After multiple medical appointments here and there during the summer, we started to prep for our “annual” fall trip to see our Florida family. Before we could take off, however, we decided to replace some of the sections in our long driveway, especially the first section that was falling to pieces; we didn’t want to get one of those letters from our HOA. Then we decided to look for a newer and more comfortable truck in anticipation for a long trip next year.
The truck had spent its first 2 years of life in west Texas on the oil fields; because of all of its perks, Barney figures it was the boss’s truck. He still finds Texas dirt in the bed whenever he washes the truck.
Time for our trip
We’re so excited to see our Florida family again!
Florida stay
The next day we set up at our favorite campground in Martin County and welcomed the family that night with a campfire. Saturday we watched both boys play basketball, and on Sunday we enjoyed church with the family and then went out for brunch at their favorite restaurant in downtown Stuart. All of these activities we’ve captured in various visits so didn’t think to take more pictures.
Then we started worrying about Hurricane Milton that was headed straight toward the south half of Florida where we were staying. Oh no. With the advice from others who live in the area, we decided to take off Monday morning to go north and east since Hurricane Helene was still creating problems for western Florida, Georgia, and North Carolina.
All along the drive north we saw bucket trucks driving south toward Florida to help out with re-establishing electricity after the hurricane.
Making lemonade out of lemons
But where to go and what to do? Our youngest son called to tell us that his daughter’s soccer team was going to travel to northeast South Carolina to play a team in the small town of Hartsville. So Barney found a state park close by that still had one site available for the week, and off we went. Every small town has highlights for us to explore.
The next day we drove into Hartsville to find the school, Coker University, and its soccer field. The town had a cute main street area, as well as a Walmart so we (Margie) could get some warmer clothes for the colder nights.
One of the highlights we read about in the town is Kalmia Gardens, so off we go.
Leave a Reply
Your email is safe with us.