Sylvia's RV Journey

So my travels aren't always about fun and games, and having a good time. I actually have to do things like cleaning, grocery shopping and laundry. I cook daily, and rarely go out, lol. You know, everyday chores, and everyday routines, just like you would do, if you were at home. So after a little short drive I stopped to do laundry, this time my pillows, my sheets, and some clothing. My goodness, the laundromat took about $20 after all that. Then a trip to Planet Fitness. A very long shower, and another session in the chair massage. All the while Jo Jo is in the bag, quiet as a mouse. For a chi chi, I am sure that some of my people refuse to believe that he can be quiet. But its true. I reinforce his quiet behavior. You should see him hanging on the hook, off of the shower rod, in his bag, in the Planet Fitness shower stall. Priceless. Makes me smile all day long. I didn't make it too far today, and stopped at the Dismal Swamp National Refuge. I am in Virginia!! The park was a...

I stopped in for a visit to the Bodie Island Light house, still part of the National Park system here on Cape Hatteras. I didn't climb this lighthouse, but enjoyed a stroll along a boardwalk near it to witness some wildlife. I think it was a heron, but a white one. I also saw a quick moving, swimming muskrat, and a large crab. The lighthouse is near a wetland marsh. I managed to escape a good down pour on my way to Roanoke Island. I decided to go to Fort Raleigh, another National Park. It was a good place to hang out during this torential rain. I watched a video, and listened to a ranger talk about this area. England brought over 100+ colonists to settle into this area in search of a new life, in 1580. Like the pilgrims, these English colonists were among the first to arrive in this area. They had plenty of challenges and unfortunate rivalry with the native people. In the end, the colonists disappeared, and theorists still do not know what happened to them. I had to breakdown and b...

I am exploring this seashore. I started the day at the end of the road, at the Outer Banks Visitors Bureau. It was nice chatting with visitor center volunteer, Betty, who seemed fascinated by my journey. I think I may have convinced her to take the plunge and do the same. She too lost her Mom, very recently, so we had much to talk about. I arrived at the Cape Hatteras Light house. It was drizzling rain, and cool. I left Jo Jo in the rv with fans going. I have monitored these conditions to know when it safe to leave him. I would not be able to take him up into the lighthouse. Even infants are not allowed. So I managed to climb 248 steps, and have lived to tell about it. Yes my legs are sore now. But I took my time. It's the equivalent of 12 stories high. My fear of heights kicked in once I entered the balcony outside. It didn't help that it was windy, and raining sideways. So after a quick look, I descended. It is a spiral staircase, and barely wide enough to allow people to pa...

Another 3 + hour drive and I crossed the bridge near Nags Head. I drove along the ocean side road, admiring these giant houses. They have shake roofs, and colorful siding. Many are 4 stories high with a lot of windows. They were so tall with exterior staircases that seemed to wrap around. I visited Nags Head beach briefly before arriving at Wright Brothers National Memorial. It was also quite warm today. I soaked down my hair, soaked down JoJo, and placed him in his purse with a damp scarf. We were fine. It was a nice climb to the granite memorial, where many Wright brothers flights took place in 1903. The view was great from all sides. There were markers showing were the early flight attempts were made. The whole area was left as a cleared field (no trees) to show this landing strip area. We finished the visit to a life sized airplane sculpture made out of metal, surrounded by fullsized bronze sculpted men that witnessed and photographed the first flight. Jo Jo was a trooper through i...

I am back to the ocean!!! After an hour long drive this morning, I was able to catch the ferry. This time they allowed dogs, so it was a piece of cake. The ferry took me to Shackelford Banks, an uninhabited island, and part of this park system. I had my pick of shells and there were several. Wild horses live here and they were very close by. They seemed to be used to people. They were so beautiful against this background of dunes, and blue-teal waters. I was on this island before 9am, so there were very few people around. It was so peaceful taking a morning stroll. Our captain on the boat said that some of the best shelling in the world can be found here, and that a shell about 1 foot or more in diameter was found after a December storm, a while back. It was just short of the world's record. That's what I wanted to find here, but alas, it wasn't meant to be. I caught the next ferry to Cape Lookout Island. These passenger ferries are small, less than 30 people. I immediately...

After a 5 hour drive I spent the evening at the Cliffs of the Neuse State Park. It was deserted and quiet. It gave me a chance to empty my tanks, charge my batteries, and fill up my water. For the most part I have been boondocking for 10 days. I'd like to see how long I could go. So far so good, as I haven't maxed out my rv limits... yet. My biggest challenge is keeping enough water in the tank. It takes 26 gallons. I drove on to the town of New Burn. It's a charming European inspired town, near the water, and the home of Pepsi Cola. I visited craft gallery, Carolina Creations, and met and spoke with some lovely people. Donna and Renie were so sweet and welcoming. I had lunch outdoors, at Morgans Tavern, and on to a few more shops. It was a relaxing day, of spontaneity. I managed to find a Planet Fitness. My monthly membership allows national access to use their showers. I also have fallen in love with their message chairs. I mean really fallen in love with them. They are ...