November 4 to 8, 2006

NOVEMBER 4, Saturday, Sunny

Another sunny day but a very cold night, 28*F (-4*C)

Today, we went ot the Naval Base in Norfolk, one of the biggest in the world. The visit was a real disappointment. We were packed onto a bus then took a tour of the base which consisted of driving around and we were told NO PICTURES! Paid $5. to drive around and didn't see anything that I couldn't see outside the gate. It is however a huge base.
From here we went to Yorktown via I-64 then hwy 17 north. We went through the tunnel and bridge which was over a mile long....more interesting than the naval base.
Yorktown was the first English settlement back in the 1600's and all the house are very much British style. We walked around for a while then drove the Colonial Parkway which was very beautiful and interesting. Very much enjoyed that drive. We arrived at Jamestown but had to pay to enter so decided to leave and went through Williamsburg downtown the home.

Except for the Base, it was a very interesting and enjoyable day. Virginia is a beautiful State, very historic and rich in culture. A destination on its own and worth coming back to.


NOVEMBER 5, Sunday, Sunny

It went down to 0*F overnight. Time to leave. We hit I-64 to Hwy 17 south. Arrived in North Carolina around 11:45 and stopped at the info centre for maps (free) and info. Very friendly people.
Country side is very flat and forestry whereas Virginia was rolling hills. There was lots of pine trees and oak trees but also started to see more pampas grass and swampy areas. Also saw lots of cotton fields, I want to touch one of those!
We followed the intra-coastal waterway for a while and then through the "great Dismal Swamp" It was interesting and beautiful and was below sea level, according to my GPS, by 5 to 10 feet.

Arrived at Walmart in New Bern, N.C. at 3 p.m. and made camp.

N35* 06' W77* 05' Alt: 45' Distance today: 349 KM (218miles)
Bought fuel in NC 13.85 gal @ 2.599


NOVEMBER 6, Monday, sunny

Got up at 7 a.m. Had a quick breakfast then hit the road by 8:30 Followed Hwy 17 which was again very scenic and well maintained. Over half of it was 4 lanes.
Trees and foliage again changing ever slightly. The highway is still fairly flat. We are getting closer to the coast and drove near Cape Fear (movie!?) Drove through Camp Lejeune Marine Corps property but didn't see anything. Swamps are becoming more prominent and we started to see Spanish moss hanging on trees. Long brown, dry moss like that hangs off branches on trees just like the movies. Apparently they attract moisture and help trees grow.
We entered South Carolina at 11:30 drove through Myrtle Beach. Stopped and walked the beach and took some pictures. It is a big place much like any resort, full of hotels and motels and tourist attractions. It was calm when we drove through but we could imagine what it is like in the summer. We drove over 5 miles along the beach then hit Hwy 17 again.
Drove through Georgetown, a big and smelly steel town. We are also noticing the rise in temperature....now 70*F and that the trees are not so much in autumn mode. By-passed Charleston and drove to our site, Lake Aire RV resort, 7 miles south of town. A nice plac surrounded by lots of trees. We have C6 and the palce is almost full. We are also moticing more humidity in the air. WIFI is available but sporadic. It is a balmy 70* and 9 pm.

N32* 46' W80* 06' Alt: 36' Distance today 447 km
Fuel: NC this morning 14.806 @ 2.499; SC 17.80gal @ 2.359 and SC 14.80 gal @ 2.499 (.79/Litre)


NOVEMBER 7 Tuesday, raining

It rained all night and all day and only 60*F The de-humidifier is working overtime and had to empty it twice today. We worked on planning our route and doing laundry. A quiet day
Text mail Steve tonight for a while then went to bed


NOVEMBER 8, Wednesday, cloudy

Washed the fifth wheel and the truck today It was overdue. After that, we took a drive to check out a "live angel oak tree" that a worker here told me about. We drove about 10 miles then arrived at the site. And what a site it was. It is HUGE, BIG, BEAUTIFUL, the tree that is. It is considered one of the oldest if not the oldest tree in North America. Over 1400 years old. Its circumference is over 25.5 feet, it is 65 feet high, it shades an area of 17000 feet. Its largest limb has a circumference of 11.5 feet and measures 89 feet long WOW!!!!! Took lots of pictures and posted them. That is what I call IMPRESSIVE!!!

We are now home and the BBQ is going. The sky is clear and we are watching a nice sunset