Homeward Bound

Today was an entire day of driving and we are both very tired tonight. We'll stay here in Ft. Chiswell RV Park in Max Meadows, VA for a couple of nights before taking on the next leg of our trip home. Our stay in Williamsburg was a wonderful experience though we never did get to the historic Williamsburg tour. Stonewall and Harley went with us just about everywhere we went except out to eat. The day at Yorktown Battlefield was just too much for Stoney and the next day he could not get up on all fours. He was pretty well down the rest of our visit so we did lots of car tours and kept him in the car. That really limits what you can do in terms of sightseeing. We got up one morning and dressed to go to Historic Williamsburg and as we were putting the camera and drinks in our bag to leave Stonewall started crying and trying to get up like he was going with us. That was it for me; we just didn't go. Took the puppies for a ride instead. That's really nuts I know but I just couldn't leave him all day long while we looked at old buildings - which I've actually seen before. Besides, when I was a child I lived in a historic home that was built in the early 1800's. Every time I tour a historic home, I think - "Yep. Just like when I lived in the Saddler House." Harley really enjoyed his tours of Williamsurg, always in the front seat. I have a few more photos I'd like to share but will wait until we get home next week to post them. From here we go back to Pigeon Forge for a couple of days then home on Wednesday. I'm looking forward to being home. This trip has really taught me a lot. Maybe I can make a list once I've had a chance to gather my thoughts. Till later - God bless.

Yorktown Battlefield

This is a view of the York River as you enter the Yorktown area. Hard to imagine plantation home sites in the distance but that is what was there according to the signs. What a view for each morning cup of coffee. Can you see the schooner sailing on the York River. You can take a ride on this ship if you want.

The battlefield is a 16 mile tour through the national park. All along the way you get history lessons. I loved it! The major part of the battle of Yorktown took place in this field which is just outside the visitor's center. I don't understand a lot of the war stuff, but I'm assuming from what I saw yesterday, basically the British were on one side of the field and the Americans and French were on the other side of the field just shooting cannon balls at each other. Amazing to me! This row of cannons if from the American side and you can see the mounds of earth built up to protect the soldiers. I'm sure the camera is putting on about 20 lbs. for me!! (hahaha) . This is the National Cemetery in Yorktown where I think about 2000 soldiers are buried. Only 600 or so were identified. All through the cemetery you see markers for "4 unidentified US soldiers "or sometimes "2 unidentified US soldiers." These were mostly Union soldiers killed in Yorktown. I looked for some of our ancestors but didn't find any. I know Pop has one ancestor that fought in the Revolutionary War but I think he wasn't killed - at least he wasn't here!!! Next is the very spot on which Washington has his headquarters. And here's a shot of the earth mounds used for protection. I can't remember what these were called but there were lots of them. The last photo is of the American fighting position. Lots more pics for family when we get home for now these will have to do. I'm sure I've butchered the American History so please forgive me where I've faulted. Have a great weekend and God bless.

Jamestown Island and Yorktown

We have been really busy seeing the sights which has made it difficult to find time for blogging and besides that the internet connection here just doesn't want to upload my pictures. First, let me take back a little of my harsh comments about this park. The first morning we were here, we stopped by the office and asked if we could be moved to a pull-thru spot closer to the grassy areas. The park owner allowed us to do that and it is like a different world. Plenty of grass for the puppies and some space separating us from the neighbors. There is more electrical power toward the front of the park and the internet is better though not excellent. We have been very pleased with the park since we were moved. In fact so pleased that we extended our stay another five days! I'd say that is really good. So, I recommend if you decide to stay in American Heritage RV Park in Williamsburg - make sure you get a pull thru site- preferably near the end of the row so you have access to grassy areas.

