Travel day

Today we survived the final leg of our trip over the western side of the Appalachian mountains ... and I'm relieved.  Too many orange barrels and too  many trucks trying to push me down the hills.  Okay I could have driven faster but I guess I'm just not good enough or confident enough, or ... wait a minute!  Maybe I am okay.  Maybe it's okay to be safe and prudent.  To heck with them.  We're at our next stop and we're safe.  If I delayed them a little ... get over it.  (I think I'm beginning to sound like a grumpy old man)

Anyway it's not been an overly great day.   Another tense day behind the wheel but finally we're in camp and all is well.  Except for the place we're staying (which will go un-named).  We were here several years ago and it was marginal.  Now, marginal would be a good grade for them.  Most buildings on the property are past the need to be demolished.  The pool is empty and a huge eyesore.  The roads all are in need for repair.  The only redeeming value is the price and its proximately to the route we are taking,  So one night will be enough and we'll be off on our northern trek.  I guess we've really been spoiled by the nice places we've camped in all winter.

We filled up the tank this morning at $4.01/gal and the mountains took their toll on fuel mileage.  Normally we're getting better than 9 mpg but now we're getting 7 mpg.

Aside from the little speed-bumps today, we're still livin' the dream.

Phil

Surprises at every turn

There's vacationing, there's traveling, and finally there is roaming.

Years ago when we had the time and money we vacationed.  You know how it goes ... you get a week or two off, pack the bags, the kids, and the car and then off in a rush.  Two long days of driving, staving off those 'are we there yet' zingers from the back seat, eating at the 'golden arches', staying at those motels whose rooms are not too well lit for a reason, then finally arriving only to find the few days you planned to relax have evaporated and you get to pack the bags, pack the kids................. and so on .

Next came traveling.  Those wonderful days when just the two of you could pack the bags and pack the car then head off in a rush.  Two long days of driving, stopping at every rest stop because 'somebody has got to go', then finally arriving only to find the few days you planned to relax have evaporated and you get to pack the bags, pack the car.................. and so on.

Finally we have roaming.  We roam now.  No bags to pack, no agenda, we have our own bathroom and kitchen, and we're sleeping on our own sheets each night.  We still stop occasionally for the same reasons but we seldom have to worry about getting anyplace because we do indeed like to 'stop and smell' the roses along the way.

For instance ....  here's what smelling the roses is all about.

We got word of a hot dog restaurant in Hendersonville that was pretty good.  Let me tell you folks we know our hot dogs, especially since we hail from the birthplace of Angelo's and Leo's Coney Island restaurants back home.  Pretty famous dog shops by most standards.  So with that background, it was going to be a very tall order to find some place to match our back home haunts.

We get into the old TrailBlazer and drive a few miles and the GPS indicates that it's nearby but all we saw was a mostly vacant strip mall with a small, but bright and perky little establishment at the very end.  I think we're almost there.

As luck would have it they were closing within 15 minutes but we ventured in anyway.  Handwritten menus on two big blackboards on the wall, floors and walls as clean as a hospital, and after a long day, two people behind the counter that had the enthusiasm and friendliness of someone who had just won the lottery.  Smiling and helpful caught me off guard.  Most times folks at closing time, and after a long day don't usually exhibit those traits.  I could see by their menu a great many other items were available but we were sticking to our guns and ordered chili dogs and fries.  As we're standing at the counter waiting for our order we begin chatting with the folks behind the counter and discover this is really more than a hot dog stand and the owner has been in food service for around thirty years.  This is no rookie.

In about ten minutes I declared we have discovered Nirvana.  The Great American Dog in Hendersonville NC.  Owner Tom and sidekick Lisa have created a little culinary gem.  As good a chili dog as I have ever had, hand-cut fries cooked the way I wanted them (dark and crispy), but listen to this ... shrimp, scallops, cod, clams and a host of other goodies.  Now you say... so what!  Anybody can offer seafood.  But here's where Tom steps in.  You see Tom and Lisa are from Maine and Tom had a big seafood restaurant there for many years. So when he decided to move south, he brought his old habits with him.  Fresh seafood, not frozen would be the order of business to accompany his new hot dog business.  Seems like a strange mix but once the hotdogs get you in the door, the thought of fresh seafood make your eating decisions very tough.

