Blue umbrellas on the beach in perfect alignment distinguishes Hilton Head from other resorts. These last two days have blended together as we quickly settled into a new routine without the packing and unpacking of the previous days on this journey. We decided to extend our trip for another day, choosing to stay a night in St. Augustine, breaking up the long 7-hour drive home into two shorter segments when we leave in a few more days. Highway traffic has been heavy, so there’s no reason to push ourselves getting back. After all, we’re retired.
Running has been a chore with the congestion in my lungs but I’ve at least completed the 3.1 mile trail both mornings since our arrival. It’s a familiar route that I ran 7-years ago when my wife’s niece got married on the island. We stayed at the Westin next door and went to the the same restaurant, Frankie Bones, where we celebrated the occasion as a family one night. We pulled out of our beach bag the same can coolers that we got as a wedding favor honoring Bobby and Emily. We’re off to Wiseguys tonight for dinner to spend more Marriott bucks, part of the resort credit that we bought with the points to stay here.
We went to Publix for stamps yesterday afternoon so I could finally mail the birthday card that I meant to personally deliver in Indianapolis. We also stopped at Jiffy Lube to get the oil changed in my son’s Chevrolet Traverse that we “borrowed” for a trip I originally thought would be 3,000 miles. It will turn it to be closer to 4,000 with our detour into Illinois to visit friends. Admittedly, I will be glad to get my own vehicle back, as this truck is difficult for me to maneuver in travel but has been great for hauling our stuff. He’ll be equally glad for the room that he is sacrificing by using our cars. His kids are now back in school but apparently not yet here in Hilton Head, as families continue to enjoy the last week of summer freedom here in South Carolina with the beaches heavily packed.
After another long day of driving from Asheville to Hilton Head, we finally get into the relaxation portion of our travels. It seemed like the entire highway system in the state of South Carolina was under construction, coupled with heavy rain. Finally, we have five days to enjoy the amenities of the Barony Beach Marriott Vacation Club before the final leg home. From Panama City through Selma and into Tuscaloosa, the Grand Ol’ Opry, the Grand Hotel, Mackinac Bridge, three Hall of Fames, and the Biltmore Estate, we’ve covered over 3,500 miles of God’s Country. Detours, Delays, Virginia Creeper, poor health, and rain could not prevent us from our appointed duty of seeing the USA in my son’s Chevrolet.
The worst part by far of this trip was the rude concierge when we checked in last night. He did not give me the full story of how we could use our $770 resort credit and refused to extend its usage beyond the grounds of the complex. After an unnecessary argument, his manager finally showed us how we could use our credits at the various restaurants on the island. I still don’t understand the fierce resistance we faced from a guy who should be all about making sure that guests enjoy the full benefits of their stay. My wife and I were both shocked at his attitude and grateful to the other staff members who took our case to management.
Last night, we went to Poseidon for dinner, utilizing some of these credits. Naturally, the GPS took us out of the way during a driving rain storm, so once again it was a hassle getting there after a long day of traveling. Along the way, we saw where the slippery conditions and poor visibility caused a wreck. I was just glad to get back to the resort and safely in bed. I also had time for a 5k run this morning on the charming pathways that outline the many golf courses in this area. Spanish moss, palm trees, flowers, Atlantic waters, beaches and lots of open space set the scene for what will hopefully be a relaxing stay.
Short runs are all I seem to have time for and parking lots are hardly inspirational. I continue to have problems posting in an attempt to keep anyone up to date on our travels. We were supposed to be within walking distance of the Biltmore Estate, but GPS somehow took as 16 miles out of the way. We rushed to make our entrance time and the rest of the day was equally off schedule. We were misdirected to a lunch spot, and instead took an early time for the DaVinci exhibit. The Vanderbilt property is much more expansive than we anticipated, so we ended up doing a lot more driving. The same guide that led us astray for lunch also screwed up our wine tasting reservation and downtown Asheville was difficult to navigate. As I write this, my wife is antiquing while I found a park bench.
Also, we were just notified by Viking that our once scheduled Alaska, Russia, Japan cruise for next month is now just been revise to just Alaska and Hawaii, so we’ve not getting to experience any ports outside the U.S. This is a major disappointment considering the money we invested in this trip. We’re already headed to Hawaii in December, so why pay all these bucks to visit places we’ve already been multiple times? It’s been bait and switch too frequently in the cruise business, although mostly unintentional, but we’ve now missed out on Bali, Russia, Spain, Portugal, Finland, and Norway.
We’ll now need to hassle with our travel agent to make changes again, wasting her time and ours. I still need to get to Alaska to add to my 50-state bucket list, but can hopefully redirect money to a shorter, less-expensive trip when we’re already in Portland and Vancouver, easily accessible to Anchorage. We also won’t need to be away from home so long if we do some re-planning.