We have been to Jamestown Island and Yorktown and I want to share some pictures of both places. We REALLY enjoyed our visit to both places and especially enjoy the actual historical sites rather than "recreations". We are saving those for next week. Pictures first from Jamestown Island. This is the view from the bridge that connects Jamestown Island to the mainland. In 1607, when the first colony was established an isthmus of land connected the "island" to the mainland excatly where the bridge is located but the isthmus was washed away in the 1700's. I for one, never realized how marshy and wet the area of the first colony was. Just dumb on my part; after all, the original colonist got here by ship and they didn't have lots of cars to go anywhere! According to the information posted along the way, the first to arrive thought this the best forest area they had even seen. And then they began almost immediately to cut away the forest. I'll have to say that someone let a lot of it re-grow because every where you go there is forrest. We drove a loop around the island that has historic markers all along the loop. Nothing but trees and marsh! I actually heard the wind rustling through trees like I haven't heard since I was a child. And the aroma of the air, oh my, wonderful!!! I've never smelled anything like it. It is a sweet smell but not too sweet. Pop says it just smells clean to him but there is a sweetness to it as well. If I had to say, I think it comes primarily from the cedar trees which are huge in the area. As you can see, water, marshes, and forrest everywhere. Six out of seven died from disease and indians. The indians practiced gorilla warfare and the settlers came equipped with guns that took 30 seconds or more to load. Indians could fire 10 arrows in that amount of time so the settlers were easy targets. Gives you a whole new appreciation for the toughness of the first settlers. As we toured the island this is the typical view; water and cattails or forrest. As we drove we came upon a little trail that lead to three marked burial sites. Amazingly, the graves were from the 1600's. It was a husband and wife and someone else but I don't remember who. One of the graves had a skull and crossbones on the marked. I'm sure these were modern markers because they were metal. There were other graves in the area but they were unmarked. The wife was 33 at the time of her death and left four children. The husband was 43 - if I remember correctly. I would highly recommend this little trip for anyone interested in American history. As interesting and amazing as this little bit of history is, the American Revolution is even more interesting to me. The next day which was yesterday - we were on to tour Yorktown. I'll do that trip in a separate post.

Williamsburg, VA

We arrived here in Williamsburg, VA yesterday around 2PM their time. Got an early start and since it was Sunday there was little traffice with which to contend so we had a wonderful drive --until! Until we were directed by Ms. Garmin to exit onto a toll road. Toll was not the worst part; I bet that sucker was half a mile up in the air! And the sides were built up to only about 2 feet (that's my husband's estimate, not mine). You know the issues I have with bridges and height; on my, panic city was not the word for it. I started out of my seat in the front when Pop said, "What are you doing?"! He won't admit it but that bridge was daunting to him as well. So I strapped myself back in the seat not wanting to dessert him in our hour of need. After what seems a long time we came to the toll booth on the top of the bridge! Pop says, "Get out and pay him", handing me his billfold. I took the billfold but just sat there thinking, "Not on your life, Buster. I'm not getting out". Suddenly a sign caught my eye. It said, "Please stay in vehicle". Well, that was enough for me. I told him the sign said stay in the vehicle and I didn't think it would be taken well if I got out. Finally the man in the toll booth motioned him forward a little and assured Pop that he could reach the window. Thankfully, Pop pulled forward to pay the toll. It cost $4.75 to have the you-know-what scared out of me! I'll avoid toll bridges at all cost from now on.

We are staying at American Heritage RV Park in Williamsburg but we are only about 10 miles or so from the historic part of Williamsburg. This park has one of the highest rating I've seen on the internet but we have been very disappointed in it. We are crammed into a back- in spot in the very back of the park though we requested a pull-thru. There are many pull-thru spots vacant but they were being held for reservations. We have two dogs and this is supposed to be a dog friendly park but there is really no place to walk them back here unless we get in the car and take them up to the park entrance. This is the first park we have been in that did not have grassy common areas for pets (or children). Even the poor State Parks we've used in Alabama had more space and grass. Lesson learned, we will not visit this park again. Interior roads are not paved so we have dust or mud. Today is mud. Power voltage just barely adequate to run one air conditioner. The park has nothing to do with this but the weather forecast calls for rain all week. We'll be doing a little sightseeing in the rain. Good thing I love to sleep in the rain! Till later - God bless.

Pilot Mountian, Laurel Hills and the quarry

Today we visited Pilot Mountain State Park which is a really nice park to visit. To get to the observation deck you drive straight up for what seemed a long time and then parked. There was an observation point at the parking lot but there was a trail to walk up, up, and up to get to the top. Now you know I have a thing about heights so I really didn't want to do the up, up, up walk anyway and boy was I glad when a little storm rolled in and we headed for the car. It really is a nice place to visit. Here are some pictures.

This is the characteric top of Pilot Mountain. Pop took these pictures from the observation platforms. Here is the view of the valley below.

Is that not something!!! Remember, Pop took all these pictures. I wouldn't get close enough to the edge to make pictures. We were soaring with the eagles up here.

Can you see the eagle? Then on to Laurel Hills and the quarry.

There are no buildings at Laurel Hills but the house and kitchen areas are roped off so that you can see where they were. From the home site the views are awesome! In the back of the property is the slave graveyard and an overlook of the Ararat River.

I really enjoyed our visit to Laurel Hills. When I was a child I lived for a short while in what is now a historic home built by slaves before the Civil War. The layout of Laurel Hills reminded me of that house except Laurel hills is on top of a hill and the house I lived in was on level ground. Expansive fields surround the house spot and would give a child so much room for play.
This is the largest open quarry in the world and visible from space, so I'm told. Of all we've done this visit to the quarry was my least favorite. That's it for today. If I get all this to upload I'm blessed. Until tomorrow - God bless.