Ya' gotta get here

So here's the couple that pour their hearts and souls into the business.  Customer is king here.  It may not be the fanciest place in town, and it may not be gourmet but it's everything else you may want in a restaurant.  Great food, clean as a pin (even the restrooms) and folks behind the counter that are happy to see you.

Lisa and Owner Tom at
The Great American Dog
808 Greenville Highway
Hendersonville, NC

Just to make sure our first visit was no fluke, we stopped in there today for an early dinner.  We'd been thinking about that fresh shrimp all day so we took an unusual step and visited a restaurant twice in the same town on the same trip.  We walked through the door and we were treated like an ultra rich uncle they hadn't seen in years.  We felt at home because they made us feel at home.  We both ordered the shrimp and it was as good as any gulf shrimp we've had in Alabama. Very fresh, very large, all with a light batter.  Too bad all of you are not here with us as I would have bought your dinner too.  Whoops ... too late now.

So this is what roaming is all about to us.  Stopping to find out the good and interesting in a community.

After we left the restaurant we stopped several blocks down and pulled alongside an old beat up pickup truck.  A leathery old man looking 80, but probably mid 60's, was standing at the open tailgate selling fresh strawberries.  It appears that strawberries are usually sold in one gallon buckets around here and he had only two buckets left.  They were heaped high like my grandfather Tony used to sell his raspberries at his roadside stand.  You couldn't have balanced another berry on that pile.  These strawberries were some of the largest and sweetest berries I have tasted in some time.  Far better than this winters Plant City Florida crop, I handed over the money and rushed home to sample some more.

Almost wish we were staying a little longer but we're pressing on to Berea Kentucky tomorrow.  It's pretty close to the famous Kentucky Bourbon Trail so maybe we'll discovery some new things to sample.

Still livin' the dream

Phil

Little Changes

As you probably have noticed, I've continued to fool around with the blog layout.  In my haste, I forgot that maybe some of you do not have either the latest browser software on your computer and subsequently some of the changes I made will make my blog unreadable.  Though that may be a blessing in disguise to some, I've decided to return the the usual format, with only a few alterations.  If you have any issues or would just like to make a comment, please do so in the 'comment section'

Still livin' the dream in North Carolina where the weather is just plain fantastic.

Phil

Things to do on a rainy day

I think I may have stumbled upon a sure-fire way to tell ... before you go into a restaurant, how good the food will be.  No, really!  It's a matter of simple observation probably overlooked by millions of eater-outers'.  I'm not expecting the Noble prize for great thinking but here's my perfect example.

See this?  Do you see the condition of this entrance door?  It's almost worn out.  This wasn't caused from somebodies old dog scratching to get in but money packing patrons itching to place an order.  I've visited a BBQ place or two around the country and I can assure you my science is good.  Head out to Lockhart Texas to Black's and you'll see what I mean.

The reason this old door is worn out is that inside is BBQ.  Good BBQ.  Ribs, pork, and chicken carry the load here.  Nothing fancy for sure but just good food.  What you may not know about Carolina BBQ is there are two distinct styles available.  A vinegar-mustard base coating/sauce and a tomato based coating/sauce concoction.  We must have been luckily today as they offered both in this joint.  So we tried each, in a special combo plate of pulled pork, ribs, and chicken.

Look at that menu and all the goodness

Conclusion ... I was surprised I liked the vinegar/mustard base but actually mixing them both together was  the one for me.  So if you are ever around Greenville SC stop in at Henry's Smokehouse.

Moving on ... we were searching around rain-soaked Hendersonville NC for a nice lunch so we headed downtown.  Lots to choose from here but Sharon noticed a little Thai place that had a chicken-cashew special on a sign outside, so we went in.  A place called 'Limeleaf Thai Fusion' does not exactly drag you off the street, but once inside it was pretty fancy.

