I'm back after quite a while, and even though this trip isn't nearly to the scale of my summer antics, I feel the need to chronicle my travels again, if only for my own remembrance.
My oldest younger sister, Jessica, is on tour with the Maryville College Choir, and my fiance Virginia McGary (oh yeah...I'm engaged now!), and the rest of my siblings are all on spring break. Being the devoted family we are, Mom and Dad decided to be Jessica's "roadies" of sorts, and so we followed them to Simsonville, SC to hear their first concert. We spent the night with Grandma and Papa there in SC (with amazing southern food, Krispy Kreme Donuts, and some good time just visiting), and got up early this morning on hit the road.
This is our very first trip without Jessica. I admit that I'm distraught all the time - I quote lines that only she'd know, or go to make a silly face, or take a poochy lips selfie, and she's not there. That's life, I guess; we're growing up, she's in college, and I'm engaged, and it's bound to happen. But even though this trip is a first, I'm also expectant: this starts an era of trips taken apart, but also more meaningful trips together. Perhaps one day I'll be going on a double date with my fantastic sister. Maybe I'll write to you about a neat roadtrip we take! But for now, she's not with us, and that's sad.
Our first stop was the beautiful city of Savannah, Georgia (Virginia and I had Relient K's song stuck in our head the entire time, which you should listen to right now), where we met Jessica and some of her friends at Spanky's restaurant for some fantastic chicken tenders and fried spuds.While we were there, we took a quick ferry ride across the river (despite the attitude of our ferryman we had a jolly old time), and strolled down River Road looking at the shops. Supposedly Savannah houses the second largest St. Patrick's Day celebration in the States, and nearly every shop window was stuffed with my Ginger Heritage memorabilia. Jennifer found out she's a pigeon whisperer, tantalizing several of the fatter specimen towards her outstretched hand. I think should could have caught one if she wanted.
Wind blown and a bit tired, we piled back in our grey carriage and took Virginia on a brief, but scenic, tour of of the old town, making sure, at Jen's request, to see Paula Dean's personal restaurant. We have decided yet again (this being our second visit to Savannah) that this is one of the prettiest cities we've seen.
Threeish hours later, along with several rest-and-stretch stops, we arrived in St. Augustine, Florida, and our very first stop was the seaside. Virginia hasn't been to the beach in a very long time, and spent most of her time frollicing with Jennifer in the waves. Don't be fooled - Jacob and I did a good bit of prancing ourselves.All in all, I'm extremely happy to be back on the road with my family. I'm happy to be a traveler again, even in this different capacity. We're hopefully going back to the beach tonight for a little seashell hunting by flashlight. I'll let you know if we catch anything cool.
Until Tomorrow!
J
