“In my mind I’m gone to Carolina. Can’t you see the sunshine? Can’t you just feel the moonshine? Ain’t it just like a friend of mine – to hit me from behind? Yes, I’m gone to Carolina in my mind.”

Thank you James Taylor – a song to follow our road trip.  Greetings from Charleston, South Carolina! We had a long road trip earlier today, but thankfully it was without incident.  Most importantly, Mikaela woke up this morning feeling like her old self.  So, the worst of the reaction seems to be over.  Her arm is still really sore, but the exhaustion and illness is gone.  We are so thankful.

We left our campground in North Carolina about 9:30 this morning. It is a beautiful campground – spacious, spotless, quiet, and beautiful.  There is an awesome pool and hot tub, a fun water slide, and many gazebos all around the sites.  The people were very nice, the wifi was strong, and that was all we needed.  This was our second visit to “The RV Resort at Carolina Crossroads”.  I give it 5 out of 5!

As we were driving down I-95, signs started to appear for “South of the Border”. We were there in 2011, but Mikaela wasn’t with us.  We realized that she has never experienced the stupidity – I mean, culture – of South of the Border.  So, we stopped there as one of our stretch breaks.  You’ll be happy to know – it’s the same.  As always.  Rich set a 30 minute timer – and we were there and gone.  Such a tourist trap.  Such a money pit.  Such “Chazarei” (Yiddish for junk).  Yes – of COURSE we bought stuff!

We started to watch the trees along the highway change with the climate, and soon, palmettos were dotting the scenery.  I love palmettos, and I think I know the reason.  One of the first times I flew to Florida to visit my grandparents, I was amazed by the sight of the palm trees I noticed out the window, as we were about to land at the airport.  They seemed to welcome me to Miami.  They just make me smile.  And today, they welcomed us to South Carolina. We also saw fields of tobacco plants.  Interestingly, we also saw a sign for the “Ava Gardner Museum”.  HUH?? Really, who would want to spend money to go to the Ava Gardner Museum?  Right after we passed the sign, Rich started saying “Daaahhhhling” – obviously confusing Ava Gardner with Eva Gabor.  I had to explain the difference.  Thank goodness we had a long drive!

We arrived at our campground, the Oak Plantation Campground, by late afternoon.  The sun was gone, and clouds seemed to follow us into Charleston. It is extremely hot, and earlier today, the sun was so strong.  Truthfully, I appreciated the clouds.  This campground is three times the size of the one in North Carolina.  It is quiet, charming, amazingly kept, and just my kind of campground.  It drizzled on and off for the next few hours – nothing really to ruin our plans.  We walked the grounds and took note of the many different kinds of RV’s, and the many families with children and pets.  It is such a great environment.  There is a pond on the property – and the campground brochure mentions that it hosts wild alligators – and that we should use caution.  Well, in light of recent events…no worries there!  Rich made delicious burgers for dinner, which accompanied a salad lovingly prepared by Mikaela, and grilled, seasoned baby ruby and gold potatoes prepared by yours truly.  A collaborative dinner!  Yummy! We settled in, as we will be here for a couple of days, and spent some nice family time.  Tomorrow is a sight-seeing day – and an early one at that.  So, a few more thoughts, and I have to get to bed.

Yesterday’s question was answered within seconds – friends Gretchen and Andrea tied for first. That means it was way too easy! The two pop culture “Skippers” were Gilligan’s Island’s Skipper and Barbie’s younger sister, Skipper.  Okay – for tonight’s question: Several trees on this property grow Spanish Moss.  The literature says it is not a true moss.  It is an epiphytic plant, which grows on another plant but does not rely on the host plant for nutrients.  The plants themselves have very tiny seeds.  The literature says that the RV visitors CAN use the moss for decoration – at their sites, on their tables, etc.  However, it recommends one step to do first, in order to kill any “red bugs” that may be hiding.  Trivia question: WHAT do they suggest doing to get rid of these bugs?  Answer in tomorrow’s blog.

Enjoy your day. Talk to you soon.

Marla, Rich and Mikaela

Si, Senorita…..

Z3, SOTB

Nice pink shirt she’s wearing….it’s mine! Been looking for it for months!

Our itinerary.

“I’m only one call away. I’ll be there to save the day. Superman got nothing on me, I’m only one call away.”

Aaaand, hello again!  It is the official start of “Z3 Cross Country – Summer of 2016 – Southern Nights”!!  I have been waiting for today for a long, long time.  This year, we have a very busy itinerary planned, and we are heading in the opposite direction of last year’s trip.  No real reason – except that we CAN! Our new state this year is Alabama.  It is state number 39 for us, in addition to the District of Columbia, and parts of Canada.  We feel very lucky – and excited!