Nice cloth tablecloths and settings, low indirect lighting, and a pleasant wait staff.  The special came with soup, and an egg roll, for $5.95 per plate, this was an absolute bargain.  I'm not a big fan of the sweet and sour sauce that was on the dish but Sharon loves it and I loved the price so it was a win-win.

Romantic LimeLeaf Fusion

 We stopped in a nearby mall and noticed this little beauty.  She didn't tolerate me hanging around taking pictures and before long, she produced one of those dark, deep barks that let me know she wasn't too happy.  I was leaving anyway, I think.

Marmaduke?

We decided to take a short trip to the nearby town of Bat Cave.  Who knows why but I thought there had to be an interesting story behind the name.  So down another one of those twisty, two lane mountain roads I've grown to love.  Especially when it's raining and foggy.  Looking into my rear view mirror and I see a big yellow school bus gaining on me at every corner.  Now this is another one of the 7% descents so again my blood pressure took a leap.  All I can think of is those poor little kids hanging on for dear life and this mad-man behind the wheel had plans to take us all over the edge.  The elevation dropped over 1000 ft in the stretch of about 2 miles so I started looking for a turn-off to get out of the way.  The kids were on their own, I'm going to save us.  I got a little of head of the bus and pulled into a small side road.  The only thing I noticed as they went by was a bus full of sweet little kids having a ball in the back of the bus.  Laughing and  smiling without a care ... so why am I worrying?  I think I need a little more practice on these roads.

Anyway, we made it to the bottom of Hickory Nut Gorge, Bat Cave and the non-stop tourist trap was waiting for us.  Apparently, not known to us 'flatlanders', people actually vacation in these parts so there are plenty of places to stay, eat, and buy stuff for several miles along the valley.  Bat Cave is named for Bat Cave Mountain and I guess there is even a big cave somewhere around there with a bunch of those hairy little carnivores flying around at night.  Sharon wasn't too interested in finding the cave so we moved on.  However, down the road was this beautiful old home, now antique shop that was worth a picture.  A lot of the businesses were still closed as the tourist season doesn't start for a few more weeks.

Fancy storage place for old stuff

Another big attraction in this area is Chimney Rock.  A large chunk of granite with an observation- lookout platform at the top. Some say on a clear day you can see Los Angeles, I think.  It's also surrounded by a big state park.  Since I'm not a big fan of heights there was little chance of us going to that attraction. (www.chimneyrockstatepark.com)

Hickory Nut Falls ... a 404 ft drop.

What really caught my attention here and many others local areas, are the number of great trout stream.  You can hardly go 10 miles without seeing a really fishable stretch of water.  In the Gorge, the Broad River runs alongside the road (NC 64/74a) and empties into Lake Lure.  Large, smooth boulders litter the river bottom creating many giant pools I'm sure are filled with monster rainbows.  More fish stories coming up later.

We stopped into the visitors center at Lake Lure to find out what was the big deal about this area.   This in one hot destination in season.  So within a few weeks it will be wall to wall mountain vacationers with traffic jams and folks fighting for a parking place.  At the Visitor Center's suggestion we drove about halfway around Lake Lure and discovered many resorts and beautiful mountain perched homes.  No doubt the views are spectacular.

We even found a luxury class 'A' RV park near the lake.  Apple Valley Farm RV Resort (www.applevalleyfarm.com) has about 60 sites that were very well landscaped and maintained.  I questioned  if anybody in their right mind would take the route we took to get here, but later discovered on our return trip a far more benign road, far more suitable for big rigs.  It looks like it would be a very quiet and relaxing spot to camp that is just close enough to the activities around Hickory Nut Gorge.  However it is not inexpensive.  Somewhere around $60/night I think.

All this sightseeing really takes its toll so we really needed to seek out some nourishment.  We headed back to the Hendersonville area.  We'd gotten a tip from somebody the good Mexican food could be had at Pappa's and Beer.  OMG ... if you like Mex food, and we really do ... find this place if you're in the area.  I've been in many of this style restaurant but this is hands down, one of the tops.  Great service,
great chips and salsa, and excellent margaritas.  We ordered chicken fajitas for two and ended up with enough food to take home for two more full meals.  And the bill was less than $25 bucks.

