In August, I traveled to Charleston, SC with my son, Jonathan and his wife Joan. The primary reason was to visit our good friends, Francine Cook (whose lung cancer was now progressing) her son Chris and her son, Berke and his wife, Mary Beth on Daniel's Island. We stayed in a suite at the Double Tree Hotel  in Charleston. Great location for getting around Charleston, and getting to Daniel's Island. We had lunch at Bubba Gump's. We were all hungry and afterwards walked around Charleston.
   Called Francine and made arrangements to go and visit tomorrow afternoon. She tires easily. We had dinner at Hank's which was right next to hotel. We were all tired, so it was an early night.
   Friday had breakfast in the LIghthouse Cafe in hotel. Afterwards, we went over to Fort Sumter National Monument. A 20 minute boat ride gets you to the fort. The ranger gave a great historical commentary; all those who wanted to assisted in unfolding the flag to be raised, took pictures and then back into city.

We went to Magnolia's for lunch (excellent). Afterwards we were in the car to visit Francine. Her home was built last year (she moved in around end of October); on the 8th hole of golf course. Beautiful home with an elevator she had installed to get groceries up to the living area.

While her son, Chris, took Jonathan and Joan over to the clubhouse, Francine and I sat on the screened-in porch and caught up with everything going on. It was good to see her. We have been friends for over 30 years and I have missed her. 
  When we returned to hotel, we walked across the street to Hank's Rooftop for quick dinner.
  Saturday morning out for breakfast, then headed back to Cook house. Jonathan, Chris and Berke were playing golf. Joan and I were having lunch with Francine at the clubhouse. Lunch was great; dessert was a chocolate chip cookie in cast iron skillet topped with ice cream (Francine's favorite). Afterwards, we went back to the house and watched the movie, The Revenant. When the boys returned, we were due back at clubhouse for dinner with Berke and Mary Beth. Francine bowed out - she was too tired. Had an enjoyable time. It was good to see Berke and Mary Beth. 
   Sunday we stayed put in Charleston. Did some shopping; took a buggy ride around Charleston,

and met Chris and his girlfriend, Melissa for dinner at 82 Queen. Another excellent restaurant.

Unfortunately, just as we sat down the sky opened up - ran for cover; had to eat inside. Had a good time. 

They all walked me back to hotel, the four of them continued to one of the bars for a nightcap or two.
   Monday, Chris brought Francine into town for lunch. She had not been into town since she moved down there. Cancer with chemo and radiation had taken a toll, so she pretty much stayed near home, but she did come in for lunch with us. Had cocktails at 22 Grill Rooftop. Great views!!!

Then proceeded up the street to AMEN - yes, that's the name of the restaurant. Seafood was great; their creme brulee not so good. Francine and I have always judged restaurants by their desserts, especially creme brulee. 
  Afterwards, we walked Francine to the car. She was tired and ready to get back home. We said our goodbye's since we were leaving in the morning to head home. 
   Jonathan wanted to go back to Magnolia's for our final dinner. Again, excellent. We discovered there is no bad meals in Charleston. 
   It was a great trip. 
  Unfortunately, yesterday October 11, 2016 Francine passed away.


Jonathan, Joan and  I were glad we went to visit with her. RIP my friend of over 30 years. You are already missed.  
   

After being home for awhile, we headed up to Bar Harbor, Maine and Acadia National Park. We left on May 19th and planned on coming home a few days after after Memorial Day weekend. One of the perks of retirement. We don't have to get back to get to work. Neither one of us has spent much time in Maine. Left around 8:30 a.m. on Thursday heading up I-95N. Figured about a 7-1/2 hour drive. Maine definitely deserves its nickname "Pine Tree State".  Lots and lots of pine trees on way up.   We arrived at the KOA and had an oceanside view. We had electric and work hookups - no sewer due to closeness to the bay. Great views and lots of rocks, at low tide, to walk on

. The campground is approximately 9 miles from town of Bar Harbor and approximately 6 miles from Acadia National Park. 
  We drove into town and had dinner at McKay's, which is an old Victorian home. We sat upstairs. Nice place. Some of the restaurants will not be open until just before Memorial Day weekend.  Skip and I both had their clam chowder. I had shrimp risotto and Skip had their shepherd's pie. They were both delicious!! 
  Nights are definitely cool!!! Good sleeping weather!!
  In the morning, we drove over to Acadia National Park.

