Jim, Jimmy and John went on a half day fishing charter on
the Critter Fleet on Sunday, 2 Sept., out from Ponce Inlet.
I spent a couple of hours at Jurassic Quest at the Ocean Centre in Daytona Beach, walked down
with friend/neighbor, Diane. We both
enjoyed it!
Jurassic Quest is the
largest exhibit of life-size, moving, museum-quality dinosaurs in North America. A family fun event.
About 2 pm, the Super Critter coming back to Ponce Inlet with Jim, Jimmy and John after a half-day fishing. Fish were caught, but no keepers, though always a good day for them. Jim and I had a late lunch with John and Linda at Boondocks Restaurant - Ponce Inlet. Always nice to spend some time with them.
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| Shopping for supplies at Total Wine & More. |
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| I had a Key Lime Pie from Publix supermarket in the fridge for Linda and I. |
Jimmy was in town for a few days, so caught up with him at the Oasis Tiki Bar.
Wednesday we had a nice walk in the evening - the cooler part of the day - to the Ocean Walk and Boardwalk. A relaxing evening.
Website: The US Navy Band Country Current is the Navy’s premier country-bluegrass ensemble. The group is national renowned for its versatility and “eye popping” musicianship, performing a blend of modern country music and cutting-edge bluegrass. This seven-member ensemble employs musicians from diverse backgrounds with extensive high-profile recording and touring experience. Each member is a skilled performer on multiple instruments. The band utilizes banjo, acoustic guitar, electric guitar, mandolin, fiddle, electric bass, upright bass, dobro, pedal steel guitar and drum set.
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| Ron, Jim and Dave at Cork Screw. |
Saturday, 8th - we spent a couple of hours at the Flea Market,
then down to Haulover Canal in the Merritt Island Wildlife Refuge to see manatees. It was mid day, and hot - we
were happy that several manatees were near the viewing platform.
The VAB is one of the largest buildings in the world, it is
a single story (completed in 1966). It
was originally built for assembly of Apollo/Saturn vehicles and was later
modified to support Space Shuttle operations.
In Titusville is Space View Park, an interesting place and could take several hours to see / read it all.
Space View Park is located
less than 15 miles directly across from the launch pads. The Park is the
first and only walk in the nation that honors America's astronauts as well as
the men and women behind the scenes who helped America lead the world in space
exploration.
Internet: John F. Kennedy, stood before Congress on May 25, 1961, and proposed that the
U.S. “should commit itself to achieving the goal, before this decade is out, of
landing a man on the Moon and returning him safely to the Earth.” and
set the United States on a course to enter, and win, a race to the moon.
President
Richard M. Nixon and NASA Administrator James C. Fletcher announced the Space
Shuttle program had received final approval on 5 January, 1972.
Space
Shuttle Columbia was the first space-rated orbiter in NASA’s Space Shuttle
fleet. It launched for the first time on
Mission STS-1 on April 12, 1981, the first flight of the Space Shuttle program.
Website: The original First Turn Restaurant and Lounge was founded in 1984 by Rick, Denise and Lee Hilliard on US 92 near the Daytona Beach Speedway. Based on a Stock Car Racing theme – a history of early racing in the Daytona Area. Many drivers and teams became frequent visitors. In the fall of 1988 the original First Turn moved to its present location on US 1 in Allendale, one mile south of the Port Orange Bridge.
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| L to R: Rocky, Linda, Andrew, Sandy, Jed, Dave, Lesley, Jim and Linda. |
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| 9 September, Sunday evening sunset from our house. |
Internet: September 9 - Spacex Falcon 9 rocket with the Telstar 18 VANTAGE communications satellite that will provide broadcast, enterprise and government communications services over parts of India, China, Mongolia, Southeast Asia, and the Pacific Ocean region.
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| Main Street Pier, Daytona Beach. |
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| People waiting for the rocket launch. |
Sunday morning we left Daytona Beach in the Buick (our car), for a week long road trip. First stop was Flagler Beach for breakfast at the Funky Pelican restaurant.
Hurricane Florence was far out in the Atlantic Ocean, but creating some waves for the surfers.
A motel in the Historic District allowed us to walk to shops and restaurants near the City Market and River areas.
