That’s right all this time – over a month – we have actually been visiting and driving and visiting and driving! So, just to put this part of our journey down on “paper,” and heck, for anyone who doesn’t know, see above.
Our Italian adventure ended with a landing in Texas January 14. We spent a few days in Longview with friends Terry and Lynn. Extra shout out for taking care of our girl, Pearl! Of course, we visited. And sure, the boys went looking at the history in East Texas while the girls went shopping or some such thing. Ha!
The Republic of Texas, 1836-1846
When we left Texas, we were headed to Virginia for visits and annual medical appointments. Due to a pending winter storm forecast to hit the deep south particularly hard, we hurried off with a plan to hunker down in Gilbert, South Carolina, hopefully between the wintry north and the bulls-eyed south.
Thank you, Louis & Lisa for hosting our quick stop at the lake house in Alabama. It was great to see you!
From one beautiful lake house to another!
Hmm, we travelers sure do miss the WATER. Cold weather coming or not!
“Snowed in!” ㋛ 😄 It was quite nice to relax for a few days, getting used to being in America again. Wow, the traffic and food prices were a heck of a readjustment. But this part of the road trip plan came together perfectly as we watched the pretty lake while the snow melted just in time to get back on the road to Virginia.
In Virginia
You’ve heard the saying, “We plan, God laughs?” Well, we didn’t know it, but that’s how this visit was about to go. First for the good stuff. Step one: Hello to Mom, Daddy, and family! And delivering gifts from Italy!
Illness Time Out
And then… the germs hit and put a hard stop to the rest of our plans, visits, and family photo ops. But after a week fighting off cooties all was fine. Super most importantly, Mom shook off those germs, too.
But, with the next set of appointments already scheduled in North Carolina, we had to continue south to the (hopefully warmer!) Bolivia. No, not that Bolivia, the area just below Wilmington. If one must stop for medical appointments, then these “ones” prefer to book close to WATER! 😏 But bummer, it’s still jacket weather.
Our rental on Oak Island was only a few blocks from the beach, so between visits with the docs, we absolutely had to take a chilly walk in the sunshine along the shore.
And now, introducing, “Challenge Accepted”
While we were in Virginia, Jeff and Caitlin gave us a new travel game for our time on the road. Gosh, they are clever! 😘
To make it our own, we decided we’d pull a card anywhere we’d be staying at least a week.
And here it is, Travel Challenge #1.
Hmm, seems like this one is right up our alley! Sounds like fun, right?
“Obscure,” huh? Okay, how about the “Mary’s Gone Wild Visionary Folk Art Garden and Doll Baby Village?”
As time goes on, we will share other challenges and the results.
Now, it’s cold just about everywhere in America, right? There’s golly whopper snowfall in the Hampton Roads area we just left. While here in lower North Carolina, there’s no snow; it’s just below our ability to stay warm. Our little beach house can only get to 66 inside!
What’s a gal to do when she rolls out of bed and the scale needs to be retrieved from the car for the traditional Friday Morning Weigh-In and it’s only 26 degrees outside? Layers, Baby, layers!
Alright. Alright. That’s enough of this crazy cold. It’s time to head further SOUTH! Florida, here we come!
Our Travels 