The title of tonight’s blog post comes from Charlie Puth’s gigantic hit, “One Call Away”.  That’s exactly how we feel, as we travel from one place to the next, while staying v-e-r-y connected with our friends and family.  And, regardless of the reading on the odometer, we are only one call away.

We left this morning at 7 a.m.  Of course, our target time was 6 – but if we aren’t late, we aren’t us!  According to my Fitbit tracker, I logged in a whopping 2 hours, 6 minutes of sleep the night before we left.  So, needless to say, we were packing until very, very late.  Our ride today was 8 hours total in the RV. The ride, I am glad to say, was generally beautiful. We drove from Jersey, through Delaware, through Maryland, through D.C., through Virginia, and into North Carolina.  We had to avoid the Fort McHenry Tunnel and the Baltimore Harbor Tunnel.  The result was a scenic and quiet ride through miles and miles of countryside.  With only one major tie up in Virginia, we did pretty well. We did get a little lost around D.C., as usual.  It doesn’t seem to matter when, but EVERY trip to D.C. has issues.  I could travel the entire United States, and have fewer problems than we encounter in the District of Columbia.  Rich thinks it’s done on purpose.  He may be right.

While driving, Rich and I enjoyed many different radio stations (No, we don’t have Serius or XM!) We had a great mix of 70’s and 80’s music to keep us entertained (and awake!). And, because of the 30 minute tie up, I was able to also prepare lunch while we were inching along in traffic.  I wish we had taken video – it does take some talent!  Have you ever seen “The Long, Long Trailer” with Lucille Ball (my idol) and Desi Arnaz? “Tacy” was preparing a beautiful dinner in a motor home for her newlywed husband “Nicky”, while he continued driving to their destination. Disaster ensued – along with many belly laughs. If you get some free time – watch the movie.  She’s a hoot! Today, I was just preparing a simple lunch, but staying upright while driving is tough.  Luckily, I figured out the trick for balancing.  I have to wedge my large butt up against a solid surface! Are you getting the visual?? It’s not pretty – but our lunch was great!

I decided on 3 personal goals for this year’s road trip. First, I want to spend more time outside.  I love our RV so much, that often I just get caught up in the comfort of the couch and the flat screen.  I want to be outdoors as much as possible.  After all, it IS called “camping”!!  Second, I need to exercise as much as possible – in all different ways – every single day.  Enough said.  And third – I need to get to bed earlier than the usual 2 or 3 a.m.  You will be thrilled to know – so far, so good.  I am on track on all 3.  Of course, it should be noted that today is day ONE.

As many of you know, we are traveling with all THREE Zirins this year!  It is exciting, and really is a different dynamic.  I know I haven’t mentioned Mikaela much in today’s entry.  There is a very good reason.  Here is your Public Service Announcement for July 29th:

There is a fairly new vaccine by the name of Trumenba.  It protects against Meningitis B. Meningitis B is a form of invasive meningococcal disease.  This is a bacterial infection that attacks the brain and the spinal cord.  Rutgers University, where Mikaela will be studying and living in September, wants all incoming freshman to have the vaccine.  In typical Rutgers fashion, we were told in June that students need the first two doses before they start the Fall Semester.  Additionally, the doses must be 60 days apart. Do the math, friends – it doesn’t leave much wiggle room.  Mikaela, as almost all High School seniors, was busy just about every day in June.  So, with very little time to spare, we ran to get dose number 1 on Tuesday night, before we left.  And she has had a typical, but pretty bad reaction to the injection.  She is in a good deal of pain in her entire arm.  She is fatigued, weak, and doesn’t want to pick her head off the pillow.  She has some chills, and some low grade fever. She has no appetite, is really cranky, and generally cruddy.  EVERY ONE of these symptoms is considered normal.  I hope she improves by tomorrow, because day 1 for her was spent asleep and miserable. I am angry that I willingly put this into my daughter. However, we understand its importance.  For those of you facing the possibility of this inoculation in the future, I wish you good luck.  You just might need it.

Now we come to today’s trivia question.  I had one earlier today; it had to do with North and South Carolina. The question wondered they were ever just known as “Carolina”, and, if so, what caused them to separate?  However, Rich, the SOCIAL STUDIES teacher, told me it was a dull, boring history question.  Oh well, you are what you eat – err – teach!  So, with further observations along the way, here we go.  As we were driving down the highway in Virginia, we passed a sign for an upcoming town by the name of “Skippers”.  Here’s my question: In Pop Culture, name 2 famous “Skipper”s.  Answer in tomorrow’s blog! (BTW – Rich couldn’t answer this one.  Go me.)  Our trivia question from Memorial Day was an easy one: What candy does English Toffee Ice Cream incorporate into its deliciousness? The answer is a Heath Bar – guessed correctly by friend Lew, in first place, and friend Sue, a close second.

Here are a few pics from today.  See you tomorrow.

Marla, Rich and a very pookey-faced Mikaela