Blue Ridge Parkway, Mt Pilot, Laurel Hills and more

We have been seeing the sights here in and around Mt Airy! Yesterday we drove a little on the Blue Ridge Parkway. What beautiful sights from along the mountain tops. I was amused that some of the "scenic overlooks" didn't overlook anything because the trees have grown so high they obstruct the view. Every once in a while the trees part and clearing allows you to see for miles. We came upon this little park and observation deck on Groundhog Mountain in Virginia. As afraid of heights as I am, I just had to go up the steps.. Just look at the view!

You can see for miles from here. By the way, we've had storms everyday but that hasn't stopped our sight seeing. A little further down the road from this viewing tower we came to Maubry's Mill. I was told it was one of the most photographed grist mills in the US. I was able to walk through the mill and the park but we had the puppies so Pop stayed in the car with them. They could have gone on the trail with us but Stonewall was not walking well yesterday. Here's the mill.

I'm not the best at taking pictures and I didn't get the angle to show you the water on the wheel but believe me, it was there. In fact, they are grinding corn and buckwheat inside. Just for demonstration though - not for consumption.

Today was Pilot Mt. , Laurel Hills where JEB Stuart was born and the granite quarry. I probaby need to do two postings to get the pictures in so let me stop here and do another posting for those pictures.

Mt Airy, NC otherwise known as Mayberry

Greetings from Mt Airy, North Carolina! We are here in the Mayberry Campground on Andy Taylor Blvd. A most beautiful view and an excellent campground. I would highly recommend it to anyone traveling in this area. And it is a bargain for $25 a night. Owners/operator are very nice and helpful.

We visited downtown Mt Airy this morning and saw Floyd's Barber Shop and Opie's Candy Shop, Slappy's Lunch and the Mt Airy Museum. Just so happened they were having and antique car show so we took in a few of those as well. Very hot here so short trip today. More tomorrow - the jail and Andy Griffith Theater.

Here we are on Main Street in downtown Mt Airy. All those cars lined up and backed into the parking spots were part of the antique car show. What really was alarming to me is that I can remember when MOST of them were new. I've even driven a few in my life time so what does that say about me? I must be vintage.

This is Opie's Candy Shop right next to Floyd's Barber Shop.
How long has it been since you have seen one of these old Coca Cola cases? I remember them from my childhood. In fact, downtown Mt Airy reminded me very, very much of the little southern town in which I grew up. In fact, it's my hometown with a purpose! More adventures tomorrow. Hope all these photos will upload. Till later-God bless!

Cades Cove and then to Mt Airy

Yesterday was a trip around the 11 mile scenic loop at Cades Cove. If you've never been there, you can't imagine how beautiful it is. We saw wild turkey and deer but just missed the bear. The loop features mountain views, pastures, several churches and cemeteries. Along the way we passed over creeks and saw a little wild life and beautiful wild flowers. The going is very slow so it takes a while to complete this loop but it is well worth the time and effort.This is one of the fields and mountain views along the loop. There are several old family homesteads and a visitor's center, too.

These folks don't live here, they are just visiting as we were. Of course, we had our puppies with us so we didn't get out. We saw this deer as we drove the loop. Today it was on the Mt Airy, North Carolina. This view just blew us away when we came upon it. It was off interstate 77 in Virginia, not far from Mt Airy. Took this picture through the window of the motorhome. It really does not do the view justice.

And finally, we are here.
Yep, right here on Andy Taylor Blvd. Tomorrow we start to see the sights but tonight, we are ready for bed. Till later - God bless.

We are in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee for one more day and then move on to Mount Airy, NC (aka Mayberry) for a week. We have had several days of rain so we are well rested! Haven't had an opportunity to take lots of photos but I would like to share a few of the sights we have seen. We have visited here so many times that it really doesn't seem like a vacation location to me. Hubby loves the mountains though so here we are. We have both dogs with us and they have seen lots of sights as well. As you can see, when we go for rides, Harley gets the front seat. Lots of people have done a double take when they see him in the front seat and me in the back seat. We are off on our big adventure and I'll try to keep you posted as we go. One thing I've learned is that the free Wi-Fi is a little less than not very reliable. So, if I don't post for a couple of days, I'm having trouble with the Wi-Fi. Hope you enjoy the photos. Till later - God bless!

Can you see Harley's face in the side mirror? He will ride for hours just like this. He's watching for bears!

One of the beautiful vistas from the road over the mountain from Gatlinburg toward Cherokee, NC.

Having trouble uploading picturs. Will do more later, if I can.