Backpacking Bill

Hoping that we will have everything ready for tomorrow’s departure.

Battle of the cell phones: Tina has always been an iPhone user; I am an Android user. For this trip the differences widened. Although we both have changed to Mint mobile for mobile network we have elected to take different approaches while in Europe. Tina is using Minternational and I will be using Orange Travel.

Minternational is a prepaid international roaming add on. Tina can download a number of passes each good for ten days.

Orange Travel is a separate French sim card that is good for Europe. I have to load an eSim card, turn off my Mint Mobile eSim. I will also have a French phone number (OOO- LA LA).

So far I think Tina is willing the battle of the cell phones.

I think we are ready.

• We are packed
• We have ourpassports
• We are checked in for our flight
• We have a car arranged to take us to the airport

I am sure that I am missing a bunch of stuff

And, for anyone following this blog, I promise to start adding photos. That being said I can’t resist adding a photo.

A couple months ago Tina was visiting New England and I was home in South Carolina. About 6:00 am I heard a pounding on the front door. I checked the Ring camera and didn’t see anything. Another pounding. I opened the door and saw this guy.

What started as a good day hit a wall. Did a couple miles around Hampton Hall then stopped at the gym. All good

Originally this post had details of a challenging day. I deleted it because nobody wants to hear about it. And, I don’t want to see it.

OK! No more complaining.

This promises to be a clear sunny day in the high 80’s. It will be a great day to do a little more exploring around Aiken then motor home.

But first, breakfast:

Aiken is the location of Hopeland Gardens. This is a large park like area with numerous walking trails.

It is also the location of the thoroughbred racing museum

There are three things that seem to be the focal point at the hotel. I suspect that these three things will be the center of attention in Aiken. These are horses, golf and dogs.

Explored the shops of Aiken. Found a cooking shop with some interestingly named BBQ rubs and hot sauces.

Aiken is a quaint relaxing place

Noticed a house rule

The one compliment is that there were a group of guys making a lot of noise in the hallway in the middle of the night.

The first stop on our adventure was Redcliff Plantation. Redcliff is our friend Kit s ancestral home. Built by his great great grandfather in the early 1800’s. It is now a State Historic Site.

We were treated to a personal tour by Jordan, the resident Park Ranger.

The interior is filled with original artifacts from the property.

It was a delightful experience.

From Redcliff Plantation we ventured to Aiken, South Carolina and checked into The Willcox, a very grand hotel.

Had a light dinner in the Willcox dining room, had an entertaining waiter. Finished at the lobby that is known locally as the “Aiken living room”

The Willcox is dog friendly.

Back in our room we noticed that tomorrow’s weather forecast is on the side table alone with cookies.

This morning we will be traveling to Aiken, South Carolina. We will be traveling with our friends and neighbors, Kit and Karen Hammond. Kit is a native of Bluffton and Savannah. I am looking forward to experiencing the lore, legends and history of South Central South Carolina. Aiken is also the center of southern pure bred horse breeding and training. This promises to be a grand adventure. Photos, stories and pontifications to follow.

The Hampton Hall Car Club had an outing to Fort Pulaski today. Probably one of the windiest days of the year. But, it turned out to be a great event.

Fort Pulaski was built after the War of 1812 when US Congress realized that all the ports had no defenses. The highlight of the fort’s history is the taking of the facility by Union Troops during the Civil War. It was taken over by the Confederates after the secession. It was a very short battle. The 1812 fort design technology of the fort was no match to 1860’s cannon technology.

After the visit we all had a great lunch on nearby Tybee Island

Today we are celebrating the resurrection of Jesus some two thousand years ago. This year we are taking this celebration to the beach. We have done this in the past and it turns out good. Tina has been planning the outing. Emma and James will join us. Although Jim will be in Connecticut, he will be with us in spirit.

Tina is making a couple quiches, and Emma is making hot cross buns.

Made it to the beach.

I noted that there were some surfers waxing their boards in the parking lot

It’s a beautiful day on Hilton Head

A wonderful day.