Homeward Bound...

After "wintering" in Florida, adopting a puppy and visiting with relatives, it was time to continue our journey North along the coast.  With destinations like Savannah, GA, Charleston, SC, Hilton Head, SC, Ashville, NC, Baltimore, MD and plenty of coastline in between, we enjoyed leisurely visits with relatives, learning a bit about history, exploring beautiful cities and getting outdoors to use our mountain bikes, kayaks and paddleboards.

This leg of our journey concluded with arriving back at Todd's parents house in Ohio where we'll take a couple months off from traveling to enjoy the summer in Ohio and to attend a family reunion in July.



Shonah and Chip kayaking in Ocean Pond in the Osceola National Forest just west of Jacksonville, Florida.



Shonah and Chip kayaking in Ocean Pond in the Osceola National Forest just west of Jacksonville, Florida.  As the saying goes, looks can be deceiving.  Even though it appears that Chip may be enjoying the kayaking trip, he still does not really enjoy being in or around water....yet.




STEV among the Spanish Moss and the grand Oaks along Fort George Road on Fort George Island just outside of Jacksonville, Florida.



A majestic peacock sitting on a fence along Fort George Road on Fort George Island just outside of Jacksonville, Florida.  Yes, it is real and boy did it have a loud and unusual call.  Not included in the picture was a sign that read "Winner: Best Yard".  We can't imagine what could have helped them win the award.

Todd and Chip kayaking the Matanzas River to the Fort Matanzas National Monument on Anastasia Island just south of St. Augustine, Florida.  The Matanzas Inlet was the scene of crucial events in Spanish colonial history.  The massacre of French soldiers here in 1565 was Spain's opening move in establishing a colony in Florida.  The construction of Fort Matanzas in 1740-42 was Spain's last effort to ward off British encroachments on St. Augustine.  In all, nearly 250 French soldiers were killed during attacks on Fort Matanzas and Fort Caroline, even after they had surrendered which is why the Fort was given the name Matanzas (Matanzas is the Spanish word for "slaughters"). 




Todd and Chip embarking on our long bike ride on the bike path from Big Talbot State Park to Amelia Island, Florida.

Todd and Chip enjoying some rest on the patio of Marche Burette at the Omni Amelia Island Plantation Resort after the long bicycle ride from Big Talbot State Park to Amelia Island, Florida.  We enjoyed some wine and craft beer while Chip napped from his long ride in the backpack.




After dry camping in the Walmart in Fernandina Beach the first night, we found an amazing FREE camping spot at Peters Point Park on Amelia Island just south of Fernandina Beach, Florida.  STEV enjoyed this spot so much that he made us stay for a few days.




A view of the boardwalk, sand dunes, and the Atlantic Ocean from the parking lot at Peters Point Park on Amelia Island just south of Fernandina Beach, Florida.




A gopher tortoise grabbing lunch on the sand dunes of Peters Point Park on Amelia Island near Fernandina Beach, Florida.  To Todd's surprise, these land tortoises are quite fast on the sand.



Todd's "Endless Summer" photo as he goes out to paddleboard on the ocean at Peters Point Park on Amelia Island near Fernandina Beach, Florida.



Todd playing in the surf with his paddle board.at Peters Point Park on Amelia Island near Fernandina Beach, Florida.



Enjoying the sunset on Amelia Island near Fernandina Beach, Florida.



Shonah, Chip, and Todd enjoying a sunset beach bike ride to check out The Ritz-Carlton Amelia Island on Amelia Island just south of Fernandina Beach, Florida.



Shonah posing for a quick photo op on the beach of Amelia Island, Florida.



After staying in Fernandina Beach, Florida for a few days, we were planning to head off the next morning to explore Savannah, Georgia.  However, as we were driving down the street, Todd noticed a sign announcing a Doggie Dip at the public pool the next day.  After making a quick phone call to inquire, we decided to stay another night to allow Chip his first swimming experience in a public pool with other dogs and without his life vest.  Our plan was for him to see other dogs having fun in the water to get him excited to be around water.  Unfortunately our plan did not work out as we had hoped.  As you might be able to tell from the picture, Chip was not excited to be on the slide with Todd in the kiddie pool. 




The plus was that we found that Chip is a great swimmer.  However, he still is not a fan of the water.




Todd and Chip in front of the beautiful Forsyth Fountain at Forsyth Park in Savannah, Georgia.



Todd, Chip, and Shonah enjoying an afternoon stroll thru the grand Forsyth Park in Savannah, Georgia.



Shonah and Chip relaxing before an evening family picnic at Forsyth Park in Savannah, Georgia.



Chip curiously trying to identify what this Longnose Spider Crab is on Singleton Beach in Hilton Head Island, South Carolina.



