Tuesday, May 1
We left Roebuck, SC. On the way to our next destination, we stopped along the highway to take a picture of "The Peachoid" in Gaffney. When we were in Gaffney a few days before, we were not aware of this water tank because we came into town from a different direction and didn’t see it. It is supposed to be the most photographed water tank in the U.S. It’s painted to match the various kinds of peaches grown in Cherokee County, using 20 colors and 50 gallons of paint.
We set up at Bass Lake in Salisbury, NC.
Wednesday, May 2
Because my knee was hurting quite a bit, we spent a lot of time trying to find an urgent care facility to have it checked out. The doctor thought that it was just sprained.
Friday, May 4
We went to the Mill Village Museum in Cooleemee, NC. The woman who is usually at the museum to greet people, was not able to work that afternoon and the town historian was filling in for her. We received a lesson on the effects of the Civil War in the South, history of the textile mills in the South, and the history of this mill (built in 1890‘s) and the village of Cooleemee. The house used for the museum was once the mill manager’s home.
We also walked over to a mill house and it was set up as it would have been in the 1930’s. The Cooleemee Mill closed in 1969. This was different than other museum stops -- getting the information from an historian who loves to share his knowledge is so much better than reading signs for the information or watching a documentary.
From there we stopped at Sloan Park near Mount Ulla, to see an 1823 grist mill.
Our next stop was at Patterson Farm, Mount Ulla, where Kent picked strawberries. My knee was still bothering me, so I let him do all the work.
We’ve had fresh, locally grown strawberries starting in Louisiana in December, and then Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, and now North Carolina. If we buy strawberries in a grocery store, we have to check where they’re from because “everyone” carries California strawberries--you know, the variety grown in Watsonville that are great for shipping but have little, if any, flavor. We’ve had locally grown strawberries that are better, or as good as, what you get at the roadside stands in the Central Valley of California. We’re enjoying this long strawberry season--December to May.
From there we stopped at Sloan Park near Mount Ulla, to see an 1823 grist mill.
Our next stop was at Patterson Farm, Mount Ulla, where Kent picked strawberries. My knee was still bothering me, so I let him do all the work.
We’ve had fresh, locally grown strawberries starting in Louisiana in December, and then Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, and now North Carolina. If we buy strawberries in a grocery store, we have to check where they’re from because “everyone” carries California strawberries--you know, the variety grown in Watsonville that are great for shipping but have little, if any, flavor. We’ve had locally grown strawberries that are better, or as good as, what you get at the roadside stands in the Central Valley of California. We’re enjoying this long strawberry season--December to May.
Saturday, May 5
In Rowan we saw an old stone house built in 1766.
Sunday, May 6
For worship service we went to the W. Innes St. Church of Christ, Salisbury. After lunch we went bowling.
Tuesday, May 8
We moved to Sycamore Lodge in Jackson Springs, NC.
Wednesday, May 9
Went bowling.
Thursday, May 10
Seagrove, NC is the handmade pottery capital of the US. We visited the North Carolina Pottery Center and learned about the history of pottery making in NC.
Handcrafted pottery in this area has been made in the same traditions for more than 200 years. The pottery display shows items from some of the current local potters.
The Seagrove area has about 100 pottery shops and galleries. You would think that we would have been able to find a potter who was actually working with clay -- but no we didn’t. One place we were referred to, the potter had a sign on his gate “Closed - Gone Fishin.” Another place, the potter and his wife were painting their building and cleaning up the area getting ready for tourist season. We did check out a couple of shops just to look at pottery and saw a lot of beautiful pieces -- but not practical for our lifestyle. I had always heard of “throwing” clay and “firing.” But the potters, at least in this area, refer to it as “turning” and “burning.”
Handcrafted pottery in this area has been made in the same traditions for more than 200 years. The pottery display shows items from some of the current local potters.
The Seagrove area has about 100 pottery shops and galleries. You would think that we would have been able to find a potter who was actually working with clay -- but no we didn’t. One place we were referred to, the potter had a sign on his gate “Closed - Gone Fishin.” Another place, the potter and his wife were painting their building and cleaning up the area getting ready for tourist season. We did check out a couple of shops just to look at pottery and saw a lot of beautiful pieces -- but not practical for our lifestyle. I had always heard of “throwing” clay and “firing.” But the potters, at least in this area, refer to it as “turning” and “burning.”
Friday, May 11
We toured the Airborne & Special Operations Museum, Fayetteville, NC.
Sunday, May 13
We attended the worship service at the campground. In the afternoon we went to the Town Creek Indian Mound. This is North Carolina’s oldest Historic Site. The ceremonial center is a reconstruction. Right over the entrance to one of the huts was this black snake (yes, it was alive).
Wednesday, May 16
We went bowling.
Thursday, May 17
We left Jackson Springs and spent the night at Walmart in Roanoke Rapids, NC.
Friday, May 18
We arrived at Wilderness Presidential Resorts in Spotsylvania, VA.
Saturday, May 19
A Civil War re-enactment (The Battle of Harris Farm) was being held in Spotsylvania so we decided to attend. We had time to hear a speech by "President Jefferson Davis" before heading to the battlefield area.
There was an announcer who explained the movements as it pertained to the Battle of Harris Farm.
There was an announcer who explained the movements as it pertained to the Battle of Harris Farm.
Sunday, May 20
We attended worship at Chancellor Christian Church in Spotsylvania. Then we went back to the re-enactment area.
Tuesday, May 22
We went to Fredericksburg and had lunch at El Paso Mexican Restaurant.
Thursday, May 24
We went bowling.
Friday, May 25
We left Spotsylvania and put the fifth wheel into storage in Waldorf, MD and spent a few days with Danielle, Josh and Megan before flying to California.
Sunday, May 27
We attended Hughesville Baptist Church with Danielle & Josh.
Monday, May 28
Kent and I kept Megan while Danielle and Josh went to a movie.
Tuesday, May 29
Danielle and I took Megan to a playground.
Wednesday, May 30
Danielle took us to the Baltimore airport and we flew to Los Angeles for Brittnie's wedding. Bob picked us up at the airport.
Thursday, May 31
Brittnie had her rehearsal and dinner. Kent and I walked to Norm’s for dinner and then went for a walk around the neighborhood.
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