Hazel green. The color of the park ranger’s eyes. Unfortunately they were shrouded with dark gray circles. I mused if he was seriously ill. Such a shame, since he appeared to be in his early to mid-thirties. Perhaps I thought this since I’d just escaped the oncology conference I was working… Hmmm…

No matter, there was much to be done before sunset! My eyes wandered around the station, as the ranger made himself busy with the paperwork. Actually computer work. How did camping become so high-tech? I guess this adventure celebrating the coming of my 50^th complete trip around the sun, was indeed showing my age.

The room was saturated with stuffed owls, hawks, snakes and the like. I was getting excited about being back one with nature!

"Well… you’re all set." Hazel eyes stated. I wondered if I could make this man smile.

Then he warned me about my selected campsite.

"You’re staying in a tent, right?"

I nodded.

"Sometimes we get complaints about the road noise from A1-A. I have other sites available, since you’re just staying the one night."

I left the ranger station armed with a map of the campsites, with the available units marked. Carefully surveying the area, I found a delightful surprise. One of the sites had a gorgeous tree situated in the middle. What a great site for young children wanting to climb a tree!

I returned to the ranger station to have him sort out the details and returned to set up camp. The sun was beginning to set, so I had to make haste. I chuckled to myself as I got out the tent. The last time I’d set this up, it was for the Halloween Spook Fest that’s an annual event in my yard. This past year we’d made this tent the scene setting for the "Barbie Masaquere". Aaaaa!!! The horror of it all.

Still laughing to myself, my cell phone started ringing. I was relieved to know that I’d have some communication with the outside world if necessary, but the timing was not the best. Then I realized it was my neighbor calling. He’s the one that instigates the Halloween event each year. Coincidence… I think not… We chatted for just a bit about tomorrow night’s Leap Day party. Heck, it only happens once every four years. One ought to have a party for that!

So, I continued setting up camp and finished just after sunset. I took a short walk around the park ensuring I could find the facilities later on when I really needed them!

I’d driven from Hilton Head, South Carolina earlier in the day, stopping off in Savannah for lunch. I just love the ambiance and history of that city and hated to just drive by without stopping. I was amazed at how busy the little town was so late in February and on a Thursday, no doubt! Having difficulty finding a parking space, I was just about to give up and leave the area, when I spotted a fun sign… "Debi’s Restaurant". Well… perhaps I should give that a whirl. Then I noticed 2 parking spaces available right in front of the entrance. This was too good to pass up!

As I neared the door, I noticed it was truly an antique. You could see the years of wear that it donned proudly. I was already in love with this place. Since it was nearly 2:30, the place was mostly vacant, but a few locals were hanging on and the wait staff were setting down to enjoy their meal.

"Sit anywhere you’d like," one of the servers said warmly.

As I settled in, I started studying the menu of "Today’s Specials" Fried Chicken, Chopped Steak, and Baked Ham. Sides included collard greens, mac and cheese, black eyed peas with green beans, speckled lima beans, mashed potatoes and much more. Oh my… I was going to love this place!

After placing my order, I further studied my surroundings. What a funky place this was. Small ‘booths’ (two seaters) lined one wall and many tables filled the wide open room. Several murals depicted windows with flowers fields "outside".  A bar was situated in the corner and you could almost hear the laughter of decades of fun wafting through the room. No time for a drink now, I had 2 more hours to drive!

I finally asked my waitress what was so special about Debi’s Restaurant. She realized I wasn’t a local when I’d asked to see the regular menu. She said they had originally been situated in a different building in the 1970’s, but had moved to this location in the early ‘90s. "And… they also shot some of ‘Forest Gump’ here," she said proudly.

I said I had been moved to come in since my name was Debey. She quipped that her Mom’s name was Debi. I wondered if she was the owner, Debi… and later on the other servers talked to her as if that were true.

What a great meal and a fun place to watch people! I plan to return the next time I’m in Savannah!

Back to the campsite, I thought how much I was going to enjoy my leftover ham for breakfast!

I headed out to find some firewood, since I thought I might need more than I’d packed. It was to go down to 32 degrees tonight and I knew I’d want a long-lasting campfire to ward off the cold.

I hiked down a trail for a bit and scored a few dead branches. After securing them, I decided I didn’t need to completely ‘rough it’, so I headed back down the highway to the "Sand Dollar" for a nice seafood dinner. Something warm I was thinking…

Dining alone is something I’m getting used to. Since my husband, Eric, had to leave town for a job, I’ve had to make do on my own. I think I’m getting the hang of it after almost 2 years. Still… the look you get from the hostesses. I always have to repeat that there’s ‘just one’. But they were friendly enough.

Had a great dinner of Grouper topped with Maryland Blue Crab, shrimp, mushrooms, and artichokes in a cream sauce. Yum! That should keep me fueled for the night.

I was very excited to get back to camp to start the fire. And a great fire it was! I’ve always loved campfires. They’re my favorite part of camping. Sometimes I won’t launder for days, just so I can inhale the campfire smell from the clothes. Aaaahhhh.

I thought I’d be lonely watching the fire, since this is the first time I’ve ever camped alone, but it was great to be able to just relax by the fire and not worry about making conversation.

The big tree made a canopy template as I looked up at the stars. They looked like someone had poked pinholes in the sky and light from another solar system was poking through. As I relaxed there I could actually sense the stars ‘moving’ through the template – disappearing and reappearing through another part of the template.

It brought to mind those astronomers of long ago. Without television to interrupt their gazing nightly at the stars, they were able to determine the slight differences in the path the stars made each night. I don’t think I could have ever figured that out… I will always be amazed by astronomers!

Well… the evening is growing long now. I’m very grateful for the space heater in the tent. It will make this cold bearable.

More later on the cycling!!!