We just crossed the Ohio River into our ninth state, West Virginia. By the end of the day we’ll hit #10 Virginia and eventually #11 North Carolina when we arrive in Asheville this evening for a two night stay. Packing and unpacking has been the biggest hassle with too many single night stays. I’ve also spent too many mornings running in mall parking lots. It was another short effort today (another minimum mile) in an attempt to get a head start on our 7-hour drive.
We did get to Freddy’s last night for dinner after a brief nap. The Pro Football HOF was honestly rather boring. College Football is more my thing, and years ago I toured that museum in South Bend before they moved it to Atlanta. Cooperstown was the best, but I’ve yet to see Springfield’s Basketball displays or even the Indiana basketball HOF. They will be part of future road trips.
The Biltmore Estate tour is next on our scheduled list after a stop at Arby’s for lunch and Greg’s Volcano Pizza in Johnson City, TN., an offshoot of my hometown favorite, for dinner. Two more nights with Mother Marriott, with the luxury of not having to pack in the morning. We’ll do our estate tour, schedule a wine tasting, and see the Da Vinci immersion experience on the grounds. Then, another nap will undoubtedly be in order.
We completed the Hall of Fame Trifecta with a visit to Canton. We also had lunch at the Hartville Kitchen, another Amish Restaurant, as recommended by our server at Der Dutchman in Sarasota – she works for both. It also has connections with Das Dutchman Essenhaus back near our Indiana upbringings. We both continue to struggle with congestion – my wife’s a factor of dust and allergies while mine is related to cold symptoms. I have not taken the time to re-test again for Covid.
We’re holed up in a Courtyard by Marriott just outside of Canton and exhausted from two full weeks of travel. We’ve spent time with relatives and friends in this our eighth state along the way. Tomorrow, we make an 8-hour drive to Asheville to tour the Biltmore Estate. This morning, my run was through downtown Cleveland, around Progressive Stadium, and past the Guardian bridge statues that became the new name of the Indians. Dinner last night was at nearby IlVenetian before watching the heavy storms come in via Lake Erie from twenty stories up.
Laundry is becoming our biggest problem due to equipment issues at the last two hotels. We bought some clothes at the Hall of Fame gift shop to tide us over the next few days. I could also use the services of my chiropractor to help with a rib issue. We knew this wouldn’t be easy, but at this stage we’re pretty worn out with a long week ahead. Oh, the comforts of home!
Yesterday was a long day on the road, nearly 10 hours door-to-door, plus it took a unique combination of horses and horsepower to get to Cleveland…carriage, ferry boat, and car. We did stop at Cracker Barrel for a late lunch along with several other pit-stops for gas fill-ups, toll booths, and traffic delays. Gladly, we have yet to see an accident, although there have been a couple of close calls. It feels good to have two nights in the same hotel with no need for a car today. We’ll get some walking in before the day is over.
I still felt pressed for time this morning with tickets for the Rock n’ Roll Hall of Fame at 10am. I just couldn’t get moving and once again shortened my run to just over a mile, the minimum requirement to maintain “The Streak” – now at 4,971 consecutive days. We’re right on the waterfront in downtown Cleveland so the Hall of Fame (HOF) is directly across the street. I can see it from our 20th floor view at the Westin. Our next HOF stop is just down the road in Canton.
It took us 4-hours, including lunch, to make our way through the numerous displays at Rock’s HOF. The music videos of previous induction ceremonies are really the highlight of the museum. Costumes, posters, back stage passes, guitars, drum sets, and photos bring back many musical memories. I was ready for a nap when we got back to the hotel room after this overload of information. Instead, I took a few minutes to upload this blog. We’ll continue to rest up after nearly two weeks on the road and try to find a good spot for dinner nearby as the Summer Tour continues….
It was a pleasant 65-degrees this morning for my 3.1 mile run on Mackinac Island. After days shortened by long drives, time changes, poor health, and places to be early, I finally got some time to myself. I explored the entire downtown area, actually moving faster than those poor horses that took us by carriage to the ferry terminal after we checked out of the Grand Hotel. I was confused when my wife sent our luggage to St. Ignace when I thought we came through Mackinaw City. This explains why we unnecessarily crossed the Mackinac Bridge. Shepler’s has two departure sites and my GPS sent me to the wrong location. It was costly time-wise but paid off with a pleasant, unexpected encounter.
My wife and I are standing in a drizzle, as I’m finally understand why we’re waiting in the St. Ignace departure line when a young woman comes up and asks me, “are you Mike Johnston?” It was Annie, my ex-wife’s half-sister, who was younger than her three kids when we last talked. I was stunned to see her, but honestly was half-expecting to run into someone from my past on this excursion. It was a very short conversation as the line started moving, but I can hopefully follow up with a text or e-mail.