A view of the demilune, moat, and the exterior gorge wall of Fort Pulaski National Monument on Cockspur Island just East of Savannah, Georgia.  Fort Pulaski is The demilune is large earthen mounds with underground passageways to gun emplacements and four powder magazines.



The drawbridge and entrance gate to Fort Pulaski National Monument on Cockspur Island just outside of Savannah, Georgia.



Inside view of the Northeast bastion of Fort Pulaski National Monument on Cockspur Island just outside of Savannah, Georgia. 



Todd and Chip enjoying a walk on the terreplein (upper level) of the fort wall



Todd and Chip posing for a picture near one of the cannons at Fort Pulaski National Monument on Cockspur Island.



Matt and Todd's niece Emily taking a moment from their "tour guide" responsibilities to post for a quick photo.

 

A shot of "rainbow row" in Charleston, SC.



Todd's niece Emily posing for a photo during our walking tour of Charleston, SC.



So many classic southern homes and verandas everywhere you look in Charleston, SC.



Shona, Chip and Emily taking a break in the gazebo of Waterfront Park during our walking tour of Charleston, SC.



Such a cute little boy, Chip is already 6 months old.

More classic southern architecture in Charleston, SC.



Decades of growing strife between North and South erupted in civil war on April 12, 1861, when Confederate artillery opened fire on this Federal fort in Charleston Harbor. Fort Sumter surrendered 34 hours later. Union forces would try for nearly four years to take it back.




Todd and his niece Emily during a stroll thru historic Charleston, South Carolina.




Emily and Shonah enjoying a wonderful evening bbq after a long day of exploring historic Charleston, South Carolina. 



Chip, Shonah, Emily, and Todd jumping in front of STEV. 



Todd introducing Chip to single track mountain biking on the Forks Area Trails System (FATS) part of the Long Cane Ranger District in the Sumter National Forest near Edgefield, South Carolina.



Chip, Shonah, Shonah's Grandpa, Shonah's Aunt Alice, Abby, and Todd posing in front of STEV during our visit to Shelby, North Carolina.  Sorry we forgot to take the family photo before you had to go to work Uncle Richard.



A view of the wild horses of Cedar Island, North Carolina from the Cedar Island - Ocracoke Island Ferry.  Ocracoke Island is part of the North Carolina Seashore which is also known as North Carolina's Outer Banks (or OBX).



Chip and Shonah enjoying the views of the Pamlico Sound and Atlantic Ocean from the Cedar Island - Ocracoke Island Ferry.



As the ferry approached Ocracoke Island, we saw this tiny island that appears to be used by the pelicans and other sea birds as a possible rookery.



Chip and Shonah enjoying a walk on the Cape Hatteras National Seashore on Hatteras Island, North Carolina.



A Ghost Sand Crab scurrying along on the Cape Hatteras National Seashore on Hatteras Island, North Carolina.



The Outer Banks are a group of islands on the North Carolina coast that separate the Atlantic Ocean from the coastal sounds and inlets. Atlantic currents in this area made for excellent travel for ships, except in the area of Diamond Shoals, just offshore at Cape Hatteras. Nearby, the warm Gulf Stream ocean current collides with the colder Labrador Current, creating ideal conditions for powerful ocean storms and sea swells. The large number of ships that ran aground because of these shifting sandbars, including the Civil War ironclad warship USS Monitor, gave this area the nickname “Graveyard of the Atlantic.” It also led Congress to authorize the construction of the Cape Hatteras Light. Its 210 foot height makes it the tallest brick lighthouse structure in the United States and 29th in the world.



Traveling after Spring Break and before school lets out for the summer made for ideal camping in almost empty national parks like Cape Hatteras National Seashore on Hatteras Island, North Carolina.



Wright Brothers National Memorial, located in Kill Devil Hills, North Carolina, commemorates the first successful, sustained, powered flights in a heavier-than-air machine on December 17, 1903. From 1900 to 1903, Wilbur and Orville Wright came here from Dayton, Ohio, based on information from the U.S. Weather Bureau about the area's steady winds.




There were a large number of military vehicles on display on Croatan Beach, including these U.S. Navy vehicles, during the Patriotic Festival in Virginia Beach, Virginia.  We were also treated to concerts on the beach with performances by Chase Rice and Lynyrd Skynyrd. 



Chip, Shonah, Shonah's cousin Jessi, her husband Josh, Shonah's cousin Rebecca, Iana, and Todd proudly showing off our jumping skills in front of STEV during our visit to Baltimore, Maryland.




Todd's Dad enjoying an afternoon walk with Chip back home in Ohio.




Todd's Mom and Chip "resting their eyes".  Mom has grown quite fond of her resting buddy.