Signer of The Declaration

Coming into Hilton Head on Day 1 of a recent trip, we spotted this sign on the right side of route 278. We spotted the sign as we pasted and so turned around at the next wide spot to see what it was. I don't recall seeing this on our first trip to Hilton Head, last year. However, if you're clipping along it's easy to zip right past. We hadn't yet even checked into our condo so stopped only briefly to get a photo and read the sign. Signer of The Declaration, that's impressive.

At the time this tree covered little land with a gate appeared to be private property, and was right next to a small house or house trailer as I recall. We didn't follow the inviting country lane. Though we should have. Apparently the remains of White Hall Plantation and a family cemetery where Thomas Heyward, Jr. is buried is here. This is on the list of things to explore further on our next trip. Yes...we already have a 3rd trip planned to Hilton Head. There is so much to see and do two trips weren't enough.

Signer of The Declaration, POW, slave owner, Captain of a militia. There is much to read about this man. Here's a nice biography and photo/etching of him. CLICK HERE.
And more information along with his burial site is HERE

I didn't follow my own advice here, to check things out and not be in a hurry; but we were in a hurry to get to the condo, check in and unpack; as we had dinner reservations and time wasn't on our side. And normally I would have taken time to look this up while there on the island. Somehow I forgot. Moral, slow down and don't try to put too much in one day. Getting there, checking in, unpacking, grocery shopping, and dinner reservations........too much.

Who's Slacks are these? Drycleaning and Packing

The Traveling Suitcase just got back from an interesting and fun trip to Hilton Head. Let me share this story and subsequent packing tip as a result.

We had reservations at a nice restaurant and so I was changing to prepare to go "out" for dinner. Had a lovely hand made jacket purchased at a art fare, dressy slacks, jewelry all laid out and ready. As I slipped the slacks on I was puzzled. They were hiphuggers. I NEVER wear hip huggers, hate them...even know their stylish. I think everyone looks nicer in something that actually comes to your waste; and for me something that actually comes to your waste is far more comfortable too. I looked again at the slacks, groaned, and thought were these slacks hubby had purchased for me somewhere along the line that I had forgotten were hiphuggers? Ok, well...guess I just wear my top out. No one will see they don't look as nice, I guess; I'll just be uncomfortable. ...sigh... WAIT, that's not possible! These slacks aren't mine. Zipped they don't fit, in fact as I then look at the label (not a brand I buy), they are several sizes too big! They still have the dry cleaner tag on them. I remember now taking them off the hanger, out of the nice plastic dry-cleaner bag before packing. Great, I have a nice pair of slacks I can't wear with me.

Luckily, I had a nice pair of dressy blue jeans and that's what I wore. Though it really irritated me. I don't like wearing jeans to go out. I know it's stylish and many consider it cool, dark jeans dressy etc. I really don't and it makes me feel like I'm not dressed appropriately. I've been told these jeans are nice and dressy and I'm trying to adopt that, just not quite there yet. lol

Moral of the story, and thus a new packing tip If you take something out of a dry cleaning bag to pack check it out FIRST!! It's been quite awhile since I've picked up anything from the cleaners so no clue how long ago it was, or even which of the several cleaners it was. Question still remains, does someone have my slacks, or are the ones I thought I packed still at home?

Several days later, hubby and I made a shopping venture so I could purchase another pair of black slacks for our last night of vacation. We always make that our "special" night out and jeans were most definitely not appropriate for this restaurant.

Escaping the Snow

Escaping the snow in Central Ohio, hubby and I headed south a few days ago. A man that used to work with hubby told him once he wanted to strap a snow shovel to the hood of his car and drive south until someone wondered what the item was...he would then know, he'd gone far enough south.

Well, we didn't exactly do that, but we did leave town to get away from the snow and the cold and the winter. As we headed south we lunched at Sonic Burger. Have never eatten there, and probably won't again. Strange place. Seems they can't decide if they want to be a fast food place or an old style car hop type place. It filled the tank and let us travel on, but it's not a place I would recommend nor a place I care to eat at again.

A tip for traveling in your car this time of year, once you've filled your window washer fluid, put the bottle in your car so you can refill. You definitely use lots of it this time of year with snow, road junk being thrown up, and salt.

Our first stop was Charlotte, North Carolina. We didn't take anytime to explore there, just pasted through. Though last year (about this same time), we did stop in a very historic cemetery (even though there was snow on the ground). It's called Pioneer Cemetery. Am also hopeful we'll stop on the way back north this trip so I can see it, explore it a bit without the snow. Thus far, we've faired better this year in our escape the snow trip then we did this time last year. It's 30 degrees warmer here then it is at home, that's worth a smile. Temps at home where minus 2 degrees as we departed Charlotte to head further south....Hilton Head next stop.

Happy New Year and What will be the future of Traveling Suitcase?

First let me say belated Merry Christmas to all who's blog I never made it to in order to wish you the best; and Happy New Year to all. I hope you've all been able to spend quality time with loved ones celebrating whatever holiday is your special one. I hope you've all been safe in your travels.

The Traveling Suitcase hasn't been updated in sometime. The longest time, actually since it began. Life has been busy, work has been busy, work on my other blogs has been busier than normal; and I've been hustling trying to knit and crochet as much as possible for the homeless (through my Bridge and Beyond Blog)

I'm very inactive these days with regard to EC and am unsure whether or not I'll be deleting my membership there. Apoligies for not returning drops with the same zeal as I have in the past. It seems when I've looked in, many are not active. I'm not sure there's much point with all the changes, they surely have diluted the orginal intent and fun of the program.

I have much still to tell you about regarding the trip to Mexico and a few other places where I've traveled. And Flat Stanley has lots of interesting things to share, he too has been busy.

Travel safe my friends if you're traveling throughout the remainder of the holiday.

Not a typical day at The Beach, Manzanillo Mexico

Once again the order I wanted on the blog seems to be an issue. Apologies that they aren't in the nicest order. Two friends here, one still wearing a party hat. Not a typical day at the beach. Not for me anyway. A normal day at the beach might be a packed lunch/packed cooler and a couple of beach towels and or beach chairs. This is doing it up in style folks. One might ask who's crocked here, those in the photo's (see drinks in hands), or the photographer. lol
Our table area in the shade of a Palapa, table cloth, and real dishes in the foreground with the bar area further back. The staff prepares the area then transported us there for a wonderful day at the beach with fabulous food and drink.
Real silverware, cloth napkins; so much nicer than paper and plastic. And when you see the food they prepared for us....truly the real stuff is needed.
Villa Paraiso has access to this private beach. The day we were there, we were the only ones. The town of Manzanillo is off in the distance there. We're in the vicinity here of where the movie 10 was filmed. I'd show you a picture of me running the beach, looking like Bo Derek's look alike...except I'm taking the pictures you see. lol
The Shrimp, Chicken, and Beef Kabobs were fabulous.
An attempt to get all 9 of us in our party hats failed, but you can still see how festive everyone was in their special sombrero's.
Food view with chilled adult beverages.
In case you wonder how to show you're having a good time, use this photo as your guide. Here forward this picture will appear in Websters under the words Party Hats.
This is the bath house which was quite large and very nice. There were lots of tables inside, and facilities for concessions which I believe are open during the "in season". We were there just 1 week before the "in season".