ST AUGUSTINE, FL.  Arrived home safely on Wednesday, Sep 17th.  Been very busy unloading the motorhome, taking Betty to doctor appointments, unpacking clothes, etc. ever since.  

The route taken home was far better than the usual route through South Carolina on I-26.  Instead of that, on the way home we traveled on I-74/US 74 east to Lumberton, NC on I-95.  Almost no traffic.  Very nice change.  The following day we traveled south on I-95 to Savannah, which is our customary second day stop on the way home.  There were sections of I-95 in South Carolina that had been freshly repaved and provided excellent driving.  Some sections were still in process of repaving, but not that bad.  Overall a great improvement in our experience of returning home in the motorhome. 

 FANCY GAP, VA.  On Wednesday, Sep 10th, we returned to the nature preserve that we had visited a few days ago.  At that time, Betty was not able to walk the portion that led to the lookouts, so she wanted to return for that walk.

When we got to the first lookout that included a homemade xylophone, Betty played the two tunes that they had listed notes by the number of the bar below.  If you click on the images below you may be able to make out the two songs with included bar numbers to strike. 

Betty Strikes Out a Couple Tunes

Closeup of Xylophone

Betty also wanted to include photos of the yellow flowers and wild grass that graced the area.

Wild Flowers Growing in Area

Tall Wild Grass in Foreground

On Thursday, Sep 11th, the Eagles had us over for dinner to show off the work that had been done behind their house.  This had taken up a great deal of their time in recent weeks as they were assisted by someone they hired to do the heavy work of removing old wooden walkways and replacing with groomed gravel.  Also in attendance was their neighborhood friends, the Totzkes.  I tried to capture the grand sweep of all the work done by taking some panoramas as guests were gathered on the back porch.  As always on this blog, you can click on a photo to enlarge it.

On Left Walkway Leads to Fire Pit Area

Several outbuildings out back serve as hobby enclosures and workshops.

This Photo Sweep Shows the Back Porch

This Photo Sweep Includes the Fire Pit and Back Porch

And We Shared a Meal Together

On Friday, Sep 12th, Betty and I attended one of the free afternoon concerts at the local Blue Ridge Parkway Music Center.  The group that was advertised was supposed to be the same one we saw a last year in July with the Eagles.  As it turned out, this was a totally different group who were not nearly as polished in their performance as the former group, but they were quite endearing in their personalities.  One man sang a solo of the gospel tune, In the Garden, as a tribute to a niece who recently passed away.  It was very touching. 

In the Garden Solo

The full group unapologetically continued with a string of old gospel tunes, clearly a testimony to their shared faith.  I continue to be astonished by the Christian influence boldly shared in this area.  

These are a people acquainted with hardship and grief, which is written on their faces.  A hard life and a strong faith.  It draws them closer together with steady resolve and united fellowship. 

The only woman in the group, second from left, was very outspoken and spoke for the group.  A very endearing lady.  She ironically grew up in Ft Lauderdale.  I told her I grew up just up the road in Pompano Beach.  We agreed that Florida is very hot and humid.  She was very glad that she had moved up into the area of the Crooked Road, a section of Virginia Route 58 that is home to most of these performers. 

 

https://www.google.com/search?q=The+crooked+road+in+virginia&oq=The+crooked+road+in+virginia&gs_lcrp=EgZjaHJvbWUyBggAEEUYOdIBCjExODkzajBqMTWoAgiwAgE&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8#lpg=cid:CgIgAQ%3D%3D,ik:CAoSFkNJSE0wb2dLRUlDQWdJRFV1SWY5R0E

Next year we hope to attend more of these concerts.