So much history in Savannah! Many monuments, parks, museums - most very easy to walk to.
Internet: Savannah’s Haitian Monument commemorates the contribution of the Chasseurs-Volontaires de Saint Dominque to fight for an independent America. One of the few black regiments to fight for the American side in the Revolutionary War, the soldiers were recruited from present day Haiti, then the French colony of Saint Dominque.
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| City Market area for pedestrian traffic. |
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| Jim and I amongst the Temperance protesters!! |
From the 1850's the Temperance Movement, then the Anti-Saloon League was the beginning of Prohibition.
Many brewing and distilling companies went out of business, others diversified.
Ginger Ale was the perfect, palatable mixer for bootleg liquor. The marriage of soda and alcohol during Prohibition changed American drinking habits forever. Ginger Ale became so big during Prohibition that even the notorious gangster Al Capone got in on the act, setting up ginger ale and club soda bottling plants so that he could monopolize the mixer market in Chicago.
Illicit Liquor - Bootlegging became a lucrative business.
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| Making moonshine in the home. |
Following the end of
World War I, women started to raise their skirts, and bob their hair, getting
all dolled up to listen to jazz, breaking all conventional standards of what it
meant to be a lady.
In this section of the Museum was a small dance floor and a young lady dressed as a flapper, encouraged me to select a hat from the era and attempt to dance the Charleston, following the video monitor above a large mirror. A good laugh and fun!
A favorite among flappers
who loved to dance, the iconic Charleston swept the nation during Prohibition,
peaking in popularity in 1926.
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| About to enter the Speakeasy. |
To enter these hidden
saloons, guests were asked to whisper a code word through a small opening in a
door, a practice that helped avoid detection by the authorities.
When we entered the Speakeasy - there was applauding and laughter! At us?? Turns out the large mirror was two way, and a room full of people in the Speakeasy saw me trying to dance the Charleston!! Hahaha!
The three “X”’s on a moonshine jug signified that its
contents had been run through the still at least 3 X, resulting in almost 100%
pure alcohol.
The proof level of moonshine varies depending on the still,
but white lightning is typically between 150-170 proof, making it at least 75%
alcohol by volume.
More than 10,000 people died from drinking low-quality
moonshine before the repeal of the 18th Amendment.
An extra to the Museum tour was the purchase of a Prohibition era drink or cocktail. The taste of home made liquor, and moonshine was usually very unpalatable, so was mixed with other ingredients made it drinkable, and the contraband "Cocktail" was invented.The bar tender at the Speakeasy was very good. We had a selection of a dozen or so cocktails.
Then we were ready to check out the Moon River Brewery on West Bay Street, and Dave and Linda caught up with us there.
Located in one of
Savannah’s oldest and most haunted buildings, the Moon River Brewery started
pouring pints in 1999. Built in 1821, as the City Hotel it was the town’s first
hotel and post office.
The Riverfront is a popular Savannah tourist destination. Still has cobblestone and brick lined streets
and old buildings converted into shops and restaurants.
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| US highway 17 bridge over Savannah River. |
Tuesday, September 11 we left Savannah, Georgia about 9am and took some back roads to Asheville, North Carolina and arrived late that afternoon.
A quick check in at the motel, then a shuttle into historic downtown Asheville.
Internet: Asheville is a city in western North
Carolina’s Blue Ridge Mountains. It’s
known for a vibrant arts scene and historic architecture.
A lovely area for walking.
Brochure: Ale Trail - Breweries In & Around Asheville: Asheville is at the heart of a booming craft beer community, with over 50 breweries located in the city and the surrounding mountains, this beautiful region offers everything from unique nano-breweries to some of the biggest names in craft brewing.
Beyond brewing excellent beer, this community provides thousands of jobs and has become an integral part of the local community.
We found Foggy Mountain Brew Pub, for a quick sample.
Brochure: Ale Trail - Breweries In & Around Asheville: Asheville is at the heart of a booming craft beer community, with over 50 breweries located in the city and the surrounding mountains, this beautiful region offers everything from unique nano-breweries to some of the biggest names in craft brewing.
Beyond brewing excellent beer, this community provides thousands of jobs and has become an integral part of the local community.
