There is always a mix of excitement, anticipation and even a little dread as we get ready to set out on our next adventure. Our last trip was no different, or so it seemed.
Our niece, Holly, had been planning her Savannah wedding for over a year. March 28th had been set and all plans were being finalized. Since we had spent some time with Holly and Dan (her fianc) last summer we were getting very excited to see them again and to share in their excitement and happiness of marriage. And of course, Savannah, Tybee Island, and Hilton Head are all favorite camp bases that we enjoy on the east coast.
Our particular challenge this trip was the fact that Jeffreys birthday was just a few days after the wedding, and of course, we could never miss his birthday - we had not in 35 years, and this would be no different.
We had visited with Jeffrey to make sure he understood that we would attend Holly and Dans wedding, but that we would be home in time to celebrate his birthday with him and his friends. He was looking forward
to joining in the wedding party via FaceTime. We had actually worked out for Molly, the administrator at the Nova Centre, to have a pizza party on his actual birthday (April 2) and we would join him at work on Friday, April 3 for cupcakes and drinks at work. Everything was set - arrangements made for pizza and party favors and for Grandma Fern to arrive from Altus on that Friday for the work party.
Although we were scheduled to leave Oklahoma City on the 10th of March, I always get anxious so I persuaded Cynde that we should actually leave on Monday afternoon, after my doctors appointment and our couples massage. I even dangled camping at WinStar Casino and of course she could not resist that! So, by four oclock we were loaded and heading south on to Exit 2.
Our first night on the road is always one of anticipation - will the leveling jacks go down, will the slides open, and sometimes more importantly, do we have cable! This time I was more concerned with the hot water heater. It is a constant
hot heater and it has to be at least once per year. I had neglected this task until a couple of days before we hit the road. Although I had finished the process (or it), I still had to get the water into the system and get the heat on. To my dismay, the heater would not fire up so ran the program again, confident that would resolve the issue.
Since that would require a few hours, we decided to head over to the casino to try our luck and find something to eat. To be such a large there were few food choices so Cynde checked out Trip Advisor for the best dinner in Gainesville and found a great little family restaurant. After I had about a 150% return on my gambling investment, and Cynde had about a 65% loss, we decided it was best to head to Gainesville. We only had twenty minutes to get there before they closed, and since it was a Monday night, I figured they would actually close on time. As we arrived the last customers were leaving, but we were greeted warmly and shown to a table. We ordered quickly and ate without lingering.
When we got back to the coach, my mission was to ensure we had hot water before Cynde discovered that we didnt. I was successful - the water heater was working just as it was designed. First crisis diverted!
First night on the road was a freebie - not on my schedule. I take great pain in our trip - all our routes and all of our stops. Cynde plans out the dining options and points of interest. Our first stop when we head south east is usually Shreveport - of course it is because the greatest breakfast place in the south is located here and has been for over fifty years - Struans Good Eats. If anyone thinks Paula Dean likes butter (and she does), you have to go to Struans. Homemade biscuits with home fries and an omelet big enough for four. Of course, you cant overlook the waffles with fresh strawberries and whipped cream.
