Another party is over

October 2 – That last drive home is always with mixed feelings! It's sad to say the party is over, but it's great to be back home with family and friends and lots of space! Instead of unloading some today and some tomorrow, I sent Bill with a truck load and Molly to unload at home while I loaded the rest. I did everything but the fridge.

Once Bill got back I handed him all that I had packed so far and then he took a breather while I did the fridge. I ended up having to use a few plastic bags to finish it off.

At home I handed down the bags and then he handed them back up to me on the porch landing. You literally could barely walk from the dining room into the rest of the house. We should have counted all the bags.

I tried to be systematic and did the fridge and freezer first. I worked my way through about 15 bags and called it a day! I will admit there must have been 4-5 bags of books that were left for last.

We were both tired puppies tonight but we sure do love our trips and the fun people we meet along the way. So time to sign off for another 6 months (covid allowing) and we will once again be “One the Road Again!” 

Great friends and great food!

October 1 – Bill washed the front of the RV once we had our breakfast  and I started  bagging up things to take back into our house once we got home.  I had  bags all over. Once  Bill  had  finished his wash job he help up the end of the bed so I could get the 10 or so full  bags of  “precious  merchandise”   from under it. Boy, it was a big empty space again! I had a collection of things I was getting out of the RV and Christmas gifts, and of course some memorabilia!

Completed except for painting

After I put my new chicken recipe in the crockpot and went over and borrowed one from Sharon to put Chocolate Lava cake in as well. Then the 4 of us headed off to explore the park. There is a spring that runs through the park and we walked down the steep steps to the new “under construction” walkway and went as far as it went in one direction. We sat and enjoyed the peace and quiet of nature. We could see the headwater of the spring.

We drove around all of the camping areas and found an other loop

Sharon and Bruce up top

that could hold larger RV's. There was a short discussion on having a club rally there but later the ranger said we could if we could get spots reserved online! We drove along the lake and saw some wild life and areas they are replacing plants with former “natural to the area” plants. It was a lovely afternoon that concluded with visit time and transference of bags of books that we read or they read. Nice that we are all readers and can share them.

Bill and Bruce had gone up and bought 2 bundles of fire wood so Bruce started it as we were getting dinner on the table. Sharon did a veggies and delicious bread and Bill had wanted me to make

Last photo of a great summer!

marinated cole slaw which I had to do yesterday for it to marinate in time. Everything was delicious and no one left hungry. We sat by the fire for a while before attacking the lava cake. It was huge and sooo chocolaty! There was enough for them to have some for later and then when Bill and I got home we had it twice more!

Once the fire died down, so had we so we called it a night!

Fun with friends!

September 30 – We actually got up and on the road earlier than we expected. We did have to dump on the way out but got on the road south and arrived in Keystone Heights, FL at Mike Roess State Park at 2:30 after one bathroom and lunch break on the way.

Sharon and Bruce were set up next to our site and already sitting out and enjoying great weather. Once we set up we joined them and it was so good to see them after 4 months on the road. We've stayed in touch but it's nothing like being together in person. Sharon had researched some places for dinner so when we decided it was time we headed in to town and dined at Northway's Steak and Seafood. They had a lot of specials on the menu which Sharon and I went with but the guys stuck to the regular menu. The meals were good except Sharon had a lobster roll that was spicy and we all thought that was rather odd. She did, however, receive 2 “rolls” and with her sides that was enough for a lunch tomorrow.

I'm writing this a few days behind since I didn't get back to finishing the blog until today (10-5). Oops!

I think we all headed back to our Rv's and called it a day!

Great few days with Kim and Jeff - time to head back to Florida

September 29 – Our last day in Georgia! Bill saw a Krystal's in town and wanted to eat there and I do not like Krystals so Jeff and Kim set it up last night while I was gone to meet him there at 11:59! Then this evening they wanted us to come over for wings and watch the debate.

I told Bill I wanted to catch up on my blog and maybe do a load of wash and I'd rather go this evening. Then he said the debate doesn't start til 9 and we are leaving in the morning. Yikes! I decided I'd take deviled eggs and Waldorf Salad to go with the wings. He wanted cole slaw but he didn't want it with Mayo, but my marinated slaw and that takes 24 hours, so he chose Waldorf Salad.