We found Foggy Mountain Brew Pub, for a quick sample.
Wednesday, Jim and I went on the Hop On - Hop Off Trolley. It had ten stops with an informative narrative. A fun way of learning about the city. A loop takes about 1.5 to 1.75 hours to complete. We started at the Visitors Centre.
The Vance Monument has
dominated Pack Square for more than a century, it memorializes Zebulon Baird
Vance, a Buncombe County native and North Carolina governor during the Civil
War. Vance also served as a US Senator
and representative, and he was a white supremacist and slave owner.
“Crossroads Station”
at Pack Square, under the Vance Obelisk – considered the crossroads of
Asheville on the 1827 Buncombe Turnpike. Two pigs and two turkeys represent the route
drovers from Tennessee taking turkeys, pigs and cattle to southern
markets. A century later in 1926, the Dixie
Highway crossed Patton Ave., the old Buncombe Turnpike at Pack Square. (Pig and turkey tracks also.)
Jim and I checked out the Old Fashioned Soda Fountain and café.
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| Root beer float (Jim) and a mocha chocolate float (Me). |
Brochure: The 90 minute tour includes irreverent sketch comedy, a South Slope Brewery stop, and bus-loads of Asheville information. You'll get information, incredible views and local insights about Downtown, Historic Montford, the River Arts District and South Slope. Historical and hysterical!
Website: It’s another worldly transportation station …
An elegant, grand old station with just a hint of promise that all buses are
going to an alternate universe … So stop
by and cozy up on a gold velveteen chair while listening to live piano
music. There’s no better way to celebrate
the weekend … or Wednesday, for that matter – than the LaZoom Room!
We serve wine and
local beer, giving you the chance to wet your whistle before boarding the bus,
or wind down after getting off. Open to
the public, the LaZoom Room can even be the whackiest bar you stop at during
your night of bar hopping.
Our tour begins and
ends in historic downtown Asheville where you’ll see Pack Square, The Vance
Monument, The Grove Arcade, and the country’s second largest collection of Art
Deco Architecture.
Montford Avenue,
developed in the late 1800s, is one of Asheville’s most beautiful
neighborhoods filled with Queen Anne homes an exquisite Bed & Breakfasts.
South Slope –
Breweries! (South slope, sloping south
of downtown) is home to some of Asheville’s most iconic and adventurous
breweries. The tour stops at the Green
Man, for a quick break and a pint.
After our break, we
head to the River Arts District, where hundred of local artists are creating
masterpieces. Pass by the historic Wedge
studios and a glass works company.
The tour begins and
ends at the LaZoom Room, a 1940s gas station.
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| I liked the city scene in the "POLICE" lettering. |
After the LaZoom tour, we went to Bhramari Brewing Co. I enjoyed the different buildings and decorations in the breweries, especially the lighting.
On Thursday we spent most of the day at Biltmore Estate, just south of Asheville.
Brochure: George Vanderbilt envisioned Biltmore as a country retreat where family and friends could escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life. That vision continues today under the stewardship of his descendants as a testament to the Vanderbilt legacy of hospitality. This celebrated historic landmark is an oasis that keeps alive the beauty of a gracious time and place.
Completed in 1895, George Vanderbilt's 250-room chateau is as impressive today as it was more than a century ago -- truly a wonder of architecture artistry.
With up to four acres of floor space, this is believed to be the largest domestic dwelling ever constructed in the United States.
Enjoy a self-guided tour of Biltmore House, view priceless pieces from the Vanderbilts original collection, then stroll through acres of historic gardens.
Ancestry Trivia: Cornelius “Commodore” Vanderbilt started the
family business by borrowing $100 from his mother and piloting a passenger boat
on Staten Island in 1810. He expanded
into steamboats and then went on to build railroad empire New York Central.
William Henry Vanderbilt,
was the eldest son and heir of Commodore Vanderbilt. He inherited nearly $100
million from his father. The fortune had
doubled when he died less than nine years later (1885). George Washington Vanderbilt was the youngest,
and 8th child of William Henry Vanderbilt.
A large blown glass orb sun sculpture, titled “Sole d’Orb” in the centre of the lawn in front of Biltmore House.
