Today was a travel day. Between missing things we’d like to see and my problem with the maps provided (north-south roads are east-west, and vice-versa, so it’s rather difficult to know which way to turn), we are getting anxious to leave North Carolina, pretty as it is.
We drove to Fayetteville to visit a couple of museums – but, as usual, we were too late and they’re not open tomorrow! So, on we went… We spent the night in Wade, NC.
Today was NOT a great day for sight-seeing!
First, we discovered that the entrance fee to see the Biltmore Estate is $60 per person! We decided that the price is a bit much, considering Hearst Castle and the Winchester House are both half that, and John isn’t particularly fond of touring houses. I would have been happy seeing the house from the outside and driving through the grounds, but, even that is not possible! So, on we trudged, to the next attractions…
Upon rejoining the Blue Ridge Parkway, we decided the road is just too narrow for our extra-wide motor home, so after a visit to the visitor center, changes were made. I found a place on the map labeled “Bat Cave” and it is on the way to the Chimney Rock State Park, so we decided to check it out. It is a little rural town…But, no Batman and no cave. Too bad!
Chimney Rock Waterfall at Chimney Rock
Unfortunately, the entrance to Chimney Rock was also not “motor home friendly,” so we passed that stop up, too.
We spent the night in Shelby, NC, anxiously looking forward to Virginia.
Today we visited the Museum of the Cherokee Indian. It told the history of the Cherokee Nation from the beginning of time. It was good to hear the Indians’ side of the invasion and wars. Out of respect, I did not take very many pictures in the museum.
The town of Cherokee is inside the Cherokee Reservation. There are several painted bears around town. Here are a couple of them:
From Cherokee, we joined the Blue Ridge Mountain Parkway and continued to a campground just outside Asheville, NC. So far, we have enjoyed driving on the parkway. Below, pictures from our drive.
We started the day with waffles from the Waffle House, a first for us. Waffles are John’s favorite, and we’ve been seeing these little fast food-type restaurants all over the south, since Texas. I guess it’s about time! Much to our surprise, they’re more on the line of a diner, with real waitresses! The service was great and came with a smile. I didn’t know they could fit a whole restaurant in such a little space!
After filling up on waffles, we visited the Walnut Grove Plantation, a pre-1776 plantation. The tour included all the buildings, including the second story of the plantation manor and a lively narration of the history of the plantation and its owner’s involvement in the Revolutionary War. Here are two views of the manor... It is so far set back, it can’t be seen from the road.
We continued west toward the Blue Ridge Mountains and finally into North Carolina. I finally got a good map of the region and hope we will take the Blue Ridge Parkway from Cherokee, SC to somewhere near Washington DC. Here is a “first look” at the Blue Ridge Mountains. They are really blue!
We are spending the night in Cherokee… At the Indian Casino!
Without getting our feet wet!!
They are neighboring towns in South Carolina.
Today we decided to change course for cooler climes. We are heading through South Carolina for the Blue Ridge Mountains. The country roads are very scenic. We haven’t stopped for any sightseeing, however: Either we didn’t know about the attraction until it was too late or it was closed. We enjoyed the ride, however, and the somewhat cooler temperatures.
Here are some photos I took along the way…
We spent the night in Enoree, just outside the Sumter National Forest, north of Columbia, South Carolina.
We didn’t travel too far today – We were too busy getting educated!
I oogled and oogled the Atlantic Ocean (high tide) while we travelled the coast. When we got close to St. Augustine, I couldn’t resist the lure of another fort. Fort Matanazas is a tiny little stone outpost on an island south of St. Augustine. It was built by the Spanish to defend “St. Augustine’s back door.” The only shots fired here were 2 warning shots when the fort was being built!
After an enjoyable visit, including a short “cruise” to the fort, we continued to the St. Augustine light station. Here we learned the difference between a light station and a lighthouse. The lighthouse is the tower itself, and all towers have different patterns so they can be recognized out at sea by color and kind of pattern, if any. A light station is the whole complex of buildings surrounding and including the light house.
I also made a new friend there, another lady who tats. We traded e-mail addresses and promised to keep in touch once I get home….
So, what IS a skink? We just had to ask after seeing them mentioned on a warning sign! They are long, black lizards, poisonous to cats, should they eat them. Apparently they abound in St. Augustine.
We spent the night near Brunswick, Georgia.
We left Aunt Helen’s this morning, loaded up on supplies for the next week, and visited the local lighthouse before heading north.
above - View of Daytona Beach from the top of the lighthouse
Actually, we didn’t head north just yet… The lighthouse stop took the rest of the afternoon, so we headed back to the local KOA for the night. The small thunderstorms have finally stopped, too.
The Ponce de Leon Inlet Light Station Museum, as it is called, was pretty interesting. There are several buildings that are open to the public, and Anne was able to climb the 203 steps to the “gallery deck” – the open platform that goes around the top. The lighthouse still works, so no one is allowed in the very top, where the lamp is.
The Lighthouse Looking Down the stairs from the top