We stopped on the way over and picked up 2 kinds of wings that Bill ordered, one for him and one for me. I went in to get them and they didn't have a clue of what was going one. Finally someone came to help the poor girl and I was paying cash and no one knew how to handle it. Geez! Eventually I left with a bag with 2 containers in it. Unfortunately when we got to Jeff's and opened them, they were not what we had ordered. They got eaten with Jeff's help but Jeff was making different ones so he did some with BBQ for me!

We watched about 45 minutes of the debate and it was difficult to watch. I do not deny I am a Trump supporter due to how well he has handled the economy, jobs, military and a lot of other things that I feel were “let go” by the last administration (0r two). He just can't shut up sometimes and there was no reason to be rude, so Bill and I went back to the RV and called it a night!

Cooking, eating and visiting

September 28 – The plan for today was to have lunch with Jeff and Kim as I had made plans to meet a friend I worked with at Orange Bank for years for dinner. She lives in Collins, GA so we were meeting at the only town between us, Reidsville.

Jeff smoked chickens for lunch and I didn't want to feel like a slacker so I took a raspberry jello pie and pasta salad. Kim made cornbread and green beans so we had a really good meal. Since Bill was on his own for dinner Kim sent him home with plenty of chicken and I had some pasta salad left for him.

After lunch we sat in one of the 2 TV rooms and just visited a while before we needed to leave. I just went in the RV for a minute for my directions and off I went to Reidsville. It wasn't a bad drive in the daylight but the trip home on those back country roads was a little nerving!

Linda was in a silver Chevy Colorado that looked just like Bill's before he did the pin striping on it! We met at a pizza place that she had been to and thought would be good and it sure was! I was hoping they had a white pizza but no. So they made me a “to order” pizza of cheese, pineapple and ham and it was delicious! There was a Blueberry Pie listed with the pizzas so after our meal and some chatting I ordered that and it was delicious also. We only ate half as it was a 10-12 inch pizza and I brought the rest home for Bill.

I can't say how good it was to see Linda after probably 10 years. She looks the same as ever with her brilliant smile and wonderful sense of humor. We caught up on each other's families and about her new husband and then spent our time talking about the old days at Orange Bank and who we each still kept up with and wondered what happened to others. I wish I had done a better job of keeping in touch with her but now I have her email and phone number and she's planning to come to Florida in February. I hope we can plan a “reunion” of sorts!

The drive home was OK as I didn't see a single deer, which was a major concern, until I literally got back into the park! There was a female along the driveway and she just watched me go by! It really was a great day and wonderful visit with my old friend!

Made it to Hazelhurst, GA

September 27 – Since we  were  heading to Hazelhurst, GA to a  campground  with  water  and  electric only, we left a bit late so I could do a load of laundry.  The drive was about 3 hours and the weather was pretty good.  We were on 4 lane  roads  half  of  the  way  but  then  it  was 2 lane and I know there were some unhappy vehicles behind me, but, Oh well!

I thought the plan was to call Bill’s nephew Jeff, when we were about 15 miles out and he was going to meet us and take us into the park.  They have hosted here and were concerned with the signage and directions that we would miss the entrance and not be able to turn around.  I’m only the driver, and when Bill called we were much closer and they were just leaving their house.  We were able to pull in on a long turn lane in front of a lumber mill.  Being Sunday we didn’t think we’d be in anyone’s way!

Jeff and Kim saw us, pulled in front of us and lead us on down the road a couple more miles. Then it's packed dirt/gravel going in and the campground has a huge electric gate. We didn't have the code number as they change it frequently so Jeff called the 2 phone numbers posted and no one answered. He knew a back way in and he could drive it in his 4-wheel drive. By the time he got around to the other side, the maintenance guy showed up and gave us the current code.

