NC Zoo

Another beautiful, sunny day!  It's been in the 40s at night and 70s during the day with plenty of sunshine.  Lovely.

On the way to the North Carolina Zoo I stopped at the North Carolina Aviation Museum & Hall Of Fame.  It is actually at the airport in Asheboro.  It houses a myriad of retired aircraft and flight memorabilia.  Not usually my "thing," but since NC is the history of flight, I thought it only fitting.

On to the zoo ....

As I'm walking up to the ticket window, there are dozens of adults standing around, waiting .... I asked one of the employees if there was something I should know.  He said they were waiting for kids .... 1800 of them would be coming from the local schools for a field trip day. Oh goody.

The zoo is divided into two parts ... North America and Africa; each with their own admission and entrance.  Since I was at the North America booth, I purchased that ticket (maybe the kids weren't going to Africa?  Didn't think to ask.)  Not a big zoo .... a stroll, reading all the placards, took 1 1/2 hours.  None of the animals were "out" except the Polar Bear, and he was on his way back to his cave.

The elephants are statues outside the entrance.  The real ones were in Africa, I assume.

When I was leaving, the same employee said they were expecting even more kids tomorrow. I guess I picked a good day.

On the way home I drove to Cedar Falls; The first cotton mill in North Carolina was built in Randolph County in 1828. Cedar Falls "produced more cotton cloth for the Confederacy than any other mill" in the state.  I even took a picture of the post office.  ha.

A couple of campground observations today .....the camp site across the road from me is currently empty (when I got back), but it has had 5 different coaches parked there since I've been here.  No one seems to stay longer than a day or two.  I won't take it personally.  ha.

The couple on the passenger side of my coach are both gone all day ... hence the 3 vehicles they arrived with.  They must work. 

Lastly, the site on the driver side of my coach has been empty of people (a trailer is there) until today.  Three cars pulled up full of small children and a leaf blower!  A man has been out there blowing leaves off of the campsite for 1/2 hour so far .... what's the deal with that??  Now he's pounding something ....  Oh goody, now he's hanging lights everywhere.  It's going to be a long weekend I fear.

I spent most of the day planning my Tennessee excursions.  I think I will be staying around Knoxville for a couple of weeks, so I have trips to Knoxville, Gatlinburg, Jonesborough, and the Great Smokey Mountain State Park.  Of course, Dollywood in on the list; That should be very interesting!  I'll keep you posted.

Drive #2 in North Carolina (I think I have 5 planned ..)

They paint the TV antenna dishes at this campground .... this is the one across the drive

I put up my Canadian map .... wow, Canada is so much BIGGER.... ha

I only saw two "small" sections of Quebec, but, as I was there more than 2 weeks, I got to include it on my map. 

This is me.

My first stop today was this Shell station in Winston-Salem.  This relic is the last station standing out of eight built by Quality Oil to sell Shell gasoline.

I drove to Old Salem.  Old Salem was established in 1766 by Protestant missionaries from Germany and was the first commercial center in the interior of North Carolina. The historic district encompasses about 100 restored homes and shops, most of which are private.  It was very interesting to see the buildings .... 15 are open for tour.  It was also interesting that a block away from the end of this area is a very modern court house and judicial buildings.

I did see this when leaving the area ....

Actor Andy Griffith was raised in the town of Mount Airy (Mayberry), where he lived from his early years up until his high school graduation.

Built in the 1940s, the 12 ft. milk carton simply known as "The Giant Milk Carton" was created to advertise to passers-by on Highway 52. Though the carton was originally owned by Coble Dairy, the carton now belongs to the Pet Milk company.

Dating back as far as the 1940s, Dairi-O serves up classic American fast-food fare with an old-school flair.

 Before lunch I visited the Horne Creek Farm.  It was built in 1900, though at that time it was known as the Hauser family farm. Today, visitors to the historic site can see the "family's original farm house, a tobacco curing barn, a corn crib, adjacent fields under cultivation, and even a heritage apple orchard".  They had a corn-shucking festival the prior Saturday - I wish I'd known.

The pictures below are from Historic Bethabara Park.  Founded in 1763, Bethabara was the first Moravian settlement in North Carolina.  I had not heard of the Moravians before, so I found it very interesting.  This was our country's first socialist commune.

The restored 1782 Potter's House is the oldest brink house in Forsyth County.

The restored 1788 Gemeinhaus is the only remaining German 18th century church with attached living quarters.

My next adventure is leading me east ... to the North Carolina Zoo in Asheboro .... and maybe Bojangles, Cook Out, or the Waffle House for dinner.  :)  Part of the experience is trying the local food!

Tar Heel

I see references to "Tar Heel" as I travel this part of the North Carolina and wondered what the significance was ...  I asked at the History Museum and the docent confirmed this information:

Tar Heel is a nickname applied to the U.S. state of North Carolina and its inhabitants.
The exact etymology of the nickname is unknown, but most folklore believe its roots come from the fact that tar, pitch, and turpentine created from the vast pine forests were some of North Carolina's most important exports early in the state's history. For a time after the American Civil War, the name Tar Heel was derogatory, but it was later re-appropriated by the people of North Carolina. Because the exact history of the term is unknown, a number of legends have developed to explain it. One such legend claims it to be a nickname given during the U.S. Civil War, because of the state's importance on the Confederate side, and the fact that the troops "stuck to their ranks like they had tar on their heels". The term "Tar Heel" gained popularity during the Civil War.

I stopped here to eat .... it is very close to the campground and I heard it had great Barbecue.   I ordered a "BBQ salad" and this was what I received ..... shredded lettuce on a plate, rimmed with a cut tomato, topped with shredded cheese and a mound of BBQ pork shoulder, chopped .... served with Ranch dressing, more BBQ sauce, and crackers.  It was very rich!  I could only eat half, but it was good.