When we first arrived in the Flat Rock / Hendersonville area we only planned on staying about two days.  Those two passed and we decided on two more, then another two beyond that.  So I guess I'm trying to say there is a lot to see and do in the area.  Our next stop, Nashville will be coming up soon.  Maybe Sunday.

So another day, another adventure and we're still livin' the dream.

Phil

ps ... to continue with another fish story ... while eating dinner the other night at Piggy's and Harry's ( a combination BBQ shack and ice cream parlor), we sat next to the local police captain who is an avid trout fisherman.  Fishing the Oconaluftee river near the Cherokee Casino, he took a 9 lb rainbow on a night crawler.  Using ultralight spinning gear and a 2 lb line, it apparently was a helluva battle.

Oh Edith ... where art thou?

I thought I may had a glimpse of her.  A fleeting moment, out the corner of my eye, as I entered her bedroom.  The bristled hair on my arms alerted me to something odd before I entered, but I quickly brushed off the notion for fear of ridicule.  But there I was ... standing next to her bed, looking around at the lace and opulence.  It was so quite.  Only the gusting wind sneaking through a slight crack in one of the tall windows gently moved the sheer drapes.  My eyes darted around the empty room as my now peaked senses sought out another sign. Was it her?  Or was it my imagination?  I guess I'll never know ... but seeing her was not in the cards today.  You see this was the bedroom of Edith Vanderbilt.  Wife of George and we're on the 2nd floor of the Biltmore House in Asheville North Carolina.  One of the most grandiose family homes in America.  The mansion was completed in 1895 by then bachelor, George Vanderbilt with the help of an army of craftsmen from all over the world.  The Vanderbilt clan weren't strangers to big homes.  Between all the named relations over the years, the family constructed over 26 residences around the country.

George and Edith had separate sleeping quarters that were separated by a common 'sitting' room ... apparently designed for conjugal breakfasts.  The grandeur that old money could buy is beyond understanding.  The finest of everything is the standard.  Ornate woodwork, handcrafted wall coverings, hand-carved furniture, and granite and marble imported from all corners of the world.  I did notice one little obscure detail that our guide had an answer for; though probably more politically correct than accurate.
You see old George's bedroom doors were quite different from Ediths.  Whereas Edith's door had only one lock (but very substantial), George's doors not only had an identical lock but another massive brass lock with three deadbolts.  And since this lock was not keyed, the only way it could be locked or opened is from the inside.  Now I ask you ... What was old George trying to keep out?

Okay ... I need to stop.  I'm getting way ahead of myself.  Let's continue with the tour.

The Biltmore mansion sits on about 8,000 acres but is only a part of the 125,000 acres Vanderbilt eventually owned in the area.  The 8,000 acres were for the most part stripped of vegetation and completely replanted by the landscape architects Frederick Olmsted and Richard Hunt.  These guys also worked on another little project later on ... Central Park in New York.  Not exactly rookies I'd say.   In driving the 11 mile road through the estate, you get the sense of balance and continuity these architects created with the trees, streams, hills and ultimately the mansion.  With the passing of over 117 years, the vision of George Vanderbilt and his landscape architects is in full bloom.  It's beyond spectacular.  250 rooms and 43 bathrooms.  The tour we purchased allowed us see most of the available rooms (42), the gardens, farm and winery.  Certainly a full day but I can't help but wonder what in the world are they doing with the other 208 rooms.  The residence is still owned by a member of the Vanderbilt family.  William A. V. Cecil, about 85 years old ... the great grandson of George.

Within the European styled country estate are a number of unique technical advances for its time.  The entire mansion was fully electrified from the day it opened in 1895.  All the bathrooms and kitchens had running water.  There is a regulation two lane bowling alley, and an indoor swimming pool.  It  also has two of the first Otis Elevators ever installed in a home.  They are still running on their original electric motors and are still serviced twice a year by Otis.  I rode one and I bet it was just as smooth as when George and Edith used it.  The estate originally was designed to be a self-sufficient.  Having its own farms for raising crops  and live stock and today much of that still exists.  And to continue of practice of taking care of itself, Biltmore is in the process of creating a large array of solar panels to help generate electricity for the estate.  Currently providing 13% of the total needs, they are working to add even more.  They have placed the array on an obscure hillside but  you can just get a glimpse of it on I40 before entering the estate.

