Winter in Quebec was proving once again to be more of a snow, rain, freeze cycle than a real winter, so it was time to see if Big Trill was up to a big trip south. I had done lots of tweeking to her over the few years of ownership and the Kingston trip gave me positive feedback, so off we went on the last few days of February, 2017.
The route the first day took us south through Vermont, over the hills to Rutland and then on to Albany, NY where I stopped at a Walmart Inn in Latham for the night. Fortunately the night was relatively warm so I slept well and was back on I-87 in the morning. By late afternoon I was in Maryland. The dreaded I-95 was scaring me with every bump and bang it's badly kept surface presented. Up again the day after another night Chez Walmart, the horror of the interstate continued. I stopped on the border between the two Carolinas for the night, again Walmart, and the next morning thankfully got off I-95 soon after crossing into South Carolina. I took rt 52 to Lake City and from there onto Charleston itself.
I had reservations at the James Island County Campground, but the desk at the campground had no record of them! Fortunately, they had space and I settled into this wonderful spot for several days.
I spent much of the time cleaning and rearranging the interior of Big Trill. She was incredibly dirty and I had brought way more stuff than I needed, so the time was well spent!
I connected with my Facebook friend Mary Ann and she kindly met me and showed me around the city and some of the neighbouring spots of interest...
A walk around the old section of town revealed a lovely seaside park as well as some secret gardens hidden behind old walls and wrought iron gates. Yet, Charleston was not just about the past, we treated ourselves to a take out meal at a genuine English fish n chips joint where even the owner's accent was the real thing! He was from Manchester!
The road soon beckoned southward, so cleaner and tidier, Big Trill and I headed back to the I-95 via rt 17. Soon the bumps and bangs would begin anew...