So Jeff drove me around to see the sites as I was told to pick one. I took a long pull thru that looked like it was rather open in the trees and there might be a possibility we could get some satellite. We got parked and I was not aware that we were to go to their house as soon as we got set up. I was in my “driving” clothes that don't match and are not what I would wear out in public! I hurriedly opened the slides, put the AC on for Molly and put her food and water out and off we went.  When we got home later, we hadn’t un-secured the refrigerator and freezer doors, so I did it without thinking and a brand new big bottle of wine when crashing on the tile.  What a mess!  At least the bottle was green glass and easy to see!  I got out my metal yard stick and used it under the counters and fridge several times, dragging out glass, wine, cat food and assorted other debris.  Then we mopped the floor and swept the floor.  I was so mad at myself!  That’s what happens when your routine gets disturbed! 

Kim rode with me and Bill with Jeff and headed to their place and visited a long while and got tour of their “new to us” house. He has done a lot of work and it's a lovely, roomy house. I love the bright colors used and the refinished oak floors!  Jeff had made a beef stew for dinner and we enjoyed our meal for sure! We stayed a while after and drove home in the dark. It's about 8-9 miles from their place to the campground.  (that’s when the wine incident took place)

Another day of sightseeing

September 26 – Our last day here so we decided once we got ready to head out to head in the other direction today. We had our morning meal, showered and headed to Greensboro. We had driven through to get to the campground but had not stopped or checked out the town. It’s a rather touristy town with a lovely town square with lots of eateries and shops.

We were mostly interested in the old Gaol. It’s a couple of blocks off the town square and looks like a

The "Gaol"

medieval fortress, but not quite a big! There was a pedestal in front with 4 recorded statements regarding the building, the sheriff and other information. It didn’t sound like a place you’d ever want to be incarcerated in.

Next door is the current Sheriff’s office and we could see the jail cells with the bars from the exterior windows. Bill commented it would be spooky to be looking it the window and have a face jump in front of you from inside!

From there we headed to Madison which has more shops and a beautiful historic area. We had lunch at Chick-Fil-A, which was my first since we left Florida!! It’s my favorite fast food and it tasted so good I relished every bite!

We drove the narrow streets of the historic homes area and wanted to stop a lot for photos but there was always a car behind us or groups of walkers prohibiting us from stopping. Some of the homes dated back to early 1800’s and are magnificent! They still maintain the “town green” as well.

You can’t pass a Wal-mart without stopping and I was looking for some specific yarn and there are no Michael’s or Jo-Ann’s anywhere close. We made a quick stop there and worked our way back to the campground, basically going in a circle back.

Dinner was more leftovers and then Bill settled in with a book and I did some journaling and posting.

Out and about

September 25 – After   a lazy  morning, showers  out of  the way, we  headed out on a  sightseeing  ad-

Lake Oconee

venture of the area.  We drove  all  through  Lake Oconee which is massive.  So many nice houses and cabins tucked in all over.

We headed in the direction of Eatonville which appears to be a “vacation destination”.  There is a Ritz Carlton there, so that pretty much told the story.  There was some upscale shopping but once we drove around a bit we only shopped at Walmart, Goodwill and Habitat Restore!  Actually we only bought a few things a Walmart!  The Restore was awesome though.  All upscale “used” furniture. 

We had seen a place called “Tastee Chick” along the way and asked our cashier about it.  She gave it a thumbs up, so we stopped there for lunch.  It was OK, nothing to rave about.  Chick-fil-A is still better!

The highlight of the day was stopping at the Uncle Remus Museum.  Bill didn’t go in but I got to hear the story of Joel Chandler Harris, who wrote the stories.  He created Bre’r Rabbit, Bre’r Fox and many other memorable characters.  It is said he learned some of these tales from a slave, Remus, on the 

Turnwold Plantation as a young man and later he put them to paper.  When I get home I need to dig out my books and read those stories again.

Traffic was very heavy for the size of the town and it’s all 2 lane road.  Lots of restaurants as well.  We had a leisurely drive home and a nice

afternoon.  We didn’t get home until about 4:30, so time for a glass (or 2) of wine to un-“wine” with. 

I did get out a bag of Betty Crocker Chocolate Chip Brittle mix and baked it in 2 batches since I don’t have a pan large enough for one.  Super easy (1 stick of soft butter) and sooo good!  I found it and their Peanut Brittle and Brownie Brittle at Ollie’s and have a few bags stashed for later.  I will have to check the grocery at home to see if they sell it.  Dinner was a mixture of leftovers and Bill had first pick.  I think there is still enough for another night!

