A group of 40 senior citizens, many of them members of First Baptist Church of Glennville, recently embarked on a nine-day journey to Cape Cod, Martha's Vineyard, and Plymouth, Massachusetts, along with other stops of interest. Several travelers new to the Glennville First Baptist Diamond Tours were welcomed. The trip was under the coordination of Shelma Kitchens.
Those on the trip included from Glennville: Shelma Kitchens, Brenda Crosby, Gary Yawn, Shirley Yawn, Mary Dowdy, Julie Dasher, Steve Stiegman, Gloria Dubberly, Lisa Waters, Debbie Tatum, Elaine Conner, Princeton Pirkle, Holly Burkhalter, Janice Brannen, Sharon Clark, Johnny Griner, Jerri Griner, Wanda Guyett, and Pam Waters; from Reidsville, Shelva Jean Meguiar; from Baxley: Donna Odum, Marilyn Mincey, Pamela Davis, Nancy Stapleton; from Claxton: Linda Blalock, Wanda Blalock, JoAnn Strickland, and Wynette Burkhalter; from Midway, Julie Neal; from St. Simons Island, Joann Moore; from Savannah, Marcia Kelso, Jackie Griner, and Jan Johnson; from Richmond Hill, Kim Rowden; from Jesup, Lindy Holloway; from Collins, Keller Wilcox and Susan Anderson; from Hinesville, Linda Ward; from Lawrenceville, Lucy Boatright; and from Colorado Springs, Colorado, Carol Baker.
The comfortable motorcoach left Glennville under the capable driver, Robee Poole, of Orlando, Florida, the morning of Saturday, September 21, 2024. The first stop was at Rocky Mount, North Carolina, where the group enjoyed lunch and a few minutes of shopping at the mall. After the evening meal at K&W Cafeteria that evening, a restful night was spent at the Comfort Inn in Petersburg, Virginia.
The travelers arrived at the National Harbor in Oxon Hill, Maryland, where they enjoyed a seafood lunch on their own in one of the many waterfront restaurants. Many shopped at the 150 retailers and took a ride on the Capital Wheel that soars 180 feet above the Potomac River, with a beautiful view. The works of art along the riverfront were especially appealing and perfect for photos. The branches of military service were represented along with historical political leaders, inventors, and Hollywood stars in iron sculptures.
The next stop was for an early dinner at Bertucci's in Newark, Delaware, and then on to the Hilton in Princeton, New Jersey, where the group rested in anticipation of another full day on Monday, September 23.
The afternoon was spent at Olde Mistick Village in Mystic, Connecticut, where they enjoyed the many eclectic shops, snacks, and ice cream.
Another early evening meal was enjoyed at Uno Pizzeria and Grill in Warwick, Rhode Island, and then arrival at their next four nights of lodging at the Wellfleet Motel and Lodge in Cape Cod.
Several gave dubious looks as they exited their motorcoach at the Wellfleet lodging that evening around 9 p.m. However, the wing of 20 rooms together was situated behind the actual motel and restaurant. The setting was quiet, all were together in the same area, and the rooms were the most spacious and comfortable on the trip.
On Tuesday, September 24, the group were provided a guided bus tour of Hyannis and Sandwich, where they stopped at the JFK Museum, an exhibit designed to open a window on the days JFK spent on Cape Cod. Next stop was a visit to the John F. Kennedy Memorial in Hyannis, and then a stop to the quaint and historic village of Sandwich, ending the day with a relaxing dinner.
The following day of Wednesday, September 25, was another full one of sightseeing. The group arrived at the Island Queen Ferry in Falmouth, Massachusetts, where they boarded the boat for picturesque Martha's Vineyard. The travelers, upon their arrival at Oak Bluff on Martha's Vineyard Island, enjoyed free time and lunch on their own on this famous getaway island. Many visited the unique shops and historical sites while also enjoying lobster and other seafood at one of the many quaint waterfront restaurants.
The temperatures were comfortable and only a bit cooler than South Georgia, with 60s and 70s dominating most of the days, perfect for a light jacket or sweater.
On day six of the trek, Thursday, September 26, the guide took the group on a tour of the Outer Cape where a group photo was taken at the Eastham Windmill. This is the oldest windmill on Cape Cod; it was constructed in Plymouth in 1680 and moved to Eastham in 1793. Other stops were to the Cape Cod National Seashore, Race Point Visitor Center, and the Marconi Station with its spectacular "ocean to bay" view across the entire cape.
Another stop pointed out where the movie Jawswas filmed in 1974 at Martha’s Vineyard, and many recalled the movie and when they saw it. Many of those on the tour admitted they never again ventured into the ocean water over knee-deep after watching this famous movie.
One of the interesting sites for many in the group was the 1877 Nausett Lighthouse, with the picture of this 1877 iconic red, white, and black lighthouse overlooking the water on Eastham shown on the front of the bags of Cape Cod Kettle Cooked Potato Chips.
Thursday, September 26, was the final day on the Cape, ending at the Grand Cafe in Hyannis.
Friday morning, September 27, the group boarded the motorcoach, only to discover that cell phone service was chiefly unavailable to their families who were reeling from the onslaught of Hurricane Helene, which had struck Tattnall in the early morning hours of Friday. One can imagine the panic associated with the inability to converse with husbands, wives, children, and grandchildren to be assured of their safety.
The travelers, en route home, made a visit to the famous Plymouth Memorial State Park, and home to Plymouth Rock, which is the historical disembarkation site of the Mayflower Pilgrims who founded Plymouth Colony in December 1620.
After a night's stay at the Inn at Fox Chase in Bensalem, Pennsylvania, on Saturday, the travelers enjoyed a self-guided tour of The Walters Art Museum in Baltimore, Maryland. It was overwhelming in its four floors of art and artifacts from Early Byzantine art to Renaissance and baroque art to contemporary ceramics.
However, on Sunday, September 29, all agreed to leave earlier than scheduled so as to arrive home hours before the slated time. All were eager to greet their families and see the impact of Helene on their communities.
Coordinator Shelma Kitchens was gracious in accommodating any special needs of the tourists, and no one became ill with COVID (as on a previous trip) or any other ailment, with the exception of one sprained knee. God blessed the travelers and brought them safely back home to Glennville, Georgia. All were appreciative of their superb coach driver, Robee Poole, too.
