The South

2,300+ miles, $200 in gas, 5 states, 4 nights, 3 friends, 2 students, 1 more final, and 0 dead presidents. Our last big trip of the year and probably for a while (Ali and Lincoln start full-time jobs in January) was a blast! It was the first time we left without planning every detail out. We knew we wanted to visit Ft. Sumter and Ali's friend, Melissa, in Florida. The rest of the trip was to be planned as we went.



Day 1: We woke up at 4 AM to avoid any and all traffic in the DC area. After Sumter we drove to Florida and stayed with Melissa.


Day 2: Melissa gave us a tour of the coolest Science Museum ever. We had tons of fun playing with all the gadgets. Melissa even let us pet a horseshoe crab.

Lincoln powering up home appliances

Ali found a hurricane simulator and couldn't resist

After the science museum we took a boat tour of Wakulla Spring site of filming for Tarzan and Creature from the Black Lagoon (classics from the 50's). The only downer of the boat ride was NO ALLIGATORS! Apparently it was too cold and cloudy for them.










Day 3: We found out that one of Lincoln's friends from college lived in Georgia, so what did we do? Drove up to see them of course. They lived in a small town in Georgia. We really felt like we were in the South while we were with them. They told us all about the War of Northern Aggression, what slavery had meant to the South, and why southern states still fly the Confederate flag. It was fascinating to hear everything from a southern perspective

They took us to a plantation near their home where descendants of slaves still live and work for the same families that had been their ancestors' masters.

Talk about the perfect site for a horror film.

After a southern-style lunch of pulled pork we headed back to Florida to meet up with Mitch and Karina.

This was probably Ali's favorite day because we found some outlet stores and she and Karina went to town, while Mitch and Lincoln found their way over to the electronics store.


Day 4: We slept in after a late night of Halo (for the guys) and talking (for the girls), and made our way to St. George Island State Park to camp with Melissa and friends.

On the drive over we stopped at a popular flea market and Ali found some treausures.

We took our time getting to the campground, but got some amazing pictures of the full moon on the way over.

Camping with Melissa and friends

Day 5: Turns out Florida gets really cold at night! Lucky for us we had our trusty Coleman tent. It was our first time sleeping in it!

An amazing pic of the beach!
Artistic Ali


After packing up camp we headed back to DC and our last final!

Happy Holidays from theDCEssigs