 FANCY GAP, VA. Events of interest lately have been our trip down to Denver, NC on Saturday, Sep 6th, to visit with the Rohrbaughs, who had driven up to Fancy Gap several days ago to have lunch with us at the Eagles' house.  After a nice lunch we played one of their favorite games, Head, Knee, and Foot.  It is a card game employing 3 decks of cards.  Eventually the table is covered in "books" and "libraries" of cards, and the three card decks are reduced to a fraction of their beginning size due to the game's requirement to draw so many cards.  Each game is so involved that we only had time for one game before it was time to drive back up here to Fancy Gap.  It was great fun while it lasted.  Just like old times in Newland, NC when we used to visit them in their former home there.

Betty, David, and Jo Around the Table

Sunday night, Sept 7th, Betty had a craving for some ice cream, so we headed off the parkway down one of its entrances to Rt 52.  There is the Fancy Gap General Store, which we had thought must be a feed and grain shop, but Marti Eagle had recommended as a place to get a snack or some ice cream.  Nice ice cream in an interesting venue of local color.  Outside the store is a very large carving of a bear, in front of which Betty wanted to be photographed.  See below.

Betty and the Bear

On Monday, Sep 8th, Betty attended a ladies' tea at church.  Marti Eagle graciously drove her down and back.  Betty took a couple photos of the ladies in attendance.

Left Side of Room

Right Side of Room

I remained home in the motorhome catching up on some reading.  Since there is no cable TV here, we have been doing a lot of reading, much more than we do at home with cable TV available.

 FANCY GAP, VA.  We have not done much the past few days, partly due to Betty's taking it easy on her back, and partly due to the general sparsity of things to do around here.

On Sunday, August 31st, we again attended church.  One special point is that the Eagles' daughter visited from her home in Winston-Salem.  I got a photo of them together, as I did two years ago when she visited the church to attend services with her parents.

Eagles with Daughter This Year

Eagles with Daughter Two Years Ago

On Tuesday, Sep 2nd, we decided to try what was said to be a simple hike at the local Devil's Den Nature Preserve.  Interesting how around North America locations are named after the devil to draw attention, rather than after the Creator of all things.  It was an area situated around an historic fenced-in family cemetery.  

Well Maintained Cemetery

Wonderful Condition for a 19th Century Grave

This One Is Harder to Read

The map provided for the preserve is sketchy, causing us to enter their hiking trail in the wrong direction.  We thought we were headed a short ways to a couple lookouts, but we inadvertently were headed on a rocky and more demanding portion than we had intended, especially since Betty was trying to take it easy.

Betty Begins Her Hike with Great Enthusiasm

After we hiked the  demanding up-and-down trail a while, we turned back.  This was far more than Betty needed to be doing.  We went back to the cemetery area and checked the map again using a compass.  Turns out that the part we wanted to try entailed walking around what appeared to be an FCC security fence.  Apparently the fence was only to keep motorized traffic away from the cell towers down the road.

Walking around the fence, we could see mowed grass along the road.  

Trail Along the Tall Grass

As you get to the end of the tall grass, the trail turns hard left and continues to a wooded area in the distance.

The Trail Continues

You Can See a Park Bench at the Lookout

There is Even a Sort of Xylophone Beside the Bench

I attempted a short tune on the xylophone of pipes, but not much.

View from First Lookout

Continuing our walk to the second lookout, one could see it was not nearly as nice as the first one.  And the view through the thicket was virtually nonexistent.

Second Lookout Area

We returned after that.  There is more to the trail, but Betty had had enough adventure for one day.  This coming Saturday we drive down to Denver to see the Rohrbaughs for lunch.  Hope to get some nice photos then.

FANCY GAP, VA.  On Tuesday, Aug 26th, we returned to Mt Airy to pick up Betty's jewelry order.  We did some shopping on Main Street at one of the souvenir shops.  Betty wanted to get something for herself and friends, and for the lady who is watering her indoor plants while we are away.  

The town has so many unabashed Christians expressing their faith, that many stores have some kind of Christian witness on display. I heard what seemed to me to be soothing hymns being sung in the background.  Turns out it was a CD of Andy Griffith and backup singers. They were singing the oldie goldies of the faith that mostly gospel hymnals only contain.  Not a theological fit for most Presbyterian hymnals, but sung from a full heart.  

