Arrive at Charlotte Walmart on South Tryon Street and park the coach. Head to the Historic Rosedale Plantation for a private tour of the house built in 1815. Then we head downtown (which Charlotte calls “Uptown”) where we walk our feet off for 2 hours. We visit the Mint Museum Uptown showcasing American and contemporary art. Included were very interesting glass and wood exhibits. Then dinner at City Smoke BBQ. I get the ‘Cue Combo which includes pulled pork, brisket and a ½ slab including 2 Memphis style ribs, 2 Kansas City style ribs and 1 Texas dry rub rib, cheese grits, Brunswick stew and jalapeno cornbread. I wash it down with a Lazybird Brown Ale by the Birdsong Brewery of Charlotte. Finally, good southern BBQ. Outstanding meal but it will cost me Asian food at least twice for Rosemary who had chicken tonight.
Day 67, Elkin, NC
First on the agenda is the Lost World Caverns. Turns out it is 5 minutes from our Hotel Walmart. Caverns are a self guided tour which took us about 1-1/2 hours. The Caverns are more like the western caverns having several big expansive “rooms”. A very active cavern with drippings all around. Back to the coach and head to The Natural Bridge in Natural Bridge, VA. Cedar Creek, a small tributary of the James River, has carved out a gorge forming a natural limestone bridge 215' high and 90' wide. The bridge is quite impressive. The bridge is at almost the beginning of a 1-1/2 mile hike to a waterfall. The waterfall is not impressive being fairly small especially when compared to some of the falls we have seen on this trip. A nice walk nevertheless. When departing, we actually drove over the bridge which is part of US Highway 11. Our 13 tons was within the 20 ton limit. From the top you cannot see below and you would have no idea it was there unless you visit the bridge below. Onward further south with a stop at a lovely and quiet Walmart in Elkin, NC.
Day 66, Lewisburg WV
Got a late start and finally departed 11:45 and begin our trek south toward home. Our target was the Lost World Caverns in Lewisburg, WV which is about a 225 mile drive. Google maps failed us and sent us on a wild goose chase. We wound up in Alderson in error on a one lane road. We missed a hint when a sign said trucks should think twice about proceeding. We missed a second hint when we realized we had not see any signs to the Lost World Caverns. Finally arrived at Lewisburg Walmart about 7 pm after about a 260 mile drive. Actually, this is our first one day drive over 200 miles since days 1 and 2 of the trip. That’s one of the great things about the New England area. So much to see and not very far apart. Also, after 64 days, this is the first wrong turn of more than 2 miles we have incurred. Will chalk up this day to a travel day.
Day 63-65, New Stanton, PA (Pittsburgh)
Drive from Punxsutawney to our campground in New Stanton is only about 75 miles but takes nearly 2 hours due to the very rural, winding mountain roads. Had a very enjoyable visit with the kids and grandkids. Adam really enjoyed our gift of a train set. He also enjoyed our gift to Ari of a shape sorter. Both grandkids seemed to be excited that we were there. No doubt why kids are for the young as playing on the floor is not as comfortable as it once was. Ate out 2 dinners at Tamarind Indian cuisine and Everyday Noodle which has soup dumplings among other interesting selections. That’s soup inside the dumpling. Delicious! The time went by really fast and the reality of living apart from family hits us once again.
No comments:
Post a Comment