When you travel in the winter it’s pretty much a given you’re going to deal with cold weather.  We know this.  We traveled to Paris in January of 2013 and had a great time, despite the cold. Cold, yes, but Polar Vortex cold?  That’s just pushing it.

No Warmth in Charleston

We sure didn’t find any warmth in Charleston, South Carolina!  I think this picture is worth more than 1,000 words and it pretty much sums up the wickedly cold weather in Charleston.

I sent this photo to my monkey sister who responded with, “Holy Shit!  Honey, what are the chances you’d pick a road trip perfectly timed with weather nobody has seen in over 100 years.”  I’d say that pretty much sums it up!

Yes, that is a frozen fountain

Yes, that is a frozen fountain!

Polar Vortex Cold

As much as I was looking forward to visiting Charleston, I would have been perfectly happy to stay curled up in our hotel room for the day.  Abi dragged me out encouraged me to leave the lovely warmth of our room. We spent several hours braving the cold in downtown Charleston.  Depending on what news source one listened to, the temperature never got above 33 – 36 degrees, but either way it was damn cold!

See the frozen fountain in this lovely garden?

See the frozen fountain in this lovely garden?

Yesterday morning when it was only 31 degrees at 11:00 a.m., I begged suggested we skip Charleston polar vortex day two and hit the road south.   It was cold in Little Rock, it was cold in D.C., but for some reason the cold in Charleston kicked my butt.

A blanket of snow in Washington D.C.

A blanket of snow in Washington D.C.

Swamps & Motor Homes

We programmed Susie GPS to guide us toward St. Augustine, Florida, about five hours south, and after a quick stop for a not so good bagel, but by far the best chai latte I’ve had since leaving home, we were on the road again.  First, we drove the coastal length of Georgia and then we crossed into Florida; the land of swamps and motor homes.

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The only thing on my mind is finding some warm air!

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Florida is open for business!

White Caps & Pounding Surf

But look what we found in Florida and look at those white caps on the pounding surf!  I think we’re getting closer, but no sun yet!

Vilano Beach 1

Vilano Beach near St. Augustine, Florida

Despite the weather, this has been and will continue to be an epic road trip and the weather is just one chapter in the book.  This is an incredibly diverse country with a rich history and we’re having quite the adventure taking each day one road at a time.  I hope you’ll stay with us!

What’s the coldest vacation experience you’ve had?

 

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