A modest little sun room just off the main entrance

As you can imagine we were really taken by this experience.  I could go on and on but you'd be better served by paying a visit yourself.  But here's a little tip in advance.  First it's not cheap ... $60/ticket for the base program.  Additional guided tours are also available that spend more time explaining the families use of various areas of the mansion.  You can also rent bicycles, ride horses and stay at the Biltmore Inn on the estate.  The second thing to remember, and much to my chagrin, is that no photographs are allowed.  So I lugged the cameras along for nothing ... well almost.  I just couldn't help myself ... with my stealthy Canon S95 I managed to grab a few shots when no one was looking.  Actually someone was most likely looking as there are more security cameras in the mansion than a Vegas casino.  The people there say the art work has more value than the mansion and they watch it all like a hawk.  No one said anything but maybe the security team was at lunch.

Grand staircase and chandler.  Four floors.  18 foot ceilings.  Whew! ... what a hike

Two-lane bowling alley

Basement swimming pool

Part of the 'workout' room for men.

Sleeping quarters for a female servant.
The women sleep in the main house and the
men sleep on the 2nd floor of the stables.
In the peak years as many as 35 workers help take care of the
the house and family.

One corner of a massive kitchen

Where the 'help' did the ironing.  The sinks on the left are copper.

Laundry room.  Note cast iron round washing machine at the right.  I wonder if it has a 'gentle cycle"?

Gentlemen's hide-a-way

Souvenirs galore at the gift shop... or is it 'shoppe'

Baubles and Bangles

Toys for the kiddies

Christmas gifts year around

After leaving the mansion we hopped a shuttle to our car and then drove a couple of miles to the greenhouses and formal gardens.  Didn't see many radishes or green peppers but what a layout!  Any weed even thinking about setting roots out would meet and immediate death.  I can only imagine the effort it takes to make and maintain these gardens.

This is no Victory garden

One of 6 greenhouses

Is that Tarzan behind that palm leaf?

Orchids in all flavors

After leaving the gardens, I stopped to photograph this little waterfall alongside the road.  The attention to detail throughout the estate extends to even this little corner.

Obscure little waterfall, maybe two foot tall,  makes this a very special place.

Our next stop was the winery.  Another short drive of some 3 miles provided us with the opportunity to sample the wines they produce on the estate and, you guessed it ... the opportunity to 'buy' some as well.
There were other little shops and a couple of restaurants and a nice gazebo in the center courtyard.  As luck would have it, even though it was a chilly, windy, 45 degree day, a piano player was working his magic on the keyboard in the gazebo.  Life is good.

Free samples with the price of admission

More winery attractions

A short trip up the hill behind the winery is the Biltmore Inn.  I'm guessing if you stay there you'll enjoy beautiful views of the countryside and a fair amount of pampering.

The Biltmore Inn.  Staring at about $269/night.  Staying on the estate has it privileges.

Entrance and Exit to the Estate.  No the building is not falling
over it's just that my camera was pointing up and the
perspective is changed and I should have fixed it in Photoshop but
didn't so it's getting late and .............  It's the same gate that George and Edith came through years ago and followed the winding three mile trip to the mansion.

So there you have it.  A day-trip to remember.  I might have gotten a carried away with this entry but it really is quite a place.  (www.biltmore.com)

Still livin' the dream ... this time with the rich and famous.

Phil

ps ... just in case you didn't notice ...  I changed the layout of the blog a bit.  I'll continue to fool with it as we go along so let me know what you think.  You can still reach me on the link to my email.

Over hill ... over dale, as we hit the dusty trail

I switched on my trusty (?)  GPS unit, plugged in the destination and off we went.  I26 west to I40 then about 25 miles on NC19 arriving in about 90 minutes at the Cherokee Casino and Hotel complex in western North Carolina.  Sharon was exhibiting severe wagering withdrawal, and since it's been almost 6 weeks since she'd danced with the one-armed bandits, I agreed to take her to therapy.