I was talking to the waitress about the slaw .... Sandee said that they put it on the sandwiches unless you request it to be left off.  She confirmed that they did; also that there was a choice between red and white slaw.  The red slaw is made with a ketchup base, rather than mayonnaise.  I'm not sure I can even try that.  ha.

First drive in North Carolina

Another beautiful day here in North Carolina.  It started out in the mid-60s and rose to a high of mid-80s today.  I'm told that is about 12 degrees warmer than the norm.

Jamestown boasts having an 85-ft. tall highboy, which has earned the title of the World's Largest Piece of Furniture.

Built in 1926, the World's Largest Chest of Drawers were created as a nod to "the Home Furnishings Capital of the World" High Point.

The World's Largest Duncan Phyfe Chair was built in 1950 in Thomasville. The chair is 30 feet tall.

I stopped at the Historical Museum in Greensboro to learn about the area.  Did you know Vicks VapoRub was invented here?  ha.
It is known as the Gate City because of the history in bringing the railroad into the South.   And because of the cotton mills, denim got it's start.

Slavery and Civil Rights history

And then onto the Old Mill of Guilford

The Old Mill of Guilford was built in 1767. Today, the mill is still used for its original purpose: to "produce all-natural, stone-ground, whole grain foods".

For a fun stop .... Korner's Folly, a 22-room mansion designed by Jule Gilmer Korner.  Built on 3 floors and 7 levels, the rooms feature a variety of ceiling heights and architectural curiosities such as hidden nooks, trap doors and pivoting windows.

I had more stops planned, but with the attractions going to "winter hours" they are only open a short day.  As it was, I got to Korner's Folly at 3:30pm and the last tour was at 3pm, so I have to make another trip back.

I'm finding it interesting to watch the other campers setting up and tearing down.  I wonder if I'm that entertaining when I'm doing it. 

This afternoon, in the site next to me, a truck pulling a 5th wheel "tried" to back in to the site.  I'm not sure if having the wife out there directing helps or hinders.  ha.  After they got parked, they opened the back of the trailer and drove out a golf cart (apparently it is designed as a toy hauler), and then went to get their car .... so they have 3 vehicles for the two of them.  I'm seeing road construction workers who are staying in camp grounds when traveling for work, but I think this was just over kill with the vehicles.

Another interesting part of watching others set up camp is that often the woman is doing most of the heavy lifting.  It makes me wonder why people think it is so "admiral" that I do it all myself ....

North Carolina

I had a little mishap this morning.  Last week when I backed into my site at the campground in Virginia, there was a ditch and then an incline into the site; my hitch dug a little groove as I backed up.  It also tweaked my rock guard.  Today when I pulled out, the rock guard was so bent it was dragging on the ground.  The maintenance man was kind enough to remove it for me (and recycle the metal).  Now I have to have a new one installed at the next Winnebago dealer I find.

The county where I was staying in Virginia was Pittsylvania .... I thought that was funny.  I wanted to take a picture of the sign but there was no where to pull off.

Chasing these picture perfect "items" I take pictures of brings me to sketchy parts of town a lot of the time.

I finally used my last bottle of DEF that I brought back from Canada.  I didn't stop for diesel between Virginia and North Carolina; and, of course, gas and diesel are more expensive here. ha.

My first Social Security check was deposited in my checking account today.  Woohoo.

It was a short drive to the new campground today; about 150 miles.  My odometer turned over the 15,000 mile mark, so I stopped to take a picture.

There actually seems to be more color in the trees here than in Virginia.  I understand it has something to do with rainfall.

I have my route all mapped out for tomorrow to hit the road and see some of North Carolina.  I'm going to stay around Greensboro the first day; then I will head down to Charlotte and work my way over to the Blue Ridge Parkway again while I'm here.  I want to spend some time in the Smokey Mountains, but I may do that from the campground in South Carolina .... it looks to be the closest.

Seeing Virginia

Fabulous day!  Sunny and cool ...  Drove down more of the Virginia Byway ... The colors are starting to change ... more subtle than the vibrant ...

Once owned by Thomas Jefferson, deemed the "Bridge of God" by the Monacan Indians who discovered it, traversed by Civil War soldiers, and once surveyed by a young George Washington.

This Tulip Poplar tree was planted by Thomas Jefferson over 250 years ago.  It is the front yard at Poplar Forest.

Jefferson was so fascinated with octagons, he even designed the "necessary" to the same scale as the house at Poplar Forest

The Walton Museum.  It was their 24th anniversary party when I was there.

Monticello

Ironically named The Little Apple, this large piece of fruit sits elevated on a pole and is located near the Thaxton Market.

I was looking for the huge Benjamin Moore paint can and found this instead

Lake Spring Park is a popular location for community events, fishing, and relaxing. A quaint stone footbridges crosses the lake and is often used for wedding portraits.

This bridge was relocated to this highway rest stop, making it a convenient landmark for those taking a break from driving. The bridge itself dates from 1878.

Driving down the Blue Ridge Parkway (big signs - RVs not recommended) ....

Three long days of driving around this part of Virginia and there was much more on the list to see .....

Appomattox

The actual McLean House and table in the parlor where, midday on April 9, 1865, General Robert E. Lee rode into this yard, dismounted, and surrendered to General Grant in the parlor and the terms were constructed and signed.

Doesn't look like a significant battlefield .... it was really very peaceful and lovely

This gentlemen gave a "living history" talk about what it was like to fight with the Virginia soldiers and be present during the surrender and aftermath.