21 June 2024
What a difference a day makes! I slept late this morning but after getting out of bed, I felt good for the first time in over a month. I had energy to clean the pool trap and filter, hose down the patio and kill weeds. Of course, I’m exhausted now. I’ll take the exhaustion if I can feel the energy and feel like I’m not coming down with some malaise.
I’ve been waiting for the next shoe to drop. It seems like there is something that happens just as things start to get better – like Murphy’s Law. I decided I needed to get out of a rut. It’s pretty deep, so I’m getting out of town again.
I’ve scheduled a 17 day trip from Florida to Pennsylvania with stops in South Carolina, North Carolina, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia and Georgia. A few years ago I stayed at a B&B in Georgia that was a member of Select Registry which supposedly has criteria to be included in their list of inns and hotels. I decided to try to stay at inns that were members of the organization. I was amazed to find vacancies at every place I looked for Select Registry Inns.
First up is Black Dolphin Inn in New Smyrna Beach, Florida for two nights. I figure two nights gives me enough time to do a little sight seeing in the area.
From New Smyrna I head to Camden, SC to stay two nights at Four Oaks Inn. Camden is close to Congaree National Park but I’ve been there. I explore the area around Camden.
From Camden, I head to Banner Elk to stay at the Lodge at Riverside Run for two nights. One year I had intended to camp out at a campground in Banner Elk but had to change plans due to a conflict with a friend’s schedule.
From Banner Elk, I head to Saint Michaels, Maryland for a stay at the Waterfront Hambleton Inn. I’ve passed through Maryland for a couple of times and as a kid lived in Havre de Grasse when Dad was in the military. Maybe I’ll have some time to see some old stomping grounds.
From Saint Michaels, I head to Hawley, Pennsylvania to stay at the Ledges Hotel. I’m really looking forward to staying at this facility since it has its own waterfall on the property. Actually, the whole trip is based on getting to stay in this inn.
From Hawley, I head to Fredericksburg, Virginia to stay at the Richard Johnston Inn. I passed through Fredericksburg a few years ago and wanted to stop but didn’t have time. It’s such a historical city.
From Fredericksburg, I head to spend three days with my cousin in Greensboro. We always find something to do and never seem to get tired of catching up with each other.
From Greensboro, I head to Savannah to stay at The Inn on West Liberty. Savannah is a natural stopping point for me on the way home and with two nights there I figure I can see a little more of the historical area of town.
All these inn name their rooms. Some are really cute: Superior Coastal Room at Black Dolphin Inn; The Steeplechase Suite at Four Oaks; the Rainbow Trout Room at the Lodge at River Run; the Danielle Purple Royal Suite at Waterfront Hambleton Inn; a Deluxe One Bedroom Suite at the Ledges Hotel (with a spiral staircase); the Virginian at the Richard Johnston Inn; and the Wright Square Room at the Inn on West Liberty.
This is going to be a very expensive trip. The cheapest room is $358 for two nights at the Black Dolphin Inn to $1177 for two nights at the Waterfront Hambleton Inn. Most have cancellation polices that are typical but one inn is so small they do not refund any money after a certain date unless they can fill the room with someone else.
This trip is totally spur of the moment. I happened to look at my calendar and found some space in July. I’m tired of doctors’ appointments, tests, blood draws, MUGA scans, and everything else that’s happened to me lately. I’ll post the itinerary next blog and invite anyone to join me anywhere along the trip.
Stay tuned!