The first two legs of the trip went just fine with beautiful views of the mountains and nice 4-lane highways ... but then we reached NC19. Only two lanes but what the heck, it was a nice day for a drive so let's get at it.  As we proceeded, we passed a number of quaint little back country stores; many with Indian names.  I was tempted to stop at several of them, especially when we were passing through a little village called Maggies Valley.  Never know what little treasure one might find.  I could sure tell we were in a valley as we had been slowly descending for several miles.  As we were leaving the little town I saw a very unusual collection of old foreign luxury cars.  Rolls Royce, Jaguar, Mercedes, and several other brands all completely rusted and packed very close together along the fence next to the road.  What a photo opportunity I thought and even though Sharon urged me to turn around and get the shots, I said we'd do it on the return trip.  So on we went.

Just past the outskirts of town was a yellow triangle road sign ahead.  It read "Caution 7% grade next 6 miles".  I just felt a little ill.  But thinking that 6 miles wasn't so bad, I pressed on.  As the nose of our Trailblazer edged over the next crest in the road, it seemed the ground had almost fallen away.  This was Mother Natures answer to roller coasters I'm sure and I don't much like those either.

7% may not seem like a lot to you but sitting there in my 2 1/2 ton truck I could only imagine things like brake failure, tire blowouts, running off the 'no guardrail' road and plunging down some ravine not to be found for months ... yes, I'm becoming a little nervous.  All these thoughts raced through my mind ... but what can I do?  There was no place to turn around or pull off!  And as we started to go down the hill gravity began to work its magic and to help things out ... the road began to snake back and forth in ever tightening turns.  I'm guessing the scenery is nice to look at but I'm so fixed on keeping the damn truck in my own lane my eyes balls were frozen straight ahead.

Down we went and faster we went.  I hit the brakes frequently to keep the speed down then finally down-shifted the transmission to as low as 2nd gear to keep under control.  Now keep in mind there were cars and motorcycles coming up the hill at the same time.  Probably all locals because as they approached they were using a good part of my lane too in their race up the hill.  I'm sure they could see the death grip I had on the steering wheel and the stressed looks on our faces but pressed on upwards with wild abandon.  But down, down we went.  The engine racing in 2nd gear and the slight odor of scorched brakes was in the air.

And something else was wrong.  This road isn't 6 miles long I'm thinking ...  it must be at least 100 miles long.  Time was standing still for ... me but down we went.  I took but a brief second to glance in my rear view mirror and with even more horror I discovered there were four cars behind within a few feet of my rear bumper and each other.  Have they all lost their brakes and do they need me to somehow stop this runaway caravan of rolling metal I feared?  Another glance back dashed that thought ... I could tell it in eyes of the guy behind me ... he wanted to pass!  Darting back and forth looking for just the right moment.  I didn't look back anymore.

By this time that extra lemonade I had earlier was becoming an unwanted burden but I've got to tough this ride out I thought ... it can't be too much farther.  As it turned out it wasn't ... We'd reached a little valley and the town of Cherokee was in sight.  Whew!  Our hearts were finally beginning to slow down a bit when we pulled into the parking lot.  Sharon recovered quickly and was eager to hit the slots so off she went.  I walked around the place for awhile to calm down a bit and try to understand my new shortcoming of driving down steep hills.  Must be from driving most of my adult life in the flatlands, as they say around these parts, or my age.  I also figured I had no desire to practice the uphill accent on our way home.

I looked at a map a little closer when we got ready to leave and discovered a far more sane way to return to Hendersonville.  This route was a little longer with four lane roads and a lot less changes in elevation and direction.  Another lesson learned was to pay attention on how you set your route up in the GPS unit.  The differences between 'shortest' and 'quickest' can be quite dramatic.

So another adventure is in the book.  The casino wasn't too good to us.  Lost a little money and had a crummy lunch.  We thought the $25 buffet was a little steep so we settled on the very marginal food court.
Both the hotel and casino were very nice and set in a great location and we may return someday if in the area.