On Wednesday, Aug 27th, Betty was not feeling up to going out, so we spent the day reading indoors.

Today, Thursday, Aug 28th, we drove into Galax so that Betty could get a pedicure and I could get a haircut.  With Floyd's Barber Shop no longer available, I had to look elsewhere, and nothing in Mt Airy looked worth a try.  We had researched where to go on Google to see who had the best customer ratings.  Admittedly a shot in the dark.

The first barber shop I stopped at had a sign in the door window stating "Be right back."  Very casual place.  After waiting a while, we knocked on the door, then called their phone number.  No response.  So we drove to another well-rated barber in town.  Sign on door stated that the current time was well within the hours of operation, but the door was locked and no one responded.  Betty suggested we give the first shop another try, so back we went.

First Barber Shop

This time, not only was the sign down and the shop open for business, but three customers were ahead of me.  The barber was rough as you could find, but seemed able to cut hair.

Barber at Work on Left

Good Ol' Boy Barber Shop

After getting Betty to her appointment with the pedicurist, I returned to get my haircut.  $16 cash only.  After hearing the other customers discuss with the barber all the events of the town while getting their hair cut, I got my turn.  Not a bad cut, and I returned to the pedicurist to check on Betty's progress.  She would not be finished for another half hour or so, so I read on my phone as I waited.  Betty and I both were surprised at the morbidly obese customers, one in particular who was getting her nails done for her upcoming wedding.

Betty was disappointed with the pedicurist, who would not use her nail polish and insisted that only his gel polish would work for her.  Glad we do not live full time in this area.

Had lunch at a nice new place that allows you to custom design your bowl of salad.  Wonderful fresh and delicious ingredients.

On the way back to the campground, Betty wanted to stop for a photo of what she calls Hobbit land, based upon the Hobbit movie with its particular plant life.  What she was referring to is areas overgrown with Kudzu.  Looks intriguing to her.  Photo included below.

Overgrown Kudzu

When we returned to the campground, we were surprised to see it fully occupied with RVs.  When we left, there was only one other RV in the whole campground and had been that way for a couple days.  Now every slot was full.

Full Campground

 FANCY GAP, VA.  On Thursday, Aug 21st, Betty and I drove up the Blue Ridge Parkway 10 miles from the campground to the Blue Ride Music Center to see what volunteer musicians were performing that day.  It is always a free performance.

That day it was Scott Freeman and Willard Gayheart, a fine duet on several instruments, including mandolin, violin, guitar, and dulcimer.  I was unable to upload a video, as I did last year, but did get a fair still shot to include here. 

Scott Freeman and Willard Gayheart

Panorama of View Behind Music Center

From there we continued on to Galax to walk on the track and do some grocery shopping.

On Saturday, Aug 23rd, the Rohrbaughs drove up from Denver for lunch with us at the Eagles' home.  It was a short but wonderful visit.  So great to see them again.

Gathered Around the Table

This Shot Includes Me

In two days it was Jo Rohrbaugh's birthday, so Betty got her a couple presents and Marti provided a cake.  

Happy Birthday, Jo!

On Sunday, Aug 24th, we attended church in Mt Airy as usual.

Today, Aug 25th, we drove down to Mt Airy again to get Betty's ordered jewelry that had arrived.  The owner of the store had left Betty a message saying to pick it up today or tomorrow.  After driving down there, it turns out the store is closed on Mondays!  We had not had lunch, so we stopped in at Barney's Cafe, which has a good rating, but we had never eaten there before.  We got Barney Burgers, and Betty also got their strange French fry offering called Chili Cheese Fries.  Neither of us could eat very much of it, but the burgers were very good.

Barney's Cafe Menu

Barney Burger

Chili Cheese Fries

The Cafe walls were covered with Mayberry memorabilia.  Once again it makes me wonder how much longer baby boomers will be around to take an interest in things from the old Andy Griffith Show.  Click on any image to enlarge.

