Wednesday, May 13, 2009

East Coast Tour - May 13, 2009

In order to get to GA while my father was visiting we did a lot of interstates (lots of trucks and cross winds).

Leaving GA we agreed to get back to taking the scenic routes, so yesterday and today was all about ”THE RIDE”. Once we hit SC, we took the Heritage Corridor - Discovery Route...beautiful rural scenic roads. No traffic, perfect weather, sunny, mid 70's, low humidity and best of all ...no rain!!!

This route confirmed that small town America still exists. Town squares with beautiful gardens and fountains, local pharmacies (not CVS), breakfast/lunch diners and cafes and in town parking on a slant vs. parallel with the curb. As we roll through each small town we reduce speeds to 25-35mph to take in the sights and then back up to 55 mph in between towns.

Being from the Granite State, yesterday we stopped for lunch at the Granite Restaurant in Eberton SC . This is the local hot spot. They have an all you can eat lunch buffet for $4.99 (Biscuits and gravy, chicken pot pie, creamed corn, macaroni and cheese etc). Just a tad heavy for lunch while on the bikes. So we told the waitress although it looked and smelled great, we were looking for a little lighter fare. We no sooner hit the parking lot and the cook and waitress are following us, offering to cook something special for us. Talk about genuine southern hospitality! After a tasty lunch (fried chicken for Shar and a burger for Cin) we hit the road again. Stayed at a Quality Inn in Aiken SC. Quick dinner at Mi Rancho and back to the room in time to watch the Biggest Loser final!

We checked in to the Marriott in Charleston SC this afternoon for a couple of days of sightseeing.

Just a few observations about our journey through the southern states....
> People have been extremely friendly, warm, and genuine

> Haven't met an A type personality yet (excluding the GA Caldwell's)

> Now I understand why they call it the bible belt- there literally is a church on every street corner...all sizes, shapes and denominations

> Sweet tea is the drink of choice - don't worry they have converted us yet - ours is still Beck's

> Southern version of healthy fare is creamed corn, fried zucchini, coleslaw etc...right up Sharon’s alley

> They have a nice way of tempering things by prefacing it with "Bless Your Heart Darling"

Cin & Shar

3 comments:

  1. "fried chicken for Shar ... " I'm keeping this statement... :o) How was it Mom?

    I'm happy to hear you're both having a lot of fun & seeing the sights!!

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  2. Wow, you made it. I'm impressed!!! I'll have fried chicken waiting for you at your camp site. Thats if you remeber how to use camping gear.

    LOL :)

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  3. I love that cook/waitress story. They could teach those Yankees from New York a thing or two.

    ...Marie - you're not in that group

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