That kind of driving just plain wore me out.  I still have to get the coach over the mountains to Nashville in a couple of days, but at least it's on turnpike.  No rushing on my part ... guaranteed.

Finally got the embedded fingerprints off my steering wheel and we're still livin' the dream (but did miss that picture).

Phil

A neat place to visit

Our first excursion into the Flat Rock / Hendersonville area was to the famous Mast General Store.  Not knowing really what to expect, we plugged the address into the Garmin GPS and headed out.  We soon discovered that highway repair money is plentiful in this area as it seems that every road has scores of those wonderful orange barrels and lots of big earth moving equipment.

The general merchandise store is located right downtown ... which is experiencing a major transformation as well.  We soon found the the store and from the outside it was as quaint as I saw on their website.  However before getting inside ... trying to find a place to park was another matter.  About four trips around the block before we found one.  Hopefully the city fathers have additional parking in the renovation plan.  Another little quirk about Hendersonville was traffic lights that always turned red when I approached them.  Go figure ... but maybe just my imagination

Here's a store I bet Red and Jan would like

Once inside the store it was a step back in time.  Tightly packed shelves with tasteful goodies of all description.  From barrels full of candy to fine wool garments to cast iron skillets ... something for everyone.  I guess after being in business for more than 100 years they probably know what customers are apt to buy.

And there is more next door and upstairs

 Here are some of the goodies you can smack your lips on.

Chow Chow ?????

Grab a handful

After working up a sweat shopping it was time for lunch.  We asked around and decided on 'Mike's on Main' (www.mikesonmain.com).  The old drugstore converted to a breakfast/lunch diner was like I remembered drugstores as a kid.  Ornate stamped tin ceilings, miniature white tile flooring, cast iron pedestal bar stools stationed along a 30ft ice-cream bar.  With an old Wurlitzer juke box in the back corner pumping out tunes of the 50's and 60's and hundreds of old apothecary bottles lining the walls, it didn't take much to drift into a little nostalgia trip.
Anyway the food was good and we enjoyed the stop.
 

Tempting ...eh?

Gimme' two aspirin with my BLT

Tin top 

Where's the soda jerk?

One of the things that did strike me about the downtown area was that not many of the shops were empty.  Many little boutiques and cafes lined each side of the street.  I guess that translates into a pretty robust economy; something we're not used to back in Michigan.

Our next stop was to the home of the late poet Carl Sandburg.  Located a few miles south of the city, we wound our way around a mountain or two before arriving.  We found a place to park and soon noticed the sign that said the place was about to close in a half hour.  Disappointed we left and hoped to reschedule.

So it was a nice ride out but not much to show for it.  But wait!  Something nice did happen.  After rounding the bend on one of those winding  roads we stumbled across this little gem of a water fall.  Though man-made, it was still a pretty scene ... what do you think?

And one of the most beautiful flowers I have ever seen on a tree.  They almost look like a 'bleeding heart' plant we have in our yard in Michigan but these are tall trees.

What is it?

So there was our first day nosing around this part of North Carolina.  We've got a few days to go so stay tuned for more.

Still livin' the dream ... this time in the mountains.

Phil

ps ... We took another one of Henry and Geannie's suggestions and visited the Curb Market
(www.curbmarket.com).  An eclectic gathering of artisans who cook, bake, weave, whittle and make a whole bunch of other neat home-made things.  And especially the carmel layer cake.  We had some tonight and OMG it was fantastic.

On the road again

Wanderlust has again infected Sharon and I as we vacated the semi-tropical Hilton Head Island area.  24 fun-filled days (I'm beginning to sound like a commercial) punctuated with friends and family and as many restaurants as time and finances would allow (the fresh sea food was outstanding).  So ...  some 300 miles later we are now settled in Flat Rock, North Carolina; at the Lakewood RV Resort.(www.lakewoodrvresort.com).  The cozy little park, recommended by our friends Henry and Geannie, is nestled in a little valley here in the Blue Ridge Mountains about 30 miles southeast of Asheville.  Like Little Red Riding Hood said 'it's not too big and it's not too small ... it's just right'.