Map below shows how many Andy Griffith Show fans reside around the world.  Betty noticed that Salmon, ID had no pin, so she added one.

Pins in Maps Show Homes of Customers of Cafe

As We Left, Two 1960s Squad Cars Passed

We had hoped to do some shopping for a friend in the shops along Main Street, but the power went out on that section of town.  I had even hoped to get a haircut somewhere, now that Floyd's was closed, and Betty wanted a pedicure, but shops were giving up on the power situation and closing for the day.  We headed on back to the campground. 

It had been such a picture-perfect day, clear and cool, that I had to get some shots of the area in great light.

View of Blue Ridge Parkway from Campground

Another View of Parkway

Last Light Over Ridge

 FANCY GAP, VA.  Thursday, Aug 14th, we drove down to Mt Airy again for our appointment with the local Jeep dealership.  We noticed on the day following our arrival here, driving to church in Mt Airy and back, that the display screen on the Jeep dashboard was so dim one could not read anything.  Then at night, when the doors opened, the overhead lights did not come on.  We attributed it to the experience in South Carolina when the Jeep battery went out.  The earliest appointment we could get was for the 14th.  

The man at the desk at the Jeep place listened as we described the problem and wrote up a repair ticket.  The mechanical staff was out on lunch break.  When the supervisor of the mechanical staff returned, he read the description of the problem and chided the man at the desk for not realizing it was the usual glitch for that model year Jeep Cherokee.  There is a rotary switch like a cylindrical wheel that is activated by rolling your thumb up or down.  It is located down low in an inconspicuous location where you would not think to look for it (or ever use it).  Apparently, someone in Spartanburg when the battery was replaced, accidentally rubbed the switch with his knee while working in the car.  The Jeep man explained that customers are constantly wasting time coming in for this reason.  One more reason not to buy a Jeep when Ford is making Broncos again.  At least they did not charge us anything.

We then were free to get some lunch, then continue on over to Main Street for Betty to see a jeweler about two broken necklace chains.  If your are looking for a gold (not gold-plated silver) chain, you are in for a shock.  The price of gold over the last 6 years has tripled.  Yike!  

After that, Betty insisted on getting a Whit's frozen custard.  This place also seems to be under new ownership from last year when we saw Bible verses on the freezer cabinets.  Not that Mt Airy has any shortage of Christian influence.  Bible verses are written on many storefronts.  

From there Betty wanted to visit the Christian bookstore across the street.  Seemed to me the items there mostly were for women and children.  As we came out of the store, I managed to get a shot of one of the several 1960s vintage Ford squad cars as shown on the Andy Griffith Show.  His influence here is huge.  Even Rt 52 that runs from Mt Airy to Fancy Gap is named the Andy Griffith Parkway.  It was along this route that we made our last stop, at the local Hobby Lobby for Betty to look for an embroidery kit, but there were only a few small kits that did not appeal to Betty.  We actually were surprised by how ill-informed the staff were there.  We had to ask several people to help us find the few items they had.

Mayberry Squad Car

On Friday, Aug 15th, we returned to Galax to walk once more on their track.  We did more laps this time and hope to return several more times to work our way up.  They have a water aerobics class, but the pool area is heated up so high that just opening the door to the pool area nearly made us swoon.  The heat contributes to raising the temperature of the track area that is on the same floor.  So far, of all their offerings, only walking on the track seemed like options for us.

After that we did more grocery shopping at Walmart, got a salad at Wendy's, and returned too our home-away-from-home here at the campground.  

We have seen no more of our friends, the Eagles, since they busy themselves every day working in their yard.  Looking forward to Saturday a week from now when the Rohrbaughs will be driving up here to visit with the Eagles and us.

Today is my sister's 78th birthday.  She is busy with her daughter and granddaughters earlier today, so later on we shall call her to wish her a happy birthday.