlanta is a gorgeous big city with great architecture and downtown. As of this writing I haven't walked around but have spent sometime driving around looking for a Starbuck's. I have been past CNN headquarters though; impressed?
I've gained another hour, I'm working on EST now which has shortened my day. Oh the weather report in the mid 90 but not to humid. Off to see Atlanta. Post again soon.

Day 11 Memphis, TN to Nashville, TN

Graceland.

OK. I can check that off my list. Really it wasn't as gosh as I had expected. It was done well and interesting. I can why its such a peilgrimage for those who are big Elvis fans. Devotion has its price however, the prices are a bit steep starting with the $10 parking. The various tours range from ~$40 (the Mansion tour)  to >$60 (the everything tour). If it weren't for my senior discount and AAA...there are advantages to getting old I guess.

I got on the road sometime around 11:00 after the tour. Did I tell you that McDonald's is wifi; I'm floored how much connectivity has infiltrated all aspects of our lives.The drive was relative short ~ 4 hours. Following my intent to stay off major freeways was impossible. I tried a couple of times to get off US40 to State 70 but for what ever reason I could never make the connection. I took it as fate after a while and just did the US40 route. It wasn't very scenic, it is lined with trees on both sides with very few breaks. Not much of a picture opportunity.

Arrived in Nashville and was confronted with a major traffic jam; Oh big cities what a joy.
Downtown at sunset

 Old and New at sunset

Cooling down in Nashville

Jack', A simple place for dinner with the locals

Had a great night on Broadway, the entertainment district. Lots of saloons with live music. It was a very dead Thursday night as I was informed by one or more of the locals. Most of the bars were less then full. A bit of a disappointment I guess. 

Walked around the downtown some and to the Tennessee river.
Heading south today through Alabama to Mobil area.
Hope everyone is good and your enjoying this as much as I am.

Day 9 & 10 Galveston, TX to Natchez, MS to Memphis, TN

It's been a couple of days since my last post, mostly because I been with out internet connections. I'm presently sitting in a McDonald's; who new McInternet. I got to Memphis yesterday evening, and had a great night in town, but more about that later. The weather has been tolerable in the 90's but with humidity thrown in.
I had forgotten all the little things that camping makes one deal with; bugs of one sort or another. I've covered myself in repellent but still I seem to be a choice tidbit for the little devils.

Day 9 Found me leaving Galvaston  heading along the Gulf of Mexico north out of Texas in to Louisiana.

Oils big around here. I hadn't realized how many days I had spent in Texas; it's a big state. I wouldn't mind coming back to the Gulf area it really nice under the proper conditions.  

I defiantly new when I had enter Louisiana.

I changed my initial route choosing to go through mid-LA rather then staying in the boot. This took me through Alexandria, LA. Lot of little towns to see.

Got to Natchez, MS in the early evening. Set up camp in Natchez State Park and went into town in time to catch the sun setting over the Mississippi River.

Had a great meal at the Biscuits and Blues restaurant, this is the twin to one in SF. Nice place on the River.

Day 10. Headed out to Vicksburg. MS. this was only an hours trip. Spent some time looking around and then found a local artist that I liked enough to buy one of her pieces. Having it shipped to DC; we'll decide where to hang it once Angie gets a good look at it.

Had a great time talking to the artist and looking over her images. Again hot an steamy in the traditional southern fashion.

That brings us to Memphis. It's all about the music. Had a great night on Beale St. listening to the blues; being played by some very good groups. Beale St. reminds me o f Bourbon St. in New Orleans except its clean. Starts out slow but before the end of the evening its jumping.

Had pulled pork, greens and black eyed peas for dinners at Miss. Pollly's.

The beer was cold and the music hot; what a wounderful way to spent the evening. It can't be much better I guess.
Ok. I'm now off to see Graceland. Not sure why, I'm not that big of an EP fan, but it's something to when your in Memphis.

Day 8 Corpus Cristi, TX to Galveston, TX

Again this is another Starbucks morning. I camped at Galveston State Park last night and had no electrical or wifi. This seems to work out however, a chance to have a cup of coffee, reflect on where I been and where I heading.

As to where I been. Had a great drive up along the west coast of the Gulf of Mexico. The country side is dotted with tiny little towns, mostly consisting of a garage, a two pump gas station and a church of one sort or another. Been traveling a lot of the back roads, somewhat off the betten path but more interesting then the supper highways at 70 miles an hour.

Made it to Galveston around 3:00. Spent an hour or so walking around there tourist district. Lot of great buildings along the water front.

Galveston is a very large shipping port and has been since before the Civil War. Wouldn't mind coming back for an extended visit.

Not much else to report except that it warm in the <>90 but the humidity is a big factor in this part of the world. You know it humid when you get out of the air conditioned car and your glasses fog up.
Today I'm heading out of Texas and heading northeast though Baton Rouge, LA to Vicksburg, MS via Natchez. Will see what this brings Am going try to stay at the Vicksburg National Battlefield Park, should be fun.I'm off on the road again!

Day 7 Austin TX to Corpus Cristi, TX

This is going to be short. I'm doing this from a Starbucks in Corpus Cristi, TX

Made it to Padre Island out side of Corpus Cristi, TX, where I spent the night camping on the beach. Sound idealic huh, it was until about 4 this morning when I was hit with a heavy down pore coming off the Gulf of Mexico. It did a good job of getting everything soaked. It got me up to watch the sunrise however.

The Gulf of Mexico and its beach.

Dinner last night

Before & After

Yeasterday I visited the Alamo, in San Antonio, TX. A nice couple of hours walking around.

The river walk is quite lovely.

Lots of rolling hills but very green. Just moving along.
Hopefully tonight I have internet access and power and I can catch up. I should be in Galveston, TX tonight.