Getting here did require a little mountain climbing and I did find out that my 11 litre, 400hp turbo diesel behemoth, that normally that can clammer up most hills, struggled after leaving a rest stop at the bottom of the hill.  The climb to the top bogged down to 35mph (tops) in 3rd gear at 2000rpm.  I managed to pass one semi at that speed but it was a struggle.  It dawned on me why the truckers literally fly down the hills in order to gain momentum to make it up the next hill.  Anyway we made it to the park, got hooked up and enjoyed a nice lunch here in the coach.  It's so quite and I'm almost dozing off as I write this at 5:00 in the afternoon.

The weather is a little overcast, an occasional drizzle, and the temperature is about 20 degrees cooler than Hilton Head ... but that's just fine with us.  Tomorrow we'll tour the nearby Flat Rock area and possibly the home of the late author and Pulitzer prize winning poet, Carl Sandburg.  Since we're going to be here for about a week, we'll keep all of you up-to-date on our discoveries as the days go by.

Still livin' the dream and hoping' to see the ghost of old Carl hanging around the Mast General Store (www.mastgeneralstore.com).

Phil

Good times

We had some special guests  here on the island for a few days when my daughter Leigh, son-in-law Scott, grandson Austin, and his friend Austin arrived earlier the week for a few days of R & R.  R & R is supposed to mean 'rest and relaxation' but I'm not so sure they got what they planned on.  Iffy weather, cold water for swimming, questionable accommodations, and a short visit to the hospital all made for one of those trips they may want to forget.  In spite of their problems, it was still great to see them and we appreciate the time they took to drive down.  They all made the best of it and did manage a collective smile before heading north.

It's Easter Sunday tomorrow and we are planning a quite, restful day ... we hope all of you can enjoy the same.

Still livin' the dream.

Phil

ps.. The Heritage Classic golf tournament will begin at Sea Pines here on the island next weekend.
Since a number of the golfers travel in motor homes and stay at the park we are at, I am expecting to see some big time pros hanging around, mingling with the other campers.  Well maybe not ... but with a little luck maybe I can grab some candid pictures?

Southern Hospitality

It all started last fall.  Many of us were talking about where we going for the winter and this slightly dim lightbulb went off in my head.  Without thinking too much I blurted out that we'd be at Hilton Head Island towards the end of winter and it would be great for all of us to get together for a sort of 'winter reunion'.  Not believing for a minute that anyone paid attention, our winter travels continued on to the point that we began planning on our trip to the island in mid-March.  Apparently others at our summer camp were thinking about the same thing and before long we had a real plan to meet on the island.

So here was the plan ... Hal and Mary would make the island a stop on their whirlwind gambling junket (they are owners of the Michigan park we all stay at in the summer), Bill and June would also make it a stop on their pre-retirement practice trip, Jerry and Della are winter residents on the island, Henry and Geannie's home is on nearby Callawassie Island, and Sharon and I would make a stop on the island prior to our trip north.  Sounds like we were going to need UPS to work out the logistics on this gathering.

Anyway it all came together in grand fashion and to top off the three day event, three dinner parties were planned for the group.  I'd love to take credit for all this but our hosts are the ones who made it happen.

Friday evening it was drinks and dinner at Henry and Geannie's beautiful home on nearby Callawassie Island.

Saturday evening took us all to Jerry and Della's spacious condo for drinks and snacks followed by a sit down private dinner at their very special clubhouse.

Sunday evening took us all to Beaufort (about 30 miles from Hilton Head) to my sister and brother-in-laws very comfortable home located on the inter-coastal waterway.  Drinks and a tapas style array of homemade goodies was the finishing touch to this three day reunion.

So there you have it.  Fine food and friendship presented in the finest tradition of 'Southern Hospitality'.  A big thanks to all our hosts.

If this ain't livin' the dream I don't know what is.

Phil

ps ... A special note to two of my faithful Michigan readers, Jan and Red ... Thanks for hanging in with me.  I'll try to pick up the pace but all these parties take time and it leaves me little time to write.  Besides that I'm getting old.