We watched some Perry Mason tonight and read some as well!

Greensboro, GA here we come!

September 24 – Continuing our trek south!  Traffic was fine today and we arrived at North Landing Resort 

At the entrance

in Greensboro, GA around 1.  Our spot was ready and once we checked in we were led to our space.  It was one of those over the river and through the woods kind of places.  I had to drive uphill on a narrow lane and back in to our space.  Bill was behind me in the truck and I had to let the young guy driving the golf cart direct me.  He did an excellent job and complimented me on my ability.  I felt like he’d never parked a lady driver before. 

Our space has a nice fenced in patio with a fire pit and picnic table but could be a little longer.  There is barely enough room in front for Bill to park along the road and not be in it!  We’re under trees but there is enough opening that our satellite works

One of the Cabins

fine.  There are a number of seasonals here.  This was a park we received free nights for attending a “spiel” in Florida months before we left.  We received 3 vouchers for attending the presentation good for 7 nights each.  We used all 3 for 3 nights each.  There’s really nothing much to see in the 3 locations we felt were along our travel plans.  They are more of a place to just relax and use the pool or the lakes. 

We didn’t do much today but Bill emptied the tanks and I did a load of laundry.  We both read and relaxed. 

The theme of the campground has nothing to do with the name of it.  There are railroad cars at the entrance that look like they are used as offices.  They have a number of rail cars that have been converted into “cabins” and meeting rooms.  It’s a nice idea and a little different.  

Lake Oconee

A large area of the campground is on Lake Oconee.  They have boat slips they assign to guests who bring their boats and a nice swimming area roped off. 

I cooked a nice chicken dinner tonight and we watched TV and read!

Heading south to Lexington, SC

September 23 – Back on the road and heading south!  We just had cereal this morning and left the park just before 9.  Bill left in front of me in case he needed to stop traffic going up and around that darn curve.  It was not fun!  I know the diesel has plenty of power and I took it REALLY slow and no one was coming but it was one of my most nervy times driving!  The entire 5 mile road is not fun but we made it out and pulled into a church lot we had scoped out.  So it was about 9:40 when we really got on the road.

We were on interstates all day and the traffic was horrible.  Too many cities this way but it was more direct to where we’re going.  Of course there’s not a rest stop when you REALLY need one so I gave up and pulled on the side of the interstate for a bathroom break.  We didn’t get to have lunch until after 1 when we found a rest area.  

We managed to get to Lexington, SC at 3:15 to a really nice park right off a main road with a full hook up pull thru spot!  Luckily we had a reservation as the sign on the door said they were full. 

I did 2 loads of wash and read and Bill took a nap and read.  We had  our brisket with  some  slaw  I  made and decided to see if the satellite would pick up anything and it did.  We watched the depressing news and some RV show while I caught up on the last couple of days journal. 

Bassett and Beyond....

September 22 – Once it warmed up a bit, Bill went for a walk and we just hung out until closer to lunch

time.  We got some recommendations from the gate person as we left for Bassett and beyond!

We drove around Bassett first and realized this was the home of Bassett Furniture.  They have several big office buildings and a Bassett Store downtown and we saw several warehouse buildings and what appeared to be – big factories. 

The train station is extremely nice and there’s a cute café behind it.  We headed on to Collinsville for some BBQ.  Although the waitress wasn’t the

most pleasant we’ve ever had, the food was pretty good.  I ordered a pound of brisket and side of slaw.  The plan was to take home the majority of the meat for dinner on the road.  It wasn’t as flavorful as some I’ve had but was moist and tender.  Bill had a brisket sandwich and potato salad and he thought there was too much fat in it.  That’s where the flavor comes from!!!  The sell their own sauces and have won some kind of contest as they have a huge gavel on display!

Molly is about out of her prescription food so I called a local vet but they required to examine Molly, so I tried another in a town close by and they had no problem.  So first we went to Martinsville where I visited Rose’s, Ollie’s and we both went into Walmart. 

