What do retired Michiganders do during the winter? Travel to Florida. Randy and I joined the throng this year for our first ever retirement trek. We decided we were going to be vagabonds with no true destination in mind or hotel reservation. This was really a change for me since I like to have plans.
We did know we did not want to travel the I-75 route since we have made that trip too many times, with too many other vehicles on the road. We wanted this trip to be leisurely.
We left our home and did go to Cleveland for a couple of days to see grandkids, and of course children. From there we caught I-77 and traveled through the mountains of West Virginia. It was a beautiful ride. There was just enough snow on the ground and trees to make the journey beautiful.
Around every curve it was inspiring.
The advantage of having no time frame is the ability to stop whenever the moment hit us. For us, that first night stop was in Elkin, North Carolina.
If you are traveling I-77 the Fairfield Inn and Suites here are my recommendation. The staff are friendly and helpful and the rooms are large and clean. It is also located close to a shopping area.
That night we went for dinner at Twenty One and Main Street Restaurant and Wine Bar. What a great restaurant in historic downtown Elikn!
The following day our travels took us to Savannah, Georgia. If you have never been there, I highly recommend it. From their river walkway, historic downtown, and many parks it is a unbelievably cool city.
It is everything I hoped for, from growing up reading Gone with the Wind. They have managed to bring it into the 21st century while still maintaining the southern ambiance.
Upcoming: Jacksonville, St. Augustine and Blue Springs State Park.
Photo Credits: Randy Heath
Disclosure: This was a trip we took on our own dime. Nothing was provided. We just wanted to share our experiences with others.
i love road trips. there is so much to see when you take a road trip. i love checking out the beautiful scenery!
The Mid-west Cold is far from florida heat for sure !:)
Would love to travel to Florida for the winter!
I want to visit Florida someday
i love Florida
Love reading about your trips and your facebook post
!
I live in Central Florida and we are always looking for things to do on our “staycations”
Gave some good ideas and we’ve never been there. I’m originally from California and tend to find Florida a bit boring. I’m going to keep these areas in mind.
What a nice trip. So many historic things to see and do. I still want to visit there some day!
I have never been to Savannah. I would love to. The pictures are gorgeous!
Our weather here makes us want to travel south too in the winter~!
Funny, this Floridian often heads to Michigan for summer vacations! We loved Savannah — don’t miss the old Bonaventure Cemetery.