The park was first established as Sieur de Monts National Monument by President Woodrow Wilson in 1916. In 1919 the park was renamed Lafayette National Park when it became the first national park east of the Mississippi River. In1929, it was officially renamed Acadia National Park (you can read more on Google). The Loop Drive is approximately 27 miles. There are various pull offs, and parking areas for visitors to stop and take in the breathtaking views.

  Many go to the top of Cadillac Mountain for sunrises and sunsets. (elevation is 1,500 feet per the park ranger).
  The next day we drove over to Schoodic Pennisula -National Scenic Byway - about 45 minutes from campground. This is a beautiful drive -  road literally hugs the coastline in parts. When you reach the end of pennisula, there are huge rocks facing the Atlantic Ocean. Many artists are along this drive with their easels painting their surroundings.

  Also a great place to bring a lunch and just hang out.
  We stopped at Tracy's restaurant for lunch. Lobster roll and onion rings were great. They are a family run business (over 20 years). 
   Later for dinner, we went to the Chart Room which was just up the road from campground. Very good, and more views. We both had the lobster dinners. Yummy but bland for us. After the spice of cajun food, took a little while to adjust to lobster and butter. 
  On Sunday, we took Thumper with us for a drive over to the southwest Harbor area. Lots of traffic; worked our way to Base Harbor Head Lighthouse. 
  Went to dinner at Lunt's Gateway Lobster restaurant just over the bridge in Trenton. Became one of our favorite places to eat. 

  Went back into Bar Harbor to browse around the shops and get tickets for the Lighthouse boat tour.  We had dinner at Jack Russell's Steakhouse. No joke - Thumper probably thought since she is a jack russell she would be welcomed. We brought back something for her.
  There is a winery - Bar Harbor Cellars. Stopped in since it was National Wine Day - they were closed.
  While driving, Skip keeps looking for moose. Still no sightings!!!!
  Up early for lighthouse boat cruise. You get to see Acadia National Park from the water. Our guide pointed out various homes (Martha Stewart, and the Rockefellers homes).

  Afterwards, we went to Sherman's for lunch. They had just opened for the season a half hour before we got there.

Great place.
  Rainy day, so Skip and I went to Jordan Pond area in Arcadia National Park. We had lunch at restaurant (huge popovers!!!!).Took a drive through some of the side roads until rain became a deluge and we returned to campsite.
  Had a few more dinners at Lunts before heading home. Had a good time. Great seafood and views!!!! 

sunset from our campsite

 

Has been awhile since I blogged so on this rainy day at home decided to get caught up. Back at the end of February we left Poche's Fish and RV Camp in Breaux Bridge and headed to New Orleans.

Depending on traffic, it is about a 2 hour drive for us to reach Ponchtrain Landing on the east side of New Orleans. This is where we have stayed for the past few years while in New Orleans. It is about a 10-15 drive into the city.
  It was a rainy morning when we left on I-10 heading east. Lots of fog over the Atchafalaya Basin and over the Mississippi River in Port Allen.

  Since last year, a lot of work has been done at the campground. New sites and cabins along the Marina side. They also moved the dog park farther out. (Prices have significantly increased - figured we were contributing to all the new upgrades). Since it continued raining, we stayed put for the night. Had dinner at the restaurant/bar on premises.
  Woke up to sunshine - headed into New Orleans to Toulouse Street (our favorite parking area). We can always find our way back to the car!!! We walked over to St. Ann's street (this is where I read is where some of NCIS-New Orleans is filed). Wasn't sure we found the area - but watched an episode one night - and there was the building!!!

Yeah for us!!!!
  We just continued walking around French Quarter area and up by the Mississippi River. Lots of musicians playing for tourists.

  Headed to Chartres House for lunch. We sat upstairs outside on patio. Skip had ed beans and rice.

I had blackened shrimp jumbalaya with chicken and andouille sausage. Both delicious!!!