The next town up is Collinsville where we stopped at the vet.  I didn’t know you can’t go in but you

Kudzu consuming 4-5 RV's

have to call.  I called 14 times before I got an answer and she asked where we were parked and what the vehicle was.  She brought out paperwork I had to complete, took Molly’s script and went back in.  She brought the food out and I gave her cash and she went back in and came back with a printed receipt and Molly’s prescription. That will definitely be plenty to get home on.

I was craving something sweet so as we headed back to Bassett the choice was Wendy’s or McDonalds.  I chose McD’s mocha frappe and Bill went with caramel.  It was sooo good!

We had pretty much driven in a circle and so it was 6-7 miles back to Bassett.  Bill filled up the truck as prices were pretty cheap for fuel here.  We scoped out spots to stop in the morning to hook up the truck and headed back to the campground.  That 5 mile drive in (and back out with the RV tomorrow) was on my mind.  It’s narrow but the big deal is one U turn in the road and one arm of the U is 10 – 15 feet higher than the other.  That’s why we decided not

50+ abandoned busses

to hook up before leaving the park in case I ran into a snag.

It was gorgeous out so we put our chairs in the grassy corner we sat in yesterday and read for a while and visited with one of the rangers that came by.  Once the sun started down it got too cool in t-shirts so we went inside.

I used George to grill burgers for tonight and one travel night.  Between the burgers and the brisket, we are good for our 2 travel days.

We’ve read a lot here since we’re under the trees and can’t get any TV but it’s been really relaxing.

Enjoying Lake Philpott

September 21 – It was a brisk 47 out when we got up this morning!  Brr!  I had to hunt for some comfortable long pants and t-shirt for today.  Luckily I had one pair of jersey pants and a long sleeve t-shirt. 

After breakfast I called the office to see if we could possibly change sites to a leveler one.  Bill

View from our front window

had scoped out 2 further around our loop but neither was available for our remaining 2 nights.  He suggested another site in the same area so we put our jackets on and walked around to the site.  It was a perfect site but the truck would have no where to park.  Bill wasn’t excited about leaving it in the parking lot and not being able to keep an eye on it.  We have a lot of “stuff” in the back and after the break in last year when we were stuck in a motel he wants it where we can see or hear, hopefully.  I called and told the ranger thanks but we didn’t want to park the truck in the lot.  So we will be angled for 2 more nights. 

We walked down to the lake and watched a couple of older guys with a new pop up kind of boat and they took hours before they eventually launched it fishing.  There were other boats on the water and an older couple and their adult son that went swimming.  They took a thermometer and said it

Our spot

was 76 in the water this morning and they went right in and stayed well over an hour.  The kids were all gone back to school so it was adults only hanging around today.  A guy looked like he was training his dog to fetch ducks for his duck hunting trips.  That dog loved chasing after that stuffed duck!

After lunch Bill took his chair out and read while I worked on catching up on the blog and journals.  Then I took a break and went out to join him.  There was a parking space beside us at the bathhouse that we sat in until the person came to clean it so we moved towards the lake to a little grassy corner in the sun.  Bill went in first and I stayed until I finished my latest Hannah Swenson murder mystery.

For dinner I made a good old southern meal of salt cured ham, biscuits, corn on the cob and squash.  All that was missing was a homemade cobbler.  It was delicious!  The only thing better would have been some fresh cooked collard greens!

 Time to work on my blog with my limited WIFI!

Travel day

September 20 – Travel day!  It was COLD this morning and we were not in any hurry to get on the road.  We had only seen one RV leave and the kids were out on the bounce thingamajig having a ball before being called in to go home. 

Bill said our drive today was about 4 hours and we didn’t know what check in time was so we left around 10. I had googled remedies to the error messages we were getting on our leveling panel so once he unhooked the utilities I tried multiple times with no success!

So we headed west on I-64 and as we got close to Rt 40, which the GPS said to go on, Bill decided to go on Rt 29 which we had been on twice when we left Sherando Lake in years past.  It was pretty much all 4 lane divided highway.  The dilemma was finding a place to pull over to have lunch or a bathroom break!

We had booked 3 nights at a Corp of Army Engineers campground near Bassett, VA on Philpot Lake.  From the main road it was 4.6 miles to the entrance on those wonderful narrow, curvy, up and down roads through the woods.  I already know of one hairpin curve than I am dreading the ride back out on!  Our space looks over a parking area along one side of the lake with a roped off swimming area, 2 boat ramps, a pavilion and 2 walking ramps.  We’re in the trees and it’s shady to the extent of being chilly but the view from our front window is very nice.

