Trip Journal
Departure date: 04/28/2023
We are on our way to Myrtle Beach and Charleston with some interesting sightseeing along the way. Stop back and check out all the pictures. We depart April 28.
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April 28, 2023 Friday-A good start today, we had lunch at the Belvidere Oasis. It was partly sunny in the 60’s then cloudy with light rain near Indianapolis. Tonight we stay at the Hampton Inn in Richmond Indiana.
April 29, 2023 Saturday-We continued on our way stopping in Beckley West Virginia in the heart of coal country. We scheduled a tour into a mine and the buildings the company supplies for their employees. Underground coal miners endured a very hard life and we can appreciate their work they did everyday. Tonight we stay in Mount Airy North Carolina at the Hampton Inn.
April 30, 2023 Sunday-This morning under some cloudy skies we had a step on guide board our bus for a tour of Mount Airy North Carolina. This is Andy Griffiths boyhood town and parallels Mayberry with street names and local residents. Snappys Diner, and Wally’s Service Station are just a few of the landmarks. The city has the largest open pit granite quarry and after our tour we stopped at the Andy Griffith Museum. It was so much fun to see where the beloved Sherriff Andy Taylor had grown up. This afternoon, we drove to Myrtle Beach, checked into our oceanside condos and went out for a seafood buffet at the Giant Crab.
May 1, 2023 Monday- A free day at the beach to enjoy the beach and relax. We also had a shuttle bus going to one of the popular shopping areas at the Barefoot Landing. For dinner tonight, another sea food buffet at the Original Benjamins. Later at the Alabama Theater, the show “Iconic” featuring, country, some gospel and iconic songs and dance throughout the years.
May 2, 2023 Tuesday- A sunny mid 70’s day. Our first tour was at the Boone Hall Plantation. On a ride in a farm wagon through the fields, we caught a glimpse of an alligator and turtles. The tour of the Plantation house was nice and the surrounding gardens were beautiful and in full bloom. In Mount Pleasant we went aboard and toured the Aircraft Carrier USS Yorktown. On the ship were planes, helicopters and other aircraft stationed on the ship Much of the ship was accessible to us. Also available was the Destroyer USS Laffey and the Vietnam Experience. The next two nights we stay in Charleston at the Fairfield Inn.
May 3, 2023 Wednesday-Another sunny mid 70’s day. We started with a city tour of Charleston stopping at the Citadel, the battery and ending at the city Market. After lunch and shopping, we had a leisurely trip to Fort Sumter. After a full day, we returned to our hotel.
May 4, 2023 Thursday- It was a gorgeous day for a drive though the North Carolina mountains on our way to Pigeon Forge. After checking into our hotel we had time to visit the shops nearby. The Incredible Christmas Place was next door to the hotel and is one of the largest Christmas Stores in the country offering decorations for sale year round. After dinner, we attended the Country Tonite Show.
May 5, 2023 Friday-On our way towards home we stopped in Jeffersonville Indiana just across the river from Louisville. At the Schimpff’s Candies we arranged a demonstration of how they make red hots. For over 100 years this family operation has occupied this building making hand made candies. We all enjoyed a fresh warm red hot, and time at the museum and store. Tonight we stayed at the Drury Inn in Indianapolis.
May 6, 2023 Saturday-This is our last day together and so far no rain. After lunch in Rockford, everything is on schedule so we should able to complete our trip on time. Visit our website to see when we will offer this trip in 2024.
