Southbound

We left NYC and spent the night in a lovely Sam’s Club parking lot (landscaped just for us, complete with picnic table).  We’ve decided Sam’s is the best (free) overnight, since they’re not open all night and tend to be somewhat removed from night traffic and activity.
Stephen and Pam (m/v Tide’s In) were in Washington, DC, so we stopped by for a quick visit.  We hadn’t seen them since we returned from the Bahamas in June, so it was fun to catch up and enjoy an evening on Tide’s In.  It was originally billed as happy hour, but as usual we turned it into happy hourS.  But what fun!  We didn’t tour Washington since we’d been there just a couple of years before (and our feet were still sore from stomping all over NYC).

Pam was so excited to see us that she squeezed Stephen's head

We left DC and traveled to Hampton, VA because Bob and Stephanie (m/v September Song) and Joe and Julia (m/v Sea Pearl) were there.  we were able to stay in the Enterprise parking lot near the docks (it’s hard to dock a Tioga), so we were near the boats and able to play.  We hadn’t seen those kids since spring when we left the Bahamas.

Bob about to cry because he's seeing Jay after all this time.....drove Steph to drink

those kids!

our marina slip

been a long time!

Nice visit!  Time to go further south.  Rusty and Nancy were in New Bern, NC, having spent time there after returning from the Bahamas.  They were there for hurricane Irene, but thankfully had no damage.  We parked in yet another parking lot beside a marina and enjoyed a visit and dinner on Summer Wind then a quick tour and lunch in New Bern the following day.

New Bern ahead

so that's where they've been!!

Monday we bade Rusty and Nancy farewell and traveled to Seabrook Island, SC to visit Jeff and Dot, long-time friends from both work and play.  Even though their neighborhood is gated and highly restricted, we were able to park the RV right in their driveway (don’t even ask about the looks we got from passersby).  We enjoyed dinner at their home and took a tour of the newly renovated (with Jeff at the helm) club facilities.

beautiful Ravenell Bridge in Charleston

idyllic back yard in Sea Brook

Jeff and Dot

We left Seabrook and headed for home.  We’d had such a great time seeing new places and old friends, lots of memories and photos, but Tennessee looked pretty good too!!

we're back!