The site was not very level so we are boarded up in front and still not level.  I tried again to clear the leveling console with no luck.  So we’re a little downhill as I don’t like to go up 3 boards.  We will call tomorrow and see if there is anything leveler to move to.

Dinner was leftovers for Bill and I finally got out my Tony’s frozen clam chowder and it was so yummy.  I had about half so think that’s lunch tomorrow.  Now to plan another trip to Cedar Key!! 

Friends and lunch out

September 19 – Today we had plans to meet up with my friend Peggy and her husband Tommy at an Italian restaurant in Louisa.  The town was about 7 miles from the campground and we got there a little early and drove around to see what was there. 

Kelly and Peggy

The restaurant was an excellent pick!  I thoroughly enjoyed my white cheese (ricotta and mozzarella) with spinach pizza.  Bill had an open calzone and he raved about as well.  Peggy and Tommy went with a full meal with a salad and both were pleased as well!  Of course Peggy and I kept a steady conversation going at our end of the table and Bill and Tommy were doing the same at their end.  Peggy brought me up to date on folks and we caught up on her family and my family.  She now uses a rolling walker due to some back issues in addition to her MS.  We agreed to do a better job of keeping in touch as we are not getting any younger!  Peggy got me through Algebra 1 in the 8^th grade as luckily for me we were seated alphabetically in the classroom and I was right behind her!!  It was another great visit! 

From there we headed to the closest Wal-mart for a few things and to just drive around a bit.  When we got back to the campground there were kids all over having a ball!  The campground was full for sure! 

For dinner we each had our leftovers from lunch.  Bill tried to talk me into getting a larger pizza at lunch.  I got an 8 inch, which was the smallest and still had half left.  He tried a small piece at the restaurant, full well knowing he doesn’t like spinach, and said he still didn’t like it!  I ate 2 pieces for dinner and he had calzone and I made small salads to with it.  It really was the best pizza.  I might have to give making on a try! 

Back in my hometown!

September 18 – After a leisurely morning of laundry and breakfast and lunch, we  headed out

The new and old bridge over the James River

to Cartersville.  This is my hometown and will al- ways be my hometown.  We moved  when I was 14 and it was  very difficult  for my  family  to accept.  My  dad  had been  transferred  to  NC  to manage  a Moore’s  Building  Supply, which was the  forerunner  of  Home  Depot  and  Lowes.   I missed  my  friends  terribly  but  mostly I missed my grandmother  who  died  from  cancer shortly after we left.  I had  spent  most  of  the  summer taking  care  of  her  as  she  had  become  bed-ridden.  I grew up living next door and could see her  every  day  of  my  life until then.  I spent almost every Saturday night at her house with her and grandpa and was spoiled to death!  I openly admit it! 

I like to drive around and see what has changed each time we visit.  We don’t visit often

The house I was raised in

but when we do I like to visualize how it used to be and in 52 years you can imagine the changes I see.  Our house looks really small now.  It was only 3 rooms when we moved there and dad added on 2 bedrooms, a bathroom (which we didn’t have at all before), doubled the size of the living room and added a den where dad could paint, do tile work and have his own space.  Mark and I learned to mix mortar as dad built our new fireplace, which meant we also learned to haul wood all winter!  I learned to play baseball with my brother and his friends in the field by our house that grandpa would try to keep cut for us.  Mark turned me into a right-handed athlete as we only had right-handed gloves.  Sometimes I think I could write a book on my home town and the characters that lived there!

Hamilton Elementary School

I think the highlight of our “tour” was visiting Hamilton Elementary School.  I wanted a photo and saw there was a plaque now in front.  Originally it was the high school but when we grew up it was elementary and we learned it is now owned by a lady who lives in the old lunchroom next door.  She came out and allowed us to go in the school and I can’t say how much it meant to me to go in my first 4 classrooms and reminisce.  I could see the kids I grew up with

and the long grown over playground, the auditorium that my friends Linda and Sherrie and I would convince the janitor, Samson, to open for us to go in during the boring summer months.  Linda could play the piano so Sherrie and I would act and dance on the stage.  Those were great times in my life!