Traffic has been horrible, as Michiganders head home on Sunday afternoon with schools opening as soon as tomorrow. We stopped at the Bay City Cracker Barrel for lunch to let the cars thin out a bit as we Rock n’ Roll into Cleveland.
We arrived at the expansive Mackinac Bridge and surprisingly crossed it according to the driving directions to Shepler’s Ferry. There was a massive 45-minute long traffic jam to pay the toll once we crossed into the U.P. Before the backup started, the metal grates, designed to limit ice build-up, sang to us through the tires. There was no hassle once we got to the ferry terminal. They routed our luggage to the Grand Hotel and we conveniently parked the car for the night. With the windy conditions on the inlet, we selected an enclosed seat rather than on the open upper level.
The boat ride over was smooth and we were soon docked and in the downtown gift shops for another magnet. It was then a 20-minute uphill walk to the impressive porch with views of Lake Michigan. The registration desk was not busy, so we quickly got our room keys and instructions. I guess they call it the Grand Hotel because of the pricy nightly room rate, but it’s been known as that since it was built in 1887 when the cost was much lower. The five-course dinner for two was $256.52 excluding alcohol. Tipping is not required but we did anyways because the cost of living for employees is certainly exorbitant, let alone the commute time. While it may be an honor to work there, it’s probably a job unto itself to get there on time.
There are 14 bars/restaurant and the main dining room seats hundreds on striped green chairs in front of coordinated English china. We started our afternoon in the Cupola Bar while waiting for our luggage to finally arrive in the room. The panoramic views of Lake Michigan are spectacular but at $22 for a Bloody Mary we had to find other things to do while the slow-moving, horse-drawn carriages take at least 3-hours to move bags from the ferries to the lobby to the room. My required suit and tie barely made the dress code deadline of 6:00p, despite arriving at noon.
We had to wait for my wife’s swimsuit to arrive before making our way to the Ester Williams Pool, where she made several movies, in the late afternoon sun. Once again, Lake Michigan provided a stunning backdrop for pool users. Those with sunburns must have packed a separate bag. My wife has been struggling with a spreading, itchy rash from the Virginia Creeper vines she pulled in our Florida backyard before we left on this journey. The cool water soothed her skin but the sunlight can aggravate the annoying red bumps that cover her body. She’s been utilizing Cortisone since we left Florida, while I’ve been popping Tylenol Severe Cold tablets. What a way to start a vacation or in our case, a change in routine.
After returning to the room, I was about to don a suit for the first time this year, and most of last. I was anxious to send my friend in Indy a picture of the new hand-painted, wooden bow tie he had gifted me. However, it had to be a shot from the waist up because the suit pants had apparently fallen off while hanging in the car. They were well across the Mackinac Bridge when I needed them most, and therefore had to settle for a pair of blue jeans. There was nothing in the rules about pants, so even half-naked might have been acceptable!
We had juggled our travel schedule a bit to get to Ludington earlier in the day to accommodate a visit with our friends who live there. Unfortunately, they both came down with Covid so the best we could do was wave to them on their balcony. I was a bit under the weather myself, only managing a two-mile morning run. We did tour their reception venue near where the Lake Michigan ferry docks to and from Wisconsin. This change in plans allowed is to get into Petoskey mid-afternoon and spend some time in the charming downtown area. I did a lot of bench sitting while she browsed and shopped.
I bought our ferry tickets for tomorrow’s excursion to Mackinac Island and the Grand Hotel, the northernmost point of what is now looking like a 4,000-mile drive. We’ve already covered half of that distance and cars are not allowed on the island. We’ll park and take our luggage on the boat for transport to the hotel. We walked from food stop to food stop – Kilwin’s Ice Cream to Mighty Fine Pizza. Getting settled in the hotel room early will be the most welcome treat as Day 10 comes to an end with another full stomach.
as prices are escalating as we get further north. Today I filled up for 4.229, the highest we’ve paid on this adventure. I met a friend for breakfast at the Friendly, followed by lunch at the Lock, Stock, and Barrel (LSB), a once local favorite, just two hours later. Our friends that hosted us for the night are major contributors to Milliken University, specifically their arts programs. My wife got to tour their new dance facilities, but lunch was disappointing. They used to offer great soups but the fact that there were only a few customers was a sign that their business is now suffering.
I had taken a Covid test that morning with symptoms of a cold and fortunately the results were negative. Our friends who are ten and twenty years older had just returned from Seattle also tested negative. It was raining when I first got up not feeling particularly well, so I shortened my run to 1.5 miles. We left Decatur at 2p and made our way into Michigan. It would be the first and only night that we needed to pay for a room, thanks to Marriott Rewards. We didn’t arrive in Muskegon until 9:30p., seeing very little of the city itself.
