A few days ago I had gone on Tom Tom Home and updated the maps on my GPS, the free ones. Apparently something went wrong and the GPS wouldn't work! So I may have missed the first exit from 9A to 95N, but I was still on my home turf so to speak so it only took about a mile for me to figure out that I had passed my exit, so we turned around.
Our first stop of the day was at the South Carolina Visitors Center:
It was very foggy out, which makes for not great picture taking.
The second stop of the day was just outside of Columbia, SC. And anyone who knows me, knows I will drive pretty much anywhere and find a strawberry patch along the way to pick fresh berries. This time I happened across one by mere chance and have my bladder to thank. We decided to see what the Congaree National Park had to offer as at this point we had been in the car for almost 5 hours with only a walk around the outside of the SC visitors center as the only stretch. We got off the interstate and started heading in the right direction towards the park and saw a sign for strawberry picking. We stopped at a local Circle K, where there were no strange things afoot, to relieve my bladder and to see what Cangaree had to offer. When I inquired, and was informed that it was a swamp with a boardwalk, I opted for an edible excursion.
Here are the fruits of our labors, literally.
Deb was so excited to get the strawberries back to the car, she dropped one.
But that is ok, she ended up eating it :)
About 9:30 we got back on the road. We stopped a few more times for gas, bathroom breaks and to eat around 2:30 or so. We spent 5 hours driving through Virginia and I have to say of all the rest areas that we stopped at today the one in West Virginia was my favorite, because they had some beautiful flowers. I am a big fan of flowers.
Here are a few of my fav pictures.
So, I know that the goal for today was Altoona, PA but we had a mishap with the map, by this time the GPS was working again, thank you Mom E. It was saying take one road and my Navigator said to stay on 81 so we did. It turned out better than we could have imagined. We stopped and got a map and the traditional coupon books and then decided where to go from where we were. We decided to look for the best rate and found it too $26.99 a night for up to 2 people. Now I know you are thinking, that sounds too good to be true, and you would be correct. That room was a double bed. Now Deb and I have been friends for over 20 years, but I am not willing to share a double with her. So we kept looking and decided on the Travelodge at the same exit that promised breakfast and free wifi for only $49.99. Now I know that is a big difference from almost $25 to nearly $50, but it was totally worth it since the hotel has a restaurant next door and we were given something at check in to take over in the morning for FREE full breakfast menu for 2 people, sounds like it was totally worth it to me.
After checking in to the Travelodge we went in search of postcards, which to Deborah's disappointment we did not find and then on to dinner. The guy at the hotel had recommended Pat and Carla's Italian Eatery, and after consulting with a few of the locals we agreed to give it a try. I am so glad we did. I had the Pat and Carla's Alfredo, best Alfredo I have EVER eaten. It probably had like a million grams of fat and calories, but I am on vacation, so it doesn't count. I would recommend trying it if you are ever in this area.
Here is a picture of my plate and this is after I ate a bunch of it. Deb had the Chicken Cacciatore.
So now I am full and exhausted it is off to bed, we will be getting up at 6am to try to make it to Palmyra by 3 for the Temple session Deb reserved.
Check back tomorrow for more of the adventure.
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