Linda's furniture choices match mine!

By the time we had driven all over and I took lots of photos, it was time to head to my friend Linda’s house to have dinner and spend the evening visiting with her and Mike.  The guys always have plenty to talk about and Linda and I catch up on everyone we know and reminisce about those days and years gone by.  It really has gone by fast!  Linda made a delicious chicken dinner with potatoes and green beans from their garden.  She even made homemade pimento cheese that was awesome and I will give it a try!  Then time flew by and it was way past dark when we made the spooky drive home through the woods on the winding up and down hill roads back to our campground.

All was well with Molly when we got home and we had an excellent day – well I did!

Driving in the rain!

September 17 – It looked to be a nasty day and Jean and Paul knew the weather from the current southern hurricane was going to be right in their path.  They left at 7:45 and it’s always sad when we have say good-bye to them.  We will see them mid-November but that seems so far off!

It was cooling off and starting to rain a bit when we finally got up, dressed and ate.  We didn’t plan to leave until really last as our drive was only about 90 minutes in normal weather but with the rain it would be 2 hours and check in wasn’t until 2.  I did some computer work and Bill called and asked if we could arrive any earlier and was told 1. 

We packed up and hooked up the truck in the drizzle but that was only the start of a rainy day!  Once we got on the interstate it got worse as it was coming our way.  The trucks don’t adjust their speed and I refuse to go over 57 in rainy conditions on the interstate.  We were headed to Small County Campground in Louisa, VA.  We stayed here years ago in our 5^th wheel and it looked really different.  It’s pretty far off the interstate but it’s the closest place that can accommodate an RV our side near my hometown, Cartersville, VA. 

We have a pull thru space right in the front of the park.  It’s really a good space to watch the coming and going and people at the little camp store.  Across in the front is a huge bounce mound that they fill at 9 in the morning and the kids and adults are on it all day long. 

It was dreary all day so we never left the RV or the campground!

Moving on to Jamestown!

September 16 – Our last day with Jean and Paul! 

Bill was not feeling well at all this morning and hadn’t slept well either, so he begged off.  Jean and Paul and I ended up visiting in their RV for at least 45 minutes so we got a late start for Jamestown.

There are 2 Jamestown places, one is a National Park and one is Jamestowne Settlement, a

Most of the outer triangle wall is down.  

re-creation with a big museum and replicas of the 3 ships, Susan Constant, Godspeed and Discovery.  That one I think is owned by the state and the National Park one is the actual location and remains of the settlement.  We assumed (which you should not do) that our National Park passes would get us in at their park but due to Covid and the gift shop being closed, etc. they charged a $10 fee.  We walked the original “fort” grounds, saw the monuments, the old church tower and the addition to it, the graveyard and watched the ferry boats continual passing as they crossed the James River. 

There was a nice little café near the grounds so

Pocahontas Statue 

we had lunch there.  It was a little pricy but very good!  Jean and Paul loved their cookies and got 2 for the road! 

First church tower

As we left the fort area we stopped at the glass blowing location.  They had never seen glass blowing and they have one guy explaining the process and one guy doing the work, then they trade off.  They were making blue glass fancy small vases but since Covid and they had been closed so long, they didn’t need anymore inventory so they just re-melt the item and start over.  We checked out the nice items for sale in the small shop beside the ovens and I bought my 2020 National Park stickers but that was it.  I realized after we walked back to the car that I didn’t have my little tote bag so I walked back I knew I had set it down while I got my wallet out of my purse

Inside the church

and it was right where I left it!  Phew!

On the way back to the campground I spotted a HUGE Habitat Restore so we stopped.  I didn’t want to buy much as we have so little space left for purchases in the RV but I did find a new skein of 

Ferries crossing

Christmas yarn and Jean found some things for one of the houses she is renovating.  It was 3 times the size of our store in Winter Garden.

They will be heading out pretty early compared to us.  Jean has another trip coming up and needs to get back and get her rental done.

