Friday, March 20, 2020

Charleston, SC

A day at the beach

It's a good thing we changed our plans to visit New Orleans. We had reservations at Bayou Segnette State Park, just a ferry ride across the Mississippi River to NOLA. The state of Louisiana closed the park, canceling reservations making it available to isolate Corona virus patients if needed.


We pulled into Oak Plantation RV Park in Charleston, SC. When we called 10 days ago, they only had a couple of open sites. As we were checking in, the desk clerks kept answering the phones for cancellations.  On Monday, the park was half full but by Friday only 10% had RVs.  Walking around the RV park to get in our 10,000 steps, we would pass other people but everyone is keeping their distance but still friendly with a wave. We are fortunate to be in a place that we can get outside and not feel cooped up while keeping our distance. 

Snowbirds from Canada are returning early. Most of them carry additional medical coverage while they are out of Canada and most insurance companies have given them until March 23 to be back in Canada due to the Corona virus, at which time the coverage will expire. There is some leeway if they have a valid reason for not making it back. But let’s face it, who would want to battle an insurance after the fact?
We were scheduled to camp host at Table Rock State Park in northwest South Carolina starting April 1 but have decided to cancel and to avoid interacting closely with people. We found a campground near Greenville to use as a base to hike and cycle in the state parks nearby for the next month.
Foley Beach was a treat on the edge of Charleston. The town had a big St Patrick's Day street party over the weekend before the bars and restaurants closed.


The beaches weren't very busy but the bars had lots of young people enjoying spring break. The drive up windows at chain restaurants have long lines. 

It was good to spend time with Mike's daughter and her family in Lexington, South Carolina. She has been going through treatments for metastatic breast cancer which has been tough on all of them. She looks great even though she just went through a rough patch.

It was fun seeing his grandchildren. We watched Mia play soccer, Peyton play his cello, TJ was sworn into the Navy and Bryceson as he is buying his first home. Where did they time go?
We found many tourist sites we had planned to visit closed. Many guided bike tours go through this area. We saddled up and loved the ride from Sullivan Island to Isle of Palms and Fort Moultrie 19 miles from our campground on Johns Island near Charleston. 
A barrier island and closest beach to Charleston with a kick your shoes off feel with golf carts to get to and from the beach.


Our 20 mile ride under the trees and along the Atlantic Beaches.

The British Royal Navy attacked Fort Moultrie on Sullivan's Island it on June 28, 1776 during the Revolution. Standing on the Fort overlooking Charleston, we can imagine the battle.
Cannon Row at Fort Moultrie is home to eight pieces of heavy artillery original to Charleston Harbor. Each piece has a story to tell.

So many colonial type of homes to ride by.
The bridge from Charleston to Sullivan Island has a bike/walking lane overlooking the bay that the  cycle tours ride across.  
Carnival's Sunshine is in dock for 14 days with the crew that will be quarantined for 14 days. The passengers were all released.
An old oak with Spanish Moss blowing in the breeze.

We should have plenty of hiking and cycling while in Greenville, South Carolina while we figure out what is next. Everyone stay healthy out there and 6 feet away.

Cuenca, Ecuador

An Expat Destination The morning after returning to Quito we boarded an hour-long flight to Cuenca. Driving up the winding roads would have ...