Brochure: American
artist Dale Chihuly shattered established boundaries of glass as an art
medium. His awe-inspiring works of art –
each a marvel of colour, form, and light – are included in more than 200 museum
collections world wide.
The Chihuly at Biltmore represents the first art
exhibition in Biltmore’s historic gardens.
From planning to installation it has taken nearly two years of
preparation for this exhibition.
The evening/night displays have all the exhibits lit up - the website shows photos of this spectacular and dramatic night time displays.
The evening/night displays have all the exhibits lit up - the website shows photos of this spectacular and dramatic night time displays.
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| Took a quick look at the gardens before touring the house. |
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| Chihuly's Sky Blue and Cobalt Fiori near the entrance to Biltmore House. |
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| Chihuly's Laguna Torcello II in the Winter Garden. |
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| The dramatic ceiling painting, The Chariot of Aurora, adorns this massive room. Approximately half of Vanderbilt’s 23,000-volume book collection resides here. |
An on-site kiln produced up to 32,000 bricks
daily, and a woodworking factory supplied oak and walnut for the house’s floors
and walls.
Indiana limestone, Italian marble and other
supplies were shipped into Asheville by rail.
Vanderbilt a private railroad track from the village depot up to the
construction site. The 3-mile route became
what is now the road that leads guests to Biltmore House.
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| Bowling Alley. |
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| Swimming pool |
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| Gymnasium. |
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| Part of the kitchen in the basement. |
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| The servants dining area in the basement. |
In the Italian Garden,
marked by three large pools extending from the south end of Biltmore House, the
many cherubs on pedestals, in place for more than 120 years, have certainly
never seen anything like Chihuly’s “Float Boat” and “Fiori Boat”, wooden
vessels filled with glass: one overflowing with brightly hued gloves, the
other, jutting with long, spiraling fingers in fiery colors.
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| 100+ year old vines that make the pergola. |
After October 7, the exhibit
will be deconstructed. While most
sculptures will find new or temporary homes in the years to come, the
collection in “Chihuly at Biltmore” will never be displayed together again,
since every Chihuly exhibition is specific to site.
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| Chihuly's Palazzo Ducale Tower. |
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| Chihuly's Alabaster and Amber Spire Towers. |
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| Chihuly's Turquoise and Erbium Fiori in front of the winery. |
Website: George Vanderbilt often had a beloved canine companion at his side. The first was Cedric, a St. Bernard who took up residence on the estate not long after the house opened in 1895.
By 1901, there was a whole family of St. Bernards living at
Biltmore, including a mother, father and three puppies
Sadly, Cedric passed away in late 1902.
For late afternoon refreshments we found UpCountry Brewing Co., in West Asheville. Great artwork and murals outside and inside the building. The business supports local artists, musicians, farmers - and focuses on the Carolina mountain region. Interesting place! Great atmosphere.
Lunch stop in the city of Louisville, Georgia (pronounced Lewis-ville). An Amish run cafe Home Fresh Bistro served great meals.
A wander down the main street, we found some history.
Internet: Louisville was incorporated on January 26, 1786, as a prospective state capital of Georgia. Development of the city began, and its state government buildings were completed in 1795. The city of Louisville served as the State Capital of Georgia from 1796 to 1806. It was the center of trade, legislators and political influence. The Jefferson County Courthouse, built in 1904, stands on the site of Georgia’s first permanent capitol building.
An
old Revolutionary War Soldiers Cemetery is located on the west side of town.
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| Jefferson County courthouse, Louisville, Georgia. |
Louisville’s
historic, open-sided market house still stands in the center of downtown. The Old Market is listed on the National
Register of Historic Places. Roads and other
transportation routes intersected at the market square, the hub of the region
when the town was the state capital. The
state capital was moved to Milledgeville and later to Atlanta.
As a small city and county seat, Louisville now has few major
businesses and industries.
Found an interesting "Beer Cave" in a service station.
We stopped at the Vidalia Onion Museum.
Internet: Vidalia is best known for its "sweet" onions. The Vidalia Onion was first produced about 1931 when a farmer named Mose Coleman discovered that the onions he produced were sweeter than other onions. Other farmers started growing the same crop, and since the 1940s, the Vidalia onion became an item sold to tourists.