Jean had brought a casserole she made and invited us over to dinner.  I took a tossed salad and we enjoyed our dinner and Bill was feeling much better.  We stayed well over an hour and just chatting like we always do. 

Tiring day in Williamsburg

September 15 – Today was real tourist activity and we were tired enough to prove it!  We

Powder Magazine

agreed to be ready again at 9:30 for a trip to Williamsburg.  It was a beautiful day out with enough sun to be comfortable but not hot.

After a wrong turn to a museum, we got directions to the Colonial Williamsburg Visitor Center.  Silly me, I didn’t take my camera or my little back pack inside so I didn’t get the best photos or have my snack on hand and my water bottle.

I had forgotten that you board the shuttle at the VC to town.  They had blocked off a lot of the VC so basically you paid for a reduced rate ticket as not everything that is normally open was open.  It was about half price and the major things were open so it was good.

Nice homes along our walk

If nothing else we got in our steps today! We started in the center of Colonial Williamsburg and headed to the Capital Building first.  We stopped in any shops that were open and admired the original homes along Duke of Gloucester.  At the end is The Capitol and our wait for a tour was very short.  They have a limit to the number who go in at a time.  Our guide

The Capitol

was very informative and we enjoyed her presentation.  Luckily for our group there was a restroom near the exit before we headed back in the other direction.

On the walk back towards the Governor’s Palace we stopped to see the blacksmiths at work, the wainrights and cooks.  They were very nice to answer our questions and explain how their equipment works.  They make all of the replacement or new pieces of wood needed for wagons and iron parts for the carriages, furniture, hinges, and whatever inside the colonial area to keep things as authentic as possible. 

Snack Time

We also visited the silversmith and he gave a nice talk as well on the number of smiths and how long it takes to make certain products.  Today he was making spoons that they use in the homes that are open to the public and that are for sale in the shops.

We were pooped and needing a snack so we found a bench right in front of the only snack stand or food place currently open.  They had drinks, water, cookies and pretzels rolls.  Bill got us a bottle of water and ginger molasses cookies.  Jean and Paul went with peanut butter.  They were nice hearty cookies and we all felt ready to get back on the trail after our break.

Next stop was the courthouse.  There was not even a 5 minute

Paul and Jean taking in the courtroom

wait and we got in.  It was another interesting stop where we learned more about how legal terms came to be, such as “taking the stand” and “passing the bar”.  It was a short presentation and then we headed further up the street and turned right to the Governor’s Palace. 

We were directed to a set of benches where we were the second group in line to enter.  We sat on a bench by a tree where an adorable squirrel was having a snack and not the least bit bothered by us being a couple of feet away.  Our keepers provided some history information at each spot and then we entered thru the front

What a cutie!

entrance in the round hall decorated with period rifles and military paraphernalia.   We viewed the offices on each side, the kitchens and then into a big hall where a huge staircase leading to the bedrooms upstairs and forward into the ball room.  The last room was the formal dining room with a warming oven and gorgeous chan-deliers.  I loved the green   it was painted.  

We exited the back door with the Coat of Arms above it into some gardens, where we turned right and made our way back to the front of the palace.  We were all pretty pooped and ready

Warming oven

to go left to the bus stop.  The wait for the bus was longer than the ride back to the visitor center but we were happy to be able to sit in either location.

Since we hadn’t had an actual lunch, we were ready for some grub!  Bill googled while Paul drove and we ended up at Oceans & Ale.  The food was great!  I had coconut shrimp, Bill and Paul had  steaks and Jean had a HUGE hamburger!  Next stop was Williamsburg Pottery, which used to be in one huge old, old building.  Now it was in a plaza and very fancy

Clowning around 

  

from the outside and was 3 separate buildings in a row.  Bill stayed in the car but Jean, Paul and I went shopping.  I got 3 bottles of wine, snacks and a few other small things and Jean bought some Sangria and several other odds and ends. 

Poor bear couldn't breathe

I found coupons in some of our literature that were BOGO ice cream in a gift shop so of course, that became our next stop.  First we looked for postcards and souvenirs, then we got our ice cream and sat out on the “veranda” and enjoyed our bargain treats!

We were pretty much bushed by then and headed for the campground.  Other than a snack later I don’t think anyone had a meal!