Afterwards, just walked around to shops, etc. Great way to spend the day.
    On our way back to campground driving up Dacatur Street to Elysian Fields, we noticed a lot more homes being damaged by Katrina being rebuilt. A good sign for the city.
   Difficult to get into town a few days later due to 5-K race, so we headed over to the Hilton Casino area. Gambled a little, had lunch at WOW - very good.
  Next day we went to Farmer's Market in uptown area for some shopping, then went over to City Park to get tickets for their Chinese lights exhibit. At night, these exhibits are lit up throughout botanical garden area - one exhibit is a 120 ft dragon - all wire and fabric!!! Great exhibit!!! Awesome!!!!!

   Another day we drove into town to go to the New Orleans Food and Beverage Museum. Had read about this museum in a brochure or newspaper. Small but cute!! Have a great bar set up. You can walked around the different areas with your drink learning about food that is produced throughout the South, not just in New Orleans area.

  Friday night in New Orleans, we went to Mulatta's for dinner. This is a cajun dance hall. Great food (had my crawfish!!!), great music, lots of fun!!! 

Lots of tourists in town due to conventions!!!
  Saturday we headed to Kennar to go to the Ponchatrain RV show.  Nothing new that we could see.
  Sunday - into New Orleans for beignets. I was not the only one looking for beignets!! City was crowded - got beignets at New Orleans Beignets - right new Mississippi River.

Life is good with beignets!!!
  Monday morning packed up to start heading home!!!! Has been another great trip!!!!
  Stopped in Gadsden Alabama for night at Noccalula Falls Campground. It is a city-owned campground. Great place for the night!
  When we passed Knoxville, TN, had motor home problem. Losing power! We pulled into state police barracks and they sent p to the Freightliner truck repair - spend two days in their parking lot due to having to order a part. They have a great set up for truckers - showers, living area with TV, microwave, laundry if they need to stay for repairs.
  On leaving Freightliner, we pulled into KOA in Bristol, TN (realized we stayed here before); got a good nights sleep; up early and on the road - stopped at Western Village Campground in Carlisle, PA.
  Next morning - headed home - arrived around noon!!!!

Now that Mardi Gras is over and we have plenty of beads, we decided to just "chillin out" around the campground and letting our tummies take a rest. Well that lasted a day. Went over to LA-31 Brewery for some beer, music and food. Not only local

musicians, but we have a trio of ladies from Europe who had recorded in Alabama, and are touring around pull in and play.

I am not a big beer lover, but LA-31 beer is good. Skip picked up a few cases to bring home, had some barbecue, and we sat and enjoyed the music.

For anyone in the area of Arnaudville, usually every Saturday someone is playing at LA-31 Brewery.
    For Valentine's Day we went to Pat's on the Levee in Henderson. More good food. Before leaving the area, I went to see Leslie at Vision's Hair Salon. Great place - salon used to be a church. One of the hairdresser's had to leave because her daughter was in the running for "Queen of the Crawfish Festival" which is coming up in the spring. Hope she won.

Skip went over to The Fruit Stand to pick up alligator to bring home. We also stopped at Poche's Market to pick up boudins and etouffee to bring home.
   Had dinner at Pont Breaux one night. More good food and music. Following night ate at Crazy Bout Crawfish. I was going to get plenty of crawfish to eat before we left. When you pull in the parking lot, you notice that the Crawfish Queen has her own parking space.

  Afterwards, we stopped at Lisa's Daiquiri's on way back to campsite. Is a small whole in the wall place with video slot machines. Skip met Marty who wants to take Skip alligator hunting.

Marty kept telling Skip that he would catch the gator and Skip could shoot it. Skip told him next year when we come, he'll look Marty up!!! Skip just wants to see a gator close up, not shoot it. We'll see what happens when we return. Near campground is an airfield for those with remote control airplanes. Skip enjoyed going over to watch them fly. The turbo jet planes are about $25,000.00 each the owner told Skip. Guess we are not getting one.

  Day before we left, we were invited over to Laurie and John's for jumbalaya. They are both Cajuns. Robin and Glen from Minnesota were also there. Great jumbalaya!!! I made a coffee cake for dessert. Lots of wine!  Great time!! 

Skip and I always regret when we leave Breaux Bridge, LA. We love being here. We love staying at Poche's Fish & RV Park. We love the area, the people, the music, and of course the food!!!! Can't wait to come back!!!!!