What do retired Michiganders do during the winter? Travel to Florida. Randy and I joined the throng this year for our first ever retirement trek. We decided we were going to be vagabonds with no true destination in mind or hotel reservation. This was really a change for me since I like to have plans.
We did know we did not want to travel the I-75 route since we have made that trip too many times, with too many other vehicles on the road. We wanted this trip to be leisurely.
We left our home and did go to Cleveland for a couple of days to see grandkids, and of course children. From there we caught I-77 and traveled through the mountains of West Virginia. It was a beautiful ride. There was just enough snow on the ground and trees to make the journey beautiful.
Around every curve it was inspiring.
The advantage of having no time frame is the ability to stop whenever the moment hit us. For us, that first night stop was in Elkin, North Carolina.
If you are traveling I-77 the Fairfield Inn and Suites here are my recommendation. The staff are friendly and helpful and the rooms are large and clean. It is also located close to a shopping area.
That night we went for dinner at Twenty One and Main Street Restaurant and Wine Bar. What a great restaurant in historic downtown Elikn!
The following day our travels took us to Savannah, Georgia. If you have never been there, I highly recommend it. From their river walkway, historic downtown, and many parks it is a unbelievably cool city.
It is everything I hoped for, from growing up reading Gone with the Wind. They have managed to bring it into the 21st century while still maintaining the southern ambiance.
Upcoming: Jacksonville, St. Augustine and Blue Springs State Park.
Photo Credits: Randy Heath
These pictures are gorgeous and I love your recommendations!
This looks very relaxing and makes you just want to go in the mountains and sit by a fire!
That first picture is amazing!
Your pictures are amazing! I spend lots of time in Florida and never tire of its beauty.
I did the trip from WV to Florida a long time ago too. The scenery was lovely & I really enjoyed seeing Miami.
I like Florida – hubby doesn’t though
Gotta love Florida, of course, that’s where I was born and raised, so….
Living in Ohio myself, the photos in Georgia look more appealing than those on the trip down. I am definitely glad the snow is gone right now, but then again, when the heat of the summer hits I’ll be ready for the cooler temps.
great photos
The trip sounds like it went great, love that part of the United States. I am from Idaho and I went out to New York and Pennsylvania and the landscape is so different out there it amazing. So now that you made the trip once do you plan on going back next winter or go some where new or was this a one time adventure?
I come from the north, but have lived in Florida for more than 15 years. These beautiful pictures of snow bring me back to my roots. Thanks for sharing!
Love it! Great photos and you are coming from the state I was born in to the state I live it. Gotta love that!
Great post and lovely pictures and very fun to hear from “Tired Grandma” Judy! Love it!