Goal: Hardeeville, SC
Overnighting in the South Carolina Welcome Center truck parking turns out to be better than we expected, that or we were more tired than we realized. While both of us woke up, when the truck parked next to us had its flat tire replaced, we were back asleep when it left. Deryl woke next when a refrigerator truck pulled in to the slot. Rob woke when the refrigerator truck pulled out and was quickly replaced with a different (and quieter) truck. Otherwise we slept through the night.
In the morning the parking lot was mostly empty as the trucks were back moving goods along the way to their destinations.
As you can see from the above photo, we did not open our kitchen slide, and only partially opened the bedroom slide. The trailer and truck were also parked diagonally in the parking space to help protect the protruding slide.
With the slides only partially deployed, and no other hookups, we were able to get back underway quickly. Now off to find breakfast!
We discover that there is a Pilot truck stop at the Hardeeville exit, and across the street is a Waffle House. We are able to fill Clyde and ourselves conveniently.
Waffle Houses are interesting, and reliable. EVERY Waffle House is laid out the same. Like all chains the menu is the same. However, unlike fast food restaurants, Waffle House’s menus are all cooked to order fresh food. We do wonder how many millions of eggs the Waffle House chain goes through every day! Deryl found this interesting article about Waffle House, at Waffle House Facts.
Now fed, we elect to spend time driving around the Bluffton & Hardeeville area seeing the area while we wait until check in time.
We discovered that this area of South Carolina is built with tree lined, large multi lane roads. All the housing and shopping is off these major roads and hidden behind the trees so that you don’t see what the neighborhoods look like. Housing is mostly in large gated communities. Each of these large housing development communities feature a golf course or two. Shopping is in large sprawling shopping centers, that are connected by access roads, one shopping plaza to the next.
Check in time at Camp Lake Jasper was not until 1:00 PM, however, the spot we were assigned was open when we arrived early at 12:05 PM.
After setting up camp, we made lunch and settled in quickly. The cats are happy that they are back in the trailer and proceed to enjoy their afternoon siestas. We enjoy relaxing in the warm sun until it is time to shower and change for the evening.
We are meeting our long time friends, David and Claudia Peters at their Bluffton home for cocktails and then going out to dinner with them. Dave had found a South Carolina bourbon called Six & Twenty. Rob, Dave, and Deryl all had a glass of this rich caramel bourbon, while Claudia had her martini.
Their home is a lovely large house located in the Belfair development community. The house backs up to the west golf links, and their living area looks out on a large pond. While we were having cocktails, Deryl watched 2 herons fishing for their dinner, along with a number of colorful small birds at Claudia’s bird feeder.
After cocktails we went to Pour Richard’s in Bluffton for dinner. The food was eclectic and amazing. The chef varies the menu every day based on what is fresh and available. Deryl chose the braised pork cheeks, and Rob had the swordfish. Both were scrumptious.
We enjoyed the entire evening catching up with Dave and Claudia. The evening passed quickly and there was lots of good conversation.
As we are parting with Dave and Claudia, Dave and Rob decide that tomorrow morning would be a good time to put the new Active Airbox into Clyde. Dave has a golf game starting at noon, but is available before that.