Vidalia onion growers have protected their brand, and today all onions labelled "Vidalia" must be grown in one of thirteen different counties in Georgia or in specific portions of seven other counties. Because of their taste and reputation, they are able to command an increased price in the marketplace.
In 1990, the Vidalia onion was named the official vegetable of the state of Georgia.
In 2000 production was estimated at 40,000,000 - fifty pound bags.
Each spring, Vidalia holds an Onion Festival. The event lasts for five days and draws in many tourists.
Website: Discover the story behind the Vidalia Sweet Onion! The Museum provides guests with a sweet historical experience. The 1,300 square foot space is filled with an array of educational exhibits that highlight the sweet onion's economic, cultural and culinary significance.
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| Jim and Dave with Yumion. |
Internet: The Lover's Oak (said to date back to the 12th century) is located in Historic Downtown Brunswick. According to local legend, Native American braves and their maidens met under the majestic spreading limbs of this enormous oak. As of 2005, the Lover's Oak was estimated to be 900 years old. The trees trunk is about 13 feet in diameter.
Back to Daytona Beach Saturday evening, 15th. Dave helped Jim with a couple of jobs on the truck, Linda and I went shopping.
Sunday evening,caught up with Jimmy and Derek at Sunsetters Bar and Grille on Main Street. A little after the sunset, but still some lovely photos of the Halifax River and Main Street bridge.
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| Main Street bridge in foreground, International Speedway Boulevard bridge in back. |
The Lady Dolphin is a paddle-wheel boat and we were partaking in a two-hour cruise on the Intracoastal Waterway/Halifax River of Daytona Beach.
There is a closed in, air conditioned lower deck and an open air upper deck which is what we chose as the temperature was very pleasant with a river breeze.
At 6pm we headed out of Halifax Harbor Marina into the Halifax River. There is a bar with beer, wine and mixed drinks, and a choice of several meals.
The new Memorial Bridge had been under construction for over a year, it was interesting to see it up close and from the river.
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| The meals were delicious! |
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| Several dolphin sightings. |
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| Dunlawton Bridge. |
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| International Speedway Boulevard bridge. |
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| There are mosiacs of Florida birds and animals on the (upper bridge), and Florida water life on the pylons. |
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| Back to Halifax Harbor Marina. |
Monday afternoon we headed to DeLand, stopped at Persimmon Hollow Brewery for a quick beer.
Jim had a couple of jobs to complete on the truck and we had some business to attend to. Sunday afternoon we were in the truck and headed to Tampa. Our Monday morning appointment was 9am, and it usually a three hour drive from Daytona Beach, but many miles of Interstate Highway 4 are under construction and with the high volume of rush hour traffic, it was much less stressful to travel on Sunday.
Loaded a small CAT forklift at an equipment auction place. It required tarping .... First time we have tarped a forklift. It was well used (has a fresh coat of paint) and had been stored outside. We did it, however odd it seemed! A lot of extra work to cover all the edges so the tarp does not tear.
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| Florida to western New York. |
Loaded
with two LTLs, northbound to Western New York. Some Fall flowers in the median
in southern Georgia.
Raining and cooler temperatures than Florida - refreshing!
Spent a few days in the area - stayed at Joe and Michele's in our camper, and had 2003 Moto Guzzi for visiting. To Marilla Country Store - all decorated for Fall and Halloween!
Spent a few days in the area - stayed at Joe and Michele's in our camper, and had 2003 Moto Guzzi for visiting. To Marilla Country Store - all decorated for Fall and Halloween!
Website: Since 1986 - apple orchards and pumpkin patches abound, they came up with the name "AppleUmpkin". Featuring arts, displays, seasonal foods, storytellers and bus trips through historic gas lighted village and valley. Revel in the final golden days of summer along gaslit streets lined with hundreds of craft vendors, strolling entertainers and the mouth watering aromas of delectable festival treats.
AppleUmplin fall harvest festival features handmade arts and crafts in the gas light village of Wyoming, NY.
Lots and lots of food choices!! And we tried as much as we could hold! Apples, pumpkins, and other stuff! It was a great day out - cool and breezy, but sunshine and a lot of people there.
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| Different coloured corn ears. |
